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diff --git a/42504-0.txt b/42504-0.txt index d610bc3..cdb1237 100644 --- a/42504-0.txt +++ b/42504-0.txt @@ -1,35 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campers Out, by Edward S. Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Campers Out - The Right Path and the Wrong - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: April 11, 2013 [EBook #42504] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPERS OUT *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42504 *** [Illustration: THE NEXT MOMENT SOME ONE WAS SEEN HOLDING A LAMP IN HIS HAND] @@ -7666,358 +7635,4 @@ it until the last page is turned. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Campers Out - The Right Path and the Wrong - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: April 11, 2013 [EBook #42504] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPERS OUT *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE NEXT MOMENT SOME ONE WAS SEEN HOLDING A LAMP IN -HIS HAND] - - - - - THE CAMPERS OUT - - OR - - THE RIGHT PATH AND THE WRONG - - BY - EDWARD S. ELLIS, A. M. - - Author of "True to His Trust," - "Among the Esquimaux," etc. - - THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA MDCCCXCVIII - - - - - Copyright 1893 - by The Penn Publishing Company - - - - -CONTENTS - - I. The Plotters - II. How the Scheme Worked - III. A Startling Occurrence - IV. The Runaways - V. The Way of the Transgressor - VI. Sowing Seed - VII. One Afternoon in Autumn - VIII. Fellow-Passengers - IX. Dick Halliard - X. A Startling Summons - XI. No Joke - XII. The Victim of a Mistake - XIII. Adrift in the Swamp - XIV. Host and Guests - XV. The Forest Path - XVI. The Plotters - XVII. A Brave Exploit - XVIII. An Act of Forgetfulness - XIX. An Error of Judgment - XX. The Baying of a Hound - XXI. "Help! Help!" - XXII. Hot Quarters - XXIII. A Brilliant Shot - XXIV. Suspicious Footprints - XXV. Up a Tree - XXVI. Hunting the Hunters - XXVII. A Race for Life - XXVIII. A Cry from the Darkness - XXIX. A Sad Discovery - XXX. A Friend Indeed - XXXI. Dick Halliard Is Astounded - XXXII. How It Happened - XXXIII. Conclusion - - - - -THE CAMPERS OUT - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE PLOTTERS - - -Jim McGovern was poring over his lesson one afternoon in the Ashton -public school, perplexed by the thought that unless he mastered the -problem on which he was engaged he would be kept after the dismissal -of the rest, when he was startled by the fall of a twisted piece of -paper on his slate. - -He looked around to learn its starting point, when he observed Tom -Wagstaff, who was seated on the other side of the room, peeping over -the top of his book at him. Tom gave a wink which said plainly enough -that it was he who had flipped the message so dexterously across the -intervening space. - -Jim next glanced at the teacher, who was busy with a small girl that -had gone to his desk for help in her lessons. The coast being clear, -so to speak, he unfolded the paper and read: - - "Meat Bill Waylett and me after scool at the cross roads, for - the bizness is of the utmoast importants dont fale to be there - for the iurn is hot and we must strike be4 it gits cool. - - Tom." - -The meaning of this note, despite its Volapük construction, was clear, -and Jim felt that he must be on hand at all hazards. - -So the urchin applied himself with renewed vigor to his task, and, -mastering it, found himself among the happy majority that were allowed -to leave school at the hour of dismissal. A complication, however, -arose from the fact that the writer of the note was one of those who -failed with his lesson, and was obliged to stay with a half-dozen -others until he recited it correctly. - -Thus it happened that Jim McGovern and Billy Waylett, after sauntering -to the crossroads, which had been named as the rendezvous, and waiting -until the rest of the pupils appeared, found themselves without their -leader. - -But they were not compelled to wait long, when the lad, who was older -than they, was seen hurrying along the highway, eager to meet and -explain to them the momentous business that had led him to call this -special meeting. - -"Fellers," said he, as he came panting up, "let's climb over the fence -and go among the trees." - -"What for?" asked Billy Waylett. - -"It won't do for anybody to hear us." - -"Well, they won't hear us," observed Jim McGovern, "if we stay here, -for we can see any one a half mile off." - -"But they might sneak up when we wasn't watching," insisted the -ringleader, who proceeded to scale the fence in the approved style of -boyhood, the others following him. - -Tom led the way for some distance among the trees, and then, when he -came to a halt, peered among the branches overhead, and between and -behind the trunks, to make sure no cowens were in the neighborhood. - -Finally, everything was found to be as he wished, and he broke the -important tidings in guarded undertones. - -"I say, boys, are you both going to stick?" - -"You bet we are," replied Billy, while Jim nodded his head several -times to give emphasis to his answer. - -"Well, don't you think the time has come to strike?" - -"I've been thinking so for two--three weeks," said Billy. - -"What I asked you two to meet me here for was to tell you that I've -made up my mind we must make a move. Old Mr. Stearns, our teacher, is -getting meaner every day; he gives us harder lessons than ever, and -this afternoon he piled it on so heavy I had to stay after you fellers -left. If Sam Bascomb hadn't sot behind me, and whispered two or three -of them words, I would have been stuck there yet." - -"He come mighty nigh catching me, too," observed Jim McGovern. - -"You know we've made up our minds to go West to shoot Injuns, and the -time has come to go." - -The sparkle of the other boys' eyes and the flush upon their ruddy -faces showed the pleasure which this announcement caused. The bliss of -going West to reduce the population of our aborigines had been in -their dreams for months, and they were impatient with their chosen -leader that he had deferred the delight so long. They were happy to -learn at last that the delay was at an end. - -"Now I want to know how you fellers have made out," said Tom, with an -inquiring look from one to the other. - -"I guess you'll find we've done purty well," said Jim; "anyways I know -_I_ have; I stole my sister's gold watch the other night and sold -it to a peddler for ten dollars." - -"What did you do with the ten dollars?" - -"I bought a revolver and a lot of cartridges. Oh! I tell you I'm -primed and ready, and I'm in favor of not leaving a single Injun in -the West!" - -"Them's my idees," chimed Billy Waylett. - -"Well, how have _you_ made out, Billy?" - -"I got hold of father's watch, day before yesterday, but he catched me -when I was sneaking out of the house and wanted to know what I was up -to. I told him I thought it needed cleaning and was going to take it -down to the jeweler's to have it 'tended to." - -"Well, what then?" - -Billy sighed as he said, meekly: - -"Father said he guessed I was the one that needed 'tending to, and he -catched me by the nape of the neck, and, boys, was you ever whipped -with a skate strap?" - -His friends shook their heads as an intimation that they had never -been through that experience. - -"Well, I hope you never will; but, say," he added, brightening up, -"mother has a way of leaving her pocket-book layin' round that's awful -mean, 'cause it sets a fellow to wishing for it. Pop makes her an -allowance of one hundred dollars a month to run things, and last night -I scooped twenty dollars out of her pocket-book, when it laid on the -bureau in her room." - -"Did she find it out?" asked Tom Wagstaff. - -"Didn't she? Well, you had better believe she did, and she raised -Cain, but I fixed things." - -"How?" asked his companions, deeply interested. - -"I told her I seen Kate, our hired girl, coming out of the room on -tip-toe, just after dark. Then mother went for Kate, and she cried and -said she wouldn't do a thing like that to save her from starving. It -didn't do no good, for mother bounced her." - -No thought of the burning injustice done an honest servant entered the -thought of any one of the three boys. They chuckled and laughed, and -agreed that the trick was one of the brightest of the kind they had -ever known. Could the other two have done as well, the party would -have been on their Westward jaunt at that moment. - -"I've sometimes thought," said Tom Wagstaff, "that the old folks must -have a 'spicion of what's going on, for they watch me so close that I -haven't had a chance to steal a dollar, and you know it will never do -to start without plenty of money; but I've a plan that'll fetch 'em," -he added, with a meaning shake of his head. - -"What is it?" - -"I'll tell you in a minute; you see I've got everything down fine, and -I've made some changes in our plans." - -His companions listened closely. - -"You know that when we got through reading that splendid book, -'Roaring Ralph, the Cyclone of the Rockies,' we made up our minds that -we must have two revolvers and a Winchester repeating rifle apiece -before we started?" - -The others nodded, to signify that they remembered the understanding. - -"I was talking with a tramp the other day, who told me that he spends -each winter among the Rocky Mountains killing Injins, and it's the -biggest kind of fun. He says he steals up to a camp where there's -'bout fifty or a hundred of 'em, and makes a noise like a grizzly -bear. That scares 'em so they all jump up and run for the woods. He -takes after them and chases 'em till they climb the trees. Then, when -they are all trying to hide among the limbs, beggin' for their lives, -he begins. He takes his place in the middle, and keeps popping away -until he has dropped 'em all. He says he has to stop sometimes to -laugh at the way they come tumbling down, a good many of 'em falling -on their heads. One time he treed forty-seven of 'em where the ground -was soft and swampy. Twelve of the bravest Injin warriors turned over -in falling through the limbs and struck on their scalps. The ground -bein' soft, they sunk down over their shoulders, and stayed there -wrong-side up. He said he almost died a-laughing, to see their legs -sticking up in air, and they kicking like the mischief. When he got -through there was twelve Injins with their legs out of the ground and -their heads below. He said it looked as though some one had been -planting Injins and they was sproutin' up mighty lively. He tried to -pull 'em out, so as to get their scalps, but they was stuck fast and -he had to give it up." - -"And didn't he get their scalps?" asked Jimmy McGovern. - -"No; it almost broke his heart to leave 'em, but he had to, for there -was some other Injins to look after. Well, this tramp told me that all -we needed was a revolver apiece." - -"Oh! pshaw!" exclaimed Billy, "we can't get along without rifles of -the repeating kind." - -"Of course not, but we must wait till we arrive out West before we buy -'em. If each of us has a gun on our shoulder we're liable to be -stopped by the officers." - -"Well, if the officers git too sassy," suggested Billy, "why we'll -drop _them_ in their tracks and run." - -"That might do if there wasn't so many of 'em. We don't want to bother -with them, for we're goin' for Injins, and now and then a grizzly -bear." - -"I'm willing to do what you think is best; but who is this tramp that -told you so much?" - -"He said he was called Snakeroot Sam, because he rooted so hard for -rattlesnakes. He tells me what we want is plenty of money, and it was -our duty to steal everything we can from our parents and keep it till -we get out West, where we can buy our Winchesters. If the people -charge too much or act sassy like we can plug them and take the guns -away from 'em." - -This scheme struck the listeners favorably, and they smiled, nodded -their heads, and fairly smacked their lips at the prospect of the -glorious sport awaiting them. - -"Snakeroot Sam is a mighty clever feller, and he says he will help us -all he can. When we get enough money we are to let him know, and he -will take charge of us. That will be lucky, for he can be our guide. -He isn't very clean-looking," added Tom, with a vivid recollection of -the frowsy appearance of the individual; "but he tells me that after -we cross the Mississippi it's very dangerous to have our clothing -washed, 'cause there's something in the water that don't agree with -the people. That's the reason why he has his washed only once a year, -and then he says he almost catches his death of cold." - -"Gracious!" said Billy, "if he knows so much about the West, we must -have him for our guide. Injin slayers always have to have a guide and -we'll hire him." - -"That's my idee exactly. I spoke to Sam about it, and he said he would -like to oblige us very much, though he had two or three contracts on -hand which was worth a good many thousand dollars to him, but he liked -my looks so well he'd throw them up and join us." - -"How much will he charge?" - -"I didn't ask him that; but he's a fair man and will make it all -right. What I don't want you to forget, boys, is that we've got to -raise a good deal more money." - -"What a pity I didn't steal all there was in mother's pocket-book when -I had such a good chance," remarked Billy, with a sigh; "if I get -another chance I'll fix it." - -"I think I can slip into father's room tonight after he's asleep," -added Jim McGovern, "and if I do, I'll clean him out." - -"You fellers have a better chance than me," said Tom, "but I'm going -to beat you both and have twice as much money as you." - -This was stirring news to the other boys, who were seated on the -ground at the feet, as may be said, of their champion. They asked him -in awed voices to explain. - -"You've got a pistol, Jimmy?" - -"Yes; a regular five-chambered one, and I've got a lot of cartridges, -too." - -"There's going to be a concert at the Hall to-night," added Tom, -peering behind, around, and among the trees again to make sure no one -else heard his words, "and father and mother are going. They will take -all the children, too, except me." - -"How's that?" - -"He says I was such a bad boy yesterday that he means to punish me by -making me stay at home, but that's just what I want him to do, and if -he feels sort of sorry and lets up, I'll pretend I'm sick so he will -leave me behind. I tell you, fellows, Providence is on our side and -we're going to win." - -His companions shared the faith of the young scamp, who now proceeded -to unfold his astounding scheme. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -HOW THE SCHEME WORKED - - -"The folks will leave the house," said Tom Wagstaff, "about half-past -seven, and there will be no one home but me and Maggie, the girl. I'll -be up in my room and Maggie down-stairs. When I lean out the window -and wave my hand I want you, Jim, to fire two or three charges out of -your revolver through the winders of the dining-room." - -"What for?" asked the startled Jim. - -"Wait, and I'll tell you; the noise of the pistol and the breaking of -the glass will scare Maggie half to death: she will run out of the -house, and you and Billy must then slip inside, hurry up-stairs, tie -me to the bed-post, and put a gag in my mouth. I'll have all the money -and jewelry ready in a handkerchief, and you can scoot with it. Maggie -will run down to the Hall and tell father and mother, and they'll -hurry home and be so scared they won't know what to do. They'll untie -me, and I'll pretend I'm almost dead, and they'll call in the police, -and when I come to, I'll have a story to tell about robbers with masks -on their faces, and all that sort of thing, and they'll hunt for 'em, -and never smell a mouse. What do you think of it, fellers?" - -It was a scheme which, in its vicious cunning, was worthy of older -scamps than these three young school-boys; but their minds were -poisoned by pernicious reading, and they eagerly entered into its -spirit. Everything promised success, and Tom, the originator of the -plan, found his companions as eager as himself to lend a hand in -carrying it out. - -It seemed as if fate had arranged to help the boys. When the three -climbed over the fence again into the highway, and separated to their -homes, Tom, in order that there should be no miscarriage of the -programme, took pains to be particularly ugly and impudent to his -parents. His kind-hearted father was disposed at first to recall the -threat made in the morning that his son should not go with the rest to -the concert in the Town Hall, but he was so irritated by the behavior -of the lad that he not only carried out his threat, but was on the -point of chastising him before leaving home. - -It followed, therefore, that when eight o'clock came, the condition of -the household was just what Tom prophesied and wished. Maggie, the -hired girl, was busy at her duties below-stairs, when he stole softly -to the upper story and began his work of ransacking the -bureau-drawers. He found considerable jewelry belonging to his mother -and sisters, besides over seventy dollars in money which his father -had left within easy reach. - -All this was gathered into a handkerchief, which was securely tied and -placed on a chair beside the window, where the gas was burning at full -head. Then, everything being in readiness, he quietly raised the -window and looked out. - -The night was dark, without any moon, and even his keen eyes could -detect nothing among the dense trees which surrounded the fine -residence of his father. But, when he whistled, there was a reply from -under the branches which he recognized as coming from his allies, who -were on the lookout. - -Tom waved his hand, lowered the sash, and stepped back from the -window. - -Maggie was singing below-stairs and, with that exception, everything -was still. His heart beat fast as he knew that the opening of the -drama, as it may be called, was at hand. - -Suddenly the sharp report of a pistol rang out on the night, followed -by a second and third shot, mingled with the crash and jingle of -glass. Jim McGovern was doing his part with unquestioned promptness. - -The singing of Maggie ceased as if she were paralyzed by the shock; -but with the third report her scream pierced every nook in the -building, and she was heard running to and fro as if in blind terror. -She would have dashed up-stairs to escape, but a noise on the rear -porch caused her to believe the burglars were about entering the -building, and she was certain to be killed if she remained. - -Through the front door she went in the darkness, her screams stilled -through fear that the dreaded beings would be guided by them; and, -recovering her senses somewhat when she reached the street, she -hurried in the direction of the Town Hall to acquaint Mr. and Mrs. -Wagstaff with the awful goings-on at home. - -Billy Waylett and Jim McGovern were on the watch, and the moment she -vanished they entered through the rear door, which remained unlocked, -and hastened up-stairs to the room where the gas was burning and from -which Tom had signalled to them. - -"Quick, fellers!" he said, as they burst into the apartment, "father -will soon be back." - -"Where's the rope?" asked Jim. - -"There on the chair." - -"What's that handkerchief for?" - -"The money and jewelry is in it; tie me first and then hurry out with -that, and take good care of it till to-morrow, when we will fix -things; hurry up!" - -Billy had the rope in hand, and both boys set to work to bind the -young rogue to the bed-post. Since the victim gave all the aid he -could, the task was completed with less delay and difficulty than -would have been supposed. - -This was due also to the preparations which Tom had made for the -business. A strong bed-cord, cut in several pieces, was at hand. His -wrists were bound together behind his back; then his ankles were -joined, and finally the longest piece of rope was wound several times -around his waist and made fast to the bed-post. This rendered him -helpless, and he could not have released himself had his life been at -stake. - -But the shrewd boy knew that something more must be done. Though tied -securely, his mouth was at command, and it was to be expected that he -would use his voice with the fullest power the moment his captors left -him alone. - -But with all the cunning displayed by Tom, and with all his perfect -preparations in other respects, and after having referred to the -necessity of the gagging operation, he had forgotten to be ready for -it. - -"What shall we put in your mouth?" asked Jim, pausing and looking -round after the binding was finished. - -"Golly! I forgot all about that," was the reply. - -Billy darted to the bureau and caught up a large hair-brush. - -"How'll this do?" he asked, holding it up to view. - -"It won't do at all," was the disgusted reply; "it's too big for my -mouth." - -"I don't know 'bout that; you've got the biggest mouth in school." - -"We'll take a sheet off the bed," said Jim, beginning to tug at the -coverlets. - -"What's the matter with you?" asked Tom; "do you think you can cram a -whole sheet in my mouth?" - -"Why not?" - -"'Cause you can't; that's the reason." - -"I have it," exclaimed Billy, running to the corner of the room and -catching up a porcelain cuspidor; "this will just fit. Open your -mouth, Tom, and give me a chance." - -But at this juncture, when the perplexity threatened to upset -everything, Billy Waylett solved the difficulty by whisking out his -linen pocket-handkerchief. - -"Now you're talking," remarked the pleased Tom; "why didn't we think -of that before?" - -It was curious, indeed, that they did not, and it was curious, too, in -view of the cunning shown in other directions, that all three forgot a -precaution which ought to have occurred to them. - -A handkerchief was just the thing to be used to seal the mouth of the -victim, but it should have come from the pocket of Tom Wagstaff -instead of from Billy Waylett's. - -Perhaps had the boys felt that abundance of time was at command, they -would have thought of this necessity; but they were well aware that -Maggie, the servant, was making good speed to the Town Hall, and that -Mr. Wagstaff would not let the grass grow under his feet on his way -home. Besides, too, the screams of the girl were likely to bring -others to the spot before the coming of the owner of the house. The -boys, therefore, had not a minute to throw away, and they did not idle -their time. - -The twisted handkerchief was pushed between the open jaws of the -victim, like the bit in a horse's mouth, and then knotted and tied -behind his head. Billy, who took charge of this little job, was not -over-gentle, and more than once the victim protested. Little heed, -however, was paid to him, and his words were but feeble mumblings when -sifted through the meshes of the handkerchief. - -"There! I guess that'll do," said Billy, stepping back and surveying -his work; "how do you feel, Tommy?" - -The latter nodded his head, mumbled, and tried to speak. He was urging -them to leave, but his words were unintelligible. - -Meanwhile Jim had picked up the other handkerchief, tied at the -corners, and was surprised to find how heavy it was. It contained much -valuable property. - -The boys were reminded of their remissness by the sound of voices on -the outside. Neighbors were at hand. - -"We're caught; it's too late; what shall we do?" gasped Jim, dropping -the handkerchief with its precious contents. - -"They will hang us for bigamy," replied Billy, turning pale and -trembling in every limb. - -Tom Wagstaff tried hard to utter a few words, and was struggling to -free himself, but succeeded in neither attempt. - -"Come on!" whispered Jim, catching up his load again; "they haven't -got in, and we may have a chance." - -He whisked through the open door, and scurried down the carpeted -stairs, with Billy so close on his heels that both narrowly escaped -bumping and rolling to the bottom. - -The voices were louder, and it looked as if the youngsters were -caught. - -And such would have been the case, but for the timidity of the parties -out-doors. They had been drawn thither by the out-cries of the -servant, and were convinced that some fearful tragedy was going on, or -had been completed within the dwelling. - -These people were unarmed, and it was only natural that they should -shrink from entering where several desperate men were supposed to be -at bay. They consulted with each other and decided to await the -arrival of re-enforcements. - -This was the golden opportunity of the young scamps. The rear door was -ajar and they noiselessly drew it inward far enough to allow them to -pass through. - -Before venturing forth they peeped out in the darkness. They could see -nothing, though, for that matter, there might have been a dozen -persons within a few feet without being visible; but the room in which -the lads stood was also without a light, so that the advantage was -equal. - -The sound of the voices showed that the new arrivals were at the -front, and the way was open for the flight of the amateur burglars, -who still hesitated, afraid that men were lying in wait to nab them. - -More than likely they would have tarried too long, but for a movement -on the part of the newcomers. They were increasing so fast that they -became courageous, and one of them pushed open the front door. - -The creaking of its hinges and the tramping in the adjoining room -spurred Jim and Billy, who hesitated no longer. Through the door they -stole on tip-toe, and a few steps took them across the porch to the -soft ground, where the soft earth gave back no sound. The trees, too, -seemed to spread their protecting branches over them, and inspired -them with such courage that, after hurrying a few rods, they came to a -stop and looked back and listened. - -"By George! that was the luckiest thing that ever happened to us!" -whispered Jim McGovern, with a sigh of relief. - -"That's so," assented his companion; "I thought we was goners sure, -and we come mighty nigh it." - -"I wonder whether that gag is too tight in Tom's mouth?" - -"No, of course not; can't he breathe through his nose?" - -"But mebbe he has a cold." - -"That won't make any difference, for he knows how to breathe through -his ears; Tom's too smart to die yet. Besides, if he _is_ dead, -it's too late for us to help him; them folks are upstairs by this -time, and they'll get the handkerchief out of his mouth in a jiffy, -unless, mebbe, he has swallowed it." - -"I say, Billy," said Jim, "this thing in my hand weighs more than a -ton!" - -"It must have lots of gold in it; shall I help you carry it?" - -"No, I can manage it; but what shall we do with the thing? It won't do -to take it home, for our folks might find it." - -"We'll bury it under that stump back of our barn." - -"Is that a good place?" - -"There aint any better in the world, for nobody wouldn't think of -looking there for it." - -"I seen our dog Bowser pawing under the stump the other day." - -"But he wasn't pawing for money; we'll hide it there till we're ready -to use it." - -The two moved off, when they heard another cry from the house behind -them. They recognized it as the voice of Mrs. Wagstaff, who had -arrived on the scene with her husband, and was probably overcome at -sight of the woful plight of her boy. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A STARTLING OCCURRENCE - - -Mr. Wagstaff, on receiving word at the Town Hall from the janitor who -brought the message of the terrified servant to him, forgot, in his -excitement, to tell his wife of the fearful news, and rushed -out-of-doors without a word. - -Mrs. Wagstaff knew it must be something awful that had called him away -in that style, and she lost no time in following, while the children -scrambled after them at varying distances. - -The husband entered the door through which several of the neighbors -had timidly passed, only a few paces ahead of his wife, who was -upstairs almost as soon as he. - -"Oh! my dear Tommy," she wailed, as she caught sight of the silent -figure fastened at the foot of the bed; "have they killed you?" - -The sight was enough to startle any parent. The father had just jerked -the handkerchief loose and flung it to the floor, and the lad's head -was drooping over on one shoulder, his eyes half-closed, and his -tongue protruding. The parent caught up a pitcher of water and dashed -it in his face, while the mother frantically strove to unfasten the -cruel thongs at the wrists and ankles. - -The unexpected shock of the water startled Tommy into gasping and -opening his eyes, but his look was dazed and aimless. His father -whipped out his pocket-knife and quickly cut the thongs. The released -boy would have fallen had not both parents seized and laid him on the -bed, where he moaned as if suffering greatly. - -"Send for the doctor at once," said the mother. - -"And call in the police," added the father; "a dastardly outrage has -been committed; it may prove murder." - -By this time the room was filled with horrified and sympathizing -neighbors. The solicitude of the parents for their child caused them -to pay no heed to the visitors until the father, seeing a friend at -his elbow, begged him to clear the house of intruders, and to admit no -one except the physician or an officer of the law. - -It took but a few minutes to comply with this request, and the parents -were left to give undivided attention to their suffering child, who -continued to moan and roll his eyes as if he were at his last gasp. - -The father was anxious, silent, and watchful; the mother demonstrative -and weeping. She rubbed her boy's hands, chafed his limbs, gazing -lovingly the meanwhile in his face, and begging him to speak to her. -Maggie, the servant, had regained her senses, now that she was sure -she was alive and the precious heir had not been killed. She took upon -herself to fasten the doors and keep out intruders, finding time to -make a search up-stairs, which needed to be extended only a few -minutes to learn that an extensive robbery had been committed. - -"Of course," remarked Mr. Wagstaff, when the amount of his loss, as -well as that of his wife, was reported to him, "I knew what had been -done the moment I saw my poor boy." - -"Don't tell me," said the mother, waving the servant away, "I don't -care if they have taken everything in the house, so long as my darling -Tommy lives." - -Her heart was kept in a state of torture by the alarming symptoms of -her heir. At times he seemed about to revive, a look of intelligence -coming into his eyes, but, after several gasping efforts to speak, he -sank back on his pillow and gave it up as a failure. - -By and by, in the midst of the trying scene, the physician arrived and -took charge of the patient. He was a wise old gentleman of wide -experience, and his cheerful words did much to awaken hope in the -parents, who hung on his words and watched his manner. - -It required but a few minutes for him to make known that their child -was not seriously hurt. During his examination he gleaned the -particulars of the outrage, and succeeded in getting Tommy into a -sitting posture. Then he expressed the belief that if the boy's senses -did not come to him very soon he would have to bore a hole through his -crown with a large auger. - -This astounding declaration was meant for the benefit of Tommy alone, -a sly wink at the parents preventing them from taking alarm. It was -noteworthy that the boy began to pick up at once, and in the course of -a few minutes was entirely himself. - -When the chief of police arrived the urchin was able to talk with -something of his usual facility, and imparted to his awed listeners -his account of the daring outrage and crime. - -He said he did not feel very well after his folks left for the -concert, and he went up-stairs to lie down on his parents' bed. He -thought it strange that the gas was lit, though it was turned down, -but he supposed it had been done by Maggie. - -Just as he lay down he fancied he heard a man moving softly about the -room. He rose from the bed and was about to call out, when he became -sure that there were two persons near him. Before he could give the -alarm he was seized and told that if he made any noise he would be -instantly killed. - -Still the brave boy tried to shout, when he was gagged, bound, and -tied to the bed-post, where he remained while the robbery went on -around him. - -The doctor having pronounced Tommy out of danger, his parents became -more composed, and listened quietly to the questioning of the chief of -police, who was one of the shrewdest members of his profession. - -He listened gravely until the questions of the others were finished, -when he asked Tommy to describe the appearance of the criminals so far -as he could. The lad did so quite glibly. Both of the intruders were -masked, wore soft, slouch hats, long dark coats buttoned to their -chins, had gruff voices, and one of them took a dreadful-looking -revolver from his side pocket, and seemed to be on the point of -discharging several of the chambers at the captive. - -Chief Hungerford asked the latter about the shots that had broken the -glass down-stairs, and given the servant such a fright. At first Tommy -declared he did not hear them, but upon being questioned further, -recalled that he did hear something of the kind just after he was -bound. - -"Is this the handkerchief with which he was gagged?" asked the -officer, picking up the article from the floor. - -"Yes, that's it," replied the father, who had snatched it from the -head of his son the instant he reached the room. - -The chief continued talking without looking further at the linen, but -when the attention of the couple was diverted he slipped it into his -pocket. Then he asked liberty to make an examination of the house. -Permission was cheerfully accorded, and he spent a half-hour in going -through the lower story in his own peculiar but thorough manner. - -At the end of that period he came back to the room where the parents, -brothers, and sisters were coddling poor Tommy, who was muffled up in -a rocking-chair, sipping lemonade, sucking oranges, and nibbling the -choicest candy. Now and then he would start convulsively and beg them -to take away those bad men, and not let them hurt him. Then, when he -was reassured by the kind words of the loving ones around him, he -complained of his throat, and found it helpful to swallow more -lemonade and take an additional suck or two at one of the oranges -pressed upon him. - -Chief Hungerford stood in the door of the room, hat in hand, and -looked fixedly at the lad for a minute or two before speaking. Even -then it was only in answer to the question of Mr. Wagstaff. - -"What have you found?" - -"Nothing special, sir; there have been so many people in the house -tramping back and forth, that they have destroyed what clews we might -have discovered. Then, too, the job was so easy that there was no need -of leaving any traces." - -"How was that?" - -"Why the doors were unlocked, so that they had only to open and enter -without forcing a window or fastening anywhere. After they got inside -they found you were kind enough to leave keys wherever they were -needed, and consequently no violence was required up-stairs." - -"But why did they fire those shots through the window down-stairs?" - -"That was to frighten away the servant." - -"It seems a strange proceeding when the reports were sure to be heard -and bring people here, while the servant herself was certain to raise -the alarm. They might have bound and scared her into quiescence." - -The chief of police had thought of all this before, and looked upon it -as one of the peculiar features of the business; but he smiled, and -said, in his off-hand fashion: - -"It may strike us both as a little odd, but the best proof of the -wisdom of what the scamps did is the fact that they got off with the -plunder and have not left the first clew behind. Well, good-evening -all; I will report as soon as I pick up anything worth telling." - -And courteously saluting the family he descended the stairs and passed -out of the door. Before doing so he questioned the servant on what -seemed unimportant points. Finally he entered the street and was -obliged to answer the innumerable questions that were asked him at -every turn. He had found it necessary to station a couple of his men -on the premises to keep away the curious people, who persisted in -crowding forward through the grounds and even into the house itself. - -The rumors on the streets did not astonish him, even though they were -to the effect that Tommy (everybody called him "Tommy" since his -mishap) had been strangled to death, his last breath leaving him just -as he was caught in his mother's arms, and that Maggie the servant had -been attacked and badly wounded, but escaped by leaping from the -second story window and running to the Town Hall, where the family -were attending a concert. - -When the chief entered his private room he drew the handkerchief from -his pocket, spread it out on his desk under a strong gaslight and -carefully examined it. - -He had little hope of finding anything worth knowing, but he was too -wise to neglect the least step. He carefully went over the somewhat -soiled piece of linen and smiled to himself when he observed that a -name was written in the corner in indelible ink. - -"Burglars aint apt to carry handkerchiefs around even with their -initials written on them, but one of these gentry has been kind enough -to give us his whole name. It is written so legibly, too, that I can -read it without my glasses. Ah, '_William Waylett_!' there it is -as plain as print. - -"It strikes me," continued the chief, following the train of thought, -"that I've heard that name before. Jim Waylett was my classmate in -college, and he has three daughters and one boy. The name of the -youngster is William, generally called Billy. That chap is the owner -of this handkerchief as sure as a gun." - -By this time, as the reader will perceive, the sagacious officer was -not only on the right trail, but advancing rapidly to the correct -conclusion. He had not heard all of Tommy Wagstaff's story before he -began to grow suspicious. His experience enabled him to detect more -than one inconsistency despite the skill of the tremendous falsifier -who built up the structure. - -Investigation and further questioning confirmed this suspicion until, -when he left the house, all doubt was gone. He knew that no man had -visited the Wagstaff home that night or taken any part in the -indignities to which Master Tommy was subjected. - -But it was equally clear that the young rogue had had partners in his -shameless trick, and the chief meant to learn who they were. - -He was confident that he could find them out from Tommy himself, whom -he could handle in such a way as to force a confession, but while the -parents, especially the mother, were in such a state of excitement, -they would be indignant at the first hint of the boy's trickery, and -would defeat what advantage he might gain if left alone with him. - -"They will come to it in the course of a few days," reflected the -officer, who had seen similar scenes before, "and it won't do any harm -to wait until then. I will get a chance at the boy before long, and, -if I don't force it out of him, then I'll resign my office and take to -the woods." - -The chief was desirous also of sparing the feelings of the parents of -the boy, whom he liked. They would feel much worse if compelled to -admit the truth after first refusing to listen to his suggestion. -Then, too, he had another boy to work upon. Billy Waylett must know -something of the affair. At any rate, he could tell how it was his -handkerchief came to be used to gag one of his playmates, and -_that_ little piece of information was likely to give him just -the clew that was needed. - -"I'll wait until things get cool," concluded the chief, who happened -to have other matters pressing upon his attention just then. - -Accordingly he gave his whole energies to the business which took him -out of Ashton for a part of two days. When he returned it was with the -resolve to take hold of the matter in earnest, but to his dismay, when -he came to make inquiry, he was told that Tommy Wagstaff, Jimmy -McGovern, and Billy Waylett had disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE RUNAWAYS - - -That fate which had seemed to favor the three audacious youngsters did -not desert them when the critical point in their enterprise arrived. - -The chief of police was wise in restraining any hint of what was in -his mind to the parents of Tommy Wagstaff. It would have been repelled -with wrath and made them enemies--all the more bitter, perhaps, when it -should appear that the wise officer was right. - -The youngster, having suffered so cruelly, received every compensation -his friends could give him. His father reproved himself for making him -stay home from the concert. Had he taken him with him, the outrage -never could have occurred. - -The mother heaped favors upon her darling Tommy, who might have -luxuriated for weeks on the general sympathy felt for him. He was -visited by several newspaper reporters, who took down the thrilling -account from his own lips. The chief trouble in these cases was the -wide variance in the versions given by the lad. In some instances he -insisted there were three burglars, in others only two, while to one -young man in spectacles, he solemnly averred that there were seven by -actual count, and that they were all armed with tomahawks and scalping -knives. These wild statements were attributed to the lad's nervousness -instead of to the real cause. - -But on the next afternoon, or rather evening, Tommy did not make his -appearance at supper. The mother was greatly frightened and believed -the robbers had returned to revenge themselves upon her darling for -telling the truth about them. - -Before the evening was late, Mr. Wagstaff learned that Tommy, -accompanied by Billy Waylett and Jimmy McGovern, had been seen -hurrying in the direction of the railway station. Inquiry there -revealed the fact all three had bought tickets for New York. - -About this time a dim suspicion took shape in the mind of Mr. -Wagstaff. He gave no hint to his wife, but he telegraphed the -authorities in the metropolis to look out for three boys, and to -arrest them at once and communicate with their parents, Messrs. -Waylett and McGovern having joined in the request. - -New York was so near Ashton that the runaways arrived there more than -an hour before the telegram was sent, otherwise they would have been -returned to their homes the same evening. - -Their fathers next held a conference, and on the following day applied -to the chief of police for counsel. That gentleman listened grimly to -them, and then quietly said that the robbery of Mr. Wagstaff's home -had been planned and carried out by the three lads without help from -any one else. They were shocked, but when he showed Billy Waylett's -handkerchief, which had been used to check the utterance of Tommy, and -pointed out the numerous tell-tale slips made by the boys, especially -the shooting through the windows, they were convinced, and became -eager to capture them at the earliest possible moment, each parent -declaring that the instant his son was brought within reach, he would -give him a trouncing that he would remember to his dying day. - -It was arranged that Chief Hungerford should undertake to hunt them -up, and he readily agreed to do so, for the gentlemen were warm -friends of his, for whom he was ready to make any reasonable -sacrifice. - -And now that a pursuer is on the trail of the runaways, let us see how -they got along. - -The indulgence shown Tommy by his parents gave him just the -opportunity he wanted. He was able to hold several meetings with his -intended partners, without any one suspecting what was going on, and -the arrangements were made for starting for New York on the afternoon -following the supposed robbery. - -In one respect, the lads showed a wisdom beyond their years. Knowing -that prompt search would be made for them, and that they were likely -to be looked upon with suspicion, they decided to leave the stolen -jewelry where it had been placed beneath the old stump. If worse came -to worse, they could return and draw upon it, but if they should try -to sell the valuables in New York, they would be arrested on -suspicion. - -So they wisely left the jewelry behind, and took with them only a -single gold watch, which Tommy wore, since it was the property of his -father. They found that they had fully a hundred dollars in money, -which, as nearly as they could learn, would carry them most of the -distance they wished to go, when such bright chaps would have no -trouble in hitting upon the means for raising the wind. - -Since they expected to meet Snakeroot Sam, it was intended to send him -back to Ashton, to sell the plunder for them, inasmuch as he could -readily do it without danger, and was so honest that he would turn -over every penny of the proceeds to them. - -Reaching New York ahead of the telegram, they were too wise to linger -around the large station at Forty-second Street. More than likely, all -three of their irate fathers would be there in the course of an hour -or two, and it was, therefore, no place for them. - -Since it was growing dark, they decided to put up at some obscure -hotel, under assumed names, and make an early start for the West. The -wisdom shown by the lads was astonishing--the oldest of whom had not -seen fourteen years. They had talked and discussed the venture for -months, and stored their minds with all the information obtainable. -Consequently, when they sauntered out on the street, and, after some -inquiries, reached Broadway, they attracted no special attention. They -were well dressed, and the additional revolvers which they speedily -bought were carried out of sight, so that there was no noticeable -difference between them and the hundreds of other boys who may be met -on any day in the great metropolis of our country. - -Billy Waylett, being the youngest, needed some coaching, but he was -tractable, and the lads were fortunate enough to escape the sharks -that are always waiting in the large cities for just such prey as they -would have proved. - -The only thing that worried Tommy Wagstaff was the fact that he did -not know how to find Snakeroot Sam. That worthy had been told of the -intended start for the West, but, of course, the leader could not give -him the precise date of their departure. It was known, however, that -he spent a good deal of his time in New York city, and the leader of -the party instructed his companions to keep a sharp lookout for him. -They did so, but though they pointed out several persons who answered -his description, none of them proved to be the individual they were so -anxious to meet, and who, doubtless, would have blessed his lucky -stars could he have met them. - -Tommy Wagstaff was satisfied that the crisis in their enterprise would -come when they reached the ferry to buy their railway tickets. -Officers would be on the watch for them, and if the three should -present themselves at the office and pay their fare to Chicago or some -other Western point, they were quite sure to be stopped and compelled -to give an account of themselves. - -Accordingly, he arranged the matter with the shrewdness he had shown -from the first. They separated at the foot of Cortlandt Street and -made their way into the railway office, as though they were strangers -to each other. Billy had enough money to buy a ticket to New -Brunswick, and Jimmy to procure one to Trenton, while Tommy, who had -taken charge of the entire funds, paid his fare to Philadelphia. Then -they passed through the narrow gateway upon the ferryboat. - -The three were alarmed by the sight of a blue-coated policeman, -standing at the broad entrance to the ferry, and who scrutinized them -sharply as they joined the swarm hurrying upon the boat. The officer -followed Billy with his eyes, and seemed on the point of starting -after him. The youngster's heart was in his throat, and he wished that -something would blow up and scatter everybody so far apart that no -policeman could see him. - -So guarded were the boys they did not speak to each other while -crossing the ferry, indulging in only an occasional sly glance, as -they stepped off the boat and passed up the slip. - -Here they were startled again, for the big policeman near the -passageway to the trains, after one keen look at Billy, asked him -where he was going. - -"To New Brunswick," was the slightly tremulous reply. - -"Let me see your ticket," was the gruff command. - -Billy fished out the pasteboard and showed it to the terrible fellow, -who was not yet satisfied. - -"What are you doing in New York?" - -"I aint in New York; I am in Jersey City." - -The officer smiled at the manner in which he had tripped, and asked: - -"Where are the other two boys that came with you?" - -Billy came nigh breaking down. He saw Tommy and Jimmy watching him -from a little way, and his naturally quick wit came to his relief. - -"What two boys are you talking 'bout? Don't you see there's nobody -with me, and if you keep me much longer, I'll miss the train, and -father will be mad, 'cause he expects me to be home as soon as I can -get there." - -The urchin made as if to move forward, and the officer, satisfied he -was not the one for whom he was looking, allowed him to pass on. - -After entering the car, Tommy Wagstaff saw no risk in their -companionship. Since the train was not crowded, he and Billy sat -together, while Jimmy McGovern placed himself on the seat in front, -where no one shared it with him. - -There was a bustle and novelty about this business which kept the boys -in such a constant state of excitement that they had felt nothing as -yet like homesickness. In fact, they were eager to get forward, and -though there was much to see that was new and strange, they would have -been glad could the cars have traveled with double the speed. - -"The way I figure it out," said the leader, feeling now that he could -talk freely, since they were well under way, "is that we shall reach -Philadelphia before noon. Jiminy! but that is traveling fast; shall we -get off there and stay over till to-morrow?" - -"What would we do that for?" demanded young McGovern. - -"There's so much to see that I didn't know but what you would like to -stop and look around." - -"Not much," replied Jimmy, with a disgusted shake of his head; "we -can't get out West soon enough to suit me; I feel hungry for Injins -and grizzly bears: how is it with you, Billy?" - -"That's me, clear through; you know we've got to get a Winchester -apiece, and then we'll be ready to begin popping over Injins; that'll -be more fun than anything else in the world, and what do I care for -all the cities and strange things that's between us and the West?" - -Tommy laughed, for he was pleased. - -"That's just the way I feel, but I didn't know whether you two was -right up to the handle yet; I'm glad you are; it proves that we are -bound to win, like real brave American boys." - -All three smiled approvingly on each other, and, glancing out of the -window, wished the cars would run at the rate of two miles a minute, -for the rest of the distance. - -The conductor came through, punched the tickets, and took up Billy's, -because it entitled him to ride only to New Brunswick. He intended to -slip off there and buy one to Philadelphia, while Jimmy would do the -same at Trenton. If the Quaker City were reached without mishap, they -would conclude that all danger of being stopped was over, and from -that point would travel openly and without fear. - -The little party chatted and discussed their plans, sometimes speaking -so loud in their ardor that the gentleman sitting just across the -aisle overhead their words and looked curiously at them more than -once, over the top of his paper. - -Just before reaching the long trestle-work which spans the Raritan, -Billy said: - -"We must be pretty near New Brunswick, Tom, and I guess you had better -give me enough money to buy a ticket: how much will it be?" - -"I don't know; I s'pose two or three dollars; you ought to travel on -half fare, but it aint worth bothering about; we'll gather in all the -funds we want in Chicago." - -"It strikes me," remarked McGovern, "that we might as well divide up -the money, so that if any one loses his share, we won't be in a bad -fix." - -"I guess that would be a good plan," replied Tommy, who reached in his -trousers pocket for the roll of bills which he had placed there. - -He started and turned pale the next moment, and hurriedly ran his hand -in his other pocket. Then he sprang to his feet and frantically -searched the pockets of his coat and vest. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jimmy, with a sinking of the heart. - -"The money is gone!" was the alarming answer. - -"No; that can't be!" faintly exclaimed Billy; "it must be somewhere -about you." - -"I put the roll in _that_, pocket," replied Tommy, who kept up -his search, through all the receptacles, again and again. Then he -stooped down, and hunted under the seats with a nervous distress which -was fully shared by his companions. - -Finally he straightened up and said, despairingly: - -"My pocket has been picked, and we haven't a dollar among us." - -He spoke the truth. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR - - -Three more miserable lads could not be imagined than our young friends -when the train stopped at the station in New Brunswick, and they knew -that the total amount of their joint funds was less than a dollar. - -No one spoke, but they sat pale, woebegone and staring helplessly at -each other, undecided what to do. - -The conductor, who was an alert official, said to Billy: - -"This is where you get off; come, step lively." - -The lad rose to his feet without a word, and started down the aisle -for the door. His companions glanced at him, and, feeling that it -would not do for them to separate, also rose by common impulse and -followed him out on the platform, where they stood silent and wretched -until the train left. - -Jimmy McGovern was the first to speak, and it was with the deepest -sigh he ever drew: - -"Well, boys, what's to be done?" - -"Let's go back home," said Billy, "and get the jewelry under the -stump, sell that and start over again; I guess we'll know enough to -take care of our money next time." - -"But we haven't enough to pay our fare," remarked Tommy. - -"We can walk to Jersey City; we've got a little money, and we'll sell -a revolver there: that will take one of us to Ashton, and he can get -the jewelry." - -It was a most repellent course, and they spent a half-hour in -discussing it; but it really seemed that nothing else was possible, -and the proceeding was agreed upon. - -Few words were spoken as they walked down the slope from the station, -made their way to the bridge a short distance below the trestle-work, -and walked across to the other side. Inquiry showed them that they had -almost thirty miles to walk to Jersey City, and since the forenoon was -well advanced, they could not expect to reach their destination before -the morrow. - -But it was the spring of the year, the weather was mild, and they -concluded they could beg something to eat. If the farmers refused them -permission to sleep in their houses, they could take refuge in some -barn, after the manner of ordinary tramps. - -But an unexpected series of adventures was before them. - -After crossing the Raritan and walking a short distance, they turned -into a stretch of woods, where they sat down to discuss further what -ought to be done. With the elastic spirits of childhood, all had -rallied somewhat from the extreme depression following the discovery -of the loss of their funds. The leader was especially hopeful. - -"I don't know but what it is best this happened," said he, "for we -hadn't enough money to see us through, and one of us might have to -come back after we got to Chicago, and that would have been bad." - -"But we expected to get money there," said Jimmy. - -"I don't believe it would be as easy as we thought; now I will leave -you two in New York, after we reach there, go back to Ashton, get the -jewelry and bring it with me. We can sell it for two or three thousand -dollars, and we'll be fixed." - -The others caught the infection of hope and rose to their feet, eager -to reach the metropolis as soon as possible. - -They were about to resume their journey, when they heard voices near -them. Looking around, two frowzy men were observed walking slowly -toward them. One was munching a sandwich, while the other had a short -black pipe between his teeth. - -The reader may not know that the woods, on the northern bank of the -Raritan, is the spot where the numerous tramps of New Jersey have -their general rendezvous. Several hundred of these nuisances are -sometimes gathered there, and they are held in great dread by the -neighbors, for they are lazy, thievish, and lawless, and have -perpetrated so many outrages that more than one descent has been made -upon their camp by the authorities, while the law-abiding citizens -have been on the point, at times, of taking severe measure against -them. - -Unsuspicious of the fact, the boys had approached close to the camp of -the tramps. - -The two tousled specimens caught sight of the boys at the same moment -that the latter discovered them. The one munching a sandwich stopped, -stared a second, and then, speaking as well as he could, with his -mouth full of food, exclaimed: - -"Well, I'll be shot if this doesn't beat the bugs!" - -"Why, Snakeroot Sam!" called the delighted Tommy Wagstaff, "if this -isn't the luckiest thing that could happen!" - -"Where did you come from?" asked that worthy, swallowing what was in -his mouth, and indulging in a grin which disclosed a double row of -large black teeth. His companion pulled his pipe and looked on in -silence. - -"Why, didn't I tell you we was going to start for the West about this -time?" asked the happy leader of the little party. - -"So you did; I jotted it down in my notebook, but seein' as how you -didn't give me the percise date, I couldn't be on hand to wish you -good-bye; but what are you doin' _here_?" - -"We've had bad luck," was the disconsolate reply; "we've been robbed -of all our money." - -"And are goin' to hoof it back?" - -"That's what we'll have to do, but we mean to take a new start." - -"How did this unfortinit misfortune come to overtake ye?" - -Tommy gave the history of their mishap, the two tramps listening with -much interest. - -"This is my friend, Ragged Jim," said Sam, when the narrative was -finished, "and he's true blue." - -Ragged Jim nodded his head and grunted, without taking the black clay -pipe from between his teeth, while Snakeroot Sam munched his sandwich -at intervals. - -"So you've no money with you?" - -"Not a dollar," replied Tommy. - -"How 'bout your shootin' irons?" - -"They're all right; we've got a good revolver." - -"Let me look at 'em; I'd like to be sure that they're the right kind -to plug redskins with." - -The boys promptly produced their weapons, and passed them over to Sam, -who examined each in turn, and then handed a couple to his companion. - -"I obsarve a watch-chain onto ye," continued Sam; "I hope you aint so -dishonorable es to carry a chain without a watch at t'other end to -sorter balance it." - -"I've got my father's time-piece with me," replied Tommy, producing -the fine chronometer, and passing it to the tramp, who extended his -hand for it. - -Sam turned it over in his hand with the same attentive interest he had -shown in the case of the revolvers. The single weapon he had shoved in -his hip-pocket. He held the timepiece to his ear, listened to its -ticking, surveyed the face, and then deliberately slipped it into his -trousers pocket, catching the chain in the hole through which he had -previously run a ten-penny nail to give his garments the right fit. - -"How does that look on me?" he asked, with a grin, of his friend. - -"It fits you bootiful," replied Ragged Jim, "which the same is the -case with these weapons and myself." - -"Good-day, sonnies," said Snakeroot Sam, doffing his dilapidated hat -with mock courtesy. - -"But," said the dismayed Tommy, "that's my watch." - -"Why, sonny, you shouldn't tell a story; that's wicked." - -"But it _is_ mine; I want it." - -"Didn't you just tell me it was your father's?" - -"Yes--but I want it." - -"Give my lovin' respects to your governor, and tell him when I come -his way I'll stop and pass it over to him." - -With tears in his eyes, Tommy rushed forward as the tramp began moving -off, and caught his arm. - -"Sam, you must let me have that!" - -"What! are you goin' to commit highway robbery?" he demanded, as if -frightened: "do you want it bad?" - -"Of course I do, and I mean to get it." - -"All right." - -Snakeroot Sam turned about, seized the boy by the nape of his coat, -and delivered a kick which sent sent him several paces and caused him -to fall on his face. Then he wheeled as if to serve Jimmy and Billy in -the same manner, but they eluded him by running out of the woods to -the highway. Ragged Jim stood laughing at the scene, and Sam made -again for Tommy; but he had leaped to his feet and hurried after his -companions. - -"By-by," called Sam; "when you get that money call on me again and -I'll take charge of it." - -When the three came together in the road, each was crying. Tommy -suffered from the pain of his ill-usage, while all were in despair. -Neither could say a word to comfort the others, and they tramped -wearily along, beginning to feel for the first time that their good -fortune had deserted them at last. - -Not one would confess it, but he would have given anything at command -could he have been safely at home at that moment, with the deeds of -the past few days wiped out and undone forever. - -The sky, which had been sunshiny in the morning, was now overcast, and -they had not gone far when drops of rain began falling. - -"We're going to get wet," ventured Billy Waylett. - -"I don't care," replied Tommy, "I can't feel any worse than I do now." - -A few minutes later a drizzling rain began falling, but, although they -passed a house near the road, they did not stop, and kept on until -their clothing was saturated. They were cold, chilly, and hungry, for -noon had gone and all ate lightly in the morning. - -"I'm tired out," said Billy, at last; "let's stop yonder and warm -ourselves; maybe the folks will give us something to eat." - -The dwelling stood a little way from the road, with which it -communicated by means of a lane lined on both sides with tall trees. -No one was visible around it, but they turned through the broad gate -and hurried through the rain, which was still falling, with its cold, -dismal patter, every drop of which seemed to force its way through the -clothing to their bodies. - -About half the distance was passed when Tommy, who was slightly in -advance of his companions, wheeled about and dashed for the highway -again. - -"There's a dog coming!" was his exclamation. - -The others heard the threatening growl, and descried an immense canine -coming down the lane like a runaway steam engine. - -Nothing but a hurried flight was left to them, and they ran with the -desperation of despair. Billy, being the younger and shorter, was -unable to keep up with the others. His dumpy legs worked fast, but he -fell behind, and his terrified yells a moment later announced that the -dog had overtaken him and was attending to business. - -His horrified companions stopped to give what help they could, but the -dog, having extracted a goodly piece from Billy's garments, was -satisfied to turn about and trot back to the house to receive the -commendation of his master, who was standing on the porch and viewing -the proceedings with much complacency. - -An examination of Billy, who was still crying, showed that the skin -had only been scratched, though his trousers had suffered frightfully. -All had received such a scare that they determined to apply to no more -houses for relief, even if the rain descended in torrents and they -were starving. - -And so they tramped wearily onward through the mud and wet, hungry and -utterly miserable. It seemed to them that their homes were a thousand -miles distant and they would never see them again. - -They could not help picturing their warm, comfortable firesides, where -their kind parents denied them nothing, and where they had spent so -many happy days, with no thought of what they owed those loving ones -whom they were treating with such ingratitude. - -Tears were in the eyes of all three, and, though they grew so weary -that they could hardly drag one foot after the other, they plodded -along until the gathering darkness told them night was closing in. - -They had met wagons, horsemen, and several persons on foot. From some -of the last they made inquiries and learned that, although they had -passed through several towns, they were yet south of Rahway. Their -hunger became so gnawing that Tommy spent all their money in buying a -lot of cakes, which they devoured with the avidity of savages, and -felt hungry when none was left to eat. - -To the inquiries made of them they returned evasive answers, and when -they reached any one of the numerous towns and villages between New -Brunswick and the Hudson, they hurried through them and into the open -country, where the people viewed them with less curiosity. - -When the darkness became so deep that they could not very well see -their way, it was necessary to decide where and how they were to spend -the night. The drizzling rain was still falling; they were chilled to -the bone, and so tired that they could hardly walk. - -In the gathering gloom, they observed a barn near the highway, in -which they concluded to take refuge, for it was impossible to walk -farther, and no better shelter was likely to present itself. - -But for the cruel reception received at the first house earlier in the -afternoon, they would have asked for charity of some of the neighbors, -and doubtless would have received kind treatment, for it would be -unjust to describe all the people of that section as unfeeling and -heartless. - -Had they made their predicament known in any one of the towns, they -would have been taken care of until their families could be -communicated with; but they were too frightened to think of anything -of that nature. - -Halting a short way from the barn, Tommy cautiously advanced to make a -reconnoissance. He walked timidly around it, but discovered nothing of -any person, nor did he hear the growl of a watch-dog. The -dwelling-house stood so far off that it was distinguished only by the -lights twinkling from within. - -When Tommy came to try the main door, however, it was locked, and he -feared they were barred out. He persevered, and with a thrill of hope -found the stable-door unfastened--a piece of carelessness on the part -of the owner, unless he meant to return shortly. - -The lad whistled to his companions waiting in the road, and they -hurried to his side. Telling them the cheering news, he let them pass -in ahead of him, after which he carefully closed the door as it was -before. - -Then followed several minutes of groping in the dark, during which -Jimmy narrowly missed receiving a dangerous kick from one of the -horses, and at last the hay-mow was located. With considerable labor -they crawled to the top, covered their shivering bodies as best they -could, and, nestling close together, to secure what warmth they could, -sank almost immediately into deep slumber. - -They were so utterly worn out that neither opened his eyes until the -sun was above the horizon. The storm had cleared away, the air was -cool, and though their bodies were stiffened and half-famished, they -were in better spirits than when they clambered into the refuge. - -When all had fully awakened and rubbed their eyes, they sat for a -moment or two on the hay, considering what could be done. - -"I'm so hungry," said Billy Waylett, "that I feel as though I could -eat this hay." - -"And I'll chew some of the meal if we can't do any better," added Jim. - -"Both of you together aint half as hungry as _I_ am," said Tommy, -"and I'm going to the house to ask for something to eat." - -"Maybe they've got a dog," suggested Billy, with a shudder. - -"I don't care if they have; I'll kill and eat _him_." - -From this it will be seen that the young Indian slayers were in a -sorry plight indeed. - -"You fellers stay here," said Tommy, "while I fix things, and then -I'll send for you; I'm bound to do something or die, for I can't stand -this any longer--" - -Just then the barn door opened, and several persons entered. - -"I think we'll find them in here," remarked one; "they couldn't have -traveled much farther." - -"But I don't see how the young rascals could get in my barn." - -"We'll take a look through that haymow." - -And the next minute the head and shoulders of a burly man rose to -view, and the runaways were discovered. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -SOWING SEED - - -Two men remained standing on the floor below, and the one who climbed -the hay-mow was Hungerford, Chief of Police of Ashton. He had struck -the trail of the runaways in Jersey City, and when he learned of three -boys that had left the train at New Brunswick, he was certain they -were the young rogues whom he was looking for. - -He hired a horse and wagon in the city, secured the help and guidance -of an officer well acquainted with the country, and by judicious -inquiry retained the trail. He was so far behind the boys, however, -that it was growing dark when he was only half a dozen miles out of -the city, and he was obliged to put up for the night. - -He was at it again before daylight, and the couple used their wits -with such effect that before long they fixed upon the barn where the -boys had taken refuge. An examination of the road and damp earth -revealed the tell-tale footprints, and they applied to the farmer for -his aid in searching the barn. - -That gentleman was surprised to find he had forgotten to lock the -stable-door, but such was the fact, and a brief search brought the -runaways to light. - -When they recognized the chief of police, they broke down and cried so -pitifully that the heart of the officer was touched. He cheered them -as best he could, and after they were taken to the house, given a warm -breakfast and their clothing was dried, they felt, as may be said, -like giants refreshed with new wine. - -All were eager to be taken home. They had had enough of adventure, and -were willing to face any punishment awaiting them, if they could only -see Ashton again. Mr. Hungerford was confident that the three would -receive the chastisement they merited, but he gave no hint of his -belief, and prepared to take them thither. - -He paid the farmer for the meal, and then decided to drive back to New -Brunswick, and make the real start from that point. - -He had learned of the robbery the boys suffered, and he was determined -to recover the valuable watch of Mr. Wagstaff from thieving Snakeroot -Sam. His brother officer offered to give him all the help possible, -though he warned him that the task would be both difficult and -dangerous, because of the large number of vicious tramps in that -section. - -The first thing done, upon reaching New Brunswick, was to telegraph to -Mr. Wagstaff that the runaways were found, with no harm having -befallen them, and they might be expected home that evening. Then, -leaving the boys by themselves, the officers set out for the tramp -rendezvous, where better fortune than they anticipated awaited them. - -Snakeroot Sam was well known to the New Brunswick officer, and they -were fortunate enough to come upon him in the highway, where he had no -companions. He was collared before he suspected their business, and -the watch and chain were found on his person. Inasmuch as it would -have involved considerable delay to bring the scamp to trial and -conviction, besides getting the names of the runaways in the papers, -Chief Hungerford took his satisfaction out of the tramp personally. -The kick administered to Tommy Wagstaff was repaid with interest. -Indeed, there is reason to believe that Sam felt the effects -throughout most of the following summer. Certain it is that he never -received such a shaking up in his life. - -Just as it was growing dark, the boys arrived in Ashton and were at -their respective homes to supper. - -And then and there was made a mistake, so serious in its nature and so -far-reaching in its consequences that it forms the basis of the -narrative recorded in the following pages. - -It will be remembered that each father concerned declared that, upon -their return home, the boys should receive severe punishment for their -flagrant offenses. Such was their resolve, and yet only one of the -gentlemen carried it out. - -Mr. Wagstaff and his wife were so grateful for the restoration of -their son that they accepted his promise to be a better boy, and, -after a mild reproof, he was restored to their grace and favor. - -It was the same with the parents of Jimmy McGovern. He professed great -contrition for his wrong-doing, and several days were devoted to a -consideration of the matter, when he, too, was allowed to escape all -punishment. - -Billy Waylett, the youngest and least guilty, was the only one who -suffered at the hands of his father. The latter loved his child as -much as any parent could, and he felt more pain in inflicting the -chastisement than did the lad in receiving it. But it was given from a -sense of duty, and, as is always and invariably the case, the boy -respected his parent for what he did. He knew he deserved it, and that -it was meant for his own good. - -What was the consequence? It marked a turning-point in the life of the -lad. He comprehended, as never before, his narrow escape from disgrace -and ruin, and from that time forward became obedient, studious, and -pure in thoughts, words, and deeds. He gave his parents and teachers -no trouble, and developed into a worthy young man, who became the -pride and happiness of his relatives. - -Tommy and Jimmy chuckled together many times over their good fortune. -They saw how indulgent their parents were, and enjoyed the mock -heroism which attended a full knowledge of their exploit. - -They did not give up their hopes of a life of adventure, and became -dissatisfied with the dull humdrum routine of Ashton. They were -content, however, to bide their time, and to wait till they became -older before carrying out the projects formed years before. The seed -unwittingly sown by their thoughtless parents was sure to bring its -harvest sooner or later. - -Two years after the runaway incidents the parents of Tommy Wagstaff -and Jimmy McGovern removed to the city of New York, and in that great -metropolis the boys were not long in finding bad associates. The -preliminary steps were taken in their education which eventuated in -the incidents that follow. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -ONE AFTERNOON IN AUTUMN - - -The lumbering old stage-coach that left Belmar one morning in autumn -was bowling along at a merry rate, for the road was good, the grade -slightly down-hill, and the September afternoon that was drawing to a -close cool and bracing. - -The day dawned bright and sunshiny, but the sky had become overcast, -and Bill Lenman, who had driven the stage for twenty-odd years, -declared that a storm was brewing, and was sure to overtake him before -he could reach the little country town of Piketon, which was the -terminus of his journey. - -A railway line had been opened from this bright, wide-awake place, -and, though the only public means of conveyance between Piketon and -Belmar was the stage, its days were almost numbered, for the line was -branching and spreading in nearly every direction. - -Bill had picked up and set down passengers, on the long run, until -now, as the day was closing, he had but a single companion, who sat on -the seat directly behind him, and kept up a continuous run of -questions and answers. - -This gentleman's appearance suggested one of the most verdant of -countrymen that ever passed beyond sight of his parent's home. He was -fully six feet tall, with bright, twinkling-gray eyes, a long peaked -nose, home-made clothing, and an honest, out-spoken manner which could -not fail to command confidence anywhere. - -He had made known his name to every person that had ridden five -minutes in the coach, as Ethan Durrell, born in New England, and on a -tour of pleasure. He had never before been far from the old homestead, -but had worked hard all his life, and had some money saved up, and his -parents consented to let him enjoy his vacation in his own way. - -"You see, I could have got to Piketon by the railroad," he said, -leaning forward over the back of Lenman's seat and peering -good-naturedly into his face, "but consarn the railroads! I don't -think they ever oughter been allowed. I read in the _Weekly -Bugle_, just afore I left home, that somewhere out West a cow got -on the track and wouldn't get off! No, sir, _wouldn't get off_, -till the engine run into her and throwed her off the track, and -likewise throwed itself off, and some of the folks on board come -mighty nigh getting hurt." - -The driver was naturally prejudiced against railways, and was glad to -agree with Ethan's sentiments. - -"Yas," he said, as he nipped a fly off the ear of the near horse, by a -swing of his long lash, "there ought to be a law agin them railroads; -what's the use of folks being in such a hurry, that they want to ride -a mile a minute! What good does it do 'em? Why aint they content to -set in a coach like this and admire the country as they ride through -it?" - -"Them's been my sentiments ever since I knowed anything," replied the -New Englander, with enthusiasm, "but it looks as everbody is fools -except us, Bill, eh?" laughed Ethan, reaching over and chucking the -driver in the side; "leastways, as we can't bender 'em from doing as -they please, why, we won't try." - -"I guess you're 'bout right," growled Bill, who could not see the -stage-coach approaching its last run without a feeling of -dissatisfaction, if not sadness. - -"Helloa!" exclaimed Ethan, in a low voice, "I guess you're going to -have a couple more passengers." - -"It looks that way; yes, they want to ride." - -The coach had reached the bottom of the hill, and was rumbling toward -the small, wooden bridge, beyond which the woods stretched on both -sides of the highway, when two large boys climbed over the fence and, -walking to the side of the road, indicated that they wished to take -passage in the coach. - -These young men were our old friends, Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern, -and they were dressed in sporting costume, each carrying a fine rifle, -revolver, and hunting-knife. Although they had not yet executed their -plan of a campaign against the aborigines of the West, they were on a -hunting jaunt, and were returning, without having met with much -success. - -The young men had hardly taken their seats in the stage when Wagstaff -produced a flask and invited the driver and Ethan Durrell to join him -and his friend. The invitation being declined, McGovern drew forth a -package of cigarettes, and he and Tom soon filled the interior of the -coach with the nauseating odor. But for the thorough ventilation, -Ethan declared he would have been made ill. - -Tom and Jim were not long in finding a subject for amusement in the -person of the New Englander. He was as eager as they to talk, and -Bill, sitting in front with the lines in hand, turned sideway and -grinned as he strove not to lose a word of the conversation. - -"Are you going to Piketon?" asked Ethan, when the young men were -fairly seated in the stage. - -"That's the town we started for," replied Wagstaff. - -"Ever been there before?" - -"No; we're on our way to visit our friend, Bob Budd; we live in New -York, and Bob spent several weeks down there last spring, when we made -his acquaintance. Bob is a mighty good fellow, and we promised to come -out and spend our vacation with him, though it's rather late in the -season for a vacation. I say, driver, do you know Bob?" - -"Oh! yes," replied Lenman, looking back in the faces of the young men; -"I've knowed him ever since he was a little chit; he lives with his -Uncle Jim now--rich old chap--and lets Bob do just as he pleases 'bout -everything." - -"That's the right kind of uncle to have," remarked Jim; "I wouldn't -mind owning one of them myself. Bob wrote us that he was going to camp -out near a big mill-pond and some mountains; of course, driver, you -know the place." - -"I was born and reared in this part of the country; I don't know the -exact spot where Bob means to make his camp, but I've no doubt you'll -enjoy yourselves." - -"It won't be our fault if we don't," said Tom, with a laugh; "that's -how we came to leave the governor, without asking permission or saying -good-bye." - -"I hope you didn't run away from home, boys," said Ethan, in a grieved -manner. - -"No, we didn't run away," said Jim, "we _walked_." - -Ethan Durrell checked the reproof he was about to utter, and the young -men laughed. - -"You'll be sorry for it some day," remarked the New Englander, "you -may depend on that." - -"Did you ever try it?" asked Wagstaff. - -"I did once, but I didn't get fur; the old gentleman overtook me a -half-mile down the road; he had a big hickory in one hand and with the -other he grabbed me by the nape of the neck; well," added the -gentleman, with a sigh, "I guess there's no need of saying anything -more." - -"He must have had a father like Billy Waylett," remarked Jim, aside to -his companion, both of whom laughed at the story of their new friend, -"he wasn't as lucky as we." - -The reader has already learned considerable about these two young men. -They were wayward, disobedient, and fond of forbidden pleasures. It -was the intention of their parents to place them in school that -autumn, but while arrangements were under way the couple stealthily -left home, first providing themselves with fine hunting outfits, and -started for Piketon, with the intention of spending a couple of weeks -in the woods. - -They did not not make their plans known to Billy Waylett, who was such -a willing companion several years before. Billy still lived in Ashton -and could have been easily reached, but they knew that he would not -only reject their proposal, but, as likely as not, acquaint their -parents with it. - -The unwise indulgence of Mr. Wagstaff and Mr. McGovern was producing -its inevitable fruit. They had had much trouble with their boys, but -hoped as they grew older, and finished sowing their wild oats, they -would settle down into sedate, studious men, and that the end of all -their parents' worriment would soon come. - -Among the undesirable acquaintances made by Jim and Tom was Bob Budd, -who, as they intimated, spent several weeks in the city of New York. -He was a native of Piketon, which was becoming altogether too slow for -him. He chafed under the restraints of so small a country town, and -wrote them glowing accounts of the good times they would have together -in the camp in the woods. He urged them to come at once, now that the -hunting season was at hand. - -Tom and Jim were captivated by his radiant pictures, and determined to -accept his invitation, whether their parents consented or not. The -near approach of the time set for their entrance at the high school -made the prospect in that direction too distasteful to be faced. - -While they were still hesitating, with vivid recollections of the -dismal failure of their earlier years, another letter came from Bob -Budd. He told them he had not only selected the spot for their camp, -but that the tent was up, and it was well stocked with refreshments of -both a solid and liquid nature. He had painted a big sign, which was -suspended to the ridge-pole and bore the legend, - - "CAMP OF THE PIKETON RANGERS." - -This was not only ornamental, but served as a warning to all -trespassers. - -"Everything is ready," wrote Bob, "and every day's delay is just so -much taken from the sport and enjoyment that await you. Come at once, -boys, and you'll never regret it." