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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a881ff7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50201 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50201) diff --git a/old/50201-0.txt b/old/50201-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9425ee1..0000000 --- a/old/50201-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8506 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview, by Ralph Bonehill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview - -Author: Ralph Bonehill - -Release Date: October 13, 2015 [EBook #50201] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Cindy Beyer and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE YACHT WAS BEARING DOWN UPON THEM.] - - - - - THE - YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW. - - - BY - - _CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL._ - - - _Author of_ - “_Rival Bicyclists_,” “_Leo, the Circus Boy_,” _Etc._ - - - [Illustration] - - - NEW YORK - W. L. ALLISON CO., - PUBLISHERS. - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1897. - BY - W. L. ALLISON CO. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER. PAGE. - I. Jerry, Harry and Blumpo 5 - II. Mrs. Fleming’s Runaway Horse 12 - III. Jerry’s Bravery 18 - IV. Saving the Sloop 24 - V. Harry is Rescued 30 - VI. The Single Shell Race 37 - VII. Who Won the Shell Race 43 - VIII. A Prisoner of the Enemy 48 - IX. Tar and Feathers 55 - X. What Towser Did 61 - XI. Off for Hermit Island 67 - XII. An Attack in the Dark 73 - XIII. Jerry’s Shot 78 - XIV. The Hermit of the Island 83 - XV. The Hermit’s Secret 89 - XVI. An Exciting Chase 94 - XVII. Harry’s New Yacht 99 - XVIII. The Robbery of the Rockpoint Hotel 108 - XIX. The Red Valise 113 - XX. The Mishap to the Yacht 118 - XXI. Words and Blows 125 - XXII. Another Boat Race 132 - XXIII. Jerry Starts on a Journey 140 - XXIV. The Work of a Real Hero 146 - XXV. A Fruitless Search 153 - XXVI. Alexander Slocum is Astonished 160 - XXVII. Jerry’s Clever Escape 165 - XXVIII. Something About a Tramp 171 - XXIX. Mr. Wakefield Smith Again 178 - XXX. An Unlooked for Adventure 182 - XXXI. Nellie Ardell’s Troubles 187 - XXXII. A Crazy Man’s Doings 193 - XXXIII. The Little Nobody 200 - XXXIV. Alexander Slocum Shows His Hand 208 - XXXV. A Strange Disappearance 215 - XXXVI. Jerry Hears an Astonishing - Statement 222 - XXXVII. A Joyous Meeting 229 - XXXVIII. Alexander Slocum is Brought to Book 237 - XXXIX. Harry to the Rescue 244 - XL. A Struggle in the Dark 252 - XLI. A Last Race—Good-bye to the Rival - Oarsmen 262 - - - - - CHAPTER I. - JERRY, HARRY, AND BLUMPO. - - -“I’ll race you.” - -“Done! Are you ready?” - -“I am.” - -“Then off we go.” - -Quicker than it can be related, four oars fell into the water and four -sturdy arms bent to the task of sending two beautiful single-shell craft -skimming over the smooth surface of the lake. - -It was a spirited scene, and attracted not a little attention, for both -of the contestants were well known. - -“Go it, Jerry! You can beat him if you try!” - -“Don’t let him get ahead, Harry. Keep closer to the shore!” - -“How far is the race to be?” - -“Up to the big pine tree and back.” - -“That’s a full mile and more. I’ll bet on Jerry Upton.” - -“And I’ll bet on Harry Parker. He has more skill than Jerry.” - -“But Jerry has the muscle.” - -“There they go, side by side!” - -And thus the talking and shouting went on along the lake front. Most of -the boys present were members of the Lakeview Boat Club, but there were -others of the town there, too, as enthusiastic as the rest. - -It was a clear, warm day in June. The summer holidays at the various -institutes of learning in the vicinity had just begun, so many of the -lads had nothing to do but to enjoy themselves. - -There were not a few craft out besides the two shells to which we have -drawn attention. But they drew out of the way to give the racers a free -field. - -On and on went Jerry and Harry until the big pine was reached. Then came -the turn, and they started on the home stretch side by side, neither one -foot ahead of the other. - -“It’s going to be a tie race.” - -“Pull, Harry! Let yourself out!” - -“Show him what you can do, Jerry!” - -Encouraged by the shouts of their friends, both boys increase their -speed. But the increase on both sides was equal, and still the boats -kept bow and bow as they neared the boathouse. - -“It’s going to be a tie, sure enough.” - -“Spurt a bit, Jerry!” - -“Go it for all you’re worth, Harry!” - -Again the two contestants put forth additional muscle, each to -out-distance his opponent, and again the two row-boats leaped forward, -still side by side. - -As old Jack Broxton, the keeper of the boathouse, said afterward: “It -would have taken twelve judges, sitting twelve days, to have told which -had the advantage.” - -The finishing point was now less than five hundred feet distant, and in -a few seconds more the race would be over. The crowd began to stop -shouting, almost breathless with pent-up interest. It was surely the -prettiest race that had ever been rowed on Otasco Lake. - -Splash! - -The splash was followed by a splutter, and then a frantic cry for help. -A portion of the high float in front of the boathouse had unexpectedly -given way, and a short, stocky, reddish-black youth had gone floundering -over board. - -“Blumpo Brown has gone under.” - -“It serves him right for standing away out on the edge of the float.” - -“Help! Help!” cried the youth in the water. - -“Hold on, Harry! Jerry, don’t run into me!” - -Alarmed by the cries, the two racers turned around, easing up on their -oars as they did so. A single glance showed them that the unfortunate -one was directly in their path. - -“We must stop!” cried Jerry Upton to his friend. - -“All right; call it off,” responded Harry Parker. “It was a tie.” - -As he finished, both shells drew up, one on either side of Blumpo Brown. -Each of the rowers offered the struggling youth a helping hand. - -Blumpo was soon clinging to Jerry’s shell. He was dripping from head to -foot, and not being at all a handsomely-formed or good-looking youth, he -presented a most comical appearance. - -“It’s too bad I spoiled the race,” mumbled Blumpo. “But that’s just -me—always putting my foot into it.” - -“I guess you put more than your foot into it this time,” was Harry’s -good-natured comment, as he ran close up alongside. - -“Where shall I land you, Blumpo?” questioned Jerry Upton. - -“Anywhere but near the boathouse,” returned Blumpo, with a shiver that -was not brought on entirely by his involuntary bath. “If you land me -there the fellows won’t give me a chance to get out of sight.” - -“I’ll take you up the lake shore if you wish,” said Jerry. “I intended -to go up anyway in a row-boat.” - -“All right, Jerry, do that and I’ll be much obliged to you,” returned -Blumpo Brown. - -“You are going along, aren’t you, Harry?” continued Jerry, turning to -his late rival. - -“Yes, I want to stop at Mrs. Fleming’s cottage,” replied Harry Parker. - -In a moment more Harry had turned his shell over to old Jack Broxton and -had leaped into a row-boat. - -“Ain’t you fellows going to try it over again?” asked several on the -shore, anxiously. - -“Not now,” returned Jerry. Then he went on to Harry, in a lower tone: “I -didn’t expect to make a public exhibition of our little trial at speed, -did you?” - -“No; not at all. It was a tie, and let it remain so.” - -Jerry soon left his shell; and then four oars soon took the row-boat far -away from the vicinity of the shore; and while the three boys are on -their way up the lake, let us learn a little more concerning them, -especially as they are to form the all-important characters of this tale -of midsummer adventures. - -Jerry Upton was the only son of a well-to-do farmer, whose farm of one -hundred acres lay just beyond the outskirts of Lakeview, and close to -the lake shore. Jerry was a scholar at the Lakeview Academy, and did but -little on the farm, although among the pupils he was often designated as -Cornfield. - -Harry Parker was the oldest boy in the Parker family, which numbered two -boys and four girls. Harry’s father was a shoe manufacturer, whose large -factory was situated in Lakeview, and at which nearly a fourth of the -working population of the town found employment. - -It had been a singular incident which had brought the two boys together -and made them firm friends. Both had been out skating on the lake the -winter before, when Harry had lost his skate and gone down headlong -directly in the track of a large ice-boat, which was coming on with the -speed of a breeze that was almost a hurricane. - -To the onlookers it seemed certain that Harry must be struck and killed -by the sharp prow of the somewhat clumsy craft. But in that time of -extreme peril Jerry had whipped up like a flash on his skates, caught -Harry by the collar, and literally flung himself and the boy, who was -then almost a stranger to him, out of harm’s way. - -This gallant deed of courage had been warmly applauded by those who saw -it. It also came to Mr. Parker’s ears, and from that time on the rich -shoe manufacturer took an interest in the farmer boy. He persuaded Mr. -Upton to allow Jerry to attend the academy, and promised that the boy -should have a good position in the office of the factory, should he wish -it, when his school days were over. - -Harry was already a pupil at the academy, and it was here that the two -boys became warm friends. It was nothing to Harry that Jerry was a -farmer’s boy and that he was sometimes called Cornfield. He knew and -appreciated Jerry for his true worth. - -And now what of Blumpo Brown, you ask? There is little to tell at this -point of our story concerning that semi-colored individual. He was alone -in the world, and had lived in Lakeview some ten years. Previous to that -time his history was a mystery. Where he had come from no one knew, and -if the truth was to be made known, no one but Blumpo himself cared. He -was a very peculiar youth, often given to making the most ridiculous -remarks, and many persons around Lakeview fancied he had considerable -Indian blood in him. He lived in half a dozen places, according to the -condition of his finances, and picked up his precarious existence by -working for anyone who would employ him. He might have had a steady -situation more than once, but it was not in Blumpo’s composition to -stick at one thing for any great length of time. We will learn much more -concerning him as our story proceeds. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER II. - MRS. FLEMING’S RUNAWAY HORSE. - - -“Well, now that the midsummer holidays have really commenced, what do -you intend to do with yourself, Jerry?” asked Harry, as they took it -easy for a bit after leaving the vicinity of the town. - -“I expect I’ll have to help on the farm—at least, I think I ought to -help,” was the reply. “You know this is the busy season.” - -Harry’s face fell a little at this reply. Evidently something was on his -mind, and this answer did not harmonize with it. - -“I’ll tell you what I would like mighty well,” put in Blumpo. “I would -like to leave town and take to the woods.” - -“Why, Blumpo, you must have been reading my thoughts!” cried Harry. “I -was thinking exactly the same thing.” - -“Take to the woods?” repeated Jerry. “What do you mean? Clear out from -home entirely?” - -“No, no,” laughed Harry. “I mean to go off for awhile—say, two or three -weeks or a month. Sail up the lake and camp out, you know.” - -“Oh!” Jerry’s face took on a pleased look. “I would like that myself, -especially if we could go fishing and swimming whenever we wanted to.” - -“I’ve had it in my mind for several days,” Harry continued, slowly. “I -was going to speak of it yesterday, but I didn’t get the chance.” - -“You mean you want me to go with you?” asked Jerry. - -“Yes. Don’t you think your folks would let you?” - -“They might. Who else would go along, do you think?” - -“I haven’t thought of anyone else. We might ask—” and Harry hesitated -in thought. - -“What’s the matter with asking me?” put in Blumpo, with a serenity that -took away the lack of politeness in his remark. “I’m just as tired of -Lakeview as anybody.” - -Harry burst out laughing. The idea of asking Blumpo had never once -entered his mind. - -“It ain’t nothing to laugh at,” went on Blumpo, half angrily. - -“Excuse me, Blumpo,” said Harry, stopping short. “I—that is—I wasn’t -thinking of you when I made the remark.” - -“I’m not rich, nor eddicated, as you call it, and all that, but I can -hunt and fish, and so on, as good as the next feller, can’t I?” - -“You certainly can,” put in Jerry, who had for a long time had a strange -liking for the homeless youth. - -“And I am as willing as the next one to do my full share of camp -work—washing dishes and the like,” went on Blumpo. “You ain’t cut out -for that,” he added, turning to the son of the rich shoe manufacturer. - -“Maybe not, but I reckon I can do my full share of work,” laughed Harry. -“I was not brought up with kid gloves on, you know.” - -“One thing is certain,” mused Jerry. “I wouldn’t want to leave until I -had rowed that race with Si Peters from Rockpoint.” - -The race to which Jerry referred was one to take place on the following -Saturday. Silas Peters was considered the best single-shell oarsman on -the lower side of the lake, and he had challenged Jerry as a -representative from the Lakeview Academy. - -“You’ll win that race, suah,” put in Blumpo. “I’ll bet my hat on it.” - -As Blumpo’s hat was of straw and full of holes, this made both Jerry and -his friend burst into a fit of laughter. - -“I don’t mean this hat. I mean my Sunday-go-to-meetin’ one,” said the -homeless youth, hastily. - -“Blumpo, on your honor, did you ever own two hats at once?” asked Harry -gravely. - -“Well, since you buckle me down, no,” was the low reply. “What’s the -use? Can’t wear but one at a time.” - -“That’s as true as you live,” returned Jerry. - -The three boys talked over the subject of an outing for some time. All -thought it a glorious idea, and Jerry said he would go if he possibly -could. - -All this time Jerry and Harry were rowing up the lake at a moderate rate -of speed. Jerry loved the water, and spent nearly all of his spare time -in the vicinity of the lake. - -Presently Harry grew tired and Blumpo took his place at the oars. - -“Here comes the Cutwater!” cried Harry, a few minutes later. - -The Cutwater was a large sloop owned by one of the gentlemen living in -Lakeview. As she came past, those in the row-boat noticed several young -ladies on board, who were sailing the boat under directions of a young -man named Clarence Conant. - -Clarence had but little idea how a boat should be managed, and as the -sloop went by Harry’s face grew troubled. - -“Jerry, what do you think of that?” - -Jerry stopped rowing for a moment to look at the sloop. - -“A good lot of sail up, especially if it should blow up stronger,” he -said. - -“Just what I think.” - -“That Clarence Conant don’t know nuffin’ about sailing,” snorted Blumpo -Brown. “The ladies better beware how they go out with him.” - -“I agree with you, Blumpo,” said Jerry, gravely. - -The sloop now disappeared from sight around a turn in the lake at which -several islands were situated. - -A few minutes later the row-boat drew up to a small dock at the end of a -well-kept garden. - -This was Mrs. Fleming’s place, where Harry intended to stop on an errand -for his mother and father. - -He sprang on the dock and hurried toward the house, saying he would not -be gone more than five minutes. - -The two boys waited for him to return, and during the interval Jerry -caught sight of the Cutwater up the lake and watched her progress with -interest. The wind was getting stronger and the sloop carried more sail -than was good for her. Soon she again disappeared, and Jerry turned -toward the house, wondering what kept Harry so long. - -“Must have been invited to lunch,” was Blumpo’s comment. “Pity he didn’t -ask us in, too.” - -“No, he wouldn’t stay and leave us here,” replied Jerry, “Most -likely—hullo!” - -Jerry sprang up in the row-boat in amazement. Down the garden path -leading from the front of the house to the dock came a beautiful black -horse on a gallop. On the animal’s back sat a little girl not more than -eight years of age. The horse was running away with her, and she was -clinging tightly to his mane. - -“Oh, John, stop him!” she screamed. - -“Whoa, Banker, whoa!” shouted a man who came running after the animal. - -But the horse, a nervous creature, was frightened over something and -would not stop. - -He clattered on the dock, and the next instant went over into the lake -with a loud splash, carrying the little girl with him. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER III. - JERRY’S BRAVERY. - - -Blumpo was so scared by the accident that he uttered a short yell. - -“Fo’ the lan’ sake,” he moaned, in a shaking voice. - -The horse disappeared from sight for a brief space of time and then came -up and began to churn the water madly in an endeavor to save himself -from drowning. - -The little girl was nowhere to be seen. - -“She’ll be drowned,” thought Jerry, with rising horror. - -At that moment a lady rushed from the house, followed by Harry. It was -Mrs. Fleming. - -“My child! my child!” she shrieked. “Save my Cora!” - -Jerry waited to hear no more. At that moment the head of the little girl -appeared directly by the horse’s side, and he made a clever dive from -the row-boat and came up close to the child. - -The girl was so bewildered that she simply beat the water in a helpless -fashion, and this frightened the horse still more. - -Swimming up behind the little one, Jerry caught her under the arms. It -was a perilous thing to do, for Jerry was in great danger of having his -brains dashed out by one of the horse’s hoofs. - -“Good for you, Jerry!” shouted Harry. - -“Look out for the hoss!” shouted the man. “He’ll kick you if he can!” - -As rapidly as he could, Jerry swam out of the mad animal’s reach. It was -difficult with the struggling girl in his arms, but at last he -accomplished it, and willing hands helped him to the dock. - -“My Cora! my Cora! is she dead?” cried Mrs. Fleming. - -“No, she is more frightened than hurt,” returned Jerry. “Let us take her -to the house.” - -But before he could go a step, Mrs. Fleming clasped her girl in her arms -and led the way. - -Anxious to be of assistance, Jerry followed the lady, while Harry, -Blumpo, and the hired man tried to rescue the horse, who was very -valuable despite his nervousness. - -A noose was made at the end of a rope, and this was thrown over the -animal’s neck. Then the horse got one foot through the noose, and in -this fashion they towed him to a spot where it was easy for him to wade -out without assistance. - -The hired man was very much put out, for it was his fault that the horse -had run away. He led the animal around to the barn and gave him a good -rubbing down. - -Harry started for the house and met Jerry coming out. - -“How is Cora?” - -“She’s all right. Come on,” and Jerry brushed on toward the row-boat. - -“Why, what’s your hurry, Jerry?” - -The young oarsman blushed. - -“Oh, I hate to stand around and receive thanks,” he said. “Mrs. Fleming -wants to make a first-class hero of me and I——” - -“And that’s just what you are,” cried Harry. - -“Indeed he is,” added Blumpo. - -“Nonsense!” Jerry brushed them to one side. - -“Come on!” and he made a run for the row-boat, and the others were -compelled to follow. - -“But your clothing is all wet,” insisted Harry, when they were seated in -the craft. - -“So is Blumpo’s,” returned Jerry. - -“I’se most dry, the sun is that warm,” remarked the homeless youth. - -“I don’t mind the wetting a bit,” said Jerry. “Rowing will keep me warm -and the sun will dry me off quick enough.” - -“You’re a regular water dog, anyway,” laughed Harry. He could not help -but admire Jerry’s modesty in running away from Mrs. Fleming as soon as -it was ascertained that little Cora was all right. - -On and on up the lake the boys went. Inside of half an hour they came to -a sheltered nook on one of the numerous islands. - -“I move we take a swim,” said Harry. - -“Second de emotion,” said Blumpo, and before Jerry could say a word the -homeless youth was running about as if in the savage wilds. - -It did not take Jerry and Harry long to disrobe. The plunge into the -water was very pleasant, and they remained in bathing until Jerry’s -clothing, spread out on the top of a number of bushes, was thoroughly -dry. - -In the meanwhile Jerry and Harry raced to another island and back. Jerry -came out first, with Harry four yards behind. - -The swim over, they dressed, and, after picking several handfuls of -berries, which grew on the island in profusion, they once more embarked -in the row-boat. - -“Time to get back, boys,” said Jerry. “I promised to be home before -dark.” - -“So did I,” said Harry, “and we have several miles to go.” - -“It don’t make no difference to me when I git back,” remarked Blumpo, -dolefully. - -“Don’t worry, Blumpo. Think of the good time we are going to have when -we go camping,” said Jerry. - -“And I must ask father for a regular situation for you when we come back -from our outing,” added Harry. - -“Will you?” and the homeless boy’s face brightened. - -The wind had been increasing steadily, and now it blew so strongly that -the whitecaps were to be seen in every direction. - -“We’re going to have no easy time getting back,” said Jerry, with an -anxious look on his manly face. “Maybe we may be caught in a hurricane.” - -“It’s hot enough,” returned Harry. “Such oppressive heat generally means -something.” - -A mile was covered, and then the wind began to send the flying spray in -every direction and filled the row-boat’s bottom with water. - -“Wet again!” laughed Jerry, grimly. “Never mind.” - -“Blumpo, you had better bail out the boat,” said Harry. He was as wet as -the rest, but did not grumble. - -While the homeless youth bailed out the water with a dipper they had -brought along, Jerry and Harry pulled at the oars with all their -remaining strength. Another mile was passed. But now it was blowing a -regular hurricane and no mistake. - -“We’ll go to the bottom, suah!” groaned Blumpo dismally. - -“Not much!” shouted Jerry. “Keep on bailing.” - -“Look! look!” yelled Harry at that moment, and pointed over to the -centre of the lake. - -There, beating up in the teeth of the wind in the most hap-hazard -manner, was the Cutwater. Evidently Clarence Conant was nearly paralyzed -with fear, for he had almost lost control of the craft. - -“Those ladies on board are worse off than we,” went on Harry. - -“That’s so,” replied Jerry. - -But the words were hardly out of his mouth when there came an extra puff -of wind. It sent the Cutwater almost over on her side, and threw a -monstrous wave into the row-boat. - -The smaller craft could not stand the wind and waves, and with a lurch, -she sank down and went over, dumping all three of the youths into the -angry lake. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - SAVING THE SLOOP. - - -It was no pleasant position to be in. The three lads had been cast so -suddenly into the angry waters that for the moment they could not -comprehend the situation. - -Then Blumpo let out a yell of terror. - -“Save me! De boat has gone down!” - -He was wrong, however, for a second later the row-boat bobbed up, less -than four yards off. - -“This way!” shouted Harry to his companions, but the wind fairly drowned -his voice. He swam toward the upturned craft, and Blumpo and Jerry were -not slow in following it. - -Hardly had they reached it when a new peril confronted them. The -Cutwater was bearing directly down upon them. With every sail set, she -was in the very act of cutting them to pieces! - -“Look! look!” yelled Harry. “We are doomed!” - -“My gracious!” moaned Blumpo. - -On and on came the sloop, with gigantic bounds over the whitecaps. -Clarence Conant seemed utterly powerless to stay her course, or steer -her to the right or left. - -The young ladies on board with him huddled in a heap near the tiny -cabin, their faces white with terror. - -It was truly a thrilling moment. - -Of the entire crowd Jerry was the only one to keep perfectly cool. - -He was astride the row-boat, directly in the centre of the bottom, and -it seemed as if the prow of the Cutwater must strike him in a second -more. - -“Every one dive under!” he called out, and went overboard like a flash. - -For a wonder Harry and Blumpo promptly followed suit. - -Crash! - -The row-boat was struck and stove in completely. - -The Cutwater was quite a good-sized craft, and though the force of the -collision did not damage her to any extent, it checked her progress -considerably. - -Jerry went down and down. He made a long dive, and when he came up it -was within a yard of the sloop’s rudder. - -Before another boy would have had time to think, the boy who so loved -the water made up his mind what to do. He made a mighty leap and caught -hold of the rudder end ere the Cutwater could get beyond his reach. - -It was hard work to hang on, as the sloop bobbed up and down with every -wave, and the rudder, being beyond control, swayed from side to side. - -But Jerry was both plucky and full of grit. He clung fast, and, watching -his chance, climbed up to the stern and leaped on the deck. - -A brief glance showed him the cause of the present trouble. Clarence -Conant was actually too much frightened to lower the sails. He had -started to act and got a rope twisted, and then, overcome with fear, had -allowed the matter to go while he clung to the bow in despair. - -“You confounded coward!” cried the young oarsman. “You ought to have -known better than to go out on anything bigger than a duck pond.” - -He sprang to the halyards, and soon the main-sail came down with a bang. -The jib followed. There was no time to attend to the sails more than -this. - -Jerry looked around anxiously for Harry and Blumpo, but for a long while -could see nothing of them. - -“Look here,” demanded Clarence Conant, recovering his composure, now the -greatest of the danger was over. “What—ah—do you mean by talking to me -in this fashion?” - -“I mean just what I say,” retorted Jerry. “You had no right to take -these young ladies out and expose them to such peril.” - -“The—ah—hurricane took me by surprise,” was the dude’s lame excuse. - -“I am very thankful to you, Jerry Upton,” cried Dora Vincent, the oldest -and prettiest of the girls on board. - -“And so am I.” - -“And I.” - -“Thank you,” replied the boy, blushing. “But now is no time to talk. -Which of you will take the tiller, if I tell you exactly what to do?” - -“I can—ah—take the tiller,” interposed Conant, haughtily. - -“You won’t touch it!” cried the young oarsman, sternly. - -“Why, boy, what do you mean? Do you—ah—” - -“Sit down! If you dare to stir I’ll pitch you overboard!” - -Overcome with a new terror, the dude collapsed. He was hatless, the curl -was out of his mustache and hair, and altogether he looked very much -“washed out.” - -He sank down near the bow, and it was well that he did so, for just then -came an extra heavy blast of the gale. - -“Hold hard, every one!” yelled Jerry. “Perhaps you ladies had better go -into the cabin,” he added. - -“I am to take the tiller, you know,” said Dora Vincent. - -“Well, then, let the others go. We can work along better with a clear -deck.” - -So while Dora went aft, the others crawled into the cabin, or cuddy. -Under pretense of seeing after their comfort, Conant crawled after them. - -“Now I will tell you just how to move the tiller,” said Jerry to Dora -Vincent. - -“All right, I am ready,” responded the brave girl. - -Now that she had Jerry with her, and knowing he was well acquainted with -boats, she felt that she was safe, no matter how bad the storm might -prove itself. - -After giving the girl some instructions Jerry hoisted the main-sail a -few feet only. The sloop then swung around and moved in a beating way -against the storm. - -Jerry wished to learn what had become of his companions. He was fearful -that they had been drowned. - -It took quite some time to reach the vicinity where the accident had -occurred, and even then but little was to be seen through the driving -rain. - -“Hullo, Harry! Blumpo!” he called out. - -No answer came back and he repeated the cry a dozen times. Then he -fancied he heard a response directly ahead. The sloop was moved -cautiously in the direction, and presently they saw Blumpo clinging to -part of the shattered row-boat. - -“Sabe me! sabe me!” yelled the youth. “Don’t let me drown, Jerry.” - -“Catch the rope, Blumpo!” cried Jerry in return, and threw forward the -end of a coil. - -Blumpo clutched the rope eagerly, and then it was comparatively easy to -haul him on board. - -“Praise de Lawd!” he muttered fervently as he came on deck. “I t’ought I -was a goner, suah!” - -“Where is Harry?” - -“I can’t tell you, Jerry.” - -“You haven’t seen him since we jumped from the row-boat?” - -“No.” - -The young oarsman’s face grew sober. What if their chum had really gone -to the bottom of Lake Otasco? It would be awful to tell Harry’s parents -that their son was no more. - -“We must find him, dead or alive, Blumpo. Take the tiller from Miss -Vincent, and we’ll cruise around, with our eyes and ears wide open,” -said Jerry, with determination. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER V. - HARRY IS RESCUED. - - -“I can stay on deck, can’t I?” asked Dora, as she turned the tiller over -to the homeless youth. - -“If you wish. But be very careful when the sloop swings around,” replied -Jerry. “You did very well,” he added. - -Dora smiled at this. Then she went forward and settled down, in spite of -the rain, to help look for Harry Parker, whose folks she knew fairly -well. - -The Cutwater was put on a different track, and they began to move across -the lake, it being Jerry’s idea to cross and recross at a distance of -every six or seven hundred feet. - -Twice did they come close to each shore without seeing anything of -Harry. - -“Gone down, suah’s you’re born!” said Blumpo, and the tears started out -of his big, honest eyes. - -“I am afraid so,” returned Jerry, “and yet—hark!” - -He put up his hand and all were instantly on the alert. The wind had -gone down somewhat, and from a distance came a low cry. - -“It’s Harry’s!” said Jerry. “Hullo, Harry!” he yelled, with all the -power of his lungs. - -He waited, and an answering cry came back from toward the center of the -lake. It was very weak, showing that Harry was almost exhausted. - -The course of the sloop was instantly changed, and they strove to reach -the spot before the boy should go down. - -Jerry was the first to see the form floating about amid the whitecaps. - -“Keep up, Harry!” he called encouragingly. “We will soon have you on -board.” - -“I can’t keep up any longer,” gasped his chum. “I am played out.” And -throwing up his arms, Harry disappeared. - -Tying the end of a long rope about his waist, Jerry leaped overboard. He -struck the spot where Harry had gone down and felt in every direction -for his chum. - -His hand touched an arm, and then he held Harry fast and brought him to -the surface. The poor boy was too weak to make the first movement. - -“Haul in on the rope, Blumpo!” called Jerry. - -Turning the tiller over to Dora Vincent, the homeless youth did as -directed. - -Jerry, with his burden, was soon brought alongside. - -It was no easy matter to hoist Harry on deck in the storm, but at last -it was accomplished, and Jerry followed his charge. - -Harry was unconscious, and he was taken to the cabin, where Dora and the -other girls did all in their power for him; and then the Cutwater was -headed for Lakeview, two miles distant. - -The hurricane, or whatever it might be called, had by this time spent -itself. The rain ceased and before the lake town came into view the sun -shone once more as brightly as ever. - -Clarence Conant came on deck looking very much annoyed. He felt that he -had played the part of a coward, and knew he would have no easy time of -it to right himself in the eyes of the young ladies. - -“The—ah—truth is, I was very sick,” he explained to Jerry. “I got -a—ah—spasm of the—ah—heart.” - -“Sure it wasn’t a spasm in your great toe?” said Jerry, with a grin. - -But Clarence never smiled. It would not have been good form, you know. - -As soon as the dock was reached, Jerry left Blumpo to tie up and went to -Harry. He found his chum able to sit up. He was very weak, but that was -all. - -“It was a close call for me, Jerry,” said Harry, with a shudder. “I owe -you my life.” - -“It was a close call all around,” replied our hero. “We can be thankful -that we are here safe and sound.” - -Harry felt too weak to walk, so a carriage was called to take him home. -Jerry went with him, while Blumpo went over to the grocery store to tell -of all that had happened. - -Clarence Conant was utterly left. He tried to excuse himself to Dora -Vincent and the other young ladies, but they would have nothing to do -with him. - -“The next time I go out it will be with somebody who can manage a boat, -and who is brave enough to do it, even in a storm,” said Dora, and -walked away with her lady friends. - -“Beastly bad job, beastly!” muttered Clarence to himself. “And my best -sailor suit utterly ruined, too! Oh, why did that storm have to come up -on us?” - -But this was not the end of the matter for the dude. - -The row-boat that had been smashed was a valuable one belonging to the -Lakeview Boat Club. They did not care to lose the cost of it, and so -called on Conant to pay for the same. - -At first he refused, but when they threatened arrest he weakened. It -took nearly three weeks of his salary to square accounts, and then the -young man was utterly crushed. He never went sailing again. - -It did not take Harry long to recover from the effects of his outing on -the lake. Inside of a week he was as well as ever. - -Blumpo took good care to tell every one of all that had happened, and on -every side Jerry was praised for his daring work in saving the Cutwater -and his chum. - -We have spoken of the match to take place between Jerry and Si Peters of -Rockpoint. This was postponed for two weeks on Si’s account. - -Si Peters was a tall overgrown youth of eighteen, and was generally -considered to be the best oarsman on the lake. - -Consequently, when a match was arranged by the clubs to which they -belonged between the pair it was thought, even by many Lakeview people, -that Si Peters would win. - -Si had one great advantage over Jerry. His father was rich, while -Jerry’s father was poor. Consequently, while Jerry had to help on the -farm during idle hours Si Peters could go out and practice, and thus get -himself in perfect condition. - -It was this fact that made Si think he was going to have an easy time -defeating Jerry. - -But, unknown to him, Jerry got more time than he thought. Harry was -anxious to have his chum win, and spoke to his father about it. - -Now, Mr. Parker and Si Peters’ father were not on good terms, and the -former readily agreed to a plan Harry proposed. - -“Mr. Upton,” he said one evening, when he met Jerry’s father down in the -town, “I would like to hire Jerry to work for me every afternoon for a -couple of weeks.” - -“All right, Mr. Parker,” said Jerry’s father, promptly. “When do you -want him to come?” - -“To-morrow, if he can. I’ll pay you five dollars a week.” - -“Very well. You can pay Jerry.” - -So it was settled, and every afternoon the young oarsman went over to -the Parker place, which bordered on the lake. - -Here Jerry would practice in secret in a little cove seldom visited by -any boats. - -As the time grew close for the race between Jerry and Si Peters the boat -clubs began to bet on their favorites. - -So sure were the Rockpointers that they would win, that they gave the -Lakeview people heavy odds. - -Together the two clubs put up as a trophy a silver cup, which later on -would be engraved with the name of the winner. - -Of course, Jerry’s father soon found out what his son was doing. - -But he would not break his bargain with Mr. Parker, and so let Jerry -practice every afternoon, feeling sure that Jerry would not take the -money the rich manufacturer had offered. - -“You will win,” said Harry, confidently. - -“I shall try my best,” returned Jerry. - -Si Peters and his friends smiled broadly whenever they came over to -Lakeview. - -“Jerry Upton won’t be in it after the first quarter,” said they. - -The race was to be a mile, half a mile each way, the turning point being -a well-known rocky island scarcely fifty feet in diameter. - -Jerry kept at his practice steadily until the great day for the race -arrived. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - THE SINGLE SHELL RACE. - - -The race had been spoken of so much that Lakeview presented a holiday -appearance. - -All those who could, crossed over from Rockpoint, and many came from -other places. - -The lake was crowded with craft of all sorts, and even standing room -along the shore was at a premium. - -Even Farmer Upton grew interested. - -“You must win that race, son,” he said. “Not only for your own sake, but -for the sake of the whole Lakeview district.” - -And this made Jerry more determined to win than ever. - -The race was not to come off until three o’clock in the afternoon. In -the meanwhile there were half a dozen other contests, in which, however, -the masses took but small interest. - -While one of these contests was going on, and Jerry was in the dressing -room of the boathouse putting on his rowing rig, Harry came in -excitedly. - -“Jerry, you want to be on your guard,” he said in a low tone, so that -those standing about might not hear. - -“On guard? How?” - -“Against Si Peters.” - -“I don’t understand.” - -“From what I have overheard, I imagine there is a plot on foot to make -you lose the race.” - -“What sort of a plot?” - -“I can’t say.” - -The young oarsman gazed at his chum in perplexity. - -“What have you heard? I don’t know what to make of this.” - -“You know Wash Crosby?” - -“Yes. He is Si Peters’ toady.” - -“Well, I heard him tell Browling that it was a dead sure thing Si would -win.” - -“That might have been mere blowing.” - -“No. Browling thought so, too, but then Crosby whispered in his ear. At -once Browling’s face took on a look of cunning. - -“‘Can you do it?’ he asked, and Crosby said he could. - -“Then Browling said he would put out his money on Si, if he could find -anyone to bet. You know the whole crowd is rich.” - -“Yes, and I know another thing!” exclaimed Jerry suddenly. “I fancy I -can see through their plan.” - -“What?” - -“Crosby owns a steam launch, you know.” - -“I do.” - -“What is to prevent him from running the launch so that I shall get all -the swash? It would make me lose a quarter minute or more, and perhaps -upset me.” - -“Jiminey crickets! I believe you are right!” whispered Harry. - -“Did they mention the steam launch?” - -“They did. Browling said he would go and take a look at her.” - -“Then that is what the plot is, you may be sure of it. You ought to be -able to stop them, Harry. You are going to be on your uncle’s naptha -launch.” - -“I will! If they get too close to you I’ll boathook them and pull them -off!” cried Harry. - -“Good for you.” - -“But beware, Jerry, the plot may not be that after all.” - -“I’ll keep my eyes open,” replied the young oarsman. - -A minute after this Harry went off. - -Then Jerry, having donned his rowing outfit, was surrounded by the other -members of the club. His shell was inspected and found in perfect -condition. It had been guarded carefully, and now the club members did -not dare to let their eyes off of it. - -“Bring me my blades, please,” said Jerry, and they were at once brought -from the locker. - -He began to examine them from end to end. Suddenly he uttered a cry. - -“Boys, look here!” - -“What’s up, Jerry?” - -“This one has been strained and cracked. An extra hard pull on it, and -it would give out.” - -A murmur arose. - -“Who did this?” - -“Some enemy wants Jerry to lose, sure!” - -How the blade had got into that condition was a mystery. - -But now was no time to speculate on the affair. A new set of blades must -be procured at once. - -Luckily there was a pair belonging to a private party to be had. They -were just the same size and weight. - -“I would rather have my own, but I’ll make these do, and beat them in -spite of all,” said Jerry. - -At a given signal six of the boat club boys marched down the float -carrying Jerry’s shell, which had been polished and oiled until it shone -like a mirror. - -With a faint splash the shell dropped into the water. Then Jerry ran -down and stepped in. His feet were “locked,” and the oars were handed -over. - -“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!” - -“He’s the boy to win!” - -“Hurrah for Si Peters!” - -“Jerry won’t be in it with Si!” - -“He will!” - -“Never!” - -And so the talking and the shouting ran on. - -Meanwhile Si Peters had emerged from the landing at a private boathouse -some distance up the lake shore. - -He received a hearty shout as he moved slowly over to the starting -point. - -[Illustration: THE SINGLE SHELL RACE.] - -Si Peters won the choice of positions, and, of course, took the inside. - -The race should have been a mile straightway, but the original challenge -which led to the race had been for a half mile going and the same -coming. - -Soon the two boys were in position. - -“Ready?” - -There was a dead silence. - -Bang! - -They were off! Both boys caught the water at the same instant. Each -pulled a long but quick stroke. Ten yards were covered, and they -remained side by side. - -“Pull, Si!” - -“Go it, Jerry!” - -Like two clocks, so far as regularity went, the two contestants bent -their backs and pulled with might and main. - -One thing was certain, unless something happened, it would be a close -race. - -But now the Lakeview boys were getting wild. - -“See Jerry! He is gaining.” - -“Jerry is five feet and more in the lead!” - -It was true. Slowly but surely our hero was forging ahead. Should he be -able to keep this up he would cross Si Peters’ course at the turning -point. - -But now Wash Crosby showed his hand. Without so much as a toot of the -whistle, his steam launch kept drawing closer and closer to Jerry’s -side. - -Then it gradually went ahead, until Jerry was caught in the swash of the -tiny waves it produced. - -Under ordinary circumstances these waves would not have been noticed, -but in a shell, and especially during a race, even such apparent trifles -count heavily. - -“Keep off!” shouted the young oarsman. - -“Mind your business!” shouted Wash Crosby in return, but so lowly that -no one but Jerry could hear him. “This is Si Peters’ race!” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - WHO WON THE SHELL RACE. - - -Jerry saw at once that he had been right in imagining that this was the -plot against him. Wash Crosby intended to keep just close enough to -cause him trouble without actually fouling him. - -Already the swash from the steam launch was telling on Jerry’s lead. Si -Peters kept up at his best and soon was once more abreast of our hero. - -“Hurrah!” came from the shore. - -“Si Peters leads!” - -“I said he would win!” - -“That steam launch is too close to Jerry Upton.” - -“Nonsense! Don’t croak because you are going to lose the race,” shouted -Browling. - -The Lakeview boys began to look glum. - -But now something happened that Wash Crosby had not calculated upon. - -Straight from across the lake came the naptha launch belonging to Harry -Parker’s uncle. In the bow stood Harry, boathook in hand. - -When the launch was within three yards of the Crosby craft she came to a -halt. Wash Crosby was so interested in watching the race that he did not -notice what was going on. - -Harry threw the boathook and it caught fast in the steam launch’s stern. -Then the naptha launch was moved back, and away she went, carrying the -steam launch with her. - -She could do this because Crosby did not have on a full head of steam. - -Astonished at the turn of affairs, Wash Crosby looked around to see what -was the matter. - -“Hi! what are you doing?” he bellowed to Harry. - -“Hauling you off,” returned Jerry’s chum. “I know your plot, Wash -Crosby; but it is not going to work.” - -“Let go there!” - -“Not much! You’ll keep your distance from Jerry Upton’s shell.” - -“I would like to know who made you my master!” stormed Crosby, in a -perfect rage. - -“If you don’t come away I’ll report you and get the town to lynch you,” -retorted Harry, valiantly. “Don’t you dare to touch that boathook.” - -However, Wash Crosby did dare. But as long as the line attached was taut -he could not loosen it. Then he tried new tactics. He put on a full head -of steam. - -It was a tug of war between the steam and the naptha launches, and for -the moment it was hard to tell which would come off victorious. - -But Harry’s craft was more powerful than Crosby’s, and soon the steam -launch was carried far away from the racing shells. - -Wash Crosby was furious and would have eaten Harry up could he have -gotten at the lad. - -“I’ll fix you for this!” he cried and threw a heavy chunk of coal at -Harry’s head, which the boy dodged. - -“Don’t try that again, Wash Crosby, or I’ll retaliate in a way you least -expect.” - -“You had no right to haul me off.” - -“You had no right to interfere with Jerry Upton.” - -Wash Crosby grumbled but could do nothing. Harry calmly proceeded to -hold him back until the race was almost over. - -In the meanwhile, how was Jerry faring? - -With long, quick strokes, he swept on, side by side with Si Peters. - -It was going to be a close contest, and the spectators along the lake -front went wild with enthusiasm. - -“Don’t let up, Si!” - -“Show the Rockpointers what you can do, Jerry!” - -“A dollar that Si wins by a length!” - -“A dollar that Jerry wins by two lengths!” - -At last the two reached Rocky Island, which formed the turning point. - -They were still side by side, but Si had the inner turn all to himself, -while Jerry had to move about in a much larger area. - -This brought Jerry a good length behind Si Peters when the return was -begun. - -Si Peters saw this and grinned to himself. - -“You ain’t in it a little bit, Jerry Upton!” he called out, but Jerry -did not reply. He was not foolish enough to waste breath just then in -talking. - -Over the smooth water swept the two long shells, each boy working with -quick and long strokes. - -Now the finishing stake was in view. Si Peters still kept his lead. - -“It’s Si’s race, no doubt of it!” - -“Didn’t I say Jerry Upton wouldn’t be in it?” - -“What does Cornfield know about rowing, anyhow?” - -But scarcely had the last remark been made when Jerry began to increase -his stroke. - -Slowly but surely his shell began to overlap that of Si Peters. Now he -was half-way up, now three-quarters, now they were even! - -“See him gaining!” - -“Look! look! Jerry is ahead!” - -“He can’t keep that stroke! It’s enough to kill him!” - -“Can’t he? Look, he is actually walking away from Si.” - -Jerry was now “letting himself out.” - -Like a flash he swept past Si Peters and reached the finish two and a -half lengths ahead. - -A rousing cheer from the Lakeview boys greeted him, while the -Rockpointers were as mum as oysters. - -Si Peters looked decidedly crestfallen. For several minutes he had -nothing to say. Then some of his friends whispered into his ear. - -“You must do it, Si,” said one of the number. - -“All right, I will,” replied Peters doggedly, and hurried to the judges’ -boat. - -“I claim a foul!” he cried out loudly. - -Every one was astonished, and none more so than Jerry. - -“Where were you fouled?” asked one of the judges. - -“Up at the turning point.” - -“That is a falsehood!” cried Jerry indignantly. “I never came anywhere -near you.” - -“I’m telling the truth,” said Si Peters. “If he hadn’t fouled me I would -have beaten with ease.