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -FELLOW-PASSENGERS - - -The two decided to give Bob Budd a surprise. They said it would be -hard for them to get away, and more than likely they would have to -wait several weeks before the matter could be decided. This letter was -followed at once by themselves, and they were now within a few miles -of Bob's home without his suspecting anything of the kind. - -Having informed themselves fully, they rode to a station not far from -Piketon, where they got off, leaving their trunks to go to the town, -while they spent a half-day in hunting. Their luck was so poor that -they gave it up, and were glad to use the stage for the rest of the -journey. - -"What time are you due in Piketon?" asked Jim of the driver. - -"Half-past eight." - -"That's a good deal after dark." - -"So it is, at this time of the year, and it's going to be dark sooner -than usual." - -"How's that?" - -"Don't you notice how it has clouded up this afternoon? A big storm is -coming and we're going to catch it afore we strike Piketon." - -"Well," growled Wagstaff, "that isn't pleasant; we were fools, Jim, -that we didn't stay in the train; but we can shut ourselves in with -the curtains and let the driver run things." - -"I reckon I haven't druv over this road for twenty-five years," said -Lenman, "without striking a storm afore to-night." - -"Sartinly, sartinly," added Ethan Durrell; "life must have its shadows -as well as sunshine, though I don't like to be catched on a lonely -road this way. I say, Bill," he added, in a half-frightened voice, -"are you troubled with any such pesky things as highway robbers?" - -"If you hadn't asked me that question I wouldn't have said anything -about it; but I've been stopped and held up, as they say, just like -them chaps out West." - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed the New Englander, while the young men -on the back seat became interested. - -"I didn't suppose you were ever troubled in this part of the world by -such people," said Wagstaff. - -"We aint often, but what place can you name where you don't find bad -people?" - -"How long ago was it you were held up?" asked Ethan. - -"About six months; fact is, I've felt shaky for the last week." - -"Why so?" asked Wagstaff. - -"I've seen a suspicious character down in Black Bear Swamp." - -"Where's that?" - -"It's a piece of woods we pass through afore we reach Piketon; it -jines the woods where you tell me Bob Budd has put up the tent, but it -curves round and reaches the hills on t'other side." - -The words of the driver deeply interested all three of the passengers. -The knowledge that, though in the State of Pennsylvania, and in a -section fairly well settled, they were in danger of being "held up" in -the most approved style of the wild West was enough to startle any -one. - -"Tell us all about it," persisted Wagstaff, lighting a new cigarette, -and leaning forward to catch the reply. - -"There isn't much to tell," replied the driver; "'cept there's a -holler close to t'other side of Black Bear Swamp, and three times in -the past week, when I was passing, I've seen a tall, slim man moving -around among the trees and watching me, tryin' at the same time to -keep me from seeing him." - -"But if he was a robber--" - -"Who said he was a robber?" demanded Lenman, turning and looking -sharply at the young man. - -"You said he was a suspicious character, and what else could he be?" -demanded Wagstaff. - -"Perhaps a tramp, but I'll admit I have thought it likely he was a man -looking for a chance to rob the stage." "Why didn't he do it then?" - -"It happened that on each of the times I hadn't a single passenger -with me." - -"And now you've got _three_," remarked McGovern. "Well, I hope he -will attack us to-night." - -"What'll you do if he does?" asked the New Englander. - -"Don't you see we've each got a rifle? Beside that, Tom and I carry a -Smith & Wesson apiece, and all our weapons are loaded; that fellow -won't have time to call out for us to give up our valuables before -he'll be filled as full of holes as a sieve." - -"My gracious! you wouldn't do _that_, would you?" - -"Just give us a chance, that's all," said Wagstaff, with a shake of -his head. - -Had the young men been watching Durrell and the driver at that moment, -they would have seen a singular look pass between the two. It might -have meant nothing, and it might have signified a good deal. No words -were spoken, but the expression of their faces, to say the least, was -peculiar. - -"I should have said," continued the driver, "that the chap may have -learned something about that box, which was expected at Belmar, and -which I was to take to Piketon with me." - -"What box?" asked Wagstaff. - -"The one that is strapped onto the rear of the stage." - -"Jingo!" muttered Jim, "things are beginning to look dubious." - -"As I was about to say," continued the driver, "if that chap has made -up his mind to hold us up--and it looks mighty like it--this is the -night it will be done." - -"Why do you say that?" - -"Haven't I got three passengers for Piketon, which is the biggest -number I've took through in a couple of weeks, and, more'n all, -_that_ box is with me? The night is going to be as dark as a -wolf's mouth, and when we strike Black Bear Swamp--" - -"Why do they call it Black Bear Swamp?" asked Durrell. - -"I don't know of any reason, onless it is that there never was a black -bear found there, though they're up among the mountains, where there's -a deer now and then. But won't the scamp be fooled, though?" chuckled -the driver. - -"How's that?" - -"I never carry any shooting-irons, but you've got enough for us all, -and, when he sings out and you shove the muzzles of your guns forward -and let drive, why the State will be saved a big expense." - -"That's so!" exclaimed Wagstaff, with a fierceness too vivid to be -wholly genuine; "we've started out for a hunting trip with Bob Budd, -and expect to bag all the bears and deer in the country, but we -weren't looking for stage robbers, because I don't know that we have -lost any, but if they choose to run into our way, why who's to blame?" - -"That's so," assented his companion, who, in truth, regretted more -than ever that they had not made the entire journey to Piketon by -train instead of partly in the lumbering stage-coach. - -"It would be better," he added, after a moment's thought, "if the -rogue had chosen the daytime." - -"Why so?" queried the New Englander. - -"We can see to aim better." - -"So can _he_, can't he?" - -"Yes, but we would have prepared better than we can at night," replied -Wagstaff, nervously. - -"And it would be the same with _him_. If you're afraid you can't -shoot straight, I'll take one gun and Bill the other, and you can -crawl under the seats." - -"Who's talking about crawling under the seats--what's that?" - -A peal of thunder rumbled overhead, and it was already beginning to -grow dark. The afternoon was merging into night, which, as has been -explained, was closing in sooner than usual, because of the cloudy -sky. - -"We're going to catch it afore we get home," remarked the driver, -glancing upward and twitching the lines, so as to force the team into -a moderate trot. - -"Why don't you hurry up your nags more, and get home sooner?" asked -Wagstaff. - -"A good master is marciful to his beast; I aint likely to gain -anything by hurrying, for the storm may come and be over afore we get -to town, while the animals are so used to this work, that, if I made -it a rule to push 'em now and then, they are likely to break down, and -trade aint good enough for me to afford _that_." - -"But if you should do it once, it wouldn't hurt." - -"Another thing," added the driver, as if the fact was a clincher to -the discussion, "if we should go rattling through Black Bear Swamp -ahead of time, that suspicious chap would miss us." - -"Well?" - -"And we would miss _him_, which we don't want to do. Being as -you've got your guns and are so anxious to use 'em on him, why I won't -be mean enough to rob you of the chance." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -DICK HALLIARD - - -The conversation was not of a nature to improve the courage of the -occupants of the stagecoach, for, when children spend an evening in -exchanging ghost stories, they find the darkness of their bed-rooms -more fearful than before. - -Since the young gentlemen on the rear seat began to believe that a -meeting with a stage robber was quite certain to take place before -reaching Piketon, they saw the need of an understanding all round. - -The driver repeated that he never carried firearms, for, if he did, he -would be tempted to use them with the surety of getting himself into -trouble. - -"If a man orders you to hold up your hands and you do it, why he aint -going to hurt you," was the philosophy of the old man; "all he'll do -is just to go through you; but if you have a gun or pistol, you'll -bang away with it, miss the chap, and then he'll bore you; so it's my -rule, when them scamps come along, to do just as they tell me; a man's -life is worth more to him than all his money, and that's me every -time." - -"But you might be quick enough to drop him first," suggested Wagstaff, -who would have preferred the driver to be not quite so convincing in -his arguments. - -"Mighty little chance of that! You see the feller among the trees is -all ready and waiting; he can take his aim afore you know he is there; -now when you fellers fire at him it won't do for you to miss--remember -_that_!" - -"We don't intend to," replied McGovern. - -"Of course you don't intend to, but the chances are that you will, and -then it will be the last of you!" - -"But won't you be apt to catch it on the front seat?" - -[Illustration: THE MEETING WITH DICK HALLIARD] - -"Not a bit of it, for them chaps are quick to know where a shot comes -from, and they always go for the one that fires; they know, too, that -a stage driver never fights--helloa!" - -At that moment, a bicycle guided by a boy glided silently along the -right of the stage, turning out just enough to pass the vehicle. The -youth whose shapely legs were propelling it, slackened his gait so -that for a few minutes he held his place beside the front wheels of -the coach. - -He was a handsome, bright-faced youth about sixteen years old, who -greeted the driver pleasantly, and, turning his head, saluted the -others, without waiting for an introduction. - -"I'm afraid a storm is coming, and I shall have to travel fast to get -home ahead of it; do you want to run a race with me, Bill?" - -"Not with _this_ team," replied the driver, "for we couldn't hold -a candle to you." - -"I don't know about that," replied the boy, with a laugh; "there are -plenty who can beat me on a bicycle." - -"But there aint any of 'em in this part of the country, for I've seen -too many of 'em try it. Bob Budd bragged that he would leave you out -of sight, but you walked right away from him." - -The boy blushed modestly and said: - -"Bob don't practice as much as he ought; he's a good wheelman, but -he's fonder of camping out in the woods, and I shouldn't be surprised -if there's a good deal more fun in it. I believe he expects some -friends to go into camp with him." - -"Them's the chaps," remarked the driver, jerking the butt of his whip -toward the rear seat. - -The bicyclist bowed pleasantly to the young men, who were staring -curiously at him and listening to the conversation. They nodded rather -coldly in turn, for they had already begun to suspect the identity of -this graceful, muscular lad, of whom they had heard much from Bob -Budd. - -Their country friend had spoken of a certain Dick Halliard who was -employed in the store of Mr. Hunter, the leading merchant in Piketon, -and who was so well liked by the merchant that he had presented him -with an excellent bicycle, on which he occasionally took a spin when -he could gain the time. - -Bob, who detested young Halliard, had said enough to prove that he had -taken the lead in all his studies at school and surpassed every boy in -the section in running, swimming, 'cycling, and indeed, in all kinds -of athletic sports. This was one reason for Bob's dislike, but the -chief cause was the integrity and manliness of young Halliard, who not -only held no fear of the bully, but did not hesitate to condemn him to -his face when he did wrong. - -"I hope you will have a good time in camp," said Dick (for it was he), -addressing the two city youths. - -"That's what we're out for," replied Wagstaff, "and it won't be our -fault if we don't; will you join us?" asked the speaker, producing his -flask. - -"I'm obliged to you, but must decline." - -"Maybe you think it isn't good enough for you," was the mean remark of -Wagstaff. - -"I prefer water." - -"Ah, you're one of the good boys who don't do anything naughty." - -It was a mean remark on the part of Wagstaff, who was seeking a -quarrel, but Dick Halliard showed his manliness by paying no heed to -the slur. - -"Well," said he, addressing the driver, "since you won't run me a -race, I shall have to try to reach home ahead of the storm. Good-bye -all!" - -The muscular legs began moving faster, the big, skeleton-like wheel -shot ahead of the stage, coming back into the middle of the highway, -and the lad, with his shoulders bent forward, spun down the road with -a speed that would have forced the fastest trotting horse to -considerable effort. - -"By gracious!" exclaimed the New Englander, with his chin high in air, -as he peered over the head of the driver, "that youngster beats -anything of the kind I ever seen." - -"I don't s'pose they have those sort of playthings in your part of the -world," remarked Jim, with a sneer. - -"Yes, we have enough to send a few of 'em down your way for you folks -to learn on. Bill, who is that chap?" - -"Dick Halliard, and there aint a finer boy in Piketon." - -"He's got a mighty fine face and figure." - -"You're right about that; I want to give you chaps a little advice," -added the driver, turning his head, so as to look into the countenance -of the city youths; "I heerd what you said to him and he had sense -enough not to notice it, but you'll be wise if you let Dick Halliard -alone." - -"Is he dangerous?" asked Wagstaff, with a grin. - -"You will find him so, if you undertake to put onto him; mebbe he -isn't quite so old as you and mebbe he don't smoke cigarettes and -drink whisky, but I'll bet this whole team that if either or both of -you ever tackles him, you'll think five minutes later that you've been -run through a thrashing mill." - -The youths were not disturbed by this bold statement, which neither -believed. - -"You're very kind," said Tom, "and we won't forget what you've said; -when we see him coming 'long the road, we'll climb a tree to get out -of the way, or else run into the first house and lock the door." - -Bill had said all he wished, and now gave his attention to his team. -The thunder was rumbling almost continuously, and now and then a vivid -streak of lightning zigzagged across the rapidly darkening sky. No -rain fell, but the wind blew blinding clouds of dust across the -highway and into the stage, where the occupants at times had to -protect their eyes from it. - -A short distance from the road on the left was a low, old-fashioned -stone house, but no other dwelling was in sight between the stage and -Black Bear Swamp, which was no more than half a mile ahead, appearing -dark and forbidding in the gathering gloom. The trees at the side of -the highway swayed in the gusty wind, and, when the flying dust -allowed them to see, Dick Halliard was observed far in advance like a -speck in the distance. He was traveling with great speed, and the -stage seemed to have gone no more than a hundred yards after the -interview when the young wheelman disappeared. - -It was as if he had plunged under full headway right among the trees. -Piketon lay about two miles beyond Black Bear Swamp, but since the -width of the dense forest through which the public road wound its way -was fully a fourth of a mile, it will be seen that a considerable -drive was still before the stage. - -The passengers would have viewed their approach to the woods with -relief, but for the fear of the highwayman. Its dense growth and -abundant vegetation offered a partial protection from the storm, which -promised to be violent; but the youths would have much preferred (had -they dared to speak their sentiments) to stand bareheaded in the -coming storm than to encounter that "suspicious" party, who they -believed was awaiting their coming. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A STARTLING SUMMONS - - -The stage was within a hundred yards of Black Bear Swamp when -something like a tornado struck it. The horses stopped, and the -vehicle was partly lifted from the ground. For an instant it seemed to -be going over. The driver and the New Englander started with -suppressed exclamations, while Wagstaff emitted a cry of alarm, as he -and his companion attempted to leap out. - -"Sit still! you're all right!" shouted Lenman, striking his horses -with the whip. They broke into a trot, and a few minutes later entered -the dense wood, where they were safe from the danger that threatened -them a moment before. Indeed, the volley of wind was as brief as a -discharge of musketry, passing instantly, though it still howled -through the wood, with a dismal effect, which made all heartily wish -they were somewhere else. - -It was so dark that, but for the flashes of lightning, the passengers -would have been unable to see each other's forms; but the horses were -so familiar with the route that they needed no guidance. The driver -allowed them to walk, while he held the lines taut to check them on -the instant it might be necessary. - -Wagstaff and McGovern climbed forward, and crowded themselves on the -seat beside the New Englander, each firmly grasping his rifle, for, as -they advanced into the wood, their thoughts were of the criminal who -they believed would challenge them before they could reach the other -side. - -Still the rain held off, though the lightning was almost incessant and -continually showed the way in front. The wind, too, abated, and all -began to breathe more freely. - -"I guess the robber won't dare show himself to-night," said Wagstaff, -speaking rather his wish than his belief. - -"What's to hinder him?" asked Ethan Durrell. - -"The storm." - -The driver laughed outright. - -"It's just what is in his favor--hulloa!" - -"Gracious! what's the matter?" gasped Wagstaff, as the team suddenly -halted, of their own accord; "let's get out." - -"Something's wrong," replied Lenman; "don't speak or make any noise; -we'll soon know what it is." - -While waiting for the flash of lightning to illuminate the gloom, it -never seemed so long coming. A short time before the gleams were -continuous, but now the gloom was like that of Egypt as the seconds -dragged along. - -No one spoke, but all eyes were fixed on the impenetrable darkness in -front, while every ear was strained to catch some sound beside the -soughing of the wind among the trees. - -All at once, as if the overwhelming storehouse of electricity could -contain itself no longer, the whole space around, in front and above -was lit up by one dazzling flame, which revealed everything with the -vividness of a thousand noonday suns. - -By its overpowering glare the figure of a man on horseback was seen -motionless in the middle of the road, less than twenty feet distant. -He knew of the presence of some one in his path, and he, too, was -awaiting the help of the lightning before advancing. - -"That's _him_,'" whispered Tom Wagstaff; "shall we shoot?" - -Ethan Durrell felt the seat tremble under the youth, while the others -noticed the quaver in his voice. - -"No," replied the driver; "he hasn't done nothin' yet; wait till he -hails us." - -"That may be too late, but all right." - -"Helloa, Bill, is that you?" came from the horseman. - -"Yes; who are you?" called back the driver. - -"Don't you know me, Hank Babcock?" called the other, with a laugh. - -"I sort of thought it was you, Hank, but wasn't sure." - -"You can be sure of it now; wait a minute till I get out of your way; -I'll turn aside and let you pass." - -Everything was quiet for a moment, except the wind, the snuffing of -his horse, and the sound of his hoofs, as he was forced with some -trouble close to the trees which grew near the highway. - -"Now, it's all right; go ahead," called Hank Babcock. - -Lenman spoke to his animals and they moved forward. When opposite the -horseman, another flash revealed him sitting astride the animal, a few -feet to one side. He called a cheery good-night as he drew back, after -the stage had passed, and continued his course. - -"Driver," said Wagstaff, when they were moving again; "where is the -spot you thought it likely we would meet him?" - -"We're close to it now; you notice the road goes down a little, but -not enough for me to put on the brake; have your shootin' irons ready, -for, somehow or other, I feel in my bones that you'll need 'em." - -"Where's that chap that was here a minute ago?" asked Jim, with as -much tremor in his voice as his friend. - -"Who's that?" asked the driver. - -"That Yankee that was sitting right here; he's gone!" - -"I guess not," replied the driver, reaching back his hand and groping -vaguely around; "he must be there." - -"He isn't; he was here, but he's missing." - -"Maybe he got so scared he took the back seat," suggested Tom, who -held his rifle in his left hand, while he passed his right through the -vacancy in the rear of the stage; "no, I'll be hanged if he is there; -he isn't in the stage." - -"That's mighty queer," remarked the driver; "I didn't hear him get -out, did you?" - -"No, but I felt him; he was sitting right alongside of us, when -something brushed past me and he was gone--there!" - -Once more the lightning brought everything out with intense -distinctness, and all saw that there were only three instead of four -persons in the stage. - -The New Englander was missing: what had become of him? - -"I guess he was scared," suggested Wagstaff, with a weak attempt to -screw up his courage; "and preferred to hide among the trees rather -than run the risk of meeting that stranger--" - -"_Sh!_" interrupted the driver, "there's somebody ahead of us in -the road; the horses see him; be ready and remember that if you miss -it's sure death--" - -At that moment the most startling cry that could fall upon their ears -rang from the gloom in front: - -"_Hands up, every one of you!_" - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -NO JOKE - - -What more alarming summons can be imagined than that which rang from -the darkness in front of the stage, as it was slowly winding its way -through Black Bear Swamp? - -The lightning which had toyed with them before seemed unwilling to do -so again, for the impenetrable night was not lit up by the first -quiver or flutter of the intense fire. - -"Are you ready to shoot?" asked the driver, turning his head and -speaking in guarded tones. - -"My gracious, no!" replied Wagstaff, as well as he could between his -chattering teeth; "I can't see him." - -"He's right there in the middle of the road; don't hit one of the -horses--what are you trying to do?" - -It was plain enough what the valiant youth was doing; he was crawling -under the seat, the difficulty of doing so being increased by the body -of Jim, who was ahead of him in seeking the refuge. - -"I aint going to fire when there's no chance of hitting him," growled -Tom, still twisting and edging his way out of reach. - -"But the lightning will show him to you in a minute." - -"Let it show and be hanged! I've got enough; I surrender." - -The words had been spoken hastily, and Tom and Jim did not throw away -any seconds in groping for cover, but, brief as was the time, the -terrible fellow in the middle of the road became impatient. - -"Are all them hands up?" he roared, "or shall I open fire?" - -"My two passengers are under the seat, but they won't hurt you--" - -The driver checked himself for a moment and then exclaimed, loud -enough for the youths to hear: - -"He's coming into the wagon!" - -"Heavens! don't let him do that," protested Jim; "he'll kill us all; -tell him we surrender and won't shoot." - -"Where's them young men that were going to fire so quick?" demanded -the fellow, hurriedly climbing into the front of the stage; "let me -have a chance at them!" - -"It wasn't us," called back Wagstaff, "we haven't anything against -you; take all we've got, only spare us; you can have our guns and -pistols and our money, and everything we have--" - -He ceased his appeal, for at that moment he heard some one laugh. - -A shuddering suspicion of the truth came over him, but before he could -frame an explanation, Bill Lenman and the man who had just joined the -party broke into uproarious mirth. - -The youths saw how utterly they had been sold. There was no train -robber. Ethan Durrell had played the part of the heavy villain in -order to test the courage of these vaunting lads. The driver tried to -dissuade him from the trick, afraid of the risk incurred, but, as it -proved, he was never in any danger. - -The boys crept back from their concealment, and, resuming their seat -in front, saw that it was useless to deny the dilemma in which they -were placed. - -"I don't see anything smart in a trick like that," said Tom, angrily; -"some folks have queer ideas of a joke." - -"It's lucky for you," added Jim, "that the lightning didn't show you -to us; I had my gun aimed and was just ready to fire, but couldn't see -clear enough to make sure of dropping you at the first shot." - -"All that I was afeared of," said the driver, "was that you would hit -one of the horses, and that's what you would have done." - -"It would have served you right if I had." - -"But it would have been a costly job for you, young man." - -The team had resumed its progress and the violent flurry of the -elements began subsiding. The flashes were less frequent, though they -appeared often enough to show the course of the stage, as the animals -pressed on at a moderate walk. - -The driver and the New Englander were more considerate than most -persons would have been under the circumstances, for they forebore -taunting the youths, whom they had at their mercy. Tom and Jim were -resentful enough to have used violence toward Durrell, who bad turned -the tables so cleverly on them; but the manner in which he did it gave -them a wholesome fear of the wiry fellow from down East. - -"Then," said Tom, addressing the driver, "that was all stuff that you -told us about seeing a suspicious person in these woods." - -"No, sir, it was all true," was the unexpected reply. - -This statement instantly awoke interest again in the question, for -even Durrell had supposed the driver was playing with the fears of the -boys. - -"If that's the case," he said, "we may have trouble yet, though it -gets me how a man dare try anything like that in this part of the -world." - -"They haven't tried it yet," was the reminder of Lenman. - -"No, and I guess they won't; but from what I've read and hearn tell, -it's just such crimes that succeed, 'cause nobody expects anybody -would dare try them." - -That night was an eventful one in the history of the occupants of the -old stage-coach plying between Belmar and Piketon. That the driver was -uneasy was shown by his silence and his close attention to his team -and matters in front. He took no part in the conversation, but let the -others do the talking while he listened and watched. - -All noticed the rapid clearing of the sky. The disturbance of the air -was peculiar, for, while it threatened a severe rainfall, nothing of -the kind took place, not a drop pattering on the leaves. The electric -conditions changed back again to something like a normal state, the -lightning ceasing, the wind falling, and the clouds dissolving to such -an extent that, before Black Bear Swamp was crossed enough moonlight -penetrated the woods to reveal their course. - -It was a singular sight when the party in the stage found themselves -able to see the ears of the horses, and, soon after, the trees at the -side of the road, and by and by could make them out for several paces -in front of the team. - -This was a vast relief, but the boys, instead of resuming their places -at the rear of the coach, kept the second seat in front, while Durrell -put himself beside the driver, where both had the best opportunity for -discovering any peril the instant it presented itself. - -"Do you think there will be any trouble?" asked the New Englander, -after being silent a minute or two. - -"I don't know what to think," was the discomforting reply. - -"But we are getting pretty well through the plaguey place; it can't be -fur from t'other side." - -"That don't make any difference; one spot in these woods is as bad as -another." - -"I'm sorry I haven't a pistol," said Durrell. - -"I aint, for I tell you it won't do to try to use anything like that -on them chaps." - -"If there were several it might be different, but the idea of two of -us surrendering to one man--it galls me, Bill. I was going to get one -of them boys to let me have a revolver, but I don't want to do it as -long as you feel this way." - -"I wouldn't have it for the world; if I was sure there was but the -one, I don't know as I would object--that is, if you wanted to fight -purty bad." - -"You seen only one man, you told me." - -"But that's no sign there isn't others near." - -"True. By gracious, Bill!" whispered the New Englander, peering -forward and to one side in the gloom; "I believe I _did_ see a -person in front of us just then." - -"I didn't notice him," replied the driver, trying hard to pierce the -gloom; "where is he?" - -"Not in the middle of the road, but on the left." - -That was the side on which Durrell was sitting, so that he had a -better opportunity than the driver. He believed something moved, but -the shadows among the trees were too dense to make sure. The fact that -the horses had shown no sign of fear was good reason to suspect -Durrell was mistaken, but enough doubt remained to cause misgiving. - -They talked so low that the boys behind them could only catch the -murmur of their voices, without being able to understand their words. -They were in such trepidation themselves that they forgot their recent -farce, and, speaking only now and then in whispers, used their eyes -and ears for all they were worth. - -"_If any one stirs, he'll be shot!_" - -Some one at the side of the road uttered these words in a low but -distinct voice, adding in the same terrible tones: - -"Stop that team! There are three of us here, and we've got you -covered; each one of you get down and stand at the side of the road -and hold up your hands! Do as you are told and you won't get hurt! Try -any of your tricks and you'll be riddled!" - -Ethan Durrell was the only one in the stage who spoke. His voice -trembled, so that his words were hardly understood. - -"Don't shoot, please, we'll get down; we won't do anything if you'll -be easy with us; be keerful them guns don't go off--" - -"Shut up!" commanded the angry criminal; "we don't want any talking. -Dick, keep your eye on 'em as they come out and don't stand any -nonsense." - -"Do you want me down there, too?" asked the driver, who fancied he -ought to be excused. - -"You can sit where you are, but don't forget you're covered, too, and -don't stir. Come, hurry down, old chap!" - -The last remark was addressed to Ethan Durrell, who showed some -reluctance to obeying the stern order. - -The fact was the New Englander was straining his eyes to the utmost. -He saw the tall figure at the side of the highway, just abreast of the -horses' shoulders, but he could not detect any one else. That might -not signify anything, as nothing was easier than for several persons -to conceal themselves among the trees. - -The question the plucky Durrell was asking himself was whether they -had been held up by one man or more. If there were more than one it -was madness for him to resist, but if there was but one he meant to -make a fight, even though he had nothing more formidable than his -jack-knife about him. - -He hesitated on the step in front, one hand resting on the haunch of -the horse and the other grasping the front support of the cover of the -coach. - -"Don't wait," whispered Lenman, "or you'll make him mad." - -"Hurry up," added Tom Wagstaff, "and we'll follow you." - -"Come, I reckon you'd better hurry," added the figure at the side of -the road. - -"All right, here I come!" - -The New Englander sprang outward, and as he did so he flung both arms -about the neck of the rogue and bore him to the earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE VICTIM OF A MISTAKE. - - -Ethan Durrell may have been verdant-looking and peculiar in his ways, -but he was one of the pluckiest of men. It was impossible for him to -know whether the scamp who held up the stage had any companions or -not, until the matter was proven by taking a risk which, if he went -the wrong way, was sure to be fatal. With this uncertainty, and -without so much as a single weapon at his command, he leaped upon the -unsuspecting ruffian, and, throwing both arms around his neck, bore -him to the ground. - -The attack was wholly unexpected by the fellow, who was standing with -loaded revolver pointed toward the stage, ready to fire on the instant -he observed anything suspicious. It was necessary for the New -Englander to spring down from the front of the coach, but every one -except himself thought his intention was to land in front of the other -and there submit to the inevitable. The quavering voice of Durrell had -convinced his friends that he was as timid as any of them in the -presence of real danger. - -He closed his arms like a vise, so as to pinion those of the stranger -against his sides. The impetus of his own body drove the man backward, -and before he could recover Ethan tripped and threw him with such -violence that his hat fell off and an exclamation was forced from him. - -He uttered fierce execrations and strove desperately to get his arm -free that he might use his weapon on his assailant, but there was no -possibility of shaking off the embrace of the wiry New Englander, who -hung on like grim death. - -"Bill, you and the boys watch out for the other fellers," called -Durrell, as he struggled with the man; "if any of them show -themselves, shoot! I'll 'tend to this one." - -At this moment the rogue seemed to remember his friends, and he -called: - -[Illustration: IT'S NO USE! I'VE GOT YOU!] - -"Quick, Sam! Shoot him! Don't miss! Let him have it!" - -Even in that excitement Ethan noticed that the fellow's appeal was to -"Sam" instead of the imaginary "Dick," whom he first addressed. The -suspicion that he was alone was strengthened, and the daring New -Englander put forth all his power to subdue him. - -"It's no use! I've got you and I'm going for you like two houses -afire. Stand back, Bill, and don't interfere; if I can't bring him to -terms, then I'm going to resign and climb a tree." - -Everything was going like a whirlwind. Although Bill Lenman preferred -on such occasions as the present to be a non-combatant, he was not the -one to stay idle when a friend risked his life for him. He threw the -lines over the horses' backs and sprang down to give what help he -could; but in the darkness it was hard to decide in what way he could -aid the other. It was evident that Durrell was pushing matters with -vigor, and there was no doubt that he expected to bring the rogue to -terms. - -But it was easy for one in Ethan's situation to be mistaken. As long -as the fellow kept his pistol, the New Englander's life was in danger. -Bill stooped over with the intention of twisting away the weapon, but -at the moment of doing so it was discharged, apparently at the driver -himself, for the bullet grazed his temple. - -Finding himself unable to turn the pistol on his assailant, the -ruffian saw a chance of deflecting the muzzle sufficiently to hit the -new-comer, as he thought, and he fired, missing him by the narrowest -margin conceivable. - -Before he could fire again a vigorous kick of the driver sent the -weapon flying off in the darkness. - -"Keep your hands off!" called Durrell, the moment he discovered his -friend was near him; "I can manage him alone. If you want to do -anything get ready to tie him." - -That was an easy matter, for stage-drivers are always supplied with -extras, and a little skill will enable one to get along without a few -straps already in use. - -Durrell found his customer tough and powerful. He held him fast for -some seconds, but he seemed as tireless as his assailant, and the -contest would have been prolonged with the possibility of the fellow -working himself loose and darting off among the trees; but fully -mindful of this danger, the New Englander had recourse to heroic -measures. - -He tightened his grip on the fellow's throat until he gasped for -breath. This was repeated to the danger point, though the man -continued to struggle as long as he had the power. - -But Durrell had no wish to punish him beyond what was necessary. He -now called to the driver that he could give some help if he wished. -Bill appeared to be bristling with straps and ropes, and was eager to -do something, for, truth to tell, he felt ashamed that, after all he -had said to the New Englander, the latter had attacked the fellow so -bravely, while until this moment the one chiefly concerned had given -no help at all. He was anxious to make amends. - -Reading the purpose of his captors and knowing that if bound all help -was at an end, the robber struggled like a wild cat. He fought, -kicked, struck, bit, and shouted to his friends to come to his help, -addressing them by names without number, but all in vain; he could not -have been more helpless if enclosed by a regiment of men. Bill Lenman -was skilled in tying knots, and in less time than it would be supposed -the prisoner was so firmly bound that he resembled a mummy, so far as -the use of his limbs was concerned. - -The moment came when he gave up in despair. He saw the game was over, -and it was throwing away his strength to resist further. While he had -been so ready with speech, he ceased all utterances when the first -knot was secured between his elbows, and resolutely refused to utter -another word. - -"What are you going to do with him?" asked Lenman, as they stood him -like a post on his feet. - -"What are we going to do with him? why, take him to Piketon, of -course, and deliver him to justice!" - -"I know that," replied Bill, with a laugh, "but I was thinking whether -it was best to stow him under the seats or strap him with the trunks -on behind; he might enjoy riding with _that_ box." - -"No; we'll take him inside with us; some of the straps might give way -and we would want to be within reach of him. Where's them boys?" asked -Durrell, abruptly; "I forgot all about them while this business was -going on." - -The attack and capture of the would-be stage robber consumed very -little time, but it gave a chance to our young friends which they -quickly turned to good account. They saw but one possible result of -the affair, and concluded to make a change of base. It could not be -doubted that they had done so, since neither was within sight or call. - -Lenman had paid no attention to them, and it cannot be said that he -regretted their absence. True, their fare remained uncollected, but -that was not the first time he had carried passengers free, and he -could stand it again. - -The prisoner was deposited with as much care on the middle seat of the -stage as though he were a package of dynamite. Durrell placed himself -behind him where he could forestall any movement on his part. It would -not be supposed that there was any chance of anything of that kind, -but Durrell had read and heard enough of such people to understand the -danger of trusting to appearances. The exploits of some of the gentry -in the way of tying and untying knots would rival the Davenport -brothers and other so-called "mediums." Then, too, Durrell thought, he -might have other weapons about him, for no search had been made of his -garments. Anyway, it cannot be doubted that the New Englander was wise -in maintaining such a vigilant watch of the fellow. - -Despite this exciting incident, which threw Bill Lenman's nerves into -a more turbulent state than for years, he could not help smiling as he -listened to the efforts of the New Englander to open conversation with -the prisoner. Durrell's curiosity was of the kind that it could not be -kept in the background. He was interested in the man and was resolved -to learn more about him. - -He began in his insinuating way to inquire as to his name, how long he -had been in this bad business, what led him to make such a dreadful -mistake, where he was born, whether his parents were living, how many -brothers and sisters he had, and so on with a list of questions which -no one could remember. - -But the prisoner never once opened his mouth. He saw nothing was to be -gained by so doing, and, though it is not to be supposed he would have -told the truth, he did not trouble himself to state fiction. - -At the moment of emerging from Black Bear Swamp, Lenman was alarmed by -being hailed by a stranger who asked for a ride. This was unusual, for -he was now so close to Piketon that the walk would not have taxed any -one. - -Durrell whispered to the driver to refuse to take him up, for no doubt -he was a confederate of the prisoner; but Lenman thought it more -dangerous to refuse than to comply. He therefore checked his team, and -told the applicant that the town was near by and he was about to -indulge in a needless expense; but the stranger cared naught for that, -and hastily climbed up in front and seated himself beside the driver, -who peered at him as best he could in the gloom, but was unable to -make out his features. - -"If he tries any tricks," said Lenman to himself, "I'll neck him -before he knows it; after that chap from New England showed such pluck -I aint going to back out of the next rumpus." - -Evidently the driver felt the force of the example, for he kept a -close eye on the stranger. Besides this, he thought the occasion -warranted a little extra urging of the horses, and he put them to the -briskest trot they had shown since leaving Belmar. - -Ethan Durrell, as may be supposed, was fully as anxious as the driver, -for he was almost certain the man in front was a friend of the -prisoner, and if so, there was little to prevent a rescue, since, as I -have shown, neither Durrell nor Lenman was armed. - -The relief, therefore, was great when the lights of the little town -glimmered through the darkness, and shortly after the stage came to a -halt in front of the old-fashioned inn, where it had stopped regularly -for so many years. - -The passenger last picked up, there was reason to believe, had never -seen the rogue before. The latter may be dismissed with the remark -that, having been caught in the commission of his crime, he received -full and merited punishment therefor. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -ADRIFT IN THE SWAMP - - -Meanwhile Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern, the two youths from New York, -found themselves involved in a series of singular and stirring -incidents. - -It will be admitted that they were not fond of meeting the kind of -persons who brought the old stage to a standstill in the dismal depths -of Black Bear Swamp, and, when they saw an opportunity to leave, lost -no time in doing so. - -They were trembling in their seats, wondering what would be the next -act of the dreaded fellow dimly seen in the gloom, when Ethan Durrell -performed his brave exploit which ended in the capture of the rogue. - -"Now's our chance!" whispered Jim, who saw the couple struggling on -the ground; "bimeby he'll kill that greenhorn and next the driver and -then _our_ turn will come." - -"If that's so, I don't see any use in waiting," replied Tom, losing no -time in scrambling out of the coach, and dropping to the ground in -such haste that he fell forward on his hands and knees. - -The driver and the New Englander were too much engaged at that moment -to pay any heed to the youths, who were in such desperate haste to get -away from the spot that they dashed among the trees at the imminent -risk of seriously bruising themselves. - -After pressing forward until they were nearly out of breath, they came -to a halt in the depths of the wood for consultation. They had managed -to reach a point some distance from the highway, where they felt safe -for the time. - -"It's lucky we were cool enough to bring our guns with us," was the -bright remark of McGovern, "or there's no telling what might have -happened." - -"Do you think those robbers will follow us, Jim?" - -"Of course they will; you don't suppose they want us to testify in -court against them and have them hanged, do you?" - -"But we didn't see them plain enough to know them again." - -"That don't make any difference," was the brilliant reply, "for I -would know that fellow's voice among a thousand." - -"I guess maybe you're right; it won't do for us to go back to the -road, for we would be sure to run against them." - -"No; we'll push on through the woods till we come out somewhere. If we -were only acquainted with the country we would know what to do, but -there's no saying where we'll fetch up." - -At such times a person feels safer while in motion, and, though the -young men had no more idea of the points of the compass than if adrift -in mid-ocean, they pressed on, impelled by their anxiety to place all -the space possible between themselves and the stage-robbers, who, they -believed, numbered three at least. - -They agreed that the New Englander was the most foolish of persons in -attacking the criminal, for, even if he succeeded in bearing him to -the ground and overcoming him, his companions had already rallied to -his help and would quickly dispatch him and the driver. - -Jim and Tom listened for sounds of the conflict, and the fact that -they heard no shouts or more reports of fire-arms did not lessen their -belief that it was all over with Lenman and Durrell. - -The boys were still picking their way through the lonely woods when -they found their feet sinking in the spongy earth and were stopped by -a morass which grew worse at every step. - -"It won't do to go any farther over this road," said Wagstaff, who was -a few steps in advance, "for the water is getting deeper and I don't -believe there are any boats for us to use." - -The obvious course was to turn back and make an abrupt change in their -route. This was done and they soon were walking over the dry leaves. - -"Tom," whispered his companion, who was still a few feet behind him, -"somebody is following us." - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed Wagstaff, stopping short and looking -around in the gloom; "are you sure of that?" - -"Listen!" - -Both were silent. There certainly was a rustling of the leaves behind -them, which could not have been made by the wind, for hardly a breath -of air stirred the branches. The violent disturbance that had so -alarmed them when riding in the coach had entirely subsided and was -succeeded by a calm that gave no sign of the flurry. - -"It's one of them robbers," was the frightened reply of Tom, "and he's -after us sure enough." - -"You're right; what shall we do?" - -"How would it work to climb a tree?" - -"What good would _that_ do?" was the sensible question of Jim. - -"He wouldn't know where we were, and by and by would give up the -hunt." - -"That won't work. Why, Tom, I forgot; we've got our guns and they're -loaded; why not use _them_?" - -"That's so. I didn't think of that, but we must look out that he don't -get in the first shot, I'll tell you what we'll do," added Tom, -stepping so close to his friend that his mouth almost touched his ear; -"you walk around back of him, so as to place him between us; then -we'll come toward each other and the first one that gets sight of him -will drop him." - -Jim was not over pleased with the plan, since it looked to him as if -his task was to be the most dangerous, but he could not well refuse. -He therefore faced the other way, and began advancing with the utmost -care, making a circuit to the right so as to be certain of not running -against the dreaded individual. - -In fact, the young man made a larger circuit than was necessary, but -he kept his bearings, so that when he once more approached Tom it was -in a direct line and the stranger was between them. - -McGovern held his rifle tightly grasped, ready to raise and fire the -moment he caught sight of their enemy. While there was a little light -here and there among the trees, it gave neither him nor his companion -any help. It was so early in the autumn that few leaves had fallen, -and, had he not used extreme care, literally feeling every step of his -way, he would have been injured by the projecting limbs and the -numerous trunks of the trees. - -While it may be supposed that the strategy of the young men had placed -their foe at great disadvantage, they found themselves hindered by the -impossibility of giving or receiving any mutual signals. Since the -stranger was closer to both than Tom and Jim were to each other, any -attempt to send word over his head was certain to be caught and -understood by him. All that could be done, therefore, by the young men -was to follow the lines hastily marked out before they separated. - -Jim having approached his friend as far as was prudent, stopped to -decide what to do next. The boys were not thoughtless enough to lose -sight of the danger to themselves in carrying out their plan. Since -they were coming together each was liable to mistake the other for an -enemy. They had not thought of this at first, but both remembered it -now, and each decided not to fire at any person who might come into -view until first challenging him. - -In no other way could a fatal mistake be guarded against, and when, -therefore, Jim had stood motionless a minute or two, and was sure he -heard the same rustling in front, he simply brought his gun to his -shoulder. - -"Tom, is that you?" he asked, in a subdued voice that could not fail -to reach the stranger. - -The noise ceased, but there was no answer. The youth now slightly -raised his voice: - -"If you don't speak I'll fire! I see you and won't miss." - -The stillness continued unbroken, and the stranger did not stir. It -was impossible in the darkness to make him out clearly, but sufficient -could be seen to insure the success of a shot at so short a range. - -"I'm going to fire, look out! _One--two--three!_" - -Mr. McGovern ought to have reflected that no man, especially one -trained in wrong-doing, would stand up in this fashion and wait for -another to perforate him; but at the utterance of the last word Jim -let fly straight at the figure, and what is more, he struck it. - -The hair of the youth seemed to lift his hat from his head, as a -strange cry broke the stillness, and he heard the body, after a single -spasmodic leap, fall on the leaves, where, after a few struggles, it -lay still. - -"Have you killed him?" called the horrified Tom, hurrying from his -station a few rods away. - -"I've killed _something_" was Jim's reply, who, drawing his -pocket safe, struck a match and held it over his head, while both -stooped over and examined the trophy of their skill and strategy. - -"Jim," said Tom, the next moment, "I'll agree never to say anything -about this, for I'm in it as bad as you." - -"It's a bargain," was the reply of the other; "we'll never tell Bob, -even, for he would plague us to death." - -The object before them was a six months' old calf. It had probably -become lost in the woods, and, hearing persons walking, followed them -with a dim idea that they were friends and would take care of it. The -result was a sad example of misplaced confidence. - -Certain now that nothing was to be feared from the rogues that must -have disposed of Lenman and Durrell long before, the youths resumed -their progress through the wood with the same aimless effort that had -marked their journey from the first. - -It was not long after their incident with the calf that both noticed -that they had entered what seemed to be a valley of slight descent. -The sound of running water warned them to be careful of their steps, -though it was evident the stream was small. - -Wagstaff still kept his place slightly in advance, and was picking his -way with the same care he had shown from the first, when he stopped -short once more. - -"What is it?" asked his companion, stepping to his elbow. - -"What the mischief can that be?" asked Tom, in reply. - -Although Jim could not see the extended arm, he knew his friend was -pointing at something which was now observed by him, and whose -appearance mystified him beyond expression. - -"It must be a ghost," he whispered; "I can't make it out!" - -"Don't stir; wait and see; gracious, it's moving!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -HOST AND GUESTS - - -Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which -greeted them while picking their way through the wood. - -A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen. At first it was -stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature. -While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of -retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light. It -was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, -disappearing as quickly as it had come to view. The next moment some -one was seen holding a lamp in his hand and peering out in the gloom. - -Then the whole explanation broke upon them. They had come upon a tent -in the wood, the light shining through the canvas and producing the -effect which first puzzled them. The person inside passed between them -and the lamp, so that his shadow was flung on the screen in front. -Then he picked up the light, and pushing aside the flap, peered out in -the gloom. - -As he did so the glare from the lamp fell upon his face and showed his -features so distinctly that both boys recognized him, and uttered an -exclamation of astonishment and delight. - -"Bob Budd, as I live! Why, you're the very fellow we're looking for!" -called out Tom Wagstaff, as he and his companion hurried forward and -greeted their friend, whose amazement was equal to theirs when he held -the light above his head and recognized them. - -"Where under the sun did you come from?" he asked, all three walking -into the tent after shaking hands, and seating themselves, while the -host set the light on a small stand at one side. - -"I didn't expect you for a week or two," added Bob, whose pleasure -could not be concealed. - -"Well," replied Jim, with a laugh, "we set out to surprise you, and I -guess we succeeded." - -"There's no doubt of that," said Bob; "but tell me how you found the -way to this spot." - -The visitors were not quite willing to give the whole truth, and Tom -ventured the explanation. - -"We came most of the way in the cars," said he, "but got off at a -little station a few miles out to tramp across the country, thinking -we might pick up some game on the way. We didn't make out very well, -and rode to Black Bear Swamp in the stage. There we got out again and -set out to find you." - -"How did you know where to look?" - -"The driver told us you had a camp out this way somewhere, and we -thought we might stumble over it." - -This narrative was so brief in the way of details that the boys ran -some risk of having it overturned when the account of the driver and -his passenger should be heard, but fortunately for them, Durrell and -Lenman forebore any references to the unworthy part played by the -youths, and Bob Budd remained ignorant of the real cause of the abrupt -flight of his friends, and their taking to the shelter of Black Bear -Swamp. - -"I've had the tent up for three days," added the host, who was about -the age of his guests, "and it's so well stored with eatables and -drinkables that I come out every night to take a look at it, so as to -make sure no tramps or thieves are prowling around. I was about to go -home when you hailed me. Shall we go to the house or stay here till -morning?" - -"I don't see that this can be improved on," replied Tom, looking -admiringly about him; "we're pretty well tuckered out, and I would as -lief stay here till morning anyway." - -"Those are my sentiments," added Jim, much pleased with the survey. - -"Then we'll stay," said Bob; "I'm glad you're suited. Where are your -trunks?" - -"At the station at Piketon." - -"I'll send the checks over in the morning and have our man bring them -here. I have my own gun and some things to bring from the house, and -then we'll be in shape for a good old time in the woods. I guess, -boys, a little refreshment won't hurt us." - -The liberality of Bob Budd's Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth, with whom he -lived (he having no parents or other near relatives), enabled him to -do about as he pleased, so far as his own pleasure and self-indulgence -were concerned. He quickly set a substantial lunch before his guests, -of which all partook. I am sorry to say that strong drink formed a -large part of the repast, all indulging liberally, after which pipes -and cigarettes were produced, and they discussed their plans of -enjoyment. - -Wagstaff and McGovern did not hesitate to admit that they had run away -from home for the purpose of having this outing. The fact that their -parents were sure to be distressed over their absence was a theme for -jest instead of regret. - -"They'll learn to appreciate us when we go back," said Wagstaff, with -a laugh, as he puffed his villainous decoction of tobacco and poison; -"you see, if Jim and I went home now they would be apt to scold; but -they will be so glad at the end of a fortnight that they'll kill the -fatted calf and make us welcome." - -"A good idea," commented Bob, passing back the flask to McGovern; "you -see, my uncle and aunt love me so dearly that they don't object to -anything I do, though now and then Aunt Ruth holds up Dick Halliard as -a model for me." - -"We saw that lovely young man while we were in the stage," remarked -Wagstaff; "he went by us on his bicycle." - -"Yes; he rides a wheel well, but it makes me mad to see him." - -"Why so?" - -"Well, he's younger than me, and I used to go to school with him; he's -one of those fellows who don't like many things a wide-awake chap like -me does, and he has a way of telling you of it to your face." - -"That's better than doing it behind your back," suggested Jim. - -"He has no right to do it _at all_; what business is it of his if -I choose to smoke, take a drink now and then, and lay out the other -boys when they get impudent?" - -"It's nothing to him, of course; we'll settle his hash for him before -we go back. I shouldn't wonder," added Tom, with a wink, "if he should -find that bicycle of his missing some day." - -"That would hit him harder than anything else," remarked Bob, pleased -with the remark; "I've thought of the same thing, but haven't had a -good chance to spoil it. I say, boys, we'll have just the jolliest -times you ever heard of." - -"It won't be _our_ fault if we don't," assented Jim, while his -companion nodded his head as an indorsement of the same views. - -"Is there good hunting in these parts?" - -"It, isn't as good as up among the Adirondacks or out West in the -Rocky Mountains, but I think we can scare up some sport. I've a good -hunting dog, and as soon as we get things in shape we'll see what we -can do. What sort of game do you prefer?" - -"Anything will suit me--elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, and the like; -or, if we can't do better, I wouldn't mind a bear or deer." - -"I daresn't promise much, but we'll have the fun anyway, and that's -what we all want more than anything else." - -The boys kept up their conversation until the night was well along, -and all were in high spirits over the prospect. They smoked and drank -until, when they lay down in slumber, they were in that plight that -they did not waken till the sun was high in the heavens. - -The day was so cloudy and overcast that, although it cleared up -before noon, they decided to defer their hunting excursion until the -following morning, or perhaps the one succeeding that. Tom and Jim -accompanied Bob to his uncle's, where they were made welcome by his -relatives, though it must be said that neither was specially pleased -with their looks and conduct. They made themselves at home from the -first, and their conversation was loud and coarse; but then they were -friends of the petted nephew, and _that_ was all sufficient. - -The trunks were brought from the railway station by Uncle Jim's -coachman and taken to the camp of the Piketon Rangers. By that time -the news of the attempt to rob the stage had spread, and caused great -excitement in the town and neighborhood. Tom and Jim, finding no -reference to them in the accounts, deemed it best to say nothing, -since they might have found it hard to make it appear that they had -acted bravely at a time when such a fine chance was offered to play -the hero. - -That afternoon the three fully established themselves in the tent of -Bob Budd. The day had cleared up beautifully, but it was too late to -start out on the great hunt they had fixed their hearts on, and toward -night they separated to take a stroll through the surrounding country, -with which they wished to become familiar. They believed this could be -done better if they should part company, since each would be obliged -to keep his senses about him, and to watch his footsteps more closely -than if he had a guide in the person of Bob Budd, their friend and -host. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE FOREST PATH - - -Dick Halliard was kept unusually late at Mr. Hunter's store that -evening, for the busy season was approaching, when the merchant was -obliged to ask for extra work at the hands of his employees. Dick -showed such aptitude at figures that he often gave valuable aid to the -bookkeeper, one of the old-fashioned, plodding kind, who found the -expanding accounts too much for him to keep well in hand. - -Reaching his home, he was met by his mother, who always awaited his -coming, no matter how late he might be. A light never failed to be -shining from the window for the only son, and a warm welcome and a -delicious meal were sure to greet him. - -After kissing his mother and taking his seat at the table, he glanced -around and asked: "Did father become tired of sitting up for me?" - -"He retired some time ago; he wished to wait, but I advised him not to -do so." - -The lad paused in his meal, and looking at his mother, who was trying -to hide her agitation, asked: - -"Why do you try to keep anything from me? Father is worse, as I can -see from you face." - -"Yes," replied the mother, the tears filling her eyes; "he is not as -well to-night as usual." - -Dick shoved back his chair. - -"I will go for Dr. Armstrong; it's too bad that he could not have been -called long ago." - -"I would have gone, but I feared to leave him alone, and we were -expecting you every minute. You must eat something and swallow a cup -of tea." - -Poor Dick's vigorous appetite was gone, but partly to please his -parent, and partly because he knew it was best, he ate and drank a -little. Then he ran up-stairs to see his father, who was suffering -from a fevered condition which made him slightly delirious. The brave -boy spoke a few cheerful words, and then, promising to return as soon -as he could, hastened down-stairs and donned his hat and coat. - -"You can go quite fast on your bicycle, Dick," said the mother, "and -you know we shall count the minutes till the doctor comes." - -"You can depend on me to do my best; I will take my bicycle, though it -isn't very far." - -He had kissed her good-night, and was out-of-doors. The machine had -been left just within the gate, where he always leaned it against the -trunk of a short, thick cedar. He advanced to take it, as he had done -so many times, but to his dismay it was gone. - -The door had closed behind him before he had made the discovery, so -that his mother knew nothing of his loss. - -Dick was dumbfounded. Nothing of the kind had ever befallen him -before. He had been in the house less than fifteen minutes, yet during -that interval his property had vanished. - -"Some one must have followed me," was his conclusion, "and while I was -in the house stole my bicycle." - -Had the circumstances been different, he would have set a most -vigorous investigation on foot, for he prized the wheel above all his -possessions; but, with his sick parent up-stairs, the minutes were too -precious to be spent in looking after anything else. - -"I'll find out who took that," he muttered, as he passed through the -gate to the highway, "and when I do, he'll have to settle with me." - -He studied the ground closely in the hope of discovering the trail, as -it may be called, of his machine, but the light of the moon was too -faint to show any signs, unless in the middle of the highway, and if -the thief had followed that direction, he took care to keep at the -side of the road, where there was a hard path over which he could -readily travel. - -It was three-fourths of a mile to the home of Dr. Armstrong, who was -one of those hard-worked humanitarians--a country physician--subject to -call at all hours of the day and night, with many of them requiring a -journey of several miles during the worst seasons of the year. - -Dick was fortunate in not only finding him at home, but in his office. -He had received a summons to a point beyond Mr. Halliard's, and was in -the act of mounting his horse to ride thither. Since he had to pass -the house of Dick on his way, he promised to go at once, so that not a -minute would be lost. - -The brief interview with the physician was satisfactory in the highest -degree to the youth, for the medical man explained that, singular as -it might seem, the fever which he described as affecting his parent -was a very favorable sign. It showed that the remedies already used -were doing the work intended, and there was more ground for hope of -his ultimate recovery than before. - -With this burden lifted from his heart, the boy's thoughts returned to -his bicycle. - -"I would give a good deal to know who took it," he murmured, as he set -out on his return; "I never knew of such a thing. Why didn't I think -of it!" he suddenly asked himself, as he recalled that he had a little -rubber match-safe in his pocket. - -Bringing it forth, he struck one of the bits of wood, and shading the -tiny flames from the slight breeze, stooped over and attentively -examined the road and paths at each side. - -He discovered nothing to reward his search, and resumed his walk -homeward. "The thief must have taken the other road," he concluded, -walking more rapidly. - -Only a little way farther he came to the big stretch of woods which -surrounded the immense reservoir of water behind the dam that was -built years before. Dick was familiar with the locality, and knew of a -path which left the main highway and entered the woods, breaking into -two routes, one of which led to the mill-pond, while the other, if -followed, conducted a person to the wooded hilly region beyond. - -Upon reaching the point where the path turned off from the highway, -Dick again paused and struck a second match. This was for the purpose -of studying the ground, for somehow or other he had formed the belief -that the thief would take to the woods with the property, until he -could find time to dispose of it without attracting attention. - -There it was! - -The ground, although quite hard, showed the imprint of the large and -small wheel distinctly. Upon turning into the wood the change of -direction necessarily threw the wheels out of alignment for a short -distance, and there could be no mistake about the prints that were -left in the earth. - -"There's where the thief went!" exclaimed the lad, straightening up -and striving to peer into the impenetrable gloom; "but he must have -walked and pushed the bicycle, for no one would dare to ride through -there in the nighttime. I don't go home till I find out something -about the rogue that took it from the front of our house." - -It was a source of regret that, in his haste to go to the physician, -he forgot the precaution he had resolved to take, whenever he found it -necessary to go abroad at night. His father was the owner of a fine -revolver that had lain in the house for weeks without being used. If -the youth had it with him now, he would have felt double the assurance -that was his when he began making his way along the forest path. -Nevertheless, his resolution to recover his property was none the less -because of his forgetfulness. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE PLOTTERS - - -Dick Halliard had walked only a short distance along the lonely forest -path when he made a startling discovery. - -While he was stealthily following some one, an unknown party was -following him. His own senses were on the alert, and the young hero -caught the faint footfalls not far behind him. - -"That's more than I bargained for," he muttered, "and now would be a -good time to have my pistol; but I haven't got it, so what's the use -of thinking about it." - -There was comfort in the thought, however, that the stranger who was -at his heels was unaware of the fact. Had he wished to approach -secretly, he could have stepped so softly that Dick would have heard -nothing of him. - -But the sensation of being between two fires, and liable to run into -both, was so unpleasant that the lad stepped noiselessly from the path -and screened himself among the dense shadows, until the one at the -rear should pass him. - -He had not long to wait when the footsteps were heard opposite, and -with the help of a partial ray of moonlight, which reached the path at -that point, he was able to discern the outlines of the party. - -It was well that he was so familiar with the route, for, had he not -been, he must have betrayed himself against the overhanging limbs and -bushes, with an occasional depression in the ground, where it was -necessary to step with great care. - -Had Dick not known the precise point in the dark where a small stream -wound its way across, he would have learned from an angry exclamation -of the fellow in front, who slipped and fell forward in it. A slightly -longer step than usual placed the eavesdropper on the other side, and -he continued his guarded pursuit. - -The next moment brought a sharp shock to Dick, who suddenly became -aware that the footfalls in front had ceased. The fellow had stopped -walking, and seemed to be standing still, as if listening. The first -warning Dick received after he checked himself was a glimpse of his -head and shoulders just in advance. - -Fearful of being detected himself, Dick instantly drew back with the -noiselessness of an Indian scout, and stood ready to retreat farther -or dart aside, as might be necessary. - -"_Hulloa there!_" - -The call had a gruesome sound in the solemn stillness of the woods, -and for a moment Dick was sure he was discovered. He made no answer, -and the hail was repeated, but with no more success than before. - -He was convinced that the fellow was not certain any one was behind -him, but was seeking to verify a suspicion he had formed. - -Failing of reply, he was quiet a moment longer, when he emitted a low -whistle, like the cry of a night bird. - -This, too, had to be repeated, but was more successful than in the -former instance, for on the second call a reply came from a point -farther on, but not far off. Only a few seconds elapsed when some one -was heard approaching, and the couple quickly met in the path, not -more than twenty feet from where Dick was standing. - -They began talking, but at first he could not catch the words, which -were uttered in low tones. He therefore stole a little nearer, and -heard them distinctly. - -"I suppose you have become pretty well acquainted with the country?" -was the remark of Jim McGovern. - -"Well, there isn't much to get acquainted with. I went down to the -village and took a look around," replied Wagstaff. "I thought I might -run against Bob, but he must have taken another route. I had a little -lark on my way home." - -"What was that?" - -"I was passing Dick Halliard's home, when I caught sight of his -bicycle leaning against a tree in the front yard, as if it was tired. -I thought right away of what Bob told us about that machine, and saw -it was the very chance we wanted. It couldn't have been better. No one -was around, and I slipped through the gate, drew the bicycle out onto -the road, mounted and rode it down to the path, where, of course, I -got off and pushed it in front to this place." - -"Good!" exclaimed the delighted McGovern; "that couldn't have happened -better. Won't Bob be tickled! You are sure no one saw you bring it -away?" - -"I won't forget how I learned there wasn't any one watching me." - -"How was that?" - -"After I got out in the road I looked around to make sure. Nobody was -in sight, but I turned my head too far, and set the machine to -wobbling so bad that before I knew it I was over on my side, and -thought my leg was broken." - -"A cyclist must become used to taking headers; the wonder is that more -people are not killed. Tom, I want you to do me the favor of letting -me ruin that machine." - -"I don't know that I have any objection." - -"Have you fixed on a plan?" asked McGovern. - -"I haven't had time to think. How would it do to blow it up with -dynamite?" - -"Too risky for the rest of us." - -"Then we can chop it into splinters and make a fire to cook our game -with." - -"The trouble there," said McGovern, who seemed to be quite cautious, -"is that there is very little if any woodwork about it; it's nearly -all metal." - -"Let's dig a hole in the ground and bury it." - -"That takes too much work; you know we've all sworn off labor for the -rest of our lives, and we wouldn't dare hire anybody, for that would -be a dead give away." - -"I have it; we'll run it into the mill-pond. The water is forty feet -deep, and nobody would ever think of looking there for it, and it can -be done with no trouble at all." - -"That's the idea! It won't take five minutes to put it where it will -never be seen again. Where is it?" - -"Right up here on the edge of the mill-pond, all ready; it's queer I -didn't think of it myself. But since you feel as you do, why, I'm -agreeable." - -The couple moved along the path, and directly behind them stole Dick -Halliard. He had overheard every word that we have recorded, and he -was nearly beside himself with anger. - -"So you mean to run my bicycle in the mill-pond, do you?" he muttered -between his set teeth; "look out if, instead of running it into the -water, that you two don't get run in yourselves!" - -It was an extensive contract for the single youth to checkmate these -fellows, but that was precisely what he had determined to do! - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A BRAVE EXPLOIT - - -The danger with Dick Halliard was, that his anger was likely to -overmaster his judgment, and lead him to attempt something that would -cause his own disastrous overthrow. - -The knowledge that the young man had just asked the privilege of -destroying his bicycle was exasperating to a degree, but he might have -reflected that, since the method chosen was by sinking it in the -mill-pond, he had only to wait and watch where the submersion took -place, when it could be readily recovered without injury. - -"I won't stand it," muttered the wrathful lad, stealing after them; -"if they undertake that business somebody is going to get hurt." - -It was but a short distance to the pond. Dick was walking dangerously -near the couple, who were liable at any moment to turn and discover -him. He saw the gleam of the water in the faint moonlight, but just -before the pond was reached the path divided. While one encircled the -extensive sheet of water, the other turned to the left, and led -farther into the woods and among the mountainous regions beyond. - -It was as this point the pair stopped for a moment and exchanged a few -words. The youth who had stolen the bicycle was the first to speak. - -"Jim, you're so anxious to drown the wheel, and I'm willing, but -there's no need of waiting to see you do it." - -"What's your hurry, Tom?" - -"I'm anxious to see how Bob made out. I'll turn off the path right -here and go to camp; you'll be along in a few minutes, and if -everything is right, Bob ought to be there very soon, if he hasn't -arrived before this." - -The matter was of no moment, and, as his companion took the path -leading deeper into the woods, Jim kept on in the direction of the -mill-pond, where the bicycle was leaning against a tree near the edge -of the water. - -This little circumstance, however, encouraged the angry Dick, for he -now had but one person to contend with, though the second was near at -hand. - -Jim, as he had been called, spent several minutes in searching for the -bicycle, though he was close to it all the time. This, too, was -fortunate, since Tom was walking rapidly away and was likely soon to -be beyond call. - -"Ah, here it is!" muttered Jim, a moment later, "I thought Tom was -fooling me, but I'll soon fix it now." - -He took hold of the wheel, and as it assumed the perpendicular, began -shoving it toward the water. The path was so narrow that some -difficulty was caused, and Dick heard him muttering angrily to himself -again. - -"_I guess you had better drop that!