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - A PRISONER OF THE ENEMY. - - -At once a loud murmur arose. Some sided with Jerry, while others took Si -Peters’ part. - -From hot words the boys of the rival towns almost came to blows. - -In the midst of the quarrel a row-boat came down the lake carrying two -elderly and well-known gentlemen, both residents of Rockpoint. Curious -to know the cause of the trouble, the gentlemen came up to the judges’ -craft, now moored along shore. - -“Peters claims a foul up at the turning point,” said some one of the -gentlemen. - -“You mean up at the island?” - -“Yes.” - -“There was no foul there. Was there, Greenley?” - -“None at all,” replied the second gentleman. - -These assertions attracted attention. On inquiry it was learned that the -two gentlemen had been up at the island fishing. They had watched the -race in the meanwhile, and they were willing to make affidavit that -Jerry had not interfered in the slightest degree with Si Peters. - -“He took the outside, and he really gave Peters more room than was -necessary.” - -The two gentlemen were too well known to be doubted in what they said, -and at once the judges refused to accept Si Peters’ plea. - -“The race goes to Jerry Upton, who won it fairly.” - -Then how Jerry’s friends did yell with delight! The lad was pounced upon -and raised up on his friends’ shoulders, and away went the boat club -boys around the town, Blumpo in advance of them blowing a big fish-horn. - -“You is de boy!” said the homeless youth. “You is de best oarsman on de -lake!” - -Harry was in the crowd, and when he told how he had outwitted Wash -Crosby every one roared. - -The race, however, made lots of ill-feeling. The Rockpoint boys could -not stand defeat, and that evening half a dozen rows started in as many -different places. - -Sticks and stones were freely used, and many boys went home with their -arms and heads tied up. - -Jerry became involved in one of the worst of the fights in rather a -peculiar manner. He was on his way home rather late, thinking all was -over and that the Rockpointers had departed, when he heard a hoarse cry -for help from down a side street. - -He recognized the voice as that of Blumpo Brown, and at once hurried to -the spot, there to find the youth at the mercy of four of the Rockpoint -boys, including Wash Crosby, Si Peters, and two others named Banner and -Graves. The quartet had poor Blumpo down on his back and were kicking -him as hard as they could. - -“You cowards!” shouted Jerry as he rushed up, “to kick a fellow when -he’s down!” - -“This is none of your affair,” shouted Si Peters. “He insulted us, and -we won’t take an insult from anybody, much less an Indian coon.” - -“Da jess pitched inter me!” howled Blumpo. “Sabe me!” - -“Let up, I say!” went on Jerry, and, clutching Si Peters by the -shoulder, he flung the big Rockpointer flat on his back several feet -away. Then Jerry pitched into the others of the crowd. - -This gave Blumpo a chance to rise. He scrambled up and let out a long -and loud yell for help. Luckily, some other boys were not far away. They -heard the cry and arrived on a run. - -“We must skip now!” cried Wash Crosby to Si Peters. “We’ll have the -whole town on us in another minute.” - -“Hang the luck!” howled Peters. “But just wait, Jerry Upton, I’ll get -square with you yet.” - -He turned away with his friends, and the quartet scooted for the lake, -with Jerry, Blumpo, and half a dozen others at their heels. - -Wash Crosby’s launch was tied up at a dock, and into this they tumbled. -The line was cut, and off they steamed, amid a perfect shower of stones, -lumps of dirt, old bottles, and anything that came handy to the Lakeview -boys’ reach. - -“There, I fancy that’s the end of them,” said Jerry. “I thought they had -gone long ago.” - -“Da laid for me!” groaned Blumpo. “Wish I dun had a hoss pistol, I would -shoot ’em all full of holes!” - -Soon the steam launch faded away in the darkness, and a little later -found Jerry again on his way home. Of course his folks were proud to -think he had won the race. - -“My boy, Jerry!” was all Mrs. Upton said, but the way she said it meant -a good deal. - -It was a week later that the boat club gave a reception, at which Jerry -was the lion. He was presented with the silver trophy, and made a neat -little speech. There were refreshments and music, and altogether the -affair was the most brilliant Lakeview had seen for some time. - -Matters moved along slowly for a week after the racing and the reception -were over. Jerry worked on the farm, and never was there a more -industrious youth. - -In the meanwhile Harry Parker made several arrangements for the outing -up the lake, in which Jerry and Blumpo were to accompany him. - -One day Mr. Upton received a letter from Rockpoint. It was from a -friend, and asked if the farmer could send him over at once a load of -hay. - -“I can’t go very well,” said Mr. Upton. “Supposing you take it over to -Mr. Dike, Jerry?” - -“I will, sir,” replied Jerry, promptly. - -The young oarsman had not been over to Rockpoint since the races, but he -thought he could go over and come back without encountering trouble. - -The hay was soon loaded on the rick, and then Jerry started off for the -other shore. He was compelled to drive nearly to the lower end of the -lake to cross on the bridge, consequently it was well on toward the -middle of the afternoon when Rockpoint was reached. - -He and Mr. Dike put the load in the barn, and after being paid, and -partaking of a glass of cold milk and a piece of home-made pie, Jerry, -at just six o’clock, started on the return. - -It had been a gloomy day, and, consequently, it was already growing -dark, although it was midsummer. - -But Jerry knew the way well, so he did not mind the darkness. He let the -team go their own gait, and took it easy in the rick on a couple of -horse blankets. - -He was in a sort of day dream, when suddenly, his team was stopped by a -couple of boys, who sprang from behind a clump of trees. - -The boys wore masks over their faces, and when they spoke, they did -their best to disguise their voices. - -Jerry sprang up in alarm. At the same time four more boys, also masked, -surrounded the hay-rick. - -“What’s the meaning of this?” demanded Jerry. “Let go of those horses.” - -Instead of replying, the two boys continued to hold the team. The other -four leaped into the hay-rick and fell on Jerry. Taken so suddenly, he -was at a disadvantage. Hardly could he make a move before one of the -boys struck him on the head with a club, dazing him. - -Then a rope was brought forth, and Jerry’s hands were tied behind him -and he was thrown on the ground. - -The boys sent the team on their way, trusting to luck that the horses -would find their way home. - -“What are you going to do with me?” asked Jerry, when he found himself -bound and helpless. - -“You’ll soon see, Jerry Upton,” came from the leader, in such a muffled -voice that our hero tried in vain to recognize the speaker. - -“Make him march!” said another. - -“All right, march!” - -Into the woods the masked gang hurried Jerry. When he attempted to turn -back, they hit him with their sticks and tripped him up. - -Finally, when he would go no further, four of the boys picked him up and -carried him. - -Nearly a quarter of an hour was spent in this manner, and the party -reached a little clearing. On three sides were tall trees, and on the -fourth a wall of rocks. - -“This is the spot,” cried the leader. “Now tie him to a tree and get the -stuff out of the cave.” - -At once the young oarsman was bound to a tree on the edge of the -clearing. - -Then two of the boys entered a cave between the rocks. - -Soon they came forth with a pot filled with a thick, black liquid and -two big pillows. - -At once Jerry realized what his captors meant to do. They were going to -tar and feather him! - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - TAR AND FEATHERS. - - -The prospect was far from pleasant to our hero. In spite of his bravery, -he shivered as he saw the gang of masked boys start up a fire over which -to heat the tar. - -“So you intend to tar and feather me,” he said to the leader. - -“You’ve struck it, Jerry Upton.” - -“All right, Si Peters, do it, and you shall go to prison, mark my -words.” - -Jerry had only guessed at the identity of the leader, but he had hit -upon the truth. - -“Who told you I was”—began Peters, and broke off short. “You’re -mistaken,” he went on in his assumed voice. - -“I am not mistaken, Si Peters. I know you, and you had best remember -what I say.” - -“Oh, you’re too fresh, Upton, and we’re going to teach you a lesson,” -put in another of the crowd. - -“A good coat of tar and feathers is just what your system needs.” - -“We’ll paint you up so artistically that, even your own mother won’t -know you.” - -“Not if I can help it,” muttered Jerry, under his breath. - -A great mass of wood had been collected, and this gave a roaring fire -and also afforded a good light for the workers. - -On each side of the fire a notched stick was driven into the ground. A -third stick was laid across the top, just beyond the flames. From this -upper stick the pot of tar was suspended by an iron chain. - -The heat soon began to tell on the tar. As it softened it could be -smelled a long distance off. - -“How do you like that smell?” asked Peters of Jerry. - -“Oh, it’s a good enough smell,” replied our hero, as coolly as he could. - -“Never had a dose of tar before, did you?” - -“I haven’t had this dose yet.” - -“That’s so, but you soon will have.” - -“Maybe not.” - -“Oh, you can’t escape us.” - -“Not much, he can’t,” put in another, and now Jerry felt sure that the -speaker was Wash Crosby. - -“We’ll talk about that later, Crosby.” - -The masked boy started back and denied his identity. But it was plain to -see he was much put out. - -“I know you, Peters, Crosby, Banner and Graves,” went on Jerry. “And -I’ll discover who you other two fellows are before I leave here, too.” - -“Fiddlesticks!” shouted one of the boys by the fire who was stirring the -tar. - -“Is it getting soft?” asked Crosby. - -“Yes.” - -“Where is the brush?” - -“I’ve got it,” spoke up another, and he held up the stump of an old -whitewash brush. - -“That’s all right.” - -At a signal from Peters the crowd of masked boys withdrew to the side of -the fire. - -Here a long talk followed. It was so low that Jerry could not hear a -word. - -Peters was making the crowd solemnly promise that they would not inform -upon each other, no matter what happened. - -“If we stick together, Upton can prove nothing,” he said. “He has no -witnesses.” - -“Right you are, Si.” - -“We want to get square, and this is the chance of our lives to do it.” - -“We can give him the tar and feathers and then leave him tied up in such -a fashion that he can get free, but not before we have had a chance to -make good our escape and get home and to bed.” - -“That’s the way to fix it.” - -“It will teach Lakeporters a good lesson,” put in one of the unknowns. -“My! but ain’t I down on every one of ’em.” - -“And so am I!” - -“And I!” - -“And I!” - -In the meanwhile the young oarsman was trying his best to work himself -free of his bonds. He felt that unless he escaped he would surely be -tarred and feathered. - -He tugged at the ropes around his body, and after a hard struggle he -managed to free his left arm. - -His right arm followed, although this cost him a bad cut on the wrist, -from which the blood flowed freely. - -But he gave the wound no thought, and in haste began to work at the rope -at his waist. - -Now that was loosened, only the one around his knees remained. - -He looked anxiously toward the fire. The masked boys were still in deep -discussion, and not a single eye was directed toward the prisoner. - -Oh, for three minutes more time! - -He worked with feverish haste. - -And now he was practically free! - -Si Peters turned and beheld him as he took a step behind the tree, out -of the glare of the fire. - -“He has got away, fellows!” he shouted. “After him, quick!” - -A yell went up, and the crowd rushed forward. - -“He mustn’t escape us!” - -“We worked too hard to capture him!” - -“See, he is limping! The rope is still fastened to one of his legs!” - -Like a pack of wolves after a rabbit they came after Jerry. - -Our hero did his best to out-distance them, and he would have succeeded -had it not been for the rope around one knee, which caught in a tree -root and threw him down flat on his face. In another moment the crowd -was on top of him. - -They showed him no mercy. Si Peters was particularly brutal and kicked -Jerry heavily in the side half a dozen times. - -“I’ll teach you to crawl away, you sneak!” he cried. “You can’t fool us -in this fashion.” - -The kicks stunned Jerry and deprived him of his wind. He fought as best -he could, but he was no match for six strong boys. - -Again he was overpowered. Then the gang dragged him to the side of the -roaring camp fire and threw off their masks. - -“Now we’ll strip him,” said Wash Crosby. “The tar is all ready and so -are the feathers.” - -Jerry’s struggles availed him nothing. His coat and vest were literally -ripped from his body, and his shirt followed. - -“Give me the brush. I want to give him the first dose,” sang out Si -Peters. - -The old whitewash brush was handed to the leader. Si dipped it deeply -into the pot of hot tar, and approached the young oarsman. - -“Now, Jerry Upton, we’ll tar and feather you in spite of your threats,” -he said. - - [Illustration] - -[Illustration: THE TAR WAS READY FOR USE.] - - - - - CHAPTER X. - WHAT TOWSER DID. - - -“Well, by creation? what does this mean?” - -The speaker was Mr. Upton, Jerry’s father. He was gazing at the -hay-rick, which was coming down the road to the barn at a lively gait. - -As the boys who had captured Jerry had thought, the horses had found -their way home alone. - -Anxiously, Mr. Upton looked around for Jerry, and then he stopped the -team and put them up in the barn. - -Running into the house he told his wife of the state of affairs. -Instantly Mrs. Upton grew alarmed. - -“Perhaps they ran away and threw Jerry out!” she cried. - -“It ain’t likely they could get away with Jerry,” replied Mr. Upton. -“But I allow it is curious.” - -A half hour went by, and the farmer determined to start on a hunt for -his son. He went off on horseback, and took with him Towser, the farm -dog. - -Towser was an old and faithful animal, a prime favorite with Jerry, and -he trotted along beside the horse as if he knew something was wrong. - -“We want to find Jerry, Towser,” said Mr. Upton. “Jerry, Towser, Jerry!” - -And the dog wagged his tail as if to say that he understood perfectly. - -It was now quite dark. The farmer had brought along a lantern, and this -he lit and swung around first on one side of the road and then on the -other. As he journeyed along he remembered Jerry’s troubles with the -Rockpoint boys. - -“Maybe he has had another fight,” he thought. “It was foolish to let him -go over there.” - -Inside of an hour the other side of the lake was reached, and they -struck the lonely road leading into Rockpoint. - -As the farmer went on he became more and more sober in mind. He seemed -to feel in his mind that something was wrong. - -Towser let out a mournful howl. - -“Jerry, Towser, Jerry!” - -Again the dog howled. Then he came to an unexpected halt and although -Farmer Upton went on, the dog refused to budge. - -“What is it, Towser?” - -For reply the dog started into the bushes, and this at first made the -old farmer angry, for he did not understand the dog. - -“Come, Towser!” he cried. “We are not after game just now!” - -But the dog would not come. He wanted to enter the brush. - -At last Mr. Upton went to catch him by the collar, but just as he did so -the dog gave a short bark and picked up something from among the bushes. - -“Hullo!” - -No wonder the old farmer was surprised. The article Towser had -discovered was a sling-shot Jerry often carried with him. - -“Must have come in here,” mused Farmer Upton. - -Then of a sudden he began to examine the ground. It was soft in spots -and plainly showed the footmarks of Jerry and the Si Peters crowd. - -“He’s in trouble!” said the old farmer to himself. “Maybe some tramps -have carried him off and robbed him.” - -Urging on the faithful dog, Mr. Upton hurried along the path through the -woods, leaving the horse tied to a tree. - -It was an uneven way, and he stumbled many times. But he did not -mind—his one thought was to reach his son and find out the boy’s -condition. - -Towser ran ahead, howling dismally at every few yards. But the faithful -dog did not lose the scent. - -Presently, through the bushes, Farmer Upton caught sight of a distant -camp fire. - -“Hist!” he called to Towser. “Go slow, now! Down!” - -And the dog obeyed and howled no longer. - -A hundred yards more were passed, when a loud cry rent the air. - -“Help! help!” - -It was Jerry’s voice. Si Peters was in the act of applying the first -brushful of tar to his back. Utterly helpless, there was nothing left -for Jerry to do but to use his lungs. - -“Shut up!” cried Si Peters. “Yell again and I’ll hit you in the mouth -with the tar.” - -“You are an overgrown coward!” retorted Jerry. “Give me a fair show, and -I’ll knock you out in short order.” - -And again he called for help. - -In a rage, Si Peters started to plaster Jerry’s mouth with the hot tar. -But ere the brush could descend, Mr. Upton and Towser burst upon the -scene. - -“Stop, you young scamps!” roared the old farmer. “At ’em, Towser! Chew -’em up!” - -Startled at the unexpected interruption, the rowdies fell back. Then -Towser leaped forward and caught Si Peters by his trowsers. - -“Save me!” yelled Si, in terror. “The dog is going to chew me up!” - -“Good, Towser!” returned Jerry. “Hold him fast!” - -And Towser did as bidden. - -In the meantime Mr. Upton ran after the boys who had been holding Jerry. -He caught two of them, and before they knew it, knocked their heads -together so forcibly that they saw stars. - -Jerry, delighted at the unexpected turn of affairs, turned upon Wash -Crosby. Si Peters had dropped the tar brush, and this Jerry secured. - -Bang! whack! Crosby received a blow over the head, and one in the ear, -which left a big black streak of tar. - -“Oh, don’t! please don’t!” he screamed. “Let up, Jerry! It was only a -joke! We weren’t really going to tar and feather you!” - -Then the fellow ran for his very life. - -During this time Si Peters was trying his best to get away from Towser, -who held on with a deathlike grip. - -Around and around the camp fire the two circled, until Jerry came up. - -The youth called off the dog and went at Si in about the same manner as -he had treated Wash Crosby. - -Si wanted to run for it, and in his hurry rushed through the fire, -knocking over the kettle of tar. - -The sticky mess emptied itself over his clothing. Then the young oarsman -tripped him up, and over he rolled among the loose feathers. - -“Now you can see how you like it!” cried Jerry. - -And growling and panting for breath, Si Peters ran away after the -others. - -The Rockpoint rowdies were thoroughly demoralized. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - OFF FOR HERMIT ISLAND. - - -It took Jerry and his father some little time to get back their breath -sufficiently to leave the woods and make their way to the road. - -“You came in the nick of time, father,” said the lad. “In another five -minutes I would have been tarred and feathered.” - -“Tell me about the whole affair, son,” said the old farmer; and Jerry -did so. - -“The good-for-nothing rascals!” cried the old farmer. “If they touch you -again I’ll have ’em all up before the squire.” - -“That won’t help us, father,” replied Jerry. “They are rich, you know. -They would get off somehow.” - -“Then I’ll take it out of their hides.” - -Mr. Upton told how Towser had led the way into the woods. Jerry had -always loved the farm dog, but now he thought more of him than ever. - -“Good boy,” he said. “You shall go with us when we take our outing—that -is, if father will let you go.” - -“Yes, Jerry, take him along. He may help you out of some more trouble,” -replied Mr. Upton. - -It was rather late when they arrived home. Mrs. Upton was shocked to -learn of what had occurred, but glad to learn that Jerry had escaped his -enemies. - -The next day the young oarsman told Harry Parker and the other boys of -his adventure. Harry was very indignant. - -“Those Rockpoint boys ought to be driven out of the state.” - -“I dun racken I’ll carry my hoss pistol after dis,” said Blumpo. “Da -don’t cotch dis chile for to tar and feather him!” - -A week later Jerry, Harry, and Blumpo started up the lake on a ten days’ -outing. - -They were in Harry’s largest row-boat, the one that had a sail, and -carried with them a tent and a good stock of ammunition. Jerry and Harry -were armed with guns, and Blumpo carried his “hoss pistol” and a rusty -spear. - -They were bound for Hermit Island, a wild but beautiful patch of land -situated almost at the end of Otasco Lake. The island was so called -because it was said by some that the place was inhabited by an old -hermit who lived in a cave and never showed himself to visitors. - -Some did not believe this story, for try as hard as they could, they had -never been able to locate the strange creature, who was said to have a -white beard to his waist, and white hair equally long. - -The day that the trio started away was a fine one, and the boys were in -excellent spirits. - -“I trust we have no more squalls,” remarked Harry, as they glided along, -the sail set and the oars out. - -“No storm to-day,” returned Jerry. “We are going to have at least three -or four days of fine weather.” - -“Say, I wondah if I could shoot a bar wid dis yere gun,” put in Blumpo, -as he held up his pistol. - -“You might if you threw the pistol at the bear when you pulled the -trigger,” laughed Jerry. “Sure as you are born, Blumpo, that pistol will -go to pieces if you try to fire it.” - -“Den I’ll fire it dis way,” replied the homeless youth, and swung the -weapon as if to heave it away. - -An hour passed, during which the boys laid their plans for a camp and -talked over what they would do. - -“I hope we have good hunting and fishing,” said Jerry. - -“So do I,” returned Harry. “And I likewise hope we find the hermit, if -there really is such a creature.” - -“Maybe he won’t want us on his island,” put in Blumpo. “He may be an -ugly feller.” - -“We’ll risk it, Blumpo.” - -“I ain’t in fer stirrin’ up no hornets’ nest,” went on the homeless -youth. “I jess like ter lay around an’ take it easy under de -trees—a-listening to—” - -“‘The tumble bugs tumbling around,’ as the song says,” laughed Jerry. -“Blumpo, you must get more ambition in you. Come, row up lively. It’s a -good long distance to the island, and we must make it before sundown.” - -All three braced up, and the big boat went forward at an increased rate -of speed. - -“Hullo!” cried Harry, presently. “Jerry, doesn’t that look like Si -Peters’ yacht?” - -And Harry pointed over to the west shore of the lake, where a craft had -just emerged from behind a small headland. - -“It is the Peters yacht, sure enough,” replied Jerry, after studying the -craft. - -“If she cums dis way, we’ll hab lively times,” remarked Blumpo. - -“That’s true, Blumpo. Come, maybe we can get away from her.” - -The boys kept steadily on their course, and for a long time those on the -yacht seemed to pay no attention to them. - -But after awhile the big boat put on another tack, and fifteen minutes -later it was within hailing distance. Then they saw that Si Peters and -Crosby were in possession. They had with them five other Rockpoint lads, -including Banner and Graves. - -“Hi, you fellows, stop rowing!” yelled Peters at the top of his voice. - -“Mind your own business, Si Peters,” retorted Harry. - -“You won’t stop?” - -“No. Leave us alone.” - -“We want you to give up Jerry Upton.” - -“Give him up?” - -“Exactly. Come up alongside and let him jump on board of the yacht.” - -“That’s as cool as a cake of ice!” cried Jerry. “You want everything, -don’t you?” - -“We are going to get square with you, Jerry Upton!” put in Wash Crosby. - -“Let us pull away as fast as we can,” whispered Harry. “Those chaps mean -trouble.” - -“Dat’s de talk,” said Blumpo, who was the worst scared of the three. - -They bent to their oars, and soon moved off a hundred feet or more. - -Then Si Peters ran out to the jib of the yacht. “Stop!” he commanded. -“Pull another yard and you’ll be sorry for it.” - -“We’ll risk it,” replied Jerry. - -“We’ll run you down!” - -“You won’t dare!” yelled Harry, in alarm. - -“Won’t we? Just see if we won’t!” - -At once Si Peters gave some directions to Wash Crosby, who was at the -wheel. The course of the yacht was slightly changed, and now the craft -was headed directly for the boat containing our friends. - -“Anudder smash-up, shuah as you’re born!” groaned Blumpo, and he -prepared to leap into the lake. - -“Stay where you are!” ordered Jerry. “I’ll check their little game.” - -Reaching into a locker, the young oarsman brought out his gun. Leaping -on one of the seats, he pointed the weapon at Si Peters’ head. - -“Sheer off!” he cried. “Sheer off, or I’ll fire on you!” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - AN ATTACK IN THE DARK. - - -Si Peters was nearly dumbfounded at the unexpected turn affairs had -taken. The bully at once gave the necessary directions, and the yacht -passed to windward of the other boat. - -“A good idea, Jerry!” exclaimed Harry. “That will make them steer clear -of us for good, I reckon.” - -“If they haven’t got guns of their own, Harry.” - -The boys on the yacht were evidently much crestfallen. They had hoped to -get Jerry in their power, but that plan was defeated. They dropped -behind several hiding places, and again headed for the big row-boat. - -But once more Jerry outwitted them. Calling to Blumpo to steady the -temporary mast, he climbed to the top, his gun slung over his shoulder. - -From this elevated point he was able to sweep the yacht’s deck from stem -to stern. - -“Now turn about, or I’ll fire on you, as sure as fate!” he ordered. - -“You think you are smart, don’t you,” sneered Wash Crosby. - -“I’m too smart for your crowd,” retorted Jerry. - -“We can fire as well as you,” put in Graves. - -“If you had a gun, which you haven’t,” retorted Jerry. - -The boys on the yacht growled among themselves, but could do nothing. -Wash Crosby tried to throw a piece of iron on the row-boat, but it fell -short. Then Harry retaliated by shooting through the yacht’s main-sail. - -Seeing the boys on the big row-boat meant business, Si Peters and his -crowd withdrew from the encounter. - -As soon as they were gone, Jerry came down from his perch, and off they -started once more for the island. - -The yacht sailed so far off they thought they were no longer observed. - -But in this they were mistaken for Si Peters had a field glass with him. - -This glass was now brought into play, and Peters’ crowd kept track of -Jerry and the others until the vicinity of Hermit Island was reached. - -“Going to camp there,” said Wash Crosby. - -“It ought to give us a fine chance to get square,” replied Si Peters, -and the crowd began to plot against our hero and his friends. - -But in the meantime the big row-boat disappeared behind the bushes which -fringed a narrow inlet, and, try their best, those on the yacht could -not locate it again. - -“Never mind, we’ll come up some other day,” said Si Peters. “It’s -getting too late to do anything now.” - -And the yacht returned to Rockpoint. - -It was Harry who selected a landing place on Hermit’s Island. He found a -smooth, sandy beach, and here the row-boat was drawn up well out of the -water. - -Back of the beach was a little clearing. On one side were tall rocks, -and on the other the woods. - -“As good a place as any to pitch the tent,” said Jerry. “Come, Blumpo, -stir yourself.” - -The tent was brought out and put up, and a camp fire was lit. While -Blumpo gathered brush to put into the tent to sleep on, Jerry and Harry -tried their hands at fishing. - -Soon Harry had a bite, and brought in a perch weighing a little over a -half a pound. - -“Good for you, Harry, you take first prize!” cried Jerry. - -Hardly had he spoken when he felt a jerk. There was a lively struggle -for fully a minute, and then Jerry landed his catch—a rock bass, all of -a pound in weight. - -“Second, but best,” laughed Harry. “I guess that is all we want for -to-night.” - -The pan was over the fire getting hot. Blumpo cleaned the fish and put -them on. In the meantime, Jerry made a pot of coffee. - -Never had a meal tasted better to the boys. They lingered over the -scraps for a long while, talking over the events of the day. Blumpo also -gave them a song. It was a happy time. - -“Somebody ought to stand guard all night, I suppose,” said Jerry, when -it came time to turn in. - -“Oh, nonsense!” cried Harry. “Who is going to hurt us in this out of the -way spot?” - -“We don’t know what may be around.” - -“I’se too tired to watch,” put in Blumpo. - -“Never knew the time you weren’t tired,” laughed Jerry. “But let it go, -if you wish.” - -Quarter of an hour later all of the boys had turned in. Blumpo picked -out a corner of the tent nearest the rear. Harry slept in the middle, -while Jerry took up a place not far from the front flaps. - -As it was rather warm, they left one of the flaps open to admit the air. -Jerry lay in such a position that he could look out on the smoldering -camp fire. - -Jerry was as tired as the rest, and it did not take him long to drop off -into a sound sleep. - -How long he slept he did not know. A low noise outside aroused him. He -opened his eyes with a start, wondering what it was. - -Then came another growl or grunt, he could not tell which. He sat up and -looked outside. - -A sight met his gaze that nearly caused his heart to stop beating. The -camp fire was almost out, but beyond its fitful glare he beheld a pair -of large eyes bent directly upon the tent opening. - -The eyes belonged to some savage beast which was about to attack the -camp. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - JERRY’S SHOT. - - -Jerry realized that he and his friends were in great peril. What the -savage beast outside was he could not tell, but it looked large and -powerful in the gloom beyond the camp fire. - -There was no time to lose if anything was to be done. - -Luckily, before lying down, the young oarsman had loaded his gun and -hung it up on the front pole of the tent, within easy reach. - -Sitting up, he now took the weapon and pulled back the trigger. - -The click reached the ears of the animal outside, and once again it let -out that peculiar sound, neither grunt nor growl. - -Then Jerry put the gun to his shoulder, and, taking aim at one of the -shining eyes, fired. - -Bang! - -The report of the firearm caused Harry and Blumpo to spring up in wild -alarm. - -“What’s the matter?” - -“Heaben sabe us!” moaned Blumpo. - -“A wild animal outside,” cried Jerry. “Get your gun, quick!” - -Harry leaped for his weapon. - -“What is it?” - -“I can’t make out.” - -Reloading as rapidly as he could, our hero dashed into the open. A howl -of pain told he had hit his mark. The beast had turned and was crashing -through the brush close to the rocks. - -“Let us find out what it was!” cried Harry. - -“Doan go!” moaned Blumpo. “You will git chewed up!” - -And then he dove back into the tent for his “hoss” pistol and his rusty -spear. - -Catching up a blazing brand, Jerry threw it into the brush. By the light -they saw the creature crouching on a rock. - -Bang! bang! - -The two guns spoke simultaneously. Harry hit the beast in the shoulder. -Jerry’s shot was more effective for it struck in the neck, and with a -snarl the creature leaped into the air and fell—dead. - -“You’ve settled him!” cried Harry. “Come on and inspect him.” - -“Wait and load your gun first,” cautioned our hero. “He may have some -fight in him still.” - -The weapons were put in order, and then, with firebrands to light the -way, they moved forward to inspect their victim. - -It was a large and heavy boar. - -“A wild hog!” shouted Jerry. “My, what a big fellow he is!” - -“I thought it was a bear,” said Harry. He was somewhat disappointed. - -“He was savage enough, at all events,” replied Jerry. “These wild hogs -put up a terrible fight, father says.” - -“Oh, I know that. Wasn’t Dick Harben’s uncle killed by one? Well, he’s -dead enough and we have meat to last a month.” - -“Pretty strong eating,” smiled Jerry. - -They called Blumpo. The homeless youth was delighted over the dead -animal. - -“‘Ham’s de best ob meat,’” he sang. “I’ll soon fix him up, see if I -don’t.” - -The boys were glad that it was getting toward morning, for the -excitement had taken all the sleep out of them. They replenished the -fire, and sat around waiting for daybreak. - -As soon as the sun rose, Blumpo prepared breakfast, while Jerry and -Harry took a plunge into the lake. It was great sport, and they remained -in the water until Blumpo called them. - -That day the boys tramped nearly two miles around the island. They took -their guns with them and came back with their game bags full of birds. -Returning, they were thoroughly tired out, but nevertheless resolved to -set a watch. - -“Four hours each,” said Harry, and this was agreed to. - -But nothing happened to disturb them, and on the following night the -watch was abandoned. - -The boys put in nearly a week in hunting, fishing, swimming, and lying -around, and they enjoyed every minute of the time. - -Nothing had been seen or heard of the hermit who was supposed to inhabit -the island, and they began to think that no such person existed. - -Neither had they heard anything more of Si Peters and his crowd, and -they fancied they were safe from molestation. - -Sunday passed quietly, and on Monday morning Jerry proposed they take -along a game bag full of provisions and climb to the top of the rocky -hill in the centre of the island. - -“We must go to the very top before we leave,” he said. - -The game bag was filled with eatables, and cups, plates, etc., and then -they tied up the tent flaps and drew the boat still higher up out of the -water. - -The first quarter of a mile of the journey was easy enough, but after -that they struck the rocks, and climbing became more and more difficult -with every step. - -“Phew! but dis am work!” puffed Blumpo. “Dis boy’s most tucked out!” - -“We’ll take a good long rest at noon, Blumpo,” said Harry. - -Up and up they went until Jerry, who was in advance, came to a sudden -halt. A deep split in the rocks barred his further progress. - -“Will we have to go back?” asked Harry, anxiously. - -“It looks like it.” - -“Can’t we leap over?” - -“We might try. I can, if you are willing to follow.” - -“I kin jump dat easy enough,” put in Blumpo. - -Jerry stepped back, and running a few feet, made the leap in safety. -Harry followed, and then both boys waited for Blumpo Brown to join them. - -The homeless youth measured the distance with his eye and came on like a -steam engine. - -But just before he reached the edge of the split he slipped and went -headlong. Unable to stop himself, he crashed down into the opening head -first. - -In going over the rocks he twisted himself partly around. - -With one hand he caught hold of a frail bush growing among the rocks. - -His left foot caught in a crevice, and there he hung, unable to help -himself, and with death staring him in the face! - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - THE HERMIT OF THE ISLAND. - - -“He’ll be killed!” yelled Harry. - -His face was deadly white. - -“Help me!” came faintly from Blumpo. - -Before the others could realize it, Jerry had leaped back to the other -side of the opening. Catching hold of a jutting rock with one hand, he -grasped Blumpo’s wrist with the other. - -“Now let go below and I’ll haul you up, Blumpo,” he said. - -The frightened youth did as requested, and slowly but surely Jerry -dragged him up to a safe spot. - -“Good for you, Jerry!” shouted Harry. - -“By golly! but dat was a close call!” shuddered the homeless youth. - -Then, with tears in his big, honest eyes, he wrung our hero’s hand. - -“You dun sabed my life, Jerry!” he declared solemnly. “I won’t forgit -dat, neber!” - -The nervous boy was averse to attempting a second jump, and so the party -walked along the opening until a much narrower spot was reached. - -Once over, the upward climb was again begun. By noon they reckoned that -they were within half a mile of the top. But all were exhausted, and -glad enough to rest and take a bite to eat. - -A fine spring was found, and here they washed up and quenched their -thirst before resuming the journey. - -They found a large quantity of huckleberries growing on the hillside, -and these made very acceptable eating. - -“A fellow could put in a month here,” remarked Jerry. “But, heigho! the -vacation will soon be ended, and then for school again.” - -The rest over, they went up and up again. - -“Beat you to the summit!” cried Jerry, and started up the last stretch -on a rush. Harry followed, and Blumpo was not far behind. - -What a splendid panorama was spread before them! They could see clear to -either end of the lake and off to the hills east and west. - -“I see the church steeple!” cried Jerry. - -“Look! look!” exclaimed Harry, suddenly. - -He pointed down the lake to where a yacht was bowling along before the -breeze. - -“Si Peters’ boat!” - -“I wonder if Peters knows we are still on the island?” mused Jerry. - -“I reckon he does.” - -“It’s a wonder he and his crowd never came up to make more trouble for -us.” - -“Perhaps he dun got scared at dis hoss pistol ob mine,” put in Blumpo. - -To him that “hoss” pistol was a mighty weapon, greatly to be feared. - -A little back of the summit of rocks was a grassy plateau, and here the -boys decided to camp for the night. - -“What a beautiful place for a picnic!” said Harry. - -“Rather hard to get to, though,” returned Jerry. “I wonder if there is a -spring handy?” - -“A spring away up heah!” exclaimed Blumpo. “Yo’ expect watah to run up -hill? Ha, ha!” - -“Yes, Blumpo; strange as it may seem, the finest springs are found at -the very tops of mountains. Come on and look for one.” - -The homeless youth showed his surprise, but he readily joined in the -hunt, and so did Harry. There was a patch of brush behind the plateau, -and this they skirted. Ere long Jerry found a tiny rivulet flowing in a -well-worn hollow. - -“The head of this rill of water will bring us to the spring,” he said. - -They began to follow the watercourse. It led around half a dozen big -rocks. - -“Halt!” - -All three of the boys sprang back in amazement. From whence had that -unexpected command proceeded? - -“Halt, I say!” - -They stopped short. - -“Who are you?” asked Jerry quickly. - -“I am the Lonely Man. Leave me!” - -“The Lonely Man,” repeated Jerry. - -“Yes. Depart, my boys, at once.” - -“Are you the man they call the hermit of the island?” asked Harry. - -“I presume so. Now leave me. I have not spoken to other men for years.” - -“We would like to get a little water first, if you please,” said Jerry. -“Surely so good an old man as you will not refuse us that.” - -This way of talking evidently struck the hermit’s fancy, for there was a -rustle of bushes, and the hermit of the island stepped into view. - -All of the boys stared at him in blank amazement. He was a reddish-black -individual, with snow white hair and long flowing beard. - -Blumpo grew so frightened that he immediately fell on his knees. - -“De voodoo doctor, suah!” he muttered. - -Like many other ignorant people, he was very superstitious and believed -in charms and voodooism. - -“We are sorry to have disturbed you in your lonely retreat,” began -Harry. “But we—” - -“Say no more, my boy. Get the water you need and depart.” - -“We will.” - -Harry and Jerry turned toward the spring and quietly filled up the big -tin can they had brought along. - -The old hermit watched them curiously. - -“You look like good boys,” he said. “I want to ask a favor of you.” - -“What?” asked both boys in a breath. - -“I wish to end my days here undisturbed. Will you promise not to reveal -my dwelling place to your friends?” - -“I am willing to say nothing,” said Jerry, promptly. - -“So am I,” returned Harry. - -The old man looked much relieved. - -“And how is it with you?” he went on, turning and walking to where -Blumpo had his head bent low on the ground. - -“Please, sah, don’t charm me, sah! don’t cast no spell ober me!” howled -Blumpo. “I ain’t dun nuffin’ ’deed I ain’t. I’se de best boy in -Lakeview! Ain’t I, Harry? Ain’t dat de truf, Jerry?” - -“I will not harm you, so do not be afraid,” said the hermit with a faint -smile on his reddish-black face. - -“I won’t tell a t’ing! not a word, sah, hope ter die if I do!” went on -Blumpo, still keeping his face down. - -He was afraid that if he looked at the hermit he would be bewitched. - -“Blumpo, get up!” said Harry, sharply. “Don’t make a fool of yourself. -This gentleman is not going to hurt you. Stand up and be a man.” - -Thus spoken to, the homeless boy arose slowly to his feet. His knees -were still trembling, and he needed but little incentive to take to his -heels. - -“I have not seen a colored or an Indian boy in years,” went on the old -hermit. “If you are an honest boy let me take your hand.” - -He advanced, and with his knees knocking together Blumpo put out his -hand and looked the old man in the face. - -The next instant the hermit gave a leap back in profound astonishment. - -“Abraham! As sure as the sun shines! And I thought he was dead!” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - THE HERMIT’S SECRET. - - -All three of the boys were much mystified by the old hermit’s words. - -“He must be a little off in his head,” thought Harry. - -“Who is Abraham?” asked Jerry. - -“This is Abraham!” cried the hermit. “Are you not Abraham?” he went on -to Blumpo. - -“I reckon not, sah. I’se jess plain Blumpo Brown.” - -“Blumpo Brown! Ha! how well I remember that name! You are indeed -Abraham, and I am your father!” - -And the hermit caught Blumpo in his arms. It is needless to say the -youth was frightened and bewildered. - -“Come to my cave and I will tell you all,” went on the hermit, and he -dragged Blumpo along. - -Jerry and Harry willingly followed. They found that the old man had -quite a comfortable place among the rocks. It was elaborately furnished, -showing that the hermit was well-to-do. - -They all took seats on some skins thrown over rude couches. The hermit -made Blumpo sit close to him. - -“My name is Daniel Brown,” he began. “And you, Blumpo, are my -only son. Your full name is Blum-pou-la-hau,—the Indian for -boy-of-the-laughing-face,—for, you know, you have much Indian blood in -your veins.” - -“Dat’s what folks said I had,” said Blumpo. - -“I thought you were dead—that you had been drowned. It was this drove -me to make a hermit of myself.” - -Then the old hermit went into many particulars, to which all listened -with great interest. - -Blumpo could scarcely believe his ears. His face began to expand, and a -smile broke out on it, the like of which had never before been seen. He -was a homeless waif no longer. He had found a father. - -Jerry and Harry talked to the old hermit for an hour and more. They -found him peculiar in his ideas, but with a warm heart. - -Before they retired for the night Daniel Brown came to the conclusion to -give up his dwelling on the top of the mountain. - -He said he would build a cabin down by the lakeside and there he and -Blumpo could live like ordinary people. - -“I have several thousand dollars saved up,” he said, “so we will not -want for anything. I will buy a boat, and Blumpo can make a living by -letting her out to pleasure parties.” - -“Dat will suit me exactly,” cried Blumpo. - -“But you must also go to school in the winter,” went on Daniel Brown. -“And you must drop that dialect, and not say dat for that.” - -“Golly! but won’t I be eddicate!” murmured Blumpo. “Say, Pop maybe I kin -hab—I mean have—a new suit, eh?” - -“Two of them, Abraham,” said the hermit; and then all hands laughed. - -It was well for the boys that they were housed in the hermit’s dwelling, -for that night a terrible thunder storm came up. The wind howled and -shrieked around the mountain top, and continued until dawn. - -“If we had been on the plateau we would have been blown off into the -lake,” said Harry, at breakfast. - -By nine o’clock it cleared off and at twelve the mountain was as dry as -ever. They packed up, and, accompanied by the hermit, set off, for the -old camp. - -Daniel Brown knew every inch of the mountain and under his guidance they -reached the bottom much quicker than they would otherwise have done. - -As they were trailing through the woods toward the camp, Harry suddenly -put up his hand. - -“Listen! Don’t you hear some persons talking?” he asked. - -“Where can it be?” asked Jerry. - -“Down by the camp,” said Blumpo. - -“Si Peters’ crowd, I’ll bet a new hat!” cried Jerry. “Come on, all of -you!” - -The young oarsman broke into a run, and Harry and Blumpo came after, -with the hermit lagging on behind. A turn in the brush brought them in -sight of the camp. - -There were Si Peters, Wash Crosby, and four others in the act of shoving -Harry’s craft into the water. - -“They intended to run off with our boat!” yelled Jerry. “Stop, there, -you thieves!” - -“Stop, or we’ll fire on you!” added Harry. - -The Peters crowd were surprised and alarmed. They hesitated for a -moment. - -“Go ahead, don’t mind them!” howled Si Peters. “Quick, fellows, shove -out to the yacht!” - -Before Jerry and the others could reach the spot the big row-boat was -afloat. The Peters crowd leaped on board and quickly shipped the oars. - -“Stop, or we’ll fire on you!” sang out Harry again. - -“Fire and be blowed!” howled Wash Crosby. - -Bang! went Harry’s gun, and the shot rattled all around the row-boat. - -But now a turn of a headland took the craft out of range. - -“Follow me!” said Jerry, as he leaped across the camp to where they -could again catch sight of the craft. - -Over the rock and through the brush they stumbled, a distance of two -hundred feet. Then the shore of the lake was again reached. - -But, alas! before they could do anything the Peters crowd was entirely -out of range. They saw the big row-boat taken over to where the yacht -lay at anchor. Harry’s craft was tied fast to the stern and the -Rockpointers clambered aboard their own vessel. - -“Good-bye and good luck to you!” cried Si Peters, mockingly. “Hope you -fellows enjoy playing Robinson Crusoe. We’ll come back for you some time -next year.” - -And then the yacht sailed away, leaving those on the island to their -fate. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - AN EXCITING CHASE. - - -For the moment the boys did not know what to do. Si Peters and his crowd -had run off with their row-boat, and how to get to the mainland was a -serious question. - -To swim the distance would be a dangerous undertaking, and there was no -telling how long it would be before another craft should come along to -take them off. - -But the hermit solved the problem. - -“If you want to follow those boys you can take my boat,” he said. - -“Have you a boat?” asked Jerry, quickly. - -“Certainly, although I use it but sparingly, and then only at night.” - -The hermit led the way to the lower end of the island. Here in a -water-cave rested a long, round-bottomed row-boat, containing two pairs -of oars. - -“Just the thing!” cried Jerry. “Come on, Harry!” - -He and his chum leaped in. Blumpo looked at his newly found father. - -“I will go along if you wish,” said the hermit. - -In five seconds more all four were in the boat, which was then shoved -out into the lake. - -With Jerry and Harry at the oars, they made good progress in the -direction of Si Peters’ yacht. - -All were armed, and Blumpo occupied the time in seeing that every weapon -was ready for use. - -“The wind is dying out,” said Harry. “That is in our favor.” - -“They have not more than half a mile start,” rejoined Jerry. “We ought -to catch up in half an hour.” - -It was evident that those on the yacht did not anticipate pursuit, for -it was not until the distance between the two craft had been -considerably lessened that they showed signs of alarm. - -“They see us!” cried Blumpo. “Shall I give ’em a shot?” - -“No; wait,” replied Jerry. - -The wind had now gone down almost entirely, and the yacht’s sails were -flapping idly. - -Si Peters and Wash Crosby were evidently alarmed at the turn affairs had -taken, and they called their chums around them for consultation. - -“We can’t do anything while the wind is down,” said Crosby. - -“Let’s get out and row,” suggested Graves, who was one of the number. - -“Can we tow the yacht?” - -“We can try.” - -This was decided on, and all of the crowd leaped into Harry’s boat. They -brought the craft around to the yacht’s bow, and then every one took an -oar. - -“See, they are hauling off the yacht!” cried Harry. “They mean to get -away somehow.” - -“We’ll race them,” replied Jerry. - -They bent to their oars and made the old hermit’s boat fairly fly -through the water. Slowly they crept nearer and nearer. It was an -exciting chase. - -“Take my place, Blumpo!” cried Jerry, at last, and the boy willingly -obeyed. - -Jerry leaped into the bow, and taking up his gun pointed it at Si -Peters’ head. - -“Si Peters!” he called out, “do you see this gun? Unless you stop rowing -I’ll fire at you, no matter what the consequences are.” - -Si Peters turned deadly white, for he was in reality a big coward. - -“Do you hear me?” went on Jerry. “One—two—th——” - -“Stop! don’t shoot!” yelled the Rockpoint bully, and he held up his oar. - -“Now, Wash Crosby, you stop rowing, too!” went on Jerry. - -“Think you are boss, eh?” sneered Crosby. - -“I am. Up with the oar!” - -Crosby hesitated, and then his oar went up beside Si’s. The others -became badly frightened and also stopped rowing. In a moment more the -hermit’s craft was beside the big row-boat. - -The Rockpointers gazed at the white-haired man in astonishment. They -wanted to know who he was, but just then had other matters to attend to. - -“You think you own the earth when you have a gun!” howled Si Peters to -Jerry. - -“We’re on top, that is certain,” responded our hero. “Say, Harry, -supposing we get on the yacht and make them row us back to the island?” - -“Not much!” growled Wash Crosby. - -“Just the thing!” cried Harry. - -Still keeping the Peters crowd under guard, Jerry and his friends -boarded the yacht. - -Then, much against their will, they made the others turn about and drag -them back to where they had started from, towing the hermit’s craft -behind. - -Peters and Crosby were in a perfect rage, but could do nothing, as Jerry -pretended to be very savage and itching to shoot them. - -The island reached, Jerry made the Peters crowd beach the boat and clean -her. - -“Now take your yacht and begone!” he commanded, and the crowd hurried -off in double-quick order. As the yacht drifted away the hermit laughed -heartily. - -“Cleverly done!” he said. “Jerry Upton, you are a smart lad.” - -The boys spent one more day on the island and then left for home. The -hermit went along, and created some surprise when he appeared on the -streets of Lakeview with Blumpo, his son. - -All the boys were glad that the homeless youth had found a father, who -would endeavor to make something out of the good-natured and honest lad. - -There was also a surprise for our hero and Harry. - -Si Peters and his gang had been arrested for burning down a barn -belonging to Harry’s father. - -The Rockpoint lads tried to beg off, but the authorities took the matter -in hand, and every one of them was sent to the reformatory. - -This ended the rivalry for the time being between Lakeview and Rockpoint -and, as a consequence, the autumn and winter which followed were -comparatively quiet. But stirring events were on the way, as the -chapters which follow will testify. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - HARRY’S NEW YACHT. - - -“Luff up a bit, Harry!” - -“All right, Jerry. Do you think we will make that point?” - -“If the wind holds out. We are behind the rocks now, and that cuts most -of the breeze off.” - -“Blumpo, coil up some of that rope, will you?” - -“To be suah,” returned the youth addressed. - -The scene was the deck of a handsome yacht named the Whistler. She was -as clean cut as a craft could be, and carried a spread of snowy white -sails which would have gladdened the heart of any sea-dog to behold. - -Three boys and an old man were sailing this craft. The three boys were -Jerry, Harry and Blumpo. The man was Jack Broxton, the boathouse keeper. - -The yacht was a new one, recently purchased by Harry Parker’s father for -the use of his son and Jerry. - -“Do you remember what a row we had up around this island last summer -with Si Peters, Wash Crosby and the rest of the Rockpoint crowd?” mused -Jerry, as the yacht swung around the north point of Hermit Island, that -spot where Blumpo had so strangely found his father. - -“Don’t I, though!” cried Harry. “I wonder if they are out of the -reformatory yet for setting fire to the barn?” - -“I heard da was,” put in Blumpo, who now attended school regularly. “Si -Peters got out las’ month, an’ Wash Crosby got out six weeks ago.” - -“Well, I hope they turn out better boys now,’” said Harry, seriously. “I -don’t see why they want to get into such trouble. A fellow can have lots -of sport without doing wrong.” - -“By the way, Harry, the great yacht race comes off in Long Lake in a few -weeks,” said Jerry. “Why can’t we take our yacht down through the river -and be on deck to see it?” - -“By golly, dat would be most splendiferous!” yelled Blumpo. “De best -t’ing I’ve dun heard of dis Summah!” - -“I’ve thought of it,” returned Harry. He turned to the old tar. “Jack, -could we take the Whistler down through Poplar River to Long Lake?” - -“I reckon we could,” was the slow answer, as Jack Broxton rolled his -quid from one cheek to the other. “The water is running putty high now.” - -“It would be a fine trip in itself,” went on Jerry. “I’ve never sailed -down the Poplar beyond Carlville.” - -“Nor I,” returned Harry. “But never mind that just now. Here we are at -the landing.” - -“An’ heah am my father’s house,” said Blumpo. - -The former hermit, now, however, a hermit no longer, came out to greet -his son. In the meantime all hands lowered sail and tied up. - -It was a beautiful day, and the young oarsman and Harry had come over to -the island to see what they could shoot. They left Jack in charge of the -yacht and Blumpo with his father, and started off with guns and game -bags for the interior. - -“There can’t be much game at this season of the year,” said Harry. “But -we may have a little sport, and tramping in the woods does a fellow lots -of good.” - -“Indeed I know that,” was the quick response. “Hullo, here’s a nasty bit -of bog to cross.” - -“We’ll go around by yonder big tree.” - -The two boys went on in a semi-circle. When the big tree mentioned was -reached Jerry stepped on what he supposed was one of the twisted roots. - -A second later he let out a yell which was heard down to the landing. - -He sprang back so suddenly that he bumped into Harry, who was close -behind, and both rolled over in the wet grass. - -Ere they could rise they heard an angry hiss, and a snake darted from -the tree and settled directly upon Jerry’s body! - -For a moment Jerry was too paralyzed with fear to move or speak. Then as -he recovered he threw off the snake and rolled away, over Harry and -close to the boggy spot. Harry also turned away, but came up against a -heavy mass of brush. - -The snake hissed angrily. The pressure of Jerry’s foot on its head had -just been sufficient to arouse its anger. It meant to strike if it -could. - -“Hit it with your gun!” shouted Harry. - -“You hit it!” cried our hero. “Oh!” - -The snake was again coming on, its long, green body quivering in the -spots of sunlight which shot under the trees. There was no doubt but -what it intended to fight the intruders. More than likely it had a nest -of young near. - -Bang! - -The shot was a square one, and when the smoke from the gun cleared away -it was found that the reptile’s head was completely severed from the -body, which latter continued to twist about until it fell into the water -of the bog hole. Jerry kicked the head in after it, out of sight. - -“Let us get out of here,” he said, with a shudder. “Who knows but what -we have dropped into a regular nest of snakes.” - -That he was right in his surmise was soon evident, for low hissings -could be heard on several sides. Without delay they sprang across the -bog swamp and took to the higher ground, where they could see every foot -of the way before them. - -“I’ve had snakes enough to last me the rest of the summer,” soliloquized -Jerry. “I hate them worse than anything else in the world. Look!” - -He pointed on ahead, to where there was a tree almost loaded with game -birds. At a sign from Jerry both raised their guns and fired. - -There was a flutter and a whirr, and then came a number of shrill cries -from the birds which were wounded. These the boys at once proceeded to -put out of their misery. - -“Four birds,” said Harry, as he counted the lot. “That wasn’t bad, eh?” - -“You’re right, Harry. We won’t get another such shot if we tramp all -day.” - -“I move we get back to the yacht. We have come a good distance, and it -will be more than dinner time before we can make it.” - -“I am with you. We can go out hunting again this afternoon, or try our -hand at fishing.” - -With the birds in their bags, Jerry and Harry set out on the return to -the landing. - -On the way they talked over the great yacht races soon to come off, and -also of the proposed trip through the Poplar River to the large lake -beyond. - -“It will be a dandy trip,” said Jerry, and then he added, with much -spirit: “How I would like to sail on one of the yachts and help win.” - -“So would I,” rejoined Harry. “It would be great sport, not to say -anything of the honor.” - -When the chums arrived at the boat-landing they found Blumpo and the -others waiting for them. A camp fire was burning a short distance away -from the log house, and over this the birds were done to a turn by the -youth, while the others prepared some potatoes and coffee brought from -the yacht. - -Blumpo’s father considered it a great holiday to have his son with him -for the time being. He asked Blumpo how he was getting along with his -studies, and was pleased to learn that the youth was making fairly good -progress. - -After dinner it was decided to sail around to the lower end of the -island and try bass fishing, for which the lake was famous. - -“And then we’ll come back here and stay all night,” said Jerry to the -old man. - -The lines were soon cast off and the main-sail and jib set, and as soon -as they caught the breeze they swung around and down the lake at a speed -of several knots an hour. - -“Somebody else out besides ourselves,” observed Jack Broxton, as he -pointed to half a dozen sail-boats cruising around. “This year everybody -has the yachting craze.” - -“It’s great sport,” returned Harry. “By the way,” he went on, pointing -to a large yacht coming up the lake on a long tack. “What boat is that?” - -“She is called the Arrow, I don’t know who owns her,” was the old -boatkeeper’s reply. - -“She is coming over this way. Let us stand out a little and see who is -on board.” - -“Just as you say, sir.” - -“Yes; I’m curious about that yacht, too,” put in Jerry. - -The course of the Whistler was altered several points, and they left the -vicinity of the island shore. As they drew closer to the big yacht Jerry -uttered a cry of astonishment. - -“By Jinks! It can’t be possible!” - -“What’s up?” asked Harry, coming to his side. - -“There are Si Peters and Wash Crosby on the deck of that yacht. I can -see them as plain as day.” - -“Our old enemies!” murmured Harry. - -“Da didn’t lose no time in gittin togedder after da got out of de -’formatory, did da,” laughed Blumpo. “Da say de bad ones allers do stick -like glue.” - -“Oh, maybe they’ll be first-class chaps now,” said Jerry, who was -willing to let the past be forgotten. - -“Don’t you be too sure on that p’int, lads,” put in Jack Broxton. “It’s -mighty hard to make anything out of a bad egg, and Si Peters and Wash -Crosby are bad eggs if ever there were any.” - -“Dat’s so, fo’ suah,” murmured Blumpo. - -“Well, we won’t have any words with them,” said Jerry. “We’ll let -bygones be bygones.” - -“I would like to know where they got that yacht,” said Harry. “It can’t -be possible Mr. Peters bought it for Si. When Si went to the reformatory -he told father he intended to send his son to a military school and cut -off his allowance.” - -“Maybe Si has promised to reform. Hullo! they are coming this way!” - -Jerry sprang up in alarm, for the big yacht had suddenly veered around -several points and was now coming head on toward them. - -“We’ll be run down!” shrieked Blumpo, in terror. - -“The young fools!” muttered Jack Broxton. “Don’t they know anything -about steering?” - -“The big yacht is evidently one too many for them. See, there is no one -aboard but Si and Wash. Two hands are not enough for such a craft.” - -Nearer and nearer the two yachts came to each other. - -Jack Broxton did his best to steer clear of the Arrow, but he was at a -disadvantage. Soon the big yacht took away all the wind of the Whistler -and she lay helpless. - -“Keep off!” yelled Jerry, but the cry was unheeded. - -Bang! Crash! The Arrow struck the Whistler on the bow, the long bowsprit -ripping a hole in the main-sail. - -Then came a smashing of woodwork and the Whistler began to sink. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - THE ROBBERY OF THE ROCKPOINT HOTEL. - - -“We are lost!” - -“Heaben sabe us!” - -“Cling fast for your lives!” - -A dozen other cries rang out, for the force of the collision was -terrible. - -But all clung fast and no one was thrown into the water, to be struck -and perhaps instantly killed. - -“What do you mean, Si Peters?” yelled Jerry. “You ran into us on -purpose!” - -There was no time to reply nor to say more. After the crash the two -yachts drifted apart, and with a somewhat damaged bowsprit the Arrow -went on her way. - -As she slid by, Harry caught a glimpse of Wash Crosby holding fast to a -big red valise, which had come near bounding overboard. He thought no -more of it at the time, but had good reason to remember it later. - -“What shall we do?” asked Jack Broxton. “We’ve got a neat little hole in -the side.” - -“Can we beach her on the island?” asked Harry. “I don’t want the -Whistler to go to the bottom of the lake.” - -“I reckon I can manage it. Just hold that bit of canvas over the hole.” - -Harry and our hero jumped to do as bidden, while Jack Broxton and Blumpo -undertook to steer the yacht toward shore. The craft was becoming so -water-logged that she acted clumsily, and they had their hands full. - -“We is gwine down, suah!” groaned Blumpo, but as he spoke the keel -grated on the sand, and a moment later she swung around hard and fast, -and the danger of sinking was past. - -While Jack and Blumpo lowered the sails, Harry and Jerry carried several -lines ashore and tied them to the trees in such a fashion that the yacht -could not pound herself, even if the wind came up. - -After the sails were lowered old Jack inspected the damage done. - -“I can patch the main-sail in an hour,” he said. “But that hole at the -bow will take three, and I ought to have more tools than I’ve got -aboard.” - -“Can’t we patch things up sufficiently to take her back into Lakeview?” -asked Harry. - -“Maybe we can. But it would be better on account of the wind to steer -for Rockpoint. She couldn’t stand the chop sea on the other course.” - -“All right; we’ll steer for Rockpoint, and take her over to Dan Mason’s -boatyard.” - -Blumpo ran down the shore of the island to tell his father of what had -happened. While he was gone the others patched up the break at the bow -with some thin wood and a square of canvas, tacked on, and gave all a -coating of pitch. - -Half an hour later found the Whistler bound for Rockpoint. They had to -sail along with great care, for fear of breaking open the patched place. -Had this occurred they would all have gone to the bottom. - -It was growing dusk when the harbor at Rockpoint was reached. At the -dock they saw that something unusual had happened. A crowd of men were -gathered about talking earnestly, and pointing up the lake. - -“Whoever they were, they took a boat, I’m sure of that,” said one man. - -“That’s so,” said another. - -“But who were they, and where did they go?” asked a third. - -“Ah, that’s for the police to find out.” - -Wondering what was up, Jack Broxton and the three boys brought the -Whistler around to the boatyard and turned her over to Dan Mason. The -old fellow, who was a first-class man at repairing boats of all kinds, -promised to have the craft in good trim by noon of the next day. - -“Did you hear the news?” he asked, after their business talk was at an -end. - -“What news?” asked Jerry. - -“About the hotel being robbed.” - -“Robbed!” - -“Exactly. A couple of thieves got into the safe and took a box of -jewelry and four hundred dollars in cash.” - -“By George! dat am a loss!” ejaculated Blumpo. - -“The jewelry is said to be worth nearly one thousand dollars.” - -“Have they any idea who the thieves were?” - -“No, they wore handkerchiefs over their faces, with holes cut in ’em for -to see. Some thinks as how they got away in one o’ the boats lying up -shore.” - -“How did they do the job?” questioned Jerry, with much interest. - -“I didn’t hear any of the particklers, boys.” - -“Come on up to the hotel and find out,” said Harry. “We haven’t got to -hurry home this evening.” - -Side by side Harry and the young oarsman walked to the Rockpoint Hotel, -a large place, now filled to overflowing with Summer boarders. - -They found every one around the resort talking over the case. Presently -Harry heard somebody say that the stolen money and box of jewels had -been placed by the robbers into a large red valise belonging to the -proprietor of the hotel. At once he called Jerry aside. - -“I know who committed this robbery,” he said. - -“Who?” - -“Si Peters and Wash Crosby.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE RED VALISE. - - -Of course Jerry was astonished at his chum’s declaration. - -“How do you know this?” - -“They had that red valise. I saw it.” - -“Let us make a few more inquiries before we say anything,” replied -Jerry, slowly. “It’s pretty bad to accuse anybody of such a crime as -this.” - -They asked a number of people about the robbery, but could gain no -information which would directly implicate Si Peters and his crony. - -“We had better keep mum for the present, Harry.” - -“What, and let the robbers escape?” - -“Oh, I don’t want that to happen.” - -The two talked it over for awhile, and when they returned home they were -much troubled. But that night word came from New York City which -mystified them greatly. - -A detective telegraphed he had captured two tramps who confessed to a -hotel robbery on Lake Otasco. - -“That settles it,” said Harry. “We were all wrong, and I am glad we said -nothing.” - -On the following day they rowed over to Rockpoint for the Whistler. They -heard no more about the hotel robbery, and the matter almost slipped -their minds. But they were destined ere long to remember the occurrence -full well. - -Jerry and Harry talked matters over with their parents and made plans to -sail down the Poplar River to Long Lake, and go to the yacht races at -once. - -Jack Broxton was to accompany them. Unfortunately for Blumpo, his father -was taken sick and the youth had to remain behind to attend him. - -Bright and early the next day the trip was commenced. - -It lasted two days and three nights, and then they found themselves out -on Long Lake, a large and beautiful sheet of water. - -Harry and Jerry had studied up all the newspaper reports concerning the -race between the Defender, a splendid yacht from the Poplar River, and -the Spray, a craft from up the lake, and they knew exactly where to go -in order to see the race to the best advantage. - -“I know the captain of the Defender well,” said Harry. “He and father -are old friends.” - -“Maybe he’ll let you on his yacht then,” said Jerry. “My, but wouldn’t -that be jolly!” - -“I won’t go without you,” said Harry. - -“I would like to be on that yacht myself,” said old Jack Broxton, as -they presently came in sight of the Defender, anchored a short distance -from the starting point of the race. - -“We’ll run up and I’ll hail the captain,” said Harry. - -This suited everybody, and it was done. The captain of the Defender was -on deck seeing to it that everything was in order for the race. He -greeted Harry with a pleasant wave of his hand. - -“Can we come on board and take a look around?” asked Harry. - -“Yes, but you won’t have time to waste,” was the captain’s reply. “We’ve -got to get down to the starting point soon.” - -The Whistler was run up alongside, and Harry and Jerry leaped on board -of the Defender. They shook hands with the captain, and also with Frank -Lee, the captain’s nephew, a bright boy of their own age. - -They were much interested in the magnificent yacht and all of her -appointments, and laughed greatly when Frank Lee snatched off their caps -and placed caps on them with the name of the Defender above the peaks. - -“Now you fellows belong to the crew!” cried Frank Lee. - -“All right, we’ll help you beat the Spray,” returned Jerry, quickly. - -The captain overheard the remark and turned to Harry: - -“Would you really like to remain on board during the race?” - -“Indeed we would!” said Harry. “And we’ll do duty, too, same as the rest -of the crew, if you’ll only keep us. You know both of us understand all -about a regular yacht.” - -“Well, you can stay. I am short one man, and two boys ought to more than -make up for him.” - -Perhaps Jerry and Harry were not delighted? They sent word to Jack -Broxton, and then made themselves familiar with the great yacht, the -pride of all on board. - -Soon it was time to up anchor and make for the starting point. Jerry and -Harry worked manfully at the ropes, and so did Frank Lee. No one is -allowed to remain idle on a racing yacht. The least one can do is to -rush to this side or that and thus make “ballast.” - -“All ready!” came the word, and the signal was given to start, and the -Defender and the Spray were off. - -Presently Jerry came over to the captain, who was at the wheel. - -“Can we pass the Spray?” he asked, anxiously. - -“We can try, Upton,” was the reply. “Can you take the wheel for a -minute. I must have a drink of water.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” said Jerry. - -How proudly he took hold of the wheel! He was for the time being in -absolute command of the Defender. - -An extra breeze sprang up. They were sailing almost side by side with -the Spray. Suddenly the Defender shot ahead. Our hero stuck to the -wheel, while Harry and Frank Lee did their full share of work with the -rest of the crew. - -The Defender was ahead, but the race was not yet over. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - THE MISHAP TO THE YACHT. - - -The young oarsman was not allowed to remain at the wheel long. Soon the -captain of the Defender came up again and took charge. - -“I see we have passed the Spray,” he said. “That’s a good one for you, -Upton. Now we must keep ahead.” - -After turning the wheel over to the captain, Jerry moved forward to -where Harry and Frank Lee were standing. - -In the meanwhile the gallant yacht was cutting the water like a razor. -The breeze was stiff, and they were running free before it. Soon the -Spray was almost out of sight behind them. - -“This Defender is a great boat,” said Harry. - -With the wind on the starboard quarter the Defender and the Spray -reached along for over a mile at a six knots an hour gait. - -Then the wind fell off to almost a calm. - -“This is no good,” observed Jerry. - -“Fortunes of racing,” laughed Harry. - -“I would like to see another stiff breeze.” - -“We may catch more than enough before we have finished,” put in Frank -Lee. - -The further on the two yachts went the lighter became the wind, and each -in turn ran into “soft” spots, when balloon top-sails hung up and down -idly. - -But no matter how the wind came the Defender got along, leaving the -Spray steadily behind. - -It was a triangular course, of three miles to each side, and soon the -first side was sailed. - -The yachts wore around the first mark float, leaving it on the port -hand. - -Baby jib top-sails had been sent down before the rounding, and spinnaker -poles were now ready for the balloon sail. - -With booms well off to port, the Defender led the way to the second -stretch. - -Sharp work was done in handling the spinnaker, for just one minute after -rounding this big balloon was set and pulling. - -This was clever work, but the Spray sailors did fully as well, for they -had their spinnaker on just as fast. - -“Great Caesar!” ejaculated our hero, suddenly, “Look!” - -Ashore the sky grew black and ominous, foreboding a coming squall. - -The weather certainly looked bad, and it turned out worse than it -looked. - -Instead of wind, rain came on, and soon all on board the yachts were -soaked. - -“What do you think of that, Jerry?” asked Harry. - -“We’re going to catch it and no mistake,” replied the young oarsman. - -All hands on board saw the coming squall and looked at the captain for -orders, but none came. - -The yachts, favored by a strengthening breeze, were pushed on to meet -that which was sure to come, and half-way over on the third stretch it -came on hard and struck the Defender. - -Bang! slash! went the sails and the gallant yacht swept well over on her -side. - -Again all looked to the captain, but he shook his head. - -“Reckon he wants to see what she can stand,” whispered Jerry. - -He was right. The captain, at the wheel, held the yacht up to it, and -held her true. - -On and on they went, the sky growing blacker and blacker as they -proceeded. - -Suddenly Jerry heard a crack like a pistol shot, and looking forward saw -that the standing part of the bridle to the jib had parted. The seizing -pulled out and away went the sheets. - -The sail snapped and cracked loudly, and in a second more it carried -away the club on the clew of the jib. - -“There she goes!” yelled somebody. - -Hardly had he uttered these words when the big sail split in half and -hung flapping in the wind. - -It was now utterly useless to the racing yacht. - -A new sail must be set at once, but in that high wind who would bring -the old sail in? - -“I’ll volunteer!” cried Jerry, as he sprang forward, and Harry and Frank -Lee came close on his heels. - -The crew hung back for a moment, and in that time Jerry reached the -flying sail. - -He caught one end just as an extra heavy puff of wind came on, and in a -twinkle he was dragged half overboard. - -But now Harry and Frank Lee sprang to the rescue, and then the regular -crew came forward. All worked like beavers, and soon the torn sail was -taken off. - -Six minutes later a new sail was in place, and on went the gallant -Defender as speedily as before. - -She carried herself well, and nothing was lost in that blow but the jib. - -In the meanwhile the Spray could not stand the strain and ran on behind -with all sails reefed. - -“A great yacht,” said those on the other boats. And the Defender stock -went away up. - -The captain praised Jerry for the quickness with which he had taken hold -of the torn sail and steadied it. - -“A loose sail on board a racing craft is a dangerous thing,” he said, -“for there is no telling how much damage it will do.” - -The squall was of short duration, not lasting over seven minutes, if as -long. It gathered strength as it worked off shore, and some of the -pleasure boats received the full benefit of it. - -As the Defender got within two miles of the finishing line the breeze -fell off. - -Still the gallant craft held her own. - -“The finish is in sight!” cried Jerry, presently. - -He was right. A mile more and the race would be over. - -Those on board of the Spray did their best to haul up to the Defender. - -The effort did not avail them, for the Defender gained steadily. - -At last the line was crossed. - -The Defender had won the race by a lead of over half a mile, and she -received a rousing reception. - -Steam whistles blew their mightiest, flags waved, and the crowd on the -other boats shouted themselves hoarse. - -It was a great day, and one never to be forgotten. - -“That settles it,” said Harry. “The Defender is the champion yacht of -the club.” - -It was not long after this that the Whistler ran up and took Jerry and -Harry on board. Old Jack Broxton had seen the race and was greatly -pleased. - -The boys resolved to anchor the Whistler off the upper shore of Long -Lake that night. - -“We’ll leave Jack in charge and take a trip down to Harmony Beach,” -suggested Harry. - -This suited Jerry, and by half past six the two boys were on board the -open cars on their way to the great Summer resort. They enjoyed the ride -very much, especially Jerry who had never been to the beach before. They -visited the hotels and had supper, and then listened to a band concert. - -It was after eleven o’clock before they were ready to return to the -Whistler. - -As they were making their way back to the cars Jerry caught Harry by the -arm. - -“Look! Look!” - -Harry looked, and in a crowd of people saw Wash Crosby. Not far away -stood Si Peters. - -Both were swaggering around as if they had plenty of money and wanted -everybody to know it. - -“What shall we do?” asked Harry. - -“I hardly know,” replied Jerry. “I feel certain in my mind that they -robbed the Rockpoint Hotel in spite of what the detectives think.” - -“So do I. But we can’t prove it.” - -The two boys resolved to watch Peters and Crosby and try to overhear any -private talk they might have. - -Peters and Crosby entered a large music hall and sat down at one of the -tables. - -Motioning to Harry, our hero led the way to the side of the building. - -A board was off, and by standing near the opening they could hear -everything Si Peters and Wash Crosby said. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - WORDS AND BLOWS. - - -The very first words spoken by Si Peters confirmed the young oarsman’s -suspicions. - -“What did you do with the valise, Wash?” he asked. - -“Left it on the yacht at the cove,” replied Wash Crosby. - -“That’s where you made a big mistake.” - -“How so?” growled the toady. - -“They might take it into their heads to search the yacht.” - -“Oh, I guess not.” - -“We don’t want to run any chances of being found out.” - -“We’re all right; don’t worry.” - -“Perhaps we are and perhaps we are not.” - -“Oh, keep still, and let us enjoy the music,” growled Crosby, for an -orchestra was now playing. - -A waiter came up and Si Peters gave an order. Jerry was quite sure he -had ordered something stronger than what he was in the habit of drinking -at home. It was evident that the bully of Rockpoint had turned out even -worse than before. - -“What shall we do?” whispered Harry. - -“We ought to inform the police.” - -“Just my idea of it.” - -“I don’t know if there are any officers around here.” - -“Oh, there must be.” - -They looked around, but in the darkness no policeman could be seen. - -“You stay here and I’ll go hunt up somebody,” said Jerry. - -Scarcely had he spoken, however, when their attention was attracted to a -row that was taking place in the concert hall. Two men were fighting, -and presently a chair flew through the air. - -At once those sitting around tried to retire. - -Peters and Crosby rushed out in the crowd, and not to lose sight of the -pair Jerry and Harry went after them. - -Fifty feet from the concert hall the four came face to face. Si Peters -started back, and Wash Crosby wanted to run for it. - -“Who—what?” stammered Peters. - -“We have caught you,” said Jerry, boldly. “You may as well give in.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“We know that you robbed the Rockpoint Hotel,” said Harry. - -“It’s not so,” cried Crosby. - -“Shut up!” hissed Si Peters. - -Without warning he hit Jerry a sharp blow in the face. Then he rushed at -Harry and tripped him up. - -“Come on!” he yelled to Crosby. “We must get away!” - -Like a deer he ran off, behind a large roller coaster where all was -dark. - -Jerry stopped Peters, but only for a moment. Heavy blows were exchanged -and then Peters followed his chum. - -“They are gone, sure enough!” cried Harry, in dismay. - -And gone they were, swallowed up in the crowd which surged on all sides -of them. - -Jerry and Harry searched in vain for the two evil-doers and then hunted -up the police and told their story. - -A watch was set, but Si Peters and Wash Crosby managed to escape from -the beach resort without being detected. - -Jerry and Harry returned to Lakeview with the Whistler, and the report -spread that Si Peters and Wash Crosby had robbed the hotel. - -At first Mr. Peters refused to believe it. He came over to Jerry’s home, -and threatened Mr. Upton with a lawsuit. - -But the farmer quickly silenced him. - -“Don’t say a word to me, Mr. Peters,” he said. “A boy that will try to -tar and feather another boy, and then set fire to a barn and burn up -cattle, isn’t none too good to rob a hotel.” - -“My son is as good as yours!” growled Mr. Peters, and went off in a -perfect rage. But he bothered the Uptons no more, nor did he go near the -Parkers. - -The lake was searched, and the yacht found up at the cove Si Peters had -mentioned. On board was found the valise taken from the hotel. - -After this detectives were sent out to find the two young rascals. But -Si Peters and Wash Crosby kept out of sight. - -Yet the day of reckoning was not far off, as we shall soon see. - -About a week after this Harry invited Jerry to a drive along the west -shore of Lake Otasco. - -As they bowled along they talked over all sorts of matters, and -presently Harry mentioned Si Peters and Wash Crosby. - -“I wonder if they are still hanging around Harmony Beach?” he said. - -“Oh, I don’t think they would dare,” replied Jerry. “They must know by -the newspapers that the detectives are on their track.” - -“I wish we could bring them to justice. It would be a feather in our -cap.” - -“So it would, Harry. But I would rather have the law do the work. I -never want to have anymore to do with either of them.” - -It did not take the two boys long to drive to the lower end of the lake. -Here the team was put up at a livery stable, and the chums hired bathing -suits and houses, and spread themselves for a fine dip in the lake. - -The water was just right, and they enjoyed every second of the half hour -they allowed themselves. - -It was eight o’clock in the evening before they went to get their team -again. - -The moon was just coming up over the rim of the lake and this promised -them a splendid drive back to Lakeview. - -As Harry and our hero entered the turnout two figures stole up from the -back of the barn. - -The pair were Si Peters and Wash Crosby. - -They ran on ahead, and as the boys waited to settle with the livery -stable keeper they soon disappeared. - -Harry drove, and the young oarsman leaned back and took it easy. - -A mile was covered, and they were just passing a clump of bushes when -whizz! a stone came flying into the carriage. It struck Jerry on the -arm, causing him to cry with pain. - -“Who threw that?” he exclaimed. - -Whizz! came another stone. It struck Harry in the cheek, drawing blood. - -“Whoa!” yelled Jerry, and while the horses were still in motion, he -leaped to the road. - -He had noted the direction from which the missiles came, and bound off, -but behind the bushes all was dark. - -“Look out for yourself!” cried Harry. - -He was busy with the horses, who were shying first to one side and then -to the other. - -At first Jerry could see nothing, but soon he discovered two forms in -the semi-darkness. - -He rushed over and found himself face to face with Si Peters and Wash -Crosby. - -“Peters!” he ejaculated. - -Scarcely had he spoken when a club was raised. Jerry tried to avoid the -descending blow, but was only partly successful. - -The club landed over his shoulder and neck and he was more than half -stunned. - -“Come!” he heard Peters whisper to Crosby, and then all became a -confused whirl and he pitched forward in the grass. - -The two rascals ran out into the road. - -“That for you, Harry Parker!” yelled Si Peters, and struck Harry in the -knee with the club. - -In the meantime Wash Crosby sprang half into the carriage. - -He made a grab at Harry’s gold watch chain. - -The chain broke from the buttonhole and along with it came Harry’s -beautiful timepiece. - -“I’ll keep this to remember you by!” cried Wash Crosby in derision, and -away he sped across the highway and down a side road, with Si Peters at -his heels. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - ANOTHER BOAT RACE. - - -The horses now demanded all of Harry’s attention. One of them was bound -to run away, and the youth had all he could do to hold the animal in -check. But the lad knew what he was doing and presently held them under -complete control. - -Then our hero staggered out of the bushes with his hand on his neck, -where a big lump was rising. - -“Where are they?” - -“Gone! Did they rob you, Jerry?” - -“No.” - -“Then you are in luck.” - -“What do you mean, Harry?” - -“Crosby took my gold watch and chain.” - -“Never!” - -“He did. Jerry, those two chaps have turned nothing but common thieves,” -went on Harry, bitterly. - -“It certainly looks so, Harry. What shall we do now?” - -“Jump in and we’ll go after them.” - -Jerry was soon beside Harry, and they turned up the side road taken by -the fugitives. The moon was out full, making the way as light as day, -yet nothing was to be seen of the rascally pair. - -This was not to be wondered at, for after running along the road but a -few hundred feet, Si Peters and Wash Crosby had taken to an open field. -Crossing this, they came out upon a railroad track. A freight train was -coming along slowly, around the bend of the lake, and they had small -trouble in boarding this. Inside of an hour they were many miles away -from the vicinity. - -Jerry and Harry searched for the pair until midnight, and then gave up -the hunt and returned to Lakeview. Once again the authorities were -notified, and the detectives started on a fresh hunt for the evil-doers. -Yet it was destined to be a long time before Si Peters and Wash Crosby -were heard of again. - -About this time the Lakeview boat club was organizing another series of -rowing races, and both Harry and Jerry were easily persuaded to enter a -contest, which was to take place between a number of local oarsmen. - -A prize of a fine bicycle had been put up, also several other articles -of more or less value, and Jerry and Harry immediately went into -training, with a firm determination to win. - -There were seven entries, all by young fellows of Jerry’s age, and as -the youth looked at his opponents he felt that the race would be no easy -one. - -Saturday afternoon, the time appointed for the contest, came, bright and -clear, and it found the lake front crowded to its utmost capacity. Many -came over from Rockpoint, but it was noticed that those who had belonged -to Si Peters’ crowd were absent. - -The race was to be two miles long, up the lake and back again. The boats -were all drawn up in a line, and everything was made ready for a start. -Jerry was at one end of the line, with Harry at the other, and the -remaining five contestants between them. - -Bang! went the gun on the judges’ boat, and away shot the seven rowers -like one man; and the race was begun. - -For over half a mile the seven contestants kept almost side by side. -Then three of them were seen to drop behind. - -“Gravling is ahead!” - -“Harry Parker is second.” - -“Phil Raymond is a close third!” - -“Jerry Upton is crawling up!” - -So the shouting went on, as the four leaders swept past. When the -turning point was reached, Harry led, Raymond came second, Gravling -third, and Jerry fourth. The remaining three felt they were out of the -race, and rowed back to the boathouse. - -“Good for you, Harry!” - -“What’s the matter, Jerry? You’re not doing as good as the day you beat -Si Peters!” - -“Hurry up, Gravling!” - -“Pull for all you know how, Raymond!” - -On and on came the four, their long blades flashing brightly in the -sunshine. They were making fast time, and, no matter who won, the lake -record was likely to be broken. - -Half way down the homestretch, Harry still led, with Gravling but half a -length behind him. A length further back came Raymond and Jerry, side by -side. - -But the terrific speed was now beginning to tell upon Raymond, and -slowly but surely he fell behind, despite the urgings of his friends. -Then Jerry set to work to overtake Gravling. - -“See Jerry Upton crawling up!” - -“Oh, but isn’t that a beautiful stroke!” - -“Gravling can’t shake him off!” - -“They are a tie!” - -The last cry was true. When still a dozen lengths from the finish Jerry -had overtaken Gravling. But they did not remain tied long. Half a dozen -strokes and Jerry shot ahead and the bow of his craft overlapped Harry’s -stern. - -“Jerry Upton is second!” - -“He’s going to shake up Harry Parker for first place!” - -On came the two friends, but now it was noticed that Jerry, although he -still rowed his best, seemed to be losing his interest in the race. - -“It will be no fun to beat Harry,” was the thought which ran through his -head; and then, with a yell from three thousand throats, Harry crossed -the line a winner, with our hero not quite half a boat length behind. - -“Hurrah for Harry Parker!” - -“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!” - -Cheer after cheer rent the air, and both lads were immediately -surrounded by their friends. Jerry was one of the first to shake his -chum’s hand. - -“You won it fairly, Harry,” he said. “What kind of time did we make?” - -He was greatly pleased to learn that the lake record for two miles had -been lowered by forty-three seconds, and that he had helped lower it by -forty-two seconds. - -That evening the club held a meeting, and Harry was presented with the -bicycle, something he had been wishing for for some time. Jerry’s prize -was a silver watch and chain. - -“This just suits me,” he said. “Now, when I’m away from home, I’ll be -able to tell what time it is.” - -The celebration was at its height, when a message came for Jerry from -his home, stating that his father had been kicked by one of the horses -and was badly injured. - -This news shocked the youth a good deal, and bidding his friends a hasty -good-night, the young oarsman set off for the farm on a run. - -He found his father lying on a couch in the dining-room. A doctor had -just arrived, and he was doing all that he could for the sufferer. - -“Where did the horse kick him, mother?” he questioned, hurriedly. - -“In the side, right under the heart,” replied Mrs. Upton. “Oh, I do -trust it is not serious!” - -“So do I. What can I do?” - -“I don’t know. We must see what the doctor says.” - -The medical man, after a long examination, declared that several ribs -had been fractured, and that Mr. Upton was suffering from shock. Some -medicine was administered, and the patient was carefully carried -upstairs and placed upon a bed. - -No one in the farmhouse slept that night. Mrs. Upton sat by her -husband’s side, and Jerry came and went, ready to do anything that might -be asked of him. - -Two days later the doctor pronounced the wounded man out of danger. But -his injuries were severe, and it would be a long while before Mr. Upton -would be able to go around as before. - -His enforced idleness made the farmer fret a good deal. It was true that -the harvest work on the farm was over, but he had wished to do much -more. - -“And I reckon that trip to New York is now out of the question,” Jerry -heard him say to Mrs. Upton. - -“Why, father, were you going to New York?” asked the boy, in much -curiosity. - -“I had an idea that way, son,” returned Mr. Upton, slowly. “I was going -on business,” he added, after a pause. - -At this Jerry was more curious than ever. New York was over two hundred -miles from Lakeview, and he had never heard of his parent having -business in the metropolis. - -“You see it’s this way, Jerry,” said Mr. Upton, noticing his look. “When -your uncle Charley died he left all his property to me. Some time ago I -was cleaning out one of his old trunks and I ran across some deeds to -property in California. From what I can make out the land must be nigh -to the city of Sacramento.” - -“And the property belongs to you?” cried Jerry. - -“No, I can’t say that exactly. As near as I can figure it, your uncle -Charley owned an interest in it. The property was in the hands of a land -boomer named Alexander Slocum, and there was a letter in the trunk from -this Alexander Slocum which was dated from New York. I think this boomer -holds other papers relating to the land, and I was thinking of making a -trip to New York and hunting him up, if he is still there.” - -“Why not let me go to New York in your place,” suggested Jerry, quickly. -It had always been the ambition of his life to pay a visit to the great -metropolis. - -“Well, I was kind of thinking of that, son,” returned the sick man, -slowly. “I’ll see about it in a day or two.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - JERRY STARTS ON A JOURNEY. - - -Now that the matter had once been talked over, the young oarsman was -very anxious to know all about the property in California, and his -mother brought forth the deeds and other papers found in the old trunk. - -The boy studied the documents with care. He knew but little of the law, -yet he felt that if the land mentioned in the papers was valuable his -father’s share, as heir to his uncle, must be considerable. - -“I would like to ask Mr. Parker about this,” he said to his folks, but -Mr. Upton shook his head. He was a very retired man and never brought -his affairs to the ears of any outsider. - -“The whole thing might prove worthless,” he said, “and then we would be -laughed at by our neighbors.” - -“I’d risk it,” said Jerry, but his father only shook his head again. - -Nevertheless Mr. Upton appeared to be favorably impressed with the idea -of Jerry’s going to New York to hunt up Alexander Slocum. - -“It won’t do any harm,” he said to his wife. “I have money for the fare -in the house, and it will give Jerry a chance to see a bit of the -world.” - -Mrs. Upton was doubtful, but when Jerry begged to go she finally -consented. Long talks about the western land and Alexander Slocum -followed, and the youth prevailed upon his folks to let him take the -deeds and papers with him, promising that he would take the best of care -of them. - -“And while I’m in New York I’m going to look around for a situation, and -earn a little money,” said Jerry. “Who knows but what I may strike even -a better opening than that Mr. Parker has promised me at his shoe -factory.” - -“It’s not likely a lad off the farm can strike much,” smiled his mother, -yet she was pleased at Jerry’s earnestness. - -Three days later Jerry was off, valise in hand. He had bid good-bye to -Harry and Blumpo, telling them he was going to New York on some private -business for his father. His mother saw him to the train and kissed him -affectionately. - -“Take good care of yourself, Jerry,” she said. “And remember, New York -is an entirely different place from Lakeview or Rockpoint, and you must -have your eyes and ears open to avoid trouble.” - -“I’ll take care of myself, don’t worry mother,” and two minutes later -the train came along and he was off. - -Yet it must be confessed that our hero felt just a bit strange as he -settled back in the cushioned seat, with his valise beside him. He was -going over two hundred miles from home and among total strangers. - -“I suppose it will be different from knocking around Lakeview, Rockpoint -or even Long Lake,” he mused. “I’ll have to brace up and watch myself, -or they’ll take me for a regular greeny.” - -As the train moved on, Jerry revolved the situation in his mind. He knew -he would arrive in the metropolis late in the afternoon, and determined -to seek a boarding-house first of all, knowing it would be useless to -hunt for any trace of Alexander Slocum after office hours. - -At last the run through green fields and small towns and cities came to -an end, and the train ran into the Grand Central Depot at Forty-second -Street, and Jerry alighted in a crowd and made his way to the street. - -“Cab! coupe! This way for the Central Hotel! Evening paper! Sun or -World!” - -A hundred cries seemed to start up all in an instant, making Jerry’s -ears ring. The rattle of the carts and trucks on the pavement was also -new, and for the moment, the Lakeview boy did not know which way to -turn. - -“Carry yer baggage?” queried a bare-foot boy, and almost caught his -valise from his hand. But the young oarsman pulled it back and shook his -head, and got out of the crowd as quickly as he could, starting -eastward, for he had heard that the cheaper boarding houses lay in that -direction. - -It was not long before the boy came to several places which displayed -the sign, Boarding. But the first two were too elegant, and Jerry passed -them without stopping. Then came a third, and ascending the steps Jerry -rang the bell. - -An elderly lady answered the summons, a sharp-faced woman with powdered -hair. - -“You take boarders here?” queried Jerry. - -“We do, young man,” she answered, in a voice that made our hero far from -comfortable. - -“I expect to stay in New York a week or two, and I—” - -“We don’t take transients,” she snapped. “Only regular boarders with -first-class references,” and she shut the door in Jerry’s face. - -He was glad enough to escape to the pavement, feeling satisfied that he -would not have cared to have boarded there, even had she been willing to -take him in. - -A block further on was another place, a modest brick residence, set back -behind a small plot of green. Thinking this looked inviting, and not -reasoning that the spot of green was as valuable as a brown-stone -building would have been, Jerry entered the garden and made known his -wants to the servant who was dusting the piazza chairs. - -She called the lady of the house, who on hearing what Jerry had to say, -smiled in a motherly way. - -“I hardly think I can take you in, my boy,” she said. “Do you know how -much I charge a week?” - -“No, ma’am.” - -“Twelve to fifteen dollars for a single room and not less than ten -otherwise.” - -Jerry almost gasped for breath. - -“That is twice what I can afford to pay,” he returned. “Gracious! I had -no idea rates were so high.” - -“That is not high, here in New York. But perhaps I can direct you to a -place that will suit. I have a friend three blocks over. Here is her -card,” and she handed it over. - -Thanking her, the young oarsman got out without delay. He was glad she -had directed him, for now he was certain he would at least strike a -place that would fit his pocket-book. - -Jerry went on until he came to an avenue down which the elevated cars -were running. They were a great novelty and he paused on the corner to -watch several of the trains rattle along overhead. - -As Jerry was about to move on, he heard a wild cry of alarm from the -second story window of a house opposite. Looking in the direction, he -saw a girl pointing up the street to where a baby-carriage had rolled -from the pavement to the gutter, overturning itself and spilling a -little child into the street. - -The youth ran in the direction with the idea of picking the child up. As -he did this an ice-wagon came along at a furious speed, the driver on -the seat trying in vain to stop his horse. - -The ice-wagon was heading directly for the child and unless something -was done the little one would be run over and most likely killed. With -his heart in his throat our hero threw down his valise and leaped to the -rescue. In another instant the runaway horse was fairly on top of the -lad. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - THE WORK OF A REAL HERO. - - -Jerry’s heart was in his throat when he sprang to the rescue of the -little child in the street. He saw that the horse attached to the -ice-wagon could not be stopped and realized only too well what it meant -should he be struck down. - -Yet the sight of that innocent face nerved him on, and in less time than -it takes to write it he had the child in his arms. Clinging to the -little one, he flung himself backward, and like a flash the horse sprang -past, dragging the ice-wagon so close that the wheels scraped his leg. - -A shout went up from the crowd, but Jerry did not hear what was said. -Staggering up, he ran back to the sidewalk, leaving the baby-carriage a -wreck behind him. - -In another moment the girl who had given the first cry of alarm was at -Jerry’s side. - -“Is he hurt? Is little Tommy hurt?” she cried, as she snatched the -youngster from Jerry’s arms. - -“Me fell in the dirt,” lisped the little one. “Me ain’t hurt, but me -awful dirty.” - -“Never mind the dirt, dear,” cried the girl. “I am thankful you escaped. -Mary, why didn’t you take better care of him?” - -The last words were addressed to an Irish girl who had just sauntered -up. - -“I went to get a hoky-poky at the corner,” replied the girl. “I don’t -care to mind yer brother any more anyway,” she added, and darted out of -sight into the crowd. - -Seeing the little boy was uninjured, the crowd moved on, and presently -the young oarsman found himself alone with the girl, who appeared to be -several years older than himself. - -“You are a brave boy,” she said, warmly. “I would like to reward you, -but I am poor.” - -“I don’t want any reward,” replied Jerry, stoutly. “It was a close -shave, though.” - -“You look like a stranger around here.” - -“I am—I just arrived in New York and I am looking for a boarding-house. -Can you tell me where this one is?” and Jerry showed her the card the -lady had given him. - -“Oh, yes; it is one block over to your left—a real nice house, too. May -I ask your name?” - -“Jerry Upton.” - -“Mine is Nellie Ardell, and this is my brother Tommy. We are alone -here.” - -“Haven’t you any folks?” - -“No. Mother was with us up to last winter, but she had consumption and -died.” - -The tears stood in Nellie Ardell’s eyes as she spoke. Jerry saw at once -that she had had a hard struggle of it. - -“What do you do for a living?” he ventured to ask. - -“I do sewing and mending for my neighbors—principally mending for the -girls who work in the stores.” - -“And can you make much that way?” - -“Not a great deal. But I try to make enough to pay the rent and store -bills. May I ask what you are going to do in New York?” - -“I came to find a real estate dealer named Alexander Slocum. I want to -see him about some property left by my uncle to my father. Have you ever -heard of him?” - -“Heard of him?” she cried in surprise. “He is my landlord.” - -Jerry was dumbfounded by this unexpected bit of information. - -“You are certain?” - -“Why, of course I am. He was around to see me only day before yesterday -about the rent. I am a bit behind, and I had to put him off.” - -“And what kind of a man is he?” - -“I think he is very hard-hearted. But then, that may be because I am -behind in my payment. He threatened to put me out of my rooms if I -didn’t pay when he called again.” - -“How many rooms have you?” - -“Only two, and I pay six dollars a month for them.” - -“And how far behind are you?” - -“I only owe for the month.” - -“And he won’t trust you even that long? He certainly must be mean,” -Jerry rejoined warmly. - -“You said something about property belonging to your father,” said -Nellie Ardell. “Has Mr. Slocum an interest in it?” - -“He has and he hasn’t,” the boy replied, and he told his story in a few -words as they walked along to the entrance of the house in which she -lived. - -“Well, I trust you get your right, Jerry Upton,” said the girl. “Come -and see me some time.” - -“I will,” and after Jerry had procured Alexander Slocum’s office address -from her, the pair separated. - -Jerry was very thoughtful as he proceeded on his way. By a turn of -fortune he had gotten on Slocum’s track much quicker than expected. The -question was, how should he best approach the man? - -“I’ll settle that after I have procured a boarding place,” he thought, -and hurried to the address given him. - -Mrs. Price, the landlady, was a very nice old person. She had a top room -in the back she said she would let with board, for five dollars a week, -and Jerry closed with her without delay, paying for one week in advance. - -This finished, our hero found he was hungry, and after a washing-up, ate -supper with a relish. He could not help but notice that the vegetables -and milk served were not as fresh as those at home, but remembered he -was now in the city and not on a farm, and did not complain. - -Mrs. Price had taken in another new boarder that day, a tall, slim man, -possibly thirty years of age. He was introduced as Mr. Wakefield Smith, -and he did all he could to make himself popular. Jerry felt that a good -bit of his pleasantry was forced, but as there was no use in finding -fault, he became quite friendly with the man. - -“Supposing we take a walk out together this evening?” Wakefield Smith -suggested. “No doubt you would like to see the sights.” - -“I’ll go out for an hour or so,” answered the young oarsman, and they -started while it was yet light. - -Mr. Wakefield Smith knew the metropolis from end to end, and as the pair -covered block after block, he pointed out various buildings. He smoked -constantly, and several times invited Jerry to have a cigar, but the -youth declined. - -“Supposing we have a drink, then?” he urged. - -Again Jerry declined, which made the man frown. He insisted Jerry should -at least have some soda water with him, and at last the boy accepted, -and they entered rather a modest looking drug store on a side street. - -“Hullo! what’s that crowd on the street?” exclaimed Mr. Wakefield Smith, -as the glasses were set out, and as Jerry looked out of the doorway he -fancied the man shoved up close to where his glass was standing and made -a movement as if to throw something into it. - -Jerry saw nothing unusual in the street, and the man’s manner made him -suspicious, so that he hesitated about drinking the soda. He swallowed a -small portion of it and threw the remainder in a corner. - -“What’s the matter, don’t you like it?” demanded Wakefield Smith, almost -roughly. - -“No, it’s bitter.” - -“Humph!” He growled something under his breath. “I’ll not treat you -again,” he went on, as they came out on the street. - -What Jerry had taken of the soda had made his head ache, and this caused -the young oarsman to grow more suspicious than ever. He had read in a -daily paper about folks being drugged by friendly strangers, and -resolved to be on guard. - -The pair passed on the distance of a block, and then Jerry announced his -intention of returning home to the boarding-house. - -“Oh, don’t go yet,” urged Mr. Wakefield Smith. “Come on across the way. -There are some beautiful pictures in an art store window I want to show -you. One of the pictures is worth ten thousand dollars.” - -He caught our hero by the arm and hurried him over the way and into the -crowd. Jerry was jostled to the right and left, and it was fully a -minute before he squeezed himself out to a clear spot. Then he looked -around for Mr. Wakefield Smith, but the man was gone. - -Like a flash Jerry felt something had gone wrong. He put his hand in his -pocket. His money was missing! - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - A FRUITLESS SEARCH. - - -“Less than half a day in New York and robbed! Oh, what a greeny I have -been!” - -Thus Jerry groaned to himself as he searched first one pocket and then -another. It was all to no purpose, the money was gone and he was left -absolutely penniless. - -The young oarsman was certain that Mr. Wakefield Smith had robbed him. -He had been wary of the man from the start, and now blamed himself -greatly for having given the rascal the chance to take the pocket-book. - -Without loss of time Jerry darted into the crowd again, looking in every -direction for the thief. He was so eager, he ran plump into an old -gentleman, knocking his silk hat to the pavement. - -“Hi! hi! stop, you young rascal!” puffed the man, as Jerry stooped and -restored the tile to him. “What do you mean by running into me in this -fashion?” - -“Excuse me, but I have been robbed! I want to catch the thief.” - -“Robbed?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -The gentleman nervously felt to see if his money and watch were safe. -Several others heard the words, and they gathered around Jerry. - -“Who robbed you?” - -“How much did you have?” - -“Why didn’t you hold the thief?” - -Before Jerry could answer any of the questions a policeman came forward -and touched him on the shoulder. - -“Are you the boy said he was robbed?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“What were you robbed of?” - -“A pocket-book containing nearly thirty dollars.” - -“Did you see the thief?” - -“I believe it was a man I was walking with. He called himself Wakefield -Smith.” - -The policeman questioned Jerry closely, and then took a good look around -for the individual. Later on, boy and officer walked to Mrs. Price’s -boarding-house. - -Here it was learned that Mr. Wakefield Smith had not paid any board -money, giving as an excuse that he had nothing less than a -one-hundred-dollar bill and that he would pay in the morning. It also -came to light that he had walked out with Mrs. Price’s silver-handled -umbrella, worth eight dollars. - -“The villain!” she cried. “I hope the police catch him!” - -“You don’t wish it more than I do,” returned the young oarsman, -dolefully. “He took my last dollar.” - -Acting on the policeman’s advice, Jerry walked around to the nearest -precinct station and made a complaint, giving the best description of -Mr. Wakefield Smith he could. - -“We will do our best to capture him,” said the captain in charge, and -with this promise the youth had to be content. - -My readers can imagine our hero did not spend a restful night. He lay -awake for several hours speculating on the turn affairs had taken. His -board was paid for a week, but that was all. He did not even have money -to pay car fare back to Lakeview. - -“I wonder what mother and father would say if they knew?” he thought. “I -won’t let them know until there’s nothing else to do.” - -Jerry arose early the next day and got breakfast before any of the other -boarders. - -“I must find something to do without delay,” he explained to Mrs. Price. -“A fellow without a dollar in his pocket can’t afford to remain idle.” - -“You have a week’s board coming to you,” she said, with a faint smile. - -“Yes, but I haven’t even the price of a car fare in my pocket.” - -“Well, Mr. Upton, I like your looks, and if you’ll accept it I’ll loan -you a couple of dollars. I suppose it was partly my fault that Smith -robbed you. But don’t blame me, I’ve suffered, too.” - -“I will accept the loan gladly, Mrs. Price. I don’t like to go around -without a cent. I will pay you back as soon as I can.” - -“I know you will. I may have been deceived in that Smith, but I am -certain I am not in you,” added the landlady. - -With the two dollars tucked away in a safe place, Jerry left the house. -He knew it would be useless to go to Alexander Slocum’s office at such -an early hour, and determined to look around in the hope of striking -something whereby he might earn at least enough money to last him while -stopping in New York. - -“I won’t write home unless I have to,” he muttered to himself. “My time -is my own and I’ll make the most of it while I’m here.” - -Getting one of the dollar bills changed, Jerry bought a morning paper -and looked over the Help Wanted—Males—column, and noted several -addresses. - -“I’ll try them and lose no time,” he thought, and hurried to the nearest -store where a boy was wanted. - -He was surprised to find a dozen applicants ahead of him. Worse than -that, a boy had already been hired; so all of the others were forced to -leave. - -Jerry next tried a florist’s establishment. But here a boy was wanted -who understood the city thoroughly, and he was quickly told he would not -do. - -Jerry walked from one place to another for three hours without success. -Somewhat disheartened, he strolled into a park close to Broadway and sat -down. - -The situation was certainly a serious one, and the young oarsman was -decidedly sober in mind as he sat there, staring vacantly at the -hurrying throng. - -“Well, young man, how did you make out last night?” - -The question came from a bench just behind Jerry. Looking around, he saw -sitting there the gentleman he had run into while trying to find -Wakefield Smith. - -“I didn’t make out at all, sir.” - -“Couldn’t find him, eh?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Those pickpockets are slick chaps, and no mistake,” went on the -gentleman. - -“Did you lose much?” - -“All I had—nearly thirty dollars.” - -“Phew! that is too bad. Well, I wouldn’t sit down to mope about it. You -might as well get to work and earn the amount over again.” - -“The trouble is, I can’t find any work,” answered the boy, earnestly. “I -would work fast enough if I could only find it to do.” - -“You are out of a situation?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Since when?” - -“Since I came to New York,” answered Jerry. - -“You are about as bad off as I was some forty years ago,” said the man, -with a broad smile. “At that time I found myself in this city, with just -twenty-five cents in my pocket. But I struck employment, and rose from -one place to another until now I am my own master, with a -book-binding-shop where I employ nearly fifty hands.” - -As he spoke he gazed at Jerry curiously. - -“You were going to ask me for a job, weren’t you?” he went on, and Jerry -nodded. “What can you do?” - -“I’m not used to any such work, sir. But you’ll find me willing and -strong—and honest. I would like to earn a little before I went back to -my home.” - -“Well, those three qualities you mention are sure to win, my boy. -Perhaps I can find an opening for you. Here comes a friend I have been -waiting for. I am going out of town with him. Call at my shop to-morrow -morning, if you don’t strike anything in the meantime.” - -And, handing out his card, Mr. Islen walked rapidly away. - -Fifteen minutes later found Jerry on the way to Alexander Slocum’s -office. In an inner pocket he carried the papers his father had -unearthed from the trunk in the garret at home. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - ALEXANDER SLOCUM IS ASTONISHED. - - -Jerry felt that his mission to the real estate man was a delicate one. -What would he have to say when he learned who the youth was and what he -had come for? - -The boy resolved to be on guard. He might be from the country and green, -but no one should catch him napping, as had Mr. Wakefield Smith. - -The distance to the address furnished by Nellie Ardell was nearly a -dozen blocks, but Jerry was used to walking and made the journey on -foot. - -The young oarsman found Alexander Slocum’s set of offices located on the -top floor of an old-fashioned four-story office building. There was an -elevator, however, and this Jerry used and soon found himself in front -of a ground-glass door, which bore the sign: - - ALEXANDER SLOCUM, - Real Estate and Fire Insurance. - Loans Negotiated. - -There was a hum of voices from within, but the hum ceased as Jerry -knocked. - -“Come in,” was the short invitation, and the boy entered, to find a -large apartment, comfortably furnished with desks, stuffed chairs and -other things which went to show that the man he had come to interview -was doing well. - -Near an open window sat two gentlemen dressed in black. One was much -older than the other, and Jerry rightfully guessed that he was an office -assistant. - -The other man was well preserved, with a waxed mustache and piercing -black eyes. He held a silk hat in his hand, as if he had been on the -point of leaving. - -“Well, young man, what can I do for you?” questioned the office -assistant, as he regarded Jerry indifferently. - -“I came to see Mr. Alexander Slocum,” replied our hero. - -“I am Mr. Slocum,” put in the other man. “What is it you want?” - -“I came to see you on a bit of private business, sir.” - -“Yes. Well, Mr. Casey here knows all about my affairs; so you need have -no hesitation in speaking in front of him,” laughed the real estate man -somewhat harshly. - -“I am Jerry Upton, and I came from Lakeview. My uncle, Charles Upton, -who is now dead, was once interested in a colonization land scheme that -you started.” - -Jerry watched Mr. Slocum narrowly as he spoke, and saw that the man was -greatly astonished. He started back, and for an instant the assuring -look his face wore faded. - -“Jerry Upton from Lakeview,” he murmured slowly. Then he cleared his -throat. “I—I did not expect to see you.” - -“I suppose not, sir.” - -“What is it you want?” - -“I want to find out how matters stand in regard to the land in -California. My father heard you had gone to Europe.” - -“I did go to Europe, but not to escape inquiry,” added Slocum, hastily. -“You see, that scheme failed utterly,” he went on slowly. “Why, I lost -nearly every dollar I possessed in it. What your uncle lost was nothing -in comparison.” - -“It was to him, Mr. Slocum. To whom does the land belong?” - -“Why, it—er—it reverted to its original owners, some mine speculators -of Denver.” - -“Where is the land located?” - -“Not far from the city of Sacramento.” - -“Can’t you give me the precise location?” - -At this Alexander Slocum glared at our hero savagely. - -“It would do you no good to spend money on hunting the matter up,” he -answered. “That affair was settled long ago. The money was lost, and -that is all there is to it.” - -“Not if I know it, Mr. Slocum. I intend to sift the matter to the -bottom. I am convinced that all was not carried out as it should have -been.” - -“You appear to be a very foolish boy.” - -“That may be your opinion, but it won’t alter my intention. I have my -uncle’s papers with me, and, unless you will give me some particulars of -how the scheme fell through, I shall place the matter in the hands of a -lawyer.” - -Alexander Slocum winced at this, and Jerry fancied he was hard struck. -He made a movement as if to clutch the youth by the arm, then drew back. - -“You have your uncle’s papers?” he asked cautiously. - -“Yes. My father is his sole heir.” - -“I should like to see them. Perhaps I spoke hastily; but really you are -mistaken in thinking it can be of any use to bring that old deal up -again. The money was lost, and there is no chance of getting it back -again.” - -“But, either you are responsible for the amount, or else my uncle’s -interest in the land still holds good,” said Jerry. - -“Let me see the papers.” - -Mr. Slocum made a movement as if to take them. But Jerry drew back and -shook his head. - -“I prefer not to let them go out of my possession.” - -“Do you mean to say you won’t trust me?” - -“You can put it that way, if you wish, Mr. Slocum.” - -The real estate man bit his lip. Then he made a movement to his -assistant, who at once slid behind Jerry, towards the door. - -“What are you going to do?” the young oarsman asked, in alarm. - -Without replying, the assistant locked the door and slipped the key into -his pocket. - -“Don’t grow excited,” said Alexander Slocum, coldly. “I want to see -those papers, that’s all. Show them to me at once!” - -Like a flash Jerry realized he was trapped by the enemy. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - JERRY’S CLEVER ESCAPE. - - -Jerry saw at once that things were growing warm. From the look on his -face it was plain to see that Alexander Slocum was in deadly earnest -when he said he wanted to see those papers. - -His manner made our hero feel that the papers would not be safe in his -hands. If he gave them up he might never see them again, and without the -documents the claim on the land in California would fall flat. - -“Did you hear what I said, Upton? I want you to let me see those -papers,” Slocum went on, after a second of intense silence. - -“What do you mean by locking that door?” Jerry demanded of the elderly -assistant, without paying any attention to the real estate dealer’s -words. - -Casey made no response. Instead, he took his stand by his employer’s -side, as if awaiting further orders. - -“You act as if you were afraid of me,” sneered Slocum. “I won’t hurt -you.” - -“You won’t—not if I can help it,” answered Jerry. “But I want you to -unlock that door. I am not to be treated as a prisoner.” - -“I only wanted to secure us against interruption. So many agents come up -here, and they are a regular nuisance.” - -Slocum advanced and held out his hand, as if expecting Jerry would drop -the precious papers into it. Instead, the boy retreated and took up a -position behind a flat-top desk in the centre of the office. - -At this the real estate dealer grew furious behind his well-waxed -mustache. He had expected to intimidate our hero easily, and now he was -nonplused. - -“Are you going to let me see those papers?” he fumed. - -“No; at least not now.” - -“Why not?” - -“I prefer not to answer that question.” - -“You think you have a case against me—that you can place me in a tight -hole.” - -“Well, if all is straight you have nothing to fear.” - -“Don’t preach to me, boy. All is straight. I lost my money as well as -the others did.” - -“This doesn’t look as if you had lost much,” ventured Jerry, as he -glanced about the elegant apartment. - -“Oh, I have made money since, in a lucky real estate deal in Brooklyn. I -won’t keep your papers.” - -“I want that door unlocked.” - -Slocum muttered something under his breath, and his face grew suddenly -red. Like a flash he placed his hands on the flat desk and leaped over -it. - -“I’ll bring you to terms, you young country fool!” he cried, and made a -clutch for Jerry’s collar. - -Had our hero not turned like a flash he would have had the lad. But -Jerry was on guard and fled to the office door. Raising his foot he gave -the barrier a kick that caused it to crack heavily. - -“Stop that!” - -“I won’t. Let me out, or I’ll kick the door down.” - -“Casey, catch the young rascal!” cried Slocum. “I’m going to teach him a -thing or two.” - -Anxious to obey the command of the man who held him completely under his -thumb, Casey ran forward. Seeing him coming, Jerry fled behind a large -screen. Here rested a heavy cane, and he picked it up and brandished it -over his head. - -“Keep back! Advance at your peril.” - -“I’m afraid to go near the young fool,” said Casey. - -“I’ll fix him. Stand aside. I never yet saw the boy that could get the -best of me,” muttered Alexander Slocum. - -“He may kill you, Mr. Slocum.” - -“I’ll risk it.” - -Running around the desk, the real estate dealer came for the young -oarsman. As he approached, the boy pushed the screen against him and he -went down, with the heavy object on top of him. - -“You—you villain!” he spluttered. - -To this Jerry made no answer. Taking advantage of the time afforded him, -he looked around for some means of escaping his enemies. To remain a -moment longer in the office he felt would be perilous in the extreme. - -Near the corner to which Jerry had retreated was an open window. -Glancing out of it he saw that the roof of the next building was but six -or eight feet below the window sill. - -Without stopping to think twice, our hero leaped out of the window and -on to the roof below. - -“Stop! stop!” - -Both Slocum and his assistant called after Jerry, but he paid no -attention. Leaving the vicinity of the window, he ran along the roof to -the rear. Here there was an addition to a tin-shop underneath, and he -dropped down and found himself within twelve feet of a narrow alleyway. - -“Are you coming back?” bawled Alexander Slocum; and then, as Jerry let -himself down over the edge of the roof, he suddenly disappeared from the -window. - -Guessing he was coming down to head him off, the youth lost no time in -dropping to the ground. - -Once down, it was an easy matter to gain the street. As he came out on -the pavement, Slocum came running up all out of breath. - -“You’re a fine boy!” he cried. “Come back to the office, and let us talk -matters over.” - -“Not to-day,” answered Jerry. “I’ve had enough of a dose for the -present.” - -“You are making a mistake.” - -“I don’t intend to put my head into the lion’s mouth.” - -While the two were speaking Casey came up, and, as the two appeared as -if they wanted to drag Jerry back into the building just left, the youth -retreated. - -Alexander Slocum followed for a block, and then gave up the chase. -Seeing this, Jerry walked on more leisurely. - -Our hero’s visit to the real estate dealer had set him to thinking -deeply. The man’s anxiety concerning the papers made the boy feel sure -there was more at the bottom of the land speculation than either his -parents or he had suspected. - -Perhaps the land was still held by this man and was of great value. If -this was so how was he to go to work to establish his father’s claim? - -Pondering over the affair, the young oarsman thought of Mr. Randolph -Islen and of his kindness. He resolved to tell that gentleman his story -and see what he would have to say. - -This conclusion reached, Jerry felt in his inner pocket to see if the -precious papers were still safe. To his horror they were gone. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - SOMETHING ABOUT A TRAMP. - - -“Gone!” - -The cry burst involuntarily from Jerry’s lips, and for the moment his -heart seemed to stop beating. The precious papers were missing. - -What had become of them? With great haste he hunted all of his pockets, -not once but a dozen times. Then he felt in the linings, and in fact in -all places where the packet might have become concealed. - -It was useless; they were gone; that was all there was to it. - -Had he dropped them in Slocum’s office, or during his hasty flight to -the alleyway? - -Our hero retraced his steps, with eyes bent to the ground, in hopes that -they would be found lying on the walk. In doing this he ran into half a -dozen folks, many of whom did not take kindly to the collision. - -“Look where you are going, boy.” - -“Hunting for a pin or gold dollars?” - -Jerry paid no attention to the remarks. Reaching the alleyway, he turned -into it and continued the search, but without success. - -“Say, wot yer doin’ in here?” - -The question was asked by a youth in the tin-shop. He was red-headed and -had a freckled face, but not an unpleasant one. - -“I was looking for something I lost,” said the young oarsman. “Have you -seen anything in here of a flat, white package with a black shoestring -tied around it?” - -“Why, yes, I did,” he answered. - -“And where is it?” - -“A tramp had it. I saw him walk out of der alley wid it not five minutes -ago.” - -“A tramp? What kind of a looking man?” - -“Tall and thin, with a grizzly beard. Oh, he was a regular bum.” - -“Where did he go?” - -“Up the street, I think. Was the bundle valuable?” - -“Indeed it was, to me,” replied Jerry, and hurried off. - -He could see nothing of any tramp, and, after dodging around among the -trucks for several minutes, returned to the youth. - -“Please describe that tramp to me, will you?” asked Jerry, and the -tinner’s boy did so, as well as he was able. - -“I think da call him Crazy Jim,” he concluded. “He don’t come down here -very often. He belongs uptown somewhere.” - -“Well, if you ever see him again, please let me know. My name is Jerry -Upton, and here is my address,” and our hero handed it over. - -“All right, I will. My name is Jerry Martin. Wot was in de package?” - -“Some papers belonging to my father.” - -The boy wanted to question Jerry for further particulars, but the young -oarsman did not care to say too much, and hurried off, to seek the tramp -again. - -That evening found our hero at Mrs. Price’s, footsore and downhearted. -He had seen nothing of Crazy Jim, and it looked as if the precious -packet was gone for good. - -Jerry could not help but wonder what Alexander Slocum’s next move would -be. Would the man endeavor to hunt him out or would he write to his -father? - -The next morning, on his way to Mr. Randolph Islen’s place of business, -Jerry met Nellie Ardell. - -“Did you find Mr. Slocum’s?” she asked. - -“I did; and had a very disagreeable visit,” returned our hero. - -“I knew you would have,” she went on. “I wish he was not my landlord.” - -Jerry asked her how Tommy was, and then they parted, and five minutes -more brought our hero to the book-bindery. - -Mr. Islen was not yet in, but he soon arrived, and smiled as Jerry -presented himself. - -“On hand, I see, my young friend. Well, how did you make out? Did you -obtain a position?” - -“No, sir.” - -“It’s rather hard. Mr. Grice!” he called out. - -The foreman of the book-bindery came in and Jerry was introduced to him. -Quite a chat followed, at the end of which Jerry was hired to work in -the stock department at a salary of six dollars a week. - -The salary was not large, but it would pay his expenses, and that was -all he wished for at present. - -“I won’t have to write home for money,” he thought. - -Mr. Grice wanted Jerry to come to work immediately, but our hero begged -to speak to Mr. Islen in private for a moment, and when they were left -alone told his story from beginning to end. - -The rich book-binder listened with interest, and tapped meditatively -upon his desk when Jerry had finished. - -“This is rather a strange story, Upton,” he said. “What would you like -me to do?” - -“I would like you to give me some advice, sir. What had I best do?” - -“You can do a number of things. What would be the best I cannot say. You -might hire a lawyer to look into the case, and again you might have this -Slocum arrested for locking you in the office. The loss of the packet -complicates matters. Did it have your name on?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then you had better wait, and in the meantime advertise for the packet, -offering a reward. That tramp may be watching for such an -advertisement.” - -This was sound advice; but Jerry had no money, and said so. - -“I will pay for the advertisement and take it out of your pay,” said Mr. -Islen; and the notice was written out without delay and sent off by the -office boy. - -The young oarsman now felt a trifle lighter in heart. He reasoned that -the packet would be of no value to the tramp and that he would be glad -to surrender it in hope of a reward. He did not remember at the time -that he had written Alexander Slocum’s name and address on the outside -wrapper; yet such was a fact. - -When Jerry entered the bindery he found several pairs of curious eyes -bent upon him from boys of about his own age. Without delay Mr. Grice -set our hero to work. - -“What is your name?” asked one of the boys, as soon as he had a chance. - -“Jerry Upton. What is yours?” - -“Dick Lenning. Say, do you know you have got the job Grice was going to -give my brother?” - -“No, I don’t.” - -“It’s so. Jack was coming to work to-morrow. It ain’t fair to take the -bread out of a fellow’s mouth like that,” growled Dick Lenning. - -“I fancy Mr. Islen gave me my position—” Jerry ventured. - -“Oh! So it was the boss put you in. Well, it ain’t fair anyway. Where do -you come from—Brooklyn?” - -“No, Lakeview.” - -“Never heard of it. Must be some country village. You look like a -hayseed.” - -As Dick Lenning spoke he gazed around to see if Mr. Grice had gone. Then -he added in a whisper: - -“You have to set up the drinks for the crowd before you can work here, -see?” - -“Drinks,” repeated our hero. - -“Sure; all the new hands do that.” - -“I—I rather think I won’t.” - -“You are too mean.” - -“It’s not that; I don’t drink.” - -“You are a country jay, and no mistake.” - -Dick Lenning leaned forward and shoved Jerry with his elbow, at the same -time putting one foot behind the youth. He wanted to trip our hero up, -but Jerry was on guard, and, resisting him, the young oarsman caused him -to slip down against a bench upon which rested a pot of book-binders’ -glue. - -The glue tipped over and part of it went down Lenning’s leg, causing him -to yell like a wild Indian. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - MR. WAKEFIELD SMITH AGAIN. - - -“I’ll hammer you for that!” - -“What did he do, Dick?” - -“Knocked the glue over me. You country jay, you!” howled Dick Lenning, -and, leaping up, he bore down on Jerry. - -Lenning was a good deal of a bully. He was tall and strong, and -evidently he thought he could make our hero submit to his will easily. - -“Take that!” he fairly hissed, and aimed a blow at Jerry’s ear. The -youth dodged it and caught his arm. - -“Hold on!” Jerry ejaculated. “I don’t want to fight. You will only make -trouble.” - -“Let go!” - -“Not until you promise to keep quiet.” - -“I’ll promise nothing,” stormed Lenning, and began to struggle more -excitedly than ever. - -But he soon wore himself out, when Jerry got behind him and clasped -hands over his breast. The bully was about to call on his friends to -assist him, when a cry went up. - -“Cheese it! Grice is coming this way.” - -As if by magic the boys who had gathered around ran off to their work, -leaving the bully and Jerry alone. Our hero released his opponent, and, -turning around, Lenning glared at him vindictively. - -“I’ll get even with you for this, see if I don’t,” he muttered in a -hoarse whisper. - -Then he followed his friends; and Mr. Grice came up and took Jerry to -another part of the shop. - -“I have changed my mind about letting you work here,” he said. “I want -you to get used to the place before I put you among those other boys.” - -Evening found our hero a good deal worn out, not so much by the work as -by the close confinement of the bindery. How different life in the great -metropolis was to life in the green fields of the country! - -After supper Jerry determined to take a walk uptown, to get the outdoor -exercise and also in hope of seeing something of the tramp who had taken -the packet. He knew that looking for the tramp in the metropolis was a -good deal like looking for a pin in a haystack, but imagined that even -that pin could be found if one looked long and sharp enough for it. - -The young oarsman sauntered forth toward Broadway, and thence past the -Forty-second Street depot and up to Central Park. It was a long walk, -but he did not mind it; in fact, it seemed to do him good, for it rested -his mind. - -The window displays interested Jerry not a little, and he took in -everything that came along. So the time flew quickly, until, coming to a -jeweler’s window, he saw it was after ten o’clock. - -“I’ll have to be getting back,” he said to himself, and was on the point -of returning when he saw that which surprised him greatly. A cab whirled -past the corner upon which he was standing, and on the back seat he -recognized Mr. Wakefield Smith. - -The pickpocket was alone, and ere Jerry could stop him the cab rolled -down the side street out of hearing. - -Our hero did not stop long to consider what was best to do, but took to -his heels and followed the cab as best he could. - -The cab gained a distance of nearly two blocks, and Jerry was almost on -the point of giving up, when it came to a halt in front of what looked -like a private club-house. Wakefield Smith alighted and paid the cabman, -who went about his business without delay. - -“Stop there!” cried Jerry to the pickpocket, as the man mounted the -steps of the house. But whether the man heard our hero or not, he paid -no attention. When Jerry reached the spot he was standing on a low -porch. - -“Did you hear me?” went on Jerry, and, to prevent Smith from entering -the place, our hero caught him by the button of his coat. - -To Jerry’s surprise, the rascal offered no resistance. Instead, he came -down the steps backward, and fell on his back on the sidewalk, his hat -rolling toward the gutter. - -“Shay, waz you do that fer?” he hiccoughed. - -Jerry gazed at the pickpocket in wonder. Then the truth flashed over our -hero. The man who had robbed him was beastly intoxicated. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - AN UNLOOKED FOR ADVENTURE. - - -It would be hard to express Jerry’s feelings when he found Mr. Wakefield -Smith was suffering heavily from intoxication. For the moment he could -do nothing but stare at the man as he lay helpless on the pavement. - -“Waz you mean, boy?” went on Smith, and he tried in vain to get up. “Waz -you knock me down for, I demand to know?” - -“Do you recognize me?” said our hero sharply, as he looked the -pickpocket squarely in the face. - -“No—don’t know you from Adam, ’pon my word.” - -“I am Jerry Upton, the boy you robbed the other night.” - -At the words Smith straightened up for a moment and a look of alarm -crossed his face. - -“Jerry Upton,” he repeated, slowly. - -“Yes. What have you done with my money?” - -“Ain’t got a dollar of your money.” - -“If you haven’t, you’ve drank it up,” Jerry ejaculated. “You ought to be -ashamed of yourself.” - -“Zat’s all right, m’boy, all right, I assure you. Come on and have a -good time with me.” - -With great difficulty Wakefield Smith arose to his feet and staggered -towards the house he had been on the point of entering. Jerry pulled him -back and held him. As our hero did this he saw Smith drop a ten-dollar -bill. Jerry picked it up. - -“You are not going in there—you are going with me.” - -“Where to?” - -“To the nearest station-house.” - -The pickpocket gave a hiccough and a cry of alarm that was very much -like a whine. - -“To the station-house?” - -“Yes; come on.” - -“Never.” - -Smith struggled feebly to get away, but the boy held him with ease. -Overcome, the man finally sat down on the curbstone and refused to -budge. - -“Shay, let us compromise,” he mumbled. “It was all a mistake.” - -“It was no mistake.” - -“If I give you ten dollars, will you call it off?” - -“No.” - -“Then you don’t git a cent, see?” - -And with great deliberation the pickpocket closed one bleared eye and -glared at Jerry. - -“We’ll see about that later,” cried our hero, hotly, and catching the -rascal by the collar the youth yanked him to a standing position. “Now -come on, and no nonsense.” - -Seeing that the youth was not to be fooled with, Wakefield Smith tried -to dicker again, getting himself badly twisted in his plea that he would -make everything all right. Jerry would not trust him and forced him to -walk along until the nearest corner was reached. Here he suddenly made a -clutch at an electric-light pole and held fast. - -“Help! help! help!” he cried out at the top of his lungs. “Police!” - -The young oarsman did not know what to make of this appeal for -assistance, for it seemed to him that the authorities were the very -people Mr. Wakefield Smith wished to avoid. He was destined, however to -soon learn a trick that was brand new to him. - -The pickpocket had hardly uttered his cry when a bluecoat put into -appearance and came running to the spot. - -“What’s the trouble here?” he demanded. - -“Shay, officer, make that young fellow go away,” hiccoughed Mr. -Wakefield Smith. - -“What is he up to?” - -“Trying to rob me, officer; reg’lar slick Aleck.” - -At this cool assertion Jerry was dumbfounded. - -“So you’re trying to rob this gent, eh?” said the bluecoat, turning to -our hero and catching his arm. “I reckon I came just in time.” - -“It’s a falsehood; he is the pickpocket,” rejoined Jerry as soon as he -could speak. - -“He looks like it,” said the officer, sarcastically. - -“He didn’t rob me now, he robbed several nights ago. I just ran across -him.” - -“He’s a slick Aleck,” went on Mr. Wakefield Smith. “Don’t let him take -my watch, officer!” - -“No fear of that. Come along with me, young man.” - -“If I have to go I want him to go, too.” - -At these words Mr. Wakefield Smith’s face changed color. - -“I can’t go, officer; have an important engagement at the—er—club.” - -“He is a pickpocket and I’ll prove it at the station house,” said Jerry, -warningly. “It is your duty to make him go along. I’ll help you carry -him if it’s necessary.” - -“And you’ll skip out, too, if you get the chance,” remarked the -policeman, grimly. - -“If you think that, handcuff me to this fellow.” - -“Do you mean that?” - -“I do, sir.” - -“Hang me if I don’t think you are honest, after all.” - -“He’s a big thief!” bawled Mr. Wakefield Smith. - -“Keep quiet and come along. They can straighten matters out at the -precinct.” - -The officer took Mr. Wakefield Smith by the arm and started to walk the -prisoner away. With a dexterous twist the intoxicated man cleared -himself and plunged down the street. - -The bluecoat and Jerry made after him as quickly as they could, but a -drawing school in the neighborhood had just let out, and they were -detained by the crowd. Mr. Wakefield Smith stumbled across the street -and down a side thoroughfare that was very dark. The officer and our -hero went after him, but at the end of the second block he was no longer -to be seen. - -“Now you’ve let him escape,” said Jerry to the policeman. “I have a good -mind to report you.” - -“Go on with you!” howled the officer in return. “I reckon it was a put -up job all around. Clear about your business or I’ll run you in for -disorderly conduct!” - -And he made such a savage dash at the young oarsman with his long club -that our hero was glad to retreat. - -He continued the hunt for the pickpocket alone, but without avail, and, -much disheartened, finally returned to his boarding-house. He was afraid -he had seen the last of Mr. Wakefield Smith, and was glad he had gotten -at least ten dollars from the pickpocket. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - NELLIE ARDELL’S TROUBLES. - - -On the following morning Jerry went to work at the bindery as if nothing -had happened. When he went in, Dick Lenning glared at our hero and -stopped as if to speak, but changed his mind and walked off without -saying a word. - -During the day the young oarsman became much better acquainted with his -work and began to like it. - -That night, on leaving the bindery by the side entrance, which opened on -a narrow lane, our hero saw Dick Lenning and several of his friends -waiting for him. - -He attempted to pass but Lenning put out his foot, and had Jerry not -stopped he would have been tripped up. - -“Let me pass,” said he, sharply, but instead of complying, Lenning took -a stand in front of him and hit the youth on the shoulder. - -“I said I’d git square,” he hissed, savagely. “If yer ain’t afraid, -stand up and fight.” - -“I’m not afraid,” replied Jerry, and pushed him up against the wall. - -Without delay a rough-and-tumble fight ensued. - -“Give it to him, Dick!” - -“Do the hayseed up!” - -“Knock him into the middle of next week!” - -These and a dozen other cries arose on the air, and the crowd kept -increasing until fully a hundred spectators surrounded the pair. - -Dick Lenning had caught Jerry unfairly, but the youth soon managed to -shake him off, and, hauling back, gave him a clean blow on the end of -his unusually long nose, which caused the blood to spurt from that organ -in a stream. - -“He’s tapped Dick’s nose!” - -“My! wasn’t that a blow, though!” - -“The country lad is game!” - -Wild with rage, Dick Lenning endeavored to close in again. Jerry stopped -the movement this time by a blow on the chest which sent him staggering -back several feet into the crowd. - -“What’s the matter, Dick?” - -“Don’t let him use you like that.” - -“I’ll fix him!” howled the bully, and rushed at our hero a third time. - -Again he hit Jerry, this time in the chin. But our hero’s blood was now -up, and, calculating well, he struck a square blow in the left eye that -knocked the bully flat. - -“Dick is knocked out!” - -“That country jay is a corker!” - -“Git up, Dick. Yer eye is turnin’ all black!” - -“Better let him go, he’s too much for you!” - -Dick Lenning was slow in coming to the front. The eye was not only -black, but it was closing rapidly. - -“He’s got a stone in his fist—he don’t fight fair,” he growled to his -friends. - -“I have nothing in my fist,” retorted Jerry. “If he wants any more, I -fancy I can accommodate him, although I don’t care to fight.” - -Dick Lenning was uneasy. He glanced toward his friends and passed a -signal to one of his cronies. - -“Police! skip!” cried the crony. “Come on, Dick, you don’t want to git -caught!” - -And he dragged Dick Lenning away, while the crowd scattered like magic. -No policeman was in sight, nor did any appear. It was only a ruse to -retire without acknowledging defeat. - -But that fight taught Dick Lenning a severe lesson. He still remained -down upon the young oarsman, but in the future he fought shy of our -hero, knowing that Jerry would not stand his bullying manner. - -On Saturday the shop closed down early, and, having nothing else to do, -Jerry walked down to the newspaper office in hope of receiving some -answer to the advertisement for the missing papers. - -But no answer was forthcoming, and, disappointed, he retraced his steps -and sauntered in the direction in which Nellie Ardell and her little -brother Tommy lived. - -“I’ll call on them and see how she made out about her rent,” he said to -himself, and mounted the stairs to her apartment. - -There was a murmur of voices in the kitchen. The door was partly open -and Jerry saw the girl and her little brother standing there, confronted -by a burly man. - -“That rent has got to be paid, that’s all there is to it,” the man was -saying. - -“I cannot pay to-day,” replied Nellie Ardell. “I will try to pay -Monday.” - -“It won’t do. I’ve given you notice, and if you can’t pay, you have got -to leave.” - -At this the girl burst into tears. - -“Would you put me on the street?” she wailed. - -“I’ll have to—it’s orders,” replied the burly man doggedly. - -“Whose order?” - -“Mr. Slocum.” - -“Mr. Slocum is a very hard-hearted man,” cried the girl, indignantly. - -“That’s so,” Jerry put in as he entered. - -“Oh, Jerry Upton!” Nellie Ardell cried, when she saw our hero. “This man -wants to put me out of my rooms.” - -“It’s a shame.” - -“Who are you?” demanded the burly man. “Do you live here?” - -“No. I am this young lady’s friend, however. Did Mr. Slocum say to put -her out?” - -“Yes.” - -“What shall I do if they put me on the street?” wailed Nellie Ardell. - -“I’m sure I don’t know. But Slocum sha’n’t put you on the street if I -can help it,” went on Jerry, suddenly. - -“What will you do?” - -“How much do you owe him?” - -“Twelve dollars. I have four, but he won’t take it. He wants the entire -amount.” - -“I will let you have ten dollars,” said our hero, and brought out the -bill Wakefield Smith had dropped. - -“Oh, won’t that be robbing you?” cried Nellie Ardell, but her eyes -glistened with pleasure. - -“Never mind; take it and pay this man off.” - -Nellie Ardell accepted the amount without further words. - -“Now,” she said, as she paid the man, “I am going to move.” - -“Move! What for?” - -“I can get better rooms for less money just across the way.” - -The burly man’s face fell. He was Alexander Slocum’s agent, and he knew -that to get tenants for the rooms Nellie Ardell occupied would be -difficult. - -“It ain’t right to move now—in the middle of the summer.” - -“You intended to put me out—if I couldn’t pay the rent.” - -“That is different.” - -“I have paid up promptly for many months. Mr. Slocum could have been a -bit easier for once.” - -“He is more than mean,” put in Jerry. “I would advise you to move by all -means.” - -“You seem to know a great deal about him,” sneered the agent. - -“I do—and I’ll know more some day.” - -The agent began to growl, but, seeing he could do nothing, he went off -to inform Alexander Slocum that Nellie Ardell intended to move. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - A CRAZY MAN’S DOINGS. - - -“You are more than kind to me, Jerry Upton,” exclaimed Nellie Ardell, -when they and her little brother were left alone. - -“I didn’t want to see you thrown out of your home,” said Jerry, soberly. - -“I shall pay you back that money as soon as I possibly can,” she went -on. “I expect to get about twenty dollars for sewing next week. One of -the ladies I work for is out of town, but is coming back on Wednesday.” - -“All right—take your time. When will you move? Maybe I can help carry -some things for you.” - -“I’ve a good mind to move this afternoon. Those other rooms are all -ready.” - -“Then do it, and I’ll pitch right in,” and in fun the young oarsman -picked up several chairs. - -“I will. Will you be kind enough to stay with Tommy a few minutes?” - -“Certainly.” - -Nellie Ardell went off at once, and was back in ten minutes. When she -returned she had rented three small rooms for less money than she now -paid. - -She had not many articles of furniture and it did not seem the least bit -like working to our hero to assist her in transferring them across the -way. The two worked together, and as they labored they talked, Jerry -telling her a good deal about his mission to New York and the girl -relating her own experiences in keeping the wolf from the door. - -“We were not always poor,” said Nellie Ardell. “When father was alive we -lived in our own home in Brooklyn. But he grew interested in a Western -land scheme and it took all of his money.” - -“That was our trouble. I came to New York to see what I could do toward -making Alexander Slocum give an accounting of the money he put in a -California land scheme for my uncle.” - -“Why, my father was in Slocum’s land scheme!” she ejaculated. - -“Perhaps it was the same. This land scheme I speak of was called the -Judge Martin—why, I don’t know.” - -“It is the same. It was so called because the land once belonged to a -Judge Martin of Colorado.” - -Of course, Jerry was deeply interested, and, the moving finished, he and -she sat down to talk the matter over. - -From what our hero learned of Nellie Ardell he came to the conclusion -that Alexander Slocum was every inch the villain he had taken him to be. - -The real estate dealer had hoodwinked the girl completely, and she had -surrendered to him all the documents her parent had left behind at the -time of his death. - -“It’s too bad,” said Jerry. “We must work together against him. But -nothing can be done until my missing papers are recovered.” - -Before he left, another matter was discussed and settled. In her new -quarters Nellie Ardell had a small room she did not really need, and she -offered to board Jerry at three dollars and a half a week. As this would -be an acceptable saving just at present, our hero accepted the offer and -agreed to make the change on the following Monday. - -Sunday passed quietly. Jerry spent part of the day in writing a long -letter home, telling the folks just how matters stood and urging them -not to worry, as he felt certain all would come out right in the end, -and that he was quite content to remain in New York and support himself -until he had settled matters with Alexander Slocum. The letter was -finished late in the afternoon, and after taking supper he went out to -post it. - -The novelty of life in the city had not yet passed, and, the letter put -into a corner box, the young oarsman sauntered on and on, taking in the -many strange sights. - -He had gone a distance of half a dozen blocks when he came to a church. -The doors were wide open, and as the congregation were singing, he -stopped to listen to the music. - -When the music stopped, our hero passed on down the street, which seemed -to grow poorer as he advanced. The new houses gave place to those that -were very old, and on all sides Jerry could see the effects of grinding -poverty. - -“It’s a great city,” he thought. “And it is true that one half doesn’t -know how the other half lives.” - -“Please, mister, will you give me five cents?” - -Jerry stopped in his walk and looked down to see who had addressed him. -It was a little girl, and she was crying bitterly. - -“Five cents?” he repeated. - -“Yes, mister; please don’t say no. I’ve asked so many for the money -already and they won’t give me a cent.” - -“What are you going to do with five cents?” - -“I’ve got to bring it home to daddy.” - -“To daddy—you mean your father?” - -“He’s a sort of a father, but he’s not my real papa,” sobbed the little -girl. “He took me when papa died.” - -“What does your—your daddy want with the five cents?” - -At this question the little girl’s face flushed. - -“I—I daren’t tell you—daddy would whip me,” she whimpered. - -“Does he drink?” - -“I daren’t tell you.” - -“Does he send you out very often to beg?” - -“He sends me out when he’s—when he’s—but I daren’t tell you. He would -whip me most to death.” - -“Where do you live?” - -“Over there.” - -And the little girl pointed to a long row of rear tenements, the very -worst-looking in the neighborhood. - -“And what is daddy’s name?” - -“His real name is James MacHenry, but the folks around here all call him -Crazy Jim,” she answered. - -Jerry started back in surprise. Crazy Jim was the tramp who had been -seen walking off with his packet of documents! - -“So you live with Crazy Jim?” said our hero, to the little girl, slowly. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“How long have you lived with him?” - -“Oh, a long while, sir.” - -“Take me to him.” - -At this request she drew back in horror. - -“Oh, I can’t do that, indeed I can’t,” she faltered. - -“Why not?” - -“I took a man to him once—a charity officer—and daddy—whip—whipped -me for it.” - -“Then show me where he lives,” went on Jerry after a pause. “You needn’t -let him see you. I must have a talk with him. Perhaps I’ll give him some -money.” - -The little girl still hesitated, but finally led the way up the street -into a horrible-looking alley and pointed to a dingy tenement-house. - -“Daddy is up there on the top floor in the back.” - -“And is that where you live?” asked Jerry, with a shudder he could not -repress. - -“Yes, of course.” - -“It’s not a nice place.” - -“Oh, no,” and something like a tear glistened in the girl’s eye. - -“Here is ten cents for you,” added Jerry. “You had better keep it for -yourself. Are you hungry?” - -“A little. I only had some bread to-day for dinner and supper.” - -“Then go down to the restaurant on the corner and get something to eat -for the money. You need it.” - -The little girl ran off to do as bidden, and our hero entered the -dilapidated tenement. Four dirty men and women sat on the stoop smoking -and drinking from a tin pail. - -“Who are ye lookin’ fer?” asked one of the men, roughly. - -“Crazy Jim,” answered Jerry, briefly, and brushed past him. - -The hallway was dark, and it was with difficulty that the young oarsman -found the rickety stairs, every step of which creaked as he trod upon -it. - -Arriving at the top floor, the youth noticed a shaft of light streaming -from beneath a door in the rear. He knocked loudly. - -There was a movement within, the door was flung back, and Jerry found -himself confronted by a tall, round-shouldered individual, with long, -unkempt hair and a wild look in his small black eyes. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - THE LITTLE NOBODY. - - -“Well!” demanded the man laconically. - -“Is this James MacHenry?” - -“That’s me, boy.” - -“I would like to see you on business,” Jerry went on, as he brushed past -and entered one of the barest living apartments he had ever seen. - -“On business?” - -“Yes, a few days ago you picked up a packet downtown belonging to me—a -packet containing some documents and letters.” - -“Who said they belonged to you?” - -“I say so. My name is Jerry Upton, and I dropped the packet in the -alleyway where you found it.” - -The man stared at our hero. - -“Say, is this a game?” he demanded, harshly. - -“What do you mean?” - -“Are you trying to get me into trouble?” - -“No, I am trying to keep you out of trouble,” replied the young oarsman, -warmly. - -“You say that packet belonged to you?” - -“Yes.” - -“It didn’t have your name on it.” - -“No, it—” Our hero stopped short. “It had Alexander Slocum’s name on -it!” he burst out. - -“Exactly.” - -“You don’t mean to say you delivered that packet to him?” gasped the -youth. - -“I did—not an hour ago.” - -Jerry fell back into a chair and breathed heavily. The packet was -gone—into the hands of the enemy! - -“The man said it was his package,” said Crazy Jim. “He gave me a reward -of five dollars for returning it to him.” - -“It was mine. He wanted to steal it—and now he’s done it,” cried Jerry. -“You let him have it but an hour ago?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where did he go?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Did you open the packet?” - -“Yes, but I couldn’t make nothing out of it—’cos I ain’t eddicated. I -read his name on it and got another fellow to write a postal card -yesterday afternoon. He came here, examined the papers, and seemed much -pleased.” - -“No doubt he was pleased,” groaned the young oarsman. - -“Was the thing worth much?” - -“It was worth a good deal. I would have given five dollars to get it -back.” - -“What does he want with it?” - -“Wants to do my father out of some property,” answered our hero. “By the -way, who is that little girl who lives with you?” - -At this question Crazy Jim’s face darkened. - -“That ain’t none of your business,” he growled. - -“You shouldn’t send her out on the street to beg.” - -“Wot! has she been blabbin’ again? I’ll break every bone in her body!” -and off the man started out of the room and down the narrow stairs. - -Jerry had noticed that his breath smelt strongly of liquor. He was not -only a drinking man, but also one who was not quite right in his head. - -“Don’t hurt her, you brute!” called out the boy, and followed him out of -the alleyway into the street. At the nearest corner stood the little -girl, and Crazy Jim rushed up to her fiercely. - -“You good-fer-nothin’!” he bawled. “I’ll teach ye a lesson! Didn’t I -tell ye ter keep yer clapper still about me? Take that! and that!” - -He raised his heavy hand and struck her a cruel blow on the side of the -head. She staggered back, and he was about to repeat his unjust action, -when Jerry thought it about time to interfere. Catching him by the arm, -our hero hurled him backward with such force that he fell flat in the -gutter. - -At once a shout went up from those who saw Jerry’s action. - -“What are yer doin’?” - -“Who is that boy?” - -With a fearful exclamation, Crazy Jim arose to his feet. - -“I’ll fix ye fer that!” he hissed, and sprang forward. “You ain’t got no -right ter interfere between me an’ the gal.” - -“You are a brute!” burst out our hero. “This little girl has done -nothing to deserve such punishment.” - -“Who set you over me?” howled the infuriated man. “I’ll fix ye!” - -He tried his best to hit Jerry with his fist, but the young oarsman -dodged him and took a stand in front of the little girl. - -“You had better run away,” Jerry whispered to her. “He is in a terrible -mood just now.” - -“Where shall I go?” whimpered the girl. - -“Anywhere? Up two blocks. I will join you soon.” - -Without delay the little girl ran off. Crazy Jim tried to follow her, -but Jerry headed him off. - -Seeing he could do nothing with his hands, the savage man looked around -for some weapon. A heavy stone was lying handy, and he picked it up. The -next moment it was launched at our hero’s head. - -Luckily, Jerry was quick at dodging, or he might have been seriously -wounded. The missile went sailing over the lad’s head and flew with a -crash through the front window of a neighboring store. - -The smashing of the pane of glass was followed by a shout of alarm from -the storekeeper, who sat in a chair on the pavement. - -“Here, vot’s dot?” he yelled. “Vot you means py preaking mine vinder, -hey, you Crazy Gim? I vos got you locked up. Ain’t it? Bolice! bolice!” - -The German storekeeper continued to yell so loudly that it was not long -before an officer appeared. Seeing this, Jerry backed out of the crowd -and hurried off. He saw the policeman catch Crazy Jim by the arm, and a -wordy war followed. A minute later the fellow was being marched off to -the station-house. No doubt the policeman would have liked it had he -found Jerry, but our hero kept at a safe distance. - -It was now quite dark, and it was with some difficulty that Jerry again -found the little girl. She stood by a hitching post, sobbing bitterly. - -“Where is he?” she asked, choking back her sobs. - -“The policeman took him off. Don’t cry any more,” Jerry added, -soothingly. - -“But where shall I go?” she asked. “I can’t go back.” - -“Have you no friends?” - -“No. Crazy Jim and I came to New York alone when papa died.” - -“Where did you come from?” - -The little girl shook her head at this. She had been too young to -remember. - -“What is your name?” - -“Dottie.” - -“Dottie what?” - -“Nothing, only Dottie.” - -Jerry was in a quandary. To a certain degree he felt responsible for her -present forlorn condition. Suddenly an idea struck him. - -“If you will come with me, I’ll see to it that you have a good bed -to-night, and breakfast in the morning,” he said. “And after that I’ll -see what I can do for you, Dottie.” - -“Who are you?” - -“My name is Jerry Upton.” - -“You look like a nice boy and I’ll go with you,” and she placed her hand -confidently in that of the young oarsman. - -Jerry took the little one to Nellie Ardell’s apartments. Of course she -was much surprised, and, sitting down, our hero had to explain -everything as far as he was able. Nellie Ardell agreed instantly to take -the little girl in. - -“You can stay here until we can do something for you,” she said. “I know -how it would feel to have little Tommy on the streets homeless.” - -And soon after that Dottie was put to bed, very well content. Her hard -life with Crazy Jim had made her used to ups and downs that no ordinary -little girl could have endured. - -The reader can well imagine that Jerry did not sleep much that night. He -could not forget that Alexander Slocum had the precious packet of -papers. Bitterly he regretted not having taken better care of the -documents. - -“I will call on Slocum, and come to some sort of an understanding,” -Jerry said to himself. “Perhaps when I tell him that both Nellie Ardell -and myself are ready to proceed against him he will be willing to come -to terms.” - -The next day was a busy one at the book-bindery, and our hero got no -chance to call on Slocum. During that time he learned that Crazy Jim had -been locked up for resisting the officer and had been sentenced to -thirty days on Blackwell’s Island. - -The young oarsman did not know what to do about little Dottie, but -Nellie Ardell solved this question. - -“I have received a whole lot of new work,” she said. “So for the present -we can keep her to mind Tommy while I am dressmaking.” - -So the little girl stayed on. Jerry never dreamed of how much she had to -do with his future life. - -On Thursday Mr. Islen’s brother died and the bindery was closed for -several days. Jerry took the opportunity to walk down to Alexander -Slocum’s offices. - -The real estate man was alone, and greeted our hero with a sinister -smile. - -“So you have seen fit to call again, young man,” were his first words. - -“Mr. Slocum, let us come to business,” Jerry replied firmly. “What are -you going to do about my father’s claim?” - -Alexander Slocum laughed harshly. - -“Your father’s claim?” he repeated. “I don’t recognize the fact that -your father has any claim against me.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - ALEXANDER SLOCUM SHOWS HIS HAND. - - -Alexander Slocum’s statement was no more than Jerry had expected, so he -was not taken back by the words. He looked the man steadily in the eyes. - -“So that is the position you are going to take now—since you received -my packet from James MacHenry,” said Jerry, deliberately. - -Slocum started and winced, and the young oarsman saw that Crazy Jim had -spoken the truth. - -“I haven’t anything belonging to you, Upton.” - -“It is useless for you to deny it, Mr. Slocum. He found the packet and -delivered it to you for a reward of five dollars.” - -“The packet he delivered to me was my own. It contained some legal -documents belonging to this office.” - -“You may make others believe that, Mr. Slocum, but—” - -“But what, boy? Remember, I want none of your insolence here. I will -listen to you, but you mustn’t grow impertinent.” - -“I’m only speaking the truth. You virtually robbed me, just as you -robbed my father and Mr. Bryant Ardell.” - -“Ha!” Slocum leaped to his feet. “Who—where did you hear of Bryant -Ardell?” he asked, excitedly. - -“I have met Nellie Ardell several times—in fact, I am boarding with -her.” - -“Did she set you to hounding me?” - -“No; we met by accident after I had come to New York almost on purpose -to see you.” - -“She is an impudent young woman.” - -“She told me that you had her land papers, just as you now have mine.” - -“It’s a falsehood!” - -“If both of us go to court with our story, we may prove that it is not a -falsehood.” - -“Ha! are you going to combine to ruin my reputation?” cried the real -estate dealer, growing pale. - -“We are going to try to obtain our rights.” - -“You’ll gain nothing. I’ll—I’ll have you locked up on a charge of -black-mail!” Alexander Slocum began to pace his office nervously. “See -here, Upton how much do you want to go off and leave me alone?” he -questioned, suddenly. - -“I want what is due my father.” - -“You’ll not get it!” he whispered, hoarsely, throwing his mask aside. -“Do you think I have plotted and worked all these years for nothing? Not -much! All that property is mine, do you hear? Nobody else shall ever own -a foot of it. Now, I’ll tell you what I am willing to do. I’ll give you -a hundred dollars in cash and we’ll call it square. Mind you, I don’t -admit your claim. I only want to avoid trouble.” - -Jerry looked at the man and drew a long breath. He could see through -Slocum’s words as clearly as he could see through the window. His -father’s claim was worth a fortune! - -“Come, what do you say?” demanded Slocum as Jerry did not answer him. - -“I say this, Mr. Slocum,” rejoined our hero. “I won’t accept your -proposition, and before I am done with you I’ll have our rights and -you’ll be in state’s prison.” - -With a snarl very much like that made by a fretful tiger, the man leaped -toward the boy as if to grab him by the throat. - -“You fool! I’ll make you come to terms!” - -His hand touched Jerry’s collar, but the young oarsman evaded him and -placed the flat-top desk between them. When the man ran around the desk, -Jerry picked up a heavy brass-bound ruler. - -“Stop, or I’ll crack you with this!” cried our hero, and, seeing the -weapon, Slocum halted. - -“Don’t be a fool, boy!” - -“I don’t intend to be.” - -“You can do nothing against me.” - -“That remains to be seen.” - -“Who will take your word against mine? Nobody. You are a mere country -lad, while I am a well-known New York citizen.” - -“Mr. Ardell was also well known in his day.” - -Again Alexander Slocum’s face grew pale. - -“Nellie Ardell has no doubt urged you to attack me,” he growled. “I must -see her. Why didn’t she come with you?” - -“She is busy.” - -“I will explain matters to her in detail. Really, the claim is not worth -anything, but I wish to avoid trouble, and—” - -“You might as well stop, Mr. Slocum, for it’s too late to say that now. -I am positive our claims are of great value. Since you won’t do the -right thing, I shall advise my father to bring action in court to compel -you to come to terms.” - -While speaking, Jerry had walked to the door, and now placed his hand on -the knob. - -“Stop! stop!” - -“No, I have had enough for the present.” - -“You villain!” - -Slocum ran toward Jerry, who opened the door to step out, but found the -way blockaded by Casey, his book-keeper. - -“Here, what’s up?” cried the man, in wonder. - -“Don’t let him get away, Casey!” cried Alexander Slocum. “He is going to -make trouble, sure!” - -“Let me go!” burst out our hero as the book-keeper caught hold of him. -“Let go, or I’ll——” - -Jerry never finished that sentence. Alexander Slocum had picked up the -ruler the youth had dropped, and leaped to the front. Down came the -weapon on the young oarsman’s head; he felt a sharp stinging pain—and -then he knew no more. - -When Jerry came to his senses all was dark around him. He was lying on a -damp, cement floor, evidently that of a cellar. - -His head ached greatly, and for several minutes he could not remember -what had happened. - -Then came back that scene in Slocum’s office. He staggered to his feet. - -Where was he and how long had he been there? - -The first question was readily answered. Stepping forward, Jerry -stumbled over some loose coal. He was in a coal-cellar. Around and above -were brick walls. The door was of sheet-iron, and it was tightly closed -and barred. How had he come to that place? Probably his enemies had -carried him hither, although how they could do it without being seen was -a question. - -As soon as our hero felt strong enough he looked about for some means of -escaping from his prison. With great care he examined the walls and -tried the door. - -Finding no outlet on any side, he turned his attention to the pavements -above. From one spot there came a faint glimmer of light, in a circle, -and he rightfully guessed that the coal-hole was located there. - -How to reach the hole was a problem. It was several feet above our -hero’s head, and there was nothing in the coal-vault to stand upon. - -Jerry considered the situation for a minute, and then, standing directly -under the cover of the hole, leaped upward, sending his hand over his -head as he did so. - -The cover was loose, and the force of the blow caused it to fly upward. -Another blow and it fell away entirely, and in a second more the young -oarsman was clambering out of the opening. - -It was drawing towards evening, and the street was full of people, some -of which eyed the boy curiously. Restoring the cover to its place, he -left the spot. - -The question now was, should he return to Slocum’s office or seek -outside assistance? He decided upon the latter course. To attempt to -bring the rascally real estate agent to terms alone would be foolhardy. - -Jerry’s head ached so much he could think only with difficulty, and he -decided to return to Nellie Ardell’s apartments. It was a hard walk, and -he was glad when the place was reached and he could sit down. - -“What’s the matter—are you hurt?” cried the young woman. - -“I was knocked out,” replied the youth, with a sorry little laugh. “I’ve -got a pretty big lump on the top of my head.” - -Sitting down, he told his story, to which Nellie Ardell listened with -breathless attention. - -“The wicked man! He should be locked up!” she burst out, when Jerry had -finished. “It’s a wonder he didn’t kill you.” - -“That’s true. As it was, the blow was awfully hard.” - -“What will you do now?” - -“I really don’t know.” - -“Won’t that Mr. Islen whom you work for, help you?” - -“Perhaps he will,” returned the youth, struck with the idea. “The -trouble is his brother is dead, and that has upset him.” - -“One thing is certain, Jerry, the property is valuable.” - -“Yes, and another thing is certain,” added our hero. “We want our shares -of it.” - -“It would be a great help to me to get some money out of it,” said -Nellie Ardell, with a sigh. “This sewing constantly day in and day out -is wearing on me.” - -The two talked for over an hour, and then Jerry felt compelled to lie -down. It was nearly morning before his head stopped aching and he got -some rest. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE - - -On the next day the bindery was opened as usual, but Mr. Islen did not -appear, having gone to Philadelphia. Jerry worked throughout the day, -wondering what Alexander Slocum had thought and done after he had -discovered the escape. Little did the young oarsman dream of what the -real estate dealer was then doing. - -Our hero was proving himself to be skillful at the work assigned to him -and the foreman often praised him. - -“You’ll be worth a raise in wages,” he said. “I never saw a boy take -hold as you do.” - -Jerry never delayed after the day’s work was over. He washed up, put on -his coat, and hurried forth to his boarding place. - -When Jerry reached the house he found little Dottie on the stoop, with -Tommy in her arms. Tommy was crying for something to eat, and the little -girl was having her hands full with him. - -“Where is Miss Nellie?” asked our hero in some surprise. - -“I don’t know,” returned the girl. “She sent me out with Tommy after -dinner, and when I tried to get in after awhile the door was locked and -she was gone.” - -“And you have been sitting here ever since?” - -“Yes.” - -“Come up. I’ll open the door.” - -Jerry led the way, and with a night key opened the door to the kitchen. - -A cry of surprise burst from his lips. Everywhere were the signs of a -desperate struggle. Two of the chairs were overturned, the table-cloth -hung half off the table, and Nellie Ardell’s sewing was strewn in all -directions. - -“This is Slocum’s work!” - -Those were the words which arose to the youth’s lips as he surveyed the -situation in the kitchen. - -Alexander Slocum had tried to get him out of the way, and now he had -tried the same plan upon Nellie Ardell. - -There had been a fierce struggle, of that there was not the slightest -doubt. - -But the girl had been overpowered in the end and taken off. - -To where? - -That was the all-important question. - -While our hero was gazing around the room, little Tommy was crying at -the top of his lungs. - -To quiet him, Jerry gave him his bowl of bread and milk, and also gave -Dottie her supper. - -Then Jerry began a minute examination of the rooms. - -There was mud on the oil-cloth—the tracks of four boots. - -“Slocum and Casey, his book-keeper,” he said to himself. - -Going below he interviewed Mrs. Flannigan, a good-natured Irish woman -who lived on the next floor. - -“Did you see Miss Ardell this afternoon?” - -“Sure, an’ Oi did not Oi was out,” she replied. - -He next tried the janitress, who lived in the basement. She was a -peppery old woman who seldom had a pleasant word for anybody. - -“Did I see her? Yes, she went out with two men about two hours ago,” she -said. - -“What sort of looking men?” - -“I can’t say—I’m not taking notice of everybody who comes and goes.” - -“But this is important, Mrs. Foley. I am afraid something has happened -to Miss Ardell.” - -“They were tall men, and I guess both had big black mustaches and -beards.” - -“Where did she go with them?” - -“Into a carriage. All of ’em seemed to be in a big hurry.” - -“Which way did the carriage go?” - -“Down towards the Brooklyn ferry.” - -In a thoughtful mood, the young oarsman walked back upstairs. He met -Mrs. Flannigan outside of the door. - -“What’s wrong, Mr. Upton?” - -“That is what I am trying to find out. Miss Ardell is missing. If I go -out, will you look after the children?” - -“Sure, Oi will, bless the dears,” she said. Her heart was as large as -her ruddy, full-blown face. - -Without waiting longer, Jerry ran down into the street and endeavored to -trace the carriage down to the ferry. In this he was successful, and -learned that the turnout containing two men and a young lady, who -appeared to be ill, had crossed to Brooklyn. - -By this time night had set in, and all efforts to follow the carriage -proved unsuccessful. Yet unwilling to give up, Jerry spent over two -hours in Brooklyn, hunting in every direction for a clew. - -Our hero had never been across the East River before, and in hunting -around it was but natural that he should get lost. At the end of the -search he found himself a good distance from the river, in a -neighborhood that looked anything but respectable. - -“It’s time I got back,” thought the youth, and started to make -inquiries. - -“You’re a dozen blocks out of your way,” said a man. “Go down that way -three blocks, and turn to your left.” - -As Jerry walked along a somewhat gloomy street, he noticed three men -walking ahead of him. One was a tall, finely built man, wearing a large -round hat, of the western type. - -The other men were short fellows, each with a red mustache. They carried -heavy canes and walked on either side of the tall individual. - -“Aren’t we almost there?” Jerry heard the tall man ask, as he drew -closer to the trio. - -“Yes, it ain’t but a step further,” was the reply from one of the short -men. - -“You are certain this Crazy Jim is the man I am after?” - -“Oh, yes.” - -The mentioning of Crazy Jim’s name interested Jerry. Crazy Jim was still -up on Blackwell’s Island. It was possible, however, that they referred -to some other individual. - -To hear what further they might have to say the young oarsman kept close -to the party. - -“It’s been a long hunt for me, gentlemen,” said the tall man, and by his -speech Jerry felt sure he was a westerner. “But if I am on the right -trail, things will soon come out right.” - -“What do you want to find Crazy Jim for?” asked one of the short men. - -“I’m not saying anything about that just now,” was the cool response. - -“Oh, excuse me, of course not.” The short fellow looked around, but -failed to catch sight of our hero. “Jack, how about a smoke?” he said to -the other short fellow. - -“Strike a light,” was the answer. - -The words were evidently a secret signal, for hardly were they spoken -when one of the short men caught the westerner from behind and held his -arms. - -“Here, what’s the meaning of this?” cried the man, in alarm. - -“Keep still, old man, and we won’t hurt you. Raise a row and you’ll get -knocked out. Quick, Pete, with his diamond pin and that roll of bills in -his left pocket!” - -At this command the man in front rushed in and caught hold of the man’s -pin. Out it came in his hand, a beautiful affair, worth at least a -hundred dollars. - -“Stop! stop!” yelled the westerner. “Police! police!” - -“Shut up!” hissed the man who held him. “Pete, crack him over the head. -We can’t afford to take any chances here.” - -Thus ordered, the man who held the diamond pin slipped it into his -pocket. Then he raised his heavy cane and started to do as bidden when -Jerry rushed at him. - -“Stop! Don’t hit that man!” - -The rascal was surprised. - -“Who are you? Oh, it’s only a boy. Clear out of here!” - -“I won’t! You let that man alone.” - -“Don’t leave me,” pleaded the victim. “They want to rob me. He has my -diamond pin!” - -“Shut up!” howled the man in the rear. “Crack him, Pete, and crack the -boy, too.” - -Once more the heavy cane was raised. Our hero caught it in the center, -and by a dexterous twist wrenched it from the rascal’s hand. - -With a howl of baffled rage the rascal turned and caught Jerry by the -throat. - -“Give me that stick, boy, or I’ll choke the life out of you!” he hissed -into the youth’s ear. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - JERRY HEARS AN ASTONISHING STATEMENT. - - -When the footpad, for the fellow was nothing less, attacked Jerry, our -hero felt that he had a tough struggle before him. - -The rascal’s grasp on the young oarsman’s throat was light, however, and -Jerry quickly shook it off. - -In the meantime the westerner began to struggle and shout at the top of -his voice: - -“Help! Police! police!” - -In vain the fellow who held him tried to stop his cries. They grew -louder, and soon footsteps were heard approaching. - -Jerry received a savage blow on the chest and struck out in return, -hitting the footpad in the chin. Then the two clinched, and both rolled -to the pavement. - -Jerry’s assailant was a strong man and he was slowly but surely getting -the best of the youth when three men put in an appearance. They were -heavy-set individuals and were followed by a policeman. - -“What’s up here?” - -“Don’t kill that boy!” - -“He is a thief!” cried Jerry. “He has that man’s diamond pin.” - -“That’s right,” put in the westerner, who had managed to turn and catch -hold of his assailant. “This fellow is his mate. They just tackled me -when the boy came to my help.” - -“It is a falsehood,” roared the footpad who had attacked our hero. - -Saying this, he arose and tried to sneak away. But Jerry tripped him up, -sending him headlong, and before he could rise the policeman had him -handcuffed. - -While this was going on the westerner and two of the new arrivals -managed to make a prisoner of the other footpad. He used some terrible -language, but this did not avail him. - -“I know them,” said the policeman, after the capture was effected. “They -are Hungry Pete and Jack the Slick. They are wanted for a burglary at -Sheepshead Bay. How did you happen to fall in with them?” - -“I met them up at Rumford’s Hotel. They said they knew a man I was -looking for.” - -“Will you come along and make a charge against them?” - -“Certainly. He has my diamond pin.” - -The pin was brought to light and handed over to its owner, and then our -hero was asked to go along. - -Anxious to know what the westerner might want of Crazy Jim, Jerry -agreed, and a minute later found the whole crowd bound for the nearest -station-house. - -Here the westerner gave his name as Colonel Albert Dartwell. He said he -was from Denver and had come east on private business. - -“I have been sick for two months,” he said. “I am still weak. That is -the reason I did not put up a better fight when those two men tackled -me.” Jerry told his story, and the upshot of the matter was that the two -footpads were held for another hearing before the judge in the morning. - -“My boy, I owe you something for your services to me,” said the -westerner, as he and our hero came out on the street. “You did well for -a boy.” - -“I did the best I could,” replied the young oarsman. “But I want to ask -you a question. I heard you mention Crazy Jim. What do you want to see -him for?” - -A look of pain crossed Colonel Dartwell’s face at my words. - -“It’s a long story, Upton. I am from the West and came many miles to see -him. Do you know the man?” - -“I know one fellow called Crazy Jim, sir.” - -“His right name is James MacHenry.” - -“That’s the man.” - -“Ah! And where can he be found?” - -“Most likely on Blackwell’s Island.” - -“He is in prison?” - -“Yes.” - -“What for?” - -“For breaking the glass in a store window and creating a row.” - -Colonel Dartwell drew a long breath. - -“Those footpads told me he was in a hotel in the neighborhood. You are -sure you are right?” - -“Yes, sir. To be truthful, I was mixed up in the scrape that took Crazy -Jim to prison.” - -“Indeed. Would you mind telling me about it? You don’t look like a boy -that would do wrong.” - -“It wasn’t my fault. Crazy Jim had a packet belonging to me—a packet -containing some valuable documents. I called for them and found he had -given them up to an enemy of mine.” - -“And that led to the row.” - -“Not exactly. He is a bad man, and there was a little girl living with -him, and he—” - -As Jerry spoke Colonel Dartwell grasped him by the arm. - -“Stop! What did you say about a little girl?” he demanded, eagerly. - -“I said there was a little girl living with him. He used to send her out -to beg. He got it into his head that she had set me against him, and he -started to beat her. I told her to run away, and then he attacked me and -got arrested.” - -“And what became of the little girl? Tell me, quickly!” And Colonel -Dartwell’s voice was husky as he spoke. - -“I met her afterward and took her to where I was boarding, and she is -still stopping there.” - -“Describe her to me.” - -Seeing there was something behind the inquiry, Jerry gave him the best -description he could. The colonel listened with fixed attention. - -“It must be her!” he murmured. “My poor, lost Dottie.” - -“Dottie! That’s her name!” cried our hero. “And she is—” - -“She is my daughter,” was his answer. - -“Your daughter!” ejaculated Jerry, in amazement. - -“Yes, my daughter. Take me to her at once.” - -“I will, sir; but this is the strangest thing I ever heard.” - -“I have no doubt of it.” - -“Was she stolen from you?” - -“Yes. It’s a long story. I will tell it to you while we are on the way. -She is well?” - -“Yes, sir. But she has been misused, so you mustn’t expect to see her -looking real good. She is very thin.” - -“I have not seen her for four years, not since she was a mite of a -toddler.” - -The pair started for the ferry without delay, and as they proceeded, the -colonel related his story. - -He was a mine-owner and had lived in the West for fifteen years. His -wife had died when Dottie was born, and the child had been turned over -to the care of a colored nurse. - -At that time James MacHenry had been a prospector in the region and he -had opened a mine close to that located by the colonel. - -All went well until the MacHenry mine petered out, as it is called, and -then the man’s mind became deranged. He accused the colonel of having -cheated him out of a slice of the richest land and a bitter quarrel -resulted. - -Two weeks later MacHenry disappeared, and shortly after that baby Dottie -was missing. A long search was made for the child, but without avail. - -Curiously enough, the colonel did not connect the disappearance of his -child with that of Crazy Jim. He started to hunt for the little one -among the Indians and the outlaws in the mountains. - -Two years passed, and then one night a good-for-nothing miner named -Duffy was shot in a quarrel over a game of cards. On his dying bed Duffy -confessed that he had once been intimate with Crazy Jim and that the -latter had acknowledged stealing Dottie. - -A hunt was at once made for the abductor. It was said he had gone to San -Francisco, and later on he was traced to Chicago, but there the trail -was lost until long after, when a tramp turned up who spoke of having -seen Crazy Jim around New York. - -Without delay Colonel Dartwell had come East and scoured the metropolis. -While here he had fallen in with footpads who had sought to rob him. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - A JOYOUS MEETING. - - -By the time Colonel Dartwell’s story was told he and Jerry had landed in -the metropolis, and a hurried walk of a few minutes brought them to -Nellie Ardell’s apartment. Mrs. Flannigan was waiting for our hero, -having put both of the children to bed. - -“An’ did ye find Miss Ardell?” she asked, quickly. - -“No, Mrs. Flannigan. But I have found somebody else—the father of -little Dottie.” - -“Indade, now! An’ ain’t that noice,” she exclaimed, glancing at Colonel -Dartwell’s well-dressed figure. “Well, the poor dear needs somebody, not -but what she got good care here,” she added, hastily. - -Tears stood in the colonel’s eyes as he stepped up beside the bed upon -which Dottie lay. He took the white-robed figure up in his arms and -kissed her face. - -“It is she,” he said, in a choking voice. “The living picture of her -dead mother!” - -Dottie awoke with a start and was inclined to cry out. But Jerry and the -colonel quickly soothed her. - -“I am your papa, Dottie; don’t you remember papa and big Ruth that used -to be with you?” - -The little girl looked puzzled. Then she gave a cry. - -“Papa! papa! I know you! I knew you would come to me! Oh, papa, don’t go -away again! Crazy Jim said you were dead! Oh, papa!” - -And she clung to him convulsively. It was such an affecting scene Jerry -had to turn away, while Mrs. Flannigan, standing in the partly open -doorway, shed copious tears. - -An hour later the children had again retired, and the colonel and the -young oarsman sat in the little kitchen talking. - -“And you say you think Miss Ardell was abducted?” he said. - -“I felt sure of it, sir. This Alexander Slocum wants to get her out of -the way on account of some property he is holding back from her. I am -interested in the same property.” - -And Jerry told him the particulars of affairs so far as they concerned -Slocum. - -“If the land in question is near Sacramento it ought to be of great -value,” said the colonel. “Property in that section is booming.” - -“I want to find Nellie Ardell, sir. I am afraid he will do her bodily -harm. He might even kill her to get her out of the way.” - -“I will help you all I can, Upton. You have done me a great service, and -I certainly owe the young lady much for taking my child in and caring -for her.” - -Our hero and the colonel went over the matter carefully for fully an -hour and decided to start on a hunt as soon as it grew light. The -colonel offered to employ a detective and this offer Jerry readily -accepted. - -Jerry passed several hours trying to sleep, and at the first sign of -dawn was up and dressed. The colonel had rested in an arm-chair, not -caring to separate himself from his child by going to a hotel. - -Mrs. Flannigan was again called upon and readily agreed to take charge -of Tommy and Dottie once more. She took them to her own rooms and was -cautioned about letting strangers in. - -“Don’t fear, they’ll not take ’em from me,” she said, and in such a -determined way that Jerry was compelled to laugh. - -The call at a detective’s office was soon over, and it was not as -satisfactory as our hero had anticipated. - -“You mustn’t expect too much,” laughed the colonel. “In spite of the -thrilling detective stories published, detectives are only ordinary men, -and cannot do the impossible. Mr. Gray will no doubt go to work in his -own way and do the best he can.” - -Their next movement was to cross to Brooklyn. Here the pair started on -the hunt for the carriage that had carried Nellie Ardell off. - -An hour was spent in a fruitless search. They were about to give it up, -when they saw a carriage coming down to the ferry that was covered with -dust and mud. - -“That looks as if it had been out in the country a good distance,” -observed Colonel Dartwell. “I’ll stop the driver and see what he has to -say. It can do no harm.” - -Walking up in front of the team he motioned for the driver to halt. - -“Want a carriage, boss?” - -“No, I want to know where you have been?” demanded the westerner. - -At this question the driver seemed plainly disconcerted. He looked -around, and, seeing a clear space to his left, whipped up his animals -and sped off. - -“He’s our man!” cried the colonel. “Come on, he must not escape us!” - -He set off with all speed and Jerry followed. The driver drove as far as -the first corner and then had to halt because of a blockade in the -street. - -“Come down here!” commanded Colonel Dartwell. - -“I ain’t done nothin’,” growled the fellow. “You let me alone.” - -“I asked you where you had been.” - -“Up to the park.” - -“Who did you have for a fare?” - -“An old man.” - -“That’s not true—you had two men and a girl.” - -The carriage driver muttered something under his breath. - -“I—I—who said I had the men and a girl?” he asked, surlily. - -“I say so. Where did you take the young lady?” - -At first the driver beat about the bush. But the colonel threatened him -with arrest, and this brought him around. - -“Don’t arrest me, boss. I wasn’t in the game. The men hired me to take -’em out—that was all. They said the girl was light-headed and the place -was a private asylum.” - -“Probably,” rejoined Colonel Dartwell, sarcastically. “Take us to that -place without delay. But stop—drive to police headquarters first.” - -Very unwillingly the fellow complied. At the headquarters help was -procured in the shape of two ward detectives. All four of the party -entered the carriage and were driven off to effect Nellie Ardell’s -rescue. - -It was with deep interest that Jerry accompanied Colonel Dartwell and -the officers of the law in the search for the missing young lady. - -On through the crowded streets of Brooklyn drove the carriage, the -driver now apparently as willing to help the law as he had before wished -to evade it. - -The carriage was turning into one of the fine thoroughfares when Jerry -caught sight of a figure which instantly arrested his attention. The -figure was that of Mr. Wakefield Smith. - -“Stop!” cried the young oarsman to the driver of the carriage. - -“What’s up?” demanded the colonel. - -“Do you see that man over there by the paper stand?” - -“Yes.” - -“That is Wakefield Smith, the pickpocket.” - -“Indeed! He ought to be arrested.” - -“You know him to be a pickpocket?” questioned one of the detectives. - -“I do. He robbed me of over twenty dollars. I got back ten dollars. He’s -a very smooth and slick worker.” - -“I think I know that chap,” returned the detective. “Don’t he look like -Charley the Dude?” he asked of his companion. - -“By Jove! that’s our man!” ejaculated the second detective. “I would -know him anywhere by that peculiar walk. He has grown a heavy mustache -since I saw him last.” - -“Will you stop and arrest him?” asked Jerry. “He ought to be locked up.” - -“We can get the policeman on the beat to attend to him. There is an -officer on the next corner. Just call him, Harrity.” - -The carriage was brought up to the curb and our hero and the officers -alighted, the Colonel remaining behind to keep an eye on the driver. - -Mr. Wakefield Smith was strolling down the street in a lordly way when -Jerry tapped him on the shoulder. - -“So I’ve met you again,” he said. - -The pickpocket turned and his face fell. But only for a moment; then he -gazed at the youth brazenly. - -“I don’t know you, me boy,” he drawled in an assumed voice. - -“But I know you, Mr. Smith,” rejoined Jerry. “I want the balance of my -money. I got ten dollars the night you were intoxicated, but that is not -enough.” - -“Boy, you are talking riddles. I never saw you before.” - -“I can easily prove it, I fancy.” - -“It’s no use, Charley,” broke in the detective, who had followed him. -“We know you well enough.” - -“And who are you?” asked the pickpocket, much disconcerted. - -“I am a detective. You are the rogue known as Charley the Dude. You may -consider yourself under arrest.” - -“This is an outrage!” - -“Hardly.” - -By this time the second detective had arrived with a policeman. At sight -of the bluecoat the pickpocket became nervous. Turning, he suddenly -started to run. - -But the others ran for him, and soon he was handcuffed. Explanations to -the policeman followed, and the officer took him off, and Jerry and the -detectives continued on their way. - -It may be well to state here that the pickpocket, whose real name was -Charles Heulig, was later on convicted of several crimes and sent to -state prison for a term of years. Jerry never received a cent of the -balance of the money due, but other events that followed made this loss -seem a trivial one. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - ALEXANDER SLOCUM IS BROUGHT TO BOOK. - - -In half an hour after the arrest of the pickpocket the young oarsman and -his companions found themselves on the outskirts of Brooklyn and bowling -along a smooth country road which the detectives said they knew well. - -On and on they went, until Colonel Dartwell asked the driver how much -further they had to go. - -“About half a mile, sir,” was the answer. - -His words proved correct. Turning into a side road, the carriage came to -the entrance to a large grounds, surrounded by a high board fence. - -Over the gateway was the sign: - - DR. HALCONE’S PRIVATE SANITARIUM. - -“A private lunatic asylum,” murmured Colonel Dartwell. - -“Yes, sir,” said the driver. “You know I told you they said the young -lady was a bit off.” - -“What shall we do?” was the question put by the westerner to the -detectives. “Shall we go in boldly and order them to produce the girl?” - -“Will they do it?” asked Jerry. “They may be in Slocum’s pay, and hide -her away.” - -“The young man is right,” said one of the detectives. “We’ll drive on a -way and then sneak back and size the place up.” - -This was done, and five minutes later found the colonel and our hero -walking along a hedge which separated the grounds on one side from a -woods. - -“Look there!” Jerry cried suddenly, and pointed to an upper window of -the brick building beyond. - -He had seen Nellie Ardell’s face as the young lady walked about the -apartment. As the others gazed upward Alexander Slocum appeared. He held -a sheet of paper and a pen in his hands. - -“He wants her to sign something,” cried our hero in a low voice. “See! -see! he is going to force her.” - -“Leave me be, Mr. Slocum,” those below heard Nellie Ardell exclaim. “I -will not sign off my interest in that property. Leave me be! Oh, that -somebody was at hand to help me!” - -“Come on—there is no time to waste!” cried Colonel Dartwell, and pushed -through the hedge. - -Jerry followed, and both ran for a side door of the building, which -stood open. - -Here they found themselves confronted by a burly man of advanced age, -evidently the proprietor of the sanitarium. - -“Here, what do you want here?” he demanded, roughly. - -“We want that young lady upstairs!” cried Jerry. - -“You can’t have her.” - -“We’ll see about that,” put in Colonel Dartwell. “You have no authority -to detain her here.” - -“She is insane, and——” - -“Help! help!” came from upstairs, and rushing past the burly doctor, -Jerry skipped up the stairs, three steps at a time. - -The colonel came behind. The doctor was about to remonstrate when he -found himself confronted by the two detectives. - -Our hero and the colonel soon found the proper door. It was locked, but -putting his shoulder to it the young oarsman soon burst it open. - -Alexander Slocum stood at the table in the center of the room. He had -Nellie Ardell by the wrist, and was endeavoring to force her to sign the -paper before them. - -“Leave her alone, you villain!” cried Jerry, and dragged him backward. - -“Jerry Upton!” exclaimed the young woman, and her tone was full of joy. -“Oh, how thankful I am that you have come!” - -“What—what is the meaning of this?” asked Slocum, turning deadly pale. - -“It means that you have been found out, Alexander Slocum,” replied our -hero. “We have learned—” - -“Darnley the boomer!” burst out Colonel Dartwell at this point. “So this -is where you drifted to after the swindle at Silver Run.” - -“Do you know him?” queried Jerry. - -“Only too well. He was in Colorado for several years under the name of -Chester Darnley. He is a boomer and all-around swindler.” - -“It’s a—a falsehood,” burst from Alexander Slocum’s lips, but his voice -trembled as he spoke. - -“I can prove all I say,” said the colonel. “There are witnesses enough -against you at Silver Run.” - -Slocum was all but overcome. He sank in a chair, and a moment later one -of the detectives came up and slipped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists. - -The proprietor of the so-called sanitarium was also arrested, and both -prisoners were driven down to the Brooklyn police station. A hearing was -had, and the prisoners were held for trial. - -From Brooklyn the colonel, Nellie, and Jerry returned to New York. -Nellie left the party to go home, and Jerry and the colonel continued on -to Slocum’s office with an officer. - -The book-keeper, Casey, was found and arrested, and the office was -placed in care of the authorities. The next day Jerry recovered his -father’s papers and also those belonging to Nellie Ardell. - -The young oarsman lost no time in sending word home how matters had -turned, stating that the claim was probably worth a good deal of money. -He added that if his father was not well enough to come to the -metropolis, Colonel Dartwell stood ready to take entire charge of the -case and see that they got their rights. - -An answer soon came back, written by Mrs. Upton. Mr. Upton was well -enough to sit up, but that was all, and he would be glad enough to do as -his son had suggested. So the necessary papers were made out, and a suit -instituted against Alexander Slocum. - -In the meantime, Mr. Islen sold out his bindery, and by this turn of -affairs our hero found himself out of employment. But he had had enough -of the great metropolis for the present, and was glad enough to go back -to Lakeview while awaiting the time when Slocum should be brought to -trial. - -The news of what he had accomplished had leaked out, and when he arrived -he found Harry and Blumpo awaiting him at the depot. - -“You’re a clever one, Jerry!” cried Harry, shaking his hand warmly. “To -run off on the quiet and come back with a fortune for your family.” - -“We haven’t got the fortune yet,” laughed the young oarsman. “But we -hope to have it before long.” - -“I always said Jerry was de greatest boy dat eber was born,” ejaculated -Blumpo, with his face on a broad grin. - -“How is your father Blumpo?” asked Jerry, to change the subject. - -“He’s very well again.” - -“You must tell us your whole story,” went on Harry. “I am dying to hear -it.” - -“I will—but I must get home first,” answered the young oarsman. - -He was soon on his way to the farm, where his parents received him with -open arms. A splendid dinner was awaiting him—such a repast as he had -not had since leaving—but none of the food was touched until his tale -was told from end to end, with all of its details as they have been -presented to my readers. - -“You did well, son,” was Mr. Upton’s comment. “I don’t believe anybody -could have done better.” - -Mrs. Upton smiled fondly and put her arms about the boy. - -“He’s our Jerry, father,” was all she said, but the simple words meant a -good deal. - -His own story told, and the dinner finished, Jerry wanted to know the -news around Lakeview, but his parents had little to tell. - -“I have not been out since your father was taken down,” said Mrs. Upton. -“You’ll have to ask Harry Parker and your other friends.” - -“Have Si Peters and Wash Crosby been caught yet?” - -“No, and I doubt if they ever do catch them,” responded Mrs. Upton. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - HARRY TO THE RESCUE. - - -Early on the following morning Harry came over to take Jerry for a sail -on the lake in the Whistler. - -“We can sail and talk at the same time,” he explained. “I know you must -be longing for a whiff of the water.” - -“You are right there, Harry,” returned the young oarsman. “Lake Otasco -is better than the hot pavements of New York City a hundred times over.” - -The two boys soon set off. Harry had expected Blumpo to accompany them, -but that youth was out in his own boat with a party that had hired the -craft for several days. - -“Blumpo is making money,” said Harry, “and I am glad of it.” - -“So am I,” replied our hero. “He is an odd sort of chap, but his heart -is of gold.” - -The Whistler was soon on her way up the lake with old Jack Broxton at -the tiller, and as the breeze was steady the boys had little to do but -talk. Once again our hero related his story, and Harry proved a most -attentive listener. - -“That Alexander Slocum ought to go to prison for life,” he said, at the -conclusion. “The idea of daring to make out that Nellie Ardell was -insane.” - -“It was a bold scheme, Harry.” - -“It seems to me the world is full of bad people, Jerry. Look at such men -as that Slocum and his tools, and then at such boys as Si Peters and -Wash Crosby.” - -“Where do you suppose Crosby and Peters are?” - -“The authorities don’t know. But Blumpo told me a few days ago he was -almost certain he had seen them on the north shore of the lake. He said -they took to their heels in the bushes just about the time he spotted -them.” - -“They are bound to be brought to justice sooner or later.” - -“I don’t know. But I do know one thing; I would like to get back my gold -watch.” - -Thus the talk ran on, until Hermit Island was reached. Here they ran in -for a few minutes, to pass a word with Blumpo’s father, who greeted them -cordially. After this, they continued up along the south side of the -lake. - -As they skirted the beautiful shore they gradually crept up to a large -excursion boat. - -“Hullo, what’s that boat doing here?” cried Jerry. - -“It’s a Sunday school excursion from Cedar Falls,” replied his chum. - -The steamboat was not a large one and she seemed to have more than her -regular allowance of passengers aboard. Every deck was full of grown -folks and children, dressed in their best. - -A band was playing a merry air, and some of the children were singing. - -“Let’s give them a cheer,” suggested the young oarsman, as they drew -closer. - -“All right,” replied Harry, pulling out his handkerchief. “One, two, -three. Hurrah! hur—” - -Harry stopped short, as a cry of horror arose on board of the excursion -boat. - -A young girl had been standing close to the rail on a camp stool at the -bow of the boat. - -As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her balance. - -She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched headlong into the -water. - -Harry saw her go under the greenish waves. - -“She’ll be struck by the paddle wheel,” he yelled, and then, splash! he -was overboard himself. - -Bravely he struck out to save the maiden. - -The order was given to back the steamboat. - -The wheels churned up the water into a white foam, but still the -momentum carried the large craft on. In the meantime Harry came up and -struck out valiantly for the girl, who was now going down for a second -time. - -“Save her! Save her!” shrieked the mother of the girl, in an agony of -fear. - -Half a dozen life preservers were thrown overboard, but none came to -where the girl could reach them. - -The mother of the girl wanted to join her daughter in the water but -strong hands held her back. - -“The young fellow will save her, madam!” - -“He’s a true hero!” - -Life lines were thrown over, but even these did no good. - -The steamboat swung around, but the run of the water washed the girl -closer and closer to the paddle wheel. - -She now came up a second time. Should she sink again all would be over. - -Harry was swimming with all the strength and skill at his command. - -At last he was within a yard of the struggling girl. - -The maiden threw up her hands and went under. - -As quick as a flash Harry dove down. - -A second passed. Then up came the youth with the girl clinging to his -shoulder. - -But now the current was apparently too strong for both of them. - -They were hurled up against the paddle wheel of the steamboat, and then -disappeared entirely from view. - -Jack Broxton gave a groan. - -“Harry is lost!” - -Jerry shuddered. - -“It looks like it,” he replied. - -The captain of the steamboat did not dare to move his craft for fear he -would do more harm than good. - -The mother of the girl continued to struggle to free herself. - -But now a cry was heard. It came from the stern of the steamboat. - -“There they are!” - -“The girl is safe and so is that brave young man.” - -Jerry and Jack Broxton heard the cry, and immediately put about in their -yacht. - -Harry was swimming along on his side. The girl was too weak to support -herself, and he was holding her up well out of the water. - -It took the Whistler but a moment to run up alongside of the pair. Jerry -reached over and caught hold of the girl and placed her on deck. - -In the meantime Harry secured a rope thrown by Jack Broxton and pulled -himself up. - -A cheer arose from those on the excursion boat. - -“She is safe now, sure!” - -The girl was too exhausted to move, and both boys rubbed her hands and -did what they could for her. - -Jack Broxton ran up alongside of the steamboat and a little later the -girl was placed on board. - -The mother clasped her child to her breast. - -“Go ahead, Jack,” said Harry in a low voice. “I don’t want the crowd to -stare at me.” - -“But the mother wants to thank you,” began Jerry. - -But Harry would not listen. He was too modest, and made Jack Broxton -actually run away from the excursion boat. - -But five hundred people cheered Harry and waved their handkerchiefs. - -“How did you escape the steamboat?” asked Jerry, when the excitement was -over. - -“We went under part of her,” was the reply. “I swam for all I knew how, -but it was a close call.” - -After this Harry retired to the cabin and changed his clothing. He drank -several cups of hot coffee, and half an hour later declared that he felt -as well as ever. - -The remainder of the run down the lake was uneventful. They dropped -anchor near the mouth of the Poplar River and started in to fish. - -They had all the necessary tackle on board, and procured bait at a -boathouse near by. - -The yacht was anchored at a well-known spot, and then the sport began. - -“I’ve a bite!” cried Harry. - -And sure enough he had something. He began to reel in with great -rapidity. - -“First fish,” said Jerry. - -Scarcely had Harry landed his haul than click, click, click went Jerry’s -reel. The line went off like a flash. - -Jerry began to reel in. That something big was on his hook was certain. - -The fish darted in every direction and Jerry had his hands full playing -him. - -“You’ll lose him!” cried Harry, excitedly. - -“I’ll do my best with him,” responded Jerry, quietly. - -After playing the fish for nearly five minutes he reeled him in rapidly. - -“Get the landing net, Jack,” he said, and the old tar stood ready the -moment the fish came into view. - -“A bass! A three-pounder!” cried Harry. “By jinks! but that’s a haul -worth making!” - -It was indeed a beautiful catch, and Jerry was justly proud of it. - -After this nothing was caught for twenty minutes. Then Harry landed a -fine fat perch weighing a pound. Jack was not fishing, but smoked and -looked on contentedly. - -Evening found them with a fine mess of bass and perch. - -“Not a bad haul,” said Jerry, as he surveyed the lot. - -“I reckon it’s about time to be gitting back,” observed Jack Broxton. -“We want ter make Lakeview afore dark.” - -So the anchor was hoisted and away they went before a nine-knot breeze. - -The return was made along the north shore. Here there were numerous -little islands, separated from the mainland by a series of channels, -some shallow and others deep enough to admit of the passage of a -good-sized yacht. - -The Whistler was just passing one of these channels, and Jerry and Harry -were at the side, cleaning their fish, when suddenly old Jack Broxton -uttered a cry. - -“What is it, Jack?” asked the young oarsman, quickly, while Harry also -raised up. - -“There’s a boat over yonder, back of that island, and I’m certain I saw -Si Peters and Wash Crosby on board,” was the old boatman’s interesting -answer. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XL. - A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK. - - -“You are sure?” demanded Jerry and Harry, in a breath. - -“Yes. The boat had the name Redeye painted on the stern. If I remember -rightly, she belongs to a tough crowd of fishermen from Long Lake.” - -“Where is she now?” demanded Harry. - -“Back there, somewhere.” - -“We must follow that boat; eh, Jerry?” - -“I am willing,” replied the young oarsman. - -“You may have lively times with that crowd,” put in Jack Broxton with a -grave shake of his head. - -“We’ll risk it,” answered Harry. He was thinking of his missing gold -watch. - -The course of the Whistler was changed, and soon they rounded the shore -of the island Jack Broxton had pointed out. - -Sure enough, there was the Redeye, with all sails set, making up the -lake. - -Near the stern stood Si Peters, Wash Crosby and several rascally looking -men. - -“They have discovered that we are after them,” cried Jerry, a few -minutes later. “See, they are crowding on all sail!” - -The young oarsman was right. Leaving the vicinity of the islands, the -other craft stood out boldly into the lake, and cut the water like a -knife. - -“She’s a good one,” observed Jack Broxton. - -The Whistler already had all sails out; and thus the craft went on, -neither gaining nor losing for half an hour. - -Then darkness settled over the lake, and the wind fell flat. - -“We’ve lost them now,” said Harry, dismally. - -“It’s a good thing the wind has fallen,” replied Jerry. - -“How so?” - -“As soon as it is dark enough we can take the row-boat and follow in -that.” - -“That’s an idea.” - -Soon night had settled over Lake Otasco. Then our hero and Harry lost no -time in entering the tender of the Whistler. - -“Make as little noise as possible,” cautioned Jerry. - -He was in the bow peering ahead, while Harry was at the oars. - -So they went on a distance of a quarter of a mile. - -“See anything?” whispered Harry. - -“Not yet. Pull in a little closer to shore. I have an idea Peters and -Crosby may land somewhere around here.” - -“Like as not that is their game.” - -On they went, the darkness growing more intense as they proceeded. There -was no moon, and the stars shone but faintly in the blue vault overhead. - -Suddenly Jerry held up his hand as a sign to Harry to stop rowing. -Instantly his chum raised the oars. - -“What do you see?” he whispered. - -“Something ahead—I can’t make out just what yet.” - -Several minutes of breathless silence followed. Then Jerry bent back. - -“The Redeye is just ahead, but I believe Si Peters and Wash Crosby have -already left her.” - -A second later a low but clear cry rang out: “You left that bundle -behind, Crosby!” - -“Never mind, I don’t want the old suit,” was the reply, coming from some -distance in toward shore. - -“That settles it,” whispered Jerry. “Crosby and Peters are in a row-boat -pulling for shore, beyond a doubt.” - -“That’s all right,” replied Harry. “I would rather tackle them than all -those on the Redeye.” - -“So would I.” - -The row-boat was headed for the west. - -How far off the shore was they did not know. They had located the voice -of Crosby and now steered in the direction. - -Jerry at the bow continued to keep his ears on the alert. - -“A little to the right, now,” he said. “That’s it. If you don’t make too -much noise we’ll surprise them completely.” - -“I think the best thing we can do is to follow them after they land, -until they reach some place where we can have them locked up, Jerry.” - -“That is certainly a good plan. It will save us the trouble of dragging -them off to jail, if we are fortunate enough to capture them.” - -Harry’s plan was accepted, and on they went. - -“Look!” cried Jerry, presently, and pointed down the shore. - -“I don’t see anything, Jerry.” - -“Don’t you see the lights coming toward us?” - -Harry strained his eyes. - -“I see them now.” - -“It’s a steamer coming this way.” - -“My gracious, we’ll have to get out of the way or we’ll be run down!” - -“She is close in shore,” went on Jerry. “I believe she’ll pass between -the other row-boat and ours.” - -“Let us hold up a minute and see what she intends to do,” said Harry. - -He rested on his oars. Soon the craft came closer. It was the excursion -boat on her return. - -“She is not coming near us,” said Jerry. “Pull on.” - -Harry had just taken to the oars again, when a wild cry rang out. It -came from the row-boat which held Peters and Crosby. - -“Stop! Don’t run us down!” - -“The steamboat is onto them!” ejaculated Jerry. - -Scarcely had he spoken when there came another cry, followed by a crash. - -“They’ve been struck!” yelled Harry. - -“Pull ahead!” cried Jerry. “Like as not they have either been killed or -are drowning!” - -He sprang to Harry’s side, and with an oar each they sped on to the -assistance of the unfortunate ones. - -In the meanwhile the steamboat stopped. - -“What’s the trouble?” called a voice. - -No answer was vouchsafed, and a moment later the steamboat went on. - -“Like as not, Si Peters and Wash Crosby are dead,” observed Harry, as he -bent to his oar. - -“We’ll soon know the truth,” replied the young oarsman. - -Both boys pulled a swift stroke, and were soon on the spot where the -catastrophe had occurred. - -In the meanwhile the steamboat was fast disappearing in the distance. -Soon the last light faded from sight. - -In the darkness of the night Jerry and Harry could see but little. - -“There is an oar,” cried Harry, pointing it out. - -“And there is part of the row-boat’s bottom,” said Jerry. “It looks as -if the row-boat was actually ground to pieces.” - -“Then it isn’t likely that Si Peters and Wash Crosby escaped.” - -“Well, we’ll take a good look around.” - -The two continued to row about, but for a long while saw nothing but -bits of wreckage. - -Then our hero beheld a form floating just to their right. - -“Take both oars, Harry,” he said, “and be careful, for that is Wash -Crosby’s body.” - -Harry took the oars and began to row slowly. - -As he moved on, Jerry stood in the bow. - -At that instant a strange thing happened. Si Peters came up under the -boat, giving it such a shove that Jerry was hurled overboard. - -Then, with a swiftness that was really surprising, Si Peters clambered -into the row-boat. - -In his hand he held part of a broken oar. - -“Jump out after Jerry Upton!” he growled as he advanced upon Harry. - -Without replying, Harry leaped up to defend himself. As he did this he -saw that Jerry and Wash Crosby were fighting in the water. - -Neither Crosby nor Peters had been hurt by the collision, both having -left their craft before the steamboat struck it. - -Their one thought now was to get the good row-boat away from our two -heroes. - -Jerry, thinking Wash Crosby seriously hurt, was taken completely by -surprise. - -Crosby caught him by the shoulder and forced him far under the water, -and then did his best to hold him there. - -Crosby was a powerful fellow, and he well understood what defeat and -capture meant—a term in prison. - -But, as we know, Jerry’s muscles were like iron, and his first surprise -over, he went for Crosby tooth and nail. - -With a powerful twist he freed himself from the rascal’s grasp and swam -some distance away. - -Then coming up behind Crosby, the young oarsman let out with his right -fist. - -The blow took the Rockpoint bully behind the ear, and Crosby let out a -wild yell of pain, broken by a gasp for air, as he went under the bosom -of the ocean. - -As he went down, our hero gave him an extra shove and then swam with all -speed for the row-boat, which had drifted several yards away. - -He saw Harry and Si Peters standing up in the boat. Peters had just -struck at his chum, and Harry had partly dodged the vicious blow. - -But the broken oar landed on Harry’s arm, causing him to cry out from -pain. - -“Drop that, Si Peters.” - -The command, coming so unexpectedly, startled Peters. He turned, to find -Jerry at the gunwale directly behind him. - -“Oh, Jerry, help!” cried Harry. - -Si Peters gave a low yell of rage. - -Again Harry sprang away, and now armed himself with an oar. - -“You can’t frighten me, you fool!” shouted Peters. “Don’t you dare to -put your hand on the boat!” - -And as Jerry grasped the gunwale, Peters raised his heavy foot as if to -crush our hero’s fingers. - -But Jerry was too quick for him. - -He dropped off. Then whizz! something dark flew through the air. - -It was part of the broken oar, thrown by Jerry, and it took Si Peters in -the neck. - -“Whack him one, Harry, while you have the chance!” - -Harry needed no advice on the subject. He sprang in, and a second later -a resounding crack laid Si Peters flat on his back. - -“That was a good one,” cried Jerry, as he clambered over the side. “Now -bind him before he comes to.” - -“Haven’t a blessed thing,” replied Harry. - -“Here is some cord. Tie his hands together.” - -While Harry was doing this, Jerry began to look around for Wash Crosby. - -“This way! We are in trouble!” yelled Crosby. - -“Pshaw!” exclaimed Jerry. “He’ll have that yacht down on us in another -minute.” - -But for once the young oarsman was mistaken. The men on the Redeye had -no desire, after befriending Si Peters and Wash Crosby, to fall into the -hands of the law, and instead of coming up they allowed their craft to -float off in an opposite direction. - -“There is Crosby!” shouted Jerry, a moment later, as he beheld the youth -floundering around in the water. “And look, here comes the Whistler.” - -He was right. A slight breeze had sprung up and Jack Broxton had nursed -the yacht along with all of the skill at his command. - -The coming of the old sailor ended the battle, so far as the bad boys -from Rockpoint were concerned. Both Si Peters and Wash Crosby were -hauled on board, and here they were tightly bound, to prevent their -making further trouble. - -It was after midnight when Lakeview was reached and the prisoners were -handed over to the local police. Then Harry and Jerry separated, to go -home and tell of their fresh adventures. - -The following morning Si Peters and Wash Crosby were taken to Rockpoint -and an examination was held. The bad boys confessed robbing the hotel -and the larger part of the money taken was recovered, as was also -Harry’s gold watch, which Si Peters had been bold enough to wear. Some -time later the evil-doers were tried and sent to jail, and that was the -last our heroes heard of them. - - [Illustration] - - - - - CHAPTER XLI. - A LAST RACE—GOOD-BYE TO THE RIVAL OARSMEN. - - -“Hurrah, here they come!” - -“It’s going to be a dandy race, Harry.” - -“Indeed it is, Dick.” - -“There comes Hosmer!” - -“Here comes Pinkney!” - -“What’s the matter with Villelet?” - -“He’s all right!” - -The conversation took place on the bank of the Hudson River, not far -from Poughkeepsie. - -It was the day of the great intercollegiate boat races. - -The single-shell race had just been ordered. - -Among the number to compete in this race was Jerry Upton. - -Our hero was rich now—that is, his folks were, which amounted to the -same thing. - -On trial it had been proven what a villain Alexander Slocum was. All of -his masquerading in the west under the name of Darnley was exposed, as -well as his fraudulent land schemes in the east. The real-estate -manipulator was sent to prison for a term of years, and the property in -California was divided up between Jerry’s father, Nellie Ardell and -several others who held an interest in it. - -The land was found to be within the city limits of Sacramento, and the -Upton share was computed to be worth forty-five thousand dollars. - -Mr. Upton was offered forty thousand dollars for it, but by the advice -of Colonel Dartwell, who became his intimate friend, he concluded to -keep it. - -“The investment is bringing in good interest,” he said, “and as it was -Jerry who did the work in getting it, the lad shall have it just as it -stands when I and my wife die.” - -Immediately after these matters were settled up, Jerry began to study -for college, and Harry did also, and both made the entrance examination -with ease. - -Jerry was a fine scholar and he was also one of the best oarsmen in his -class. Harry likewise rowed a good deal, although not near as much as -formerly. - -It was a perfect day and the river was, filled with pleasure boats, -loaded down to the rails with sightseers. The banks of the stream were -likewise lined with the crowds which had poured in to see the various -college oarsmen compete for the supremacy in aquatic sports. - -In the crowd on shore was our old friend Blumpo Brown. Blumpo was now in -business at Lakeview, letting out pleasure boats, of which he owned -several, and he was unusually prosperous. Just at present he was wearing -the colors of Jerry’s college and “whooping her up” for our hero -whenever the chance presented itself. - -At the given signal the single shells took their places at the starting -point. - -The participants were the pick of the single-shell men, and Jerry -realized that he would have a struggle to win. - -A puff of smoke, the report of a gun, and they were off! - -“A fine start!” - -“Hosmer leads!” - -“He will lead to the finish!” - -“Pinkney is a close second!” - -“Jerry Upton is third!” - -“My! but they are cutting the water!” - -“Two to one that Hosmer wins!” - -“Three to one that the record is broken!” - -“Foah to one dat Jerry Upton wins dis race!” cried Blumpo Brown, waving -a big college flag over his head. “Dat boy don’t know what it is to -lose!” - -“Hear that chap talk!” - -“Pitch him overboard to cool him off!” - -“Dat’s all right, it’s Jerry Upton’s muscle dat’s talkin’, not me!” -growled Blumpo. - -Down the straight course came the single-shell oarsmen, each back -bending to a long and powerful stroke. - -The quarter stretch was past with Hosmer still in the lead. - -Behind him came Pinkney and Jerry, side by side. - -Then came the half stretch. The leaders still held the same positions. - -“Told you Hosmer would win!” - -“Jerry Upton is falling behind!” - -It was true. Pinkney had increased his stroke and was crawling up slowly -but surely to the leader. - -“Pull, Jerry, pull,” yelled Harry. - -“You dun got to win dat race, suah!” screamed Blumpo. - -Jerry heard them, but paid no heed. He was rowing the race of the -year—the race that would make his college chums shout with joy or look -glum for the balance of the season. - -And now the three-quarter mark was past. A quarter of a mile more and -the race would be over. - -“See! Pinkney is drawing up to Hosmer!” - -“Pinkney leads! Hosmer has dropped away behind!” - -“Pinkney first and Jerry Upton second!” - -“Villelet is crawling up!” - -“He has passed Pinkney!” - -And so the shouting went on. The end of the course was in sight. How the -oarsmen were pulling! But now look at Jerry. - -How like a flash his back bends! How powerful is that broad stroke! How -quick his recovery! - -In vain Pinkney tried to hold his lead. Jerry means to win and nothing -can hold him back. - -He fairly flies past Pinkney and comes in a winner by a length and a -half. His friends go wild. - -“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!” shouts Harry. - -And the cheers echo and re-echo along the water and back to the distant -hills. - -Blumpo dances a breakdown for joy. - -“I told you he could do it,” he cries. “Da can’t beat our Jerry nohow!” - -“That’s right, they can’t!” adds Harry. “Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!” - -Jerry leaves his shell, and is hoisted up upon the shoulders of his -friends and marched around the town. - -That night he is given a big reception by his fellow students. It is the -happiest moment of his life. - -And here we will leave him and Harry and Blumpo, and all of the rest, -shouting as do our hero’s many friends: - -“Hurrah for the Young Oarsman of Lakeview!” - - THE END - - - - - TRANSCRIBER NOTES - - -In this .txt file, all words in italics are preceded and end with a _ tag -while all words in mixed or small capital letters are displayed in all -capital letters. - -Misspelled words and printer errors have been corrected. The original -spelling has been retained, except in case of obvious inconsistencies. -Where differences occur, the majority occurence prevails, e.g. Dick -Lanning to Dick Lenning, Islin to Islen, and Rockport to Rockpoint. - -Inconsistencies in punctuation have been maintained. - -Some illustrations were moved to facilitate page layout. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview, by Ralph Bonehill - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW *** - -***** This file should be named 50201-0.txt or 50201-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/0/50201/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Cindy Beyer and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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Ralph Bonehill</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"/> - <meta name="cover" content="images/cover.jpg" /> - <meta name="DC.Title" content="The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview"/> - <meta name="DC.Creator" content="Capt. Ralph Bonehill (Edward Stratemeyer)"/> - <meta name="DC.Language" content="en"/> - <meta name="DC.Created" content="1897"/> - <meta name="DC.Subject" content="Juvenile"/> - <meta name="DC.date.issued" content="1897"/> - <meta name="Tags" content="Juvenile"/> - <meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg"/> - <meta name="generator" content="fpgen 4.42"/> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left:8%;margin-right:10%; font-size:100%; } - div.chapter {page-break-before: always; } - .title-page {page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border:1px solid silver; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration:none; } - .pageno:after { color: gray; } - .it { font-style:italic; } - .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } - p { text-indent:0; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; - text-align: justify; } - div.lgc { margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em } - div.lgc p { text-align:center; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - .literal-container { margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em } - h1 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal; line-height:150%; padding-top:2em; - font-size:1.5em; margin:2em auto 1em auto} - h2 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal; line-height:150%; padding-top:2em; - font-size:1.2em; margin:1em auto 0.5em auto} - hr.pbk { border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:100%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em } - .figcenter { text-align:center; margin:1em auto;} - p.caption { text-align:center; margin:0 auto; width:100%; } - p.line { text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - table.center { margin:0.5em auto; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - table.flushleft { margin:0.5em 0em; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - table.left { margin:0.5em 1.2em; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - .tab1c1 { } - .tab1c2 { } - .tab1c3 { } - .tdStyle0 { -padding: 1px 5px; text-align:right; vertical-align:top; -} - .tdStyle1 { -padding: 1px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top;padding-left:29px; text-indent:-24px; -} - .tdStyle2 { -padding: 1px 5px; text-align:right; vertical-align:bottom; -} - .pindent { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-indent:1.5em; } - .hang { padding-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } - #half-title { page-break-before:always; page-break-after:always; margin:0; padding-top:6em; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview, by Ralph Bonehill - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview - -Author: Ralph Bonehill - -Release Date: October 13, 2015 [EBook #50201] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Cindy Beyer and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - <p style='text-align:center'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - - - <hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='cover' id='iid-0000' style='width:350px;height:auto;'/> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-front.jpg' alt='frontispiece' id='iid-0001' style='width:350px;height:auto;'/> -<p class='caption'><span style='font-size:smaller'>THE YACHT WAS BEARING DOWN UPON THEM.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class="title-page"> -<div><h1>THE<br/> YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW.</h1></div> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.6em;'>BY</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='it'>CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.</span></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='it'>Author of</span></p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'>“<span class='it'>Rival Bicyclists</span>,” “<span class='it'>Leo, the Circus Boy</span>,” <span class='it'>Etc.</span></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/title.jpg' alt='logo' id='iid-0002' style='width:80px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>New York</span></p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>W. L. Allison Co</span>.,</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>Publishers</span>.</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='line' id="half-title" style='text-align:center;margin-top:15em;font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>Copyright</span>, 1897.</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:.5em;margin-bottom:.5em;font-size:.6em;'>BY</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>W. L. Allison Co</span>.</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:4em;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:1.3em;'>CONTENTS.</p> - -<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 4em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 17em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><span style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER.</span></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE.</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>I.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry, Harry and Blumpo</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_5'>5</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>II.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Mrs. Fleming’s Runaway Horse</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_12'>12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>III.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry’s Bravery</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_18'>18</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Saving the Sloop</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_24'>24</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>V.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Harry is Rescued</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Single Shell Race</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_37'>37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Who Won the Shell Race</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Prisoner of the Enemy</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Tar and Feathers</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>X.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>What Towser Did</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Off for Hermit Island</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_67'>67</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>An Attack in the Dark</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry’s Shot</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Hermit of the Island</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Hermit’s Secret</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>An Exciting Chase</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Harry’s New Yacht</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Robbery of the Rockpoint Hotel</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Red Valise</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Mishap to the Yacht</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Words and Blows</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Another Boat Race</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry Starts on a Journey</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXIV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Work of a Real Hero</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Fruitless Search</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_153'>153</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXVI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Alexander Slocum is Astonished</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_160'>160</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXVII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry’s Clever Escape</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXVIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Something About a Tramp</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXIX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Mr. Wakefield Smith Again</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_178'>178</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>An Unlooked for Adventure</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_182'>182</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Nellie Ardell’s Troubles</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Crazy Man’s Doings</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_193'>193</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>The Little Nobody</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_200'>200</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXIV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Alexander Slocum Shows His Hand</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_208'>208</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Strange Disappearance</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXVI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Jerry Hears an Astonishing Statement</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXVII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Joyous Meeting</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXVIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Alexander Slocum is Brought to Book</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_237'>237</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XXXIX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>Harry to the Rescue</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_244'>244</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XL.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Struggle in the Dark</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_252'>252</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XLI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>A Last Race—Good-bye to the Rival Oarsmen</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><a href='#Page_262'>262</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='5' id='Page_5'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER I.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY, HARRY, AND BLUMPO.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll race you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Done! Are you ready?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then off we go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Quicker than it can be related, four oars fell into -the water and four sturdy arms bent to the task -of sending two beautiful single-shell craft skimming -over the smooth surface of the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a spirited scene, and attracted not a -little attention, for both of the contestants were -well known.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go it, Jerry! You can beat him if you try!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t let him get ahead, Harry. Keep closer -to the shore!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How far is the race to be?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Up to the big pine tree and back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s a full mile and more. I’ll bet on Jerry -Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='6' id='Page_6'></span> -“And I’ll bet on Harry Parker. He has more -skill than Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But Jerry has the muscle.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There they go, side by side!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus the talking and shouting went on -along the lake front. Most of the boys present -were members of the Lakeview Boat Club, but -there were others of the town there, too, as enthusiastic -as the rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a clear, warm day in June. The summer -holidays at the various institutes of learning in -the vicinity had just begun, so many of the lads -had nothing to do but to enjoy themselves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There were not a few craft out besides the two -shells to which we have drawn attention. But -they drew out of the way to give the racers a free -field.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On and on went Jerry and Harry until the big -pine was reached. Then came the turn, and they -started on the home stretch side by side, neither -one foot ahead of the other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s going to be a tie race.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pull, Harry! Let yourself out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Show him what you can do, Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Encouraged by the shouts of their friends, both -boys increase their speed. But the increase on -both sides was equal, and still the boats kept -bow and bow as they neared the boathouse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s going to be a tie, sure enough.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='7' id='Page_7'></span> -“Spurt a bit, Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go it for all you’re worth, Harry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again the two contestants put forth additional -muscle, each to out-distance his opponent, and -again the two row-boats leaped forward, still side -by side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As old Jack Broxton, the keeper of the boathouse, -said afterward: “It would have taken -twelve judges, sitting twelve days, to have told -which had the advantage.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The finishing point was now less than five hundred -feet distant, and in a few seconds more the -race would be over. The crowd began to stop -shouting, almost breathless with pent-up interest. -It was surely the prettiest race that had ever been -rowed on Otasco Lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Splash!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The splash was followed by a splutter, and then -a frantic cry for help. A portion of the high float -in front of the boathouse had unexpectedly given -way, and a short, stocky, reddish-black youth -had gone floundering over board.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo Brown has gone under.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It serves him right for standing away out on -the edge of the float.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help! Help!” cried the youth in the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hold on, Harry! Jerry, don’t run into me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alarmed by the cries, the two racers turned -around, easing up on their oars as they did so. -<span class='pageno' title='8' id='Page_8'></span> -A single glance showed them that the unfortunate -one was directly in their path.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We must stop!” cried Jerry Upton to his -friend.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; call it off,” responded Harry -Parker. “It was a tie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he finished, both shells drew up, one on either -side of Blumpo Brown. Each of the rowers -offered the struggling youth a helping hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo was soon clinging to Jerry’s shell. He -was dripping from head to foot, and not being at -all a handsomely-formed or good-looking youth, -he presented a most comical appearance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s too bad I spoiled the race,” mumbled -Blumpo. “But that’s just me—always putting -my foot into it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I guess you put more than your foot into it -this time,” was Harry’s good-natured comment, -as he ran close up alongside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where shall I land you, Blumpo?” questioned -Jerry Upton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Anywhere but near the boathouse,” returned -Blumpo, with a shiver that was not brought on -entirely by his involuntary bath. “If you land -me there the fellows won’t give me a chance to get -out of sight.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll take you up the lake shore if you wish,” -said Jerry. “I intended to go up anyway in a -row-boat.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='9' id='Page_9'></span> -“All right, Jerry, do that and I’ll be much -obliged to you,” returned Blumpo Brown.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are going along, aren’t you, Harry?” continued -Jerry, turning to his late rival.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I want to stop at Mrs. Fleming’s cottage,” -replied Harry Parker.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a moment more Harry had turned his shell -over to old Jack Broxton and had leaped into a -row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ain’t you fellows going to try it over again?” -asked several on the shore, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not now,” returned Jerry. Then he went on -to Harry, in a lower tone: “I didn’t expect to -make a public exhibition of our little trial at -speed, did you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; not at all. It was a tie, and let it remain -so.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry soon left his shell; and then four oars soon -took the row-boat far away from the vicinity of -the shore; and while the three boys are on their -way up the lake, let us learn a little more concerning -them, especially as they are to form the all-important -characters of this tale of midsummer -adventures.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry Upton was the only son of a well-to-do farmer, -whose farm of one hundred acres lay just beyond -the outskirts of Lakeview, and close to the -lake shore. Jerry was a scholar at the Lakeview -Academy, and did but little on the farm, although -<span class='pageno' title='10' id='Page_10'></span> -among the pupils he was often designated as Cornfield.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry Parker was the oldest boy in the Parker -family, which numbered two boys and four girls. -Harry’s father was a shoe manufacturer, whose -large factory was situated in Lakeview, and at -which nearly a fourth of the working population -of the town found employment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It had been a singular incident which had -brought the two boys together and made them -firm friends. Both had been out skating on the -lake the winter before, when Harry had lost his -skate and gone down headlong directly in the -track of a large ice-boat, which was coming on -with the speed of a breeze that was almost a hurricane.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To the onlookers it seemed certain that Harry -must be struck and killed by the sharp prow of -the somewhat clumsy craft. But in that time of -extreme peril Jerry had whipped up like a flash on -his skates, caught Harry by the collar, and literally -flung himself and the boy, who was then almost -a stranger to him, out of harm’s way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This gallant deed of courage had been warmly -applauded by those who saw it. It also came to -Mr. Parker’s ears, and from that time on the rich -shoe manufacturer took an interest in the farmer -boy. He persuaded Mr. Upton to allow Jerry to -attend the academy, and promised that the boy -<span class='pageno' title='11' id='Page_11'></span> -should have a good position in the office of the -factory, should he wish it, when his school days -were over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry was already a pupil at the academy, and -it was here that the two boys became warm -friends. It was nothing to Harry that Jerry was -a farmer’s boy and that he was sometimes called -Cornfield. He knew and appreciated Jerry for his -true worth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now what of Blumpo Brown, you ask? -There is little to tell at this point of our story -concerning that semi-colored individual. He was -alone in the world, and had lived in Lakeview -some ten years. Previous to that time his history -was a mystery. Where he had come from no one -knew, and if the truth was to be made known, no -one but Blumpo himself cared. He was a very -peculiar youth, often given to making the most -ridiculous remarks, and many persons around -Lakeview fancied he had considerable Indian -blood in him. He lived in half a dozen places, -according to the condition of his finances, and -picked up his precarious existence by working for -anyone who would employ him. He might have -had a steady situation more than once, but it was -not in Blumpo’s composition to stick at one thing -for any great length of time. We will learn much -more concerning him as our story proceeds.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d6.jpg' alt='wreath' id='iid-0003' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='12' id='Page_12'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER II.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>MRS. FLEMING’S RUNAWAY HORSE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, now that the midsummer holidays have -really commenced, what do you intend to do with -yourself, Jerry?” asked Harry, as they took it -easy for a bit after leaving the vicinity of the -town.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I expect I’ll have to help on the farm—at least, -I think I ought to help,” was the reply. “You -know this is the busy season.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry’s face fell a little at this reply. Evidently -something was on his mind, and this answer did -not harmonize with it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll tell you what I would like mighty well,” -put in Blumpo. “I would like to leave town and -take to the woods.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Blumpo, you must have been reading my -thoughts!” cried Harry. “I was thinking exactly -the same thing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take to the woods?” repeated Jerry. “What -do you mean? Clear out from home entirely?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, no,” laughed Harry. “I mean to go off -for awhile—say, two or three weeks or a month. -Sail up the lake and camp out, you know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='13' id='Page_13'></span> -“Oh!” Jerry’s face took on a pleased look. “I -would like that myself, especially if we could go -fishing and swimming whenever we wanted to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve had it in my mind for several days,” Harry -continued, slowly. “I was going to speak of -it yesterday, but I didn’t get the chance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You mean you want me to go with you?” asked -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. Don’t you think your folks would let -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They might. Who else would go along, do -you think?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I haven’t thought of anyone else. We might -ask—” and Harry hesitated in thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter with asking me?” put in -Blumpo, with a serenity that took away the lack -of politeness in his remark. “I’m just as tired of -Lakeview as anybody.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry burst out laughing. The idea of asking -Blumpo had never once entered his mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It ain’t nothing to laugh at,” went on Blumpo, -half angrily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Excuse me, Blumpo,” said Harry, stopping -short. “I—that is—I wasn’t thinking of you -when I made the remark.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not rich, nor eddicated, as you call it, and -all that, but I can hunt and fish, and so on, as -good as the next feller, can’t I?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You certainly can,” put in Jerry, who had for -<span class='pageno' title='14' id='Page_14'></span> -a long time had a strange liking for the homeless -youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I am as willing as the next one to do my -full share of camp work—washing dishes and the -like,” went on Blumpo. “You ain’t cut out for -that,” he added, turning to the son of the rich -shoe manufacturer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe not, but I reckon I can do my full share -of work,” laughed Harry. “I was not brought up -with kid gloves on, you know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“One thing is certain,” mused Jerry. “I -wouldn’t want to leave until I had rowed that -race with Si Peters from Rockpoint.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race to which Jerry referred was one to take -place on the following Saturday. Silas Peters was -considered the best single-shell oarsman on the -lower side of the lake, and he had challenged Jerry -as a representative from the Lakeview Academy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll win that race, suah,” put in Blumpo. -“I’ll bet my hat on it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Blumpo’s hat was of straw and full of holes, -this made both Jerry and his friend burst into a -fit of laughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t mean this hat. I mean my Sunday-go-to-meetin’ -one,” said the homeless youth, hastily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo, on your honor, did you ever own two -hats at once?” asked Harry gravely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, since you buckle me down, no,” was the -low reply. “What’s the use? Can’t wear but one -at a time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='15' id='Page_15'></span> -“That’s as true as you live,” returned Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The three boys talked over the subject of an -outing for some time. All thought it a glorious -idea, and Jerry said he would go if he possibly -could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All this time Jerry and Harry were rowing up -the lake at a moderate rate of speed. Jerry loved -the water, and spent nearly all of his spare time -in the vicinity of the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently Harry grew tired and Blumpo took -his place at the oars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here comes the Cutwater!” cried Harry, a few -minutes later.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Cutwater was a large sloop owned by one of -the gentlemen living in Lakeview. As she came -past, those in the row-boat noticed several young -ladies on board, who were sailing the boat under -directions of a young man named Clarence Conant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Clarence had but little idea how a boat should -be managed, and as the sloop went by Harry’s -face grew troubled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry, what do you think of that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry stopped rowing for a moment to look at -the sloop.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A good lot of sail up, especially if it should -blow up stronger,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just what I think.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That Clarence Conant don’t know nuffin’ -about sailing,” snorted Blumpo Brown. “The -<span class='pageno' title='16' id='Page_16'></span> -ladies better beware how they go out with -him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I agree with you, Blumpo,” said Jerry, gravely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sloop now disappeared from sight around a -turn in the lake at which several islands were -situated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A few minutes later the row-boat drew up to a -small dock at the end of a well-kept garden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was Mrs. Fleming’s place, where Harry -intended to stop on an errand for his mother and -father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sprang on the dock and hurried toward the -house, saying he would not be gone more than -five minutes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two boys waited for him to return, and -during the interval Jerry caught sight of the Cutwater -up the lake and watched her progress with -interest. The wind was getting stronger and the -sloop carried more sail than was good for her. -Soon she again disappeared, and Jerry turned toward -the house, wondering what kept Harry so -long.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Must have been invited to lunch,” was Blumpo’s -comment. “Pity he didn’t ask us in, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, he wouldn’t stay and leave us here,” replied -Jerry, “Most likely—hullo!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry sprang up in the row-boat in amazement. -Down the garden path leading from the front of -<span class='pageno' title='17' id='Page_17'></span> -the house to the dock came a beautiful black -horse on a gallop. On the animal’s back sat a -little girl not more than eight years of age. The -horse was running away with her, and she was -clinging tightly to his mane.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, John, stop him!” she screamed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whoa, Banker, whoa!” shouted a man who -came running after the animal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the horse, a nervous creature, was frightened -over something and would not stop.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He clattered on the dock, and the next instant -went over into the lake with a loud splash, carrying -the little girl with him.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0004' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='18' id='Page_18'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER III.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY’S BRAVERY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo was so scared by the accident that he -uttered a short yell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fo’ the lan’ sake,” he moaned, in a shaking -voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The horse disappeared from sight for a brief -space of time and then came up and began to -churn the water madly in an endeavor to save -himself from drowning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little girl was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’ll be drowned,” thought Jerry, with rising -horror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At that moment a lady rushed from the house, -followed by Harry. It was Mrs. Fleming.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My child! my child!” she shrieked. “Save my -Cora!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry waited to hear no more. At that moment -the head of the little girl appeared directly by the -horse’s side, and he made a clever dive from the -row-boat and came up close to the child.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl was so bewildered that she simply beat -the water in a helpless fashion, and this frightened -the horse still more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='19' id='Page_19'></span> -Swimming up behind the little one, Jerry caught -her under the arms. It was a perilous thing to do, -for Jerry was in great danger of having his brains -dashed out by one of the horse’s hoofs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Jerry!” shouted Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look out for the hoss!” shouted the man. -“He’ll kick you if he can!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As rapidly as he could, Jerry swam out of the -mad animal’s reach. It was difficult with the -struggling girl in his arms, but at last he accomplished -it, and willing hands helped him to the -dock.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My Cora! my Cora! is she dead?” cried Mrs. -Fleming.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, she is more frightened than hurt,” returned -Jerry. “Let us take her to the house.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But before he could go a step, Mrs. Fleming -clasped her girl in her arms and led the way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Anxious to be of assistance, Jerry followed the -lady, while Harry, Blumpo, and the hired man -tried to rescue the horse, who was very valuable -despite his nervousness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A noose was made at the end of a rope, and -this was thrown over the animal’s neck. Then -the horse got one foot through the noose, and in -this fashion they towed him to a spot where it -was easy for him to wade out without assistance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hired man was very much put out, for it -was his fault that the horse had run away. He -<span class='pageno' title='20' id='Page_20'></span> -led the animal around to the barn and gave him -a good rubbing down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry started for the house and met Jerry coming -out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How is Cora?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s all right. Come on,” and Jerry brushed -on toward the row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, what’s your hurry, Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman blushed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I hate to stand around and receive -thanks,” he said. “Mrs. Fleming wants to make -a first-class hero of me and I——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And that’s just what you are,” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed he is,” added Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense!” Jerry brushed them to one side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on!” and he made a run for the row-boat, -and the others were compelled to follow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But your clothing is all wet,” insisted Harry, -when they were seated in the craft.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So is Blumpo’s,” returned Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’se most dry, the sun is that warm,” remarked -the homeless youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t mind the wetting a bit,” said Jerry. -“Rowing will keep me warm and the sun will dry -me off quick enough.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a regular water dog, anyway,” laughed -Harry. He could not help but admire Jerry’s -modesty in running away from Mrs. Fleming as -soon as it was ascertained that little Cora was all -right.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='21' id='Page_21'></span> -On and on up the lake the boys went. Inside of -half an hour they came to a sheltered nook on one -of the numerous islands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I move we take a swim,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Second de emotion,” said Blumpo, and before -Jerry could say a word the homeless youth was -running about as if in the savage wilds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It did not take Jerry and Harry long to disrobe. -The plunge into the water was very pleasant, and -they remained in bathing until Jerry’s clothing, -spread out on the top of a number of bushes, was -thoroughly dry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile Jerry and Harry raced to -another island and back. Jerry came out first, -with Harry four yards behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The swim over, they dressed, and, after picking -several handfuls of berries, which grew on the -island in profusion, they once more embarked in -the row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Time to get back, boys,” said Jerry. “I -promised to be home before dark.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So did I,” said Harry, “and we have several -miles to go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It don’t make no difference to me when I git -back,” remarked Blumpo, dolefully.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t worry, Blumpo. Think of the good time -we are going to have when we go camping,” said -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I must ask father for a regular situation -<span class='pageno' title='22' id='Page_22'></span> -for you when we come back from our outing,” -added Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will you?” and the homeless boy’s face -brightened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The wind had been increasing steadily, and now -it blew so strongly that the whitecaps were to be -seen in every direction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re going to have no easy time getting -back,” said Jerry, with an anxious look on his -manly face. “Maybe we may be caught in a hurricane.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s hot enough,” returned Harry. “Such oppressive -heat generally means something.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A mile was covered, and then the wind began to -send the flying spray in every direction and filled -the row-boat’s bottom with water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wet again!” laughed Jerry, grimly. “Never -mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo, you had better bail out the boat,” -said Harry. He was as wet as the rest, but did -not grumble.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While the homeless youth bailed out the water -with a dipper they had brought along, Jerry and -Harry pulled at the oars with all their remaining -strength. Another mile was passed. But now it -was blowing a regular hurricane and no mistake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll go to the bottom, suah!” groaned -Blumpo dismally.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not much!” shouted Jerry. “Keep on bailing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='23' id='Page_23'></span> -“Look! look!” yelled Harry at that moment, -and pointed over to the centre of the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There, beating up in the teeth of the wind in the -most hap-hazard manner, was the Cutwater. Evidently -Clarence Conant was nearly paralyzed with -fear, for he had almost lost control of the craft.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Those ladies on board are worse off than we,” -went on Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s so,” replied Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the words were hardly out of his mouth -when there came an extra puff of wind. It sent -the Cutwater almost over on her side, and threw a -monstrous wave into the row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The smaller craft could not stand the wind and -waves, and with a lurch, she sank down and went -over, dumping all three of the youths into the -angry lake.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0005' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='24' id='Page_24'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>SAVING THE SLOOP.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>It was no pleasant position to be in. The three -lads had been cast so suddenly into the angry -waters that for the moment they could not comprehend -the situation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Blumpo let out a yell of terror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Save me! De boat has gone down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was wrong, however, for a second later the -row-boat bobbed up, less than four yards off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This way!” shouted Harry to his companions, -but the wind fairly drowned his voice. He swam -toward the upturned craft, and Blumpo and Jerry -were not slow in following it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hardly had they reached it when a new peril confronted -them. The Cutwater was bearing directly -down upon them. With every sail set, she was in -the very act of cutting them to pieces!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look! look!” yelled Harry. “We are -doomed!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My gracious!” moaned Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On and on came the sloop, with gigantic bounds -over the whitecaps. Clarence Conant seemed utterly -<span class='pageno' title='25' id='Page_25'></span> -powerless to stay her course, or steer her to -the right or left.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young ladies on board with him huddled in -a heap near the tiny cabin, their faces white with -terror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was truly a thrilling moment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of the entire crowd Jerry was the only one to -keep perfectly cool.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was astride the row-boat, directly in the -centre of the bottom, and it seemed as if the prow -of the Cutwater must strike him in a second more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Every one dive under!” he called out, and went -overboard like a flash.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a wonder Harry and Blumpo promptly followed -suit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crash!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The row-boat was struck and stove in completely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Cutwater was quite a good-sized craft, and -though the force of the collision did not damage -her to any extent, it checked her progress considerably.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry went down and down. He made a long -dive, and when he came up it was within a yard -of the sloop’s rudder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before another boy would have had time to -think, the boy who so loved the water made up -his mind what to do. He made a mighty leap -and caught hold of the rudder end ere the Cutwater -could get beyond his reach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='26' id='Page_26'></span> -It was hard work to hang on, as the sloop bobbed -up and down with every wave, and the rudder, -being beyond control, swayed from side to side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Jerry was both plucky and full of grit. He -clung fast, and, watching his chance, climbed up -to the stern and leaped on the deck.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A brief glance showed him the cause of the -present trouble. Clarence Conant was actually -too much frightened to lower the sails. He had -started to act and got a rope twisted, and then, -overcome with fear, had allowed the matter to go -while he clung to the bow in despair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You confounded coward!” cried the young -oarsman. “You ought to have known better -than to go out on anything bigger than a duck -pond.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sprang to the halyards, and soon the main-sail -came down with a bang. The jib followed. -There was no time to attend to the sails more -than this.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry looked around anxiously for Harry and -Blumpo, but for a long while could see nothing of -them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look here,” demanded Clarence Conant, recovering -his composure, now the greatest of the -danger was over. “What—ah—do you mean by -talking to me in this fashion?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I mean just what I say,” retorted Jerry. -“You had no right to take these young ladies out -and expose them to such peril.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='27' id='Page_27'></span> -“The—ah—hurricane took me by surprise,” was -the dude’s lame excuse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am very thankful to you, Jerry Upton,” -cried Dora Vincent, the oldest and prettiest of the -girls on board.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And so am I.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank you,” replied the boy, blushing. “But -now is no time to talk. Which of you will take -the tiller, if I tell you exactly what to do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can—ah—take the tiller,” interposed Conant, -haughtily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won’t touch it!” cried the young oarsman, -sternly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, boy, what do you mean? Do you—ah—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sit down! If you dare to stir I’ll pitch you -overboard!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Overcome with a new terror, the dude collapsed. -He was hatless, the curl was out of his mustache -and hair, and altogether he looked very much -“washed out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sank down near the bow, and it was well -that he did so, for just then came an extra heavy -blast of the gale.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hold hard, every one!” yelled Jerry. “Perhaps -you ladies had better go into the cabin,” he -added.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am to take the tiller, you know,” said Dora -Vincent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='28' id='Page_28'></span> -“Well, then, let the others go. We can work -along better with a clear deck.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So while Dora went aft, the others crawled into -the cabin, or cuddy. Under pretense of seeing -after their comfort, Conant crawled after them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now I will tell you just how to move the tiller,” -said Jerry to Dora Vincent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I am ready,” responded the brave -girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now that she had Jerry with her, and knowing -he was well acquainted with boats, she felt that -she was safe, no matter how bad the storm might -prove itself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After giving the girl some instructions Jerry -hoisted the main-sail a few feet only. The sloop -then swung around and moved in a beating way -against the storm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry wished to learn what had become of his -companions. He was fearful that they had been -drowned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It took quite some time to reach the vicinity -where the accident had occurred, and even then -but little was to be seen through the driving rain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hullo, Harry! Blumpo!” he called out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>No answer came back and he repeated the cry a -dozen times. Then he fancied he heard a response -directly ahead. The sloop was moved cautiously -in the direction, and presently they saw Blumpo -clinging to part of the shattered row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='29' id='Page_29'></span> -“Sabe me! sabe me!” yelled the youth. “Don’t -let me drown, Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Catch the rope, Blumpo!” cried Jerry in return, -and threw forward the end of a coil.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo clutched the rope eagerly, and then it -was comparatively easy to haul him on board.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Praise de Lawd!” he muttered fervently as he -came on deck. “I t’ought I was a goner, suah!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is Harry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t tell you, Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You haven’t seen him since we jumped from -the row-boat?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman’s face grew sober. What -if their chum had really gone to the bottom of -Lake Otasco? It would be awful to tell Harry’s -parents that their son was no more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We must find him, dead or alive, Blumpo. -Take the tiller from Miss Vincent, and we’ll cruise -around, with our eyes and ears wide open,” said -Jerry, with determination.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0006' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='30' id='Page_30'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER V.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>HARRY IS RESCUED.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can stay on deck, can’t I?” asked Dora, as -she turned the tiller over to the homeless youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you wish. But be very careful when the -sloop swings around,” replied Jerry. “You did -very well,” he added.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dora smiled at this. Then she went forward -and settled down, in spite of the rain, to help look -for Harry Parker, whose folks she knew fairly -well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Cutwater was put on a different track, and -they began to move across the lake, it being -Jerry’s idea to cross and recross at a distance of -every six or seven hundred feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Twice did they come close to each shore without -seeing anything of Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gone down, suah’s you’re born!” said Blumpo, -and the tears started out of his big, honest eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am afraid so,” returned Jerry, “and yet—hark!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He put up his hand and all were instantly on -the alert. The wind had gone down somewhat, -and from a distance came a low cry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='31' id='Page_31'></span> -“It’s Harry’s!” said Jerry. “Hullo, Harry!” -he yelled, with all the power of his lungs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He waited, and an answering cry came back -from toward the center of the lake. It was very -weak, showing that Harry was almost exhausted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The course of the sloop was instantly changed, -and they strove to reach the spot before the boy -should go down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was the first to see the form floating -about amid the whitecaps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep up, Harry!” he called encouragingly. -“We will soon have you on board.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t keep up any longer,” gasped his chum. -“I am played out.” And throwing up his arms, -Harry disappeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Tying the end of a long rope about his waist, -Jerry leaped overboard. He struck the spot where -Harry had gone down and felt in every direction -for his chum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His hand touched an arm, and then he held -Harry fast and brought him to the surface. The -poor boy was too weak to make the first movement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Haul in on the rope, Blumpo!” called Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Turning the tiller over to Dora Vincent, the -homeless youth did as directed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry, with his burden, was soon brought alongside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was no easy matter to hoist Harry on deck in -<span class='pageno' title='32' id='Page_32'></span> -the storm, but at last it was accomplished, and -Jerry followed his charge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry was unconscious, and he was taken to the -cabin, where Dora and the other girls did all in -their power for him; and then the Cutwater was -headed for Lakeview, two miles distant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hurricane, or whatever it might be called, -had by this time spent itself. The rain ceased and -before the lake town came into view the sun shone -once more as brightly as ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Clarence Conant came on deck looking very much -annoyed. He felt that he had played the part of a -coward, and knew he would have no easy time of -it to right himself in the eyes of the young ladies.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The—ah—truth is, I was very sick,” he explained -to Jerry. “I got a—ah—spasm of the—ah—heart.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sure it wasn’t a spasm in your great toe?” -said Jerry, with a grin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Clarence never smiled. It would not have -been good form, you know.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As soon as the dock was reached, Jerry left -Blumpo to tie up and went to Harry. He found -his chum able to sit up. He was very weak, but -that was all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was a close call for me, Jerry,” said Harry, -with a shudder. “I owe you my life.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was a close call all around,” replied our -hero. “We can be thankful that we are here safe -and sound.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='33' id='Page_33'></span> -Harry felt too weak to walk, so a carriage was -called to take him home. Jerry went with him, -while Blumpo went over to the grocery store to -tell of all that had happened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Clarence Conant was utterly left. He tried to -excuse himself to Dora Vincent and the other -young ladies, but they would have nothing to do -with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The next time I go out it will be with somebody -who can manage a boat, and who is brave -enough to do it, even in a storm,” said Dora, and -walked away with her lady friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beastly bad job, beastly!” muttered Clarence -to himself. “And my best sailor suit utterly -ruined, too! Oh, why did that storm have to -come up on us?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But this was not the end of the matter for the -dude.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The row-boat that had been smashed was a -valuable one belonging to the Lakeview Boat -Club. They did not care to lose the cost of it, -and so called on Conant to pay for the same.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first he refused, but when they threatened -arrest he weakened. It took nearly three weeks of -his salary to square accounts, and then the young -man was utterly crushed. He never went sailing -again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It did not take Harry long to recover from the -effects of his outing on the lake. Inside of a week -he was as well as ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='34' id='Page_34'></span> -Blumpo took good care to tell every one of all -that had happened, and on every side Jerry was -praised for his daring work in saving the Cutwater -and his chum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>We have spoken of the match to take place between -Jerry and Si Peters of Rockpoint. This was -postponed for two weeks on Si’s account.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters was a tall overgrown youth of eighteen, -and was generally considered to be the best -oarsman on the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Consequently, when a match was arranged by -the clubs to which they belonged between the pair -it was thought, even by many Lakeview people, -that Si Peters would win.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si had one great advantage over Jerry. -His father was rich, while Jerry’s father was -poor. Consequently, while Jerry had to help on -the farm during idle hours Si Peters could go out -and practice, and thus get himself in perfect condition.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was this fact that made Si think he was going -to have an easy time defeating Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, unknown to him, Jerry got more time than -he thought. Harry was anxious to have his chum -win, and spoke to his father about it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now, Mr. Parker and Si Peters’ father were not -on good terms, and the former readily agreed to a -plan Harry proposed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Upton,” he said one evening, when he met -<span class='pageno' title='35' id='Page_35'></span> -Jerry’s father down in the town, “I would like to -hire Jerry to work for me every afternoon for a -couple of weeks.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Mr. Parker,” said Jerry’s father, -promptly. “When do you want him to come?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To-morrow, if he can. I’ll pay you five dollars -a week.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very well. You can pay Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So it was settled, and every afternoon the young -oarsman went over to the Parker place, which -bordered on the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here Jerry would practice in secret in a little -cove seldom visited by any boats.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the time grew close for the race between -Jerry and Si Peters the boat clubs began to bet on -their favorites.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So sure were the Rockpointers that they would -win, that they gave the Lakeview people heavy -odds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Together the two clubs put up as a trophy a -silver cup, which later on would be engraved with -the name of the winner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course, Jerry’s father soon found out what -his son was doing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he would not break his bargain with Mr. -Parker, and so let Jerry practice every afternoon, -feeling sure that Jerry would not take the money -the rich manufacturer had offered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You will win,” said Harry, confidently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='36' id='Page_36'></span> -“I shall try my best,” returned Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters and his friends smiled broadly whenever -they came over to Lakeview.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton won’t be in it after the first quarter,” -said they.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race was to be a mile, half a mile each way, -the turning point being a well-known rocky island -scarcely fifty feet in diameter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry kept at his practice steadily until the -great day for the race arrived.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0007' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='37' id='Page_37'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE SINGLE SHELL RACE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>The race had been spoken of so much that Lakeview -presented a holiday appearance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All those who could, crossed over from Rockpoint, -and many came from other places.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The lake was crowded with craft of all sorts, and -even standing room along the shore was at a -premium.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Even Farmer Upton grew interested.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must win that race, son,” he said. “Not -only for your own sake, but for the sake of the -whole Lakeview district.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this made Jerry more determined to win -than ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race was not to come off until three o’clock -in the afternoon. In the meanwhile there were -half a dozen other contests, in which, however, the -masses took but small interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While one of these contests was going on, and -Jerry was in the dressing room of the boathouse -putting on his rowing rig, Harry came in excitedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='38' id='Page_38'></span> -“Jerry, you want to be on your guard,” he said -in a low tone, so that those standing about might -not hear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On guard? How?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Against Si Peters.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t understand.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From what I have overheard, I imagine there -is a plot on foot to make you lose the race.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What sort of a plot?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t say.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman gazed at his chum in perplexity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What have you heard? I don’t know what to -make of this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You know Wash Crosby?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. He is Si Peters’ toady.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I heard him tell Browling that it was a -dead sure thing Si would win.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That might have been mere blowing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. Browling thought so, too, but then -Crosby whispered in his ear. At once Browling’s -face took on a look of cunning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Can you do it?’ he asked, and Crosby said he -could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then Browling said he would put out his -money on Si, if he could find anyone to bet. You -know the whole crowd is rich.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and I know another thing!” exclaimed -Jerry suddenly. “I fancy I can see through their -plan.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='39' id='Page_39'></span> -“What?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Crosby owns a steam launch, you know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is to prevent him from running the -launch so that I shall get all the swash? It would -make me lose a quarter minute or more, and perhaps -upset me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jiminey crickets! I believe you are right!” -whispered Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did they mention the steam launch?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They did. Browling said he would go and -take a look at her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then that is what the plot is, you may be sure -of it. You ought to be able to stop them, Harry. -You are going to be on your uncle’s naptha -launch.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will! If they get too close to you I’ll boathook -them and pull them off!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But beware, Jerry, the plot may not be that -after all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll keep my eyes open,” replied the young -oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A minute after this Harry went off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Jerry, having donned his rowing outfit, -was surrounded by the other members of the club. -His shell was inspected and found in perfect condition. -It had been guarded carefully, and now -the club members did not dare to let their eyes off -of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='40' id='Page_40'></span> -“Bring me my blades, please,” said Jerry, and -they were at once brought from the locker.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He began to examine them from end to end. -Suddenly he uttered a cry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Boys, look here!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s up, Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This one has been strained and cracked. An -extra hard pull on it, and it would give out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A murmur arose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who did this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Some enemy wants Jerry to lose, sure!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How the blade had got into that condition was -a mystery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now was no time to speculate on the affair. -A new set of blades must be procured at once.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Luckily there was a pair belonging to a private -party to be had. They were just the same size -and weight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would rather have my own, but I’ll make -these do, and beat them in spite of all,” said -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At a given signal six of the boat club boys -marched down the float carrying Jerry’s shell, -which had been polished and oiled until it shone -like a mirror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a faint splash the shell dropped into the -water. Then Jerry ran down and stepped in. -His feet were “locked,” and the oars were handed -over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='41' id='Page_41'></span> -“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s the boy to win!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah for Si Peters!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry won’t be in it with Si!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He will!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so the talking and the shouting ran on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Si Peters had emerged from the -landing at a private boathouse some distance up -the lake shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He received a hearty shout as he moved slowly -over to the starting point.</p> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0008' style='width:600px;height:auto;'/> -<p class='caption'><span style='font-size:smaller'>THE SINGLE SHELL RACE.</span></p> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters won the choice of positions, and, of -course, took the inside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race should have been a mile straightway, -but the original challenge which led to the race -had been for a half mile going and the same -coming.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon the two boys were in position.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ready?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a dead silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were off! Both boys caught the water at -the same instant. Each pulled a long but quick -stroke. Ten yards were covered, and they remained -side by side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pull, Si!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go it, Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like two clocks, so far as regularity went, the -<span class='pageno' title='42' id='Page_42'></span> -two contestants bent their backs and pulled with -might and main.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One thing was certain, unless something happened, -it would be a close race.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now the Lakeview boys were getting wild.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See Jerry! He is gaining.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry is five feet and more in the lead!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was true. Slowly but surely our hero was -forging ahead. Should he be able to keep this up -he would cross Si Peters’ course at the turning -point.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now Wash Crosby showed his hand. Without -so much as a toot of the whistle, his steam -launch kept drawing closer and closer to Jerry’s -side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then it gradually went ahead, until Jerry was -caught in the swash of the tiny waves it produced.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Under ordinary circumstances these waves -would not have been noticed, but in a shell, and -especially during a race, even such apparent trifles -count heavily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep off!” shouted the young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mind your business!” shouted Wash Crosby -in return, but so lowly that no one but Jerry -could hear him. “This is Si Peters’ race!”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0009' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='43' id='Page_43'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>WHO WON THE SHELL RACE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry saw at once that he had been right in -imagining that this was the plot against him. -Wash Crosby intended to keep just close enough -to cause him trouble without actually fouling him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Already the swash from the steam launch was -telling on Jerry’s lead. Si Peters kept up at his -best and soon was once more abreast of our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah!” came from the shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Si Peters leads!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I said he would win!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That steam launch is too close to Jerry -Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! Don’t croak because you are going -to lose the race,” shouted Browling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Lakeview boys began to look glum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now something happened that Wash Crosby -had not calculated upon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Straight from across the lake came the naptha -launch belonging to Harry Parker’s uncle. In the -bow stood Harry, boathook in hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the launch was within three yards of the -<span class='pageno' title='44' id='Page_44'></span> -Crosby craft she came to a halt. Wash Crosby -was so interested in watching the race that he did -not notice what was going on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry threw the boathook and it caught fast in -the steam launch’s stern. Then the naptha -launch was moved back, and away she went, carrying -the steam launch with her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She could do this because Crosby did not have -on a full head of steam.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Astonished at the turn of affairs, Wash Crosby -looked around to see what was the matter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hi! what are you doing?” he bellowed to -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hauling you off,” returned Jerry’s chum. “I -know your plot, Wash Crosby; but it is not going -to work.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let go there!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not much! You’ll keep your distance from -Jerry Upton’s shell.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to know who made you my master!” -stormed Crosby, in a perfect rage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you don’t come away I’ll report you and get -the town to lynch you,” retorted Harry, valiantly. -“Don’t you dare to touch that boathook.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>However, Wash Crosby did dare. But as long -as the line attached was taut he could not loosen -it. Then he tried new tactics. He put on a full -head of steam.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a tug of war between the steam and -<span class='pageno' title='45' id='Page_45'></span> -the naptha launches, and for the moment it was -hard to tell which would come off victorious.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Harry’s craft was more powerful than -Crosby’s, and soon the steam launch was carried -far away from the racing shells.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Wash Crosby was furious and would have eaten -Harry up could he have gotten at the lad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll fix you for this!” he cried and threw a -heavy chunk of coal at Harry’s head, which the -boy dodged.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t try that again, Wash Crosby, or I’ll -retaliate in a way you least expect.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You had no right to haul me off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You had no right to interfere with Jerry -Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Wash Crosby grumbled but could do nothing. -Harry calmly proceeded to hold him back until -the race was almost over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile, how was Jerry faring?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With long, quick strokes, he swept on, side by -side with Si Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was going to be a close contest, and the spectators -along the lake front went wild with enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t let up, Si!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Show the Rockpointers what you can do, -Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A dollar that Si wins by a length!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A dollar that Jerry wins by two lengths!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='46' id='Page_46'></span> -At last the two reached Rocky Island, which -formed the turning point.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were still side by side, but Si had the -inner turn all to himself, while Jerry had to move -about in a much larger area.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This brought Jerry a good length behind Si -Peters when the return was begun.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters saw this and grinned to himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You ain’t in it a little bit, Jerry Upton!” he -called out, but Jerry did not reply. He was not -foolish enough to waste breath just then in talking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Over the smooth water swept the two long -shells, each boy working with quick and long -strokes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now the finishing stake was in view. Si Peters -still kept his lead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s Si’s race, no doubt of it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Didn’t I say Jerry Upton wouldn’t be in it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What does Cornfield know about rowing, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But scarcely had the last remark been made -when Jerry began to increase his stroke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slowly but surely his shell began to overlap that -of Si Peters. Now he was half-way up, now three-quarters, -now they were even!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See him gaining!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look! look! Jerry is ahead!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He can’t keep that stroke! It’s enough to kill -him!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='47' id='Page_47'></span> -“Can’t he? Look, he is actually walking away -from Si.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was now “letting himself out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like a flash he swept past Si Peters and reached -the finish two and a half lengths ahead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A rousing cheer from the Lakeview boys greeted -him, while the Rockpointers were as mum as -oysters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters looked decidedly crestfallen. For several -minutes he had nothing to say. Then some -of his friends whispered into his ear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must do it, Si,” said one of the number.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I will,” replied Peters doggedly, and -hurried to the judges’ boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I claim a foul!” he cried out loudly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Every one was astonished, and none more so -than Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where were you fouled?” asked one of the -judges.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Up at the turning point.