_" - -Dick uttered the words in the most guttural bass he could assume, and -they were startling enough in the gloomy stillness of the place. - -Jim was on the very edge of the pond at the moment, balancing the -bicycle, and about to shove it out into the deep water at his feet, -where it would instantly drop from sight. The hiss of a serpent -beneath his feet could not have given him a greater shock. - -He turned so abruptly that the machine fell over on its side with the -rim touching the pond, which just there was at its deepest. Seeing a -figure advancing from the darkness, he recoiled a step and faced the -intruder. - -In his fright he stepped a few inches too far and fell backward with a -loud splash. - -"It would serve you right if you were half drowned," said Dick, moving -forward to pick up his wheel. - -He had it erect in a twinkling, and started to push it along the path, -when the terrified Jim shouted: - -"Help! help! I can't swim! I'm drowning!" - -This put a new and serious face on the business. Dick let his bicycle -tumble sideways again and ran to the edge of the pond to give help to -the unfortunate youth. - -As has been stated the water at this part of the mill-pond was deeper -than anywhere else. The instant Jim went off the land, he was where a -twenty-foot pole would not have reached bottom. Furthermore, he told -the truth when he called that he could not swim. He was unable to -sustain himself for a single stroke. - -Quick as was Dick Halliard in dashing over the brief intervening -space, he saw the head of the fellow disappear under the surface, the -disturbed waters bubbling over him. - -But he knew he would come up again, and hurriedly looked around for a -pole or stick to extend to him. None was within reach and the seconds -were of too momentous value to allow him a further hunt. - -Knowing the endangered youth was in a panic, Dick now strove to reach -him without leaving the land. Remembering where he had gone down, he -essayed to step as far out from the edge as he could, in the hope that -he might give him his hand. - -But, familiar as he was with the big mill-pond and its surroundings, -he forgot that the shore at that place went downward as sheer as the -side of a stone wall. - -As a consequence, the instant he bore the least weight on the extended -foot, down he went with a force that carried him below the surface. - -But Dick was one of the most skillful of swimmers, and though the -water was chilly, he came up like a duck. - -He was so prompt in doing this that he and Jim rose simultaneously, -and within arm's length of each other. - -"Keep still! don't move, and I'll take you ashore!" - -He might as well have appealed to the whirlwind. The instant he -grasped the hair of the big fellow the latter turned and flung both -arms about his neck, and despite all his rescuer could do the two -disappeared again. - -The young rescuer knew that unless the desperate lock was broken both -must drown, and the coolness with which he decided on the right and -only thing to do and did it, was one of the most striking exhibitions -our hero ever gave, or, for that matter, that any one could have -given. - -While holding his breath below, the death-lock of the drowning youth -was slightly relaxed, but not sufficiently for his hold to be -released. Our body is slightly less in specific gravity than water, -and, aided by the exertions of Dick, the two quickly rose to the -surface again. - -The crisis came the instant they readied fresh air. It was then the -drowning Jim would strive fiercely to gather his rescuer closer to -him, and nothing less than the power of Hercules could shake him off. -Dick knew it and acted accordingly. - -At the moment he gasped for breath he let drive with his right fist, -landing directly between Jim's eyes. It was the strongest blow Dick -could deliver, and like a flash he repeated it. - -It did the business. Poor Jim was in a dazed condition already. The -two blows of Dick stunned him and he became a dead weight on his -rescuer. - -Fortunately for the latter they were close to shore, else his attempt -to save the other might have resulted most seriously to himself. The -larger boy was likely to recover from the stunning blow in a few -seconds, and the instant he did so would become frantic again, while -Dick's strength must speedily succumb. - -The cry of the drowning youth rang through the wood and reached the -ears of Tom Wagstaff, who dashed back to learn what it meant. At the -moment he arrived Dick had reached one hand up on the planking which -ran along the edge of the pond, and, with his other arm under the -shoulders of Jim, kept his head in the air, but was unable to help him -further until he should recover his senses. - -Dick knew who the second party was that suddenly appeared on the -margin. - -"He's all right," he said, alluding to Jim; "reach down and give him -your hand; he's coming to." - -The hand grasped by Tom was limp at first, but it suddenly gripped the -other with desperate force, and putting forth all his power, Tom gave -a pull which dragged out the half-drowned Jim, and stretched him on -his face, where he showed signs of speedily recovering his bewildered -senses. - -"How did this happen?" asked the puzzled Tom, looking at Dick as he -emerged from the water. - -"He was about to push my bicycle that you stole into the pond, when he -fell in himself; he called out that he couldn't swim, so I jumped in -after him; and now, if you have no objection, I'll take my wheel -home." - -As he spoke he advanced to where the bicycle was lying, stood it up, -and moved down the path. - -And as for Jim and Tom they spake never a word. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -AN ACT OF FORGETFULNESS - - -It would be supposed that common gratitude would have filled the heart -of Jim McGovern after his rescue from death by the very lad whom he -had sought to injure, but when he returned to the tent, changed his -draggled garments, helped himself to strong spirits and began puffing -a cigarette, he was angered at seeing the smile on the face of his -companion. - -"What's the matter with you?" he growled. - -"Nothing, only I think you and I ought to learn how to swim." - -"I don't see any need of it," replied Jim, who was in a savage humor. - -"Then you won't have to yell for Dick Halliard to help you out when -you tumble into the mill-pond." - -"He didn't help me out; what are you talking about?" "He said so, and -you didn't deny it." - -"It was _me_ that helped _him_ out," was the unblushing -response of young McGovern, growing angrier every minute; "and I'm -going to get even with him." - -"Get even for what? For helping him out?" - -"For lying about me; I don't allow any chap to do that." - -"How are you going to do it, Jim?" asked Tom, glad of a chance to -tantalize his companion. - -"Why, how do you suppose? I'll lay for him." - -"Ah, that reminds me!" said his companion; "I forgot it until this -minute." - -"What's that?" - -"Why, when Bob started out this evening, he said he was going to do -that very thing--lay for young Halliard." - -"What's _he_ got against him?" demanded Jim, resenting the idea -that any one should rob him of his anticipated pleasure. - -"You heard what he said last night; Halliard holds himself so much -better than he that he feels it his duty to bring him down a peg or -two; he told me that while you and I took a stroll wherever we chose, -he would go down to Piketon to get some things at the store and before -he came back would fix Halliard." - -"I wonder if he did it before Halliard pulled me out of the pond--I -mean before I pulled him out." - -"If he did, it couldn't have amounted to much, for he didn't act like -a chap suffering harm. No, it must be that Bob has missed him; but -he's likely to catch him on the way back. It's so late that Bob must -be coming home, and he'll be sure to meet the young gentleman and will -give him a laying-out that he will remember for years." - -Jim smoked a few minutes in silence. It is a principle of human nature -that if we do another a kindness we are apt to feel more friendly -disposed toward him than before, while the one receiving the favor is -inclined to resent it. His gratitude may overmaster this mean emotion, -but there is something in the thought of being under obligations to -another which is unpleasant, and results in stirring up emotions that -are no credit to us. - -Jim McGovern could not forget that he was trying to injure an innocent -person when that person saved him from drowning. Had he not been thus -engaged, probably he might not have felt so ugly toward him. But his -situation was so humiliating, considered in all aspects, that he -looked upon Dick Halliard with more dislike than upon his bitterest -enemy. - -"Tom," said he, rising to his feet and flinging away the remnant of a -cigarette, "I aint going to stand it." - -"You are standing it this minute after sitting all the evening." - -"Stop trying to be funny; I'm going after that Halliard." - -"When--to-morrow?" - -"No, to-night; right away." - -"Nonsense, it is very late; wait until to-morrow." - -"I can't do it; I'm mad clear through; I'm off!" - -He started toward the opening, but Tom sprang up and caught his arm. - -"If you are bent on going take your weapons with you. There's no -telling how badly you'll need 'em." - -"No; I don't intend to shoot anybody, but I mean to give that fellow -the biggest whipping of his life." - -"How are you going to manage it?" - -"I can't stop to explain. I'll tell you when I come back;" and, -without saying anything more, the wrathful Ranger strode toward the -mill-pond, where he took the main path leading to the highway. As he -saw the gleam of the water he shuddered to recall how near he came to -death; but his evil nature had no room at that time for the sweet, -tender emotions that should have filled him. - -At the moment of leaving camp he had fixed upon no clear method of -procedure, and he gave his meditations now to the best plan for -punishing his preserver. - -"It's easy enough," he added, after walking a short way; "I'll go to -the door and knock, and if it isn't young Halliard that opens it, I'll -ask for him, saying I must see him on something important. Then, when -I get him outside, I'll jump on him. I can do him up before anybody -comes to his help. If he's the first one to show himself, it'll be all -the better." - -Bob had pointed out the modest little home of Dick Halliard that day, -while the three Piketon Rangers were returning from their call at -their leader's house. Consequently McGovern had no trouble in finding -the place. He was surprised to observe the twinkle of a light from an -upper window, which he accepted as proof that Dick was in the act of -retiring. - -I wonder whether, if he had known it was the light burning in the sick -chamber of his preserver's parent, it would have restrained him from -pushing on with his scheme of revenge. I fear not. - -Standing in front of the gate the Ranger spent several minutes in -making what might be called a reconnoissance. - -So far as he could discover everything was silent and no one was -astir. It was the only house in sight, and the lamp, showing through -the curtain, was the solitary sign of wakefulness in Dick Halliard's -home. No shadows passed in front of the light, and he wondered why it -was that all was so strangely quiet. - -But the impressiveness of the hour did not deter the evil youth from -carrying out his purpose. He softly opened the gate and moved as -stealthily as a burglar along the short path leading to the front -door. - -Here he paused a few seconds to make sure his plan would work -perfectly. - -"When he shows himself, I'll step back and ask him to come outside, as -I don't want any one to hear me. I'll get him to shut the door and -leave the porch; then when I've got him where I want him, I'll let him -have a half-dozen right and left-handers, and run as hard I can down -the road. Nobody round here knows me and he won't get a good look at -my face. If he does and makes a kick over it, I'll prove an alibi." - -Nothing seemed amiss, and the expectant McGovern reached up his hand -to sound the old-fashioned knocker. - -"More than likely it will be young Halliard himself that will come to -the door--gracious! I never thought of that!" - -At that moment Bowser, the big bull-dog belonging to Dick Halliard, -having heard a slight noise in front, came trotting around the corner -of the house to see whether there were any tramps for him to devour. - -Had Jim kept his place he would not have been molested, for Bowser was -too well trained to harm any one calling in the right way, and whose -appearance was not against him. But the instant the youth caught sight -of the ferocious canine, he did the very worst thing possible--he -started to run. - -Bowser accepted this as proof that he was there on wrong business, and -he dashed after him like a runaway engine. Before Jim could open and -pass through the gate, the dog was nipping at the calves of his legs -with a vigor that compelled the terrified youth to yell at the top of -his voice. - -Dick Halliard heard the shout, and, springing from his bed, threw up -the window and called to the animal to forbear. Bowser disliked to -obey, for he was just getting fairly at work; but he came trotting -back with his head down and a reproachful glance at his young master, -for having interfered at such an unlucky time for him. - -Inasmuch as it is impossible to do justice to Jim McGovern's feelings, -while making his way back to the tent in the woods, we will not -attempt to do so. Silence is the more eloquent under such -circumstances. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT - - -Had Jim McGovern taken another course when starting out on the -war-path, he would not have met such overwhelming disaster, for he -would have encountered Bob Budd returning from an experience hardly -less stirring than his own; but the two followed different routes and -did not see each other until they met in camp, after both had been -through their experience and the night was well advanced. - -Reaching the highway, Dick mounted his bicycle and continued his -journey homeward at an easy pace. There was a faint moon in the sky, -and now and then the wind blew fitfully among the tree branches, but -he was in good spirits. The words of the physician concerning his -father encouraged him greatly, and he was happy over the unexpected -manner in which he had recovered his bicycle. Mr. Hunter had notified -him that day, that, on the first of the following month, his wages -would be increased, and that so long as he showed the same devotion to -his interests, he might count upon a yearly repetition of the favor. - -"I'm luckier than I deserve," he reflected, as he skimmed over the -highway, "for I was able to attend school until I graduated, and Mr. -Hunter, who was one of the trustees, told me that afternoon that he -had had his eye on me for several years and wanted me. Well, I have -tried to do as father and mother taught me when I was a little fellow, -and I've no doubt that that's the reason for it all. I can't -understand how any one can show the meanness of Bob Budd and those -boys he has with him. There was no earthly excuse for stealing my -bicycle--Hello! there's some one in the road yonder." - -He was approaching a clump of trees where the shadows were so thick -that he could not see distinctly, but he was certain he observed a -figure step back as if to avoid being noticed. - -Dick gently applied the brake to his wheel and hesitated whether to go -on or not. He recalled that he had heard rumors of robbery and -attempts at burglary in the neighborhood within the past week. Indeed, -there were signs discovered that very morning that proved an effort -had been made to pry open one of the shutters of Mr. Hunter's store; -but the marauders were scared off by the dog that was kept on duty -every night. - -Suppose one of these criminals had located himself alongside the road -for the purpose of robbing passers-by! - -"He wouldn't get much from _me_" reflected Dick, who had less -than a single dollar in change with him, "but, all the same, I don't -fancy being stopped by him. He might shoot me because of his -disappointment. Maybe he thinks I am like some other clerks, who make -a practice of robbing their employers." - -By this time the bicycle was hardly moving, the headway being just -sufficient to enable him to keep his poise. He peered intently -forward, ready to turn and speed down the road on the first sign of -danger; but if a person was skulking among the trees, he took good -care to keep out of sight, and whether or not Dick was mistaken could -be learned only by going forward. - -He was thinking fast. If he wished to reach home, where his parents -were expecting him, this was the only road, unless he went back to -town and made a circuit of eight or ten miles, a proceeding not to be -thought of when he was already within a half-mile of his own door. - -True, he might adopt another method. He could return until beyond -sight of the rogue, whoever he was, leave his bicycle at the roadside, -and then cut across lots on foot. - -But Dick was a plucky youth, and could not bear the thought of fleeing -from danger whose nature he did not understand. - -"No, I'll go ahead," he muttered, compressing his lips, as he removed -the brake and began gradually increasing his speed. "If he stops me, -why, there'll be a fight, that's all!" - -His plan was to "put on all steam" and dash through the gloomy space, -which was only a few rods in extent. By doing so he counted upon -surprising any enemy that might be lurking there and getting beyond -his reach before he could interpose. - -There was but one difficulty in the way. He had already approached so -near the clump of trees that he could not well obtain the necessary -speed. But he could try, and try he did. - -The muscular legs bore down hard on the pedals, and the big wheel -began increasing its swift revolutions, but the pace was hardly -one-half what it would have been had he possessed a few more rods in -which to set things humming. - -Dick Halliard had good cause for his misgivings. There was an -individual among the shadow of the trees, waiting, like a spider, for -a victim to come within his net. - -At the moment of gliding into the shadow the youth saw him. He was -standing in the middle of the road, directly in his path. - -"Out of the way, or I'll run you down!" shouted Dick, aiming -apparently at him, but making a sharp turn to the left. - -"Try it, if you dare!" called the stranger in a gruff voice. - -"What do you want?" demanded Dick, bending all his efforts to the task -of flanking the fellow. - -"I want _you_!" was the startling reply; "get down off of that -wheel before I fetch you down!" - -Whoever the fellow was he kept in Dick's path so persistently, that -despite all he could do he could not prevent a collision. The bicycle -fell with a resounding bang on its side, and the rider was compelled -to make a dexterous leap to save himself from going down with it. - -One of the most noticeable traits about the sinewy Dick was his -quickness of resource and presence of mind. While he suspected the -identity of the party who had thus stopped him, he was in doubt until -the last words were spoken. Then the young man in his excitement -forgot to disguise his tones. It was Bob Budd, who had taken this -occasion to carry out the threat he had made so often in the presence -of others. - -Dick could not believe the bully meant to use any weapon, but intended -simply to chastise him. He meant to give the boy an unmerciful -beating. - -It was this certainty that inspired Dick to assail him with all the -energy at his command. - -The instant he was freed from his wheel, and, without uttering the -first word of warning, Dick let fly with both fists, in such sharp and -quick succession that the dazed bully went over on his back, as if -smitten by the hoof of a mule. - -"I know you, Bob Budd!" said the younger youth, whose anger was at a -high point, "and you have been threatening me a long time; now we'll -settle the business for good." - -"I aint Bob Budd, either," replied that worthy, climbing to his feet. -Then seeing the absurdity of the situation, he added, desperately: - -"Yes, I am Bob Budd, and I have a big account to square with you." - -"This is the time," said Dick, who, impatient at his slowness, started -to assail him the moment he got on his feet. - -"Hold on," protested Bob, "can't you wait till a fellow is up? Why -don't you fight fair?" - -"I'm holding on," returned Dick, edging round into the moonlight where -he could observe every movement of his antagonist; "but I'm tired of -waiting for you." - -"I'm coming; you needn't worry." - -But the vigorous reception of the younger lad had taught the bully to -be careful. While he was as confident as the other Piketon Ranger of -his ability to "do him up," he saw the need of going about it -carefully. He threw out his arms in the most approved style, and, as -Dick slowly retreated a few steps, followed under the belief that he -was becoming timid and that the blows struck a moment before were of a -chance nature. - -But the younger now had the elder in the moonlight, where he could see -every movement distinctly. He bounded at Bob again with such fierce -quickness that the big fellow was once more prostrate ere he could -strike or parry a blow. - -"I guess that's enough," said Dick, "but if you are not satisfied I'll -wait." - -"I'm not through with you yet," replied Bob, who was now in a white -heat of anger; so much so indeed that he hastily drew the loaded -revolver that he carried at all times. He had lost his self-command -and was determined to punish Dick Halliard, who had turned the tables -upon him with such vengeance. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -THE BAYING OF A HOUND - - -Dick Halliard caught the gleam of the pistol in the hands of the -enraged Bob Budd, but before he could bring it into play the younger -lifted up his bicycle, ran it swiftly a few paces, sprang up behind, -and set his legs to work with desperate energy. - -As he did so he remembered he was still in danger. He leaned as far -ahead as he could, like a frontier scout trying to avoid the shots of -a party of Indians. It was well he took the precaution, for Bob was so -beside himself with wrath that he deliberately pointed the weapon at -the fast-disappearing fugitive, and let fly with three chambers as -fast as he could discharge them. It was not his fault that the bullets -sped wide of the mark, for he tried hard to hit the lad that had -handled him so roughly. - -Dick glanced over his shoulder, and as he caught sight of the dim -figure in the moonlight he said, with a smile: - -"Bob wouldn't have used his pistol if he wasn't beside himself with -rage; any way, I think he and the rest of them will let me alone after -this." - -Bob Budd stood a full minute after the bicyclist vanished in the -gloom. By that time his anger gave way to a feeling of alarm, as he -reflected on what he had done, or rather tried to do. - -He had stopped Dick Halliard on the highway; he had attacked him -without cause, and when he was fleeing had discharged his pistol at -him, doing so with the intention of hitting him with each cartridge. -If Dick chose to prosecute him, what could keep him out of State -prison? - -The thought was a startling one, and did not contribute to the -Ranger's comfort as he picked his way homeward, where, after a time, -he was joined by Jim McGovern, returning from his equally marked -failure to "even up" matters with Dick Halliard. - -You may be certain that neither Bob nor Jim had anything truthful to -tell about their meeting with the young man. McGovern stated that he -lost his way, and, finding the hour was so late, decided to put off -his revenge until a more favorable time. He took care to keep the -marks of Bowser's teeth from the sight of the others, and he was -therefore vexed by no annoying questions. - -Bob explained that he had been looking for Dick Halliard, and wondered -that he did not meet him. The news given by his brother Rangers showed -that the doomed youth was elsewhere that evening, which, the bully -added, was mighty lucky for him. - -When Wagstaff commented on the bruised appearance of Bob's face, he -replied that he ran against the trunk of a tree in the woods, and then -he hastened to change the conversation. - -"To-morrow we shall have our hunt, boys," he said, with glowing face, -"and here's success to it!" - -The others eagerly joined in the toast, for the reason that they never -refused to join in any toast presented. - -"You think we're going to have good weather?" remarked Tom. - -"There's no doubt of it. I asked old Swipes, Carter, and the prophets, -and they all agree that the weather will be prime for several days to -come." - -"If that's to be the case, the best thing for us to do is to sleep -while we can, so as to be up early in the morning." - -The suggestion was so eminently wise that it was adopted without -further delay. - -The following morning was one after a hunter's own heart. The air was -crisp and cool, but not sufficiently so to be chilly, nor was it mild -enough to render oppressive the slight exertion of walking. - -It was too early in the autumn for many of the leaves to fall from the -trees, so that in most places a hunter could see but a short distance -in advance when picking his way through the woods. - -The Piketon Rangers were not accustomed to rise with the sun, and -having retired quite late the preceding night, did not rouse -themselves as early as was their intention. But their minds were so -fixed on the expected enjoyment of the hunt that they willingly put -forth the extra exertion needed. - -They were in high spirits, for everything was promising, and the -bracing air produced its effect upon them. - -"I don't think there will be any need of our pistols," remarked -Wagstaff, doubtingly, when they were ready to start. - -"I generally carry mine at all times," replied Bob Budd, "but we have -got to do some mountain climbing, and will be likely to find them in -the way. I guess we had better leave them." - -This settled the question, and the three smaller weapons were hidden -within the tent, in a hollow which Bob's ingenuity had fashioned, and -where the valuables were not likely to be found by any prowlers in the -neighborhood. - -The rifles which Jim and Tom had brought from home were left at Bob's -house, and he furnished each with a double-barreled shot gun, as the -kind of weapon most likely to be needed, though it seemed to the city -youths that the others were just what was wanted in the event of -meeting bears or deer. They had cause to regret their choice sooner -than they anticipated. - -Not the least enthusiastic member of the party was Bob Budd's hound -Hero, that had all a trained animal's enjoyment of the hunt, and who -received so few chances of taking part in the sport that his appetite -was at the keenest point. - -He darted ahead of the campers, running at his highest speed for a -half-mile in sheer wantonness of spirits, then darting off at right -angles, and finally trotting back to his friends, as if wondering why -they did not make greater haste. - -Several times his baying roused the belief on the part of Jim and Tom -that he had struck the trail of some animal, but Bob, who had been out -with him before, shook his head. - -"He lets out a peculiar cry when he takes the scent; I'll know it the -minute I hear it." - -"But what makes him yelp _now_, when there isn't any game?" asked -Jim. - -"Because he can't help it, just as we sing and shout when we feel -happy and merry." - -"There he goes! _That_ means something!" exclaimed Tom, coming to -an abrupt halt to listen to the baying of the hound, a considerable -distance ahead. - -But Bob again shook his head. - -"Wild animals aint so plenty that they can be scared up as quick as -all that; we must get further up the mountain before we can look for -anything worth shooting." - -When Bob was a small boy he had accompanied his uncle on several -hunting expeditions in this part of the world, and he held a bright -recollection of the occasion. - -Many years before deer and bears had been plentiful, and he remembered -that his uncle described how the hunt for a deer should be managed -among the mountainous section to the rear of their camp. - -That knowledge promised to be of great help to Bob, now that, after -the lapse of so long a time, he had started to hunt over the same -ground. - -The course of the party was steadily ascending, and since there were -many rocks and considerable tangled undergrowth in their way, it was -not long before they felt the result of the unusual exertion. - -"Great Cæsar!" exclaimed Tom Wagstaff, dropping down on a log and -panting hard; "this is like a good many other things which don't give -half as much fun as we expect. Bob, where's that flask?" - -The others were also glad to sit down for a brief rest, and Bob lost -no time in producing the required article, which was applied to the -lips of each in turn with the bottom pointed toward the sky, and a -part of the fiery contents gurgled down their throats. - -"Of course it's tiresome, because it's all the way up up-hill," said -Bob, who took of his hat and fanned his flushed face; "but we'll soon -get as high as we want to go, and then it'll be plain sailing." - -"It's easy enough to come down-hill, provided it aint too steep." - -"If it gets that way, all a fellow has to do is to lie down and roll," -said Bob; "but I'm hopeful that Hero will start some animal before we -go much further." - -The three listened, but though the hound was absent nothing was heard -from him. He evidently was making a "still hunt," but the moment he -struck a scent he was sure to let the young hunters know. - -Whether or not they did their part, there could be no doubt that the -canine would perform his in a creditable manner, for he had been -trained by competent hands that fully understood how to teach so -sagacious an animal. - -Having rested themselves, the party pushed up the mountain-side, until -they reached a sort of plateau or table-land, beyond which it was not -necessary to climb further. - -By this time the three were pretty well tired out again, and once more -an appeal was made to the stuff in the flask, without which the -hunters felt they could not get along. - -Then they indulged in several cigarettes apiece, that and the drink of -alcohol being the worst preparation possible for the sport in which -they were engaged. - -"Now," said Bob Budd, "we have only to wait here until Hero starts the -game for us." - -"Will it come up in front of us to be shot?" was the natural inquiry -of Tom Wagstaff. - -"I shouldn't have said that 'we' are to wait here, but one of us," Bob -hastened to explain. "You've noticed that we have been following a -path all the way to this point. Well, it keeps on over the mountain -and down the other side." - -"Who made the path?" - -"It is a hundred years old, if not older, and was made by wild animals -that came down the mountain to drink from the stream that makes the -mill-pond near our camp. The path branches off into three forks a -quarter of a mile up the mountain, each of the three having been used -by deer, bears, and other wild beasts that used to be so plentiful in -these parts." - -"Where are the other paths?" - -"This is the middle one; about two hundred yards to the left is the -second, and not quite so far to the right is the third; now, if Hero -starts any game he is sure to take one of these paths in his flight." - -"But suppose the animal is on the other side of Hero," said Jim, "that -is to say, suppose the dog is between us and him?" - -"Then he will run the other way, but there's where Hero will show his -training. He knows as much about hunting as we do." - -If Bob had said that the canine knew a great deal more he would have -told the truth. - -"If Hero should strike the scent of a deer or bear he would know in a -minute whether he was closer to us than the game, and if the dog was -the closer, he would not bay until he had circled around and got on -the other side, for he knows that if he didn't do so the beast would -run _away_ instead of _toward_ us, and his business is to -drive him down within our reach." - -Tom and Jim were filled with admiration of the brute, whose knowledge -of sporting matters was so extensive. - -"I had no idea a pup could be trained to such a fine point," remarked -Jim, "but I suppose it is the nature of the beast." - -"When I was a sweet, innocent little boy," said Bob, disposed to be -facetious, "I came up here with my father and Uncle Jim to hunt deer. -They left me at this spot while father went to the left and Uncle Jim -to the right. I was too small to handle a gun, and they told me if I -saw anything to yell. Well, a very queer thing happened. A buck and -doe were started, and the old fellow came trotting over this path. He -never saw me until I let out a yell like a wild-cat, when he wheeled -off to one side and dashed through the wood to where father was -waiting. He was shot without trouble, and at the same moment Uncle Jim -brought down the doe, that took the other path." - -"Do you suppose there is any likelihood of Hero starting two to-day?" - -"We will be lucky if he starts one, for the animals are very scarce, -and hunters have spent several days roaming over the mountains without -getting a shot." - -"It seems to me that to make sure of our sport we should station -ourselves as you did," said Jim; "then if the animal comes down this -side of the mountain, he will be sure to take one of the three paths, -and Tom or you or I will get a shot at him." - -"It will be time enough when we hear Hero," replied Bob, "for he aint -likely to start a deer very near us." - -The young man's knowledge of the sport was so much superior to that of -his companions that they naturally deferred to him in the preliminary -arrangements. - -"How long ago was it that you had that famous hunt with your father -and uncle?" asked Jim McGovern. - -Bob reflected a minute, and replied that it was ten years, if not -more. - -"You can see that I was but a sprig of a youngster, though I was -considered unusually smart. If they had given me a gun, and I had had -a chance to kneel down and aim over the rocks, I would have brought -down that buck, for he couldn't have offered a better target than at -the moment I scared him away." - -"Do you suppose," asked Tom Wagstaff, "that any deer have been over -these paths within the past few weeks or months?" - -By way of reply Bob stooped down and brushed away the leaves covering -the space of several feet in front, doing it with great care. - -"Look!" said he to the others, who kneeled beside him. - -There, sure enough, were the imprints of the small, delicate hoofs of -a deer, the marks being so distinct that there could be no mistake -about their identity. - -"But they are under the leaves," said Jim. - -"Yes; under the leaves that have fallen this year, but on top of those -that fell last fall; you can see how the rotten leaves have been -pushed down in the ground by the hoofs." - -"Then how long since the deer went by?" - -"It is so early in the autumn that few leaves have fallen, so I'm -satisfied the game passed within a few days, probably not more than a -week ago." - -"If _that's_ the case," said the gratified Jim, "there is a much -better chance than I suspected for us--" - -"_Hark!_" - -The peculiar cry of the hound at that moment rang out on the autumn -air sharp, clear, and distinct. - -"He has struck a scent as sure as you're born!" exclaimed Bob. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -"HELP! HELP!" - - -"Take your stations," added Bob Budd, excitedly; "we're going to have -the tallest kind of fun; I'll stay here, and you--" - -But his friends did not wait for further directions. Tom Wagstaff -sprang up, gun in hand, and went threshing among the trees and through -the undergrowth toward the path on the left (as they faced the -mountain ridge), while Jim McGovern was equally prompt in hurrying to -the trail on the right. - -Within a few seconds after the first baying of the hound fell upon -their ears Bob Budd found himself alone. - -"They're such lunkheads," he said to himself, "that the two together -don't know enough to hit the side of a barn ten feet off. I hope the -deer will take the middle path so that I can show them how the thing -is done, which reminds me that it is time to take another drink." - -Meanwhile the dog Hero was getting in his work in brilliant style. - -The first sounds of the hound showed that he was over the mountain -crest, and within the following minute it was apparent to all that he -was approaching, his baying rapidly growing more distinct. - -This confirmed what his owner had said: he had held his peace until -beyond the wild animal, so that the latter, when he awoke to the -alarming fact that the hound was after him, naturally turned in the -opposite direction, and was, therefore, coming toward the three -hunters, though, of course, it must remain undecided for a time which -trail he would take. - -The baying of Hero continued at brief intervals, and drew near so fast -that each of the three hunters knew the game was sure to pass near -him, and one of them was to be favored with a shot before he was a -quarter of an hour older. - -Which would it be? - -"I think I'm to be the lucky chap," reflected the delighted Tom, over -on the left, "and I'll show Bob, who thinks he knows so much, that -some things can be done as well as others. What the mischief is the -matter with me?" - -This impatient inquiry was caused by Tom's discovery that a singular -nervousness had taken possession of him and was rapidly increasing. -The belief that a wild animal was bearing down upon him and would soon -break cover affected him as he had never been affected before. - -He found himself trembling in every limb, while his teeth rattled as -though he were shaking with the ague. Angered at his weakness, he -strove desperately to overcome it, but, as is the rule at such times, -though he was able to check himself for an instant, he was powerless -to master his strange weakness. - -I suppose I hardly need tell you that Tom was suffering from that -peculiar nervousness known as "buck fever." - -Experienced hunters laugh at amateurs when they see them overtaken by -the exasperating disease (if it be proper to call it that), which -never attacks them. - -"Confound it!" muttered Tom, "I wonder whether Bob or Jim is affected -this way; if I don't get better, I hope the deer won't come in sight -of me." - -Nevertheless, it quickly became apparent that the animal had taken the -path on the left, and was approaching the impatient hunter, who had -stationed himself behind the trunk of a large oak, with his gun at -full cock, ready to let fly with both barrels the instant he saw the -chance. - -Each of the trails to which I have alluded were traversed so rarely -that they showed only dimly, and were overhung by the luxuriant -undergrowth and branches growing beside them. This prevented Tom -seeing very far along the path, so that his ear gave him knowledge of -the whereabouts of the animal before the eye located him. - -The youth was still striving desperately to get the mastery of the -buck fever, when he heard the crashing tread of the game, which was -advancing along the trail, and unless he wheeled aside would pass -within twenty feet of where he stood. - -Suddenly a commotion was discernible among the vegetation, and the -next instant Tom caught sight of the antlers of a noble buck, who was -sailing along with such speed that the next second his shoulders and -body burst into sight. - -He was running fast with that peculiar lope natural to the animal, and -no doubt was panic-stricken by the baying of the hound, not far behind -and gaining fast. - -The sight of the royal game intensified Tom's nervousness. He -compressed his lips and held his breath, with the resolve to calm his -agitation or die in the attempt. - -But finding it utterly beyond his power, he deliberately stepped from -behind the tree, and when the buck was no more than fifty feet away, -and coming head on, he let fly with both barrels. - -Had the animal been perched in the topmost branches of the beech-tree -on the left he would have received a mortal hurt, but as it was, he -was not touched by a single pellet of the numberless shot that were -sent hurtling and rattling among the leaves. - -"Confound you!" muttered Tom, aware of his absurd failure; "I'll club -you to death." - -And swinging the butt of his weapon over his shoulder he rushed -savagely at the beast. - -In doing so, he ran into a peril of which he did not dream, for -nothing is truer than that "a deer at bay is a dangerous foe," and he -would have been practically helpless against an assault of the animal. - -Had the latter been wounded there is little doubt that he would have -lowered those beautiful antlers and charged directly at the ardent -hunter, who would have been caught in a most unpleasant dilemma; but -the fact that he was unharmed, added to the terrible baying coming -closer every minute, drove all idea of fight from the buck, which -wheeled sharply to one side and went crashing through the undergrowth -toward the path where Bob Budd was waiting for him. - -Tom Wagstaff was carried away by the excitement of the moment, and -with his gun clubbed started in frantic pursuit of the fleeing game, -resolved to help bring it down, even if he could not shoot it. - -He doubtless would have chased the animal a considerable distance had -the route been favorable, but beside the rocks and boulders there was -no end to the wiry, running vines, one of which wrapped itself about -his ankle in a fashion peculiar to its species, and Tom sprawled -headlong on his face, his gun flying a half-dozen feet from his hands. - -Still determined to keep up the pursuit, he hastily scrambled to his -feet, and catching up the weapon, tore ahead with the same frantic -haste as before. - -Unfortunately for him, however, when he fell he was partly turned -around, and his ideas were so confused that he started back over his -own trail without a suspicion of the fact, not awaking to his blunder -until too late to correct it. - -In the meantime the buck was making matters lively not only for -himself, but for the other parties. - -The report of Tom's gun readied the ears of Bob and Jim as a matter of -course, since they were quite near, but Bob knew that the shot had -failed to bring down the game, since he was heard plunging through the -wood toward the path beside which Bob Budd was excitedly awaiting his -approach. - -It would have been strange if Bob had not felt something of the -nervousness that had played the mischief with Tom, but it was to a -much less extent, so that he did not doubt his ability to fire as -coolly and effectively as when practicing at a target. - -It is a thrilling experience even for the veteran hunter when a noble -buck breaks cover within easy gunshot, and the sight of the animal, as -his leathery sides, proud head, and spreading antlers burst upon his -vision, stirred the pulses of Bob Budd as they had not been stirred -since his encounter with the Widow Finnegan, a couple of nights -before. - -"You're my game!" he exclaimed, aiming at the animal and discharging -the two barrels in quick succession. - -He did better than Tom Wagstaff, though he failed to drop the buck in -his tracks, as he expected to do. - -In fact, it seems to be one of the impossibilities to kill any of the -_cervus_ species instantly--that is, so as to cause him to fall at -once, like many other animals when mortally hurt. - -I once sent a bullet straight through the heart of a deer that was -running broadside past me. He kept straight on with unabated speed for -a dozen yards, when he crashed directly against the trunk of a tree -and fell all in a heap. But for the tree in his way he would have run -considerably further. - -Bob lost his head very much as Tom had done a minute before, for -observing that the buck did not fall, he clubbed his gun and rushed -forward with the intention of braining him. - -But from this point forward there was no parallelism in the flow of -incidents. - -The buck had been slightly wounded, just enough to rouse his anger. It -is not impossible, also, that the sight of a second hunter and the -sound of the baying hound near at hand convinced him that he was -caught in close quarters and must make a fight for it. - -So when Bob rushed to meet him, instead of fleeing, the buck lowered -his antlers and rushed to meet Bob. - -"Jewhilakens!" exclaimed the terrified youth, "I didn't think of -_that_!" - -And wheeling about, he fled for his life. - -Where to go or precisely what to do except to run was more than the -fugitive could tell. - -Accordingly he sped with all the haste at his command, running, it may -be said, as never before. His terror was irrestrainable when he cast a -single glance over his shoulder and saw that the buck was in savage -pursuit. - -"Fire! murder! Tom and Jim! where are you? Come to my help, quick, or -I'm a goner!" shouted Bob, dodging to the right and left like a Digger -Indian, seeking to avoid the rifle shots of a pursuing enemy; "why -don't you help me? The buck has got me and is going to chaw me all to -pieces!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -HOT QUARTERS - - -In such critical moments events come and go with startling rapidity. - -Bob Budd was never in greater peril than when fleeing from the enraged -buck that was determined to kill him. It was not only able to run much -faster than he, but he was practically powerless to defend himself, -since his gun was empty, and though he might face about and deliver -one blow, it could effect nothing in the way of slaying or checking -the animal. - -In his terror the fugitive did the best thing possible without knowing -it. - -He caught sight of a large oak that had been blown down by some -violent gale, the trunk near the base being against the ground, which -sloped gradually upward and away from the earth to the top, which was -fully a dozen feet high, held in place by the large limbs bent and -partly broken beneath. - -Without seeing how this shelter was to prove of any help to him, he -ran desperately for it. - -Fortunately it was but a short distance off, or he never would have -lived to reach it. - -As it was, at the moment he gathered himself to spring upon the -sloping trunk the pursuing buck reached and gave him a lift, which -accomplished more than the fugitive wished, for instead of landing -upon the trunk, he was boosted clean over, and fell on the other side. - -Striking on his hands and knees, with his gun flying a rod from him, -Bob crawled back under the tree, where he crouched in mortal terror. - -The animal stopped short, and, rearing on his hind legs, brought his -front hoofs together, and banged them downward with such force that -they sank to the fetlocks into the earth. - -His intention was to deliver this fearful blow upon the body of the -boy, and had he succeeded in doing so it would have gashed his body as -fatally as the downward sweep of a guillotine. - -The interposition of the trunk saved Bob, but so close was the call -that the sharp hoofs grazed his clothing. - -In his panic lest the infuriated beast should reach him, Bob scrambled -through so far that he passed from under the sheltering tree. - -Quick to see his mistake, the buck leaped lightly over the prostrate -trunk, and, landing on the other side, again rose on his hind legs, -placed his front hoofs together and brought them down with the same -terrific force as before. - -Bob's escape this time was still narrower, for his coat was cut by the -knife-like hoofs, which shaved off several pieces of the shaggy bark. - -But the young hunter kept moving and scrambled out of reach from that -side just in the nick of time. - -The buck bounded over again, but Bob was quick to see his mistake, and -now shrank into the closest quarters possible, taking care that the -solid roof covered him. - -Then he forced his body toward the base of the leaning tree, until the -narrowing space permitted him to go no further, and he was so -compressed that he could hardly breathe. - -[Illustration: THE BUCK LEAPED LIGHTLY OVER THE PROSTRATE TRUNK] - -Meanwhile he did not forget to use his lungs. - -"Tom! Jim! hurry up or I'm lost! Where are you? Come, quick, I tell -you! the buck is killing me!" - -The frantic appeal reached the ears it was intended for, and the two -other Piketon Rangers dashed toward the spot, though not without -misgiving, for the wild cries of their imperiled comrade warned them -of the likelihood of running into danger themselves, and neither was -ready to go to _that_ extent to save their leader. - -Tom Wagstaff was the first to reach the spot, and he paused for a -moment, bewildered by the scene. - -He saw the buck bounding back and forth over the tree, rising on his -hind legs and bringing down his front hoofs with vicious force, -occasionally lowering his antlers as he endeavored to force the -fugitive out of his refuge. - -At the first Tom could not locate Bob, whom he expected to see -standing on his feet, braced against a tree and swinging his clubbed -gun with all the power at his command. - -The frantic shouts, however, enabled him to discover his friend, and -he called back: - -"Keep up courage, old fellow! I'm here, and will give the beast his -finishing touch!" - -The exasperating buck fever had vanished, and Tom's nerves were as -steady as could be wished, though he was naturally flustered by the -stirring situation. - -Bringing his gun to his shoulder, he aimed directly at the beast, -which could not have offered a better target, and pulled both -triggers. - -But no report followed. - -"Confound it!" he muttered, "I forgot that the old thing wasn't -loaded! Can't you stay there, Bob, for a day or two, till I go down to -Piketon and bring forty or fifty people to pull you out?" - -"No; I'll be killed," called back the furious Bob; "the buck will get -at me in a minute more!" - -"All right--" - -"No, it aint; it's _all wrong_!" interrupted the terrified lad; -"load your gun as quick as you can and shoot him!" - -"That's what I'm trying to do--_good-bye_!" - -At that juncture the buck seemed to decide there was a better chance -of reaching Tom than there was of getting at Bob, so leaving him alone -for the moment, he rushed at the former. - -It was the sudden awakening to this fact which caused Tom to bid his -comrade a hasty farewell and to take to his heels. - -"I don't think an empty gun is much good to a fellow," said Tom, -throwing it aside as he fled with great speed. - -It was Tom's extremely good fortune that when he set on his frenzied -flight he had a much better start than Bob Budd, and he knew enough to -turn it to good account. - -Heading straight for the nearest tree, he ran under it, making at the -same moment the most tremendous bound of which he was capable. - -This leap enabled him to grasp one of the lower limbs with both hands -and to draw himself up out of reach at the moment the buck thundered -beneath. - -"I wonder whether a deer can climb a tree," was the shuddering thought -of the fellow, as he looked downward at the animal from which he had -just had such a narrow escape; "'cause if he can, I'm in a bad box; I -wish he would go back to Bob." - -And that is precisely what the buck did do. - -Quick to perceive that the second lad was beyond his reach, he wheeled -about and trotted to the fallen tree. - -Poor Bob, when he perceived the animal making after Tom, thought his -relief had come, and began backing out from under the trunk of the -oak. - -He had barely time to free himself from the shaggy roof, when he -looked around and saw that the buck was coming again. - -"Hangnation! Why don't he let me alone?" he growled, and, it is safe -to say, he never scrambled under shelter with such celerity in all his -life. - -Quick as he was, he was not an instant too soon, for once more the -sharp hoofs came within a hair of cutting their way through his -shoulder. - -But so long as he shrank into the smallest possible space beneath the -oak he was safe, though he felt anything but comfortable with the buck -making such desperate efforts to reach him. - -"Where the mischief is Jim?" growled Bob, who had just cause to -complain of the dilatoriness of his companion; "why don't he come -forward and help us out?" - -Jim McGovern had not been idle. He was the only member of the Piketon -Rangers that had a loaded gun at command, and when he heard the appeal -of Bob Budd he hurried from his station to his help. - -But, as I have intimated, there was no member of that precious band -that thought enough of the others to risk his life to help him, and -Jim, it may be said, felt his way. - -Instead of dashing forward like Tom, who was ignorant of the -combativeness sometimes displayed by a wounded buck, he moved -cautiously until he caught sight of the respective parties without -exposing himself to the fury of the wounded animal. - -Jim arrived at the moment the beast made for Tom, and the sight -alarmed him. - -"What's the use of a fellow getting killed just to do a favor for some -one that wouldn't do as much for you?" was the thought that held the -chivalrous young man motionless, when he ought to have rushed forward -to the defense of Bob Budd. - -"Great Cæsar!" muttered Jim, shrinking behind the tree which he was -using for a concealment, "I never knew that a buck was such a savage -animal; he's worse than a royal Bengal tiger that's been robbed of its -young ones." - -But Jim had a good double-barrelled gun in his hands, and he was so -close to the buck that it seemed to him he ought to be able to riddle -him with shot. Besides, Jim had not a particle of the buck fever which -incapacitated Tom, but which does not attack every amateur hunter. - -"The best thing I can do is to climb this tree," he added, looking -upward at the limbs, "and then if I miss, why the buck can't get at -me, for he don't look as though he's built for climbing trees." - -At this juncture the buck was on the further side of the prostrate -oak, trying to root out Bob from his shelter. Since he could not reach -him with his hoofs, he seemed to believe that a vigorous use of his -antlers would accomplish his purpose. - -It looked as if he was about to succeed, for one of the blunt points -gave Bob such a vigorous punch in his side that he howled with terror. - -At the same moment, while staring about as best he could for the tardy -Jim, he caught sight of his white face peering around the tree behind -which he stood. - -"Why don't you shoot, Jim?" he yelled; "do you want to see me killed? -The buck is ramming his antlers into my side! The next punch he gives -me they will go clean through." - -At this instant another party arrived on the scene. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -A BRILLIANT SHOT - - -The new arrival was Hero the hound. He came on the scene with a rush -and proceeded straight to business. - -He did not need to pause to take in the situation, but with a faint -whine and short yelp he bounded for the savage buck, which did not see -him until they collided. But the old fellow was game. Though he had -fled in a wild panic when the baying of the dog rang through the -woods, yet now that he was at bay he fought like a Trojan. - -Realizing that it was a fight for life, he whirled about, lowered -those splendid antlers and went for the canine like a steam engine. - -The dog had no wish to be bored through by such formidable weapons, -and, with a bark of fear, he leaped back, alert and watchful for a -chance to seize his victim by the throat. - -Now was the time for the young hunters to put in the finishing -touches, for the buck was so occupied with his new assailant that he -could give them no attention. - -Bob Budd dared not crawl from under the tree and run for his gun lying -some yards away, which would have to be re-loaded before it could be -of use to him. - -But the young man was convinced that the golden opportunity for the -others had arrived, and he did not hesitate to proclaim it in tones -that could have been heard a half-mile off. - -Tom Wagstaff was persuaded that he was safe so long as he remained -astride of the limb where he had perched himself with such haste when -the buck gave him a lively chase, and if he knew his own heart (as he -was confident he did) he did not mean to descend from his elevation -and run the risk of being elevated or bored by the antlers of the -vicious buck. - -"By the time I can get down there and get hold of my gun he will have -the dog knocked out and then he'll start for _me_, and where will -Ibe? No; I had enough hard work to climb up here and _I'll -stay_." - -And so, unmindful of the reproaches and appeals of the howling Bob, -Tom continued to play the part of interested spectator. - -The fight between the buck and the hound promised to be a prolonged -one, though it looked as if the fine beast would have to succumb in -the end. - -Had he been able to get the dog in a corner where he could not dodge, -it is probable he might have finished him, for one terrific ramming of -those antlers would have been enough, but the agility of Hero saved -him each time. When the horny weapons were lowered and the buck made a -rush which seemed sure to impale the canine, he sprang nimbly aside -like a skillful sparrer, still on the alert for an opening. - -The deer displayed an intelligence that hardly would have been -expected at such a time. He avoided rearing on his hind legs, and -trying to hew his assailant with his fore-paws, as he had sought to do -in the case of the youngsters, for such an effort on his part would -have given Hero the fatal opening he wanted. One lightning-like bound, -and his sharp teeth would have closed in the throat of the buck, and -there they would have stuck until he gasped his last breath. - -Not only that, but the hound would have kept his body out of reach of -the hoofs, while, as a matter of course, the antlers would have been -powerless against such a determined assailant. - -It was this fact which must have been understood by the buck, that -caused him to keep his head lowered and toward the hound, who, despite -his rapid darting hither and thither, was unable for a time to catch -him off his guard. - -It was a forcible commentary on the incompetence and cowardice of the -hunters, that there were three of them, all armed and one with both -charges in his gun, and yet they dared not interfere while the -feinting and striking was going on between the dog and buck. - -It must be borne in mind that what I am relating took place in an -exceedingly brief space of time. - -But the contest, if such it may be called, between the two animals -might have continued indefinitely, so far as Bob Budd and Tom Wagstaff -were concerned. - -The latter, as I have explained, was safely perched among the branches -of a tree, while his unloaded gun lay on the ground some distance -away, and it was certain to lie there until the struggle between Hero -and the larger animal should be settled. - -Bob was equally positive that it was his duty to keep himself squeezed -beneath the trunk of the oak, though his dread of the animal caused -him to edge as many inches as he dared toward the opposite side. - -As for Jim McGovern, he was in a quandary. He was as strongly resolved -as the other two to avoid any charge from the buck, reasoning that if -neither of his brother Rangers was able to stay him with their loaded -guns, it was improbable that he could do so with his single weapon. - -But somehow or other he felt it incumbent upon him to make use of his -gun, which he still held in hand with its two hammers raised and the -triggers ready to be pressed. - -He inclined to favor the scheme of climbing a tree, where he could -open a bombardment at his leisure and smile at the anger of the buck -that was so much interested in the hound. - -But the difficulty with this plan was that of taking the weapon into -the branches with him. To make his way up the trunk, he needed the use -of all his limbs, arms as well as legs, and it was therefore out of -his power to carry a heavy gun with him. - -You will understand that the same obstacle would be encountered in -grasping a limb and lifting himself upward, for a lad who drinks -whiskey and smokes cigarettes can never be enough of an athlete to -draw himself upward with a single arm. - -At such times as I am describing the most sluggish brain thinks fast, -and the thoughts I have named went through the head of Jim McGovern in -a twentieth of the time taken to narrate them. - -He was inclined to the theory that he ought to do _something_, -though impatient with the continued yelling of Bob. - -"Now's your chance, Jim! What are you waiting for? Shoot quick, for -he'll soon kill the dog and then he'll finish _me_!" - -"If you'll shut up for a minute," shouted Jim, in reply, "I'll shoot, -but you're making such an infernal rumpus that I can't take aim." - -At this hint Bob ceased his appeals and something like silence settled -over the exciting scene. - -The fiery Hero saw that he would soon have the buck at his mercy, for -the animal was tiring himself out by his savage charges. Sometimes he -would lower his antlers and dash forward for twenty paces at the dog, -which deftly avoided him and saved his strength. Then the buck would -slowly fall back, all the time maintaining his defiant front and -charging again, often before he had fully recovered from his preceding -effort. - -It was an interesting fact that, during the few minutes occupied by -this singular contest, each of the combatants met with a hair-breadth -escape, so to speak, from the other. - -Once when the buck made his rush, Hero, in leaping backward, collided -with an obstruction on the ground which caused him to roll over and -over, and the formidable antlers touched him; but with inimitable -dexterity he regained his feet and escaped the sword-like thrust that -grazed his skin. - -No escape could have been narrower, but that which the buck met within -the same minute was fully as narrow. - -It may have been that Hero was a victim to some extent of the -impatience which the youths around him felt, for seeing an opportunity -he bounded like a cannon-ball from the earth at the throat of the -buck. - -The latter was quick to read the meaning of the crouching figure which -left the ground before he could drop his antlers to receive him, else -it would have gone ill for the assailant, but the buck flung his head -backward just far enough to save his throat from those merciless -fangs. - -When it is stated that the flesh of the deer just back of his jaws was -nipped by the same teeth which could not get a hold deep enough to be -retained, it will be admitted that the fellow could not have had a -closer call. - -But these furious efforts were far more telling upon the larger animal -than upon the dog, which could not have failed to understand that he -had only to wait a brief while to have the buck at his mercy, and -those teeth, once buried in the throat of the game, would stay there, -as I have said, until the last gasp of life departed. - -By and by Hero saw a better opening than before and instantly gathered -his muscles for a spring. - -A few seconds previous to this crisis Jim McGovern had mastered the -idea that there was but one thing to do, and that was to take careful -aim at the buck and kill him; no quicker means of ending the danger -could be devised than that. - -He had learned that a good place into which to send the charge, no -matter what the species of the animal may he, is just behind the -foreleg, where a well-aimed bullet or charge of shot fired at close -quarters, is sure to reach the seat of life. - -While running his eye along the barrel the buck turned broadside -toward Jim, and thrusting one foot forward gave the very opportunity -he wanted. - -Fearful that he would shift his position the next instant, Jim -discharged both barrels in quick succession. - -The report was yet ringing through the woods when a rasping howl rose -on the air that made the blood of every one tingle. - -"I didn't know that deer let out such cries as that when they were -shot," muttered Jim, lowering his gun and walking forward, "but I -s'pose I sent both charges through his heart--_great -Jewhilakens_!" - -He had suddenly awakened to the fact that instead of shooting the buck -he had sent both charges into the body of the hound, just as he was in -the act of leaping at the throat of his victim. - -The inevitable consequence of this blunder was that Hero lay stretched -on the ground as dead as Julius Cæsar. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -SUSPICIOUS FOOTPRINTS - - -"You blunderhead!" called Bob Budd, forgetting his own peril in his -anger, "you've killed Hero. I hope the buck will gore you to death." - -The triumphant animal seemed to be on the point of doing so, for he -stood with head raised, his brown sides rising and falling like a pair -of bellows from his severe exertion, looking at the young man that had -fired the shot which ended the hunting career of Hero, as if debating -with himself how best to end _his_ hunting career. - -It would be putting it mildly to say that Jim McGovern was -dumbfounded. He was transfixed for an instant, and then, awaking to -his own peril, he whirled about, threw down his gun, and dashed for -the tree behind which he was standing a minute before. - -Throwing both arms and legs around the trunk, as though it were a long -lost brother, he began climbing fast and furiously. - -It may be wondered whether a faint glimmering of the truth did not -force itself through the brain of the buck that had had such a strange -experience. - -Can it be that he felt that the lad who had fired the last shot had in -some way done him an inestimable service in removing the hound from -his path? - -Probably such a conception is beyond the reach of a wild animal, but, -be that as it may, the buck, after staring a moment at the flying -figure, turned and looked at Tom Wagstaff perched in the tree, and -then gazed down at Bob Budd, who was doing his utmost to shrink into a -smaller space than ever beneath the sloping trunk of the oak. Then, as -if disgusted with the whole party, he turned about and deliberately -trotted off in the woods, showing no further concern for those with -whom he had had such a lively bout. - -The wounds given by Bob Budd a short time before were so insignificant -that, though they roused the animal's rage, they could not have caused -him any inconvenience or suffering. - -Finally, when it was apparent that the buck had departed for good, Tom -Wagstaff descended from his perch in the tree, Jim McGovern slid down -to the ground, Bob Budd backed out from beneath the oak, and each one -recovering his gun, they came together in the open space where the -dead Hero lay. - -It was a characteristic meeting. Bob was maddened over the loss of his -hound, while he and all three felt an unspeakable relief in knowing -that the terrible buck had withdrawn without killing them. - -"Of all shooting that I ever heard of, _that_ is the worst," said -Bob, with a sniff of disgust, pointing at the carcass of Hero. - -"It was better than yours," retorted Jim, "for it killed -_something_, while yours didn't hurt anything." - -"I hit the buck, any way," said Bob, sullenly. - -"The buck didn't act as though he knew it," was the truthful comment -of Tom Wagstaff. - -"I don't see that _you_ have any chance to talk," retorted Bob; -"for you fired both barrels at him and then yelled for us to come and -save you." - -"But you didn't come, and I had to run out here to help you." - -"Yes; and the minute you caught sight of the buck you took to a tree." - -"I was only doing what you had done a minute before," said Tom; "only -I had better sense than to try to crawl _under_ a tree." - -"Because you hadn't any to crawl under, _that's_ the only -reason." - -"There aint any of us in shape to find fault with the others, for we -have all made an exhibition that it's lucky nobody else saw." - -"It seems to me," said Bob, "that we don't amount to much as hunters; -what do you suppose has become of that buck?" - -"He isn't far off, but I don't believe it will do to hunt him." - -"Why not?" - -"There _is too much danger of finding him_," was the significant -reply of Bob. - -The point of this remark was so apparent to all that they smiled and -agreed that the best thing they could do was to return to camp. They -naturally felt exhausted after their lively experience with the -animal, of whose pluck they had gained a better knowledge than ever -before. - -"Suppose there had been _two_ of them," remarked Tom, leading the -way down the mountain path. - -"Then there wouldn't have been any of us," replied Jim, who was -walking next to him, Bob Budd bringing up the rear. - -"I don't believe there's half so much fun in hunting as a good many -people fancy," was the sage observation of young Wagstaff, who found -it so much easier to walk down than up the path, that he felt inclined -to discuss their recent experience. - -"Well, for those that like that kind of sport, why, that's the kind of -sport they like. As for me, I'd rather stretch out in the camp and -take things easy." - -This picture was so fascinating to the others that they hastened their -footsteps so as to reach their headquarters with the least possible -delay. - -"I can't help feeling grateful for one thing," remarked Bob, from the -rear of the procession. - -"What's that?" asked Tom. - -"That Jim shot poor Hero instead of me. I can't understand how I -escaped, for we weren't more than twenty feet apart, and Jim was fully -as far as that from the buck when he took such careful aim." - -"My aim was all right," replied Jim, "but after the charge left the -gun the hound and the buck changed places. If they hadn't moved the -game would have caught it." - -Since, as I have explained, large game was exceedingly rare in that -section of the country, and since, also, the Piketown Rangers had been -unusually favored in scaring up a fine buck on such short notice, it -would seem they had no reason to believe there was any probability of -encountering any more quadrupeds larger than a rabbit. - -All the same, however, each member of the party should have seen to it -that his gun was loaded before moving from the scene of the flurry -with the buck. Such is the rule among hunters, and you will admit that -it is a good one. - -Nevertheless, all were trudging down the mountain-side with empty -weapons and with never a thought of preparation for meeting any more -game. - -Had the buck suddenly made his appearance nothing would have remained -for them but to take to their heels; but inasmuch as they would have -done that if their guns were ready, I don't see that it made so much -difference after all. - -A short distance farther the trio reached a tiny stream of icy cold -and clear water, which bubbled from the rocks only a short distance -away on their left. - -Naturally they were athirst again, and, since all their flasks had -been exhausted long before, they were driven to the necessity of -slaking their thirst with the _aqua pura_. - -This was done in the original fashion with which I am quite sure all -my boy readers are familiar. Lying on their faces they touched their -lips to the sparkling fluid, and each drank his fill. - -"Ahem!" sighed Jim McGovern, drawing the back of his hand across his -mouth, "that aint so bad when you can't get anything better." - -"Yes," assented Bob, "when a fellow is dying with thirst he can make -out very well on that stuff, but it's mighty thin." - -"I would hate to be obliged to stick to it," added Tom. - -And yet every one of that precious party knew in his own heart that -the ingenuity of man cannot compound a nectar to be compared in -soulful, refreshing deliciousness with the tasteless, colorless, -odorless drink of nature. - -Stick to _that_, boys, and never touch a drop of the enemy which, -put in the mouth, steals away the brains and wrecks not only the body -but the immortal soul. - -"I think I can go a little more of that," said Jim, kneeling down -again and helping himself as before; "I shouldn't wonder now that if -there was a tax put on water the same as on whiskey a good deal more -of it would be drunk." - -Tom Wagstaff was standing a few feet farther up the streamlet, -carefully scrutinizing the ground. - -"What are you looking at?" asked Bob Budd. - -"Aint those dents the tracks of some wild animal?" he asked, pointing -to the damp, yielding earth on the other side. - -Jim and Bob stepped beside him and scrutinized the marks that so -interested their companion. - -"By jingo!" exclaimed Jim, "they are the tracks of _something_, -and if they were made by a man, then he's got the queerest feet I ever -seen on anybody." - -Bob stepped across the brook and stooped down that he might examine -the impressions more closely. - -"What do you s'pose?" he asked, looking up in the faces of his -companions with a scared expression. - -"We s'pose we don't know what made the tracks." - -"But _guess_" insisted Bob, with provoking deliberation. - -"An elephant?" - -"No." - -"A hippopotamus?" - -"Nothing of the kind." - -"How can we guess?" asked Jim, impatiently; "if you know anything -about it let us know, and if you don't know, say so." - -"Those tracks were made by a _big black bear_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -UP A TREE - - -"Gracious!" gasped Tom Wagstaff, "let's run!" - -"I agree with Tom," added Jim, glancing furtively around, as though he -expected to see the dreadful beast rush out of the woods after them. - -"You're a fine set of hunters, aint you?" sneered Bob; "after coming -out to hunt game you want to run when you strike the trail of the very -creature you're looking for." - -"I aint looking for bears," said Tom, "I haven't lost any." - -"And besides," added Jim, "there isn't any fallen tree here where we -can crawl under to get out of the way." - -"But there's plenty of trees which you can climb--_there he comes -now_!" - -Tom and Jim each glanced affrightedly around, not knowing which way to -run to escape the dreaded brute. - -But it was a joke of Bob's, and he made the woods ring with his -laughter, while, as may be supposed, the others were in no amiable -mood. - -"I don't see any fun in that sort of thing," growled Tom. - -"You may do like the boy in the fable, who shouted 'Wolf!' once too -often," added Jim, ashamed of his weakness. - -The next instant Tom Wagstaff shouted: "_There he comes and no -mistake!_" - -Tom and Jim were standing on one side of the streamlet, facing Bob on -the other side, so that his back was turned toward the point at which -they were gazing. - -The expression on the countenance of the couple was that of extreme -alarm, though such a brief time had elapsed since Bob had given them a -scare that they had not yet recovered from it. - -"You're right!" Jim added, instantly, as he and Tom wheeled and dashed -off at the top of their speed through the woods. - -Bob was determined they should not fool him. He laughed again in his -hearty fashion, throwing back and shaking his head. - -"You can't come that, boys!" he called, "it's too soon after my little -joke on you." - -"But, Bob, we aint joking," shouted back Jim, looking over his -shoulder, but still running; "the bear is coming as sure as you are -born." - -"You can't fool me." - -Bob had not the remotest suspicion that his friends were in earnest, -but the sight of them climbing the same tree led him to think they -were pushing their poor joke with a great deal of vigor. - -At this same moment he heard a crashing and trampling among the bushes -behind him, and, checking the words on his lips, turned his head. - -The bear _was_ coming! - -An enormous fellow of the ordinary black species had been descried by -Tom and Jim when less than a hundred yards away, and he was advancing -straight toward the spot where the three were standing. - -They were in dead earnest, therefore, when they fled, calling to Bob -the frightful news. - -Had not Bob just played a joke on them he would not have doubted their -sincerity, so that in one sense his peril was a punishment for his own -misdoing. - -It need not be said that the laughter on Bob Budd's lips froze, and he -made a break after his companions, who had so much the start of him. - -"Gracious!" he muttered, "I didn't think they were in earnest; I'm a -goner this time sure." - -Nevertheless he had no thought of sitting down and waiting to be -devoured by bruin, who lumbered along in his awkward fashion, rapidly -drawing near him. - -Bob's hat went off, his gun was flung from his hand, and with one -bound he landed far beyond the edge of the streamlet and made after -his friends, throwing terrified glances over his shoulder at the -brute, which took up the pursuit as though it was the most enjoyable -sport he had had in a long time. - -Once more the exasperating vines got in the way, and the -panic-stricken fugitive fell sprawling on his hands and knees, -bounding instantly to his feet and making for the tree where his -friends had secured refuge. - -By this time the bear was almost upon him, so close indeed that he -reached out one of his paws to seize his victim. - -No words can picture the terror of Bob Budd when he felt the long -nails scratching down his back and actually tearing his coat, but -bruin was a few inches too short, and the youth made such good time -that he struck the tree a number of paces in advance of his pursuer. - -The fugitive, however, did not stop, for before he could climb the -brief distance necessary to reach the limbs, the beast would have had -him at his mercy. He therefore continued his flight, yelling in such a -delirium of fright that he really did not know what words escaped him. - -"Why don't you come down?" he called to his friends, "and give me a -chance? Let him chase _you_ awhile." - -It is unnecessary to state that neither Tom nor Jim accepted the -urgent invitation of their imperiled comrade. - -"Run hard, Bob, and show him what you can do!" called back Tom, who -really thought it was all over with their leader. - -This shout accomplished more than was expected. The noise led the bear -to look up the tree, where he observed the two boys perched but a -short distance above him. He seemed all at once to lose interest in -the fugitive, who continued his flight some distance farther, when, -finding his enemy was not at his heels, he sprang for a sapling, up -which he went like a monkey. - -The trouble with Bob, however, was that he climbed too high. It was a -small hickory, not much thicker than his arm. This kind of wood, as -you are aware, is very elastic, and the first thing the lad knew was -that the upper part, to which he was clinging, bent so far over that -it curved like a bow, and before it stopped he had sank to within six -or eight feet of the ground. - -Had the bear continued his pursuit, Bob would have been in an -unfortunate predicament; but, casting a glance behind him, he noticed -the beast had stopped under the tree supporting Tom and Jim. - -Two courses were open to him, either of which would have secured his -safety. - -He had time enough to drop from the sapling and take to a larger one, -up which he could have climbed and been beyond harm; or he could have -slid a little farther down the hickory, so as to allow it to right -itself, and he still would have been safe, for a bear is unable to -climb a tree so slight in diameter that his paws meet around it. - -But Bob was too terrified to do either. He simply held fast, and did -the worst thing possible: he continued to shout for his companions to -come to his help. - -By this means he once more attracted the notice of bruin to himself, -whereas, if he had held his peace, he would have given the whole of -his attention to the two boys in the larger tree. - -The bear had reared on his haunches, seemingly with the intention of -striving to reach the lads, when he turned his head and took a look at -the one in the sapling. - -Stupid as is bruin by nature, he saw that it would be easier for him -to reach the single fugitive than the others, and he proceeded to do -so. - -You need not be told that Tom and Jim, like Bob, had thrown away their -guns again in their frenzied flight, through fear that they would -retard their efforts to get beyond his reach. - -Poor Bob, when he found himself once more the object of the animal's -undivided attention, felt as though he might as well let go and be -devoured at once. All the same, though, he hung fast and continued his -cries, which, had there been time, would have brought help from the -distance of a mile. - -He was clinging to the sapling with both hands, and his two feet, that -were wrapped about the small trunk, only a short distance below his -shoulders. This caused the centre of his body to hang down like the -lower point of a horseshoe, the curve being sharper than that of the -bowed hickory. - -Halting directly under the howling lad, the bear reared on his -haunches, reached upward with one paw and struck Bob a sharp blow. It -caused him no material damage, but set the body to swaying back and -forth. At the same time the hickory nodded, letting the lad sink a few -inches and then rising with a regular, swinging motion. - -This would have ceased in a moment of itself, but for the action of -the bear, who, every time the body came within easy reach, hit it a -sharp tap with his paw, causing it to swing back and forth in a sort -of rhythmic accord with the dipping of the sapling. - -[Illustration: AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT] - -It is said that some, and indeed all, animals possess a certain -waggery of disposition which shows itself on rare occasions. The bear -inflicted no injury on Bob, but the scraping of those long, sharp -claws did considerable damage to his trousers, while keeping his fears -at the boiling point. - -It certainly was a grotesque scene. - -There sat bruin, with his right paw raised, regularly tapping Bob, -while the latter, with his hands and feet close together, and his body -doubled up like a jack-knife, swung up and down with a steady motion, -in response to the impetus given by the brute. - -Of course the latter was silent, though if he had possessed the -capacity to laugh, there can be no doubt that he would have done so, -for, aside from the ever-present peril threatening the fellow, a more -amusing sight cannot be imagined. - -Even Tom and Jim, when they saw their companion was suffering no harm, -broke into mirth, which grated on the nerves of the victim of a most -unprecedented combination of circumstances. - -But sooner than Jim or Tom suspected the moment came when the laugh -was "on the other side of the mouth." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -HUNTING THE HUNTERS - - -Bob Budd played the part of pendulum to the bear for perhaps ten -minutes or less, during which he kept up his outcries, and Tom and Jim -laughed till they were in danger of falling from their perch in the -tree. - -"If Bob had only known what was coming," said Tom, "he could have had -his trousers lined with sheet iron, and then he might have joined in -the laugh too." - -"Why don't he give the bear a kick with his foot and knock him over? -He ought to have knowed enough to climb a big tree like us." - -"Helloa! what's up now?" - -Without any apparent reason bruin at this moment dropped down on all -fours, and, leaving Bob Budd to himself, lumbered over under the -refuge of the other two fugitives. - -They felt no special fear, for it seemed impossible that the animal -could do them harm. - -Bob's experience was not lost upon him. He realized the mistake he -made when he took refuge in the sapling, and he now repaired it before -the opportunity passed. - -Letting go, he dropped lightly on his feet and ran for another tree -double the size of the hickory, up which he hurriedly climbed to where -the limbs put out a dozen feet above the ground. - -Here, as he flung one leg over the strong support, he felt that at -last he was safe against a regiment of bears. - -Meanwhile, bruin was giving attention to Messrs. James McGovern and -Thomas Wagstaff. - -He first walked deliberately around the tree several times, as if -searching for some vulnerable point, occasionally looking up at the -grinning youngsters and snuffing like one impatient to secure his -dinner. - -"I wonder what he means by _that_" said Jim, with a vague feeling -of alarm. - -"He wants us to see what a big fellow he is." - -"He is a bouncer and no mistake," was the truthful comment of Jim. - -"I wouldn't care if he was ten times as large--good gracious! look at -_that_!" - -Well might the boys start in alarm, for at that moment the brute began -climbing the tree! - -They had lost sight of the fact, if indeed they ever knew it, that the -black bear is a famous climber when the trunks are big enough to be -grasped without his paws interfering. - -While Tom and Jim were congratulating themselves on being safe beyond -all possible harm, they discovered they were not safe at all. - -Bruin was on the point of ascending to their perch, when he was -tempted aside by the shouting of Bob Budd in the sapling, and he went -off to have some sport with him. - -Why the brute should have left Bob at the time he had him within reach -it would be hard to say. It may have been he concluded that the single -lad had afforded him enough entertainment, and the moment had come for -the other two to take a hand. - -The consternation of Tom and Jim may be imagined when they saw those -massive paws embrace the shaggy bark, which began to crumble beneath -the vigorous clawing of the nails, while the huge black body slowly -but steadily ascended toward the limbs, where the white-faced -youngsters watched his terrifying action. - -Bob's turn had come to laugh, and he called out: - -"Wait till he gets up among the branches, then drop and run for a tree -that is too small for him to climb." - -This was good advice perhaps, though it occurred to the boys, for whom -it was intended, that if they allowed their foe to approach that near -it would be too late for them to flee. - -Bruin had not very far to ascend when his huge, pig-like head was -thrust among the limbs, and he slowly drew his ponderous body after -him. - -He was now close to the fugitives, one of whom was perched above the -other, and both as far out on the branches as they could get without -breaking them. - -The big, shaggy form being fairly among the limbs, at the point where -they put out from the tree, bruin paused a minute, like a general -surveying the battle plain before him. - -There were the two cowering boys about a dozen feet off, apparently -without any hope of escaping his wrathful appetite. All he had to do -was to make his way out on the branches and gather them in. - -It will be seen that there was some difficulty in the bear's path, -since his weight would not allow him to advance clear to his victims, -unless he used some other limb for his support. - -As ill-luck would have it, the very means required was at his command. - -Directly beneath Tom and Jim was another branch, broad and strong -enough to support two large bears. It was so near the ground that the -boys used the limbs immediately above, with a view of making sure they -were beyond the reach of the biggest kind of animal on _terra -firma_. - -"_Here he comes!_" - -It was Tom who uttered the exclamation, and he spoke the truth, for at -that moment bruin began cautiously moving out on the heavy limb just -under them. - -"It's a good time to leave," whispered Jim, who, while the words were -in his mouth, let go and dropped to the ground. - -Tom was but an instant behind him, imitating him so quickly, indeed, -that he struck directly upon his shoulders. - -But no harm was done, and they were instantly up and off. - -It will be seen from this that the couple adopted substantially the -advice of Bob Budd, which contained more wisdom than most of his -utterances. - -Like their leader, the fugitives heeded the dearly bought lesson, and, -instead of taking refuge in a large tree or sapling, they chose one of -precisely the right size, each perching himself where he was as far -beyond reach as Bob Budd himself. - -The lads were given plenty of time in which to take their new -departure, since the bear, instead of leaping to the ground as they -did, picked his way back to the body of the tree, and slid down that -to the earth, tearing off a lot of the bark in his descent. - -This required so much time that when he once more stood on solid earth -all three of the boys were out of his reach, and could afford to laugh -at his anger. - -Halting a short distance from the tree, bruin looked at the boys in -turn with such an odd expression that they laughed. - -Gradually the idea appeared to work itself into the thick brain of the -animal that there was nothing to be made by remaining in that -particular part of the country, though his reluctance to leave caused -no little misgiving on the part of all three of the youths. - -If he should decide to stay until the party were compelled to choose -between starving to death and coming down, the situation, to say the -least, would have its inconveniences. - -"There he goes!" exclaimed Jim, a quarter of an hour after this -possible complication had been discussed by the youngsters from their -different perches. - -The bear seemed to have decided that it was useless to hang around the -neighborhood, and began moving off in his lumbering fashion. He was -attentively watched until he vanished in the dense wood. - -"We're all right _now_" called Bob. - -"Maybe he is trying to fool us," suggested Tom; "you had better stay -where you are awhile longer." - -"Who's afraid?" defiantly called back Bob, sliding nimbly down the -sapling; "you don't catch me running from a bear again; all I want is -a chance to get hold of my gun and load it--Jewhilakens!" - -A roar of laughter broke from Jim and Tom, who at that moment caught -sight of the brute coming back at a faster rate than he had departed. - -Bob was equally quick in descrying his danger, and the manner in which -he shinned up the sapling would have surprised a trained athlete, who -could not have surpassed it. - -"When is the fraud going to leave?" he growled, looking down on the -intruder that had stopped directly under him; "I don't know whether -bears are good waiters, but I hope he won't try to keep us here more -than a week." - -Bruin went snuffing around the spot, clawing the guns curiously, -gazing up at each lad in turn, and finally starting off once more. - -The boys hoped his departure was for good, but you may be sure they -did not discount it. When, however, a half-hour went by without his -being seen, all felt there was ground for hope. - -It seemed safe to experiment a little, and so Bob once more slid down -the sapling, after carefully reconnoitering all the forest in his -field of vision. He held himself ready also to climb again the instant -the beast reappeared. - -The boys were too frightened to attempt any jokes on each other, and -when Tom and Jim reported that bruin was not in sight, Bob believed -them. - -His gun was lying not far off, and he began timidly making his way -toward it. Step by step he advanced, glancing in every direction, and -ready to dart back the instant he saw or heard anything suspicious. - -Finally he stooped over and picked up the weapon. Still the bear was -invisible, and Bob hurriedly reloaded his gun, though it cannot be -claimed that he felt much more secure than before. - -Thus encouraged, Tom and Jim ventured to descend from their respective -trees, and they also recovered their weapons without bringing their -enemy down upon them. - -"It must be he's gone for good," said Jim, in a guarded undertone. - -"It looks that way," replied Tom, "and the best thing we can do is to -follow suit." - -This was the unanimous sentiment, and it was acted upon without delay. - -It cannot be said that a single member of the Piketon Rangers breathed -freely until fully a half-mile from the scene of their adventure with -the bear. - -The slightest noise caused them to start and gaze around with -rapidly-beating hearts; they spoke only a few words and they were in -undertones, while they paused a half-dozen times in the belief that -some stump or dark-colored boulder was the dreaded brute awaiting -their approach. - -But by the time the half-mile was passed they grew more confident. -They spoke in ordinary tones, and did not start at the sound of every -rustling leaf. - -"That's the last hunt I ever make up there," said Jim McGovern, -turning about and glaring at the mountainous slope as though it had -done him a personal injury. - -"I'm with you," replied Tom Wagstaff; "them as like to have their -brains banged out by bucks ten feet high or chawed up by bears as big -as an elephant are welcome, but not any for me." - -"I feel sort of that way myself," assented Bob; "it's the first time -I've tried it since I was a tot of a boy, but I've had enough to last -me for the next three hundred and eighty-five years. I hope Uncle Jim -won't ask too many questions about Hero, because he thought a good -deal of that hound." - -"He needn't ever know that he departed this life through a mysterious -dispensation of Providence," replied Jim; "all that it is necessary to -learn--and I don't know that there's any need of _that_--is that -Hero went off on an exploring expedition and hasn't yet returned. The -particulars of his shipwreck are unobtainable, as is often the case -with other explorers." - -"Oh! I can manage it, I've no doubt, for I was never yet caught in a -scrape that I couldn't get out of," was the cheerful response of Bob -Budd. - -The day was well gone when the three reached their tent at the base of -Mount Barclay, and they were glad enough to get back again. - -During their absence Aunt Ruth had sent one of the hired men, as was -her custom, with a liberal supply of delicacies, which were disposed -of in the usual vigorous style of the three, who were honest when they -agreed that they had had enough hunting of bears and deer to last them -a lifetime. - -"If we could only manage the thing without so much work," said Bob, -"we might find some fun in it; but we had to climb up that mountain, -which is three times as high as I supposed, and when the danger came, -why we hadn't our usual strength." - -"I think we did pretty well," replied Tom Wagstaff, "but all the same -I don't believe it would read very well in print." - -"Who's going to put it in print?" asked Bob; "we know too much to tell -any one about it, or, if we did, we would get it in a shape that would -do us proud." - -"Well, being as we have had all we want of hunting, the next thing -will be--what?" - -"Doing nothing," replied Wagstaff. - -"We can do the next thing to that, which is just as good." - -"What's that?" asked Bob. - -"Fish; stretch out along-shore in the shade, where there's no danger -of rolling in, or go out in a boat and wait for the fish to bite, not -caring much whether they do or not. The best thing about fishing is -that you never have to tire yourself--" - -"_Hark!_" - -At that moment the three heard a prodigious roar, rapidly increasing -in volume, until the air seemed to be filled with one continuous -reverberating peal of thunder. - -"Heaven save us!" exclaimed Bob Budd; "the dam has burst!" - -"And it is coming down on us and we can't get out of its path!" added -white-faced Wagstaff. - -He spoke the truth! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -A RACE FOR LIFE - - -Those who have been so unfortunate as to be placed in the path of an -overwhelming flood, which after slowly gathering for weeks and months -finally bursts all barriers, need not be told that the awful roar -caused by the resistless sweep can never be mistaken for anything -else. - -The mill-dam, to which we have made more than one reference, had not -been erected, like that at Johnstown, to afford fishing grounds for -those who were fond of the sport, but was reared fully twenty years -before to provide water-power for a company of capitalists, who -proposed erecting a series of mills and manufactories in the valley -below. They progressed as far in their enterprise as the formation of -a substantial dam when the company collapsed, and that was the end of -their scheme. - -The dam remained, with its enormous reservoir of water, which, in -summer, furnished excellent fishing and, in the winter, fine skating; -but during all that time the valuable store of power remained idle. - -The sudden breakage of the dam, without apparent cause, was -unaccompanied by the appalling features which marked the great -disaster in Pennsylvania a short time since. The town of Piketon was -not in the course of the flood, nor were there any dwelling-houses -exposed to the peril with the exception of the home of a single humble -laborer. - -The water became a terrific peril for a brief while, but such masses -speedily exhaust themselves, though it was fortunate indeed that the -topography of the country was so favorable that the uncontrollable -fury was confined in so narrow a space. - -But the camp of the Piketon Rangers lay exactly in the course of the -flood. Bob Budd and his friends had pitched their tent there because -the spot was an inviting one in every respect, and no one had ever -dreamed of danger from the breaking of the reservoir above. - -It was night when that fearful roar interrupted the conversation of -the Rangers. The young men were silent on the instant, and stared with -bated breath in each other's faces. - -"Great Heaven!" exclaimed Bob Budd, rising partly from his seat, "the -dam has burst!" - -"And I can't swim a stroke!" gasped the terrified Wagstaff. - -"Nor me either!" added McGovern; "I guess the end has come, boys." - -"I can swim," replied Bob, trembling from head to foot, "but that -won't help me at such a time as this." - -"Are we going to stay here and be drowned?" demanded Jim, rousing -himself; "we might as well go down fighting; every one for himself!" - -As he uttered this exclamation he dashed through the tent and among -the trees outside, where the rays of the moon could not penetrate, and -it was dark as Egypt. - -A strong wind seemed to be blowing, though a few minutes before the -air was as still as at the close of a sultry summer afternoon. The -wind was cool. It was caused by the rush of waters through the dense -forest. - -It was evident to McGovern and the rest that there was but one -possible means of escape--possibly two--and he attempted that which -first occurred to him: that was by dashing at right angles to the -course of the torrent. If he could reach ground higher than the -surface of the water, as it came careering through the wood, he would -be safe; but he and his companions knew when the awful roar broke upon -them that the waters were close, while it was a long run to the -elevated country on either side. - -But if anything of the kind was to be attempted there was not a moment -to spare. One second might settle the question of life and death. - -"Maybe I can make it!" was the thought that thrilled McGovern as he -began fighting his way through the wood, stumbling over bushes, -bumping against trunks, and picking his way as best he could; "it -isn't very far to the high ground, but I have to go so blamed -slow--great thunder! my head's sawed off!" - -At that moment a stubby limb caught under the chin of the frantic -fugitive and almost lifted him off his feet. He quickly freed himself -and dashed wildly on again with feelings that must have resembled -those of the multitude fleeing from before the sweep of the -overwhelming lava. - -A vine enclosed the ankle of the fugitive and he fell headlong; he was -instantly up again and collided with a tree, which he did not detect -soon enough in the gloom; at any other time McGovern would have taken -his own time in rising and vented his feelings, but he did not do so -now; his single thought was one wild, desperate hope that he might -escape. - -He never exerted himself so before, for, despite the stirring -experiences through which he had passed in his short life, he had -never encountered anything like this. - -Those who have hovered on the verge of death have made known that in -the few seconds when life was passing, the whole record of their -former lives has swept like a panorama before them. The events of -months and years have clustered in those few fearful moments. - -Jim McGovern's experience was somewhat similar. There were mighty few -seconds at his command, while struggling with the whole energy of his -nature to reach the rising ground beyond reach of the flood; but in -some respects that brief interval of time was as so many years to him. - -How well it will be if, when we reach that supreme moment which must -come to all of us, the hasty retrospect brings us pleasure and hope -rather than remorse and despair! - -There was nothing of this nature in the review that surged through the -brain of the miserable fellow. Broken promises, disobedience to -parents, wrangling, thievery, drinking--these were the scarlet tints of -the picture which memory painted for him in vivid colors. - -"If you'll only save me," he gasped, addressing the sole One who could -rescue him, "I will stop the bad things I've been doing all my life, -and do my best to live right always." - -Would he never pass the boundary of this narrow valley? It had always -seemed straight to him before, but now its width was expanded not to -yards and rods, but to miles. And never were the trees so close -together or the bushes, vines, and undergrowth so dense, or his own -wind so short, or his muscles so weak. - -Suddenly something cold was felt against his ankle. - -He knew what it was--it was water! - -The fringe of the flood had reached him. Where the bursting away was -so instantaneous and the released volume was so enormous, the flow -could not be like that of an ordinary torrent, which rises rapidly -because of the swiftly-increasing mass behind it. The awful rush at -Johnstown resembled the oncoming of a tidal wave or wall of water, so -high, so prodigious, so resistless that nothing less than the side of -a granite mountain could check it. - -It would have been the same in the case we are describing, though of -course to a less degree, but for the interposing wood, which, -beginning at the very base of the dam, continued the entire length of -the valley, which was several miles in extent. - -Some of these trees were uprooted as if by a cyclone, others were bent -and partly turned over, while the sturdiest, which did not stand near -the middle of the path, held their own, like giants resisting death -tugging at their vitals. - -The woods also acted as a brake, so to speak, on the velocity of the -terrific rush of waters. The flow could not be stopped nor turned -aside, but it was hindered somewhat, and, as it came down the hollow, -was twisted and driven into all manner of eddies, whirlpools, and -currents, in which the most powerful swimmer was as helpless as an -infant. - -"It's no use!" panted McGovern, when he felt the cold current rising -about his ankles like the coiling of a water-snake; "I must die, and -with all my sins on my head! Heaven have mercy! do not desert me now -when a little farther and I will be saved!" - -Never was a more agonized appeal made to his Creator than that by the -despairing McGovern. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -A CRY FROM THE DARKNESS - - -Within a few seconds after McGovern felt the water about his ankles it -touched his knees. He was still able to make progress, and with the -same despairing desperation as before, struggled onward. - -At the next step he went to his waist, and fell with a splash. - -"I'm drowning!" he gasped; but fortunately for him he had plunged into -a small hollow, out of which he was swept the next moment, and, with -no effort on his part, flung upon his feet. - -The roar was overpowering. It seemed as if he were in the appalling -swirl of Niagara, with the raging waters all around him clamoring for -his life. He grasped a limb which brushed his face, and the next step -showed that he had struck higher ground. - -But the torrent was ascending faster than he. It was gaining in spite -of all he could do, but hope was not yet dead. Another step and the -water was below his waist, and he was able to make progress with the -help of his hands. When he lifted one foot it was swept to one side, -and only by throwing his full weight upon it was he able to sustain -himself. - -He had now reached a point where the trees were not so near together. -While this enabled him to see something of his surroundings, it gave -the sweeping volume greater power, and he was in despair again. - -But the dim light of the moon showed that at that moment the boundary -of the current was only a few paces beyond him. Could he pass that -intervening distance before it further expanded he would be safe. - -Rousing his flagging energies he fought on, cheered by the view of a -figure on the margin, which had evidently caught sight of him. - -"A little farther and you will be all right!" shouted the stranger, -stepping into the torrent and extending his hand. - -"I can't do it!" moaned McGovern, struggling on, but gaining no faster -than the terrible enemy against which he was fighting. - -"Yes, you will! don't give up! take my hand!" - -McGovern reached out, but he was short of grasping the friendly help. -Then the brave friend stepped into the rushing torrent at the risk of -his own life, and, griping the cold hand, exerted himself with the -power of desperation, and dragged the helpless youth into the shallow -margin. - -"Don't stop!" he shouted, still pulling him forward; "we are not yet -out of danger!" - -Helped by the stranger who had appeared so opportunely, the two -splashed through the flood, which seemed striving to prevent their -escape, and would drag them down in spite of themselves. - -But the rescuer was cool-headed, strong, and brave, and he kept the -weak McGovern going with a speed that threatened to fling him -prostrate in spite of himself. - -The ground rose more sharply than before. A few more hurried steps and -their feet touched dry land. Still a few paces farther and they were -saved. - -The torrent might roar and rage, but it could not seize them. They had -eluded its wrath, like the hunter who leaps aside from the bound of -the tiger. - -McGovern stood for a minute panting, limp, and so exhausted that he -could hardly keep his feet. His companion did not speak, but kept his -place beside him, curiously gazing into his countenance, and waiting -until he should fully recover before addressing him. - -The youth speedily regained his self-command, and for the first time -looked in his rescuer's face. They were now beyond the shadow of the -trees, and could discern each other's features quite distinctly in the -favoring moonlight. - -"Well!" he exclaimed, "I think you and I have met before." - -"I shouldn't be surprised if we had," was the reply; "you tried to -destroy my bicycle last night." - -"And you saved me from drowning in the mill-pond." - -"I believe I gave you a little help in that way." - -"And now you have saved my life again." - -"I am glad I was able to do something for you, for you seemed to be in -a bad way." - -"I should think I was! If you had been a minute later it would have -been the last of Jim McGovern, and I tell you, Dick Halliard, he was -in no shape to die." - -No person escaping death by such a close call could throw off at once -the moral effect of his rescue. The bad youth was humbled, frightened, -and repentant. He was standing in the presence of him who had twice -been the instrument of saving his life in a brief space of time, and -that, too, after McGovern had tried to do him an injury. - -"I don't know whether you can forgive me," he said, in the meekest of -tones, "but I beg your pardon all the same." - -"I have no feeling against you," replied Dick, "and though you sought -to do me an injury, you inflicted the most on yourself; but," added -the young hero, starting up, "where are Bob Budd and Tom Wagstaff?" - -"Heaven only knows! They must be drowned," replied McGovern, glancing -at the raging waters so near him with a shudder, as if he still feared -they would reach and sweep him away. - -"Where did you leave them? How did you become separated?" - -"We were in our tent when we heard the waters coming. We felt we -couldn't help each other, and all made a break, some in one direction -and some another. They must have been drowned, just as I would have -been but for you." - -But what could he do to help them? He was standing as near to the -torrent as he dare. It had already submerged the spot where the tent -had been erected to the depth of twenty feet at least. Bob and Tom -could not have stayed there had they wished, nor was there any means -of reaching them. - -"I wish I could do something," said Dick, as if talking with himself, -"but I see no way." - -"There is none," added McGovern, who was speedily recovering from the -ordeal through which he had passed, "but it is too bad; I would do -anything I could for poor Bob and Tom." - -It seemed hopeless indeed, but Dick could not stand idle, knowing that -others near him might be in most imminent need of help. - -"If they are alive, which I don't believe," said McGovern, "they must -have drifted below us by this time." - -"I agree with you," replied Dick, moving slowly along the margin of -the torrent, which, on account of the unevenness of the ground, -encroached at times and compelled them to retreat for a brief space; -"I should think if they were alive they would call for help." - -"Did you hear _me_?" asked McGovern, looking round in the face of -his companion. - -"Yes, though I happened to be quite near when the flood came, and had -to scramble myself to get out of the way--" - -"Hark!" interrupted McGovern, "that was a voice!" - -"So it was, and it is below us!" - -As he spoke he broke into a run, with the larger youth at his heels. -They had caught a cry, but it was so smothered and brief that it was -impossible to tell the point whence it came, except that it was below -them. - -"Help! help! for the love of Hiven, help!" - -"That's the voice of Terry Hurley," said Dick, who recalled that the -Irishman lived with his family a short distance away, and in the path -of the flood. In the whirl of events young Halliard had forgotten this -man and his wife and their two little girls. - -But that cry showed they were in imminent extremity, and possibly aid -might reach them in time. McGovern, since his own rescue, was as -anxious as the brave Dick to extend assistance to whomsoever were in -peril. - -The calamity had come with such awful suddenness that not the least -precautionary step could be taken. It was too early for neighbors to -arrive, but all Piketon and the vicinity would be on the spot in the -course of a few hours. - -A brief run brought the boys in sight of the imperiled family. The -humble home of Terry Hurley did not stand in the centre of the valley, -like the tent of the Piketon Rangers, but well up to one side. Thus it -escaped the full force of the current, which, however, was violent -enough to fill the lower story in a twinkling, and threaten to carry -the structure from its foundations. - -The two little girls, Maggie and Katie, had just said their prayers at -their bedside in the upper story, and Terry was in the act of lighting -his pipe when the shock came. The husband and wife might have escaped -by dashing out of the door and fleeing, but neither thought for an -instant of doing so. Both would have preferred to perish rather than -abandon the innocent ones above them. - -Calling to his wife to follow, Terry bounded up a few steps and dashed -to the bedside. At the same instant that he seized one in his arms, -his wife caught up the younger. - -"Whither shall we go, Terry?" asked the distracted mother, starting to -descend the stairs. - -"Not there! not there!" he called, "but to the roof!" - -By standing on a chair the trap-door was easily reached and the -covering thrown back. Then he pushed Maggie through, warning her to -hold fast, and the rest would instantly join her. - -Next little Katie was passed upward. - -"Now," said Terry, "I will jine the wee spalpeens and thin give ye a -lift, Delia." - -The Irishman was a powerful man, and the task thus far was of the -easiest character. He drew himself through the door on the roof, and -extending one brawny hand to his wife, was in the act of lifting her -after him, when a scream from Maggie caused him to loose his hold and -look round. - -"What's the matter wid ye, Maggie?" he asked. - -"Kate has just rolled off the roof!" was the terrifying reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -A SAD DISCOVERY - - -The horror-stricken Terry thought no more about his wife, whom he was -in the act of lifting through the trap-door, but let go her hand, -allowing her to drop with a crash that shook the whole building. - -"Where is the child?" he asked, facing the elder daughter. - -"Yonder; I was trying to hold her when she slipped away and rolled -down the slope of the roof--" - -But the father waited to hear no more. Just then the cry of his baby -reached his ear, and he caught a glimpse of the white clothing which -helped to buoy her up. Like an athlete, running along a spring-board -to gather momentum for his tremendous leap, he took a couple of steps -down the incline of the roof to the edge, from which he made a -tremendous bound far out in the muddy torrent. - -It was the energy of desperation and the delirium of paternal -affection itself which carried him for a long way over the water, so -that when he struck, one extended arm seized the shoulder of his -child, while the other sustained both from sinking. - -Poor Katie, who had been gasping for breath, now began crying, and the -sound was welcome to the parent, for it proved that she was alive. Had -she been quiet he would have believed she was drowned. - -The trees which grew so thickly in the little valley served another -good purpose in addition to that already named. The most powerful -swimmer that ever lived could not make headway against such a torrent, -nor indeed hold his own for a moment. - -Terry would have been quickly swept beyond sight and sound of the rest -of his family had he not grasped a strong, protruding limb by which he -checked his progress. - -"Are ye there, Terry?" - -It was his wife who called. She had heard the frenzied cry of the -elder girl at the moment she went downward herself with such a -resounding crash. She was as frantic as her husband, and did that -which would have been impossible at any other time. Grasping the sides -of the trap-door, she drew herself upward and through with as much -deftness as her husband a few minutes before. She asked the agonized -question at the moment her head and shoulders appeared above the roof. - -"Yis, I'm here, Delia," he called back, "and Katie is wid me." - -"Hiven be praised!" was the fervent response of the wife; "I don't -care now if the owld shanty is knocked into smithereens." - -The speech was worthy of an Irishwoman, who never thought of her own -inevitable fate in case the catastrophe named should overtake her -dwelling while she was on the roof. She could dimly discern the -figures of her husband and child, as the former clung to the friendly -limb. - -"If yer faat are risting so gintaaly on the ground," said the wife, -who supposed for the moment he was standing on the earth and grasping -the branch to steady himself, "why doesn't ye walk forward and jine -us?" - -"If my faat are risting on the ground!" repeated Terry: "and if I were -doing the same, I would be as tall as a maating-house wid the staaple -thrown in." - -"Thin would ye loike to have us join _ye_?" persisted the wife. - -"Arrah, Delia, now are ye gone clean crazy, that ye talks in that -style? Stay where ye be, and I would be thankful if I could get back -to ye, which the same I can't do." - -The wife had been so flustered that her questions were a little mixed, -but by the time she was fairly seated on the roof, with one arm -encircling Maggie, who clung, frightened and crying, to her, she began -to realize her situation. - -"Terry," she called again, "are ye not comfortable?" - -"Wal, yis," replied the fellow, whose waggery must show itself, now -that he believed the entire family were safe from the flood, "I faals -as comfortable, thank ye, as if I was standing on me head on the top -of a barber's pole. How is it wid yerself, me jewel?" - -"I'm thankful for the blissing of our lives; but why don't ye climb -into the traa and take a seat?" - -"I will do so in a few minutes." - -There was good ground for this promise. Although Terry had been -sustaining himself only a brief while, he felt the water rising so -rapidly that the crown of his head, which was several inches below the -supporting limb, quickly touched it, and as he shifted his position -slightly it ascended still farther. While sustaining his child he -could not lift both over the branch, but, with the help of the -current, would soon be able to do so. - -Requesting his wife to hold her peace for the moment, he seized the -opportunity the instant it presented itself, and with comparatively -little outlay of strength, placed himself astride the branch. This was -all well enough, provided the flood did not keep on ascending, but it -was doing that very thing, and his perch must speedily become -untenable. - -His refuge, however, was a sturdy oak, whose top was fully twenty feet -above him, and, like its kind, was abundantly supplied with strong -branches, so near each other that it was not difficult for the father -to climb to a safe point, where he was confident the furious waters -could never reach him. - -Having seated himself in a better position than before, he surveyed -his surroundings with some degree of composure. - -"Delia," he called, "I obsarve ye are there yit." - -"I'm thankful that yer words are the thruth, and if ye kaap on -climbing ye'll be in the clouds by morning." - -Now, while the rising torrent had proven of great assistance in one -way to Terry and his infant child, it threatened a still graver peril -to the mother and Maggie, who remained on the roof. - -The house, being of wood, was liable to be lifted from its foundations -and carried in sections down-stream. In that event it would seem that -nothing could save the couple from immediate drowning. - -Neither the husband nor wife thought of this calamity until she called -out, under the stress of her new fear: - -"Terry, the owld building can't stand this." - -"What do ye maan, me darling?" - -"I faal it moving under me as though its getting onaisy--oh! _we're -afloat_!" - -The exclamation was true. The little structure, after resisting the -giant tugging at it as though it were a sentient thing, yielded when -it could hold out no longer. It popped up a foot or two like a cork, -as if to recover its gravity, and the next moment started down the -torrent. - -It was at this juncture that Terry uttered the despairing cry which -brought Dick Halliard and Jim McGovern hurrying to the spot on the -shore directly opposite. - -But unexpected good fortune attended the shifting of the little -building from its foundations. Swinging partly around, it drifted -against the tree in which Terry had taken refuge with his child. His -wife and Maggie were so near that he could touch them with his -outstretched hand. - -"Climb into the limbs," he said, "for the owld shebang will soon go to -pieces." - -He could give little help, since he had to keep one arm about Katie, -but the wife was cool and collected, now that she fully comprehended -her danger. The projecting limbs were within convenient reach, and it -took her but a minute or two to ensconce herself beside her husband -and other child. - -Quick as was the action it was not a moment too soon, for she was -hardly on her perch and safely established by the side of all that was -dear to her when the house broke into a dozen fragments, the roof -itself disintegrating, and every portion quickly vanished among the -tree-tops in the darkness. - -"Helloa, Terry, are you alive?" called Dick Halliard. - -"We're all alive, Hiven be praised!" replied the Irishman, "and are -roosting among the tree-tops." - -"It will be all right with you then," was the cheery response, "for I -don't think the flood will rise any higher." - -"Little odds if it does, for we haven't raiched the top story of our -new risidence yit." - -Just then a dark object struck the ground at the feet of the boys, -swinging around like a log of wood. Seeing what it was, Dick Halliard -stooped down and drew it out of the current. - -"What is it?" asked McGovern, in a whisper, seeing as he spoke that it -was a human body. "Great Heavens! it is Tom Wagstaff!" - -"So it is," replied Dick, "and he is dead." - -"And so is Bobb Budd!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -A FRIEND INDEED - - -It was a shocking sight, and for a minute or two Dick Halliard and Jim -McGovern did not speak. - -Tom Wagstaff had been cut off in the beginning of his lawless career, -and his dead body lay at the feet of his former companion in -wrong-doing, with whom he had exchanged coarse jests but a short while -before. - -It was as McGovern declared, and as the reader has learned. When the -Piketon Rangers heard the rush of the flood, each broke from the tent, -thinking only of his own safety, which was just as well, since neither -could offer the slightest aid to the others. - -We have shown by what an exceedingly narrow chance McGovern eluded the -torrent. But for the hand of Dick Halliard, extended a second time to -save him from drowning, he would have shared the fate of Wagstaff. The -particulars of the latter's death were never fully established. He -probably fled in the same general direction as McGovern, without -leading or following in his footsteps, since his body was carried to -the same shore upon which McGovern emerged. His struggles most likely -were similar, but, singularly enough, he knew nothing about swimming, -which, after all, could have been of no benefit to him, and he -perished as did the thousands who went down in the Johnstown flood. - -Terry Hurley overheard the exclamation of McGovern, the roar of the -torrent having greatly subsided, and he called out to know the cause. -Dick explained, and the sympathetic Irishman instantly quelled the -disposition to joke that he had felt a short time before. - -The boys were not slow in observing that the water was falling. When -they first laid down the body the current almost touched their feet. -In a short while it was a considerable distance away. - -"I believe he was an old friend of yours," said Dick, addressing his -companion, who was deeply affected by the event. - -"Yes," replied McGovern; "him and me run away from home together." - -"Why did you do that?" - -"Because Satan got into us; we both have good homes and kind parents, -but we played truant, stole, fought, and did everything bad. Bob Budd -came down to New York some time ago, and we made his acquaintance; we -were fellows after one another's heart, and we took to each other -right off. We showed Bob around the city, and then he made us promise -to come out and visit him. It was his idea to form the Piketon -Rangers." - -"I don't know as there was anything wrong in that," said Dick, who -felt for the grief of his companion and was awed by the fate that had -overtaken the others; "camping out is well enough in its way, and I -would do it myself if I had the chance." - -"It isn't that which I mean; it's the way we have been going on since -we have been together. I daresn't tell you all the bad we did, Dick -Halliard." - -"Never mind; don't think of it." - -"I am going home as soon as I can; this will break up Tom's folks, for -they thought all the world of him." - -"It is bad," said Dick, who saw how idle it was to try to minify the -dreadful incidents; "but sad as it is, it will not be entirely lost if -you do not forget it." - -"Forget it!" repeated McGovern, looking reproachfully in his face; "it -will haunt me as long as I live." - -"I have been told that people often feel that way when great sorrow -overtakes them; but," added Dick, seeing his companion was grieved by -his words, "I do not believe it will be so with you." - -"I have run away from home before, but I think this was a little the -worst, for my father had everything arranged to send me to college, -and I know his heart is well-nigh broken." - -"Not so far but that you can mend it by doing what you say you mean to -do," said Dick, thinking it wise to emphasize the truth already -spoken. - -McGovern made no reply, but stood for a minute as if in deep thought. -Dick was watching him closely and saw him look down at the inanimate -form at his feet. He sighed several times, and then glancing up -quickly, said in an eager voice: - -"Dick Hilliard, I wish I was like you." - -The words sounded strange from one who had been so reckless of all -that was right, but never was an utterance more sincere--it came -directly from the heart. - -"Don't take me for a model, for you can be a great deal better than I; -you tell me you have good parents; all you have to do is to obey -them." - -"You seem to doubt my keeping the pledge," said McGovern, looking with -curious fixidity in the countenance of Dick. - -"I believe you are in earnest now, but what I fear is that you have -become so accustomed to your wild life that you will forget this -lesson." - -"Well," sighed the stricken youth, "that must remain to be tested; all -that I can now do is to ask you to suspend judgment, as they say." - -"You can give me your hand on it, Jim." - -It was a strange sight, when the two boys clasped hands on the bank of -the subsiding flood, with the lifeless body at their feet, and one of -them uttered his solemn promise that from that hour he would strive to -follow the right path and shun the wrong one. - -But that pledge, uttered years ago, remains unbroken to this day. - -Dick Halliard was thrilled by the scene, which will always remain -vivid in his memory. Despite the sorrowful surroundings a singular -pleasure crept through his being, for conscience whispered that he had -done a good deed in thus exhorting the wayward youth, and that it was -on record in the great book above. - -It was not the impressiveness of that silent form that so wrought upon -the feelings of the youths, but the recollection of the missing one, -whose body they believed was whirling about in the fierce currents of -the torrent that was speedily exhausting itself in the deeper parts of -the valley, or perhaps was lodged somewhere in the lower limbs of a -tree, awaiting the morning for the shocked friends to claim it. - -Considerable time had passed since the bursting of the dam, and the -news of the calamity spread rapidly. People began flocking hither from -the neighborhood, and before long there were arrivals from Piketon -itself. These gathered at the scene of destruction and viewed it with -bated breath. Some brought lanterns, but the broad space where the -waters had reposed for so many years was clearly shown in the -moonlight and made a striking sight. - -The striking feature about the calamity, which, as we have stated, was -never satisfactorily explained, was that the dam, which looked strong -enough to resist tenfold the pressure, had not yielded in a single -spot, as would be supposed, but had been carried away almost bodily. -That is to say, three-fourths of the structure was gone, its -foundations being on a level with the bottom of the pond in the -immediate vicinity. - -Perhaps the most probable explanation of the accident was that offered -by an old fisherman, to the effect that muskrats had burrowed under -and through the dam until it had been so weakened throughout most of -its extent that when a giving way began at one point it was like -knocking the keystone from an arch. Its results resembled those often -shown by the explosion of a steam boiler, when only a few fragments -remain to show what it once has been. - -Before long a party reached the place where Dick and Jim were standing -by the dead body of Wagstaff. When it was proposed to remove it the -suggestion was made that it should not be disturbed until the arrival -of the coroner, who could be called by morning to view the body. This -practice, as the reader doubtless knows, prevails in nearly every -portion of the country, and was adopted in the instance named. - -Meanwhile Terry Hurley and his family, perched among the branches of -the trees, were not forgotten. As soon as the waters subsided -sufficiently, parties waded out, and by means of ladders that were -quickly brought, soon placed the homeless ones safely on _terra -firma_. - -The haste of the flight had prevented the couple from doing much in -the way of bringing needed garments, and the children, who were in -their night clothes, suffered considerably. But they were now in the -hands of good friends, who did everything possible. They were looked -after, and it is a pleasure to say that no serious consequences -followed. - -Captain Jim Budd, the indulgent uncle of Bob, happened to be away from -Piketon on the night of the great accident, but was expected back in -the morning. Fortunately no one was so thoughtless as to hasten to -Aunt Ruth with the news of her nephew's death, and therein she was -more favored than most people placed in her sad situation. - -Dick Halliard made his employer his confidant as far as was necessary -concerning Jim McGovern. The good-hearted merchant took hold of the -matter at once. - -Having obtained from McGovern the address of Wagstaff's parents, word -was telegraphed them and their wishes asked as to the disposition of -their son's remains. The father appeared that afternoon, and with the -permission of the coroner took charge of them. - -Mr. Wagstaff proved to be a man of good sense and judgment. He told -Mr. Hunter that his life purpose had been to educate and bring up his -five children, with every advantage they could require. He and his -wife had set their hearts on preparing Jim for the ministry, but his -wayward tendencies developed at an early age. He was the only one of -the family to cause the parents anxiety, and he brought them enough -sorrow for all. - -This parent was one of those rare ones who saw his children as other -people saw them. His boy had been as bad as he could be, and though -the youngest of the three, no excuse was offered for him on that -account. - -"He has sown the wind and reaped the whirlwind," remarked the father; -"he chose the wrong path instead of the right, and no one is blamable -beside himself." - -Mr. Wagstaff manifested deep interest in young McGovern, when he -learned what the young man had said to Dick Halliard. His father was a -prominent lawyer in New York, who had cherished the same hopes for his -son as he, but he would not be controlled, and he, too, had run off to -seek forbidden pleasures. - -But the caller was touched by what he had heard as to the youth's -change of feelings. He sought him out, and was pleased with his talk. -The same train which bore the remains of Wagstaff to New York carried -also Jim McGovern on his way to join his parents who had known nothing -of him for days. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -DICK HALLIARD IS ASTOUNDED - - -There were hopes until the following morning that Bob Budd might have -escaped the flood. The fact that one of the Piketon Rangers had -managed with help to extricate himself gave slight grounds for belief -that a second had been equally fortunate. - -This hope grew less and less as the night passed, and the people -wandering up and down the valley, hallooing and calling the name of -Bob, received no response. Only a few retained the slightest -expectation of ever seeing him again. - -Long before morning broke the flood had spent its force. Such a vast -outlet as the sweeping away of most of the bank was like the sliding -doors which admit passengers to the ferryboat. It was of such extent -that the supply quickly ran out. - -In the middle of the valley, where the whole force of the torrent was -felt, large trees had been uprooted and hurled forward with a momentum -which helped to uproot others in turn. - -The prodigious power rapidly diminished as the ground rose on either -side, until it was seen that the trunks were able to hold their own. -There was considerable dislocation of vegetation, so to speak, but -nothing to be compared to that in the middle of the valley. - -The sheet of water had been plentifully stocked with fish, which were -now scattered everywhere along the valley, napping in little pools of -water as they did on the muddy bottom of the pond itself. It was a -veritable picnic for the small boys. - -Captain Jim Budd was on the ground as soon after he heard of the loss -of Bob as he could reach the place. He was thoughtful enough to -arrange matters so that his wife should learn nothing of the -occurrence until his return. He placed a trusted friend on guard to -keep busy mongers from her. - -Captain Jim was the contrast of Mr. Wagstaff as regarded the youth in -whom he was interested. He proclaimed to every one that Bob was not -only the brightest, but the best principled boy in Piketon and the -neighborhood. Had he lived he would have made his mark in the law or -ministry or whatever profession he chose to honor with his attention. -He had always been truthful, honest, and obedient, and his loss was in -the nature of a general calamity. - -It seems incredible that a man of sense should talk in this fashion, -and not only utter such words, but believe them. The reader, however, -who has heard other parents talk, can credit the statement that such -was the fact. - -The first thing that Captain Jim did, after learning the facts, was to -offer a reward of one thousand dollars for the recovery of the body of -his nephew. No doubt, he said, the whole neighborhood would insist on -attending his remains to the grave, that they might render a fitting -tribute to one thus cut off in the prime of his promising young -manhood. The Captain, therefore, felt it his duty to defer to so -proper a desire. He would erect a monument over the remains, to which -parents might impressively point, as they urged their offspring to -emulate the virtues of Robert Budd. - -The large reward offered for the recovery of the body resulted in the -employment of fully a hundred and sometimes more people, who roamed up -and down the narrow valley through which the flood had swept from -early morning until darkness forced a cessation of the search. - -Some three miles below the bursted dam the valley widened to fully -double its width. There naturally the current expanded and lost the -tremendous power displayed above. Most of this portion, like the rest, -was covered with trees, so that places innumerable existed where a -body might be hidden, thus making it almost impossible to find it -unless by a fortunate accident. - -The surprise was general that the search should be prosecuted so long -and so thoroughly without result. It seemed that every foot of ground -had been covered and no spot left unvisited. The bushy tops of trees, -prostrate trunks, timbers, undergrowth, shrubbery, rifts of leaves, -and, indeed, everything that looked as if it could hide a body as -large as a dog were examined again and again, but without the -slightest success. - -An excitement was roused by the report, the second day after the -search had been instituted, that the body had been recovered, but it -proved to be the remains of a heifer that was unfortunately caught in -the swirl and was unable to save herself. - -Gradually the belief spread that Bob Budd's remains would never be -found, and most of the searchers gave up the task. A few, prompted by -the promise of a still larger reward, kept at it, hoping that some -lucky chance might give them the opportunity to earn more money than -they could do otherwise in several years. - -The disappointment was a sorrowful one to Captain Jim Budd and his -wife Ruth, the news having been broken to the latter. They could not -reconcile themselves to the thought that their beloved nephew should -be denied the last rites that were paid to the humblest individual; -and while all knew the character of the missing young man, they deeply -pitied his relatives. - -Dick Halliard returned to his duties in the store of Mr. Hunter more -thoughtful than ever before. He was grateful that McGovern had shown -so strong a resolution of reforming his life and turning from his evil -ways, but it was shocking to recall that Wagstaff and Bob Budd were -placed beyond the power of undoing the evil they had committed. - -Bob, as we have shown, was a native of Piketon, and had spent most of -his life there. He was an only son, who was left a considerable -fortune by his father, who appointed Uncle Jim Budd his guardian. This -old gentleman, though he sometimes flared up and threatened Bob -because of his extravagance and waywardness, was foolishly indulgent. -Whatever firmness he might have shown at times in dealing with his -nephew was spoiled by his wife, who refused the young man nothing that -was in her power to grant. Bob was not naturally vicious, and his -relatives were largely responsible for his going wrong. - -One cause for deep satisfaction on the part of Dick was the wonderful -proof of the truth of the words spoken by Dr. Armstrong, when the -youth summoned him hastily to the bedside of his parent. From that -evening there was a marked improvement in his condition, and his -convalescence was steady until, in the course of a few months, he was -completely restored to health and vigor. - -After thinking over the question for a day or two, Dick decided to -tell his parents everything. They had learned of what had occurred, -and he believed it would be a pleasure to them to be told that one -result of the blow was the reformation of McGovern. - -Such was the fact, but the greatest happiness that could come to the -father and mother was that of learning the nobility of their boy, who -had conducted himself so admirably through more than one crisis, more -trying than most youths older than he are ever called upon to face. - -Matters stood thus at the end of a week after the flood, when Dick -Halliard was surprised by the reception of a letter from New York. He -did not recognize the handwriting, and broke the seal with no little -curiosity. A glance at the bottom of the page showed the name of Jim -McGovern as the writer. - -"My dear Dick," he said, after giving the particulars of the funeral -over the remains of Wagstaff, "I can never tell you how deeply -grateful I am to you; I am not one of those who gush, and will not say -more except to repeat a remark which my father made when I had told -him all. 'There is no earthly honor,' said he, 'which could be given -me, that I would not surrender for the sake of having a son like -Richard Halliard.' Considered strictly as a compliment, I think you -will admit, Dick, that _that_ has some weight. I know your -modesty, but I must beg you as a favor to me to read all my letter up -to this point, when you must stop, for here comes something which is a -secret for the present between you and me. You will not give a hint of -it to any one. - -"Come to think, however, there is no secret that I'm going to reveal -in the letter, but I will tell you the next time we meet that will -make your hair lift your hat. I want you to get permission right away -from Mr. Hunter to come to New York for a couple of days. Telegraph me -what time you will reach here, and I will meet you at the station and -take you home. If anything should happen to prevent my being there on -time come to No. -- Madison Avenue, give your name, and wait for me. My -folks will be delighted to receive you, and you will not be kept long -waiting. - -"I have arranged to enter Yale at the next term. I shall need to brush -up in my studies, but I'm confident I'll get there all the same, if -you'll excuse a little slang which still clings to me. But above all -things, come to New York _as soon as you can_. I promise you will -not regret it." - -As may be supposed, Dick Halliard found more than one cause for -surprise in this letter. The first was the fact that the writer -possessed a much better education than he suspected. The composition -was not only correct as regards grammar, punctuation, and spelling, -but the statement of his decision to enter Yale College showed the -advantages the youth had received, and which were far superior to what -would be supposed by one who heard McGovern discourse when a member of -the Piketon Rangers. - -But Dick was shrewd, and, although he respected the request of the -writer that nothing should be revealed about the letter, he suspected -the nature of the "secret" to which he referred in such strong -language. - -"Jim is in the flush of a mistaken sense of gratitude to me," he said -to himself, "and he has persuaded his father to feel very much the -same way. They want to get me down there to their home, that they may -all see and tell me how thankful they are, and perhaps they mean to -make me a present of some kind. I don't think I'll go." - -Nothing could be more distasteful to young Halliard than a proceeding -of the kind he had in mind. It is no misstatement to say that he would -have preferred to receive personal chastisement to that of being made -a lion of by any one. - -And yet he disliked to disappoint Jim, who was so strenuous in his -invitation. He would be grieved and repeat it more urgently than -before until further refusal would offend him. - -"I'll go!" finally concluded the youth, "but I will give Jim to -understand from the beginning that, if he attempts to show me off or -to tell others anything about me, or tries to force a testimonial on -me, I will take the next train home and forever afterward keep him at -arm's length." - -With this resolution in his mind, he went to Mr. Hunter's private -office and asked him whether he could be spared from the store a -couple of days. - -"We should miss you at _any_ time," said the genial merchant, -resting his hand affectionately on his shoulder; "but there is no -request that Richard Halliard can make of me which I will not -cheerfully grant if it is in my power to do so. Yes, take a couple of -days off, and a week if you wish, and may you have as good a time as -you deserve, young man." - -Dick blushed under this warm compliment, and, thanking his employer, -went home, where he told his parents of McGovern's request, and -secured their consent to his departure. - -Jim met him at the station with a carriage, and drove him hurriedly -homeward. After the warm greeting Dick wanted to warn him about the -lion and testimonial business, but reflected that it would be in bad -taste, since it was possible that Jim held no such intentions. In that -event he would resemble the politician who declines the honor that has -never been offered him. - -McGovern seemed restless and uneasy on the way, often forcing an -unnatural gayety, which did not deceive his friend, of whom he showed -such extreme fondness. - -Dick admired the handsome residence before which the carriage halted, -and it was with considerable awe that he followed Jim up the broad -stone steps, and was ushered into his father's library. McGovern -showed commendable taste in not presenting his visitor to the members -of the household immediately on his arrival. - -"But I have a friend in the library," he said, as he led the way -thither, "that I think you will be glad to meet." - -A young man rose to his feet, and came briskly forward. - -"How are you, Dick?" - -"Heaven save me!" gasped Dick Halliard, in amazement, recognizing the -smiling youth as no other than Bob Budd himself! - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -HOW IT HAPPENED - - -When the terrific roar of waters reached the ears of the three Piketon -Rangers in their tent, McGovern and Wagstaff started at headlong speed -up the right side of the valley toward higher ground, the former -succeeding in saving himself with the help of Dick Halliard, while the -latter lost his life. - -Bob Budd turned the opposite way, impelled only by the wild desire to -escape, with little hope of doing so. But fortune was kinder to him -than to his companions. Had they followed his footsteps they would -have been saved with little difficulty, for the ground on that side -was not only freer from undergrowth, but rose so much more rapidly -than that on the opposite slope that his efforts kept him ahead of the -torrent, and he struck the level ground where it was untouched by the -flood. - -But Bob was in a panic, and instead of waiting to see how his friends -made out, he broke into a run that was never stopped until, panting -and tired, he could barely stand. He was near his own home, and sat -down to reflect upon the situation. - -He was clear of one danger, but he believed he was in another equally -to be dreaded. In fact, although he repressed all signs of the -agitation at the time, he was as uncomfortable as can be imagined -while talking with his companions before the giving way of the -mill-dam. - -He believed that Dick Halliard was sure to make known his attack on -him. It was so flagrant in its nature that imprisonment was -inevitable, for when he came to think over the matter he lost his -faith in a triumphant alibi. He knew that Dick Halliard's simple -assertion would outweigh all the perjuries he and his companions could -utter. - -It was a fearful prospect, and Bob felt he could not face it. There -was but one escape that presented itself--that was flight. - -Everything pointed to this as a successful recourse. The people would -believe he was drowned in the flood, as he believed Wagstaff and -McGovern had already been, and therefore they would not dream of -looking elsewhere. If he could get out of the neighborhood without -being recognized he would be safe. - -He resolved to do so. Knowing that his uncle was absent, he managed to -climb into the rear of his own home without discovery. Making his way -to his room without disturbing any one, he changed his clothing, -putting on a slouch hat, which could be pulled down over his face so -as to hide most of his features. Then, drawing up the collar of his -coat, he sneaked out again by the way he had entered without his -presence having been suspected by his aunt or any of the servants. - -Bob always had abundance of money at command, so no inconvenience was -likely to result from lack of funds. It was three miles to the nearest -railroad station, but the walk was not a trying one on this cool night -in autumn, and he easily made it. - -Luck was certainly with the young scapegrace on that eventful evening. -The hour was so late that he encountered only one person on the road. -He was an old farmer, so tipsy that he would not have recognized his -own mother in broad daylight. He paid no attention to the solitary -figure on the highway, with his slouch hat drawn far down over his -face and his collar about his ears, as though it were midwinter. - -Reaching the station just as the night express was starting, he leaped -upon the rear platform without stopping to purchase a ticket, and thus -escaped another danger of recognition. He saw no one in the car that -he knew, and the conductor who collected his fare was also a stranger. - -Thus Bob succeeded in getting away from Piketon without a living -person suspecting the fact. - -Arriving in the metropolis he went to the Astor House, where he -registered under an assumed name. He had been in New York before, and -breathed somewhat freely, believing that the great city offered better -facilities for concealment from the authorities than can be found in -the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains. - -Conscience makes cowards of us all, and Bob could never feel perfectly -secure. He feared every stranger whom he encountered on the streets -and who looked sharply at him was an officer that suspected his -identity and was meditating his arrest. - -Even when he read in the papers the account of the disaster at -Piketon, and saw the name of Wagstaff and himself as the two worthy -young men that were drowned, he failed to obtain the consolation that -might have been expected. He was known to a good many in New York, and -feared he could not keep his secret much longer. - -In this distressful state he dispatched a messenger boy to the home of -Jim McGovern, with the request that he would come to a certain room at -the Astor House to meet a person on important business. Bob did not -send a note or give his name, so that when the wondering Jim presented -himself at the famous hostelry, it was without the remotest suspicion -of whom he was to meet. - -Possibly the amazement of McGovern may be imagined when he stood in -the presence of the former captain of the Piketon Rangers and listened -to his story. - -"I have a great mind to sail for Europe," he said, after making the -facts known. - -"And why?" - -"Because I'll never be safe as long as I'm on this side of the -Atlantic; my attack on Dick Halliard will send me to prison for twenty -years." - -The frightened Bob now gave Jim a truthful account of his stopping -young Halliard on the highway and shooting at him. - -"Have you told your uncle and aunt that you are here?" asked McGovern, -without referring to the incident, which, of course, he heard for the -first time. - -"Gracious, no!" replied the startled Bob; "I wouldn't do it for the -world." - -"Don't you think you can trust them?" - -"I know they would do anything for me, but it is too risky; they would -be sure to drop some hint that would let the cat out of the bag." - -"You needn't be afraid of that; haven't you reflected, Bob, how -distressed they are over your supposed death?" - -"Yes, that is so, but I don't know how it can be helped; you see how I -am fixed." - -"You are mistaken, and before I can agree to stand by you I must -insist that you write a letter to your uncle, Captain Jim, and let -him know that the thousand dollars he has offered for the recovery of -your body is safe. You can ask that until he hears from you again he -and Aunt Ruth shall let no one one suspect you are alive. You know he -believes in you, and you have only to say that you have important -reasons for the request, and they will be sure to respect it." - -"I wish I could feel as certain about that as you do," said Bob, who -was made uncomfortable by the words of his friend. - -"I am certain, and I can't feel much sympathy for you as long as you -show yourself indifferent to the feelings of your best friends." - -"That's queer talk for you, Jim; you didn't think much about the -feelings of your folks when you and Tom run away from home." - -"I trust I am a different person from what I was then," said Jim, his -face flushing. - -Bob looked at him curiously, but did not speak the thought which came -into his mind at that moment. - -"Well," said he, with a sigh, "if you insist so strongly, why, I'll do -it." - -"When?" - -"In the course of a day or two." - -"I want you to do it _now_, while I am in this room." - -"But where's the hurry, Jim?" asked Bob, impatiently; "I don't see why -things need be rushed in the style you want." - -"Do it to oblige me, Bob, and then I have something to say to you -which is of importance and which will please you." - -"Let me hear it now," said Bob, brightening up with expectancy. - -"You sha'n't hear a word till after the letter is written." - -The task was distasteful to young Budd, and he held off for awhile -longer, but Jim would not let up. He was determined that the letter -should be written in his presence and before he went away. - -Seeing there was no escape, Bob turned to the stand containing writing -material, and addressed a brief note to his uncle, giving him the -important information that he had not suffered the slightest -inconvenience from the flood that drowned one of his companions and -came mighty near carrying off the other. - -The main portion of the letter was taken up with an emphatic request -of his uncle and aunt not to give the slightest hint of what they had -learned until they heard further from him. - -This letter was sealed and directed. - -"Let me have it," said Jim. - -"What for?" - -"I will drop it in the letter box as I go out." - -"Well, you beat the bugs," laughed Bob, passing the missive over to -him; "now, what have you to tell me?" - -It may be added that Bob Budd's letter promptly reached the astounded -Captain, who found it hard to keep the joyful news to himself, but he -managed to do so, as did his wife, who went into hysterics when the -news was first broken to her. - -But, as a means of averting suspicion, the Captain immediately doubled -the reward offered for the recovery of the body of his nephew. He -smiled grimly as he did so, and looked upon the matter as a capital -joke; but then some people do entertain peculiar ideas as to what -constitutes a joke. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -CONCLUSION - - -Jim McGovern now gave the particulars of his own escape through the -help of Dick Halliard, and of their memorable interview on the border -of the rushing flood, with the body of Tom Wagstaff lying at their -feet. Bob listened with deep interest until he had finished, and then -shook his head. - -"It beats anything I ever knew or heard tell of; but I don't feel safe -now that Halliard has the grip on me." - -"Of course, he told me nothing about that affair; but, since he got so -much the best of it, I'm sure he will be satisfied to let it go no -further. I'll guarantee it," added McGovern, with a glowing face. - -"I don't see how you can do that; but I'm inclined to believe you can -make it right with Dick." - -"Of course I can; such a fellow as he is will do anything in the world -for you." - -But Bob was not free from misgiving. He had dwelt upon the troublesome -matter until he had grown morbid. It assumed a magnitude in his mind -beyond the truth. - -"What are you going to do, Jim?" - -"If I live I shall enter Yale College at the next term, and try to be -something that my folks won't be ashamed of." - -"Whew! but that's a big flop for you, and you will lose a mighty deal -of fun by trying to be good." - -"You can have tenfold more than by the other way; I haven't tried it -long, it is true, but I have felt more genuine pleasure during these -few days than I ever knew in all my life; it will be the same with -you." - -Bob Budd sat silent a moment, looking out of the window. He had given -the same important subject a great deal of thought during the few days -that he imagined so many of those whom he met were hunting for him, -but the restraining power in his case was that he saw no safe way by -which to turn the sharp corner. So long as he was in danger of being -arrested so long he must remain a fugitive. - -Now the whole case was changed. He knew, despite the doubts he had -expressed, that Dick Halliard could be relied upon, and that not the -slightest risk was run in trusting to his honor. - -"Well, Jim," he said, after his brief silence, "_I'll try it_." - -The other extended his hand, and they shook cordially. - -"That's settled!" said McGovern, with much emphasis. He was wise -enough to refrain from any sermon, or disquisition upon the rewards -that were sure to accompany such a step. Bob understood the matter as -well as he did, and therefore needed no enlightenment. His friend -never displayed more admirable tact than he did by treating the mental -debate of the other as ended beyond all possibility of reopening. He -showed no doubt in his own mind, though, truth to tell, he was not -wholly free from misgiving. - -"Now," added Bob, with a laugh, "I suppose your next order will be for -me to go back to Piketon." - -"I don't know that there is anything better for you to do; but I have -been thinking that it might be better to bring Dick Halliard to New -York, that we can talk the whole thing over and reach a full -understanding before you return." - -"That suits me better." - -"Our folks are anxious to meet him, for I have told them so many -things about him that he has become quite a hero in their eyes. And -then there's another matter that I want to speak to you about," added -Jim, rising from his chair, opening the door and peering into the -hall, as if he feared that some one might overhear his words. - -"There's no danger of anything like that," said Bob, with a laugh; "we -are not of enough importance to have any one listening at the keyhole -to catch our words." - -"I don't know about that," replied Jim, with an air so mysterious that -the curiosity of his friend was aroused. "I guess I'll risk it; but no -one knows of it beside father and mother." - -And then Jim, in a guarded undertone, made known another momentous -secret, while his companion sat with open mouth and staring eyes -listening to his words. He did not speak until he had finished and -turned upon him with the question: - -"What do you think of _that_, Bob?" - -"I agree with you; I'll stand by you to the end; but what about Dick's -visit to New York?" - -"I'll write to him now and mail both letters as I go out." - -"Don't give him a hint about _me_," cautioned Bob, as the other -placed himself at the table. - -The letter, whose contents have already been known to the reader, was -written in the room of the Astor House where the other to Captain Budd -was formulated. Then Jim placed the two in his pocket and rose to go. - -"Won't you come and stay at our house?" he asked of Bob. - -"Thanks, no; I'll remain here; you can understand that it would be a -little embarrassing to meet your folks just now. When matters are -straightened out I will give you a call, and you will come down and -spend a week or two at Piketon." - -"That's a bargain, provided it is not in the character of a Piketon -Ranger," replied Jim, with a laugh. - -Shaking the hand of his friend he took his departure. - -That afternoon when Bob strolled up Broadway, he reflected that it was -the most enjoyable hour he had spent since his visit to the -metropolis. He feared no one now, and his future was brighter than he -ever dreamed it could be. - -When the telegram from Dick Halliard reached Jim McGovern, making -known on what train he would reach New York, he drove down to the -Astor House and took Bob to his own home, where he left him in the -library while he hastened to the station for Dick. - -We have already given a hint about their meeting, when Dick received -the greatest shock in all his life. For a few minutes he doubted his -own senses, but that it was the real Bob Budd before him he was -compelled to admit, after shaking his hand, looking in his laughing -face, and hearing his voice. - -The three sat for a couple of hours discussing the subject which was -nearest to each one's heart. Then Jim took his two friends out riding -in the Park, for it happened to be one of the most delightful of -autumn days. In the evening the family of Mr. McGovern made the -acquaintance of Dick and Bob, and the three visited a place of -entertainment. - -The McGoverns insisted on Dick spending a week with them, but, though -it would have given him rare pleasure to do so, he felt that he ought -to return at the end of the time he had named to Mr. Hunter. His -friends finally compromised by allowing him to go, with the -understanding that he was to pay the visit during the holidays. Dick -promised that if it lay in his power he would do so. - -The visit was made as per programme. - -Bob decided to stay in New York for several days, until the excitement -of his disappearance had time to subside. It was agreed that Dick on -his return should make known the astonishing news to the people in -Piketon, that they might not be frightened out of their wits when they -encountered him on the street. - -"I don't know how to fix it with them," said Bob, "and I will leave it -with you, Dick; your head is plumb, and you may be able to get up some -story which, while true, don't give me away too bad." - -"I'll do my best," said Dick, as he bade his friends good-bye for a -brief while. - -Upon reaching Piketon, Dick, after reporting at home, called on -Captain Jim and Aunt Ruth, whom he told of his meeting with their -nephew in New York. He brought a message to the effect that he would -soon be with them, and they were at liberty to make known all he had -told them, adding, by way of explanation, that he left for New York on -the evening of the flood on important business, which would soon be -finished, when he would be among them again. He had read in the papers -an account of the disaster, and was extremely sorry to learn of poor -Wagstaff's death. He hoped all his friends would overlook his failure -to notify them more promptly that he was alive and well. - -This was the story told by the captain and by Dick Halliard, and -though it was far from revealing everything, it cannot be said that it -partook of the nature of a falsehood. - -On the second day after Dick's return, a small box arrived by express -for Dick Halliard. When the wondering lad opened it he found within a -magnificent gold watch and chain. On the former was engraved the -following inscription: - - "From Bob and Jim, - - TO THEIR BEST FRIEND - Dick Halliard. - - WE ARE ALL NOW FELLOW-TRAVELERS - ALONG THE RIGHT PATH." - -And that was the secret of the mysterious communication of Jim -McGovern to Bob Budd in the room of the latter at the Astor House. - - - - - COMRADES TRUE - OR - PERSEVERANCE VS. GENIUS - - by Edward S. Ellis, A. M. - - Author of "Among the Esquimaux," "The Campers Out," etc. - - 320 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -In following the career of two friends from youth to manhood, this -popular author weaves a narrative of intense and at times thrilling -interest. One of the boys is endowed with brilliant talents, is quick -and impulsive, but after a few efforts is easily discouraged. The -other possessing only ordinary ability, is resolute and persevering, -overcoming all obstacles in his path until success is attained. - -This story possesses the usual exciting and interesting experiences -that occur in the lives of all bright and active youths. In point of -incident it is rather more than ordinarily realistic, as the two -heroes in their experiences pass through the recent calamitous forest -fires in northern Minnesota, and barely escape with their lives. - -The perusal of this story will not only prove fascinating, but its -teaching will encourage young men to depend for success in life upon -patience and perseverance in right paths, rather than upon great -natural gifts, real or fancied. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX - OR - ADVENTURES UNDER THE ARCTIC CIRCLE - - by Edward S. Ellis, A. M. - - Author of "The Campers Out," Etc - - 317 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -The incidents of this interesting story are laid in Greenland amid the -snows, the glaciers, and the barren regions which have engaged the -attention of explorers and navigators for centuries past. - -The main interest of the story centres about two bright boys whose -desire for discovery sometimes leads them into dangerous positions. -They visit an iceberg, and, while making a tour about it, their boat -slips away from her moorings. After a number of adventures, they are -finally rescued by a native Esquimau. With him and an old sailor who -accompanied them them to the iceberg, they go on a hunting expedition -into the interior of Greenland, and there they have a number of most -thrilling and exciting experiences, but none result seriously, and the -whole party is eventually restored to home and friends. - -The story is sure to prove interesting to any reader, and the moral -tone pervading it is such as will meet the approval of all parents. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - ANDY'S WARD - OR - THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM - - by James Otis - - Author of "The Braganza Diamond," "Chasing a Yacht," etc. - - 358 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -A peculiarly fascinating narrative of the life and experiences of -"Museum Marvels." They dwell in a house owned by a sword-swallower, -whose wife, the "Original Circassian," is entrusted with its -management. But one of the company, a dwarf, nicknamed the "Major," -insists upon taking charge, and the rest of the household, including a -fat lady, a giant, and a snake-charmer, stand more in awe of him than -of the owner of the house or his wife. - -Two boys, Andy and Jerry, are employed to wait upon this queerly -assorted family. Their troubles with the dwarf and his pets, during -which the boys are aided and counseled by the giant, make up the -lighter portion of the story. A tiny girl, who is even more of a dwarf -than the "Major," is introduced to the household by Andy, who claims -her as his ward, by virtue of a promise made to her brother when he -was dying. - -The private life of the marvels, their amusements, their wrangles, -especially the laughable encounters between the "Giant" and the -"Major," form a most interesting story. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - CHASING A YACHT - - by James Otis - - Author of "The Braganza Diamond," "Andy's Ward," etc. - - 350 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of -pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch -her, only to find the next morning that she is gone--stolen--as they -later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest -in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to -recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the -intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson -River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry -owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their -way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. -Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and -gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is -speedily restored to them. - -The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and -manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The -story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold -it until the last page is turned. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campers Out, by Edward S. Ellis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPERS OUT *** - -***** This file should be named 42504-8.txt or 42504-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/5/0/42504/ - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Campers Out - The Right Path and the Wrong - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Release Date: April 11, 2013 [EBook #42504] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPERS OUT *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE NEXT MOMENT SOME ONE WAS SEEN HOLDING A LAMP IN -HIS HAND] - - - - - THE CAMPERS OUT - - OR - - THE RIGHT PATH AND THE WRONG - - BY - EDWARD S. ELLIS, A. M. - - Author of "True to His Trust," - "Among the Esquimaux," etc. - - THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA MDCCCXCVIII - - - - - Copyright 1893 - by The Penn Publishing Company - - - - -CONTENTS - - I. The Plotters - II. How the Scheme Worked - III. A Startling Occurrence - IV. The Runaways - V. The Way of the Transgressor - VI. Sowing Seed - VII. One Afternoon in Autumn - VIII. Fellow-Passengers - IX. Dick Halliard - X. A Startling Summons - XI. No Joke - XII. The Victim of a Mistake - XIII. Adrift in the Swamp - XIV. Host and Guests - XV. The Forest Path - XVI. The Plotters - XVII. A Brave Exploit - XVIII. An Act of Forgetfulness - XIX. An Error of Judgment - XX. The Baying of a Hound - XXI. "Help! Help!" - XXII. Hot Quarters - XXIII. A Brilliant Shot - XXIV. Suspicious Footprints - XXV. Up a Tree - XXVI. Hunting the Hunters - XXVII. A Race for Life - XXVIII. A Cry from the Darkness - XXIX. A Sad Discovery - XXX. A Friend Indeed - XXXI. Dick Halliard Is Astounded - XXXII. How It Happened - XXXIII. Conclusion - - - - -THE CAMPERS OUT - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE PLOTTERS - - -Jim McGovern was poring over his lesson one afternoon in the Ashton -public school, perplexed by the thought that unless he mastered the -problem on which he was engaged he would be kept after the dismissal -of the rest, when he was startled by the fall of a twisted piece of -paper on his slate. - -He looked around to learn its starting point, when he observed Tom -Wagstaff, who was seated on the other side of the room, peeping over -the top of his book at him. Tom gave a wink which said plainly enough -that it was he who had flipped the message so dexterously across the -intervening space. - -Jim next glanced at the teacher, who was busy with a small girl that -had gone to his desk for help in her lessons. The coast being clear, -so to speak, he unfolded the paper and read: - - "Meat Bill Waylett and me after scool at the cross roads, for - the bizness is of the utmoast importants dont fale to be there - for the iurn is hot and we must strike be4 it gits cool. - - Tom." - -The meaning of this note, despite its Volapuek construction, was clear, -and Jim felt that he must be on hand at all hazards. - -So the urchin applied himself with renewed vigor to his task, and, -mastering it, found himself among the happy majority that were allowed -to leave school at the hour of dismissal. A complication, however, -arose from the fact that the writer of the note was one of those who -failed with his lesson, and was obliged to stay with a half-dozen -others until he recited it correctly. - -Thus it happened that Jim McGovern and Billy Waylett, after sauntering -to the crossroads, which had been named as the rendezvous, and waiting -until the rest of the pupils appeared, found themselves without their -leader. - -But they were not compelled to wait long, when the lad, who was older -than they, was seen hurrying along the highway, eager to meet and -explain to them the momentous business that had led him to call this -special meeting. - -"Fellers," said he, as he came panting up, "let's climb over the fence -and go among the trees." - -"What for?" asked Billy Waylett. - -"It won't do for anybody to hear us." - -"Well, they won't hear us," observed Jim McGovern, "if we stay here, -for we can see any one a half mile off." - -"But they might sneak up when we wasn't watching," insisted the -ringleader, who proceeded to scale the fence in the approved style of -boyhood, the others following him. - -Tom led the way for some distance among the trees, and then, when he -came to a halt, peered among the branches overhead, and between and -behind the trunks, to make sure no cowens were in the neighborhood. - -Finally, everything was found to be as he wished, and he broke the -important tidings in guarded undertones. - -"I say, boys, are you both going to stick?" - -"You bet we are," replied Billy, while Jim nodded his head several -times to give emphasis to his answer. - -"Well, don't you think the time has come to strike?" - -"I've been thinking so for two--three weeks," said Billy. - -"What I asked you two to meet me here for was to tell you that I've -made up my mind we must make a move. Old Mr. Stearns, our teacher, is -getting meaner every day; he gives us harder lessons than ever, and -this afternoon he piled it on so heavy I had to stay after you fellers -left. If Sam Bascomb hadn't sot behind me, and whispered two or three -of them words, I would have been stuck there yet." - -"He come mighty nigh catching me, too," observed Jim McGovern. - -"You know we've made up our minds to go West to shoot Injuns, and the -time has come to go." - -The sparkle of the other boys' eyes and the flush upon their ruddy -faces showed the pleasure which this announcement caused. The bliss of -going West to reduce the population of our aborigines had been in -their dreams for months, and they were impatient with their chosen -leader that he had deferred the delight so long. They were happy to -learn at last that the delay was at an end. - -"Now I want to know how you fellers have made out," said Tom, with an -inquiring look from one to the other. - -"I guess you'll find we've done purty well," said Jim; "anyways I know -_I_ have; I stole my sister's gold watch the other night and sold -it to a peddler for ten dollars." - -"What did you do with the ten dollars?" - -"I bought a revolver and a lot of cartridges. Oh! I tell you I'm -primed and ready, and I'm in favor of not leaving a single Injun in -the West!" - -"Them's my idees," chimed Billy Waylett. - -"Well, how have _you_ made out, Billy?" - -"I got hold of father's watch, day before yesterday, but he catched me -when I was sneaking out of the house and wanted to know what I was up -to. I told him I thought it needed cleaning and was going to take it -down to the jeweler's to have it 'tended to." - -"Well, what then?" - -Billy sighed as he said, meekly: - -"Father said he guessed I was the one that needed 'tending to, and he -catched me by the nape of the neck, and, boys, was you ever whipped -with a skate strap?" - -His friends shook their heads as an intimation that they had never -been through that experience. - -"Well, I hope you never will; but, say," he added, brightening up, -"mother has a way of leaving her pocket-book layin' round that's awful -mean, 'cause it sets a fellow to wishing for it. Pop makes her an -allowance of one hundred dollars a month to run things, and last night -I scooped twenty dollars out of her pocket-book, when it laid on the -bureau in her room." - -"Did she find it out?" asked Tom Wagstaff. - -"Didn't she? Well, you had better believe she did, and she raised -Cain, but I fixed things." - -"How?" asked his companions, deeply interested. - -"I told her I seen Kate, our hired girl, coming out of the room on -tip-toe, just after dark. Then mother went for Kate, and she cried and -said she wouldn't do a thing like that to save her from starving. It -didn't do no good, for mother bounced her." - -No thought of the burning injustice done an honest servant entered the -thought of any one of the three boys. They chuckled and laughed, and -agreed that the trick was one of the brightest of the kind they had -ever known. Could the other two have done as well, the party would -have been on their Westward jaunt at that moment. - -"I've sometimes thought," said Tom Wagstaff, "that the old folks must -have a 'spicion of what's going on, for they watch me so close that I -haven't had a chance to steal a dollar, and you know it will never do -to start without plenty of money; but I've a plan that'll fetch 'em," -he added, with a meaning shake of his head. - -"What is it?" - -"I'll tell you in a minute; you see I've got everything down fine, and -I've made some changes in our plans." - -His companions listened closely. - -"You know that when we got through reading that splendid book, -'Roaring Ralph, the Cyclone of the Rockies,' we made up our minds that -we must have two revolvers and a Winchester repeating rifle apiece -before we started?" - -The others nodded, to signify that they remembered the understanding. - -"I was talking with a tramp the other day, who told me that he spends -each winter among the Rocky Mountains killing Injins, and it's the -biggest kind of fun. He says he steals up to a camp where there's -'bout fifty or a hundred of 'em, and makes a noise like a grizzly -bear. That scares 'em so they all jump up and run for the woods. He -takes after them and chases 'em till they climb the trees. Then, when -they are all trying to hide among the limbs, beggin' for their lives, -he begins. He takes his place in the middle, and keeps popping away -until he has dropped 'em all. He says he has to stop sometimes to -laugh at the way they come tumbling down, a good many of 'em falling -on their heads. One time he treed forty-seven of 'em where the ground -was soft and swampy. Twelve of the bravest Injin warriors turned over -in falling through the limbs and struck on their scalps. The ground -bein' soft, they sunk down over their shoulders, and stayed there -wrong-side up. He said he almost died a-laughing, to see their legs -sticking up in air, and they kicking like the mischief. When he got -through there was twelve Injins with their legs out of the ground and -their heads below. He said it looked as though some one had been -planting Injins and they was sproutin' up mighty lively. He tried to -pull 'em out, so as to get their scalps, but they was stuck fast and -he had to give it up." - -"And didn't he get their scalps?" asked Jimmy McGovern. - -"No; it almost broke his heart to leave 'em, but he had to, for there -was some other Injins to look after. Well, this tramp told me that all -we needed was a revolver apiece." - -"Oh! pshaw!" exclaimed Billy, "we can't get along without rifles of -the repeating kind." - -"Of course not, but we must wait till we arrive out West before we buy -'em. If each of us has a gun on our shoulder we're liable to be -stopped by the officers." - -"Well, if the officers git too sassy," suggested Billy, "why we'll -drop _them_ in their tracks and run." - -"That might do if there wasn't so many of 'em. We don't want to bother -with them, for we're goin' for Injins, and now and then a grizzly -bear." - -"I'm willing to do what you think is best; but who is this tramp that -told you so much?" - -"He said he was called Snakeroot Sam, because he rooted so hard for -rattlesnakes. He tells me what we want is plenty of money, and it was -our duty to steal everything we can from our parents and keep it till -we get out West, where we can buy our Winchesters. If the people -charge too much or act sassy like we can plug them and take the guns -away from 'em." - -This scheme struck the listeners favorably, and they smiled, nodded -their heads, and fairly smacked their lips at the prospect of the -glorious sport awaiting them. - -"Snakeroot Sam is a mighty clever feller, and he says he will help us -all he can. When we get enough money we are to let him know, and he -will take charge of us. That will be lucky, for he can be our guide. -He isn't very clean-looking," added Tom, with a vivid recollection of -the frowsy appearance of the individual; "but he tells me that after -we cross the Mississippi it's very dangerous to have our clothing -washed, 'cause there's something in the water that don't agree with -the people. That's the reason why he has his washed only once a year, -and then he says he almost catches his death of cold." - -"Gracious!" said Billy, "if he knows so much about the West, we must -have him for our guide. Injin slayers always have to have a guide and -we'll hire him." - -"That's my idee exactly. I spoke to Sam about it, and he said he would -like to oblige us very much, though he had two or three contracts on -hand which was worth a good many thousand dollars to him, but he liked -my looks so well he'd throw them up and join us." - -"How much will he charge?" - -"I didn't ask him that; but he's a fair man and will make it all -right. What I don't want you to forget, boys, is that we've got to -raise a good deal more money." - -"What a pity I didn't steal all there was in mother's pocket-book when -I had such a good chance," remarked Billy, with a sigh; "if I get -another chance I'll fix it." - -"I think I can slip into father's room tonight after he's asleep," -added Jim McGovern, "and if I do, I'll clean him out." - -"You fellers have a better chance than me," said Tom, "but I'm going -to beat you both and have twice as much money as you." - -This was stirring news to the other boys, who were seated on the -ground at the feet, as may be said, of their champion. They asked him -in awed voices to explain. - -"You've got a pistol, Jimmy?" - -"Yes; a regular five-chambered one, and I've got a lot of cartridges, -too." - -"There's going to be a concert at the Hall to-night," added Tom, -peering behind, around, and among the trees again to make sure no one -else heard his words, "and father and mother are going. They will take -all the children, too, except me." - -"How's that?" - -"He says I was such a bad boy yesterday that he means to punish me by -making me stay at home, but that's just what I want him to do, and if -he feels sort of sorry and lets up, I'll pretend I'm sick so he will -leave me behind. I tell you, fellows, Providence is on our side and -we're going to win." - -His companions shared the faith of the young scamp, who now proceeded -to unfold his astounding scheme. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -HOW THE SCHEME WORKED - - -"The folks will leave the house," said Tom Wagstaff, "about half-past -seven, and there will be no one home but me and Maggie, the girl. I'll -be up in my room and Maggie down-stairs. When I lean out the window -and wave my hand I want you, Jim, to fire two or three charges out of -your revolver through the winders of the dining-room." - -"What for?" asked the startled Jim. - -"Wait, and I'll tell you; the noise of the pistol and the breaking of -the glass will scare Maggie half to death: she will run out of the -house, and you and Billy must then slip inside, hurry up-stairs, tie -me to the bed-post, and put a gag in my mouth. I'll have all the money -and jewelry ready in a handkerchief, and you can scoot with it. Maggie -will run down to the Hall and tell father and mother, and they'll -hurry home and be so scared they won't know what to do. They'll untie -me, and I'll pretend I'm almost dead, and they'll call in the police, -and when I come to, I'll have a story to tell about robbers with masks -on their faces, and all that sort of thing, and they'll hunt for 'em, -and never smell a mouse. What do you think of it, fellers?" - -It was a scheme which, in its vicious cunning, was worthy of older -scamps than these three young school-boys; but their minds were -poisoned by pernicious reading, and they eagerly entered into its -spirit. Everything promised success, and Tom, the originator of the -plan, found his companions as eager as himself to lend a hand in -carrying it out. - -It seemed as if fate had arranged to help the boys. When the three -climbed over the fence again into the highway, and separated to their -homes, Tom, in order that there should be no miscarriage of the -programme, took pains to be particularly ugly and impudent to his -parents. His kind-hearted father was disposed at first to recall the -threat made in the morning that his son should not go with the rest to -the concert in the Town Hall, but he was so irritated by the behavior -of the lad that he not only carried out his threat, but was on the -point of chastising him before leaving home. - -It followed, therefore, that when eight o'clock came, the condition of -the household was just what Tom prophesied and wished. Maggie, the -hired girl, was busy at her duties below-stairs, when he stole softly -to the upper story and began his work of ransacking the -bureau-drawers. He found considerable jewelry belonging to his mother -and sisters, besides over seventy dollars in money which his father -had left within easy reach. - -All this was gathered into a handkerchief, which was securely tied and -placed on a chair beside the window, where the gas was burning at full -head. Then, everything being in readiness, he quietly raised the -window and looked out. - -The night was dark, without any moon, and even his keen eyes could -detect nothing among the dense trees which surrounded the fine -residence of his father. But, when he whistled, there was a reply from -under the branches which he recognized as coming from his allies, who -were on the lookout. - -Tom waved his hand, lowered the sash, and stepped back from the -window. - -Maggie was singing below-stairs and, with that exception, everything -was still. His heart beat fast as he knew that the opening of the -drama, as it may be called, was at hand. - -Suddenly the sharp report of a pistol rang out on the night, followed -by a second and third shot, mingled with the crash and jingle of -glass. Jim McGovern was doing his part with unquestioned promptness. - -The singing of Maggie ceased as if she were paralyzed by the shock; -but with the third report her scream pierced every nook in the -building, and she was heard running to and fro as if in blind terror. -She would have dashed up-stairs to escape, but a noise on the rear -porch caused her to believe the burglars were about entering the -building, and she was certain to be killed if she remained. - -Through the front door she went in the darkness, her screams stilled -through fear that the dreaded beings would be guided by them; and, -recovering her senses somewhat when she reached the street, she -hurried in the direction of the Town Hall to acquaint Mr. and Mrs. -Wagstaff with the awful goings-on at home. - -Billy Waylett and Jim McGovern were on the watch, and the moment she -vanished they entered through the rear door, which remained unlocked, -and hastened up-stairs to the room where the gas was burning and from -which Tom had signalled to them. - -"Quick, fellers!" he said, as they burst into the apartment, "father -will soon be back." - -"Where's the rope?" asked Jim. - -"There on the chair." - -"What's that handkerchief for?" - -"The money and jewelry is in it; tie me first and then hurry out with -that, and take good care of it till to-morrow, when we will fix -things; hurry up!" - -Billy had the rope in hand, and both boys set to work to bind the -young rogue to the bed-post. Since the victim gave all the aid he -could, the task was completed with less delay and difficulty than -would have been supposed. - -This was due also to the preparations which Tom had made for the -business. A strong bed-cord, cut in several pieces, was at hand. His -wrists were bound together behind his back; then his ankles were -joined, and finally the longest piece of rope was wound several times -around his waist and made fast to the bed-post. This rendered him -helpless, and he could not have released himself had his life been at -stake. - -But the shrewd boy knew that something more must be done. Though tied -securely, his mouth was at command, and it was to be expected that he -would use his voice with the fullest power the moment his captors left -him alone. - -But with all the cunning displayed by Tom, and with all his perfect -preparations in other respects, and after having referred to the -necessity of the gagging operation, he had forgotten to be ready for -it. - -"What shall we put in your mouth?" asked Jim, pausing and looking -round after the binding was finished. - -"Golly! I forgot all about that," was the reply. - -Billy darted to the bureau and caught up a large hair-brush. - -"How'll this do?" he asked, holding it up to view. - -"It won't do at all," was the disgusted reply; "it's too big for my -mouth." - -"I don't know 'bout that; you've got the biggest mouth in school." - -"We'll take a sheet off the bed," said Jim, beginning to tug at the -coverlets. - -"What's the matter with you?" asked Tom; "do you think you can cram a -whole sheet in my mouth?" - -"Why not?" - -"'Cause you can't; that's the reason." - -"I have it," exclaimed Billy, running to the corner of the room and -catching up a porcelain cuspidor; "this will just fit. Open your -mouth, Tom, and give me a chance." - -But at this juncture, when the perplexity threatened to upset -everything, Billy Waylett solved the difficulty by whisking out his -linen pocket-handkerchief. - -"Now you're talking," remarked the pleased Tom; "why didn't we think -of that before?" - -It was curious, indeed, that they did not, and it was curious, too, in -view of the cunning shown in other directions, that all three forgot a -precaution which ought to have occurred to them. - -A handkerchief was just the thing to be used to seal the mouth of the -victim, but it should have come from the pocket of Tom Wagstaff -instead of from Billy Waylett's. - -Perhaps had the boys felt that abundance of time was at command, they -would have thought of this necessity; but they were well aware that -Maggie, the servant, was making good speed to the Town Hall, and that -Mr. Wagstaff would not let the grass grow under his feet on his way -home. Besides, too, the screams of the girl were likely to bring -others to the spot before the coming of the owner of the house. The -boys, therefore, had not a minute to throw away, and they did not idle -their time. - -The twisted handkerchief was pushed between the open jaws of the -victim, like the bit in a horse's mouth, and then knotted and tied -behind his head. Billy, who took charge of this little job, was not -over-gentle, and more than once the victim protested. Little heed, -however, was paid to him, and his words were but feeble mumblings when -sifted through the meshes of the handkerchief. - -"There! I guess that'll do," said Billy, stepping back and surveying -his work; "how do you feel, Tommy?" - -The latter nodded his head, mumbled, and tried to speak. He was urging -them to leave, but his words were unintelligible. - -Meanwhile Jim had picked up the other handkerchief, tied at the -corners, and was surprised to find how heavy it was. It contained much -valuable property. - -The boys were reminded of their remissness by the sound of voices on -the outside. Neighbors were at hand. - -"We're caught; it's too late; what shall we do?" gasped Jim, dropping -the handkerchief with its precious contents. - -"They will hang us for bigamy," replied Billy, turning pale and -trembling in every limb. - -Tom Wagstaff tried hard to utter a few words, and was struggling to -free himself, but succeeded in neither attempt. - -"Come on!" whispered Jim, catching up his load again; "they haven't -got in, and we may have a chance." - -He whisked through the open door, and scurried down the carpeted -stairs, with Billy so close on his heels that both narrowly escaped -bumping and rolling to the bottom. - -The voices were louder, and it looked as if the youngsters were -caught. - -And such would have been the case, but for the timidity of the parties -out-doors. They had been drawn thither by the out-cries of the -servant, and were convinced that some fearful tragedy was going on, or -had been completed within the dwelling. - -These people were unarmed, and it was only natural that they should -shrink from entering where several desperate men were supposed to be -at bay. They consulted with each other and decided to await the -arrival of re-enforcements. - -This was the golden opportunity of the young scamps. The rear door was -ajar and they noiselessly drew it inward far enough to allow them to -pass through. - -Before venturing forth they peeped out in the darkness. They could see -nothing, though, for that matter, there might have been a dozen -persons within a few feet without being visible; but the room in which -the lads stood was also without a light, so that the advantage was -equal. - -The sound of the voices showed that the new arrivals were at the -front, and the way was open for the flight of the amateur burglars, -who still hesitated, afraid that men were lying in wait to nab them. - -More than likely they would have tarried too long, but for a movement -on the part of the newcomers. They were increasing so fast that they -became courageous, and one of them pushed open the front door. - -The creaking of its hinges and the tramping in the adjoining room -spurred Jim and Billy, who hesitated no longer. Through the door they -stole on tip-toe, and a few steps took them across the porch to the -soft ground, where the soft earth gave back no sound. The trees, too, -seemed to spread their protecting branches over them, and inspired -them with such courage that, after hurrying a few rods, they came to a -stop and looked back and listened. - -"By George! that was the luckiest thing that ever happened to us!" -whispered Jim McGovern, with a sigh of relief. - -"That's so," assented his companion; "I thought we was goners sure, -and we come mighty nigh it." - -"I wonder whether that gag is too tight in Tom's mouth?" - -"No, of course not; can't he breathe through his nose?" - -"But mebbe he has a cold." - -"That won't make any difference, for he knows how to breathe through -his ears; Tom's too smart to die yet. Besides, if he _is_ dead, -it's too late for us to help him; them folks are upstairs by this -time, and they'll get the handkerchief out of his mouth in a jiffy, -unless, mebbe, he has swallowed it." - -"I say, Billy," said Jim, "this thing in my hand weighs more than a -ton!" - -"It must have lots of gold in it; shall I help you carry it?" - -"No, I can manage it; but what shall we do with the thing? It won't do -to take it home, for our folks might find it." - -"We'll bury it under that stump back of our barn." - -"Is that a good place?" - -"There aint any better in the world, for nobody wouldn't think of -looking there for it." - -"I seen our dog Bowser pawing under the stump the other day." - -"But he wasn't pawing for money; we'll hide it there till we're ready -to use it." - -The two moved off, when they heard another cry from the house behind -them. They recognized it as the voice of Mrs. Wagstaff, who had -arrived on the scene with her husband, and was probably overcome at -sight of the woful plight of her boy. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A STARTLING OCCURRENCE - - -Mr. Wagstaff, on receiving word at the Town Hall from the janitor who -brought the message of the terrified servant to him, forgot, in his -excitement, to tell his wife of the fearful news, and rushed -out-of-doors without a word. - -Mrs. Wagstaff knew it must be something awful that had called him away -in that style, and she lost no time in following, while the children -scrambled after them at varying distances. - -The husband entered the door through which several of the neighbors -had timidly passed, only a few paces ahead of his wife, who was -upstairs almost as soon as he. - -"Oh! my dear Tommy," she wailed, as she caught sight of the silent -figure fastened at the foot of the bed; "have they killed you?" - -The sight was enough to startle any parent. The father had just jerked -the handkerchief loose and flung it to the floor, and the lad's head -was drooping over on one shoulder, his eyes half-closed, and his -tongue protruding. The parent caught up a pitcher of water and dashed -it in his face, while the mother frantically strove to unfasten the -cruel thongs at the wrists and ankles. - -The unexpected shock of the water startled Tommy into gasping and -opening his eyes, but his look was dazed and aimless. His father -whipped out his pocket-knife and quickly cut the thongs. The released -boy would have fallen had not both parents seized and laid him on the -bed, where he moaned as if suffering greatly. - -"Send for the doctor at once," said the mother. - -"And call in the police," added the father; "a dastardly outrage has -been committed; it may prove murder." - -By this time the room was filled with horrified and sympathizing -neighbors. The solicitude of the parents for their child caused them -to pay no heed to the visitors until the father, seeing a friend at -his elbow, begged him to clear the house of intruders, and to admit no -one except the physician or an officer of the law. - -It took but a few minutes to comply with this request, and the parents -were left to give undivided attention to their suffering child, who -continued to moan and roll his eyes as if he were at his last gasp. - -The father was anxious, silent, and watchful; the mother demonstrative -and weeping. She rubbed her boy's hands, chafed his limbs, gazing -lovingly the meanwhile in his face, and begging him to speak to her. -Maggie, the servant, had regained her senses, now that she was sure -she was alive and the precious heir had not been killed. She took upon -herself to fasten the doors and keep out intruders, finding time to -make a search up-stairs, which needed to be extended only a few -minutes to learn that an extensive robbery had been committed. - -"Of course," remarked Mr. Wagstaff, when the amount of his loss, as -well as that of his wife, was reported to him, "I knew what had been -done the moment I saw my poor boy." - -"Don't tell me," said the mother, waving the servant away, "I don't -care if they have taken everything in the house, so long as my darling -Tommy lives." - -Her heart was kept in a state of torture by the alarming symptoms of -her heir. At times he seemed about to revive, a look of intelligence -coming into his eyes, but, after several gasping efforts to speak, he -sank back on his pillow and gave it up as a failure. - -By and by, in the midst of the trying scene, the physician arrived and -took charge of the patient. He was a wise old gentleman of wide -experience, and his cheerful words did much to awaken hope in the -parents, who hung on his words and watched his manner. - -It required but a few minutes for him to make known that their child -was not seriously hurt. During his examination he gleaned the -particulars of the outrage, and succeeded in getting Tommy into a -sitting posture. Then he expressed the belief that if the boy's senses -did not come to him very soon he would have to bore a hole through his -crown with a large auger. - -This astounding declaration was meant for the benefit of Tommy alone, -a sly wink at the parents preventing them from taking alarm. It was -noteworthy that the boy began to pick up at once, and in the course of -a few minutes was entirely himself. - -When the chief of police arrived the urchin was able to talk with -something of his usual facility, and imparted to his awed listeners -his account of the daring outrage and crime. - -He said he did not feel very well after his folks left for the -concert, and he went up-stairs to lie down on his parents' bed. He -thought it strange that the gas was lit, though it was turned down, -but he supposed it had been done by Maggie. - -Just as he lay down he fancied he heard a man moving softly about the -room. He rose from the bed and was about to call out, when he became -sure that there were two persons near him. Before he could give the -alarm he was seized and told that if he made any noise he would be -instantly killed. - -Still the brave boy tried to shout, when he was gagged, bound, and -tied to the bed-post, where he remained while the robbery went on -around him. - -The doctor having pronounced Tommy out of danger, his parents became -more composed, and listened quietly to the questioning of the chief of -police, who was one of the shrewdest members of his profession. - -He listened gravely until the questions of the others were finished, -when he asked Tommy to describe the appearance of the criminals so far -as he could. The lad did so quite glibly. Both of the intruders were -masked, wore soft, slouch hats, long dark coats buttoned to their -chins, had gruff voices, and one of them took a dreadful-looking -revolver from his side pocket, and seemed to be on the point of -discharging several of the chambers at the captive. - -Chief Hungerford asked the latter about the shots that had broken the -glass down-stairs, and given the servant such a fright. At first Tommy -declared he did not hear them, but upon being questioned further, -recalled that he did hear something of the kind just after he was -bound. - -"Is this the handkerchief with which he was gagged?" asked the -officer, picking up the article from the floor. - -"Yes, that's it," replied the father, who had snatched it from the -head of his son the instant he reached the room. - -The chief continued talking without looking further at the linen, but -when the attention of the couple was diverted he slipped it into his -pocket. Then he asked liberty to make an examination of the house. -Permission was cheerfully accorded, and he spent a half-hour in going -through the lower story in his own peculiar but thorough manner. - -At the end of that period he came back to the room where the parents, -brothers, and sisters were coddling poor Tommy, who was muffled up in -a rocking-chair, sipping lemonade, sucking oranges, and nibbling the -choicest candy. Now and then he would start convulsively and beg them -to take away those bad men, and not let them hurt him. Then, when he -was reassured by the kind words of the loving ones around him, he -complained of his throat, and found it helpful to swallow more -lemonade and take an additional suck or two at one of the oranges -pressed upon him. - -Chief Hungerford stood in the door of the room, hat in hand, and -looked fixedly at the lad for a minute or two before speaking. Even -then it was only in answer to the question of Mr. Wagstaff. - -"What have you found?" - -"Nothing special, sir; there have been so many people in the house -tramping back and forth, that they have destroyed what clews we might -have discovered. Then, too, the job was so easy that there was no need -of leaving any traces." - -"How was that?" - -"Why the doors were unlocked, so that they had only to open and enter -without forcing a window or fastening anywhere. After they got inside -they found you were kind enough to leave keys wherever they were -needed, and consequently no violence was required up-stairs." - -"But why did they fire those shots through the window down-stairs?" - -"That was to frighten away the servant." - -"It seems a strange proceeding when the reports were sure to be heard -and bring people here, while the servant herself was certain to raise -the alarm. They might have bound and scared her into quiescence." - -The chief of police had thought of all this before, and looked upon it -as one of the peculiar features of the business; but he smiled, and -said, in his off-hand fashion: - -"It may strike us both as a little odd, but the best proof of the -wisdom of what the scamps did is the fact that they got off with the -plunder and have not left the first clew behind. Well, good-evening -all; I will report as soon as I pick up anything worth telling." - -And courteously saluting the family he descended the stairs and passed -out of the door. Before doing so he questioned the servant on what -seemed unimportant points. Finally he entered the street and was -obliged to answer the innumerable questions that were asked him at -every turn. He had found it necessary to station a couple of his men -on the premises to keep away the curious people, who persisted in -crowding forward through the grounds and even into the house itself. - -The rumors on the streets did not astonish him, even though they were -to the effect that Tommy (everybody called him "Tommy" since his -mishap) had been strangled to death, his last breath leaving him just -as he was caught in his mother's arms, and that Maggie the servant had -been attacked and badly wounded, but escaped by leaping from the -second story window and running to the Town Hall, where the family -were attending a concert. - -When the chief entered his private room he drew the handkerchief from -his pocket, spread it out on his desk under a strong gaslight and -carefully examined it. - -He had little hope of finding anything worth knowing, but he was too -wise to neglect the least step. He carefully went over the somewhat -soiled piece of linen and smiled to himself when he observed that a -name was written in the corner in indelible ink. - -"Burglars aint apt to carry handkerchiefs around even with their -initials written on them, but one of these gentry has been kind enough -to give us his whole name. It is written so legibly, too, that I can -read it without my glasses. Ah, '_William Waylett_!' there it is -as plain as print. - -"It strikes me," continued the chief, following the train of thought, -"that I've heard that name before. Jim Waylett was my classmate in -college, and he has three daughters and one boy. The name of the -youngster is William, generally called Billy. That chap is the owner -of this handkerchief as sure as a gun." - -By this time, as the reader will perceive, the sagacious officer was -not only on the right trail, but advancing rapidly to the correct -conclusion. He had not heard all of Tommy Wagstaff's story before he -began to grow suspicious. His experience enabled him to detect more -than one inconsistency despite the skill of the tremendous falsifier -who built up the structure. - -Investigation and further questioning confirmed this suspicion until, -when he left the house, all doubt was gone. He knew that no man had -visited the Wagstaff home that night or taken any part in the -indignities to which Master Tommy was subjected. - -But it was equally clear that the young rogue had had partners in his -shameless trick, and the chief meant to learn who they were. - -He was confident that he could find them out from Tommy himself, whom -he could handle in such a way as to force a confession, but while the -parents, especially the mother, were in such a state of excitement, -they would be indignant at the first hint of the boy's trickery, and -would defeat what advantage he might gain if left alone with him. - -"They will come to it in the course of a few days," reflected the -officer, who had seen similar scenes before, "and it won't do any harm -to wait until then. I will get a chance at the boy before long, and, -if I don't force it out of him, then I'll resign my office and take to -the woods." - -The chief was desirous also of sparing the feelings of the parents of -the boy, whom he liked. They would feel much worse if compelled to -admit the truth after first refusing to listen to his suggestion. -Then, too, he had another boy to work upon. Billy Waylett must know -something of the affair. At any rate, he could tell how it was his -handkerchief came to be used to gag one of his playmates, and -_that_ little piece of information was likely to give him just -the clew that was needed. - -"I'll wait until things get cool," concluded the chief, who happened -to have other matters pressing upon his attention just then. - -Accordingly he gave his whole energies to the business which took him -out of Ashton for a part of two days. When he returned it was with the -resolve to take hold of the matter in earnest, but to his dismay, when -he came to make inquiry, he was told that Tommy Wagstaff, Jimmy -McGovern, and Billy Waylett had disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE RUNAWAYS - - -That fate which had seemed to favor the three audacious youngsters did -not desert them when the critical point in their enterprise arrived. - -The chief of police was wise in restraining any hint of what was in -his mind to the parents of Tommy Wagstaff. It would have been repelled -with wrath and made them enemies--all the more bitter, perhaps, when it -should appear that the wise officer was right. - -The youngster, having suffered so cruelly, received every compensation -his friends could give him. His father reproved himself for making him -stay home from the concert. Had he taken him with him, the outrage -never could have occurred. - -The mother heaped favors upon her darling Tommy, who might have -luxuriated for weeks on the general sympathy felt for him. He was -visited by several newspaper reporters, who took down the thrilling -account from his own lips. The chief trouble in these cases was the -wide variance in the versions given by the lad. In some instances he -insisted there were three burglars, in others only two, while to one -young man in spectacles, he solemnly averred that there were seven by -actual count, and that they were all armed with tomahawks and scalping -knives. These wild statements were attributed to the lad's nervousness -instead of to the real cause. - -But on the next afternoon, or rather evening, Tommy did not make his -appearance at supper. The mother was greatly frightened and believed -the robbers had returned to revenge themselves upon her darling for -telling the truth about them. - -Before the evening was late, Mr. Wagstaff learned that Tommy, -accompanied by Billy Waylett and Jimmy McGovern, had been seen -hurrying in the direction of the railway station. Inquiry there -revealed the fact all three had bought tickets for New York. - -About this time a dim suspicion took shape in the mind of Mr. -Wagstaff. He gave no hint to his wife, but he telegraphed the -authorities in the metropolis to look out for three boys, and to -arrest them at once and communicate with their parents, Messrs. -Waylett and McGovern having joined in the request. - -New York was so near Ashton that the runaways arrived there more than -an hour before the telegram was sent, otherwise they would have been -returned to their homes the same evening. - -Their fathers next held a conference, and on the following day applied -to the chief of police for counsel. That gentleman listened grimly to -them, and then quietly said that the robbery of Mr. Wagstaff's home -had been planned and carried out by the three lads without help from -any one else. They were shocked, but when he showed Billy Waylett's -handkerchief, which had been used to check the utterance of Tommy, and -pointed out the numerous tell-tale slips made by the boys, especially -the shooting through the windows, they were convinced, and became -eager to capture them at the earliest possible moment, each parent -declaring that the instant his son was brought within reach, he would -give him a trouncing that he would remember to his dying day. - -It was arranged that Chief Hungerford should undertake to hunt them -up, and he readily agreed to do so, for the gentlemen were warm -friends of his, for whom he was ready to make any reasonable -sacrifice. - -And now that a pursuer is on the trail of the runaways, let us see how -they got along. - -The indulgence shown Tommy by his parents gave him just the -opportunity he wanted. He was able to hold several meetings with his -intended partners, without any one suspecting what was going on, and -the arrangements were made for starting for New York on the afternoon -following the supposed robbery. - -In one respect, the lads showed a wisdom beyond their years. Knowing -that prompt search would be made for them, and that they were likely -to be looked upon with suspicion, they decided to leave the stolen -jewelry where it had been placed beneath the old stump. If worse came -to worse, they could return and draw upon it, but if they should try -to sell the valuables in New York, they would be arrested on -suspicion. - -So they wisely left the jewelry behind, and took with them only a -single gold watch, which Tommy wore, since it was the property of his -father. They found that they had fully a hundred dollars in money, -which, as nearly as they could learn, would carry them most of the -distance they wished to go, when such bright chaps would have no -trouble in hitting upon the means for raising the wind. - -Since they expected to meet Snakeroot Sam, it was intended to send him -back to Ashton, to sell the plunder for them, inasmuch as he could -readily do it without danger, and was so honest that he would turn -over every penny of the proceeds to them. - -Reaching New York ahead of the telegram, they were too wise to linger -around the large station at Forty-second Street. More than likely, all -three of their irate fathers would be there in the course of an hour -or two, and it was, therefore, no place for them. - -Since it was growing dark, they decided to put up at some obscure -hotel, under assumed names, and make an early start for the West. The -wisdom shown by the lads was astonishing--the oldest of whom had not -seen fourteen years. They had talked and discussed the venture for -months, and stored their minds with all the information obtainable. -Consequently, when they sauntered out on the street, and, after some -inquiries, reached Broadway, they attracted no special attention. They -were well dressed, and the additional revolvers which they speedily -bought were carried out of sight, so that there was no noticeable -difference between them and the hundreds of other boys who may be met -on any day in the great metropolis of our country. - -Billy Waylett, being the youngest, needed some coaching, but he was -tractable, and the lads were fortunate enough to escape the sharks -that are always waiting in the large cities for just such prey as they -would have proved. - -The only thing that worried Tommy Wagstaff was the fact that he did -not know how to find Snakeroot Sam. That worthy had been told of the -intended start for the West, but, of course, the leader could not give -him the precise date of their departure. It was known, however, that -he spent a good deal of his time in New York city, and the leader of -the party instructed his companions to keep a sharp lookout for him. -They did so, but though they pointed out several persons who answered -his description, none of them proved to be the individual they were so -anxious to meet, and who, doubtless, would have blessed his lucky -stars could he have met them. - -Tommy Wagstaff was satisfied that the crisis in their enterprise would -come when they reached the ferry to buy their railway tickets. -Officers would be on the watch for them, and if the three should -present themselves at the office and pay their fare to Chicago or some -other Western point, they were quite sure to be stopped and compelled -to give an account of themselves. - -Accordingly, he arranged the matter with the shrewdness he had shown -from the first. They separated at the foot of Cortlandt Street and -made their way into the railway office, as though they were strangers -to each other. Billy had enough money to buy a ticket to New -Brunswick, and Jimmy to procure one to Trenton, while Tommy, who had -taken charge of the entire funds, paid his fare to Philadelphia. Then -they passed through the narrow gateway upon the ferryboat. - -The three were alarmed by the sight of a blue-coated policeman, -standing at the broad entrance to the ferry, and who scrutinized them -sharply as they joined the swarm hurrying upon the boat. The officer -followed Billy with his eyes, and seemed on the point of starting -after him. The youngster's heart was in his throat, and he wished that -something would blow up and scatter everybody so far apart that no -policeman could see him. - -So guarded were the boys they did not speak to each other while -crossing the ferry, indulging in only an occasional sly glance, as -they stepped off the boat and passed up the slip. - -Here they were startled again, for the big policeman near the -passageway to the trains, after one keen look at Billy, asked him -where he was going. - -"To New Brunswick," was the slightly tremulous reply. - -"Let me see your ticket," was the gruff command. - -Billy fished out the pasteboard and showed it to the terrible fellow, -who was not yet satisfied. - -"What are you doing in New York?" - -"I aint in New York; I am in Jersey City." - -The officer smiled at the manner in which he had tripped, and asked: - -"Where are the other two boys that came with you?" - -Billy came nigh breaking down. He saw Tommy and Jimmy watching him -from a little way, and his naturally quick wit came to his relief. - -"What two boys are you talking 'bout? Don't you see there's nobody -with me, and if you keep me much longer, I'll miss the train, and -father will be mad, 'cause he expects me to be home as soon as I can -get there." - -The urchin made as if to move forward, and the officer, satisfied he -was not the one for whom he was looking, allowed him to pass on. - -After entering the car, Tommy Wagstaff saw no risk in their -companionship. Since the train was not crowded, he and Billy sat -together, while Jimmy McGovern placed himself on the seat in front, -where no one shared it with him. - -There was a bustle and novelty about this business which kept the boys -in such a constant state of excitement that they had felt nothing as -yet like homesickness. In fact, they were eager to get forward, and -though there was much to see that was new and strange, they would have -been glad could the cars have traveled with double the speed. - -"The way I figure it out," said the leader, feeling now that he could -talk freely, since they were well under way, "is that we shall reach -Philadelphia before noon. Jiminy! but that is traveling fast; shall we -get off there and stay over till to-morrow?" - -"What would we do that for?" demanded young McGovern. - -"There's so much to see that I didn't know but what you would like to -stop and look around." - -"Not much," replied Jimmy, with a disgusted shake of his head; "we -can't get out West soon enough to suit me; I feel hungry for Injins -and grizzly bears: how is it with you, Billy?" - -"That's me, clear through; you know we've got to get a Winchester -apiece, and then we'll be ready to begin popping over Injins; that'll -be more fun than anything else in the world, and what do I care for -all the cities and strange things that's between us and the West?" - -Tommy laughed, for he was pleased. - -"That's just the way I feel, but I didn't know whether you two was -right up to the handle yet; I'm glad you are; it proves that we are -bound to win, like real brave American boys." - -All three smiled approvingly on each other, and, glancing out of the -window, wished the cars would run at the rate of two miles a minute, -for the rest of the distance. - -The conductor came through, punched the tickets, and took up Billy's, -because it entitled him to ride only to New Brunswick. He intended to -slip off there and buy one to Philadelphia, while Jimmy would do the -same at Trenton. If the Quaker City were reached without mishap, they -would conclude that all danger of being stopped was over, and from -that point would travel openly and without fear. - -The little party chatted and discussed their plans, sometimes speaking -so loud in their ardor that the gentleman sitting just across the -aisle overhead their words and looked curiously at them more than -once, over the top of his paper. - -Just before reaching the long trestle-work which spans the Raritan, -Billy said: - -"We must be pretty near New Brunswick, Tom, and I guess you had better -give me enough money to buy a ticket: how much will it be?" - -"I don't know; I s'pose two or three dollars; you ought to travel on -half fare, but it aint worth bothering about; we'll gather in all the -funds we want in Chicago." - -"It strikes me," remarked McGovern, "that we might as well divide up -the money, so that if any one loses his share, we won't be in a bad -fix." - -"I guess that would be a good plan," replied Tommy, who reached in his -trousers pocket for the roll of bills which he had placed there. - -He started and turned pale the next moment, and hurriedly ran his hand -in his other pocket. Then he sprang to his feet and frantically -searched the pockets of his coat and vest. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jimmy, with a sinking of the heart. - -"The money is gone!" was the alarming answer. - -"No; that can't be!" faintly exclaimed Billy; "it must be somewhere -about you." - -"I put the roll in _that_, pocket," replied Tommy, who kept up -his search, through all the receptacles, again and again. Then he -stooped down, and hunted under the seats with a nervous distress which -was fully shared by his companions. - -Finally he straightened up and said, despairingly: - -"My pocket has been picked, and we haven't a dollar among us." - -He spoke the truth. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR - - -Three more miserable lads could not be imagined than our young friends -when the train stopped at the station in New Brunswick, and they knew -that the total amount of their joint funds was less than a dollar. - -No one spoke, but they sat pale, woebegone and staring helplessly at -each other, undecided what to do. - -The conductor, who was an alert official, said to Billy: - -"This is where you get off; come, step lively." - -The lad rose to his feet without a word, and started down the aisle -for the door. His companions glanced at him, and, feeling that it -would not do for them to separate, also rose by common impulse and -followed him out on the platform, where they stood silent and wretched -until the train left. - -Jimmy McGovern was the first to speak, and it was with the deepest -sigh he ever drew: - -"Well, boys, what's to be done?" - -"Let's go back home," said Billy, "and get the jewelry under the -stump, sell that and start over again; I guess we'll know enough to -take care of our money next time." - -"But we haven't enough to pay our fare," remarked Tommy. - -"We can walk to Jersey City; we've got a little money, and we'll sell -a revolver there: that will take one of us to Ashton, and he can get -the jewelry." - -It was a most repellent course, and they spent a half-hour in -discussing it; but it really seemed that nothing else was possible, -and the proceeding was agreed upon. - -Few words were spoken as they walked down the slope from the station, -made their way to the bridge a short distance below the trestle-work, -and walked across to the other side. Inquiry showed them that they had -almost thirty miles to walk to Jersey City, and since the forenoon was -well advanced, they could not expect to reach their destination before -the morrow. - -But it was the spring of the year, the weather was mild, and they -concluded they could beg something to eat. If the farmers refused them -permission to sleep in their houses, they could take refuge in some -barn, after the manner of ordinary tramps. - -But an unexpected series of adventures was before them. - -After crossing the Raritan and walking a short distance, they turned -into a stretch of woods, where they sat down to discuss further what -ought to be done. With the elastic spirits of childhood, all had -rallied somewhat from the extreme depression following the discovery -of the loss of their funds. The leader was especially hopeful. - -"I don't know but what it is best this happened," said he, "for we -hadn't enough money to see us through, and one of us might have to -come back after we got to Chicago, and that would have been bad." - -"But we expected to get money there," said Jimmy. - -"I don't believe it would be as easy as we thought; now I will leave -you two in New York, after we reach there, go back to Ashton, get the -jewelry and bring it with me. We can sell it for two or three thousand -dollars, and we'll be fixed." - -The others caught the infection of hope and rose to their feet, eager -to reach the metropolis as soon as possible. - -They were about to resume their journey, when they heard voices near -them. Looking around, two frowzy men were observed walking slowly -toward them. One was munching a sandwich, while the other had a short -black pipe between his teeth. - -The reader may not know that the woods, on the northern bank of the -Raritan, is the spot where the numerous tramps of New Jersey have -their general rendezvous. Several hundred of these nuisances are -sometimes gathered there, and they are held in great dread by the -neighbors, for they are lazy, thievish, and lawless, and have -perpetrated so many outrages that more than one descent has been made -upon their camp by the authorities, while the law-abiding citizens -have been on the point, at times, of taking severe measure against -them. - -Unsuspicious of the fact, the boys had approached close to the camp of -the tramps. - -The two tousled specimens caught sight of the boys at the same moment -that the latter discovered them. The one munching a sandwich stopped, -stared a second, and then, speaking as well as he could, with his -mouth full of food, exclaimed: - -"Well, I'll be shot if this doesn't beat the bugs!" - -"Why, Snakeroot Sam!" called the delighted Tommy Wagstaff, "if this -isn't the luckiest thing that could happen!" - -"Where did you come from?" asked that worthy, swallowing what was in -his mouth, and indulging in a grin which disclosed a double row of -large black teeth. His companion pulled his pipe and looked on in -silence. - -"Why, didn't I tell you we was going to start for the West about this -time?" asked the happy leader of the little party. - -"So you did; I jotted it down in my notebook, but seein' as how you -didn't give me the percise date, I couldn't be on hand to wish you -good-bye; but what are you doin' _here_?" - -"We've had bad luck," was the disconsolate reply; "we've been robbed -of all our money." - -"And are goin' to hoof it back?" - -"That's what we'll have to do, but we mean to take a new start." - -"How did this unfortinit misfortune come to overtake ye?" - -Tommy gave the history of their mishap, the two tramps listening with -much interest. - -"This is my friend, Ragged Jim," said Sam, when the narrative was -finished, "and he's true blue." - -Ragged Jim nodded his head and grunted, without taking the black clay -pipe from between his teeth, while Snakeroot Sam munched his sandwich -at intervals. - -"So you've no money with you?" - -"Not a dollar," replied Tommy. - -"How 'bout your shootin' irons?" - -"They're all right; we've got a good revolver." - -"Let me look at 'em; I'd like to be sure that they're the right kind -to plug redskins with." - -The boys promptly produced their weapons, and passed them over to Sam, -who examined each in turn, and then handed a couple to his companion. - -"I obsarve a watch-chain onto ye," continued Sam; "I hope you aint so -dishonorable es to carry a chain without a watch at t'other end to -sorter balance it." - -"I've got my father's time-piece with me," replied Tommy, producing -the fine chronometer, and passing it to the tramp, who extended his -hand for it. - -Sam turned it over in his hand with the same attentive interest he had -shown in the case of the revolvers. The single weapon he had shoved in -his hip-pocket. He held the timepiece to his ear, listened to its -ticking, surveyed the face, and then deliberately slipped it into his -trousers pocket, catching the chain in the hole through which he had -previously run a ten-penny nail to give his garments the right fit. - -"How does that look on me?" he asked, with a grin, of his friend. - -"It fits you bootiful," replied Ragged Jim, "which the same is the -case with these weapons and myself." - -"Good-day, sonnies," said Snakeroot Sam, doffing his dilapidated hat -with mock courtesy. - -"But," said the dismayed Tommy, "that's my watch." - -"Why, sonny, you shouldn't tell a story; that's wicked." - -"But it _is_ mine; I want it." - -"Didn't you just tell me it was your father's?" - -"Yes--but I want it." - -"Give my lovin' respects to your governor, and tell him when I come -his way I'll stop and pass it over to him." - -With tears in his eyes, Tommy rushed forward as the tramp began moving -off, and caught his arm. - -"Sam, you must let me have that!" - -"What! are you goin' to commit highway robbery?" he demanded, as if -frightened: "do you want it bad?" - -"Of course I do, and I mean to get it." - -"All right." - -Snakeroot Sam turned about, seized the boy by the nape of his coat, -and delivered a kick which sent sent him several paces and caused him -to fall on his face. Then he wheeled as if to serve Jimmy and Billy in -the same manner, but they eluded him by running out of the woods to -the highway. Ragged Jim stood laughing at the scene, and Sam made -again for Tommy; but he had leaped to his feet and hurried after his -companions. - -"By-by," called Sam; "when you get that money call on me again and -I'll take charge of it." - -When the three came together in the road, each was crying. Tommy -suffered from the pain of his ill-usage, while all were in despair. -Neither could say a word to comfort the others, and they tramped -wearily along, beginning to feel for the first time that their good -fortune had deserted them at last. - -Not one would confess it, but he would have given anything at command -could he have been safely at home at that moment, with the deeds of -the past few days wiped out and undone forever. - -The sky, which had been sunshiny in the morning, was now overcast, and -they had not gone far when drops of rain began falling. - -"We're going to get wet," ventured Billy Waylett. - -"I don't care," replied Tommy, "I can't feel any worse than I do now." - -A few minutes later a drizzling rain began falling, but, although they -passed a house near the road, they did not stop, and kept on until -their clothing was saturated. They were cold, chilly, and hungry, for -noon had gone and all ate lightly in the morning. - -"I'm tired out," said Billy, at last; "let's stop yonder and warm -ourselves; maybe the folks will give us something to eat." - -The dwelling stood a little way from the road, with which it -communicated by means of a lane lined on both sides with tall trees. -No one was visible around it, but they turned through the broad gate -and hurried through the rain, which was still falling, with its cold, -dismal patter, every drop of which seemed to force its way through the -clothing to their bodies. - -About half the distance was passed when Tommy, who was slightly in -advance of his companions, wheeled about and dashed for the highway -again. - -"There's a dog coming!" was his exclamation. - -The others heard the threatening growl, and descried an immense canine -coming down the lane like a runaway steam engine. - -Nothing but a hurried flight was left to them, and they ran with the -desperation of despair. Billy, being the younger and shorter, was -unable to keep up with the others. His dumpy legs worked fast, but he -fell behind, and his terrified yells a moment later announced that the -dog had overtaken him and was attending to business. - -His horrified companions stopped to give what help they could, but the -dog, having extracted a goodly piece from Billy's garments, was -satisfied to turn about and trot back to the house to receive the -commendation of his master, who was standing on the porch and viewing -the proceedings with much complacency. - -An examination of Billy, who was still crying, showed that the skin -had only been scratched, though his trousers had suffered frightfully. -All had received such a scare that they determined to apply to no more -houses for relief, even if the rain descended in torrents and they -were starving. - -And so they tramped wearily onward through the mud and wet, hungry and -utterly miserable. It seemed to them that their homes were a thousand -miles distant and they would never see them again. - -They could not help picturing their warm, comfortable firesides, where -their kind parents denied them nothing, and where they had spent so -many happy days, with no thought of what they owed those loving ones -whom they were treating with such ingratitude. - -Tears were in the eyes of all three, and, though they grew so weary -that they could hardly drag one foot after the other, they plodded -along until the gathering darkness told them night was closing in. - -They had met wagons, horsemen, and several persons on foot. From some -of the last they made inquiries and learned that, although they had -passed through several towns, they were yet south of Rahway. Their -hunger became so gnawing that Tommy spent all their money in buying a -lot of cakes, which they devoured with the avidity of savages, and -felt hungry when none was left to eat. - -To the inquiries made of them they returned evasive answers, and when -they reached any one of the numerous towns and villages between New -Brunswick and the Hudson, they hurried through them and into the open -country, where the people viewed them with less curiosity. - -When the darkness became so deep that they could not very well see -their way, it was necessary to decide where and how they were to spend -the night. The drizzling rain was still falling; they were chilled to -the bone, and so tired that they could hardly walk. - -In the gathering gloom, they observed a barn near the highway, in -which they concluded to take refuge, for it was impossible to walk -farther, and no better shelter was likely to present itself. - -But for the cruel reception received at the first house earlier in the -afternoon, they would have asked for charity of some of the neighbors, -and doubtless would have received kind treatment, for it would be -unjust to describe all the people of that section as unfeeling and -heartless. - -Had they made their predicament known in any one of the towns, they -would have been taken care of until their families could be -communicated with; but they were too frightened to think of anything -of that nature. - -Halting a short way from the barn, Tommy cautiously advanced to make a -reconnoissance. He walked timidly around it, but discovered nothing of -any person, nor did he hear the growl of a watch-dog. The -dwelling-house stood so far off that it was distinguished only by the -lights twinkling from within. - -When Tommy came to try the main door, however, it was locked, and he -feared they were barred out. He persevered, and with a thrill of hope -found the stable-door unfastened--a piece of carelessness on the part -of the owner, unless he meant to return shortly. - -The lad whistled to his companions waiting in the road, and they -hurried to his side. Telling them the cheering news, he let them pass -in ahead of him, after which he carefully closed the door as it was -before. - -Then followed several minutes of groping in the dark, during which -Jimmy narrowly missed receiving a dangerous kick from one of the -horses, and at last the hay-mow was located. With considerable labor -they crawled to the top, covered their shivering bodies as best they -could, and, nestling close together, to secure what warmth they could, -sank almost immediately into deep slumber. - -They were so utterly worn out that neither opened his eyes until the -sun was above the horizon. The storm had cleared away, the air was -cool, and though their bodies were stiffened and half-famished, they -were in better spirits than when they clambered into the refuge. - -When all had fully awakened and rubbed their eyes, they sat for a -moment or two on the hay, considering what could be done. - -"I'm so hungry," said Billy Waylett, "that I feel as though I could -eat this hay." - -"And I'll chew some of the meal if we can't do any better," added Jim. - -"Both of you together aint half as hungry as _I_ am," said Tommy, -"and I'm going to the house to ask for something to eat." - -"Maybe they've got a dog," suggested Billy, with a shudder. - -"I don't care if they have; I'll kill and eat _him_." - -From this it will be seen that the young Indian slayers were in a -sorry plight indeed. - -"You fellers stay here," said Tommy, "while I fix things, and then -I'll send for you; I'm bound to do something or die, for I can't stand -this any longer--" - -Just then the barn door opened, and several persons entered. - -"I think we'll find them in here," remarked one; "they couldn't have -traveled much farther." - -"But I don't see how the young rascals could get in my barn." - -"We'll take a look through that haymow." - -And the next minute the head and shoulders of a burly man rose to -view, and the runaways were discovered. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -SOWING SEED - - -Two men remained standing on the floor below, and the one who climbed -the hay-mow was Hungerford, Chief of Police of Ashton. He had struck -the trail of the runaways in Jersey City, and when he learned of three -boys that had left the train at New Brunswick, he was certain they -were the young rogues whom he was looking for. - -He hired a horse and wagon in the city, secured the help and guidance -of an officer well acquainted with the country, and by judicious -inquiry retained the trail. He was so far behind the boys, however, -that it was growing dark when he was only half a dozen miles out of -the city, and he was obliged to put up for the night. - -He was at it again before daylight, and the couple used their wits -with such effect that before long they fixed upon the barn where the -boys had taken refuge. An examination of the road and damp earth -revealed the tell-tale footprints, and they applied to the farmer for -his aid in searching the barn. - -That gentleman was surprised to find he had forgotten to lock the -stable-door, but such was the fact, and a brief search brought the -runaways to light. - -When they recognized the chief of police, they broke down and cried so -pitifully that the heart of the officer was touched. He cheered them -as best he could, and after they were taken to the house, given a warm -breakfast and their clothing was dried, they felt, as may be said, -like giants refreshed with new wine. - -All were eager to be taken home. They had had enough of adventure, and -were willing to face any punishment awaiting them, if they could only -see Ashton again. Mr. Hungerford was confident that the three would -receive the chastisement they merited, but he gave no hint of his -belief, and prepared to take them thither. - -He paid the farmer for the meal, and then decided to drive back to New -Brunswick, and make the real start from that point. - -He had learned of the robbery the boys suffered, and he was determined -to recover the valuable watch of Mr. Wagstaff from thieving Snakeroot -Sam. His brother officer offered to give him all the help possible, -though he warned him that the task would be both difficult and -dangerous, because of the large number of vicious tramps in that -section. - -The first thing done, upon reaching New Brunswick, was to telegraph to -Mr. Wagstaff that the runaways were found, with no harm having -befallen them, and they might be expected home that evening. Then, -leaving the boys by themselves, the officers set out for the tramp -rendezvous, where better fortune than they anticipated awaited them. - -Snakeroot Sam was well known to the New Brunswick officer, and they -were fortunate enough to come upon him in the highway, where he had no -companions. He was collared before he suspected their business, and -the watch and chain were found on his person. Inasmuch as it would -have involved considerable delay to bring the scamp to trial and -conviction, besides getting the names of the runaways in the papers, -Chief Hungerford took his satisfaction out of the tramp personally. -The kick administered to Tommy Wagstaff was repaid with interest. -Indeed, there is reason to believe that Sam felt the effects -throughout most of the following summer. Certain it is that he never -received such a shaking up in his life. - -Just as it was growing dark, the boys arrived in Ashton and were at -their respective homes to supper. - -And then and there was made a mistake, so serious in its nature and so -far-reaching in its consequences that it forms the basis of the -narrative recorded in the following pages. - -It will be remembered that each father concerned declared that, upon -their return home, the boys should receive severe punishment for their -flagrant offenses. Such was their resolve, and yet only one of the -gentlemen carried it out. - -Mr. Wagstaff and his wife were so grateful for the restoration of -their son that they accepted his promise to be a better boy, and, -after a mild reproof, he was restored to their grace and favor. - -It was the same with the parents of Jimmy McGovern. He professed great -contrition for his wrong-doing, and several days were devoted to a -consideration of the matter, when he, too, was allowed to escape all -punishment. - -Billy Waylett, the youngest and least guilty, was the only one who -suffered at the hands of his father. The latter loved his child as -much as any parent could, and he felt more pain in inflicting the -chastisement than did the lad in receiving it. But it was given from a -sense of duty, and, as is always and invariably the case, the boy -respected his parent for what he did. He knew he deserved it, and that -it was meant for his own good. - -What was the consequence? It marked a turning-point in the life of the -lad. He comprehended, as never before, his narrow escape from disgrace -and ruin, and from that time forward became obedient, studious, and -pure in thoughts, words, and deeds. He gave his parents and teachers -no trouble, and developed into a worthy young man, who became the -pride and happiness of his relatives. - -Tommy and Jimmy chuckled together many times over their good fortune. -They saw how indulgent their parents were, and enjoyed the mock -heroism which attended a full knowledge of their exploit. - -They did not give up their hopes of a life of adventure, and became -dissatisfied with the dull humdrum routine of Ashton. They were -content, however, to bide their time, and to wait till they became -older before carrying out the projects formed years before. The seed -unwittingly sown by their thoughtless parents was sure to bring its -harvest sooner or later. - -Two years after the runaway incidents the parents of Tommy Wagstaff -and Jimmy McGovern removed to the city of New York, and in that great -metropolis the boys were not long in finding bad associates. The -preliminary steps were taken in their education which eventuated in -the incidents that follow. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -ONE AFTERNOON IN AUTUMN - - -The lumbering old stage-coach that left Belmar one morning in autumn -was bowling along at a merry rate, for the road was good, the grade -slightly down-hill, and the September afternoon that was drawing to a -close cool and bracing. - -The day dawned bright and sunshiny, but the sky had become overcast, -and Bill Lenman, who had driven the stage for twenty-odd years, -declared that a storm was brewing, and was sure to overtake him before -he could reach the little country town of Piketon, which was the -terminus of his journey. - -A railway line had been opened from this bright, wide-awake place, -and, though the only public means of conveyance between Piketon and -Belmar was the stage, its days were almost numbered, for the line was -branching and spreading in nearly every direction. - -Bill had picked up and set down passengers, on the long run, until -now, as the day was closing, he had but a single companion, who sat on -the seat directly behind him, and kept up a continuous run of -questions and answers. - -This gentleman's appearance suggested one of the most verdant of -countrymen that ever passed beyond sight of his parent's home. He was -fully six feet tall, with bright, twinkling-gray eyes, a long peaked -nose, home-made clothing, and an honest, out-spoken manner which could -not fail to command confidence anywhere. - -He had made known his name to every person that had ridden five -minutes in the coach, as Ethan Durrell, born in New England, and on a -tour of pleasure. He had never before been far from the old homestead, -but had worked hard all his life, and had some money saved up, and his -parents consented to let him enjoy his vacation in his own way. - -"You see, I could have got to Piketon by the railroad," he said, -leaning forward over the back of Lenman's seat and peering -good-naturedly into his face, "but consarn the railroads! I don't -think they ever oughter been allowed. I read in the _Weekly -Bugle_, just afore I left home, that somewhere out West a cow got -on the track and wouldn't get off! No, sir, _wouldn't get off_, -till the engine run into her and throwed her off the track, and -likewise throwed itself off, and some of the folks on board come -mighty nigh getting hurt." - -The driver was naturally prejudiced against railways, and was glad to -agree with Ethan's sentiments. - -"Yas," he said, as he nipped a fly off the ear of the near horse, by a -swing of his long lash, "there ought to be a law agin them railroads; -what's the use of folks being in such a hurry, that they want to ride -a mile a minute! What good does it do 'em? Why aint they content to -set in a coach like this and admire the country as they ride through -it?" - -"Them's been my sentiments ever since I knowed anything," replied the -New Englander, with enthusiasm, "but it looks as everbody is fools -except us, Bill, eh?" laughed Ethan, reaching over and chucking the -driver in the side; "leastways, as we can't bender 'em from doing as -they please, why, we won't try." - -"I guess you're 'bout right," growled Bill, who could not see the -stage-coach approaching its last run without a feeling of -dissatisfaction, if not sadness. - -"Helloa!" exclaimed Ethan, in a low voice, "I guess you're going to -have a couple more passengers." - -"It looks that way; yes, they want to ride." - -The coach had reached the bottom of the hill, and was rumbling toward -the small, wooden bridge, beyond which the woods stretched on both -sides of the highway, when two large boys climbed over the fence and, -walking to the side of the road, indicated that they wished to take -passage in the coach. - -These young men were our old friends, Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern, -and they were dressed in sporting costume, each carrying a fine rifle, -revolver, and hunting-knife. Although they had not yet executed their -plan of a campaign against the aborigines of the West, they were on a -hunting jaunt, and were returning, without having met with much -success. - -The young men had hardly taken their seats in the stage when Wagstaff -produced a flask and invited the driver and Ethan Durrell to join him -and his friend. The invitation being declined, McGovern drew forth a -package of cigarettes, and he and Tom soon filled the interior of the -coach with the nauseating odor. But for the thorough ventilation, -Ethan declared he would have been made ill. - -Tom and Jim were not long in finding a subject for amusement in the -person of the New Englander. He was as eager as they to talk, and -Bill, sitting in front with the lines in hand, turned sideway and -grinned as he strove not to lose a word of the conversation. - -"Are you going to Piketon?" asked Ethan, when the young men were -fairly seated in the stage. - -"That's the town we started for," replied Wagstaff. - -"Ever been there before?" - -"No; we're on our way to visit our friend, Bob Budd; we live in New -York, and Bob spent several weeks down there last spring, when we made -his acquaintance. Bob is a mighty good fellow, and we promised to come -out and spend our vacation with him, though it's rather late in the -season for a vacation. I say, driver, do you know Bob?" - -"Oh! yes," replied Lenman, looking back in the faces of the young men; -"I've knowed him ever since he was a little chit; he lives with his -Uncle Jim now--rich old chap--and lets Bob do just as he pleases 'bout -everything." - -"That's the right kind of uncle to have," remarked Jim; "I wouldn't -mind owning one of them myself. Bob wrote us that he was going to camp -out near a big mill-pond and some mountains; of course, driver, you -know the place." - -"I was born and reared in this part of the country; I don't know the -exact spot where Bob means to make his camp, but I've no doubt you'll -enjoy yourselves." - -"It won't be our fault if we don't," said Tom, with a laugh; "that's -how we came to leave the governor, without asking permission or saying -good-bye." - -"I hope you didn't run away from home, boys," said Ethan, in a grieved -manner. - -"No, we didn't run away," said Jim, "we _walked_." - -Ethan Durrell checked the reproof he was about to utter, and the young -men laughed. - -"You'll be sorry for it some day," remarked the New Englander, "you -may depend on that." - -"Did you ever try it?" asked Wagstaff. - -"I did once, but I didn't get fur; the old gentleman overtook me a -half-mile down the road; he had a big hickory in one hand and with the -other he grabbed me by the nape of the neck; well," added the -gentleman, with a sigh, "I guess there's no need of saying anything -more." - -"He must have had a father like Billy Waylett," remarked Jim, aside to -his companion, both of whom laughed at the story of their new friend, -"he wasn't as lucky as we." - -The reader has already learned considerable about these two young men. -They were wayward, disobedient, and fond of forbidden pleasures. It -was the intention of their parents to place them in school that -autumn, but while arrangements were under way the couple stealthily -left home, first providing themselves with fine hunting outfits, and -started for Piketon, with the intention of spending a couple of weeks -in the woods. - -They did not not make their plans known to Billy Waylett, who was such -a willing companion several years before. Billy still lived in Ashton -and could have been easily reached, but they knew that he would not -only reject their proposal, but, as likely as not, acquaint their -parents with it. - -The unwise indulgence of Mr. Wagstaff and Mr. McGovern was producing -its inevitable fruit. They had had much trouble with their boys, but -hoped as they grew older, and finished sowing their wild oats, they -would settle down into sedate, studious men, and that the end of all -their parents' worriment would soon come. - -Among the undesirable acquaintances made by Jim and Tom was Bob Budd, -who, as they intimated, spent several weeks in the city of New York. -He was a native of Piketon, which was becoming altogether too slow for -him. He chafed under the restraints of so small a country town, and -wrote them glowing accounts of the good times they would have together -in the camp in the woods. He urged them to come at once, now that the -hunting season was at hand. - -Tom and Jim were captivated by his radiant pictures, and determined to -accept his invitation, whether their parents consented or not. The -near approach of the time set for their entrance at the high school -made the prospect in that direction too distasteful to be faced. - -While they were still hesitating, with vivid recollections of the -dismal failure of their earlier years, another letter came from Bob -Budd. He told them he had not only selected the spot for their camp, -but that the tent was up, and it was well stocked with refreshments of -both a solid and liquid nature. He had painted a big sign, which was -suspended to the ridge-pole and bore the legend, - - "CAMP OF THE PIKETON RANGERS." - -This was not only ornamental, but served as a warning to all -trespassers. - -"Everything is ready," wrote Bob, "and every day's delay is just so -much taken from the sport and enjoyment that await you. Come at once, -boys, and you'll never regret it." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -FELLOW-PASSENGERS - - -The two decided to give Bob Budd a surprise. They said it would be -hard for them to get away, and more than likely they would have to -wait several weeks before the matter could be decided. This letter was -followed at once by themselves, and they were now within a few miles -of Bob's home without his suspecting anything of the kind. - -Having informed themselves fully, they rode to a station not far from -Piketon, where they got off, leaving their trunks to go to the town, -while they spent a half-day in hunting. Their luck was so poor that -they gave it up, and were glad to use the stage for the rest of the -journey. - -"What time are you due in Piketon?" asked Jim of the driver. - -"Half-past eight." - -"That's a good deal after dark." - -"So it is, at this time of the year, and it's going to be dark sooner -than usual." - -"How's that?" - -"Don't you notice how it has clouded up this afternoon? A big storm is -coming and we're going to catch it afore we strike Piketon." - -"Well," growled Wagstaff, "that isn't pleasant; we were fools, Jim, -that we didn't stay in the train; but we can shut ourselves in with -the curtains and let the driver run things." - -"I reckon I haven't druv over this road for twenty-five years," said -Lenman, "without striking a storm afore to-night." - -"Sartinly, sartinly," added Ethan Durrell; "life must have its shadows -as well as sunshine, though I don't like to be catched on a lonely -road this way. I say, Bill," he added, in a half-frightened voice, -"are you troubled with any such pesky things as highway robbers?" - -"If you hadn't asked me that question I wouldn't have said anything -about it; but I've been stopped and held up, as they say, just like -them chaps out West." - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed the New Englander, while the young men -on the back seat became interested. - -"I didn't suppose you were ever troubled in this part of the world by -such people," said Wagstaff. - -"We aint often, but what place can you name where you don't find bad -people?" - -"How long ago was it you were held up?" asked Ethan. - -"About six months; fact is, I've felt shaky for the last week." - -"Why so?" asked Wagstaff. - -"I've seen a suspicious character down in Black Bear Swamp." - -"Where's that?" - -"It's a piece of woods we pass through afore we reach Piketon; it -jines the woods where you tell me Bob Budd has put up the tent, but it -curves round and reaches the hills on t'other side." - -The words of the driver deeply interested all three of the passengers. -The knowledge that, though in the State of Pennsylvania, and in a -section fairly well settled, they were in danger of being "held up" in -the most approved style of the wild West was enough to startle any -one. - -"Tell us all about it," persisted Wagstaff, lighting a new cigarette, -and leaning forward to catch the reply. - -"There isn't much to tell," replied the driver; "'cept there's a -holler close to t'other side of Black Bear Swamp, and three times in -the past week, when I was passing, I've seen a tall, slim man moving -around among the trees and watching me, tryin' at the same time to -keep me from seeing him." - -"But if he was a robber--" - -"Who said he was a robber?" demanded Lenman, turning and looking -sharply at the young man. - -"You said he was a suspicious character, and what else could he be?" -demanded Wagstaff. - -"Perhaps a tramp, but I'll admit I have thought it likely he was a man -looking for a chance to rob the stage." "Why didn't he do it then?" - -"It happened that on each of the times I hadn't a single passenger -with me." - -"And now you've got _three_," remarked McGovern. "Well, I hope he -will attack us to-night." - -"What'll you do if he does?" asked the New Englander. - -"Don't you see we've each got a rifle? Beside that, Tom and I carry a -Smith & Wesson apiece, and all our weapons are loaded; that fellow -won't have time to call out for us to give up our valuables before -he'll be filled as full of holes as a sieve." - -"My gracious! you wouldn't do _that_, would you?" - -"Just give us a chance, that's all," said Wagstaff, with a shake of -his head. - -Had the young men been watching Durrell and the driver at that moment, -they would have seen a singular look pass between the two. It might -have meant nothing, and it might have signified a good deal. No words -were spoken, but the expression of their faces, to say the least, was -peculiar. - -"I should have said," continued the driver, "that the chap may have -learned something about that box, which was expected at Belmar, and -which I was to take to Piketon with me." - -"What box?" asked Wagstaff. - -"The one that is strapped onto the rear of the stage." - -"Jingo!" muttered Jim, "things are beginning to look dubious." - -"As I was about to say," continued the driver, "if that chap has made -up his mind to hold us up--and it looks mighty like it--this is the -night it will be done." - -"Why do you say that?" - -"Haven't I got three passengers for Piketon, which is the biggest -number I've took through in a couple of weeks, and, more'n all, -_that_ box is with me? The night is going to be as dark as a -wolf's mouth, and when we strike Black Bear Swamp--" - -"Why do they call it Black Bear Swamp?" asked Durrell. - -"I don't know of any reason, onless it is that there never was a black -bear found there, though they're up among the mountains, where there's -a deer now and then. But won't the scamp be fooled, though?" chuckled -the driver. - -"How's that?" - -"I never carry any shooting-irons, but you've got enough for us all, -and, when he sings out and you shove the muzzles of your guns forward -and let drive, why the State will be saved a big expense." - -"That's so!" exclaimed Wagstaff, with a fierceness too vivid to be -wholly genuine; "we've started out for a hunting trip with Bob Budd, -and expect to bag all the bears and deer in the country, but we -weren't looking for stage robbers, because I don't know that we have -lost any, but if they choose to run into our way, why who's to blame?" - -"That's so," assented his companion, who, in truth, regretted more -than ever that they had not made the entire journey to Piketon by -train instead of partly in the lumbering stage-coach. - -"It would be better," he added, after a moment's thought, "if the -rogue had chosen the daytime." - -"Why so?" queried the New Englander. - -"We can see to aim better." - -"So can _he_, can't he?" - -"Yes, but we would have prepared better than we can at night," replied -Wagstaff, nervously. - -"And it would be the same with _him_. If you're afraid you can't -shoot straight, I'll take one gun and Bill the other, and you can -crawl under the seats." - -"Who's talking about crawling under the seats--what's that?" - -A peal of thunder rumbled overhead, and it was already beginning to -grow dark. The afternoon was merging into night, which, as has been -explained, was closing in sooner than usual, because of the cloudy -sky. - -"We're going to catch it afore we get home," remarked the driver, -glancing upward and twitching the lines, so as to force the team into -a moderate trot. - -"Why don't you hurry up your nags more, and get home sooner?" asked -Wagstaff. - -"A good master is marciful to his beast; I aint likely to gain -anything by hurrying, for the storm may come and be over afore we get -to town, while the animals are so used to this work, that, if I made -it a rule to push 'em now and then, they are likely to break down, and -trade aint good enough for me to afford _that_." - -"But if you should do it once, it wouldn't hurt." - -"Another thing," added the driver, as if the fact was a clincher to -the discussion, "if we should go rattling through Black Bear Swamp -ahead of time, that suspicious chap would miss us." - -"Well?" - -"And we would miss _him_, which we don't want to do. Being as -you've got your guns and are so anxious to use 'em on him, why I won't -be mean enough to rob you of the chance." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -DICK HALLIARD - - -The conversation was not of a nature to improve the courage of the -occupants of the stagecoach, for, when children spend an evening in -exchanging ghost stories, they find the darkness of their bed-rooms -more fearful than before. - -Since the young gentlemen on the rear seat began to believe that a -meeting with a stage robber was quite certain to take place before -reaching Piketon, they saw the need of an understanding all round. - -The driver repeated that he never carried firearms, for, if he did, he -would be tempted to use them with the surety of getting himself into -trouble. - -"If a man orders you to hold up your hands and you do it, why he aint -going to hurt you," was the philosophy of the old man; "all he'll do -is just to go through you; but if you have a gun or pistol, you'll -bang away with it, miss the chap, and then he'll bore you; so it's my -rule, when them scamps come along, to do just as they tell me; a man's -life is worth more to him than all his money, and that's me every -time." - -"But you might be quick enough to drop him first," suggested Wagstaff, -who would have preferred the driver to be not quite so convincing in -his arguments. - -"Mighty little chance of that! You see the feller among the trees is -all ready and waiting; he can take his aim afore you know he is there; -now when you fellers fire at him it won't do for you to miss--remember -_that_!" - -"We don't intend to," replied McGovern. - -"Of course you don't intend to, but the chances are that you will, and -then it will be the last of you!" - -"But won't you be apt to catch it on the front seat?" - -[Illustration: THE MEETING WITH DICK HALLIARD] - -"Not a bit of it, for them chaps are quick to know where a shot comes -from, and they always go for the one that fires; they know, too, that -a stage driver never fights--helloa!" - -At that moment, a bicycle guided by a boy glided silently along the -right of the stage, turning out just enough to pass the vehicle. The -youth whose shapely legs were propelling it, slackened his gait so -that for a few minutes he held his place beside the front wheels of -the coach. - -He was a handsome, bright-faced youth about sixteen years old, who -greeted the driver pleasantly, and, turning his head, saluted the -others, without waiting for an introduction. - -"I'm afraid a storm is coming, and I shall have to travel fast to get -home ahead of it; do you want to run a race with me, Bill?" - -"Not with _this_ team," replied the driver, "for we couldn't hold -a candle to you." - -"I don't know about that," replied the boy, with a laugh; "there are -plenty who can beat me on a bicycle." - -"But there aint any of 'em in this part of the country, for I've seen -too many of 'em try it. Bob Budd bragged that he would leave you out -of sight, but you walked right away from him." - -The boy blushed modestly and said: - -"Bob don't practice as much as he ought; he's a good wheelman, but -he's fonder of camping out in the woods, and I shouldn't be surprised -if there's a good deal more fun in it. I believe he expects some -friends to go into camp with him." - -"Them's the chaps," remarked the driver, jerking the butt of his whip -toward the rear seat. - -The bicyclist bowed pleasantly to the young men, who were staring -curiously at him and listening to the conversation. They nodded rather -coldly in turn, for they had already begun to suspect the identity of -this graceful, muscular lad, of whom they had heard much from Bob -Budd. - -Their country friend had spoken of a certain Dick Halliard who was -employed in the store of Mr. Hunter, the leading merchant in Piketon, -and who was so well liked by the merchant that he had presented him -with an excellent bicycle, on which he occasionally took a spin when -he could gain the time. - -Bob, who detested young Halliard, had said enough to prove that he had -taken the lead in all his studies at school and surpassed every boy in -the section in running, swimming, 'cycling, and indeed, in all kinds -of athletic sports. This was one reason for Bob's dislike, but the -chief cause was the integrity and manliness of young Halliard, who not -only held no fear of the bully, but did not hesitate to condemn him to -his face when he did wrong. - -"I hope you will have a good time in camp," said Dick (for it was he), -addressing the two city youths. - -"That's what we're out for," replied Wagstaff, "and it won't be our -fault if we don't; will you join us?" asked the speaker, producing his -flask. - -"I'm obliged to you, but must decline." - -"Maybe you think it isn't good enough for you," was the mean remark of -Wagstaff. - -"I prefer water." - -"Ah, you're one of the good boys who don't do anything naughty." - -It was a mean remark on the part of Wagstaff, who was seeking a -quarrel, but Dick Halliard showed his manliness by paying no heed to -the slur. - -"Well," said he, addressing the driver, "since you won't run me a -race, I shall have to try to reach home ahead of the storm. Good-bye -all!" - -The muscular legs began moving faster, the big, skeleton-like wheel -shot ahead of the stage, coming back into the middle of the highway, -and the lad, with his shoulders bent forward, spun down the road with -a speed that would have forced the fastest trotting horse to -considerable effort. - -"By gracious!" exclaimed the New Englander, with his chin high in air, -as he peered over the head of the driver, "that youngster beats -anything of the kind I ever seen." - -"I don't s'pose they have those sort of playthings in your part of the -world," remarked Jim, with a sneer. - -"Yes, we have enough to send a few of 'em down your way for you folks -to learn on. Bill, who is that chap?" - -"Dick Halliard, and there aint a finer boy in Piketon." - -"He's got a mighty fine face and figure." - -"You're right about that; I want to give you chaps a little advice," -added the driver, turning his head, so as to look into the countenance -of the city youths; "I heerd what you said to him and he had sense -enough not to notice it, but you'll be wise if you let Dick Halliard -alone." - -"Is he dangerous?" asked Wagstaff, with a grin. - -"You will find him so, if you undertake to put onto him; mebbe he -isn't quite so old as you and mebbe he don't smoke cigarettes and -drink whisky, but I'll bet this whole team that if either or both of -you ever tackles him, you'll think five minutes later that you've been -run through a thrashing mill." - -The youths were not disturbed by this bold statement, which neither -believed. - -"You're very kind," said Tom, "and we won't forget what you've said; -when we see him coming 'long the road, we'll climb a tree to get out -of the way, or else run into the first house and lock the door." - -Bill had said all he wished, and now gave his attention to his team. -The thunder was rumbling almost continuously, and now and then a vivid -streak of lightning zigzagged across the rapidly darkening sky. No -rain fell, but the wind blew blinding clouds of dust across the -highway and into the stage, where the occupants at times had to -protect their eyes from it. - -A short distance from the road on the left was a low, old-fashioned -stone house, but no other dwelling was in sight between the stage and -Black Bear Swamp, which was no more than half a mile ahead, appearing -dark and forbidding in the gathering gloom. The trees at the side of -the highway swayed in the gusty wind, and, when the flying dust -allowed them to see, Dick Halliard was observed far in advance like a -speck in the distance. He was traveling with great speed, and the -stage seemed to have gone no more than a hundred yards after the -interview when the young wheelman disappeared. - -It was as if he had plunged under full headway right among the trees. -Piketon lay about two miles beyond Black Bear Swamp, but since the -width of the dense forest through which the public road wound its way -was fully a fourth of a mile, it will be seen that a considerable -drive was still before the stage. - -The passengers would have viewed their approach to the woods with -relief, but for the fear of the highwayman. Its dense growth and -abundant vegetation offered a partial protection from the storm, which -promised to be violent; but the youths would have much preferred (had -they dared to speak their sentiments) to stand bareheaded in the -coming storm than to encounter that "suspicious" party, who they -believed was awaiting their coming. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A STARTLING SUMMONS - - -The stage was within a hundred yards of Black Bear Swamp when -something like a tornado struck it. The horses stopped, and the -vehicle was partly lifted from the ground. For an instant it seemed to -be going over. The driver and the New Englander started with -suppressed exclamations, while Wagstaff emitted a cry of alarm, as he -and his companion attempted to leap out. - -"Sit still! you're all right!" shouted Lenman, striking his horses -with the whip. They broke into a trot, and a few minutes later entered -the dense wood, where they were safe from the danger that threatened -them a moment before. Indeed, the volley of wind was as brief as a -discharge of musketry, passing instantly, though it still howled -through the wood, with a dismal effect, which made all heartily wish -they were somewhere else. - -It was so dark that, but for the flashes of lightning, the passengers -would have been unable to see each other's forms; but the horses were -so familiar with the route that they needed no guidance. The driver -allowed them to walk, while he held the lines taut to check them on -the instant it might be necessary. - -Wagstaff and McGovern climbed forward, and crowded themselves on the -seat beside the New Englander, each firmly grasping his rifle, for, as -they advanced into the wood, their thoughts were of the criminal who -they believed would challenge them before they could reach the other -side. - -Still the rain held off, though the lightning was almost incessant and -continually showed the way in front. The wind, too, abated, and all -began to breathe more freely. - -"I guess the robber won't dare show himself to-night," said Wagstaff, -speaking rather his wish than his belief. - -"What's to hinder him?" asked Ethan Durrell. - -"The storm." - -The driver laughed outright. - -"It's just what is in his favor--hulloa!" - -"Gracious! what's the matter?" gasped Wagstaff, as the team suddenly -halted, of their own accord; "let's get out." - -"Something's wrong," replied Lenman; "don't speak or make any noise; -we'll soon know what it is." - -While waiting for the flash of lightning to illuminate the gloom, it -never seemed so long coming. A short time before the gleams were -continuous, but now the gloom was like that of Egypt as the seconds -dragged along. - -No one spoke, but all eyes were fixed on the impenetrable darkness in -front, while every ear was strained to catch some sound beside the -soughing of the wind among the trees. - -All at once, as if the overwhelming storehouse of electricity could -contain itself no longer, the whole space around, in front and above -was lit up by one dazzling flame, which revealed everything with the -vividness of a thousand noonday suns. - -By its overpowering glare the figure of a man on horseback was seen -motionless in the middle of the road, less than twenty feet distant. -He knew of the presence of some one in his path, and he, too, was -awaiting the help of the lightning before advancing. - -"That's _him_,'" whispered Tom Wagstaff; "shall we shoot?" - -Ethan Durrell felt the seat tremble under the youth, while the others -noticed the quaver in his voice. - -"No," replied the driver; "he hasn't done nothin' yet; wait till he -hails us." - -"That may be too late, but all right." - -"Helloa, Bill, is that you?" came from the horseman. - -"Yes; who are you?" called back the driver. - -"Don't you know me, Hank Babcock?" called the other, with a laugh. - -"I sort of thought it was you, Hank, but wasn't sure." - -"You can be sure of it now; wait a minute till I get out of your way; -I'll turn aside and let you pass." - -Everything was quiet for a moment, except the wind, the snuffing of -his horse, and the sound of his hoofs, as he was forced with some -trouble close to the trees which grew near the highway. - -"Now, it's all right; go ahead," called Hank Babcock. - -Lenman spoke to his animals and they moved forward. When opposite the -horseman, another flash revealed him sitting astride the animal, a few -feet to one side. He called a cheery good-night as he drew back, after -the stage had passed, and continued his course. - -"Driver," said Wagstaff, when they were moving again; "where is the -spot you thought it likely we would meet him?" - -"We're close to it now; you notice the road goes down a little, but -not enough for me to put on the brake; have your shootin' irons ready, -for, somehow or other, I feel in my bones that you'll need 'em." - -"Where's that chap that was here a minute ago?" asked Jim, with as -much tremor in his voice as his friend. - -"Who's that?" asked the driver. - -"That Yankee that was sitting right here; he's gone!" - -"I guess not," replied the driver, reaching back his hand and groping -vaguely around; "he must be there." - -"He isn't; he was here, but he's missing." - -"Maybe he got so scared he took the back seat," suggested Tom, who -held his rifle in his left hand, while he passed his right through the -vacancy in the rear of the stage; "no, I'll be hanged if he is there; -he isn't in the stage." - -"That's mighty queer," remarked the driver; "I didn't hear him get -out, did you?" - -"No, but I felt him; he was sitting right alongside of us, when -something brushed past me and he was gone--there!" - -Once more the lightning brought everything out with intense -distinctness, and all saw that there were only three instead of four -persons in the stage. - -The New Englander was missing: what had become of him? - -"I guess he was scared," suggested Wagstaff, with a weak attempt to -screw up his courage; "and preferred to hide among the trees rather -than run the risk of meeting that stranger--" - -"_Sh!_" interrupted the driver, "there's somebody ahead of us in -the road; the horses see him; be ready and remember that if you miss -it's sure death--" - -At that moment the most startling cry that could fall upon their ears -rang from the gloom in front: - -"_Hands up, every one of you!_" - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -NO JOKE - - -What more alarming summons can be imagined than that which rang from -the darkness in front of the stage, as it was slowly winding its way -through Black Bear Swamp? - -The lightning which had toyed with them before seemed unwilling to do -so again, for the impenetrable night was not lit up by the first -quiver or flutter of the intense fire. - -"Are you ready to shoot?" asked the driver, turning his head and -speaking in guarded tones. - -"My gracious, no!" replied Wagstaff, as well as he could between his -chattering teeth; "I can't see him." - -"He's right there in the middle of the road; don't hit one of the -horses--what are you trying to do?" - -It was plain enough what the valiant youth was doing; he was crawling -under the seat, the difficulty of doing so being increased by the body -of Jim, who was ahead of him in seeking the refuge. - -"I aint going to fire when there's no chance of hitting him," growled -Tom, still twisting and edging his way out of reach. - -"But the lightning will show him to you in a minute." - -"Let it show and be hanged! I've got enough; I surrender." - -The words had been spoken hastily, and Tom and Jim did not throw away -any seconds in groping for cover, but, brief as was the time, the -terrible fellow in the middle of the road became impatient. - -"Are all them hands up?" he roared, "or shall I open fire?" - -"My two passengers are under the seat, but they won't hurt you--" - -The driver checked himself for a moment and then exclaimed, loud -enough for the youths to hear: - -"He's coming into the wagon!" - -"Heavens! don't let him do that," protested Jim; "he'll kill us all; -tell him we surrender and won't shoot." - -"Where's them young men that were going to fire so quick?" demanded -the fellow, hurriedly climbing into the front of the stage; "let me -have a chance at them!" - -"It wasn't us," called back Wagstaff, "we haven't anything against -you; take all we've got, only spare us; you can have our guns and -pistols and our money, and everything we have--" - -He ceased his appeal, for at that moment he heard some one laugh. - -A shuddering suspicion of the truth came over him, but before he could -frame an explanation, Bill Lenman and the man who had just joined the -party broke into uproarious mirth. - -The youths saw how utterly they had been sold. There was no train -robber. Ethan Durrell had played the part of the heavy villain in -order to test the courage of these vaunting lads. The driver tried to -dissuade him from the trick, afraid of the risk incurred, but, as it -proved, he was never in any danger. - -The boys crept back from their concealment, and, resuming their seat -in front, saw that it was useless to deny the dilemma in which they -were placed. - -"I don't see anything smart in a trick like that," said Tom, angrily; -"some folks have queer ideas of a joke." - -"It's lucky for you," added Jim, "that the lightning didn't show you -to us; I had my gun aimed and was just ready to fire, but couldn't see -clear enough to make sure of dropping you at the first shot." - -"All that I was afeared of," said the driver, "was that you would hit -one of the horses, and that's what you would have done." - -"It would have served you right if I had." - -"But it would have been a costly job for you, young man." - -The team had resumed its progress and the violent flurry of the -elements began subsiding. The flashes were less frequent, though they -appeared often enough to show the course of the stage, as the animals -pressed on at a moderate walk. - -The driver and the New Englander were more considerate than most -persons would have been under the circumstances, for they forebore -taunting the youths, whom they had at their mercy. Tom and Jim were -resentful enough to have used violence toward Durrell, who bad turned -the tables so cleverly on them; but the manner in which he did it gave -them a wholesome fear of the wiry fellow from down East. - -"Then," said Tom, addressing the driver, "that was all stuff that you -told us about seeing a suspicious person in these woods." - -"No, sir, it was all true," was the unexpected reply. - -This statement instantly awoke interest again in the question, for -even Durrell had supposed the driver was playing with the fears of the -boys. - -"If that's the case," he said, "we may have trouble yet, though it -gets me how a man dare try anything like that in this part of the -world." - -"They haven't tried it yet," was the reminder of Lenman. - -"No, and I guess they won't; but from what I've read and hearn tell, -it's just such crimes that succeed, 'cause nobody expects anybody -would dare try them." - -That night was an eventful one in the history of the occupants of the -old stage-coach plying between Belmar and Piketon. That the driver was -uneasy was shown by his silence and his close attention to his team -and matters in front. He took no part in the conversation, but let the -others do the talking while he listened and watched. - -All noticed the rapid clearing of the sky. The disturbance of the air -was peculiar, for, while it threatened a severe rainfall, nothing of -the kind took place, not a drop pattering on the leaves. The electric -conditions changed back again to something like a normal state, the -lightning ceasing, the wind falling, and the clouds dissolving to such -an extent that, before Black Bear Swamp was crossed enough moonlight -penetrated the woods to reveal their course. - -It was a singular sight when the party in the stage found themselves -able to see the ears of the horses, and, soon after, the trees at the -side of the road, and by and by could make them out for several paces -in front of the team. - -This was a vast relief, but the boys, instead of resuming their places -at the rear of the coach, kept the second seat in front, while Durrell -put himself beside the driver, where both had the best opportunity for -discovering any peril the instant it presented itself. - -"Do you think there will be any trouble?" asked the New Englander, -after being silent a minute or two. - -"I don't know what to think," was the discomforting reply. - -"But we are getting pretty well through the plaguey place; it can't be -fur from t'other side." - -"That don't make any difference; one spot in these woods is as bad as -another." - -"I'm sorry I haven't a pistol," said Durrell. - -"I aint, for I tell you it won't do to try to use anything like that -on them chaps." - -"If there were several it might be different, but the idea of two of -us surrendering to one man--it galls me, Bill. I was going to get one -of them boys to let me have a revolver, but I don't want to do it as -long as you feel this way." - -"I wouldn't have it for the world; if I was sure there was but the -one, I don't know as I would object--that is, if you wanted to fight -purty bad." - -"You seen only one man, you told me." - -"But that's no sign there isn't others near." - -"True. By gracious, Bill!" whispered the New Englander, peering -forward and to one side in the gloom; "I believe I _did_ see a -person in front of us just then." - -"I didn't notice him," replied the driver, trying hard to pierce the -gloom; "where is he?" - -"Not in the middle of the road, but on the left." - -That was the side on which Durrell was sitting, so that he had a -better opportunity than the driver. He believed something moved, but -the shadows among the trees were too dense to make sure. The fact that -the horses had shown no sign of fear was good reason to suspect -Durrell was mistaken, but enough doubt remained to cause misgiving. - -They talked so low that the boys behind them could only catch the -murmur of their voices, without being able to understand their words. -They were in such trepidation themselves that they forgot their recent -farce, and, speaking only now and then in whispers, used their eyes -and ears for all they were worth. - -"_If any one stirs, he'll be shot!_" - -Some one at the side of the road uttered these words in a low but -distinct voice, adding in the same terrible tones: - -"Stop that team! There are three of us here, and we've got you -covered; each one of you get down and stand at the side of the road -and hold up your hands! Do as you are told and you won't get hurt! Try -any of your tricks and you'll be riddled!" - -Ethan Durrell was the only one in the stage who spoke. His voice -trembled, so that his words were hardly understood. - -"Don't shoot, please, we'll get down; we won't do anything if you'll -be easy with us; be keerful them guns don't go off--" - -"Shut up!" commanded the angry criminal; "we don't want any talking. -Dick, keep your eye on 'em as they come out and don't stand any -nonsense." - -"Do you want me down there, too?" asked the driver, who fancied he -ought to be excused. - -"You can sit where you are, but don't forget you're covered, too, and -don't stir. Come, hurry down, old chap!" - -The last remark was addressed to Ethan Durrell, who showed some -reluctance to obeying the stern order. - -The fact was the New Englander was straining his eyes to the utmost. -He saw the tall figure at the side of the highway, just abreast of the -horses' shoulders, but he could not detect any one else. That might -not signify anything, as nothing was easier than for several persons -to conceal themselves among the trees. - -The question the plucky Durrell was asking himself was whether they -had been held up by one man or more. If there were more than one it -was madness for him to resist, but if there was but one he meant to -make a fight, even though he had nothing more formidable than his -jack-knife about him. - -He hesitated on the step in front, one hand resting on the haunch of -the horse and the other grasping the front support of the cover of the -coach. - -"Don't wait," whispered Lenman, "or you'll make him mad." - -"Hurry up," added Tom Wagstaff, "and we'll follow you." - -"Come, I reckon you'd better hurry," added the figure at the side of -the road. - -"All right, here I come!" - -The New Englander sprang outward, and as he did so he flung both arms -about the neck of the rogue and bore him to the earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE VICTIM OF A MISTAKE. - - -Ethan Durrell may have been verdant-looking and peculiar in his ways, -but he was one of the pluckiest of men. It was impossible for him to -know whether the scamp who held up the stage had any companions or -not, until the matter was proven by taking a risk which, if he went -the wrong way, was sure to be fatal. With this uncertainty, and -without so much as a single weapon at his command, he leaped upon the -unsuspecting ruffian, and, throwing both arms around his neck, bore -him to the ground. - -The attack was wholly unexpected by the fellow, who was standing with -loaded revolver pointed toward the stage, ready to fire on the instant -he observed anything suspicious. It was necessary for the New -Englander to spring down from the front of the coach, but every one -except himself thought his intention was to land in front of the other -and there submit to the inevitable. The quavering voice of Durrell had -convinced his friends that he was as timid as any of them in the -presence of real danger. - -He closed his arms like a vise, so as to pinion those of the stranger -against his sides. The impetus of his own body drove the man backward, -and before he could recover Ethan tripped and threw him with such -violence that his hat fell off and an exclamation was forced from him. - -He uttered fierce execrations and strove desperately to get his arm -free that he might use his weapon on his assailant, but there was no -possibility of shaking off the embrace of the wiry New Englander, who -hung on like grim death. - -"Bill, you and the boys watch out for the other fellers," called -Durrell, as he struggled with the man; "if any of them show -themselves, shoot! I'll 'tend to this one." - -At this moment the rogue seemed to remember his friends, and he -called: - -[Illustration: IT'S NO USE! I'VE GOT YOU!] - -"Quick, Sam! Shoot him! Don't miss! Let him have it!" - -Even in that excitement Ethan noticed that the fellow's appeal was to -"Sam" instead of the imaginary "Dick," whom he first addressed. The -suspicion that he was alone was strengthened, and the daring New -Englander put forth all his power to subdue him. - -"It's no use! I've got you and I'm going for you like two houses -afire. Stand back, Bill, and don't interfere; if I can't bring him to -terms, then I'm going to resign and climb a tree." - -Everything was going like a whirlwind. Although Bill Lenman preferred -on such occasions as the present to be a non-combatant, he was not the -one to stay idle when a friend risked his life for him. He threw the -lines over the horses' backs and sprang down to give what help he -could; but in the darkness it was hard to decide in what way he could -aid the other. It was evident that Durrell was pushing matters with -vigor, and there was no doubt that he expected to bring the rogue to -terms. - -But it was easy for one in Ethan's situation to be mistaken. As long -as the fellow kept his pistol, the New Englander's life was in danger. -Bill stooped over with the intention of twisting away the weapon, but -at the moment of doing so it was discharged, apparently at the driver -himself, for the bullet grazed his temple. - -Finding himself unable to turn the pistol on his assailant, the -ruffian saw a chance of deflecting the muzzle sufficiently to hit the -new-comer, as he thought, and he fired, missing him by the narrowest -margin conceivable. - -Before he could fire again a vigorous kick of the driver sent the -weapon flying off in the darkness. - -"Keep your hands off!" called Durrell, the moment he discovered his -friend was near him; "I can manage him alone. If you want to do -anything get ready to tie him." - -That was an easy matter, for stage-drivers are always supplied with -extras, and a little skill will enable one to get along without a few -straps already in use. - -Durrell found his customer tough and powerful. He held him fast for -some seconds, but he seemed as tireless as his assailant, and the -contest would have been prolonged with the possibility of the fellow -working himself loose and darting off among the trees; but fully -mindful of this danger, the New Englander had recourse to heroic -measures. - -He tightened his grip on the fellow's throat until he gasped for -breath. This was repeated to the danger point, though the man -continued to struggle as long as he had the power. - -But Durrell had no wish to punish him beyond what was necessary. He -now called to the driver that he could give some help if he wished. -Bill appeared to be bristling with straps and ropes, and was eager to -do something, for, truth to tell, he felt ashamed that, after all he -had said to the New Englander, the latter had attacked the fellow so -bravely, while until this moment the one chiefly concerned had given -no help at all. He was anxious to make amends. - -Reading the purpose of his captors and knowing that if bound all help -was at an end, the robber struggled like a wild cat. He fought, -kicked, struck, bit, and shouted to his friends to come to his help, -addressing them by names without number, but all in vain; he could not -have been more helpless if enclosed by a regiment of men. Bill Lenman -was skilled in tying knots, and in less time than it would be supposed -the prisoner was so firmly bound that he resembled a mummy, so far as -the use of his limbs was concerned. - -The moment came when he gave up in despair. He saw the game was over, -and it was throwing away his strength to resist further. While he had -been so ready with speech, he ceased all utterances when the first -knot was secured between his elbows, and resolutely refused to utter -another word. - -"What are you going to do with him?" asked Lenman, as they stood him -like a post on his feet. - -"What are we going to do with him? why, take him to Piketon, of -course, and deliver him to justice!" - -"I know that," replied Bill, with a laugh, "but I was thinking whether -it was best to stow him under the seats or strap him with the trunks -on behind; he might enjoy riding with _that_ box." - -"No; we'll take him inside with us; some of the straps might give way -and we would want to be within reach of him. Where's them boys?" asked -Durrell, abruptly; "I forgot all about them while this business was -going on." - -The attack and capture of the would-be stage robber consumed very -little time, but it gave a chance to our young friends which they -quickly turned to good account. They saw but one possible result of -the affair, and concluded to make a change of base. It could not be -doubted that they had done so, since neither was within sight or call. - -Lenman had paid no attention to them, and it cannot be said that he -regretted their absence. True, their fare remained uncollected, but -that was not the first time he had carried passengers free, and he -could stand it again. - -The prisoner was deposited with as much care on the middle seat of the -stage as though he were a package of dynamite. Durrell placed himself -behind him where he could forestall any movement on his part. It would -not be supposed that there was any chance of anything of that kind, -but Durrell had read and heard enough of such people to understand the -danger of trusting to appearances. The exploits of some of the gentry -in the way of tying and untying knots would rival the Davenport -brothers and other so-called "mediums." Then, too, Durrell thought, he -might have other weapons about him, for no search had been made of his -garments. Anyway, it cannot be doubted that the New Englander was wise -in maintaining such a vigilant watch of the fellow. - -Despite this exciting incident, which threw Bill Lenman's nerves into -a more turbulent state than for years, he could not help smiling as he -listened to the efforts of the New Englander to open conversation with -the prisoner. Durrell's curiosity was of the kind that it could not be -kept in the background. He was interested in the man and was resolved -to learn more about him. - -He began in his insinuating way to inquire as to his name, how long he -had been in this bad business, what led him to make such a dreadful -mistake, where he was born, whether his parents were living, how many -brothers and sisters he had, and so on with a list of questions which -no one could remember. - -But the prisoner never once opened his mouth. He saw nothing was to be -gained by so doing, and, though it is not to be supposed he would have -told the truth, he did not trouble himself to state fiction. - -At the moment of emerging from Black Bear Swamp, Lenman was alarmed by -being hailed by a stranger who asked for a ride. This was unusual, for -he was now so close to Piketon that the walk would not have taxed any -one. - -Durrell whispered to the driver to refuse to take him up, for no doubt -he was a confederate of the prisoner; but Lenman thought it more -dangerous to refuse than to comply. He therefore checked his team, and -told the applicant that the town was near by and he was about to -indulge in a needless expense; but the stranger cared naught for that, -and hastily climbed up in front and seated himself beside the driver, -who peered at him as best he could in the gloom, but was unable to -make out his features. - -"If he tries any tricks," said Lenman to himself, "I'll neck him -before he knows it; after that chap from New England showed such pluck -I aint going to back out of the next rumpus." - -Evidently the driver felt the force of the example, for he kept a -close eye on the stranger. Besides this, he thought the occasion -warranted a little extra urging of the horses, and he put them to the -briskest trot they had shown since leaving Belmar. - -Ethan Durrell, as may be supposed, was fully as anxious as the driver, -for he was almost certain the man in front was a friend of the -prisoner, and if so, there was little to prevent a rescue, since, as I -have shown, neither Durrell nor Lenman was armed. - -The relief, therefore, was great when the lights of the little town -glimmered through the darkness, and shortly after the stage came to a -halt in front of the old-fashioned inn, where it had stopped regularly -for so many years. - -The passenger last picked up, there was reason to believe, had never -seen the rogue before. The latter may be dismissed with the remark -that, having been caught in the commission of his crime, he received -full and merited punishment therefor. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -ADRIFT IN THE SWAMP - - -Meanwhile Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern, the two youths from New York, -found themselves involved in a series of singular and stirring -incidents. - -It will be admitted that they were not fond of meeting the kind of -persons who brought the old stage to a standstill in the dismal depths -of Black Bear Swamp, and, when they saw an opportunity to leave, lost -no time in doing so. - -They were trembling in their seats, wondering what would be the next -act of the dreaded fellow dimly seen in the gloom, when Ethan Durrell -performed his brave exploit which ended in the capture of the rogue. - -"Now's our chance!" whispered Jim, who saw the couple struggling on -the ground; "bimeby he'll kill that greenhorn and next the driver and -then _our_ turn will come." - -"If that's so, I don't see any use in waiting," replied Tom, losing no -time in scrambling out of the coach, and dropping to the ground in -such haste that he fell forward on his hands and knees. - -The driver and the New Englander were too much engaged at that moment -to pay any heed to the youths, who were in such desperate haste to get -away from the spot that they dashed among the trees at the imminent -risk of seriously bruising themselves. - -After pressing forward until they were nearly out of breath, they came -to a halt in the depths of the wood for consultation. They had managed -to reach a point some distance from the highway, where they felt safe -for the time. - -"It's lucky we were cool enough to bring our guns with us," was the -bright remark of McGovern, "or there's no telling what might have -happened." - -"Do you think those robbers will follow us, Jim?" - -"Of course they will; you don't suppose they want us to testify in -court against them and have them hanged, do you?" - -"But we didn't see them plain enough to know them again." - -"That don't make any difference," was the brilliant reply, "for I -would know that fellow's voice among a thousand." - -"I guess maybe you're right; it won't do for us to go back to the -road, for we would be sure to run against them." - -"No; we'll push on through the woods till we come out somewhere. If we -were only acquainted with the country we would know what to do, but -there's no saying where we'll fetch up." - -At such times a person feels safer while in motion, and, though the -young men had no more idea of the points of the compass than if adrift -in mid-ocean, they pressed on, impelled by their anxiety to place all -the space possible between themselves and the stage-robbers, who, they -believed, numbered three at least. - -They agreed that the New Englander was the most foolish of persons in -attacking the criminal, for, even if he succeeded in bearing him to -the ground and overcoming him, his companions had already rallied to -his help and would quickly dispatch him and the driver. - -Jim and Tom listened for sounds of the conflict, and the fact that -they heard no shouts or more reports of fire-arms did not lessen their -belief that it was all over with Lenman and Durrell. - -The boys were still picking their way through the lonely woods when -they found their feet sinking in the spongy earth and were stopped by -a morass which grew worse at every step. - -"It won't do to go any farther over this road," said Wagstaff, who was -a few steps in advance, "for the water is getting deeper and I don't -believe there are any boats for us to use." - -The obvious course was to turn back and make an abrupt change in their -route. This was done and they soon were walking over the dry leaves. - -"Tom," whispered his companion, who was still a few feet behind him, -"somebody is following us." - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed Wagstaff, stopping short and looking -around in the gloom; "are you sure of that?" - -"Listen!" - -Both were silent. There certainly was a rustling of the leaves behind -them, which could not have been made by the wind, for hardly a breath -of air stirred the branches. The violent disturbance that had so -alarmed them when riding in the coach had entirely subsided and was -succeeded by a calm that gave no sign of the flurry. - -"It's one of them robbers," was the frightened reply of Tom, "and he's -after us sure enough." - -"You're right; what shall we do?" - -"How would it work to climb a tree?" - -"What good would _that_ do?" was the sensible question of Jim. - -"He wouldn't know where we were, and by and by would give up the -hunt." - -"That won't work. Why, Tom, I forgot; we've got our guns and they're -loaded; why not use _them_?" - -"That's so. I didn't think of that, but we must look out that he don't -get in the first shot, I'll tell you what we'll do," added Tom, -stepping so close to his friend that his mouth almost touched his ear; -"you walk around back of him, so as to place him between us; then -we'll come toward each other and the first one that gets sight of him -will drop him." - -Jim was not over pleased with the plan, since it looked to him as if -his task was to be the most dangerous, but he could not well refuse. -He therefore faced the other way, and began advancing with the utmost -care, making a circuit to the right so as to be certain of not running -against the dreaded individual. - -In fact, the young man made a larger circuit than was necessary, but -he kept his bearings, so that when he once more approached Tom it was -in a direct line and the stranger was between them. - -McGovern held his rifle tightly grasped, ready to raise and fire the -moment he caught sight of their enemy. While there was a little light -here and there among the trees, it gave neither him nor his companion -any help. It was so early in the autumn that few leaves had fallen, -and, had he not used extreme care, literally feeling every step of his -way, he would have been injured by the projecting limbs and the -numerous trunks of the trees. - -While it may be supposed that the strategy of the young men had placed -their foe at great disadvantage, they found themselves hindered by the -impossibility of giving or receiving any mutual signals. Since the -stranger was closer to both than Tom and Jim were to each other, any -attempt to send word over his head was certain to be caught and -understood by him. All that could be done, therefore, by the young men -was to follow the lines hastily marked out before they separated. - -Jim having approached his friend as far as was prudent, stopped to -decide what to do next. The boys were not thoughtless enough to lose -sight of the danger to themselves in carrying out their plan. Since -they were coming together each was liable to mistake the other for an -enemy. They had not thought of this at first, but both remembered it -now, and each decided not to fire at any person who might come into -view until first challenging him. - -In no other way could a fatal mistake be guarded against, and when, -therefore, Jim had stood motionless a minute or two, and was sure he -heard the same rustling in front, he simply brought his gun to his -shoulder. - -"Tom, is that you?" he asked, in a subdued voice that could not fail -to reach the stranger. - -The noise ceased, but there was no answer. The youth now slightly -raised his voice: - -"If you don't speak I'll fire! I see you and won't miss." - -The stillness continued unbroken, and the stranger did not stir. It -was impossible in the darkness to make him out clearly, but sufficient -could be seen to insure the success of a shot at so short a range. - -"I'm going to fire, look out! _One--two--three!_" - -Mr. McGovern ought to have reflected that no man, especially one -trained in wrong-doing, would stand up in this fashion and wait for -another to perforate him; but at the utterance of the last word Jim -let fly straight at the figure, and what is more, he struck it. - -The hair of the youth seemed to lift his hat from his head, as a -strange cry broke the stillness, and he heard the body, after a single -spasmodic leap, fall on the leaves, where, after a few struggles, it -lay still. - -"Have you killed him?" called the horrified Tom, hurrying from his -station a few rods away. - -"I've killed _something_" was Jim's reply, who, drawing his -pocket safe, struck a match and held it over his head, while both -stooped over and examined the trophy of their skill and strategy. - -"Jim," said Tom, the next moment, "I'll agree never to say anything -about this, for I'm in it as bad as you." - -"It's a bargain," was the reply of the other; "we'll never tell Bob, -even, for he would plague us to death." - -The object before them was a six months' old calf. It had probably -become lost in the woods, and, hearing persons walking, followed them -with a dim idea that they were friends and would take care of it. The -result was a sad example of misplaced confidence. - -Certain now that nothing was to be feared from the rogues that must -have disposed of Lenman and Durrell long before, the youths resumed -their progress through the wood with the same aimless effort that had -marked their journey from the first. - -It was not long after their incident with the calf that both noticed -that they had entered what seemed to be a valley of slight descent. -The sound of running water warned them to be careful of their steps, -though it was evident the stream was small. - -Wagstaff still kept his place slightly in advance, and was picking his -way with the same care he had shown from the first, when he stopped -short once more. - -"What is it?" asked his companion, stepping to his elbow. - -"What the mischief can that be?" asked Tom, in reply. - -Although Jim could not see the extended arm, he knew his friend was -pointing at something which was now observed by him, and whose -appearance mystified him beyond expression. - -"It must be a ghost," he whispered; "I can't make it out!" - -"Don't stir; wait and see; gracious, it's moving!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -HOST AND GUESTS - - -Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which -greeted them while picking their way through the wood. - -A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen. At first it was -stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature. -While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of -retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light. It -was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, -disappearing as quickly as it had come to view. The next moment some -one was seen holding a lamp in his hand and peering out in the gloom. - -Then the whole explanation broke upon them. They had come upon a tent -in the wood, the light shining through the canvas and producing the -effect which first puzzled them. The person inside passed between them -and the lamp, so that his shadow was flung on the screen in front. -Then he picked up the light, and pushing aside the flap, peered out in -the gloom. - -As he did so the glare from the lamp fell upon his face and showed his -features so distinctly that both boys recognized him, and uttered an -exclamation of astonishment and delight. - -"Bob Budd, as I live! Why, you're the very fellow we're looking for!" -called out Tom Wagstaff, as he and his companion hurried forward and -greeted their friend, whose amazement was equal to theirs when he held -the light above his head and recognized them. - -"Where under the sun did you come from?" he asked, all three walking -into the tent after shaking hands, and seating themselves, while the -host set the light on a small stand at one side. - -"I didn't expect you for a week or two," added Bob, whose pleasure -could not be concealed. - -"Well," replied Jim, with a laugh, "we set out to surprise you, and I -guess we succeeded." - -"There's no doubt of that," said Bob; "but tell me how you found the -way to this spot." - -The visitors were not quite willing to give the whole truth, and Tom -ventured the explanation. - -"We came most of the way in the cars," said he, "but got off at a -little station a few miles out to tramp across the country, thinking -we might pick up some game on the way. We didn't make out very well, -and rode to Black Bear Swamp in the stage. There we got out again and -set out to find you." - -"How did you know where to look?" - -"The driver told us you had a camp out this way somewhere, and we -thought we might stumble over it." - -This narrative was so brief in the way of details that the boys ran -some risk of having it overturned when the account of the driver and -his passenger should be heard, but fortunately for them, Durrell and -Lenman forebore any references to the unworthy part played by the -youths, and Bob Budd remained ignorant of the real cause of the abrupt -flight of his friends, and their taking to the shelter of Black Bear -Swamp. - -"I've had the tent up for three days," added the host, who was about -the age of his guests, "and it's so well stored with eatables and -drinkables that I come out every night to take a look at it, so as to -make sure no tramps or thieves are prowling around. I was about to go -home when you hailed me. Shall we go to the house or stay here till -morning?" - -"I don't see that this can be improved on," replied Tom, looking -admiringly about him; "we're pretty well tuckered out, and I would as -lief stay here till morning anyway." - -"Those are my sentiments," added Jim, much pleased with the survey. - -"Then we'll stay," said Bob; "I'm glad you're suited. Where are your -trunks?" - -"At the station at Piketon." - -"I'll send the checks over in the morning and have our man bring them -here. I have my own gun and some things to bring from the house, and -then we'll be in shape for a good old time in the woods. I guess, -boys, a little refreshment won't hurt us." - -The liberality of Bob Budd's Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth, with whom he -lived (he having no parents or other near relatives), enabled him to -do about as he pleased, so far as his own pleasure and self-indulgence -were concerned. He quickly set a substantial lunch before his guests, -of which all partook. I am sorry to say that strong drink formed a -large part of the repast, all indulging liberally, after which pipes -and cigarettes were produced, and they discussed their plans of -enjoyment. - -Wagstaff and McGovern did not hesitate to admit that they had run away -from home for the purpose of having this outing. The fact that their -parents were sure to be distressed over their absence was a theme for -jest instead of regret. - -"They'll learn to appreciate us when we go back," said Wagstaff, with -a laugh, as he puffed his villainous decoction of tobacco and poison; -"you see, if Jim and I went home now they would be apt to scold; but -they will be so glad at the end of a fortnight that they'll kill the -fatted calf and make us welcome." - -"A good idea," commented Bob, passing back the flask to McGovern; "you -see, my uncle and aunt love me so dearly that they don't object to -anything I do, though now and then Aunt Ruth holds up Dick Halliard as -a model for me." - -"We saw that lovely young man while we were in the stage," remarked -Wagstaff; "he went by us on his bicycle." - -"Yes; he rides a wheel well, but it makes me mad to see him." - -"Why so?" - -"Well, he's younger than me, and I used to go to school with him; he's -one of those fellows who don't like many things a wide-awake chap like -me does, and he has a way of telling you of it to your face." - -"That's better than doing it behind your back," suggested Jim. - -"He has no right to do it _at all_; what business is it of his if -I choose to smoke, take a drink now and then, and lay out the other -boys when they get impudent?" - -"It's nothing to him, of course; we'll settle his hash for him before -we go back. I shouldn't wonder," added Tom, with a wink, "if he should -find that bicycle of his missing some day." - -"That would hit him harder than anything else," remarked Bob, pleased -with the remark; "I've thought of the same thing, but haven't had a -good chance to spoil it. I say, boys, we'll have just the jolliest -times you ever heard of." - -"It won't be _our_ fault if we don't," assented Jim, while his -companion nodded his head as an indorsement of the same views. - -"Is there good hunting in these parts?" - -"It, isn't as good as up among the Adirondacks or out West in the -Rocky Mountains, but I think we can scare up some sport. I've a good -hunting dog, and as soon as we get things in shape we'll see what we -can do. What sort of game do you prefer?" - -"Anything will suit me--elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, and the like; -or, if we can't do better, I wouldn't mind a bear or deer." - -"I daresn't promise much, but we'll have the fun anyway, and that's -what we all want more than anything else." - -The boys kept up their conversation until the night was well along, -and all were in high spirits over the prospect. They smoked and drank -until, when they lay down in slumber, they were in that plight that -they did not waken till the sun was high in the heavens. - -The day was so cloudy and overcast that, although it cleared up -before noon, they decided to defer their hunting excursion until the -following morning, or perhaps the one succeeding that. Tom and Jim -accompanied Bob to his uncle's, where they were made welcome by his -relatives, though it must be said that neither was specially pleased -with their looks and conduct. They made themselves at home from the -first, and their conversation was loud and coarse; but then they were -friends of the petted nephew, and _that_ was all sufficient. - -The trunks were brought from the railway station by Uncle Jim's -coachman and taken to the camp of the Piketon Rangers. By that time -the news of the attempt to rob the stage had spread, and caused great -excitement in the town and neighborhood. Tom and Jim, finding no -reference to them in the accounts, deemed it best to say nothing, -since they might have found it hard to make it appear that they had -acted bravely at a time when such a fine chance was offered to play -the hero. - -That afternoon the three fully established themselves in the tent of -Bob Budd. The day had cleared up beautifully, but it was too late to -start out on the great hunt they had fixed their hearts on, and toward -night they separated to take a stroll through the surrounding country, -with which they wished to become familiar. They believed this could be -done better if they should part company, since each would be obliged -to keep his senses about him, and to watch his footsteps more closely -than if he had a guide in the person of Bob Budd, their friend and -host. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE FOREST PATH - - -Dick Halliard was kept unusually late at Mr. Hunter's store that -evening, for the busy season was approaching, when the merchant was -obliged to ask for extra work at the hands of his employees. Dick -showed such aptitude at figures that he often gave valuable aid to the -bookkeeper, one of the old-fashioned, plodding kind, who found the -expanding accounts too much for him to keep well in hand. - -Reaching his home, he was met by his mother, who always awaited his -coming, no matter how late he might be. A light never failed to be -shining from the window for the only son, and a warm welcome and a -delicious meal were sure to greet him. - -After kissing his mother and taking his seat at the table, he glanced -around and asked: "Did father become tired of sitting up for me?" - -"He retired some time ago; he wished to wait, but I advised him not to -do so." - -The lad paused in his meal, and looking at his mother, who was trying -to hide her agitation, asked: - -"Why do you try to keep anything from me? Father is worse, as I can -see from you face." - -"Yes," replied the mother, the tears filling her eyes; "he is not as -well to-night as usual." - -Dick shoved back his chair. - -"I will go for Dr. Armstrong; it's too bad that he could not have been -called long ago." - -"I would have gone, but I feared to leave him alone, and we were -expecting you every minute. You must eat something and swallow a cup -of tea." - -Poor Dick's vigorous appetite was gone, but partly to please his -parent, and partly because he knew it was best, he ate and drank a -little. Then he ran up-stairs to see his father, who was suffering -from a fevered condition which made him slightly delirious. The brave -boy spoke a few cheerful words, and then, promising to return as soon -as he could, hastened down-stairs and donned his hat and coat. - -"You can go quite fast on your bicycle, Dick," said the mother, "and -you know we shall count the minutes till the doctor comes." - -"You can depend on me to do my best; I will take my bicycle, though it -isn't very far." - -He had kissed her good-night, and was out-of-doors. The machine had -been left just within the gate, where he always leaned it against the -trunk of a short, thick cedar. He advanced to take it, as he had done -so many times, but to his dismay it was gone. - -The door had closed behind him before he had made the discovery, so -that his mother knew nothing of his loss. - -Dick was dumbfounded. Nothing of the kind had ever befallen him -before. He had been in the house less than fifteen minutes, yet during -that interval his property had vanished. - -"Some one must have followed me," was his conclusion, "and while I was -in the house stole my bicycle." - -Had the circumstances been different, he would have set a most -vigorous investigation on foot, for he prized the wheel above all his -possessions; but, with his sick parent up-stairs, the minutes were too -precious to be spent in looking after anything else. - -"I'll find out who took that," he muttered, as he passed through the -gate to the highway, "and when I do, he'll have to settle with me." - -He studied the ground closely in the hope of discovering the trail, as -it may be called, of his machine, but the light of the moon was too -faint to show any signs, unless in the middle of the highway, and if -the thief had followed that direction, he took care to keep at the -side of the road, where there was a hard path over which he could -readily travel. - -It was three-fourths of a mile to the home of Dr. Armstrong, who was -one of those hard-worked humanitarians--a country physician--subject to -call at all hours of the day and night, with many of them requiring a -journey of several miles during the worst seasons of the year. - -Dick was fortunate in not only finding him at home, but in his office. -He had received a summons to a point beyond Mr. Halliard's, and was in -the act of mounting his horse to ride thither. Since he had to pass -the house of Dick on his way, he promised to go at once, so that not a -minute would be lost. - -The brief interview with the physician was satisfactory in the highest -degree to the youth, for the medical man explained that, singular as -it might seem, the fever which he described as affecting his parent -was a very favorable sign. It showed that the remedies already used -were doing the work intended, and there was more ground for hope of -his ultimate recovery than before. - -With this burden lifted from his heart, the boy's thoughts returned to -his bicycle. - -"I would give a good deal to know who took it," he murmured, as he set -out on his return; "I never knew of such a thing. Why didn't I think -of it!" he suddenly asked himself, as he recalled that he had a little -rubber match-safe in his pocket. - -Bringing it forth, he struck one of the bits of wood, and shading the -tiny flames from the slight breeze, stooped over and attentively -examined the road and paths at each side. - -He discovered nothing to reward his search, and resumed his walk -homeward. "The thief must have taken the other road," he concluded, -walking more rapidly. - -Only a little way farther he came to the big stretch of woods which -surrounded the immense reservoir of water behind the dam that was -built years before. Dick was familiar with the locality, and knew of a -path which left the main highway and entered the woods, breaking into -two routes, one of which led to the mill-pond, while the other, if -followed, conducted a person to the wooded hilly region beyond. - -Upon reaching the point where the path turned off from the highway, -Dick again paused and struck a second match. This was for the purpose -of studying the ground, for somehow or other he had formed the belief -that the thief would take to the woods with the property, until he -could find time to dispose of it without attracting attention. - -There it was! - -The ground, although quite hard, showed the imprint of the large and -small wheel distinctly. Upon turning into the wood the change of -direction necessarily threw the wheels out of alignment for a short -distance, and there could be no mistake about the prints that were -left in the earth. - -"There's where the thief went!" exclaimed the lad, straightening up -and striving to peer into the impenetrable gloom; "but he must have -walked and pushed the bicycle, for no one would dare to ride through -there in the nighttime. I don't go home till I find out something -about the rogue that took it from the front of our house." - -It was a source of regret that, in his haste to go to the physician, -he forgot the precaution he had resolved to take, whenever he found it -necessary to go abroad at night. His father was the owner of a fine -revolver that had lain in the house for weeks without being used. If -the youth had it with him now, he would have felt double the assurance -that was his when he began making his way along the forest path. -Nevertheless, his resolution to recover his property was none the less -because of his forgetfulness. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE PLOTTERS - - -Dick Halliard had walked only a short distance along the lonely forest -path when he made a startling discovery. - -While he was stealthily following some one, an unknown party was -following him. His own senses were on the alert, and the young hero -caught the faint footfalls not far behind him. - -"That's more than I bargained for," he muttered, "and now would be a -good time to have my pistol; but I haven't got it, so what's the use -of thinking about it." - -There was comfort in the thought, however, that the stranger who was -at his heels was unaware of the fact. Had he wished to approach -secretly, he could have stepped so softly that Dick would have heard -nothing of him. - -But the sensation of being between two fires, and liable to run into -both, was so unpleasant that the lad stepped noiselessly from the path -and screened himself among the dense shadows, until the one at the -rear should pass him. - -He had not long to wait when the footsteps were heard opposite, and -with the help of a partial ray of moonlight, which reached the path at -that point, he was able to discern the outlines of the party. - -It was well that he was so familiar with the route, for, had he not -been, he must have betrayed himself against the overhanging limbs and -bushes, with an occasional depression in the ground, where it was -necessary to step with great care. - -Had Dick not known the precise point in the dark where a small stream -wound its way across, he would have learned from an angry exclamation -of the fellow in front, who slipped and fell forward in it. A slightly -longer step than usual placed the eavesdropper on the other side, and -he continued his guarded pursuit. - -The next moment brought a sharp shock to Dick, who suddenly became -aware that the footfalls in front had ceased. The fellow had stopped -walking, and seemed to be standing still, as if listening. The first -warning Dick received after he checked himself was a glimpse of his -head and shoulders just in advance. - -Fearful of being detected himself, Dick instantly drew back with the -noiselessness of an Indian scout, and stood ready to retreat farther -or dart aside, as might be necessary. - -"_Hulloa there!_" - -The call had a gruesome sound in the solemn stillness of the woods, -and for a moment Dick was sure he was discovered. He made no answer, -and the hail was repeated, but with no more success than before. - -He was convinced that the fellow was not certain any one was behind -him, but was seeking to verify a suspicion he had formed. - -Failing of reply, he was quiet a moment longer, when he emitted a low -whistle, like the cry of a night bird. - -This, too, had to be repeated, but was more successful than in the -former instance, for on the second call a reply came from a point -farther on, but not far off. Only a few seconds elapsed when some one -was heard approaching, and the couple quickly met in the path, not -more than twenty feet from where Dick was standing. - -They began talking, but at first he could not catch the words, which -were uttered in low tones. He therefore stole a little nearer, and -heard them distinctly. - -"I suppose you have become pretty well acquainted with the country?" -was the remark of Jim McGovern. - -"Well, there isn't much to get acquainted with. I went down to the -village and took a look around," replied Wagstaff. "I thought I might -run against Bob, but he must have taken another route. I had a little -lark on my way home." - -"What was that?" - -"I was passing Dick Halliard's home, when I caught sight of his -bicycle leaning against a tree in the front yard, as if it was tired. -I thought right away of what Bob told us about that machine, and saw -it was the very chance we wanted. It couldn't have been better. No one -was around, and I slipped through the gate, drew the bicycle out onto -the road, mounted and rode it down to the path, where, of course, I -got off and pushed it in front to this place." - -"Good!" exclaimed the delighted McGovern; "that couldn't have happened -better. Won't Bob be tickled! You are sure no one saw you bring it -away?" - -"I won't forget how I learned there wasn't any one watching me." - -"How was that?" - -"After I got out in the road I looked around to make sure. Nobody was -in sight, but I turned my head too far, and set the machine to -wobbling so bad that before I knew it I was over on my side, and -thought my leg was broken." - -"A cyclist must become used to taking headers; the wonder is that more -people are not killed. Tom, I want you to do me the favor of letting -me ruin that machine." - -"I don't know that I have any objection." - -"Have you fixed on a plan?" asked McGovern. - -"I haven't had time to think. How would it do to blow it up with -dynamite?" - -"Too risky for the rest of us." - -"Then we can chop it into splinters and make a fire to cook our game -with." - -"The trouble there," said McGovern, who seemed to be quite cautious, -"is that there is very little if any woodwork about it; it's nearly -all metal." - -"Let's dig a hole in the ground and bury it." - -"That takes too much work; you know we've all sworn off labor for the -rest of our lives, and we wouldn't dare hire anybody, for that would -be a dead give away." - -"I have it; we'll run it into the mill-pond. The water is forty feet -deep, and nobody would ever think of looking there for it, and it can -be done with no trouble at all." - -"That's the idea! It won't take five minutes to put it where it will -never be seen again. Where is it?" - -"Right up here on the edge of the mill-pond, all ready; it's queer I -didn't think of it myself. But since you feel as you do, why, I'm -agreeable." - -The couple moved along the path, and directly behind them stole Dick -Halliard. He had overheard every word that we have recorded, and he -was nearly beside himself with anger. - -"So you mean to run my bicycle in the mill-pond, do you?" he muttered -between his set teeth; "look out if, instead of running it into the -water, that you two don't get run in yourselves!" - -It was an extensive contract for the single youth to checkmate these -fellows, but that was precisely what he had determined to do! - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A BRAVE EXPLOIT - - -The danger with Dick Halliard was, that his anger was likely to -overmaster his judgment, and lead him to attempt something that would -cause his own disastrous overthrow. - -The knowledge that the young man had just asked the privilege of -destroying his bicycle was exasperating to a degree, but he might have -reflected that, since the method chosen was by sinking it in the -mill-pond, he had only to wait and watch where the submersion took -place, when it could be readily recovered without injury. - -"I won't stand it," muttered the wrathful lad, stealing after them; -"if they undertake that business somebody is going to get hurt." - -It was but a short distance to the pond. Dick was walking dangerously -near the couple, who were liable at any moment to turn and discover -him. He saw the gleam of the water in the faint moonlight, but just -before the pond was reached the path divided. While one encircled the -extensive sheet of water, the other turned to the left, and led -farther into the woods and among the mountainous regions beyond. - -It was as this point the pair stopped for a moment and exchanged a few -words. The youth who had stolen the bicycle was the first to speak. - -"Jim, you're so anxious to drown the wheel, and I'm willing, but -there's no need of waiting to see you do it." - -"What's your hurry, Tom?" - -"I'm anxious to see how Bob made out. I'll turn off the path right -here and go to camp; you'll be along in a few minutes, and if -everything is right, Bob ought to be there very soon, if he hasn't -arrived before this." - -The matter was of no moment, and, as his companion took the path -leading deeper into the woods, Jim kept on in the direction of the -mill-pond, where the bicycle was leaning against a tree near the edge -of the water. - -This little circumstance, however, encouraged the angry Dick, for he -now had but one person to contend with, though the second was near at -hand. - -Jim, as he had been called, spent several minutes in searching for the -bicycle, though he was close to it all the time. This, too, was -fortunate, since Tom was walking rapidly away and was likely soon to -be beyond call. - -"Ah, here it is!" muttered Jim, a moment later, "I thought Tom was -fooling me, but I'll soon fix it now." - -He took hold of the wheel, and as it assumed the perpendicular, began -shoving it toward the water. The path was so narrow that some -difficulty was caused, and Dick heard him muttering angrily to himself -again. - -"_I guess you had better drop that!_" - -Dick uttered the words in the most guttural bass he could assume, and -they were startling enough in the gloomy stillness of the place. - -Jim was on the very edge of the pond at the moment, balancing the -bicycle, and about to shove it out into the deep water at his feet, -where it would instantly drop from sight. The hiss of a serpent -beneath his feet could not have given him a greater shock. - -He turned so abruptly that the machine fell over on its side with the -rim touching the pond, which just there was at its deepest. Seeing a -figure advancing from the darkness, he recoiled a step and faced the -intruder. - -In his fright he stepped a few inches too far and fell backward with a -loud splash. - -"It would serve you right if you were half drowned," said Dick, moving -forward to pick up his wheel. - -He had it erect in a twinkling, and started to push it along the path, -when the terrified Jim shouted: - -"Help! help! I can't swim! I'm drowning!" - -This put a new and serious face on the business. Dick let his bicycle -tumble sideways again and ran to the edge of the pond to give help to -the unfortunate youth. - -As has been stated the water at this part of the mill-pond was deeper -than anywhere else. The instant Jim went off the land, he was where a -twenty-foot pole would not have reached bottom. Furthermore, he told -the truth when he called that he could not swim. He was unable to -sustain himself for a single stroke. - -Quick as was Dick Halliard in dashing over the brief intervening -space, he saw the head of the fellow disappear under the surface, the -disturbed waters bubbling over him. - -But he knew he would come up again, and hurriedly looked around for a -pole or stick to extend to him. None was within reach and the seconds -were of too momentous value to allow him a further hunt. - -Knowing the endangered youth was in a panic, Dick now strove to reach -him without leaving the land. Remembering where he had gone down, he -essayed to step as far out from the edge as he could, in the hope that -he might give him his hand. - -But, familiar as he was with the big mill-pond and its surroundings, -he forgot that the shore at that place went downward as sheer as the -side of a stone wall. - -As a consequence, the instant he bore the least weight on the extended -foot, down he went with a force that carried him below the surface. - -But Dick was one of the most skillful of swimmers, and though the -water was chilly, he came up like a duck. - -He was so prompt in doing this that he and Jim rose simultaneously, -and within arm's length of each other. - -"Keep still! don't move, and I'll take you ashore!" - -He might as well have appealed to the whirlwind. The instant he -grasped the hair of the big fellow the latter turned and flung both -arms about his neck, and despite all his rescuer could do the two -disappeared again. - -The young rescuer knew that unless the desperate lock was broken both -must drown, and the coolness with which he decided on the right and -only thing to do and did it, was one of the most striking exhibitions -our hero ever gave, or, for that matter, that any one could have -given. - -While holding his breath below, the death-lock of the drowning youth -was slightly relaxed, but not sufficiently for his hold to be -released. Our body is slightly less in specific gravity than water, -and, aided by the exertions of Dick, the two quickly rose to the -surface again. - -The crisis came the instant they readied fresh air. It was then the -drowning Jim would strive fiercely to gather his rescuer closer to -him, and nothing less than the power of Hercules could shake him off. -Dick knew it and acted accordingly. - -At the moment he gasped for breath he let drive with his right fist, -landing directly between Jim's eyes. It was the strongest blow Dick -could deliver, and like a flash he repeated it. - -It did the business. Poor Jim was in a dazed condition already. The -two blows of Dick stunned him and he became a dead weight on his -rescuer. - -Fortunately for the latter they were close to shore, else his attempt -to save the other might have resulted most seriously to himself. The -larger boy was likely to recover from the stunning blow in a few -seconds, and the instant he did so would become frantic again, while -Dick's strength must speedily succumb. - -The cry of the drowning youth rang through the wood and reached the -ears of Tom Wagstaff, who dashed back to learn what it meant. At the -moment he arrived Dick had reached one hand up on the planking which -ran along the edge of the pond, and, with his other arm under the -shoulders of Jim, kept his head in the air, but was unable to help him -further until he should recover his senses. - -Dick knew who the second party was that suddenly appeared on the -margin. - -"He's all right," he said, alluding to Jim; "reach down and give him -your hand; he's coming to." - -The hand grasped by Tom was limp at first, but it suddenly gripped the -other with desperate force, and putting forth all his power, Tom gave -a pull which dragged out the half-drowned Jim, and stretched him on -his face, where he showed signs of speedily recovering his bewildered -senses. - -"How did this happen?" asked the puzzled Tom, looking at Dick as he -emerged from the water. - -"He was about to push my bicycle that you stole into the pond, when he -fell in himself; he called out that he couldn't swim, so I jumped in -after him; and now, if you have no objection, I'll take my wheel -home." - -As he spoke he advanced to where the bicycle was lying, stood it up, -and moved down the path. - -And as for Jim and Tom they spake never a word. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -AN ACT OF FORGETFULNESS - - -It would be supposed that common gratitude would have filled the heart -of Jim McGovern after his rescue from death by the very lad whom he -had sought to injure, but when he returned to the tent, changed his -draggled garments, helped himself to strong spirits and began puffing -a cigarette, he was angered at seeing the smile on the face of his -companion. - -"What's the matter with you?" he growled. - -"Nothing, only I think you and I ought to learn how to swim." - -"I don't see any need of it," replied Jim, who was in a savage humor. - -"Then you won't have to yell for Dick Halliard to help you out when -you tumble into the mill-pond." - -"He didn't help me out; what are you talking about?" "He said so, and -you didn't deny it." - -"It was _me_ that helped _him_ out," was the unblushing -response of young McGovern, growing angrier every minute; "and I'm -going to get even with him." - -"Get even for what? For helping him out?" - -"For lying about me; I don't allow any chap to do that." - -"How are you going to do it, Jim?" asked Tom, glad of a chance to -tantalize his companion. - -"Why, how do you suppose? I'll lay for him." - -"Ah, that reminds me!" said his companion; "I forgot it until this -minute." - -"What's that?" - -"Why, when Bob started out this evening, he said he was going to do -that very thing--lay for young Halliard." - -"What's _he_ got against him?" demanded Jim, resenting the idea -that any one should rob him of his anticipated pleasure. - -"You heard what he said last night; Halliard holds himself so much -better than he that he feels it his duty to bring him down a peg or -two; he told me that while you and I took a stroll wherever we chose, -he would go down to Piketon to get some things at the store and before -he came back would fix Halliard." - -"I wonder if he did it before Halliard pulled me out of the pond--I -mean before I pulled him out." - -"If he did, it couldn't have amounted to much, for he didn't act like -a chap suffering harm. No, it must be that Bob has missed him; but -he's likely to catch him on the way back. It's so late that Bob must -be coming home, and he'll be sure to meet the young gentleman and will -give him a laying-out that he will remember for years." - -Jim smoked a few minutes in silence. It is a principle of human nature -that if we do another a kindness we are apt to feel more friendly -disposed toward him than before, while the one receiving the favor is -inclined to resent it. His gratitude may overmaster this mean emotion, -but there is something in the thought of being under obligations to -another which is unpleasant, and results in stirring up emotions that -are no credit to us. - -Jim McGovern could not forget that he was trying to injure an innocent -person when that person saved him from drowning. Had he not been thus -engaged, probably he might not have felt so ugly toward him. But his -situation was so humiliating, considered in all aspects, that he -looked upon Dick Halliard with more dislike than upon his bitterest -enemy. - -"Tom," said he, rising to his feet and flinging away the remnant of a -cigarette, "I aint going to stand it." - -"You are standing it this minute after sitting all the evening." - -"Stop trying to be funny; I'm going after that Halliard." - -"When--to-morrow?" - -"No, to-night; right away." - -"Nonsense, it is very late; wait until to-morrow." - -"I can't do it; I'm mad clear through; I'm off!" - -He started toward the opening, but Tom sprang up and caught his arm. - -"If you are bent on going take your weapons with you. There's no -telling how badly you'll need 'em." - -"No; I don't intend to shoot anybody, but I mean to give that fellow -the biggest whipping of his life." - -"How are you going to manage it?" - -"I can't stop to explain. I'll tell you when I come back;" and, -without saying anything more, the wrathful Ranger strode toward the -mill-pond, where he took the main path leading to the highway. As he -saw the gleam of the water he shuddered to recall how near he came to -death; but his evil nature had no room at that time for the sweet, -tender emotions that should have filled him. - -At the moment of leaving camp he had fixed upon no clear method of -procedure, and he gave his meditations now to the best plan for -punishing his preserver. - -"It's easy enough," he added, after walking a short way; "I'll go to -the door and knock, and if it isn't young Halliard that opens it, I'll -ask for him, saying I must see him on something important. Then, when -I get him outside, I'll jump on him. I can do him up before anybody -comes to his help. If he's the first one to show himself, it'll be all -the better." - -Bob had pointed out the modest little home of Dick Halliard that day, -while the three Piketon Rangers were returning from their call at -their leader's house. Consequently McGovern had no trouble in finding -the place. He was surprised to observe the twinkle of a light from an -upper window, which he accepted as proof that Dick was in the act of -retiring. - -I wonder whether, if he had known it was the light burning in the sick -chamber of his preserver's parent, it would have restrained him from -pushing on with his scheme of revenge. I fear not. - -Standing in front of the gate the Ranger spent several minutes in -making what might be called a reconnoissance. - -So far as he could discover everything was silent and no one was -astir. It was the only house in sight, and the lamp, showing through -the curtain, was the solitary sign of wakefulness in Dick Halliard's -home. No shadows passed in front of the light, and he wondered why it -was that all was so strangely quiet. - -But the impressiveness of the hour did not deter the evil youth from -carrying out his purpose. He softly opened the gate and moved as -stealthily as a burglar along the short path leading to the front -door. - -Here he paused a few seconds to make sure his plan would work -perfectly. - -"When he shows himself, I'll step back and ask him to come outside, as -I don't want any one to hear me. I'll get him to shut the door and -leave the porch; then when I've got him where I want him, I'll let him -have a half-dozen right and left-handers, and run as hard I can down -the road. Nobody round here knows me and he won't get a good look at -my face. If he does and makes a kick over it, I'll prove an alibi." - -Nothing seemed amiss, and the expectant McGovern reached up his hand -to sound the old-fashioned knocker. - -"More than likely it will be young Halliard himself that will come to -the door--gracious! I never thought of that!" - -At that moment Bowser, the big bull-dog belonging to Dick Halliard, -having heard a slight noise in front, came trotting around the corner -of the house to see whether there were any tramps for him to devour. - -Had Jim kept his place he would not have been molested, for Bowser was -too well trained to harm any one calling in the right way, and whose -appearance was not against him. But the instant the youth caught sight -of the ferocious canine, he did the very worst thing possible--he -started to run. - -Bowser accepted this as proof that he was there on wrong business, and -he dashed after him like a runaway engine. Before Jim could open and -pass through the gate, the dog was nipping at the calves of his legs -with a vigor that compelled the terrified youth to yell at the top of -his voice. - -Dick Halliard heard the shout, and, springing from his bed, threw up -the window and called to the animal to forbear. Bowser disliked to -obey, for he was just getting fairly at work; but he came trotting -back with his head down and a reproachful glance at his young master, -for having interfered at such an unlucky time for him. - -Inasmuch as it is impossible to do justice to Jim McGovern's feelings, -while making his way back to the tent in the woods, we will not -attempt to do so. Silence is the more eloquent under such -circumstances. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT - - -Had Jim McGovern taken another course when starting out on the -war-path, he would not have met such overwhelming disaster, for he -would have encountered Bob Budd returning from an experience hardly -less stirring than his own; but the two followed different routes and -did not see each other until they met in camp, after both had been -through their experience and the night was well advanced. - -Reaching the highway, Dick mounted his bicycle and continued his -journey homeward at an easy pace. There was a faint moon in the sky, -and now and then the wind blew fitfully among the tree branches, but -he was in good spirits. The words of the physician concerning his -father encouraged him greatly, and he was happy over the unexpected -manner in which he had recovered his bicycle. Mr. Hunter had notified -him that day, that, on the first of the following month, his wages -would be increased, and that so long as he showed the same devotion to -his interests, he might count upon a yearly repetition of the favor. - -"I'm luckier than I deserve," he reflected, as he skimmed over the -highway, "for I was able to attend school until I graduated, and Mr. -Hunter, who was one of the trustees, told me that afternoon that he -had had his eye on me for several years and wanted me. Well, I have -tried to do as father and mother taught me when I was a little fellow, -and I've no doubt that that's the reason for it all. I can't -understand how any one can show the meanness of Bob Budd and those -boys he has with him. There was no earthly excuse for stealing my -bicycle--Hello! there's some one in the road yonder." - -He was approaching a clump of trees where the shadows were so thick -that he could not see distinctly, but he was certain he observed a -figure step back as if to avoid being noticed. - -Dick gently applied the brake to his wheel and hesitated whether to go -on or not. He recalled that he had heard rumors of robbery and -attempts at burglary in the neighborhood within the past week. Indeed, -there were signs discovered that very morning that proved an effort -had been made to pry open one of the shutters of Mr. Hunter's store; -but the marauders were scared off by the dog that was kept on duty -every night. - -Suppose one of these criminals had located himself alongside the road -for the purpose of robbing passers-by! - -"He wouldn't get much from _me_" reflected Dick, who had less -than a single dollar in change with him, "but, all the same, I don't -fancy being stopped by him. He might shoot me because of his -disappointment. Maybe he thinks I am like some other clerks, who make -a practice of robbing their employers." - -By this time the bicycle was hardly moving, the headway being just -sufficient to enable him to keep his poise. He peered intently -forward, ready to turn and speed down the road on the first sign of -danger; but if a person was skulking among the trees, he took good -care to keep out of sight, and whether or not Dick was mistaken could -be learned only by going forward. - -He was thinking fast. If he wished to reach home, where his parents -were expecting him, this was the only road, unless he went back to -town and made a circuit of eight or ten miles, a proceeding not to be -thought of when he was already within a half-mile of his own door. - -True, he might adopt another method. He could return until beyond -sight of the rogue, whoever he was, leave his bicycle at the roadside, -and then cut across lots on foot. - -But Dick was a plucky youth, and could not bear the thought of fleeing -from danger whose nature he did not understand. - -"No, I'll go ahead," he muttered, compressing his lips, as he removed -the brake and began gradually increasing his speed. "If he stops me, -why, there'll be a fight, that's all!" - -His plan was to "put on all steam" and dash through the gloomy space, -which was only a few rods in extent. By doing so he counted upon -surprising any enemy that might be lurking there and getting beyond -his reach before he could interpose. - -There was but one difficulty in the way. He had already approached so -near the clump of trees that he could not well obtain the necessary -speed. But he could try, and try he did. - -The muscular legs bore down hard on the pedals, and the big wheel -began increasing its swift revolutions, but the pace was hardly -one-half what it would have been had he possessed a few more rods in -which to set things humming. - -Dick Halliard had good cause for his misgivings. There was an -individual among the shadow of the trees, waiting, like a spider, for -a victim to come within his net. - -At the moment of gliding into the shadow the youth saw him. He was -standing in the middle of the road, directly in his path. - -"Out of the way, or I'll run you down!" shouted Dick, aiming -apparently at him, but making a sharp turn to the left. - -"Try it, if you dare!" called the stranger in a gruff voice. - -"What do you want?" demanded Dick, bending all his efforts to the task -of flanking the fellow. - -"I want _you_!" was the startling reply; "get down off of that -wheel before I fetch you down!" - -Whoever the fellow was he kept in Dick's path so persistently, that -despite all he could do he could not prevent a collision. The bicycle -fell with a resounding bang on its side, and the rider was compelled -to make a dexterous leap to save himself from going down with it. - -One of the most noticeable traits about the sinewy Dick was his -quickness of resource and presence of mind. While he suspected the -identity of the party who had thus stopped him, he was in doubt until -the last words were spoken. Then the young man in his excitement -forgot to disguise his tones. It was Bob Budd, who had taken this -occasion to carry out the threat he had made so often in the presence -of others. - -Dick could not believe the bully meant to use any weapon, but intended -simply to chastise him. He meant to give the boy an unmerciful -beating. - -It was this certainty that inspired Dick to assail him with all the -energy at his command. - -The instant he was freed from his wheel, and, without uttering the -first word of warning, Dick let fly with both fists, in such sharp and -quick succession that the dazed bully went over on his back, as if -smitten by the hoof of a mule. - -"I know you, Bob Budd!" said the younger youth, whose anger was at a -high point, "and you have been threatening me a long time; now we'll -settle the business for good." - -"I aint Bob Budd, either," replied that worthy, climbing to his feet. -Then seeing the absurdity of the situation, he added, desperately: - -"Yes, I am Bob Budd, and I have a big account to square with you." - -"This is the time," said Dick, who, impatient at his slowness, started -to assail him the moment he got on his feet. - -"Hold on," protested Bob, "can't you wait till a fellow is up? Why -don't you fight fair?" - -"I'm holding on," returned Dick, edging round into the moonlight where -he could observe every movement of his antagonist; "but I'm tired of -waiting for you." - -"I'm coming; you needn't worry." - -But the vigorous reception of the younger lad had taught the bully to -be careful. While he was as confident as the other Piketon Ranger of -his ability to "do him up," he saw the need of going about it -carefully. He threw out his arms in the most approved style, and, as -Dick slowly retreated a few steps, followed under the belief that he -was becoming timid and that the blows struck a moment before were of a -chance nature. - -But the younger now had the elder in the moonlight, where he could see -every movement distinctly. He bounded at Bob again with such fierce -quickness that the big fellow was once more prostrate ere he could -strike or parry a blow. - -"I guess that's enough," said Dick, "but if you are not satisfied I'll -wait." - -"I'm not through with you yet," replied Bob, who was now in a white -heat of anger; so much so indeed that he hastily drew the loaded -revolver that he carried at all times. He had lost his self-command -and was determined to punish Dick Halliard, who had turned the tables -upon him with such vengeance. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -THE BAYING OF A HOUND - - -Dick Halliard caught the gleam of the pistol in the hands of the -enraged Bob Budd, but before he could bring it into play the younger -lifted up his bicycle, ran it swiftly a few paces, sprang up behind, -and set his legs to work with desperate energy. - -As he did so he remembered he was still in danger. He leaned as far -ahead as he could, like a frontier scout trying to avoid the shots of -a party of Indians. It was well he took the precaution, for Bob was so -beside himself with wrath that he deliberately pointed the weapon at -the fast-disappearing fugitive, and let fly with three chambers as -fast as he could discharge them. It was not his fault that the bullets -sped wide of the mark, for he tried hard to hit the lad that had -handled him so roughly. - -Dick glanced over his shoulder, and as he caught sight of the dim -figure in the moonlight he said, with a smile: - -"Bob wouldn't have used his pistol if he wasn't beside himself with -rage; any way, I think he and the rest of them will let me alone after -this." - -Bob Budd stood a full minute after the bicyclist vanished in the -gloom. By that time his anger gave way to a feeling of alarm, as he -reflected on what he had done, or rather tried to do. - -He had stopped Dick Halliard on the highway; he had attacked him -without cause, and when he was fleeing had discharged his pistol at -him, doing so with the intention of hitting him with each cartridge. -If Dick chose to prosecute him, what could keep him out of State -prison? - -The thought was a startling one, and did not contribute to the -Ranger's comfort as he picked his way homeward, where, after a time, -he was joined by Jim McGovern, returning from his equally marked -failure to "even up" matters with Dick Halliard. - -You may be certain that neither Bob nor Jim had anything truthful to -tell about their meeting with the young man. McGovern stated that he -lost his way, and, finding the hour was so late, decided to put off -his revenge until a more favorable time. He took care to keep the -marks of Bowser's teeth from the sight of the others, and he was -therefore vexed by no annoying questions. - -Bob explained that he had been looking for Dick Halliard, and wondered -that he did not meet him. The news given by his brother Rangers showed -that the doomed youth was elsewhere that evening, which, the bully -added, was mighty lucky for him. - -When Wagstaff commented on the bruised appearance of Bob's face, he -replied that he ran against the trunk of a tree in the woods, and then -he hastened to change the conversation. - -"To-morrow we shall have our hunt, boys," he said, with glowing face, -"and here's success to it!" - -The others eagerly joined in the toast, for the reason that they never -refused to join in any toast presented. - -"You think we're going to have good weather?" remarked Tom. - -"There's no doubt of it. I asked old Swipes, Carter, and the prophets, -and they all agree that the weather will be prime for several days to -come." - -"If that's to be the case, the best thing for us to do is to sleep -while we can, so as to be up early in the morning." - -The suggestion was so eminently wise that it was adopted without -further delay. - -The following morning was one after a hunter's own heart. The air was -crisp and cool, but not sufficiently so to be chilly, nor was it mild -enough to render oppressive the slight exertion of walking. - -It was too early in the autumn for many of the leaves to fall from the -trees, so that in most places a hunter could see but a short distance -in advance when picking his way through the woods. - -The Piketon Rangers were not accustomed to rise with the sun, and -having retired quite late the preceding night, did not rouse -themselves as early as was their intention. But their minds were so -fixed on the expected enjoyment of the hunt that they willingly put -forth the extra exertion needed. - -They were in high spirits, for everything was promising, and the -bracing air produced its effect upon them. - -"I don't think there will be any need of our pistols," remarked -Wagstaff, doubtingly, when they were ready to start. - -"I generally carry mine at all times," replied Bob Budd, "but we have -got to do some mountain climbing, and will be likely to find them in -the way. I guess we had better leave them." - -This settled the question, and the three smaller weapons were hidden -within the tent, in a hollow which Bob's ingenuity had fashioned, and -where the valuables were not likely to be found by any prowlers in the -neighborhood. - -The rifles which Jim and Tom had brought from home were left at Bob's -house, and he furnished each with a double-barreled shot gun, as the -kind of weapon most likely to be needed, though it seemed to the city -youths that the others were just what was wanted in the event of -meeting bears or deer. They had cause to regret their choice sooner -than they anticipated. - -Not the least enthusiastic member of the party was Bob Budd's hound -Hero, that had all a trained animal's enjoyment of the hunt, and who -received so few chances of taking part in the sport that his appetite -was at the keenest point. - -He darted ahead of the campers, running at his highest speed for a -half-mile in sheer wantonness of spirits, then darting off at right -angles, and finally trotting back to his friends, as if wondering why -they did not make greater haste. - -Several times his baying roused the belief on the part of Jim and Tom -that he had struck the trail of some animal, but Bob, who had been out -with him before, shook his head. - -"He lets out a peculiar cry when he takes the scent; I'll know it the -minute I hear it." - -"But what makes him yelp _now_, when there isn't any game?" asked -Jim. - -"Because he can't help it, just as we sing and shout when we feel -happy and merry." - -"There he goes! _That_ means something!" exclaimed Tom, coming to -an abrupt halt to listen to the baying of the hound, a considerable -distance ahead. - -But Bob again shook his head. - -"Wild animals aint so plenty that they can be scared up as quick as -all that; we must get further up the mountain before we can look for -anything worth shooting." - -When Bob was a small boy he had accompanied his uncle on several -hunting expeditions in this part of the world, and he held a bright -recollection of the occasion. - -Many years before deer and bears had been plentiful, and he remembered -that his uncle described how the hunt for a deer should be managed -among the mountainous section to the rear of their camp. - -That knowledge promised to be of great help to Bob, now that, after -the lapse of so long a time, he had started to hunt over the same -ground. - -The course of the party was steadily ascending, and since there were -many rocks and considerable tangled undergrowth in their way, it was -not long before they felt the result of the unusual exertion. - -"Great Caesar!" exclaimed Tom Wagstaff, dropping down on a log and -panting hard; "this is like a good many other things which don't give -half as much fun as we expect. Bob, where's that flask?" - -The others were also glad to sit down for a brief rest, and Bob lost -no time in producing the required article, which was applied to the -lips of each in turn with the bottom pointed toward the sky, and a -part of the fiery contents gurgled down their throats. - -"Of course it's tiresome, because it's all the way up up-hill," said -Bob, who took of his hat and fanned his flushed face; "but we'll soon -get as high as we want to go, and then it'll be plain sailing." - -"It's easy enough to come down-hill, provided it aint too steep." - -"If it gets that way, all a fellow has to do is to lie down and roll," -said Bob; "but I'm hopeful that Hero will start some animal before we -go much further." - -The three listened, but though the hound was absent nothing was heard -from him. He evidently was making a "still hunt," but the moment he -struck a scent he was sure to let the young hunters know. - -Whether or not they did their part, there could be no doubt that the -canine would perform his in a creditable manner, for he had been -trained by competent hands that fully understood how to teach so -sagacious an animal. - -Having rested themselves, the party pushed up the mountain-side, until -they reached a sort of plateau or table-land, beyond which it was not -necessary to climb further. - -By this time the three were pretty well tired out again, and once more -an appeal was made to the stuff in the flask, without which the -hunters felt they could not get along. - -Then they indulged in several cigarettes apiece, that and the drink of -alcohol being the worst preparation possible for the sport in which -they were engaged. - -"Now," said Bob Budd, "we have only to wait here until Hero starts the -game for us." - -"Will it come up in front of us to be shot?" was the natural inquiry -of Tom Wagstaff. - -"I shouldn't have said that 'we' are to wait here, but one of us," Bob -hastened to explain. "You've noticed that we have been following a -path all the way to this point. Well, it keeps on over the mountain -and down the other side." - -"Who made the path?" - -"It is a hundred years old, if not older, and was made by wild animals -that came down the mountain to drink from the stream that makes the -mill-pond near our camp. The path branches off into three forks a -quarter of a mile up the mountain, each of the three having been used -by deer, bears, and other wild beasts that used to be so plentiful in -these parts." - -"Where are the other paths?" - -"This is the middle one; about two hundred yards to the left is the -second, and not quite so far to the right is the third; now, if Hero -starts any game he is sure to take one of these paths in his flight." - -"But suppose the animal is on the other side of Hero," said Jim, "that -is to say, suppose the dog is between us and him?" - -"Then he will run the other way, but there's where Hero will show his -training. He knows as much about hunting as we do." - -If Bob had said that the canine knew a great deal more he would have -told the truth. - -"If Hero should strike the scent of a deer or bear he would know in a -minute whether he was closer to us than the game, and if the dog was -the closer, he would not bay until he had circled around and got on -the other side, for he knows that if he didn't do so the beast would -run _away_ instead of _toward_ us, and his business is to -drive him down within our reach." - -Tom and Jim were filled with admiration of the brute, whose knowledge -of sporting matters was so extensive. - -"I had no idea a pup could be trained to such a fine point," remarked -Jim, "but I suppose it is the nature of the beast." - -"When I was a sweet, innocent little boy," said Bob, disposed to be -facetious, "I came up here with my father and Uncle Jim to hunt deer. -They left me at this spot while father went to the left and Uncle Jim -to the right. I was too small to handle a gun, and they told me if I -saw anything to yell. Well, a very queer thing happened. A buck and -doe were started, and the old fellow came trotting over this path. He -never saw me until I let out a yell like a wild-cat, when he wheeled -off to one side and dashed through the wood to where father was -waiting. He was shot without trouble, and at the same moment Uncle Jim -brought down the doe, that took the other path." - -"Do you suppose there is any likelihood of Hero starting two to-day?" - -"We will be lucky if he starts one, for the animals are very scarce, -and hunters have spent several days roaming over the mountains without -getting a shot." - -"It seems to me that to make sure of our sport we should station -ourselves as you did," said Jim; "then if the animal comes down this -side of the mountain, he will be sure to take one of the three paths, -and Tom or you or I will get a shot at him." - -"It will be time enough when we hear Hero," replied Bob, "for he aint -likely to start a deer very near us." - -The young man's knowledge of the sport was so much superior to that of -his companions that they naturally deferred to him in the preliminary -arrangements. - -"How long ago was it that you had that famous hunt with your father -and uncle?" asked Jim McGovern. - -Bob reflected a minute, and replied that it was ten years, if not -more. - -"You can see that I was but a sprig of a youngster, though I was -considered unusually smart. If they had given me a gun, and I had had -a chance to kneel down and aim over the rocks, I would have brought -down that buck, for he couldn't have offered a better target than at -the moment I scared him away." - -"Do you suppose," asked Tom Wagstaff, "that any deer have been over -these paths within the past few weeks or months?" - -By way of reply Bob stooped down and brushed away the leaves covering -the space of several feet in front, doing it with great care. - -"Look!" said he to the others, who kneeled beside him. - -There, sure enough, were the imprints of the small, delicate hoofs of -a deer, the marks being so distinct that there could be no mistake -about their identity. - -"But they are under the leaves," said Jim. - -"Yes; under the leaves that have fallen this year, but on top of those -that fell last fall; you can see how the rotten leaves have been -pushed down in the ground by the hoofs." - -"Then how long since the deer went by?" - -"It is so early in the autumn that few leaves have fallen, so I'm -satisfied the game passed within a few days, probably not more than a -week ago." - -"If _that's_ the case," said the gratified Jim, "there is a much -better chance than I suspected for us--" - -"_Hark!_" - -The peculiar cry of the hound at that moment rang out on the autumn -air sharp, clear, and distinct. - -"He has struck a scent as sure as you're born!" exclaimed Bob. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -"HELP! HELP!" - - -"Take your stations," added Bob Budd, excitedly; "we're going to have -the tallest kind of fun; I'll stay here, and you--" - -But his friends did not wait for further directions. Tom Wagstaff -sprang up, gun in hand, and went threshing among the trees and through -the undergrowth toward the path on the left (as they faced the -mountain ridge), while Jim McGovern was equally prompt in hurrying to -the trail on the right. - -Within a few seconds after the first baying of the hound fell upon -their ears Bob Budd found himself alone. - -"They're such lunkheads," he said to himself, "that the two together -don't know enough to hit the side of a barn ten feet off. I hope the -deer will take the middle path so that I can show them how the thing -is done, which reminds me that it is time to take another drink." - -Meanwhile the dog Hero was getting in his work in brilliant style. - -The first sounds of the hound showed that he was over the mountain -crest, and within the following minute it was apparent to all that he -was approaching, his baying rapidly growing more distinct. - -This confirmed what his owner had said: he had held his peace until -beyond the wild animal, so that the latter, when he awoke to the -alarming fact that the hound was after him, naturally turned in the -opposite direction, and was, therefore, coming toward the three -hunters, though, of course, it must remain undecided for a time which -trail he would take. - -The baying of Hero continued at brief intervals, and drew near so fast -that each of the three hunters knew the game was sure to pass near -him, and one of them was to be favored with a shot before he was a -quarter of an hour older. - -Which would it be? - -"I think I'm to be the lucky chap," reflected the delighted Tom, over -on the left, "and I'll show Bob, who thinks he knows so much, that -some things can be done as well as others. What the mischief is the -matter with me?" - -This impatient inquiry was caused by Tom's discovery that a singular -nervousness had taken possession of him and was rapidly increasing. -The belief that a wild animal was bearing down upon him and would soon -break cover affected him as he had never been affected before. - -He found himself trembling in every limb, while his teeth rattled as -though he were shaking with the ague. Angered at his weakness, he -strove desperately to overcome it, but, as is the rule at such times, -though he was able to check himself for an instant, he was powerless -to master his strange weakness. - -I suppose I hardly need tell you that Tom was suffering from that -peculiar nervousness known as "buck fever." - -Experienced hunters laugh at amateurs when they see them overtaken by -the exasperating disease (if it be proper to call it that), which -never attacks them. - -"Confound it!" muttered Tom, "I wonder whether Bob or Jim is affected -this way; if I don't get better, I hope the deer won't come in sight -of me." - -Nevertheless, it quickly became apparent that the animal had taken the -path on the left, and was approaching the impatient hunter, who had -stationed himself behind the trunk of a large oak, with his gun at -full cock, ready to let fly with both barrels the instant he saw the -chance. - -Each of the trails to which I have alluded were traversed so rarely -that they showed only dimly, and were overhung by the luxuriant -undergrowth and branches growing beside them. This prevented Tom -seeing very far along the path, so that his ear gave him knowledge of -the whereabouts of the animal before the eye located him. - -The youth was still striving desperately to get the mastery of the -buck fever, when he heard the crashing tread of the game, which was -advancing along the trail, and unless he wheeled aside would pass -within twenty feet of where he stood. - -Suddenly a commotion was discernible among the vegetation, and the -next instant Tom caught sight of the antlers of a noble buck, who was -sailing along with such speed that the next second his shoulders and -body burst into sight. - -He was running fast with that peculiar lope natural to the animal, and -no doubt was panic-stricken by the baying of the hound, not far behind -and gaining fast. - -The sight of the royal game intensified Tom's nervousness. He -compressed his lips and held his breath, with the resolve to calm his -agitation or die in the attempt. - -But finding it utterly beyond his power, he deliberately stepped from -behind the tree, and when the buck was no more than fifty feet away, -and coming head on, he let fly with both barrels. - -Had the animal been perched in the topmost branches of the beech-tree -on the left he would have received a mortal hurt, but as it was, he -was not touched by a single pellet of the numberless shot that were -sent hurtling and rattling among the leaves. - -"Confound you!" muttered Tom, aware of his absurd failure; "I'll club -you to death." - -And swinging the butt of his weapon over his shoulder he rushed -savagely at the beast. - -In doing so, he ran into a peril of which he did not dream, for -nothing is truer than that "a deer at bay is a dangerous foe," and he -would have been practically helpless against an assault of the animal. - -Had the latter been wounded there is little doubt that he would have -lowered those beautiful antlers and charged directly at the ardent -hunter, who would have been caught in a most unpleasant dilemma; but -the fact that he was unharmed, added to the terrible baying coming -closer every minute, drove all idea of fight from the buck, which -wheeled sharply to one side and went crashing through the undergrowth -toward the path where Bob Budd was waiting for him. - -Tom Wagstaff was carried away by the excitement of the moment, and -with his gun clubbed started in frantic pursuit of the fleeing game, -resolved to help bring it down, even if he could not shoot it. - -He doubtless would have chased the animal a considerable distance had -the route been favorable, but beside the rocks and boulders there was -no end to the wiry, running vines, one of which wrapped itself about -his ankle in a fashion peculiar to its species, and Tom sprawled -headlong on his face, his gun flying a half-dozen feet from his hands. - -Still determined to keep up the pursuit, he hastily scrambled to his -feet, and catching up the weapon, tore ahead with the same frantic -haste as before. - -Unfortunately for him, however, when he fell he was partly turned -around, and his ideas were so confused that he started back over his -own trail without a suspicion of the fact, not awaking to his blunder -until too late to correct it. - -In the meantime the buck was making matters lively not only for -himself, but for the other parties. - -The report of Tom's gun readied the ears of Bob and Jim as a matter of -course, since they were quite near, but Bob knew that the shot had -failed to bring down the game, since he was heard plunging through the -wood toward the path beside which Bob Budd was excitedly awaiting his -approach. - -It would have been strange if Bob had not felt something of the -nervousness that had played the mischief with Tom, but it was to a -much less extent, so that he did not doubt his ability to fire as -coolly and effectively as when practicing at a target. - -It is a thrilling experience even for the veteran hunter when a noble -buck breaks cover within easy gunshot, and the sight of the animal, as -his leathery sides, proud head, and spreading antlers burst upon his -vision, stirred the pulses of Bob Budd as they had not been stirred -since his encounter with the Widow Finnegan, a couple of nights -before. - -"You're my game!" he exclaimed, aiming at the animal and discharging -the two barrels in quick succession. - -He did better than Tom Wagstaff, though he failed to drop the buck in -his tracks, as he expected to do. - -In fact, it seems to be one of the impossibilities to kill any of the -_cervus_ species instantly--that is, so as to cause him to fall at -once, like many other animals when mortally hurt. - -I once sent a bullet straight through the heart of a deer that was -running broadside past me. He kept straight on with unabated speed for -a dozen yards, when he crashed directly against the trunk of a tree -and fell all in a heap. But for the tree in his way he would have run -considerably further. - -Bob lost his head very much as Tom had done a minute before, for -observing that the buck did not fall, he clubbed his gun and rushed -forward with the intention of braining him. - -But from this point forward there was no parallelism in the flow of -incidents. - -The buck had been slightly wounded, just enough to rouse his anger. It -is not impossible, also, that the sight of a second hunter and the -sound of the baying hound near at hand convinced him that he was -caught in close quarters and must make a fight for it. - -So when Bob rushed to meet him, instead of fleeing, the buck lowered -his antlers and rushed to meet Bob. - -"Jewhilakens!" exclaimed the terrified youth, "I didn't think of -_that_!" - -And wheeling about, he fled for his life. - -Where to go or precisely what to do except to run was more than the -fugitive could tell. - -Accordingly he sped with all the haste at his command, running, it may -be said, as never before. His terror was irrestrainable when he cast a -single glance over his shoulder and saw that the buck was in savage -pursuit. - -"Fire! murder! Tom and Jim! where are you? Come to my help, quick, or -I'm a goner!" shouted Bob, dodging to the right and left like a Digger -Indian, seeking to avoid the rifle shots of a pursuing enemy; "why -don't you help me? The buck has got me and is going to chaw me all to -pieces!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -HOT QUARTERS - - -In such critical moments events come and go with startling rapidity. - -Bob Budd was never in greater peril than when fleeing from the enraged -buck that was determined to kill him. It was not only able to run much -faster than he, but he was practically powerless to defend himself, -since his gun was empty, and though he might face about and deliver -one blow, it could effect nothing in the way of slaying or checking -the animal. - -In his terror the fugitive did the best thing possible without knowing -it. - -He caught sight of a large oak that had been blown down by some -violent gale, the trunk near the base being against the ground, which -sloped gradually upward and away from the earth to the top, which was -fully a dozen feet high, held in place by the large limbs bent and -partly broken beneath. - -Without seeing how this shelter was to prove of any help to him, he -ran desperately for it. - -Fortunately it was but a short distance off, or he never would have -lived to reach it. - -As it was, at the moment he gathered himself to spring upon the -sloping trunk the pursuing buck reached and gave him a lift, which -accomplished more than the fugitive wished, for instead of landing -upon the trunk, he was boosted clean over, and fell on the other side. - -Striking on his hands and knees, with his gun flying a rod from him, -Bob crawled back under the tree, where he crouched in mortal terror. - -The animal stopped short, and, rearing on his hind legs, brought his -front hoofs together, and banged them downward with such force that -they sank to the fetlocks into the earth. - -His intention was to deliver this fearful blow upon the body of the -boy, and had he succeeded in doing so it would have gashed his body as -fatally as the downward sweep of a guillotine. - -The interposition of the trunk saved Bob, but so close was the call -that the sharp hoofs grazed his clothing. - -In his panic lest the infuriated beast should reach him, Bob scrambled -through so far that he passed from under the sheltering tree. - -Quick to see his mistake, the buck leaped lightly over the prostrate -trunk, and, landing on the other side, again rose on his hind legs, -placed his front hoofs together and brought them down with the same -terrific force as before. - -Bob's escape this time was still narrower, for his coat was cut by the -knife-like hoofs, which shaved off several pieces of the shaggy bark. - -But the young hunter kept moving and scrambled out of reach from that -side just in the nick of time. - -The buck bounded over again, but Bob was quick to see his mistake, and -now shrank into the closest quarters possible, taking care that the -solid roof covered him. - -Then he forced his body toward the base of the leaning tree, until the -narrowing space permitted him to go no further, and he was so -compressed that he could hardly breathe. - -[Illustration: THE BUCK LEAPED LIGHTLY OVER THE PROSTRATE TRUNK] - -Meanwhile he did not forget to use his lungs. - -"Tom! Jim! hurry up or I'm lost! Where are you? Come, quick, I tell -you! the buck is killing me!" - -The frantic appeal reached the ears it was intended for, and the two -other Piketon Rangers dashed toward the spot, though not without -misgiving, for the wild cries of their imperiled comrade warned them -of the likelihood of running into danger themselves, and neither was -ready to go to _that_ extent to save their leader. - -Tom Wagstaff was the first to reach the spot, and he paused for a -moment, bewildered by the scene. - -He saw the buck bounding back and forth over the tree, rising on his -hind legs and bringing down his front hoofs with vicious force, -occasionally lowering his antlers as he endeavored to force the -fugitive out of his refuge. - -At the first Tom could not locate Bob, whom he expected to see -standing on his feet, braced against a tree and swinging his clubbed -gun with all the power at his command. - -The frantic shouts, however, enabled him to discover his friend, and -he called back: - -"Keep up courage, old fellow! I'm here, and will give the beast his -finishing touch!" - -The exasperating buck fever had vanished, and Tom's nerves were as -steady as could be wished, though he was naturally flustered by the -stirring situation. - -Bringing his gun to his shoulder, he aimed directly at the beast, -which could not have offered a better target, and pulled both -triggers. - -But no report followed. - -"Confound it!" he muttered, "I forgot that the old thing wasn't -loaded! Can't you stay there, Bob, for a day or two, till I go down to -Piketon and bring forty or fifty people to pull you out?" - -"No; I'll be killed," called back the furious Bob; "the buck will get -at me in a minute more!" - -"All right--" - -"No, it aint; it's _all wrong_!" interrupted the terrified lad; -"load your gun as quick as you can and shoot him!" - -"That's what I'm trying to do--_good-bye_!" - -At that juncture the buck seemed to decide there was a better chance -of reaching Tom than there was of getting at Bob, so leaving him alone -for the moment, he rushed at the former. - -It was the sudden awakening to this fact which caused Tom to bid his -comrade a hasty farewell and to take to his heels. - -"I don't think an empty gun is much good to a fellow," said Tom, -throwing it aside as he fled with great speed. - -It was Tom's extremely good fortune that when he set on his frenzied -flight he had a much better start than Bob Budd, and he knew enough to -turn it to good account. - -Heading straight for the nearest tree, he ran under it, making at the -same moment the most tremendous bound of which he was capable. - -This leap enabled him to grasp one of the lower limbs with both hands -and to draw himself up out of reach at the moment the buck thundered -beneath. - -"I wonder whether a deer can climb a tree," was the shuddering thought -of the fellow, as he looked downward at the animal from which he had -just had such a narrow escape; "'cause if he can, I'm in a bad box; I -wish he would go back to Bob." - -And that is precisely what the buck did do. - -Quick to perceive that the second lad was beyond his reach, he wheeled -about and trotted to the fallen tree. - -Poor Bob, when he perceived the animal making after Tom, thought his -relief had come, and began backing out from under the trunk of the -oak. - -He had barely time to free himself from the shaggy roof, when he -looked around and saw that the buck was coming again. - -"Hangnation! Why don't he let me alone?" he growled, and, it is safe -to say, he never scrambled under shelter with such celerity in all his -life. - -Quick as he was, he was not an instant too soon, for once more the -sharp hoofs came within a hair of cutting their way through his -shoulder. - -But so long as he shrank into the smallest possible space beneath the -oak he was safe, though he felt anything but comfortable with the buck -making such desperate efforts to reach him. - -"Where the mischief is Jim?" growled Bob, who had just cause to -complain of the dilatoriness of his companion; "why don't he come -forward and help us out?" - -Jim McGovern had not been idle. He was the only member of the Piketon -Rangers that had a loaded gun at command, and when he heard the appeal -of Bob Budd he hurried from his station to his help. - -But, as I have intimated, there was no member of that precious band -that thought enough of the others to risk his life to help him, and -Jim, it may be said, felt his way. - -Instead of dashing forward like Tom, who was ignorant of the -combativeness sometimes displayed by a wounded buck, he moved -cautiously until he caught sight of the respective parties without -exposing himself to the fury of the wounded animal. - -Jim arrived at the moment the beast made for Tom, and the sight -alarmed him. - -"What's the use of a fellow getting killed just to do a favor for some -one that wouldn't do as much for you?" was the thought that held the -chivalrous young man motionless, when he ought to have rushed forward -to the defense of Bob Budd. - -"Great Caesar!" muttered Jim, shrinking behind the tree which he was -using for a concealment, "I never knew that a buck was such a savage -animal; he's worse than a royal Bengal tiger that's been robbed of its -young ones." - -But Jim had a good double-barrelled gun in his hands, and he was so -close to the buck that it seemed to him he ought to be able to riddle -him with shot. Besides, Jim had not a particle of the buck fever which -incapacitated Tom, but which does not attack every amateur hunter. - -"The best thing I can do is to climb this tree," he added, looking -upward at the limbs, "and then if I miss, why the buck can't get at -me, for he don't look as though he's built for climbing trees." - -At this juncture the buck was on the further side of the prostrate -oak, trying to root out Bob from his shelter. Since he could not reach -him with his hoofs, he seemed to believe that a vigorous use of his -antlers would accomplish his purpose. - -It looked as if he was about to succeed, for one of the blunt points -gave Bob such a vigorous punch in his side that he howled with terror. - -At the same moment, while staring about as best he could for the tardy -Jim, he caught sight of his white face peering around the tree behind -which he stood. - -"Why don't you shoot, Jim?" he yelled; "do you want to see me killed? -The buck is ramming his antlers into my side! The next punch he gives -me they will go clean through." - -At this instant another party arrived on the scene. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -A BRILLIANT SHOT - - -The new arrival was Hero the hound. He came on the scene with a rush -and proceeded straight to business. - -He did not need to pause to take in the situation, but with a faint -whine and short yelp he bounded for the savage buck, which did not see -him until they collided. But the old fellow was game. Though he had -fled in a wild panic when the baying of the dog rang through the -woods, yet now that he was at bay he fought like a Trojan. - -Realizing that it was a fight for life, he whirled about, lowered -those splendid antlers and went for the canine like a steam engine. - -The dog had no wish to be bored through by such formidable weapons, -and, with a bark of fear, he leaped back, alert and watchful for a -chance to seize his victim by the throat. - -Now was the time for the young hunters to put in the finishing -touches, for the buck was so occupied with his new assailant that he -could give them no attention. - -Bob Budd dared not crawl from under the tree and run for his gun lying -some yards away, which would have to be re-loaded before it could be -of use to him. - -But the young man was convinced that the golden opportunity for the -others had arrived, and he did not hesitate to proclaim it in tones -that could have been heard a half-mile off. - -Tom Wagstaff was persuaded that he was safe so long as he remained -astride of the limb where he had perched himself with such haste when -the buck gave him a lively chase, and if he knew his own heart (as he -was confident he did) he did not mean to descend from his elevation -and run the risk of being elevated or bored by the antlers of the -vicious buck. - -"By the time I can get down there and get hold of my gun he will have -the dog knocked out and then he'll start for _me_, and where will -Ibe? No; I had enough hard work to climb up here and _I'll -stay_." - -And so, unmindful of the reproaches and appeals of the howling Bob, -Tom continued to play the part of interested spectator. - -The fight between the buck and the hound promised to be a prolonged -one, though it looked as if the fine beast would have to succumb in -the end. - -Had he been able to get the dog in a corner where he could not dodge, -it is probable he might have finished him, for one terrific ramming of -those antlers would have been enough, but the agility of Hero saved -him each time. When the horny weapons were lowered and the buck made a -rush which seemed sure to impale the canine, he sprang nimbly aside -like a skillful sparrer, still on the alert for an opening. - -The deer displayed an intelligence that hardly would have been -expected at such a time. He avoided rearing on his hind legs, and -trying to hew his assailant with his fore-paws, as he had sought to do -in the case of the youngsters, for such an effort on his part would -have given Hero the fatal opening he wanted. One lightning-like bound, -and his sharp teeth would have closed in the throat of the buck, and -there they would have stuck until he gasped his last breath. - -Not only that, but the hound would have kept his body out of reach of -the hoofs, while, as a matter of course, the antlers would have been -powerless against such a determined assailant. - -It was this fact which must have been understood by the buck, that -caused him to keep his head lowered and toward the hound, who, despite -his rapid darting hither and thither, was unable for a time to catch -him off his guard. - -It was a forcible commentary on the incompetence and cowardice of the -hunters, that there were three of them, all armed and one with both -charges in his gun, and yet they dared not interfere while the -feinting and striking was going on between the dog and buck. - -It must be borne in mind that what I am relating took place in an -exceedingly brief space of time. - -But the contest, if such it may be called, between the two animals -might have continued indefinitely, so far as Bob Budd and Tom Wagstaff -were concerned. - -The latter, as I have explained, was safely perched among the branches -of a tree, while his unloaded gun lay on the ground some distance -away, and it was certain to lie there until the struggle between Hero -and the larger animal should be settled. - -Bob was equally positive that it was his duty to keep himself squeezed -beneath the trunk of the oak, though his dread of the animal caused -him to edge as many inches as he dared toward the opposite side. - -As for Jim McGovern, he was in a quandary. He was as strongly resolved -as the other two to avoid any charge from the buck, reasoning that if -neither of his brother Rangers was able to stay him with their loaded -guns, it was improbable that he could do so with his single weapon. - -But somehow or other he felt it incumbent upon him to make use of his -gun, which he still held in hand with its two hammers raised and the -triggers ready to be pressed. - -He inclined to favor the scheme of climbing a tree, where he could -open a bombardment at his leisure and smile at the anger of the buck -that was so much interested in the hound. - -But the difficulty with this plan was that of taking the weapon into -the branches with him. To make his way up the trunk, he needed the use -of all his limbs, arms as well as legs, and it was therefore out of -his power to carry a heavy gun with him. - -You will understand that the same obstacle would be encountered in -grasping a limb and lifting himself upward, for a lad who drinks -whiskey and smokes cigarettes can never be enough of an athlete to -draw himself upward with a single arm. - -At such times as I am describing the most sluggish brain thinks fast, -and the thoughts I have named went through the head of Jim McGovern in -a twentieth of the time taken to narrate them. - -He was inclined to the theory that he ought to do _something_, -though impatient with the continued yelling of Bob. - -"Now's your chance, Jim! What are you waiting for? Shoot quick, for -he'll soon kill the dog and then he'll finish _me_!" - -"If you'll shut up for a minute," shouted Jim, in reply, "I'll shoot, -but you're making such an infernal rumpus that I can't take aim." - -At this hint Bob ceased his appeals and something like silence settled -over the exciting scene. - -The fiery Hero saw that he would soon have the buck at his mercy, for -the animal was tiring himself out by his savage charges. Sometimes he -would lower his antlers and dash forward for twenty paces at the dog, -which deftly avoided him and saved his strength. Then the buck would -slowly fall back, all the time maintaining his defiant front and -charging again, often before he had fully recovered from his preceding -effort. - -It was an interesting fact that, during the few minutes occupied by -this singular contest, each of the combatants met with a hair-breadth -escape, so to speak, from the other. - -Once when the buck made his rush, Hero, in leaping backward, collided -with an obstruction on the ground which caused him to roll over and -over, and the formidable antlers touched him; but with inimitable -dexterity he regained his feet and escaped the sword-like thrust that -grazed his skin. - -No escape could have been narrower, but that which the buck met within -the same minute was fully as narrow. - -It may have been that Hero was a victim to some extent of the -impatience which the youths around him felt, for seeing an opportunity -he bounded like a cannon-ball from the earth at the throat of the -buck. - -The latter was quick to read the meaning of the crouching figure which -left the ground before he could drop his antlers to receive him, else -it would have gone ill for the assailant, but the buck flung his head -backward just far enough to save his throat from those merciless -fangs. - -When it is stated that the flesh of the deer just back of his jaws was -nipped by the same teeth which could not get a hold deep enough to be -retained, it will be admitted that the fellow could not have had a -closer call. - -But these furious efforts were far more telling upon the larger animal -than upon the dog, which could not have failed to understand that he -had only to wait a brief while to have the buck at his mercy, and -those teeth, once buried in the throat of the game, would stay there, -as I have said, until the last gasp of life departed. - -By and by Hero saw a better opening than before and instantly gathered -his muscles for a spring. - -A few seconds previous to this crisis Jim McGovern had mastered the -idea that there was but one thing to do, and that was to take careful -aim at the buck and kill him; no quicker means of ending the danger -could be devised than that. - -He had learned that a good place into which to send the charge, no -matter what the species of the animal may he, is just behind the -foreleg, where a well-aimed bullet or charge of shot fired at close -quarters, is sure to reach the seat of life. - -While running his eye along the barrel the buck turned broadside -toward Jim, and thrusting one foot forward gave the very opportunity -he wanted. - -Fearful that he would shift his position the next instant, Jim -discharged both barrels in quick succession. - -The report was yet ringing through the woods when a rasping howl rose -on the air that made the blood of every one tingle. - -"I didn't know that deer let out such cries as that when they were -shot," muttered Jim, lowering his gun and walking forward, "but I -s'pose I sent both charges through his heart--_great -Jewhilakens_!" - -He had suddenly awakened to the fact that instead of shooting the buck -he had sent both charges into the body of the hound, just as he was in -the act of leaping at the throat of his victim. - -The inevitable consequence of this blunder was that Hero lay stretched -on the ground as dead as Julius Caesar. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -SUSPICIOUS FOOTPRINTS - - -"You blunderhead!" called Bob Budd, forgetting his own peril in his -anger, "you've killed Hero. I hope the buck will gore you to death." - -The triumphant animal seemed to be on the point of doing so, for he -stood with head raised, his brown sides rising and falling like a pair -of bellows from his severe exertion, looking at the young man that had -fired the shot which ended the hunting career of Hero, as if debating -with himself how best to end _his_ hunting career. - -It would be putting it mildly to say that Jim McGovern was -dumbfounded. He was transfixed for an instant, and then, awaking to -his own peril, he whirled about, threw down his gun, and dashed for -the tree behind which he was standing a minute before. - -Throwing both arms and legs around the trunk, as though it were a long -lost brother, he began climbing fast and furiously. - -It may be wondered whether a faint glimmering of the truth did not -force itself through the brain of the buck that had had such a strange -experience. - -Can it be that he felt that the lad who had fired the last shot had in -some way done him an inestimable service in removing the hound from -his path? - -Probably such a conception is beyond the reach of a wild animal, but, -be that as it may, the buck, after staring a moment at the flying -figure, turned and looked at Tom Wagstaff perched in the tree, and -then gazed down at Bob Budd, who was doing his utmost to shrink into a -smaller space than ever beneath the sloping trunk of the oak. Then, as -if disgusted with the whole party, he turned about and deliberately -trotted off in the woods, showing no further concern for those with -whom he had had such a lively bout. - -The wounds given by Bob Budd a short time before were so insignificant -that, though they roused the animal's rage, they could not have caused -him any inconvenience or suffering. - -Finally, when it was apparent that the buck had departed for good, Tom -Wagstaff descended from his perch in the tree, Jim McGovern slid down -to the ground, Bob Budd backed out from beneath the oak, and each one -recovering his gun, they came together in the open space where the -dead Hero lay. - -It was a characteristic meeting. Bob was maddened over the loss of his -hound, while he and all three felt an unspeakable relief in knowing -that the terrible buck had withdrawn without killing them. - -"Of all shooting that I ever heard of, _that_ is the worst," said -Bob, with a sniff of disgust, pointing at the carcass of Hero. - -"It was better than yours," retorted Jim, "for it killed -_something_, while yours didn't hurt anything." - -"I hit the buck, any way," said Bob, sullenly. - -"The buck didn't act as though he knew it," was the truthful comment -of Tom Wagstaff. - -"I don't see that _you_ have any chance to talk," retorted Bob; -"for you fired both barrels at him and then yelled for us to come and -save you." - -"But you didn't come, and I had to run out here to help you." - -"Yes; and the minute you caught sight of the buck you took to a tree." - -"I was only doing what you had done a minute before," said Tom; "only -I had better sense than to try to crawl _under_ a tree." - -"Because you hadn't any to crawl under, _that's_ the only -reason." - -"There aint any of us in shape to find fault with the others, for we -have all made an exhibition that it's lucky nobody else saw." - -"It seems to me," said Bob, "that we don't amount to much as hunters; -what do you suppose has become of that buck?" - -"He isn't far off, but I don't believe it will do to hunt him." - -"Why not?" - -"There _is too much danger of finding him_," was the significant -reply of Bob. - -The point of this remark was so apparent to all that they smiled and -agreed that the best thing they could do was to return to camp. They -naturally felt exhausted after their lively experience with the -animal, of whose pluck they had gained a better knowledge than ever -before. - -"Suppose there had been _two_ of them," remarked Tom, leading the -way down the mountain path. - -"Then there wouldn't have been any of us," replied Jim, who was -walking next to him, Bob Budd bringing up the rear. - -"I don't believe there's half so much fun in hunting as a good many -people fancy," was the sage observation of young Wagstaff, who found -it so much easier to walk down than up the path, that he felt inclined -to discuss their recent experience. - -"Well, for those that like that kind of sport, why, that's the kind of -sport they like. As for me, I'd rather stretch out in the camp and -take things easy." - -This picture was so fascinating to the others that they hastened their -footsteps so as to reach their headquarters with the least possible -delay. - -"I can't help feeling grateful for one thing," remarked Bob, from the -rear of the procession. - -"What's that?" asked Tom. - -"That Jim shot poor Hero instead of me. I can't understand how I -escaped, for we weren't more than twenty feet apart, and Jim was fully -as far as that from the buck when he took such careful aim." - -"My aim was all right," replied Jim, "but after the charge left the -gun the hound and the buck changed places. If they hadn't moved the -game would have caught it." - -Since, as I have explained, large game was exceedingly rare in that -section of the country, and since, also, the Piketown Rangers had been -unusually favored in scaring up a fine buck on such short notice, it -would seem they had no reason to believe there was any probability of -encountering any more quadrupeds larger than a rabbit. - -All the same, however, each member of the party should have seen to it -that his gun was loaded before moving from the scene of the flurry -with the buck. Such is the rule among hunters, and you will admit that -it is a good one. - -Nevertheless, all were trudging down the mountain-side with empty -weapons and with never a thought of preparation for meeting any more -game. - -Had the buck suddenly made his appearance nothing would have remained -for them but to take to their heels; but inasmuch as they would have -done that if their guns were ready, I don't see that it made so much -difference after all. - -A short distance farther the trio reached a tiny stream of icy cold -and clear water, which bubbled from the rocks only a short distance -away on their left. - -Naturally they were athirst again, and, since all their flasks had -been exhausted long before, they were driven to the necessity of -slaking their thirst with the _aqua pura_. - -This was done in the original fashion with which I am quite sure all -my boy readers are familiar. Lying on their faces they touched their -lips to the sparkling fluid, and each drank his fill. - -"Ahem!" sighed Jim McGovern, drawing the back of his hand across his -mouth, "that aint so bad when you can't get anything better." - -"Yes," assented Bob, "when a fellow is dying with thirst he can make -out very well on that stuff, but it's mighty thin." - -"I would hate to be obliged to stick to it," added Tom. - -And yet every one of that precious party knew in his own heart that -the ingenuity of man cannot compound a nectar to be compared in -soulful, refreshing deliciousness with the tasteless, colorless, -odorless drink of nature. - -Stick to _that_, boys, and never touch a drop of the enemy which, -put in the mouth, steals away the brains and wrecks not only the body -but the immortal soul. - -"I think I can go a little more of that," said Jim, kneeling down -again and helping himself as before; "I shouldn't wonder now that if -there was a tax put on water the same as on whiskey a good deal more -of it would be drunk." - -Tom Wagstaff was standing a few feet farther up the streamlet, -carefully scrutinizing the ground. - -"What are you looking at?" asked Bob Budd. - -"Aint those dents the tracks of some wild animal?" he asked, pointing -to the damp, yielding earth on the other side. - -Jim and Bob stepped beside him and scrutinized the marks that so -interested their companion. - -"By jingo!" exclaimed Jim, "they are the tracks of _something_, -and if they were made by a man, then he's got the queerest feet I ever -seen on anybody." - -Bob stepped across the brook and stooped down that he might examine -the impressions more closely. - -"What do you s'pose?" he asked, looking up in the faces of his -companions with a scared expression. - -"We s'pose we don't know what made the tracks." - -"But _guess_" insisted Bob, with provoking deliberation. - -"An elephant?" - -"No." - -"A hippopotamus?" - -"Nothing of the kind." - -"How can we guess?" asked Jim, impatiently; "if you know anything -about it let us know, and if you don't know, say so." - -"Those tracks were made by a _big black bear_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -UP A TREE - - -"Gracious!" gasped Tom Wagstaff, "let's run!" - -"I agree with Tom," added Jim, glancing furtively around, as though he -expected to see the dreadful beast rush out of the woods after them. - -"You're a fine set of hunters, aint you?" sneered Bob; "after coming -out to hunt game you want to run when you strike the trail of the very -creature you're looking for." - -"I aint looking for bears," said Tom, "I haven't lost any." - -"And besides," added Jim, "there isn't any fallen tree here where we -can crawl under to get out of the way." - -"But there's plenty of trees which you can climb--_there he comes -now_!" - -Tom and Jim each glanced affrightedly around, not knowing which way to -run to escape the dreaded brute. - -But it was a joke of Bob's, and he made the woods ring with his -laughter, while, as may be supposed, the others were in no amiable -mood. - -"I don't see any fun in that sort of thing," growled Tom. - -"You may do like the boy in the fable, who shouted 'Wolf!' once too -often," added Jim, ashamed of his weakness. - -The next instant Tom Wagstaff shouted: "_There he comes and no -mistake!_" - -Tom and Jim were standing on one side of the streamlet, facing Bob on -the other side, so that his back was turned toward the point at which -they were gazing. - -The expression on the countenance of the couple was that of extreme -alarm, though such a brief time had elapsed since Bob had given them a -scare that they had not yet recovered from it. - -"You're right!" Jim added, instantly, as he and Tom wheeled and dashed -off at the top of their speed through the woods. - -Bob was determined they should not fool him. He laughed again in his -hearty fashion, throwing back and shaking his head. - -"You can't come that, boys!" he called, "it's too soon after my little -joke on you." - -"But, Bob, we aint joking," shouted back Jim, looking over his -shoulder, but still running; "the bear is coming as sure as you are -born." - -"You can't fool me." - -Bob had not the remotest suspicion that his friends were in earnest, -but the sight of them climbing the same tree led him to think they -were pushing their poor joke with a great deal of vigor. - -At this same moment he heard a crashing and trampling among the bushes -behind him, and, checking the words on his lips, turned his head. - -The bear _was_ coming! - -An enormous fellow of the ordinary black species had been descried by -Tom and Jim when less than a hundred yards away, and he was advancing -straight toward the spot where the three were standing. - -They were in dead earnest, therefore, when they fled, calling to Bob -the frightful news. - -Had not Bob just played a joke on them he would not have doubted their -sincerity, so that in one sense his peril was a punishment for his own -misdoing. - -It need not be said that the laughter on Bob Budd's lips froze, and he -made a break after his companions, who had so much the start of him. - -"Gracious!" he muttered, "I didn't think they were in earnest; I'm a -goner this time sure." - -Nevertheless he had no thought of sitting down and waiting to be -devoured by bruin, who lumbered along in his awkward fashion, rapidly -drawing near him. - -Bob's hat went off, his gun was flung from his hand, and with one -bound he landed far beyond the edge of the streamlet and made after -his friends, throwing terrified glances over his shoulder at the -brute, which took up the pursuit as though it was the most enjoyable -sport he had had in a long time. - -Once more the exasperating vines got in the way, and the -panic-stricken fugitive fell sprawling on his hands and knees, -bounding instantly to his feet and making for the tree where his -friends had secured refuge. - -By this time the bear was almost upon him, so close indeed that he -reached out one of his paws to seize his victim. - -No words can picture the terror of Bob Budd when he felt the long -nails scratching down his back and actually tearing his coat, but -bruin was a few inches too short, and the youth made such good time -that he struck the tree a number of paces in advance of his pursuer. - -The fugitive, however, did not stop, for before he could climb the -brief distance necessary to reach the limbs, the beast would have had -him at his mercy. He therefore continued his flight, yelling in such a -delirium of fright that he really did not know what words escaped him. - -"Why don't you come down?" he called to his friends, "and give me a -chance? Let him chase _you_ awhile." - -It is unnecessary to state that neither Tom nor Jim accepted the -urgent invitation of their imperiled comrade. - -"Run hard, Bob, and show him what you can do!" called back Tom, who -really thought it was all over with their leader. - -This shout accomplished more than was expected. The noise led the bear -to look up the tree, where he observed the two boys perched but a -short distance above him. He seemed all at once to lose interest in -the fugitive, who continued his flight some distance farther, when, -finding his enemy was not at his heels, he sprang for a sapling, up -which he went like a monkey. - -The trouble with Bob, however, was that he climbed too high. It was a -small hickory, not much thicker than his arm. This kind of wood, as -you are aware, is very elastic, and the first thing the lad knew was -that the upper part, to which he was clinging, bent so far over that -it curved like a bow, and before it stopped he had sank to within six -or eight feet of the ground. - -Had the bear continued his pursuit, Bob would have been in an -unfortunate predicament; but, casting a glance behind him, he noticed -the beast had stopped under the tree supporting Tom and Jim. - -Two courses were open to him, either of which would have secured his -safety. - -He had time enough to drop from the sapling and take to a larger one, -up which he could have climbed and been beyond harm; or he could have -slid a little farther down the hickory, so as to allow it to right -itself, and he still would have been safe, for a bear is unable to -climb a tree so slight in diameter that his paws meet around it. - -But Bob was too terrified to do either. He simply held fast, and did -the worst thing possible: he continued to shout for his companions to -come to his help. - -By this means he once more attracted the notice of bruin to himself, -whereas, if he had held his peace, he would have given the whole of -his attention to the two boys in the larger tree. - -The bear had reared on his haunches, seemingly with the intention of -striving to reach the lads, when he turned his head and took a look at -the one in the sapling. - -Stupid as is bruin by nature, he saw that it would be easier for him -to reach the single fugitive than the others, and he proceeded to do -so. - -You need not be told that Tom and Jim, like Bob, had thrown away their -guns again in their frenzied flight, through fear that they would -retard their efforts to get beyond his reach. - -Poor Bob, when he found himself once more the object of the animal's -undivided attention, felt as though he might as well let go and be -devoured at once. All the same, though, he hung fast and continued his -cries, which, had there been time, would have brought help from the -distance of a mile. - -He was clinging to the sapling with both hands, and his two feet, that -were wrapped about the small trunk, only a short distance below his -shoulders. This caused the centre of his body to hang down like the -lower point of a horseshoe, the curve being sharper than that of the -bowed hickory. - -Halting directly under the howling lad, the bear reared on his -haunches, reached upward with one paw and struck Bob a sharp blow. It -caused him no material damage, but set the body to swaying back and -forth. At the same time the hickory nodded, letting the lad sink a few -inches and then rising with a regular, swinging motion. - -This would have ceased in a moment of itself, but for the action of -the bear, who, every time the body came within easy reach, hit it a -sharp tap with his paw, causing it to swing back and forth in a sort -of rhythmic accord with the dipping of the sapling. - -[Illustration: AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT] - -It is said that some, and indeed all, animals possess a certain -waggery of disposition which shows itself on rare occasions. The bear -inflicted no injury on Bob, but the scraping of those long, sharp -claws did considerable damage to his trousers, while keeping his fears -at the boiling point. - -It certainly was a grotesque scene. - -There sat bruin, with his right paw raised, regularly tapping Bob, -while the latter, with his hands and feet close together, and his body -doubled up like a jack-knife, swung up and down with a steady motion, -in response to the impetus given by the brute. - -Of course the latter was silent, though if he had possessed the -capacity to laugh, there can be no doubt that he would have done so, -for, aside from the ever-present peril threatening the fellow, a more -amusing sight cannot be imagined. - -Even Tom and Jim, when they saw their companion was suffering no harm, -broke into mirth, which grated on the nerves of the victim of a most -unprecedented combination of circumstances. - -But sooner than Jim or Tom suspected the moment came when the laugh -was "on the other side of the mouth." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -HUNTING THE HUNTERS - - -Bob Budd played the part of pendulum to the bear for perhaps ten -minutes or less, during which he kept up his outcries, and Tom and Jim -laughed till they were in danger of falling from their perch in the -tree. - -"If Bob had only known what was coming," said Tom, "he could have had -his trousers lined with sheet iron, and then he might have joined in -the laugh too." - -"Why don't he give the bear a kick with his foot and knock him over? -He ought to have knowed enough to climb a big tree like us." - -"Helloa! what's up now?" - -Without any apparent reason bruin at this moment dropped down on all -fours, and, leaving Bob Budd to himself, lumbered over under the -refuge of the other two fugitives. - -They felt no special fear, for it seemed impossible that the animal -could do them harm. - -Bob's experience was not lost upon him. He realized the mistake he -made when he took refuge in the sapling, and he now repaired it before -the opportunity passed. - -Letting go, he dropped lightly on his feet and ran for another tree -double the size of the hickory, up which he hurriedly climbed to where -the limbs put out a dozen feet above the ground. - -Here, as he flung one leg over the strong support, he felt that at -last he was safe against a regiment of bears. - -Meanwhile, bruin was giving attention to Messrs. James McGovern and -Thomas Wagstaff. - -He first walked deliberately around the tree several times, as if -searching for some vulnerable point, occasionally looking up at the -grinning youngsters and snuffing like one impatient to secure his -dinner. - -"I wonder what he means by _that_" said Jim, with a vague feeling -of alarm. - -"He wants us to see what a big fellow he is." - -"He is a bouncer and no mistake," was the truthful comment of Jim. - -"I wouldn't care if he was ten times as large--good gracious! look at -_that_!" - -Well might the boys start in alarm, for at that moment the brute began -climbing the tree! - -They had lost sight of the fact, if indeed they ever knew it, that the -black bear is a famous climber when the trunks are big enough to be -grasped without his paws interfering. - -While Tom and Jim were congratulating themselves on being safe beyond -all possible harm, they discovered they were not safe at all. - -Bruin was on the point of ascending to their perch, when he was -tempted aside by the shouting of Bob Budd in the sapling, and he went -off to have some sport with him. - -Why the brute should have left Bob at the time he had him within reach -it would be hard to say. It may have been he concluded that the single -lad had afforded him enough entertainment, and the moment had come for -the other two to take a hand. - -The consternation of Tom and Jim may be imagined when they saw those -massive paws embrace the shaggy bark, which began to crumble beneath -the vigorous clawing of the nails, while the huge black body slowly -but steadily ascended toward the limbs, where the white-faced -youngsters watched his terrifying action. - -Bob's turn had come to laugh, and he called out: - -"Wait till he gets up among the branches, then drop and run for a tree -that is too small for him to climb." - -This was good advice perhaps, though it occurred to the boys, for whom -it was intended, that if they allowed their foe to approach that near -it would be too late for them to flee. - -Bruin had not very far to ascend when his huge, pig-like head was -thrust among the limbs, and he slowly drew his ponderous body after -him. - -He was now close to the fugitives, one of whom was perched above the -other, and both as far out on the branches as they could get without -breaking them. - -The big, shaggy form being fairly among the limbs, at the point where -they put out from the tree, bruin paused a minute, like a general -surveying the battle plain before him. - -There were the two cowering boys about a dozen feet off, apparently -without any hope of escaping his wrathful appetite. All he had to do -was to make his way out on the branches and gather them in. - -It will be seen that there was some difficulty in the bear's path, -since his weight would not allow him to advance clear to his victims, -unless he used some other limb for his support. - -As ill-luck would have it, the very means required was at his command. - -Directly beneath Tom and Jim was another branch, broad and strong -enough to support two large bears. It was so near the ground that the -boys used the limbs immediately above, with a view of making sure they -were beyond the reach of the biggest kind of animal on _terra -firma_. - -"_Here he comes!_" - -It was Tom who uttered the exclamation, and he spoke the truth, for at -that moment bruin began cautiously moving out on the heavy limb just -under them. - -"It's a good time to leave," whispered Jim, who, while the words were -in his mouth, let go and dropped to the ground. - -Tom was but an instant behind him, imitating him so quickly, indeed, -that he struck directly upon his shoulders. - -But no harm was done, and they were instantly up and off. - -It will be seen from this that the couple adopted substantially the -advice of Bob Budd, which contained more wisdom than most of his -utterances. - -Like their leader, the fugitives heeded the dearly bought lesson, and, -instead of taking refuge in a large tree or sapling, they chose one of -precisely the right size, each perching himself where he was as far -beyond reach as Bob Budd himself. - -The lads were given plenty of time in which to take their new -departure, since the bear, instead of leaping to the ground as they -did, picked his way back to the body of the tree, and slid down that -to the earth, tearing off a lot of the bark in his descent. - -This required so much time that when he once more stood on solid earth -all three of the boys were out of his reach, and could afford to laugh -at his anger. - -Halting a short distance from the tree, bruin looked at the boys in -turn with such an odd expression that they laughed. - -Gradually the idea appeared to work itself into the thick brain of the -animal that there was nothing to be made by remaining in that -particular part of the country, though his reluctance to leave caused -no little misgiving on the part of all three of the youths. - -If he should decide to stay until the party were compelled to choose -between starving to death and coming down, the situation, to say the -least, would have its inconveniences. - -"There he goes!" exclaimed Jim, a quarter of an hour after this -possible complication had been discussed by the youngsters from their -different perches. - -The bear seemed to have decided that it was useless to hang around the -neighborhood, and began moving off in his lumbering fashion. He was -attentively watched until he vanished in the dense wood. - -"We're all right _now_" called Bob. - -"Maybe he is trying to fool us," suggested Tom; "you had better stay -where you are awhile longer." - -"Who's afraid?" defiantly called back Bob, sliding nimbly down the -sapling; "you don't catch me running from a bear again; all I want is -a chance to get hold of my gun and load it--Jewhilakens!" - -A roar of laughter broke from Jim and Tom, who at that moment caught -sight of the brute coming back at a faster rate than he had departed. - -Bob was equally quick in descrying his danger, and the manner in which -he shinned up the sapling would have surprised a trained athlete, who -could not have surpassed it. - -"When is the fraud going to leave?" he growled, looking down on the -intruder that had stopped directly under him; "I don't know whether -bears are good waiters, but I hope he won't try to keep us here more -than a week." - -Bruin went snuffing around the spot, clawing the guns curiously, -gazing up at each lad in turn, and finally starting off once more. - -The boys hoped his departure was for good, but you may be sure they -did not discount it. When, however, a half-hour went by without his -being seen, all felt there was ground for hope. - -It seemed safe to experiment a little, and so Bob once more slid down -the sapling, after carefully reconnoitering all the forest in his -field of vision. He held himself ready also to climb again the instant -the beast reappeared. - -The boys were too frightened to attempt any jokes on each other, and -when Tom and Jim reported that bruin was not in sight, Bob believed -them. - -His gun was lying not far off, and he began timidly making his way -toward it. Step by step he advanced, glancing in every direction, and -ready to dart back the instant he saw or heard anything suspicious. - -Finally he stooped over and picked up the weapon. Still the bear was -invisible, and Bob hurriedly reloaded his gun, though it cannot be -claimed that he felt much more secure than before. - -Thus encouraged, Tom and Jim ventured to descend from their respective -trees, and they also recovered their weapons without bringing their -enemy down upon them. - -"It must be he's gone for good," said Jim, in a guarded undertone. - -"It looks that way," replied Tom, "and the best thing we can do is to -follow suit." - -This was the unanimous sentiment, and it was acted upon without delay. - -It cannot be said that a single member of the Piketon Rangers breathed -freely until fully a half-mile from the scene of their adventure with -the bear. - -The slightest noise caused them to start and gaze around with -rapidly-beating hearts; they spoke only a few words and they were in -undertones, while they paused a half-dozen times in the belief that -some stump or dark-colored boulder was the dreaded brute awaiting -their approach. - -But by the time the half-mile was passed they grew more confident. -They spoke in ordinary tones, and did not start at the sound of every -rustling leaf. - -"That's the last hunt I ever make up there," said Jim McGovern, -turning about and glaring at the mountainous slope as though it had -done him a personal injury. - -"I'm with you," replied Tom Wagstaff; "them as like to have their -brains banged out by bucks ten feet high or chawed up by bears as big -as an elephant are welcome, but not any for me." - -"I feel sort of that way myself," assented Bob; "it's the first time -I've tried it since I was a tot of a boy, but I've had enough to last -me for the next three hundred and eighty-five years. I hope Uncle Jim -won't ask too many questions about Hero, because he thought a good -deal of that hound." - -"He needn't ever know that he departed this life through a mysterious -dispensation of Providence," replied Jim; "all that it is necessary to -learn--and I don't know that there's any need of _that_--is that -Hero went off on an exploring expedition and hasn't yet returned. The -particulars of his shipwreck are unobtainable, as is often the case -with other explorers." - -"Oh! I can manage it, I've no doubt, for I was never yet caught in a -scrape that I couldn't get out of," was the cheerful response of Bob -Budd. - -The day was well gone when the three reached their tent at the base of -Mount Barclay, and they were glad enough to get back again. - -During their absence Aunt Ruth had sent one of the hired men, as was -her custom, with a liberal supply of delicacies, which were disposed -of in the usual vigorous style of the three, who were honest when they -agreed that they had had enough hunting of bears and deer to last them -a lifetime. - -"If we could only manage the thing without so much work," said Bob, -"we might find some fun in it; but we had to climb up that mountain, -which is three times as high as I supposed, and when the danger came, -why we hadn't our usual strength." - -"I think we did pretty well," replied Tom Wagstaff, "but all the same -I don't believe it would read very well in print." - -"Who's going to put it in print?" asked Bob; "we know too much to tell -any one about it, or, if we did, we would get it in a shape that would -do us proud." - -"Well, being as we have had all we want of hunting, the next thing -will be--what?" - -"Doing nothing," replied Wagstaff. - -"We can do the next thing to that, which is just as good." - -"What's that?" asked Bob. - -"Fish; stretch out along-shore in the shade, where there's no danger -of rolling in, or go out in a boat and wait for the fish to bite, not -caring much whether they do or not. The best thing about fishing is -that you never have to tire yourself--" - -"_Hark!_" - -At that moment the three heard a prodigious roar, rapidly increasing -in volume, until the air seemed to be filled with one continuous -reverberating peal of thunder. - -"Heaven save us!" exclaimed Bob Budd; "the dam has burst!" - -"And it is coming down on us and we can't get out of its path!" added -white-faced Wagstaff. - -He spoke the truth! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -A RACE FOR LIFE - - -Those who have been so unfortunate as to be placed in the path of an -overwhelming flood, which after slowly gathering for weeks and months -finally bursts all barriers, need not be told that the awful roar -caused by the resistless sweep can never be mistaken for anything -else. - -The mill-dam, to which we have made more than one reference, had not -been erected, like that at Johnstown, to afford fishing grounds for -those who were fond of the sport, but was reared fully twenty years -before to provide water-power for a company of capitalists, who -proposed erecting a series of mills and manufactories in the valley -below. They progressed as far in their enterprise as the formation of -a substantial dam when the company collapsed, and that was the end of -their scheme. - -The dam remained, with its enormous reservoir of water, which, in -summer, furnished excellent fishing and, in the winter, fine skating; -but during all that time the valuable store of power remained idle. - -The sudden breakage of the dam, without apparent cause, was -unaccompanied by the appalling features which marked the great -disaster in Pennsylvania a short time since. The town of Piketon was -not in the course of the flood, nor were there any dwelling-houses -exposed to the peril with the exception of the home of a single humble -laborer. - -The water became a terrific peril for a brief while, but such masses -speedily exhaust themselves, though it was fortunate indeed that the -topography of the country was so favorable that the uncontrollable -fury was confined in so narrow a space. - -But the camp of the Piketon Rangers lay exactly in the course of the -flood. Bob Budd and his friends had pitched their tent there because -the spot was an inviting one in every respect, and no one had ever -dreamed of danger from the breaking of the reservoir above. - -It was night when that fearful roar interrupted the conversation of -the Rangers. The young men were silent on the instant, and stared with -bated breath in each other's faces. - -"Great Heaven!" exclaimed Bob Budd, rising partly from his seat, "the -dam has burst!" - -"And I can't swim a stroke!" gasped the terrified Wagstaff. - -"Nor me either!" added McGovern; "I guess the end has come, boys." - -"I can swim," replied Bob, trembling from head to foot, "but that -won't help me at such a time as this." - -"Are we going to stay here and be drowned?" demanded Jim, rousing -himself; "we might as well go down fighting; every one for himself!" - -As he uttered this exclamation he dashed through the tent and among -the trees outside, where the rays of the moon could not penetrate, and -it was dark as Egypt. - -A strong wind seemed to be blowing, though a few minutes before the -air was as still as at the close of a sultry summer afternoon. The -wind was cool. It was caused by the rush of waters through the dense -forest. - -It was evident to McGovern and the rest that there was but one -possible means of escape--possibly two--and he attempted that which -first occurred to him: that was by dashing at right angles to the -course of the torrent. If he could reach ground higher than the -surface of the water, as it came careering through the wood, he would -be safe; but he and his companions knew when the awful roar broke upon -them that the waters were close, while it was a long run to the -elevated country on either side. - -But if anything of the kind was to be attempted there was not a moment -to spare. One second might settle the question of life and death. - -"Maybe I can make it!" was the thought that thrilled McGovern as he -began fighting his way through the wood, stumbling over bushes, -bumping against trunks, and picking his way as best he could; "it -isn't very far to the high ground, but I have to go so blamed -slow--great thunder! my head's sawed off!" - -At that moment a stubby limb caught under the chin of the frantic -fugitive and almost lifted him off his feet. He quickly freed himself -and dashed wildly on again with feelings that must have resembled -those of the multitude fleeing from before the sweep of the -overwhelming lava. - -A vine enclosed the ankle of the fugitive and he fell headlong; he was -instantly up again and collided with a tree, which he did not detect -soon enough in the gloom; at any other time McGovern would have taken -his own time in rising and vented his feelings, but he did not do so -now; his single thought was one wild, desperate hope that he might -escape. - -He never exerted himself so before, for, despite the stirring -experiences through which he had passed in his short life, he had -never encountered anything like this. - -Those who have hovered on the verge of death have made known that in -the few seconds when life was passing, the whole record of their -former lives has swept like a panorama before them. The events of -months and years have clustered in those few fearful moments. - -Jim McGovern's experience was somewhat similar. There were mighty few -seconds at his command, while struggling with the whole energy of his -nature to reach the rising ground beyond reach of the flood; but in -some respects that brief interval of time was as so many years to him. - -How well it will be if, when we reach that supreme moment which must -come to all of us, the hasty retrospect brings us pleasure and hope -rather than remorse and despair! - -There was nothing of this nature in the review that surged through the -brain of the miserable fellow. Broken promises, disobedience to -parents, wrangling, thievery, drinking--these were the scarlet tints of -the picture which memory painted for him in vivid colors. - -"If you'll only save me," he gasped, addressing the sole One who could -rescue him, "I will stop the bad things I've been doing all my life, -and do my best to live right always." - -Would he never pass the boundary of this narrow valley? It had always -seemed straight to him before, but now its width was expanded not to -yards and rods, but to miles. And never were the trees so close -together or the bushes, vines, and undergrowth so dense, or his own -wind so short, or his muscles so weak. - -Suddenly something cold was felt against his ankle. - -He knew what it was--it was water! - -The fringe of the flood had reached him. Where the bursting away was -so instantaneous and the released volume was so enormous, the flow -could not be like that of an ordinary torrent, which rises rapidly -because of the swiftly-increasing mass behind it. The awful rush at -Johnstown resembled the oncoming of a tidal wave or wall of water, so -high, so prodigious, so resistless that nothing less than the side of -a granite mountain could check it. - -It would have been the same in the case we are describing, though of -course to a less degree, but for the interposing wood, which, -beginning at the very base of the dam, continued the entire length of -the valley, which was several miles in extent. - -Some of these trees were uprooted as if by a cyclone, others were bent -and partly turned over, while the sturdiest, which did not stand near -the middle of the path, held their own, like giants resisting death -tugging at their vitals. - -The woods also acted as a brake, so to speak, on the velocity of the -terrific rush of waters. The flow could not be stopped nor turned -aside, but it was hindered somewhat, and, as it came down the hollow, -was twisted and driven into all manner of eddies, whirlpools, and -currents, in which the most powerful swimmer was as helpless as an -infant. - -"It's no use!" panted McGovern, when he felt the cold current rising -about his ankles like the coiling of a water-snake; "I must die, and -with all my sins on my head! Heaven have mercy! do not desert me now -when a little farther and I will be saved!" - -Never was a more agonized appeal made to his Creator than that by the -despairing McGovern. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -A CRY FROM THE DARKNESS - - -Within a few seconds after McGovern felt the water about his ankles it -touched his knees. He was still able to make progress, and with the -same despairing desperation as before, struggled onward. - -At the next step he went to his waist, and fell with a splash. - -"I'm drowning!" he gasped; but fortunately for him he had plunged into -a small hollow, out of which he was swept the next moment, and, with -no effort on his part, flung upon his feet. - -The roar was overpowering. It seemed as if he were in the appalling -swirl of Niagara, with the raging waters all around him clamoring for -his life. He grasped a limb which brushed his face, and the next step -showed that he had struck higher ground. - -But the torrent was ascending faster than he. It was gaining in spite -of all he could do, but hope was not yet dead. Another step and the -water was below his waist, and he was able to make progress with the -help of his hands. When he lifted one foot it was swept to one side, -and only by throwing his full weight upon it was he able to sustain -himself. - -He had now reached a point where the trees were not so near together. -While this enabled him to see something of his surroundings, it gave -the sweeping volume greater power, and he was in despair again. - -But the dim light of the moon showed that at that moment the boundary -of the current was only a few paces beyond him. Could he pass that -intervening distance before it further expanded he would be safe. - -Rousing his flagging energies he fought on, cheered by the view of a -figure on the margin, which had evidently caught sight of him. - -"A little farther and you will be all right!" shouted the stranger, -stepping into the torrent and extending his hand. - -"I can't do it!" moaned McGovern, struggling on, but gaining no faster -than the terrible enemy against which he was fighting. - -"Yes, you will! don't give up! take my hand!" - -McGovern reached out, but he was short of grasping the friendly help. -Then the brave friend stepped into the rushing torrent at the risk of -his own life, and, griping the cold hand, exerted himself with the -power of desperation, and dragged the helpless youth into the shallow -margin. - -"Don't stop!" he shouted, still pulling him forward; "we are not yet -out of danger!" - -Helped by the stranger who had appeared so opportunely, the two -splashed through the flood, which seemed striving to prevent their -escape, and would drag them down in spite of themselves. - -But the rescuer was cool-headed, strong, and brave, and he kept the -weak McGovern going with a speed that threatened to fling him -prostrate in spite of himself. - -The ground rose more sharply than before. A few more hurried steps and -their feet touched dry land. Still a few paces farther and they were -saved. - -The torrent might roar and rage, but it could not seize them. They had -eluded its wrath, like the hunter who leaps aside from the bound of -the tiger. - -McGovern stood for a minute panting, limp, and so exhausted that he -could hardly keep his feet. His companion did not speak, but kept his -place beside him, curiously gazing into his countenance, and waiting -until he should fully recover before addressing him. - -The youth speedily regained his self-command, and for the first time -looked in his rescuer's face. They were now beyond the shadow of the -trees, and could discern each other's features quite distinctly in the -favoring moonlight. - -"Well!" he exclaimed, "I think you and I have met before." - -"I shouldn't be surprised if we had," was the reply; "you tried to -destroy my bicycle last night." - -"And you saved me from drowning in the mill-pond." - -"I believe I gave you a little help in that way." - -"And now you have saved my life again." - -"I am glad I was able to do something for you, for you seemed to be in -a bad way." - -"I should think I was! If you had been a minute later it would have -been the last of Jim McGovern, and I tell you, Dick Halliard, he was -in no shape to die." - -No person escaping death by such a close call could throw off at once -the moral effect of his rescue. The bad youth was humbled, frightened, -and repentant. He was standing in the presence of him who had twice -been the instrument of saving his life in a brief space of time, and -that, too, after McGovern had tried to do him an injury. - -"I don't know whether you can forgive me," he said, in the meekest of -tones, "but I beg your pardon all the same." - -"I have no feeling against you," replied Dick, "and though you sought -to do me an injury, you inflicted the most on yourself; but," added -the young hero, starting up, "where are Bob Budd and Tom Wagstaff?" - -"Heaven only knows! They must be drowned," replied McGovern, glancing -at the raging waters so near him with a shudder, as if he still feared -they would reach and sweep him away. - -"Where did you leave them? How did you become separated?" - -"We were in our tent when we heard the waters coming. We felt we -couldn't help each other, and all made a break, some in one direction -and some another. They must have been drowned, just as I would have -been but for you." - -But what could he do to help them? He was standing as near to the -torrent as he dare. It had already submerged the spot where the tent -had been erected to the depth of twenty feet at least. Bob and Tom -could not have stayed there had they wished, nor was there any means -of reaching them. - -"I wish I could do something," said Dick, as if talking with himself, -"but I see no way." - -"There is none," added McGovern, who was speedily recovering from the -ordeal through which he had passed, "but it is too bad; I would do -anything I could for poor Bob and Tom." - -It seemed hopeless indeed, but Dick could not stand idle, knowing that -others near him might be in most imminent need of help. - -"If they are alive, which I don't believe," said McGovern, "they must -have drifted below us by this time." - -"I agree with you," replied Dick, moving slowly along the margin of -the torrent, which, on account of the unevenness of the ground, -encroached at times and compelled them to retreat for a brief space; -"I should think if they were alive they would call for help." - -"Did you hear _me_?" asked McGovern, looking round in the face of -his companion. - -"Yes, though I happened to be quite near when the flood came, and had -to scramble myself to get out of the way--" - -"Hark!" interrupted McGovern, "that was a voice!" - -"So it was, and it is below us!" - -As he spoke he broke into a run, with the larger youth at his heels. -They had caught a cry, but it was so smothered and brief that it was -impossible to tell the point whence it came, except that it was below -them. - -"Help! help! for the love of Hiven, help!" - -"That's the voice of Terry Hurley," said Dick, who recalled that the -Irishman lived with his family a short distance away, and in the path -of the flood. In the whirl of events young Halliard had forgotten this -man and his wife and their two little girls. - -But that cry showed they were in imminent extremity, and possibly aid -might reach them in time. McGovern, since his own rescue, was as -anxious as the brave Dick to extend assistance to whomsoever were in -peril. - -The calamity had come with such awful suddenness that not the least -precautionary step could be taken. It was too early for neighbors to -arrive, but all Piketon and the vicinity would be on the spot in the -course of a few hours. - -A brief run brought the boys in sight of the imperiled family. The -humble home of Terry Hurley did not stand in the centre of the valley, -like the tent of the Piketon Rangers, but well up to one side. Thus it -escaped the full force of the current, which, however, was violent -enough to fill the lower story in a twinkling, and threaten to carry -the structure from its foundations. - -The two little girls, Maggie and Katie, had just said their prayers at -their bedside in the upper story, and Terry was in the act of lighting -his pipe when the shock came. The husband and wife might have escaped -by dashing out of the door and fleeing, but neither thought for an -instant of doing so. Both would have preferred to perish rather than -abandon the innocent ones above them. - -Calling to his wife to follow, Terry bounded up a few steps and dashed -to the bedside. At the same instant that he seized one in his arms, -his wife caught up the younger. - -"Whither shall we go, Terry?" asked the distracted mother, starting to -descend the stairs. - -"Not there! not there!" he called, "but to the roof!" - -By standing on a chair the trap-door was easily reached and the -covering thrown back. Then he pushed Maggie through, warning her to -hold fast, and the rest would instantly join her. - -Next little Katie was passed upward. - -"Now," said Terry, "I will jine the wee spalpeens and thin give ye a -lift, Delia." - -The Irishman was a powerful man, and the task thus far was of the -easiest character. He drew himself through the door on the roof, and -extending one brawny hand to his wife, was in the act of lifting her -after him, when a scream from Maggie caused him to loose his hold and -look round. - -"What's the matter wid ye, Maggie?" he asked. - -"Kate has just rolled off the roof!" was the terrifying reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -A SAD DISCOVERY - - -The horror-stricken Terry thought no more about his wife, whom he was -in the act of lifting through the trap-door, but let go her hand, -allowing her to drop with a crash that shook the whole building. - -"Where is the child?" he asked, facing the elder daughter. - -"Yonder; I was trying to hold her when she slipped away and rolled -down the slope of the roof--" - -But the father waited to hear no more. Just then the cry of his baby -reached his ear, and he caught a glimpse of the white clothing which -helped to buoy her up. Like an athlete, running along a spring-board -to gather momentum for his tremendous leap, he took a couple of steps -down the incline of the roof to the edge, from which he made a -tremendous bound far out in the muddy torrent. - -It was the energy of desperation and the delirium of paternal -affection itself which carried him for a long way over the water, so -that when he struck, one extended arm seized the shoulder of his -child, while the other sustained both from sinking. - -Poor Katie, who had been gasping for breath, now began crying, and the -sound was welcome to the parent, for it proved that she was alive. Had -she been quiet he would have believed she was drowned. - -The trees which grew so thickly in the little valley served another -good purpose in addition to that already named. The most powerful -swimmer that ever lived could not make headway against such a torrent, -nor indeed hold his own for a moment. - -Terry would have been quickly swept beyond sight and sound of the rest -of his family had he not grasped a strong, protruding limb by which he -checked his progress. - -"Are ye there, Terry?" - -It was his wife who called. She had heard the frenzied cry of the -elder girl at the moment she went downward herself with such a -resounding crash. She was as frantic as her husband, and did that -which would have been impossible at any other time. Grasping the sides -of the trap-door, she drew herself upward and through with as much -deftness as her husband a few minutes before. She asked the agonized -question at the moment her head and shoulders appeared above the roof. - -"Yis, I'm here, Delia," he called back, "and Katie is wid me." - -"Hiven be praised!" was the fervent response of the wife; "I don't -care now if the owld shanty is knocked into smithereens." - -The speech was worthy of an Irishwoman, who never thought of her own -inevitable fate in case the catastrophe named should overtake her -dwelling while she was on the roof. She could dimly discern the -figures of her husband and child, as the former clung to the friendly -limb. - -"If yer faat are risting so gintaaly on the ground," said the wife, -who supposed for the moment he was standing on the earth and grasping -the branch to steady himself, "why doesn't ye walk forward and jine -us?" - -"If my faat are risting on the ground!" repeated Terry: "and if I were -doing the same, I would be as tall as a maating-house wid the staaple -thrown in." - -"Thin would ye loike to have us join _ye_?" persisted the wife. - -"Arrah, Delia, now are ye gone clean crazy, that ye talks in that -style? Stay where ye be, and I would be thankful if I could get back -to ye, which the same I can't do." - -The wife had been so flustered that her questions were a little mixed, -but by the time she was fairly seated on the roof, with one arm -encircling Maggie, who clung, frightened and crying, to her, she began -to realize her situation. - -"Terry," she called again, "are ye not comfortable?" - -"Wal, yis," replied the fellow, whose waggery must show itself, now -that he believed the entire family were safe from the flood, "I faals -as comfortable, thank ye, as if I was standing on me head on the top -of a barber's pole. How is it wid yerself, me jewel?" - -"I'm thankful for the blissing of our lives; but why don't ye climb -into the traa and take a seat?" - -"I will do so in a few minutes." - -There was good ground for this promise. Although Terry had been -sustaining himself only a brief while, he felt the water rising so -rapidly that the crown of his head, which was several inches below the -supporting limb, quickly touched it, and as he shifted his position -slightly it ascended still farther. While sustaining his child he -could not lift both over the branch, but, with the help of the -current, would soon be able to do so. - -Requesting his wife to hold her peace for the moment, he seized the -opportunity the instant it presented itself, and with comparatively -little outlay of strength, placed himself astride the branch. This was -all well enough, provided the flood did not keep on ascending, but it -was doing that very thing, and his perch must speedily become -untenable. - -His refuge, however, was a sturdy oak, whose top was fully twenty feet -above him, and, like its kind, was abundantly supplied with strong -branches, so near each other that it was not difficult for the father -to climb to a safe point, where he was confident the furious waters -could never reach him. - -Having seated himself in a better position than before, he surveyed -his surroundings with some degree of composure. - -"Delia," he called, "I obsarve ye are there yit." - -"I'm thankful that yer words are the thruth, and if ye kaap on -climbing ye'll be in the clouds by morning." - -Now, while the rising torrent had proven of great assistance in one -way to Terry and his infant child, it threatened a still graver peril -to the mother and Maggie, who remained on the roof. - -The house, being of wood, was liable to be lifted from its foundations -and carried in sections down-stream. In that event it would seem that -nothing could save the couple from immediate drowning. - -Neither the husband nor wife thought of this calamity until she called -out, under the stress of her new fear: - -"Terry, the owld building can't stand this." - -"What do ye maan, me darling?" - -"I faal it moving under me as though its getting onaisy--oh! _we're -afloat_!" - -The exclamation was true. The little structure, after resisting the -giant tugging at it as though it were a sentient thing, yielded when -it could hold out no longer. It popped up a foot or two like a cork, -as if to recover its gravity, and the next moment started down the -torrent. - -It was at this juncture that Terry uttered the despairing cry which -brought Dick Halliard and Jim McGovern hurrying to the spot on the -shore directly opposite. - -But unexpected good fortune attended the shifting of the little -building from its foundations. Swinging partly around, it drifted -against the tree in which Terry had taken refuge with his child. His -wife and Maggie were so near that he could touch them with his -outstretched hand. - -"Climb into the limbs," he said, "for the owld shebang will soon go to -pieces." - -He could give little help, since he had to keep one arm about Katie, -but the wife was cool and collected, now that she fully comprehended -her danger. The projecting limbs were within convenient reach, and it -took her but a minute or two to ensconce herself beside her husband -and other child. - -Quick as was the action it was not a moment too soon, for she was -hardly on her perch and safely established by the side of all that was -dear to her when the house broke into a dozen fragments, the roof -itself disintegrating, and every portion quickly vanished among the -tree-tops in the darkness. - -"Helloa, Terry, are you alive?" called Dick Halliard. - -"We're all alive, Hiven be praised!" replied the Irishman, "and are -roosting among the tree-tops." - -"It will be all right with you then," was the cheery response, "for I -don't think the flood will rise any higher." - -"Little odds if it does, for we haven't raiched the top story of our -new risidence yit." - -Just then a dark object struck the ground at the feet of the boys, -swinging around like a log of wood. Seeing what it was, Dick Halliard -stooped down and drew it out of the current. - -"What is it?" asked McGovern, in a whisper, seeing as he spoke that it -was a human body. "Great Heavens! it is Tom Wagstaff!" - -"So it is," replied Dick, "and he is dead." - -"And so is Bobb Budd!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -A FRIEND INDEED - - -It was a shocking sight, and for a minute or two Dick Halliard and Jim -McGovern did not speak. - -Tom Wagstaff had been cut off in the beginning of his lawless career, -and his dead body lay at the feet of his former companion in -wrong-doing, with whom he had exchanged coarse jests but a short while -before. - -It was as McGovern declared, and as the reader has learned. When the -Piketon Rangers heard the rush of the flood, each broke from the tent, -thinking only of his own safety, which was just as well, since neither -could offer the slightest aid to the others. - -We have shown by what an exceedingly narrow chance McGovern eluded the -torrent. But for the hand of Dick Halliard, extended a second time to -save him from drowning, he would have shared the fate of Wagstaff. The -particulars of the latter's death were never fully established. He -probably fled in the same general direction as McGovern, without -leading or following in his footsteps, since his body was carried to -the same shore upon which McGovern emerged. His struggles most likely -were similar, but, singularly enough, he knew nothing about swimming, -which, after all, could have been of no benefit to him, and he -perished as did the thousands who went down in the Johnstown flood. - -Terry Hurley overheard the exclamation of McGovern, the roar of the -torrent having greatly subsided, and he called out to know the cause. -Dick explained, and the sympathetic Irishman instantly quelled the -disposition to joke that he had felt a short time before. - -The boys were not slow in observing that the water was falling. When -they first laid down the body the current almost touched their feet. -In a short while it was a considerable distance away. - -"I believe he was an old friend of yours," said Dick, addressing his -companion, who was deeply affected by the event. - -"Yes," replied McGovern; "him and me run away from home together." - -"Why did you do that?" - -"Because Satan got into us; we both have good homes and kind parents, -but we played truant, stole, fought, and did everything bad. Bob Budd -came down to New York some time ago, and we made his acquaintance; we -were fellows after one another's heart, and we took to each other -right off. We showed Bob around the city, and then he made us promise -to come out and visit him. It was his idea to form the Piketon -Rangers." - -"I don't know as there was anything wrong in that," said Dick, who -felt for the grief of his companion and was awed by the fate that had -overtaken the others; "camping out is well enough in its way, and I -would do it myself if I had the chance." - -"It isn't that which I mean; it's the way we have been going on since -we have been together. I daresn't tell you all the bad we did, Dick -Halliard." - -"Never mind; don't think of it." - -"I am going home as soon as I can; this will break up Tom's folks, for -they thought all the world of him." - -"It is bad," said Dick, who saw how idle it was to try to minify the -dreadful incidents; "but sad as it is, it will not be entirely lost if -you do not forget it." - -"Forget it!" repeated McGovern, looking reproachfully in his face; "it -will haunt me as long as I live." - -"I have been told that people often feel that way when great sorrow -overtakes them; but," added Dick, seeing his companion was grieved by -his words, "I do not believe it will be so with you." - -"I have run away from home before, but I think this was a little the -worst, for my father had everything arranged to send me to college, -and I know his heart is well-nigh broken." - -"Not so far but that you can mend it by doing what you say you mean to -do," said Dick, thinking it wise to emphasize the truth already -spoken. - -McGovern made no reply, but stood for a minute as if in deep thought. -Dick was watching him closely and saw him look down at the inanimate -form at his feet. He sighed several times, and then glancing up -quickly, said in an eager voice: - -"Dick Hilliard, I wish I was like you." - -The words sounded strange from one who had been so reckless of all -that was right, but never was an utterance more sincere--it came -directly from the heart. - -"Don't take me for a model, for you can be a great deal better than I; -you tell me you have good parents; all you have to do is to obey -them." - -"You seem to doubt my keeping the pledge," said McGovern, looking with -curious fixidity in the countenance of Dick. - -"I believe you are in earnest now, but what I fear is that you have -become so accustomed to your wild life that you will forget this -lesson." - -"Well," sighed the stricken youth, "that must remain to be tested; all -that I can now do is to ask you to suspend judgment, as they say." - -"You can give me your hand on it, Jim." - -It was a strange sight, when the two boys clasped hands on the bank of -the subsiding flood, with the lifeless body at their feet, and one of -them uttered his solemn promise that from that hour he would strive to -follow the right path and shun the wrong one. - -But that pledge, uttered years ago, remains unbroken to this day. - -Dick Halliard was thrilled by the scene, which will always remain -vivid in his memory. Despite the sorrowful surroundings a singular -pleasure crept through his being, for conscience whispered that he had -done a good deed in thus exhorting the wayward youth, and that it was -on record in the great book above. - -It was not the impressiveness of that silent form that so wrought upon -the feelings of the youths, but the recollection of the missing one, -whose body they believed was whirling about in the fierce currents of -the torrent that was speedily exhausting itself in the deeper parts of -the valley, or perhaps was lodged somewhere in the lower limbs of a -tree, awaiting the morning for the shocked friends to claim it. - -Considerable time had passed since the bursting of the dam, and the -news of the calamity spread rapidly. People began flocking hither from -the neighborhood, and before long there were arrivals from Piketon -itself. These gathered at the scene of destruction and viewed it with -bated breath. Some brought lanterns, but the broad space where the -waters had reposed for so many years was clearly shown in the -moonlight and made a striking sight. - -The striking feature about the calamity, which, as we have stated, was -never satisfactorily explained, was that the dam, which looked strong -enough to resist tenfold the pressure, had not yielded in a single -spot, as would be supposed, but had been carried away almost bodily. -That is to say, three-fourths of the structure was gone, its -foundations being on a level with the bottom of the pond in the -immediate vicinity. - -Perhaps the most probable explanation of the accident was that offered -by an old fisherman, to the effect that muskrats had burrowed under -and through the dam until it had been so weakened throughout most of -its extent that when a giving way began at one point it was like -knocking the keystone from an arch. Its results resembled those often -shown by the explosion of a steam boiler, when only a few fragments -remain to show what it once has been. - -Before long a party reached the place where Dick and Jim were standing -by the dead body of Wagstaff. When it was proposed to remove it the -suggestion was made that it should not be disturbed until the arrival -of the coroner, who could be called by morning to view the body. This -practice, as the reader doubtless knows, prevails in nearly every -portion of the country, and was adopted in the instance named. - -Meanwhile Terry Hurley and his family, perched among the branches of -the trees, were not forgotten. As soon as the waters subsided -sufficiently, parties waded out, and by means of ladders that were -quickly brought, soon placed the homeless ones safely on _terra -firma_. - -The haste of the flight had prevented the couple from doing much in -the way of bringing needed garments, and the children, who were in -their night clothes, suffered considerably. But they were now in the -hands of good friends, who did everything possible. They were looked -after, and it is a pleasure to say that no serious consequences -followed. - -Captain Jim Budd, the indulgent uncle of Bob, happened to be away from -Piketon on the night of the great accident, but was expected back in -the morning. Fortunately no one was so thoughtless as to hasten to -Aunt Ruth with the news of her nephew's death, and therein she was -more favored than most people placed in her sad situation. - -Dick Halliard made his employer his confidant as far as was necessary -concerning Jim McGovern. The good-hearted merchant took hold of the -matter at once. - -Having obtained from McGovern the address of Wagstaff's parents, word -was telegraphed them and their wishes asked as to the disposition of -their son's remains. The father appeared that afternoon, and with the -permission of the coroner took charge of them. - -Mr. Wagstaff proved to be a man of good sense and judgment. He told -Mr. Hunter that his life purpose had been to educate and bring up his -five children, with every advantage they could require. He and his -wife had set their hearts on preparing Jim for the ministry, but his -wayward tendencies developed at an early age. He was the only one of -the family to cause the parents anxiety, and he brought them enough -sorrow for all. - -This parent was one of those rare ones who saw his children as other -people saw them. His boy had been as bad as he could be, and though -the youngest of the three, no excuse was offered for him on that -account. - -"He has sown the wind and reaped the whirlwind," remarked the father; -"he chose the wrong path instead of the right, and no one is blamable -beside himself." - -Mr. Wagstaff manifested deep interest in young McGovern, when he -learned what the young man had said to Dick Halliard. His father was a -prominent lawyer in New York, who had cherished the same hopes for his -son as he, but he would not be controlled, and he, too, had run off to -seek forbidden pleasures. - -But the caller was touched by what he had heard as to the youth's -change of feelings. He sought him out, and was pleased with his talk. -The same train which bore the remains of Wagstaff to New York carried -also Jim McGovern on his way to join his parents who had known nothing -of him for days. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -DICK HALLIARD IS ASTOUNDED - - -There were hopes until the following morning that Bob Budd might have -escaped the flood. The fact that one of the Piketon Rangers had -managed with help to extricate himself gave slight grounds for belief -that a second had been equally fortunate. - -This hope grew less and less as the night passed, and the people -wandering up and down the valley, hallooing and calling the name of -Bob, received no response. Only a few retained the slightest -expectation of ever seeing him again. - -Long before morning broke the flood had spent its force. Such a vast -outlet as the sweeping away of most of the bank was like the sliding -doors which admit passengers to the ferryboat. It was of such extent -that the supply quickly ran out. - -In the middle of the valley, where the whole force of the torrent was -felt, large trees had been uprooted and hurled forward with a momentum -which helped to uproot others in turn. - -The prodigious power rapidly diminished as the ground rose on either -side, until it was seen that the trunks were able to hold their own. -There was considerable dislocation of vegetation, so to speak, but -nothing to be compared to that in the middle of the valley. - -The sheet of water had been plentifully stocked with fish, which were -now scattered everywhere along the valley, napping in little pools of -water as they did on the muddy bottom of the pond itself. It was a -veritable picnic for the small boys. - -Captain Jim Budd was on the ground as soon after he heard of the loss -of Bob as he could reach the place. He was thoughtful enough to -arrange matters so that his wife should learn nothing of the -occurrence until his return. He placed a trusted friend on guard to -keep busy mongers from her. - -Captain Jim was the contrast of Mr. Wagstaff as regarded the youth in -whom he was interested. He proclaimed to every one that Bob was not -only the brightest, but the best principled boy in Piketon and the -neighborhood. Had he lived he would have made his mark in the law or -ministry or whatever profession he chose to honor with his attention. -He had always been truthful, honest, and obedient, and his loss was in -the nature of a general calamity. - -It seems incredible that a man of sense should talk in this fashion, -and not only utter such words, but believe them. The reader, however, -who has heard other parents talk, can credit the statement that such -was the fact. - -The first thing that Captain Jim did, after learning the facts, was to -offer a reward of one thousand dollars for the recovery of the body of -his nephew. No doubt, he said, the whole neighborhood would insist on -attending his remains to the grave, that they might render a fitting -tribute to one thus cut off in the prime of his promising young -manhood. The Captain, therefore, felt it his duty to defer to so -proper a desire. He would erect a monument over the remains, to which -parents might impressively point, as they urged their offspring to -emulate the virtues of Robert Budd. - -The large reward offered for the recovery of the body resulted in the -employment of fully a hundred and sometimes more people, who roamed up -and down the narrow valley through which the flood had swept from -early morning until darkness forced a cessation of the search. - -Some three miles below the bursted dam the valley widened to fully -double its width. There naturally the current expanded and lost the -tremendous power displayed above. Most of this portion, like the rest, -was covered with trees, so that places innumerable existed where a -body might be hidden, thus making it almost impossible to find it -unless by a fortunate accident. - -The surprise was general that the search should be prosecuted so long -and so thoroughly without result. It seemed that every foot of ground -had been covered and no spot left unvisited. The bushy tops of trees, -prostrate trunks, timbers, undergrowth, shrubbery, rifts of leaves, -and, indeed, everything that looked as if it could hide a body as -large as a dog were examined again and again, but without the -slightest success. - -An excitement was roused by the report, the second day after the -search had been instituted, that the body had been recovered, but it -proved to be the remains of a heifer that was unfortunately caught in -the swirl and was unable to save herself. - -Gradually the belief spread that Bob Budd's remains would never be -found, and most of the searchers gave up the task. A few, prompted by -the promise of a still larger reward, kept at it, hoping that some -lucky chance might give them the opportunity to earn more money than -they could do otherwise in several years. - -The disappointment was a sorrowful one to Captain Jim Budd and his -wife Ruth, the news having been broken to the latter. They could not -reconcile themselves to the thought that their beloved nephew should -be denied the last rites that were paid to the humblest individual; -and while all knew the character of the missing young man, they deeply -pitied his relatives. - -Dick Halliard returned to his duties in the store of Mr. Hunter more -thoughtful than ever before. He was grateful that McGovern had shown -so strong a resolution of reforming his life and turning from his evil -ways, but it was shocking to recall that Wagstaff and Bob Budd were -placed beyond the power of undoing the evil they had committed. - -Bob, as we have shown, was a native of Piketon, and had spent most of -his life there. He was an only son, who was left a considerable -fortune by his father, who appointed Uncle Jim Budd his guardian. This -old gentleman, though he sometimes flared up and threatened Bob -because of his extravagance and waywardness, was foolishly indulgent. -Whatever firmness he might have shown at times in dealing with his -nephew was spoiled by his wife, who refused the young man nothing that -was in her power to grant. Bob was not naturally vicious, and his -relatives were largely responsible for his going wrong. - -One cause for deep satisfaction on the part of Dick was the wonderful -proof of the truth of the words spoken by Dr. Armstrong, when the -youth summoned him hastily to the bedside of his parent. From that -evening there was a marked improvement in his condition, and his -convalescence was steady until, in the course of a few months, he was -completely restored to health and vigor. - -After thinking over the question for a day or two, Dick decided to -tell his parents everything. They had learned of what had occurred, -and he believed it would be a pleasure to them to be told that one -result of the blow was the reformation of McGovern. - -Such was the fact, but the greatest happiness that could come to the -father and mother was that of learning the nobility of their boy, who -had conducted himself so admirably through more than one crisis, more -trying than most youths older than he are ever called upon to face. - -Matters stood thus at the end of a week after the flood, when Dick -Halliard was surprised by the reception of a letter from New York. He -did not recognize the handwriting, and broke the seal with no little -curiosity. A glance at the bottom of the page showed the name of Jim -McGovern as the writer. - -"My dear Dick," he said, after giving the particulars of the funeral -over the remains of Wagstaff, "I can never tell you how deeply -grateful I am to you; I am not one of those who gush, and will not say -more except to repeat a remark which my father made when I had told -him all. 'There is no earthly honor,' said he, 'which could be given -me, that I would not surrender for the sake of having a son like -Richard Halliard.' Considered strictly as a compliment, I think you -will admit, Dick, that _that_ has some weight. I know your -modesty, but I must beg you as a favor to me to read all my letter up -to this point, when you must stop, for here comes something which is a -secret for the present between you and me. You will not give a hint of -it to any one. - -"Come to think, however, there is no secret that I'm going to reveal -in the letter, but I will tell you the next time we meet that will -make your hair lift your hat. I want you to get permission right away -from Mr. Hunter to come to New York for a couple of days. Telegraph me -what time you will reach here, and I will meet you at the station and -take you home. If anything should happen to prevent my being there on -time come to No. -- Madison Avenue, give your name, and wait for me. My -folks will be delighted to receive you, and you will not be kept long -waiting. - -"I have arranged to enter Yale at the next term. I shall need to brush -up in my studies, but I'm confident I'll get there all the same, if -you'll excuse a little slang which still clings to me. But above all -things, come to New York _as soon as you can_. I promise you will -not regret it." - -As may be supposed, Dick Halliard found more than one cause for -surprise in this letter. The first was the fact that the writer -possessed a much better education than he suspected. The composition -was not only correct as regards grammar, punctuation, and spelling, -but the statement of his decision to enter Yale College showed the -advantages the youth had received, and which were far superior to what -would be supposed by one who heard McGovern discourse when a member of -the Piketon Rangers. - -But Dick was shrewd, and, although he respected the request of the -writer that nothing should be revealed about the letter, he suspected -the nature of the "secret" to which he referred in such strong -language. - -"Jim is in the flush of a mistaken sense of gratitude to me," he said -to himself, "and he has persuaded his father to feel very much the -same way. They want to get me down there to their home, that they may -all see and tell me how thankful they are, and perhaps they mean to -make me a present of some kind. I don't think I'll go." - -Nothing could be more distasteful to young Halliard than a proceeding -of the kind he had in mind. It is no misstatement to say that he would -have preferred to receive personal chastisement to that of being made -a lion of by any one. - -And yet he disliked to disappoint Jim, who was so strenuous in his -invitation. He would be grieved and repeat it more urgently than -before until further refusal would offend him. - -"I'll go!" finally concluded the youth, "but I will give Jim to -understand from the beginning that, if he attempts to show me off or -to tell others anything about me, or tries to force a testimonial on -me, I will take the next train home and forever afterward keep him at -arm's length." - -With this resolution in his mind, he went to Mr. Hunter's private -office and asked him whether he could be spared from the store a -couple of days. - -"We should miss you at _any_ time," said the genial merchant, -resting his hand affectionately on his shoulder; "but there is no -request that Richard Halliard can make of me which I will not -cheerfully grant if it is in my power to do so. Yes, take a couple of -days off, and a week if you wish, and may you have as good a time as -you deserve, young man." - -Dick blushed under this warm compliment, and, thanking his employer, -went home, where he told his parents of McGovern's request, and -secured their consent to his departure. - -Jim met him at the station with a carriage, and drove him hurriedly -homeward. After the warm greeting Dick wanted to warn him about the -lion and testimonial business, but reflected that it would be in bad -taste, since it was possible that Jim held no such intentions. In that -event he would resemble the politician who declines the honor that has -never been offered him. - -McGovern seemed restless and uneasy on the way, often forcing an -unnatural gayety, which did not deceive his friend, of whom he showed -such extreme fondness. - -Dick admired the handsome residence before which the carriage halted, -and it was with considerable awe that he followed Jim up the broad -stone steps, and was ushered into his father's library. McGovern -showed commendable taste in not presenting his visitor to the members -of the household immediately on his arrival. - -"But I have a friend in the library," he said, as he led the way -thither, "that I think you will be glad to meet." - -A young man rose to his feet, and came briskly forward. - -"How are you, Dick?" - -"Heaven save me!" gasped Dick Halliard, in amazement, recognizing the -smiling youth as no other than Bob Budd himself! - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -HOW IT HAPPENED - - -When the terrific roar of waters reached the ears of the three Piketon -Rangers in their tent, McGovern and Wagstaff started at headlong speed -up the right side of the valley toward higher ground, the former -succeeding in saving himself with the help of Dick Halliard, while the -latter lost his life. - -Bob Budd turned the opposite way, impelled only by the wild desire to -escape, with little hope of doing so. But fortune was kinder to him -than to his companions. Had they followed his footsteps they would -have been saved with little difficulty, for the ground on that side -was not only freer from undergrowth, but rose so much more rapidly -than that on the opposite slope that his efforts kept him ahead of the -torrent, and he struck the level ground where it was untouched by the -flood. - -But Bob was in a panic, and instead of waiting to see how his friends -made out, he broke into a run that was never stopped until, panting -and tired, he could barely stand. He was near his own home, and sat -down to reflect upon the situation. - -He was clear of one danger, but he believed he was in another equally -to be dreaded. In fact, although he repressed all signs of the -agitation at the time, he was as uncomfortable as can be imagined -while talking with his companions before the giving way of the -mill-dam. - -He believed that Dick Halliard was sure to make known his attack on -him. It was so flagrant in its nature that imprisonment was -inevitable, for when he came to think over the matter he lost his -faith in a triumphant alibi. He knew that Dick Halliard's simple -assertion would outweigh all the perjuries he and his companions could -utter. - -It was a fearful prospect, and Bob felt he could not face it. There -was but one escape that presented itself--that was flight. - -Everything pointed to this as a successful recourse. The people would -believe he was drowned in the flood, as he believed Wagstaff and -McGovern had already been, and therefore they would not dream of -looking elsewhere. If he could get out of the neighborhood without -being recognized he would be safe. - -He resolved to do so. Knowing that his uncle was absent, he managed to -climb into the rear of his own home without discovery. Making his way -to his room without disturbing any one, he changed his clothing, -putting on a slouch hat, which could be pulled down over his face so -as to hide most of his features. Then, drawing up the collar of his -coat, he sneaked out again by the way he had entered without his -presence having been suspected by his aunt or any of the servants. - -Bob always had abundance of money at command, so no inconvenience was -likely to result from lack of funds. It was three miles to the nearest -railroad station, but the walk was not a trying one on this cool night -in autumn, and he easily made it. - -Luck was certainly with the young scapegrace on that eventful evening. -The hour was so late that he encountered only one person on the road. -He was an old farmer, so tipsy that he would not have recognized his -own mother in broad daylight. He paid no attention to the solitary -figure on the highway, with his slouch hat drawn far down over his -face and his collar about his ears, as though it were midwinter. - -Reaching the station just as the night express was starting, he leaped -upon the rear platform without stopping to purchase a ticket, and thus -escaped another danger of recognition. He saw no one in the car that -he knew, and the conductor who collected his fare was also a stranger. - -Thus Bob succeeded in getting away from Piketon without a living -person suspecting the fact. - -Arriving in the metropolis he went to the Astor House, where he -registered under an assumed name. He had been in New York before, and -breathed somewhat freely, believing that the great city offered better -facilities for concealment from the authorities than can be found in -the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains. - -Conscience makes cowards of us all, and Bob could never feel perfectly -secure. He feared every stranger whom he encountered on the streets -and who looked sharply at him was an officer that suspected his -identity and was meditating his arrest. - -Even when he read in the papers the account of the disaster at -Piketon, and saw the name of Wagstaff and himself as the two worthy -young men that were drowned, he failed to obtain the consolation that -might have been expected. He was known to a good many in New York, and -feared he could not keep his secret much longer. - -In this distressful state he dispatched a messenger boy to the home of -Jim McGovern, with the request that he would come to a certain room at -the Astor House to meet a person on important business. Bob did not -send a note or give his name, so that when the wondering Jim presented -himself at the famous hostelry, it was without the remotest suspicion -of whom he was to meet. - -Possibly the amazement of McGovern may be imagined when he stood in -the presence of the former captain of the Piketon Rangers and listened -to his story. - -"I have a great mind to sail for Europe," he said, after making the -facts known. - -"And why?" - -"Because I'll never be safe as long as I'm on this side of the -Atlantic; my attack on Dick Halliard will send me to prison for twenty -years." - -The frightened Bob now gave Jim a truthful account of his stopping -young Halliard on the highway and shooting at him. - -"Have you told your uncle and aunt that you are here?" asked McGovern, -without referring to the incident, which, of course, he heard for the -first time. - -"Gracious, no!" replied the startled Bob; "I wouldn't do it for the -world." - -"Don't you think you can trust them?" - -"I know they would do anything for me, but it is too risky; they would -be sure to drop some hint that would let the cat out of the bag." - -"You needn't be afraid of that; haven't you reflected, Bob, how -distressed they are over your supposed death?" - -"Yes, that is so, but I don't know how it can be helped; you see how I -am fixed." - -"You are mistaken, and before I can agree to stand by you I must -insist that you write a letter to your uncle, Captain Jim, and let -him know that the thousand dollars he has offered for the recovery of -your body is safe. You can ask that until he hears from you again he -and Aunt Ruth shall let no one one suspect you are alive. You know he -believes in you, and you have only to say that you have important -reasons for the request, and they will be sure to respect it." - -"I wish I could feel as certain about that as you do," said Bob, who -was made uncomfortable by the words of his friend. - -"I am certain, and I can't feel much sympathy for you as long as you -show yourself indifferent to the feelings of your best friends." - -"That's queer talk for you, Jim; you didn't think much about the -feelings of your folks when you and Tom run away from home." - -"I trust I am a different person from what I was then," said Jim, his -face flushing. - -Bob looked at him curiously, but did not speak the thought which came -into his mind at that moment. - -"Well," said he, with a sigh, "if you insist so strongly, why, I'll do -it." - -"When?" - -"In the course of a day or two." - -"I want you to do it _now_, while I am in this room." - -"But where's the hurry, Jim?" asked Bob, impatiently; "I don't see why -things need be rushed in the style you want." - -"Do it to oblige me, Bob, and then I have something to say to you -which is of importance and which will please you." - -"Let me hear it now," said Bob, brightening up with expectancy. - -"You sha'n't hear a word till after the letter is written." - -The task was distasteful to young Budd, and he held off for awhile -longer, but Jim would not let up. He was determined that the letter -should be written in his presence and before he went away. - -Seeing there was no escape, Bob turned to the stand containing writing -material, and addressed a brief note to his uncle, giving him the -important information that he had not suffered the slightest -inconvenience from the flood that drowned one of his companions and -came mighty near carrying off the other. - -The main portion of the letter was taken up with an emphatic request -of his uncle and aunt not to give the slightest hint of what they had -learned until they heard further from him. - -This letter was sealed and directed. - -"Let me have it," said Jim. - -"What for?" - -"I will drop it in the letter box as I go out." - -"Well, you beat the bugs," laughed Bob, passing the missive over to -him; "now, what have you to tell me?" - -It may be added that Bob Budd's letter promptly reached the astounded -Captain, who found it hard to keep the joyful news to himself, but he -managed to do so, as did his wife, who went into hysterics when the -news was first broken to her. - -But, as a means of averting suspicion, the Captain immediately doubled -the reward offered for the recovery of the body of his nephew. He -smiled grimly as he did so, and looked upon the matter as a capital -joke; but then some people do entertain peculiar ideas as to what -constitutes a joke. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -CONCLUSION - - -Jim McGovern now gave the particulars of his own escape through the -help of Dick Halliard, and of their memorable interview on the border -of the rushing flood, with the body of Tom Wagstaff lying at their -feet. Bob listened with deep interest until he had finished, and then -shook his head. - -"It beats anything I ever knew or heard tell of; but I don't feel safe -now that Halliard has the grip on me." - -"Of course, he told me nothing about that affair; but, since he got so -much the best of it, I'm sure he will be satisfied to let it go no -further. I'll guarantee it," added McGovern, with a glowing face. - -"I don't see how you can do that; but I'm inclined to believe you can -make it right with Dick." - -"Of course I can; such a fellow as he is will do anything in the world -for you." - -But Bob was not free from misgiving. He had dwelt upon the troublesome -matter until he had grown morbid. It assumed a magnitude in his mind -beyond the truth. - -"What are you going to do, Jim?" - -"If I live I shall enter Yale College at the next term, and try to be -something that my folks won't be ashamed of." - -"Whew! but that's a big flop for you, and you will lose a mighty deal -of fun by trying to be good." - -"You can have tenfold more than by the other way; I haven't tried it -long, it is true, but I have felt more genuine pleasure during these -few days than I ever knew in all my life; it will be the same with -you." - -Bob Budd sat silent a moment, looking out of the window. He had given -the same important subject a great deal of thought during the few days -that he imagined so many of those whom he met were hunting for him, -but the restraining power in his case was that he saw no safe way by -which to turn the sharp corner. So long as he was in danger of being -arrested so long he must remain a fugitive. - -Now the whole case was changed. He knew, despite the doubts he had -expressed, that Dick Halliard could be relied upon, and that not the -slightest risk was run in trusting to his honor. - -"Well, Jim," he said, after his brief silence, "_I'll try it_." - -The other extended his hand, and they shook cordially. - -"That's settled!" said McGovern, with much emphasis. He was wise -enough to refrain from any sermon, or disquisition upon the rewards -that were sure to accompany such a step. Bob understood the matter as -well as he did, and therefore needed no enlightenment. His friend -never displayed more admirable tact than he did by treating the mental -debate of the other as ended beyond all possibility of reopening. He -showed no doubt in his own mind, though, truth to tell, he was not -wholly free from misgiving. - -"Now," added Bob, with a laugh, "I suppose your next order will be for -me to go back to Piketon." - -"I don't know that there is anything better for you to do; but I have -been thinking that it might be better to bring Dick Halliard to New -York, that we can talk the whole thing over and reach a full -understanding before you return." - -"That suits me better." - -"Our folks are anxious to meet him, for I have told them so many -things about him that he has become quite a hero in their eyes. And -then there's another matter that I want to speak to you about," added -Jim, rising from his chair, opening the door and peering into the -hall, as if he feared that some one might overhear his words. - -"There's no danger of anything like that," said Bob, with a laugh; "we -are not of enough importance to have any one listening at the keyhole -to catch our words." - -"I don't know about that," replied Jim, with an air so mysterious that -the curiosity of his friend was aroused. "I guess I'll risk it; but no -one knows of it beside father and mother." - -And then Jim, in a guarded undertone, made known another momentous -secret, while his companion sat with open mouth and staring eyes -listening to his words. He did not speak until he had finished and -turned upon him with the question: - -"What do you think of _that_, Bob?" - -"I agree with you; I'll stand by you to the end; but what about Dick's -visit to New York?" - -"I'll write to him now and mail both letters as I go out." - -"Don't give him a hint about _me_," cautioned Bob, as the other -placed himself at the table. - -The letter, whose contents have already been known to the reader, was -written in the room of the Astor House where the other to Captain Budd -was formulated. Then Jim placed the two in his pocket and rose to go. - -"Won't you come and stay at our house?" he asked of Bob. - -"Thanks, no; I'll remain here; you can understand that it would be a -little embarrassing to meet your folks just now. When matters are -straightened out I will give you a call, and you will come down and -spend a week or two at Piketon." - -"That's a bargain, provided it is not in the character of a Piketon -Ranger," replied Jim, with a laugh. - -Shaking the hand of his friend he took his departure. - -That afternoon when Bob strolled up Broadway, he reflected that it was -the most enjoyable hour he had spent since his visit to the -metropolis. He feared no one now, and his future was brighter than he -ever dreamed it could be. - -When the telegram from Dick Halliard reached Jim McGovern, making -known on what train he would reach New York, he drove down to the -Astor House and took Bob to his own home, where he left him in the -library while he hastened to the station for Dick. - -We have already given a hint about their meeting, when Dick received -the greatest shock in all his life. For a few minutes he doubted his -own senses, but that it was the real Bob Budd before him he was -compelled to admit, after shaking his hand, looking in his laughing -face, and hearing his voice. - -The three sat for a couple of hours discussing the subject which was -nearest to each one's heart. Then Jim took his two friends out riding -in the Park, for it happened to be one of the most delightful of -autumn days. In the evening the family of Mr. McGovern made the -acquaintance of Dick and Bob, and the three visited a place of -entertainment. - -The McGoverns insisted on Dick spending a week with them, but, though -it would have given him rare pleasure to do so, he felt that he ought -to return at the end of the time he had named to Mr. Hunter. His -friends finally compromised by allowing him to go, with the -understanding that he was to pay the visit during the holidays. Dick -promised that if it lay in his power he would do so. - -The visit was made as per programme. - -Bob decided to stay in New York for several days, until the excitement -of his disappearance had time to subside. It was agreed that Dick on -his return should make known the astonishing news to the people in -Piketon, that they might not be frightened out of their wits when they -encountered him on the street. - -"I don't know how to fix it with them," said Bob, "and I will leave it -with you, Dick; your head is plumb, and you may be able to get up some -story which, while true, don't give me away too bad." - -"I'll do my best," said Dick, as he bade his friends good-bye for a -brief while. - -Upon reaching Piketon, Dick, after reporting at home, called on -Captain Jim and Aunt Ruth, whom he told of his meeting with their -nephew in New York. He brought a message to the effect that he would -soon be with them, and they were at liberty to make known all he had -told them, adding, by way of explanation, that he left for New York on -the evening of the flood on important business, which would soon be -finished, when he would be among them again. He had read in the papers -an account of the disaster, and was extremely sorry to learn of poor -Wagstaff's death. He hoped all his friends would overlook his failure -to notify them more promptly that he was alive and well. - -This was the story told by the captain and by Dick Halliard, and -though it was far from revealing everything, it cannot be said that it -partook of the nature of a falsehood. - -On the second day after Dick's return, a small box arrived by express -for Dick Halliard. When the wondering lad opened it he found within a -magnificent gold watch and chain. On the former was engraved the -following inscription: - - "From Bob and Jim, - - TO THEIR BEST FRIEND - Dick Halliard. - - WE ARE ALL NOW FELLOW-TRAVELERS - ALONG THE RIGHT PATH." - -And that was the secret of the mysterious communication of Jim -McGovern to Bob Budd in the room of the latter at the Astor House. - - - - - COMRADES TRUE - OR - PERSEVERANCE VS. GENIUS - - by Edward S. Ellis, A. M. - - Author of "Among the Esquimaux," "The Campers Out," etc. - - 320 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -In following the career of two friends from youth to manhood, this -popular author weaves a narrative of intense and at times thrilling -interest. One of the boys is endowed with brilliant talents, is quick -and impulsive, but after a few efforts is easily discouraged. The -other possessing only ordinary ability, is resolute and persevering, -overcoming all obstacles in his path until success is attained. - -This story possesses the usual exciting and interesting experiences -that occur in the lives of all bright and active youths. In point of -incident it is rather more than ordinarily realistic, as the two -heroes in their experiences pass through the recent calamitous forest -fires in northern Minnesota, and barely escape with their lives. - -The perusal of this story will not only prove fascinating, but its -teaching will encourage young men to depend for success in life upon -patience and perseverance in right paths, rather than upon great -natural gifts, real or fancied. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX - OR - ADVENTURES UNDER THE ARCTIC CIRCLE - - by Edward S. Ellis, A. M. - - Author of "The Campers Out," Etc - - 317 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -The incidents of this interesting story are laid in Greenland amid the -snows, the glaciers, and the barren regions which have engaged the -attention of explorers and navigators for centuries past. - -The main interest of the story centres about two bright boys whose -desire for discovery sometimes leads them into dangerous positions. -They visit an iceberg, and, while making a tour about it, their boat -slips away from her moorings. After a number of adventures, they are -finally rescued by a native Esquimau. With him and an old sailor who -accompanied them them to the iceberg, they go on a hunting expedition -into the interior of Greenland, and there they have a number of most -thrilling and exciting experiences, but none result seriously, and the -whole party is eventually restored to home and friends. - -The story is sure to prove interesting to any reader, and the moral -tone pervading it is such as will meet the approval of all parents. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - ANDY'S WARD - OR - THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM - - by James Otis - - Author of "The Braganza Diamond," "Chasing a Yacht," etc. - - 358 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -A peculiarly fascinating narrative of the life and experiences of -"Museum Marvels." They dwell in a house owned by a sword-swallower, -whose wife, the "Original Circassian," is entrusted with its -management. But one of the company, a dwarf, nicknamed the "Major," -insists upon taking charge, and the rest of the household, including a -fat lady, a giant, and a snake-charmer, stand more in awe of him than -of the owner of the house or his wife. - -Two boys, Andy and Jerry, are employed to wait upon this queerly -assorted family. Their troubles with the dwarf and his pets, during -which the boys are aided and counseled by the giant, make up the -lighter portion of the story. A tiny girl, who is even more of a dwarf -than the "Major," is introduced to the household by Andy, who claims -her as his ward, by virtue of a promise made to her brother when he -was dying. - -The private life of the marvels, their amusements, their wrangles, -especially the laughable encounters between the "Giant" and the -"Major," form a most interesting story. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - CHASING A YACHT - - by James Otis - - Author of "The Braganza Diamond," "Andy's Ward," etc. - - 350 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25 - -Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of -pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch -her, only to find the next morning that she is gone--stolen--as they -later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest -in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to -recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the -intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson -River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry -owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their -way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. -Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and -gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is -speedily restored to them. - -The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and -manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The -story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold -it until the last page is turned. - - Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. - - The Penn Publishing Company - 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Campers Out, by Edward S. Ellis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CAMPERS OUT *** - -***** This file should be named 42504.txt or 42504.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/5/0/42504/ - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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