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is a falsehood!” cried Jerry indignantly. -“I never came anywhere near you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m telling the truth,” said Si Peters. “If he -hadn’t fouled me I would have beaten with ease.”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0010' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='48' id='Page_48'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A PRISONER OF THE ENEMY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>At once a loud murmur arose. Some sided with -Jerry, while others took Si Peters’ part.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From hot words the boys of the rival towns -almost came to blows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the midst of the quarrel a row-boat came -down the lake carrying two elderly and well-known -gentlemen, both residents of Rockpoint. Curious -to know the cause of the trouble, the gentlemen -came up to the judges’ craft, now moored along -shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Peters claims a foul up at the turning point,” -said some one of the gentlemen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You mean up at the island?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There was no foul there. Was there, -Greenley?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“None at all,” replied the second gentleman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>These assertions attracted attention. On inquiry -it was learned that the two gentlemen had -been up at the island fishing. They had watched -the race in the meanwhile, and they were willing -<span class='pageno' title='49' id='Page_49'></span> -to make affidavit that Jerry had not interfered in -the slightest degree with Si Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He took the outside, and he really gave Peters -more room than was necessary.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two gentlemen were too well known to be -doubted in what they said, and at once the judges -refused to accept Si Peters’ plea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The race goes to Jerry Upton, who won it -fairly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then how Jerry’s friends did yell with delight! -The lad was pounced upon and raised up on his -friends’ shoulders, and away went the boat club -boys around the town, Blumpo in advance of -them blowing a big fish-horn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You is de boy!” said the homeless youth. -“You is de best oarsman on de lake!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry was in the crowd, and when he told how -he had outwitted Wash Crosby every one roared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race, however, made lots of ill-feeling. The -Rockpoint boys could not stand defeat, and that -evening half a dozen rows started in as many different -places.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sticks and stones were freely used, and many -boys went home with their arms and heads tied -up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry became involved in one of the worst of -the fights in rather a peculiar manner. He was on -his way home rather late, thinking all was over -and that the Rockpointers had departed, when he -<span class='pageno' title='50' id='Page_50'></span> -heard a hoarse cry for help from down a side -street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He recognized the voice as that of Blumpo -Brown, and at once hurried to the spot, there to -find the youth at the mercy of four of the Rockpoint -boys, including Wash Crosby, Si Peters, and -two others named Banner and Graves. The quartet -had poor Blumpo down on his back and were -kicking him as hard as they could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You cowards!” shouted Jerry as he rushed up, -“to kick a fellow when he’s down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is none of your affair,” shouted Si Peters. -“He insulted us, and we won’t take an insult from -anybody, much less an Indian coon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Da jess pitched inter me!” howled Blumpo. -“Sabe me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let up, I say!” went on Jerry, and, clutching -Si Peters by the shoulder, he flung the big Rockpointer -flat on his back several feet away. Then -Jerry pitched into the others of the crowd.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This gave Blumpo a chance to rise. He scrambled -up and let out a long and loud yell for help. -Luckily, some other boys were not far away. -They heard the cry and arrived on a run.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We must skip now!” cried Wash Crosby to Si -Peters. “We’ll have the whole town on us in another -minute.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hang the luck!” howled Peters. “But just -wait, Jerry Upton, I’ll get square with you yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='51' id='Page_51'></span> -He turned away with his friends, and the quartet -scooted for the lake, with Jerry, Blumpo, and half -a dozen others at their heels.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Wash Crosby’s launch was tied up at a dock, -and into this they tumbled. The line was cut, and -off they steamed, amid a perfect shower of stones, -lumps of dirt, old bottles, and anything that came -handy to the Lakeview boys’ reach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, I fancy that’s the end of them,” said -Jerry. “I thought they had gone long ago.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Da laid for me!” groaned Blumpo. “Wish I -dun had a hoss pistol, I would shoot ’em all full of -holes!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon the steam launch faded away in the darkness, -and a little later found Jerry again on his -way home. Of course his folks were proud to -think he had won the race.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My boy, Jerry!” was all Mrs. Upton said, but -the way she said it meant a good deal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a week later that the boat club gave a -reception, at which Jerry was the lion. He was -presented with the silver trophy, and made a neat -little speech. There were refreshments and music, -and altogether the affair was the most brilliant -Lakeview had seen for some time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Matters moved along slowly for a week after the -racing and the reception were over. Jerry worked -on the farm, and never was there a more industrious -youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='52' id='Page_52'></span> -In the meanwhile Harry Parker made several -arrangements for the outing up the lake, in which -Jerry and Blumpo were to accompany him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One day Mr. Upton received a letter from Rockpoint. -It was from a friend, and asked if the -farmer could send him over at once a load of hay.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t go very well,” said Mr. Upton. “Supposing -you take it over to Mr. Dike, Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will, sir,” replied Jerry, promptly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman had not been over to Rockpoint -since the races, but he thought he could go -over and come back without encountering trouble.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hay was soon loaded on the rick, and then -Jerry started off for the other shore. He was compelled -to drive nearly to the lower end of the lake -to cross on the bridge, consequently it was well on -toward the middle of the afternoon when Rockpoint -was reached.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He and Mr. Dike put the load in the barn, and -after being paid, and partaking of a glass of cold -milk and a piece of home-made pie, Jerry, at just -six o’clock, started on the return.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It had been a gloomy day, and, consequently, -it was already growing dark, although it was -midsummer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Jerry knew the way well, so he did not -mind the darkness. He let the team go their own -gait, and took it easy in the rick on a couple of -horse blankets.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='53' id='Page_53'></span> -He was in a sort of day dream, when suddenly, -his team was stopped by a couple of boys, who -sprang from behind a clump of trees.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys wore masks over their faces, and when -they spoke, they did their best to disguise their -voices.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry sprang up in alarm. At the same time -four more boys, also masked, surrounded the -hay-rick.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the meaning of this?” demanded Jerry. -“Let go of those horses.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Instead of replying, the two boys continued to -hold the team. The other four leaped into the -hay-rick and fell on Jerry. Taken so suddenly, -he was at a disadvantage. Hardly could he make -a move before one of the boys struck him on the -head with a club, dazing him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then a rope was brought forth, and Jerry’s -hands were tied behind him and he was thrown on -the ground.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys sent the team on their way, trusting -to luck that the horses would find their way home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are you going to do with me?” asked -Jerry, when he found himself bound and helpless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll soon see, Jerry Upton,” came from the -leader, in such a muffled voice that our hero tried -in vain to recognize the speaker.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Make him march!” said another.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, march!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='54' id='Page_54'></span> -Into the woods the masked gang hurried Jerry. -When he attempted to turn back, they hit him -with their sticks and tripped him up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Finally, when he would go no further, four of -the boys picked him up and carried him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nearly a quarter of an hour was spent in this -manner, and the party reached a little clearing. -On three sides were tall trees, and on the fourth a -wall of rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is the spot,” cried the leader. “Now tie -him to a tree and get the stuff out of the cave.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At once the young oarsman was bound to a tree -on the edge of the clearing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then two of the boys entered a cave between the -rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon they came forth with a pot filled with a -thick, black liquid and two big pillows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At once Jerry realized what his captors meant -to do. They were going to tar and feather him!</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0011' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='55' id='Page_55'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>TAR AND FEATHERS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>The prospect was far from pleasant to our hero. -In spite of his bravery, he shivered as he saw the -gang of masked boys start up a fire over which to -heat the tar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So you intend to tar and feather me,” he said -to the leader.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ve struck it, Jerry Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Si Peters, do it, and you shall go to -prison, mark my words.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry had only guessed at the identity of the -leader, but he had hit upon the truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who told you I was”—began Peters, and broke -off short. “You’re mistaken,” he went on in his -assumed voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am not mistaken, Si Peters. I know you, -and you had best remember what I say.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you’re too fresh, Upton, and we’re going -to teach you a lesson,” put in another of the -crowd.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A good coat of tar and feathers is just what -your system needs.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='56' id='Page_56'></span> -“We’ll paint you up so artistically that, even -your own mother won’t know you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not if I can help it,” muttered Jerry, under his -breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A great mass of wood had been collected, and -this gave a roaring fire and also afforded a good -light for the workers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On each side of the fire a notched stick was driven -into the ground. A third stick was laid across -the top, just beyond the flames. From this upper -stick the pot of tar was suspended by an iron -chain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The heat soon began to tell on the tar. As it -softened it could be smelled a long distance off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How do you like that smell?” asked Peters of -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it’s a good enough smell,” replied our hero, -as coolly as he could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never had a dose of tar before, did you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I haven’t had this dose yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s so, but you soon will have.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe not.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you can’t escape us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not much, he can’t,” put in another, and now -Jerry felt sure that the speaker was Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll talk about that later, Crosby.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The masked boy started back and denied his -identity. But it was plain to see he was much put -out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='57' id='Page_57'></span> -“I know you, Peters, Crosby, Banner and -Graves,” went on Jerry. “And I’ll discover who -you other two fellows are before I leave here, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fiddlesticks!” shouted one of the boys by the -fire who was stirring the tar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it getting soft?” asked Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is the brush?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve got it,” spoke up another, and he held up -the stump of an old whitewash brush.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s all right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At a signal from Peters the crowd of masked -boys withdrew to the side of the fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here a long talk followed. It was so low that -Jerry could not hear a word.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Peters was making the crowd solemnly promise -that they would not inform upon each other, no -matter what happened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If we stick together, Upton can prove nothing,” -he said. “He has no witnesses.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right you are, Si.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We want to get square, and this is the chance -of our lives to do it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can give him the tar and feathers and then -leave him tied up in such a fashion that he can get -free, but not before we have had a chance to make -good our escape and get home and to bed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s the way to fix it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It will teach Lakeporters a good lesson,” put -<span class='pageno' title='58' id='Page_58'></span> -in one of the unknowns. “My! but ain’t I down -on every one of ’em.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And so am I!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the young oarsman was trying -his best to work himself free of his bonds. He felt -that unless he escaped he would surely be tarred -and feathered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He tugged at the ropes around his body, and -after a hard struggle he managed to free his left -arm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His right arm followed, although this cost him a -bad cut on the wrist, from which the blood flowed -freely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he gave the wound no thought, and in haste -began to work at the rope at his waist.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now that was loosened, only the one around his -knees remained.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He looked anxiously toward the fire. The -masked boys were still in deep discussion, and not -a single eye was directed toward the prisoner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Oh, for three minutes more time!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He worked with feverish haste.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now he was practically free!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters turned and beheld him as he took a -step behind the tree, out of the glare of the fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He has got away, fellows!” he shouted. “After -him, quick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='59' id='Page_59'></span> -A yell went up, and the crowd rushed forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He mustn’t escape us!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We worked too hard to capture him!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See, he is limping! The rope is still fastened to -one of his legs!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like a pack of wolves after a rabbit they came -after Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero did his best to out-distance them, and -he would have succeeded had it not been for the -rope around one knee, which caught in a tree root -and threw him down flat on his face. In another -moment the crowd was on top of him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They showed him no mercy. Si Peters was particularly -brutal and kicked Jerry heavily in the -side half a dozen times.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll teach you to crawl away, you sneak!” he -cried. “You can’t fool us in this fashion.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The kicks stunned Jerry and deprived him of his -wind. He fought as best he could, but he was no -match for six strong boys.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again he was overpowered. Then the gang -dragged him to the side of the roaring camp fire -and threw off their masks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now we’ll strip him,” said Wash Crosby. -“The tar is all ready and so are the feathers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry’s struggles availed him nothing. His coat -and vest were literally ripped from his body, and -his shirt followed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Give me the brush. I want to give him the -first dose,” sang out Si Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='60' id='Page_60'></span> -The old whitewash brush was handed to the -leader. Si dipped it deeply into the pot of hot tar, -and approached the young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, Jerry Upton, we’ll tar and feather you in -spite of your threats,” he said.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0012' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0013' style='width:350px;height:auto;'/> -<p class='caption'><span style='font-size:smaller'>THE TAR WAS READY FOR USE.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='61' id='Page_61'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER X.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>WHAT TOWSER DID.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, by creation? what does this mean?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The speaker was Mr. Upton, Jerry’s father. He -was gazing at the hay-rick, which was coming -down the road to the barn at a lively gait.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the boys who had captured Jerry had -thought, the horses had found their way home -alone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Anxiously, Mr. Upton looked around for Jerry, -and then he stopped the team and put them up in -the barn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Running into the house he told his wife of the -state of affairs. Instantly Mrs. Upton grew -alarmed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps they ran away and threw Jerry out!” -she cried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It ain’t likely they could get away with Jerry,” -replied Mr. Upton. “But I allow it is curious.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A half hour went by, and the farmer determined -to start on a hunt for his son. He went off on -horseback, and took with him Towser, the farm -dog.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Towser was an old and faithful animal, a prime -<span class='pageno' title='62' id='Page_62'></span> -favorite with Jerry, and he trotted along beside -the horse as if he knew something was wrong.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We want to find Jerry, Towser,” said Mr. Upton. -“Jerry, Towser, Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the dog wagged his tail as if to say that he -understood perfectly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was now quite dark. The farmer had -brought along a lantern, and this he lit and -swung around first on one side of the road and -then on the other. As he journeyed along he remembered -Jerry’s troubles with the Rockpoint -boys.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe he has had another fight,” he thought. -“It was foolish to let him go over there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Inside of an hour the other side of the lake -was reached, and they struck the lonely road leading -into Rockpoint.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the farmer went on he became more and -more sober in mind. He seemed to feel in his mind -that something was wrong.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Towser let out a mournful howl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry, Towser, Jerry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again the dog howled. Then he came to an unexpected -halt and although Farmer Upton went -on, the dog refused to budge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it, Towser?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For reply the dog started into the bushes, and -this at first made the old farmer angry, for he did -not understand the dog.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='63' id='Page_63'></span> -“Come, Towser!” he cried. “We are not after -game just now!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the dog would not come. He wanted to -enter the brush.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last Mr. Upton went to catch him by the -collar, but just as he did so the dog gave a short -bark and picked up something from among the -bushes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hullo!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>No wonder the old farmer was surprised. The -article Towser had discovered was a sling-shot -Jerry often carried with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Must have come in here,” mused Farmer -Upton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then of a sudden he began to examine the -ground. It was soft in spots and plainly showed -the footmarks of Jerry and the Si Peters crowd.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s in trouble!” said the old farmer to himself. -“Maybe some tramps have carried him off -and robbed him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Urging on the faithful dog, Mr. Upton hurried -along the path through the woods, leaving the -horse tied to a tree.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was an uneven way, and he stumbled many -times. But he did not mind—his one thought was -to reach his son and find out the boy’s condition.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Towser ran ahead, howling dismally at every -few yards. But the faithful dog did not lose the -scent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='64' id='Page_64'></span> -Presently, through the bushes, Farmer Upton -caught sight of a distant camp fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hist!” he called to Towser. “Go slow, now! -Down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the dog obeyed and howled no longer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A hundred yards more were passed, when a loud -cry rent the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help! help!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Jerry’s voice. Si Peters was in the act of -applying the first brushful of tar to his back. -Utterly helpless, there was nothing left for Jerry to -do but to use his lungs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shut up!” cried Si Peters. “Yell again and I’ll -hit you in the mouth with the tar.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are an overgrown coward!” retorted -Jerry. “Give me a fair show, and I’ll knock you -out in short order.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again he called for help.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a rage, Si Peters started to plaster Jerry’s -mouth with the hot tar. But ere the brush could -descend, Mr. Upton and Towser burst upon the -scene.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop, you young scamps!” roared the old -farmer. “At ’em, Towser! Chew ’em up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Startled at the unexpected interruption, the -rowdies fell back. Then Towser leaped forward -and caught Si Peters by his trowsers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Save me!” yelled Si, in terror. “The dog is -going to chew me up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='65' id='Page_65'></span> -“Good, Towser!” returned Jerry. “Hold him -fast!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Towser did as bidden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meantime Mr. Upton ran after the boys -who had been holding Jerry. He caught two of -them, and before they knew it, knocked their heads -together so forcibly that they saw stars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry, delighted at the unexpected turn of -affairs, turned upon Wash Crosby. Si Peters had -dropped the tar brush, and this Jerry secured.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! whack! Crosby received a blow over the -head, and one in the ear, which left a big black -streak of tar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t! please don’t!” he screamed. -“Let up, Jerry! It was only a joke! We weren’t -really going to tar and feather you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the fellow ran for his very life.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>During this time Si Peters was trying his best to -get away from Towser, who held on with a deathlike -grip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Around and around the camp fire the two circled, -until Jerry came up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The youth called off the dog and went at Si in -about the same manner as he had treated Wash -Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si wanted to run for it, and in his hurry rushed -through the fire, knocking over the kettle of tar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sticky mess emptied itself over his clothing. -Then the young oarsman tripped him up, and over -he rolled among the loose feathers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='66' id='Page_66'></span> -“Now you can see how you like it!” cried Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And growling and panting for breath, Si Peters -ran away after the others.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Rockpoint rowdies were thoroughly demoralized.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0014' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='67' id='Page_67'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>OFF FOR HERMIT ISLAND.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>It took Jerry and his father some little time to -get back their breath sufficiently to leave the -woods and make their way to the road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You came in the nick of time, father,” said the -lad. “In another five minutes I would have -been tarred and feathered.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tell me about the whole affair, son,” said the -old farmer; and Jerry did so.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The good-for-nothing rascals!” cried the old -farmer. “If they touch you again I’ll have ’em -all up before the squire.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That won’t help us, father,” replied Jerry. -“They are rich, you know. They would get off -somehow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I’ll take it out of their hides.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Upton told how Towser had led the way -into the woods. Jerry had always loved the farm -dog, but now he thought more of him than ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good boy,” he said. “You shall go with us -when we take our outing—that is, if father will -let you go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='68' id='Page_68'></span> -“Yes, Jerry, take him along. He may help you -out of some more trouble,” replied Mr. Upton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was rather late when they arrived home. -Mrs. Upton was shocked to learn of what had occurred, -but glad to learn that Jerry had escaped -his enemies.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next day the young oarsman told Harry -Parker and the other boys of his adventure. Harry -was very indignant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Those Rockpoint boys ought to be driven out -of the state.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I dun racken I’ll carry my hoss pistol after -dis,” said Blumpo. “Da don’t cotch dis chile for -to tar and feather him!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A week later Jerry, Harry, and Blumpo started -up the lake on a ten days’ outing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were in Harry’s largest row-boat, the one -that had a sail, and carried with them a tent and -a good stock of ammunition. Jerry and Harry -were armed with guns, and Blumpo carried his -“hoss pistol” and a rusty spear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were bound for Hermit Island, a wild but -beautiful patch of land situated almost at the end -of Otasco Lake. The island was so called because -it was said by some that the place was inhabited -by an old hermit who lived in a cave and never -showed himself to visitors.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Some did not believe this story, for try as hard -as they could, they had never been able to locate -<span class='pageno' title='69' id='Page_69'></span> -the strange creature, who was said to have a white -beard to his waist, and white hair equally long.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The day that the trio started away was a fine -one, and the boys were in excellent spirits.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I trust we have no more squalls,” remarked -Harry, as they glided along, the sail set and the -oars out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No storm to-day,” returned Jerry. “We are -going to have at least three or four days of fine -weather.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Say, I wondah if I could shoot a bar wid dis -yere gun,” put in Blumpo, as he held up his pistol.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You might if you threw the pistol at the bear -when you pulled the trigger,” laughed Jerry. -“Sure as you are born, Blumpo, that pistol will -go to pieces if you try to fire it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Den I’ll fire it dis way,” replied the homeless -youth, and swung the weapon as if to heave it -away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An hour passed, during which the boys laid their -plans for a camp and talked over what they would -do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope we have good hunting and fishing,” said -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So do I,” returned Harry. “And I likewise -hope we find the hermit, if there really is such a -creature.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe he won’t want us on his island,” put in -Blumpo. “He may be an ugly feller.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='70' id='Page_70'></span> -“We’ll risk it, Blumpo.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I ain’t in fer stirrin’ up no hornets’ nest,” went -on the homeless youth. “I jess like ter lay -around an’ take it easy under de trees—a-listening -to—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“ ‘The tumble bugs tumbling around,’ as the -song says,” laughed Jerry. “Blumpo, you must -get more ambition in you. Come, row up lively. -It’s a good long distance to the island, and we -must make it before sundown.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All three braced up, and the big boat went forward -at an increased rate of speed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hullo!” cried Harry, presently. “Jerry, -doesn’t that look like Si Peters’ yacht?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Harry pointed over to the west shore of the -lake, where a craft had just emerged from behind a -small headland.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is the Peters yacht, sure enough,” replied -Jerry, after studying the craft.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If she cums dis way, we’ll hab lively times,” remarked -Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s true, Blumpo. Come, maybe we can -get away from her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys kept steadily on their course, and for a -long time those on the yacht seemed to pay no -attention to them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But after awhile the big boat put on another -tack, and fifteen minutes later it was within hailing -distance. Then they saw that Si Peters and -<span class='pageno' title='71' id='Page_71'></span> -Crosby were in possession. They had with them -five other Rockpoint lads, including Banner and -Graves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hi, you fellows, stop rowing!” yelled Peters at -the top of his voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mind your own business, Si Peters,” retorted -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won’t stop?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. Leave us alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We want you to give up Jerry Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Give him up?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Exactly. Come up alongside and let him jump -on board of the yacht.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s as cool as a cake of ice!” cried Jerry. -“You want everything, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are going to get square with you, Jerry -Upton!” put in Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us pull away as fast as we can,” whispered -Harry. “Those chaps mean trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dat’s de talk,” said Blumpo, who was the -worst scared of the three.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They bent to their oars, and soon moved off a -hundred feet or more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Si Peters ran out to the jib of the yacht. -“Stop!” he commanded. “Pull another yard -and you’ll be sorry for it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll risk it,” replied Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll run you down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won’t dare!” yelled Harry, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='72' id='Page_72'></span> -“Won’t we? Just see if we won’t!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At once Si Peters gave some directions to Wash -Crosby, who was at the wheel. The course of the -yacht was slightly changed, and now the craft was -headed directly for the boat containing our -friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Anudder smash-up, shuah as you’re born!” -groaned Blumpo, and he prepared to leap into the -lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stay where you are!” ordered Jerry. “I’ll -check their little game.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Reaching into a locker, the young oarsman -brought out his gun. Leaping on one of the seats, -he pointed the weapon at Si Peters’ head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sheer off!” he cried. “Sheer off, or I’ll fire on -you!”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0015' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='73' id='Page_73'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>AN ATTACK IN THE DARK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters was nearly dumbfounded at the unexpected -turn affairs had taken. The bully at once -gave the necessary directions, and the yacht -passed to windward of the other boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A good idea, Jerry!” exclaimed Harry. “That -will make them steer clear of us for good, I -reckon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If they haven’t got guns of their own, Harry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys on the yacht were evidently much -crestfallen. They had hoped to get Jerry in their -power, but that plan was defeated. They dropped -behind several hiding places, and again headed -for the big row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But once more Jerry outwitted them. Calling to -Blumpo to steady the temporary mast, he climbed -to the top, his gun slung over his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From this elevated point he was able to sweep -the yacht’s deck from stem to stern.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now turn about, or I’ll fire on you, as sure as -fate!” he ordered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You think you are smart, don’t you,” sneered -Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='74' id='Page_74'></span> -“I’m too smart for your crowd,” retorted Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can fire as well as you,” put in Graves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you had a gun, which you haven’t,” retorted -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys on the yacht growled among themselves, -but could do nothing. Wash Crosby tried -to throw a piece of iron on the row-boat, but it -fell short. Then Harry retaliated by shooting -through the yacht’s main-sail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seeing the boys on the big row-boat meant business, -Si Peters and his crowd withdrew from the -encounter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As soon as they were gone, Jerry came down -from his perch, and off they started once more for -the island.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The yacht sailed so far off they thought they -were no longer observed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But in this they were mistaken for Si Peters had -a field glass with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This glass was now brought into play, and -Peters’ crowd kept track of Jerry and the others -until the vicinity of Hermit Island was reached.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Going to camp there,” said Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It ought to give us a fine chance to get -square,” replied Si Peters, and the crowd began to -plot against our hero and his friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But in the meantime the big row-boat disappeared -behind the bushes which fringed a narrow -inlet, and, try their best, those on the yacht could -not locate it again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='75' id='Page_75'></span> -“Never mind, we’ll come up some other day,” -said Si Peters. “It’s getting too late to do anything -now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the yacht returned to Rockpoint.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Harry who selected a landing place on -Hermit’s Island. He found a smooth, sandy -beach, and here the row-boat was drawn up well -out of the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Back of the beach was a little clearing. On one -side were tall rocks, and on the other the woods.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As good a place as any to pitch the tent,” -said Jerry. “Come, Blumpo, stir yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The tent was brought out and put up, and a -camp fire was lit. While Blumpo gathered brush -to put into the tent to sleep on, Jerry and Harry -tried their hands at fishing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon Harry had a bite, and brought in a perch -weighing a little over a half a pound.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Harry, you take first prize!” -cried Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hardly had he spoken when he felt a jerk. -There was a lively struggle for fully a minute, -and then Jerry landed his catch—a rock bass, all -of a pound in weight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Second, but best,” laughed Harry. “I guess -that is all we want for to-night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pan was over the fire getting hot. Blumpo -cleaned the fish and put them on. In the meantime, -Jerry made a pot of coffee.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='76' id='Page_76'></span> -Never had a meal tasted better to the boys. -They lingered over the scraps for a long while, -talking over the events of the day. Blumpo also -gave them a song. It was a happy time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Somebody ought to stand guard all night, I -suppose,” said Jerry, when it came time to turn in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, nonsense!” cried Harry. “Who is going -to hurt us in this out of the way spot?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We don’t know what may be around.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’se too tired to watch,” put in Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never knew the time you weren’t tired,” -laughed Jerry. “But let it go, if you wish.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Quarter of an hour later all of the boys had -turned in. Blumpo picked out a corner of the tent -nearest the rear. Harry slept in the middle, while -Jerry took up a place not far from the front flaps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As it was rather warm, they left one of the flaps -open to admit the air. Jerry lay in such a position -that he could look out on the smoldering -camp fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was as tired as the rest, and it did not -take him long to drop off into a sound sleep.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How long he slept he did not know. A low noise -outside aroused him. He opened his eyes with a -start, wondering what it was.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then came another growl or grunt, he could not -tell which. He sat up and looked outside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A sight met his gaze that nearly caused his heart -to stop beating. The camp fire was almost out, -<span class='pageno' title='77' id='Page_77'></span> -but beyond its fitful glare he beheld a pair of large -eyes bent directly upon the tent opening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The eyes belonged to some savage beast which -was about to attack the camp.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0016' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='78' id='Page_78'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY’S SHOT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry realized that he and his friends were in -great peril. What the savage beast outside was -he could not tell, but it looked large and powerful -in the gloom beyond the camp fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was no time to lose if anything was to be -done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Luckily, before lying down, the young oarsman -had loaded his gun and hung it up on the front -pole of the tent, within easy reach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sitting up, he now took the weapon and pulled -back the trigger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The click reached the ears of the animal outside, -and once again it let out that peculiar sound, -neither grunt nor growl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Jerry put the gun to his shoulder, and, -taking aim at one of the shining eyes, fired.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The report of the firearm caused Harry and -Blumpo to spring up in wild alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Heaben sabe us!” moaned Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='79' id='Page_79'></span> -“A wild animal outside,” cried Jerry. “Get -your gun, quick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry leaped for his weapon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t make out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Reloading as rapidly as he could, our hero -dashed into the open. A howl of pain told he had -hit his mark. The beast had turned and was -crashing through the brush close to the rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us find out what it was!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Doan go!” moaned Blumpo. “You will git -chewed up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then he dove back into the tent for his -“hoss” pistol and his rusty spear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Catching up a blazing brand, Jerry threw it into -the brush. By the light they saw the creature -crouching on a rock.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! bang!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two guns spoke simultaneously. Harry hit -the beast in the shoulder. Jerry’s shot was more -effective for it struck in the neck, and with a snarl -the creature leaped into the air and fell—dead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ve settled him!” cried Harry. “Come on -and inspect him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wait and load your gun first,” cautioned our -hero. “He may have some fight in him still.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The weapons were put in order, and then, with -firebrands to light the way, they moved forward -to inspect their victim.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='80' id='Page_80'></span> -It was a large and heavy boar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A wild hog!” shouted Jerry. “My, what a -big fellow he is!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I thought it was a bear,” said Harry. He was -somewhat disappointed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He was savage enough, at all events,” replied -Jerry. “These wild hogs put up a terrible fight, -father says.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I know that. Wasn’t Dick Harben’s uncle -killed by one? Well, he’s dead enough and we -have meat to last a month.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pretty strong eating,” smiled Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They called Blumpo. The homeless youth was -delighted over the dead animal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Ham’s de best ob meat,’ ” he sang. “I’ll soon -fix him up, see if I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys were glad that it was getting toward -morning, for the excitement had taken all the -sleep out of them. They replenished the fire, and -sat around waiting for daybreak.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As soon as the sun rose, Blumpo prepared breakfast, -while Jerry and Harry took a plunge into the -lake. It was great sport, and they remained in -the water until Blumpo called them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That day the boys tramped nearly two miles -around the island. They took their guns with -them and came back with their game bags full of -birds. Returning, they were thoroughly tired out, -but nevertheless resolved to set a watch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='81' id='Page_81'></span> -“Four hours each,” said Harry, and this was -agreed to.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But nothing happened to disturb them, and on -the following night the watch was abandoned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys put in nearly a week in hunting, fishing, -swimming, and lying around, and they enjoyed -every minute of the time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nothing had been seen or heard of the hermit -who was supposed to inhabit the island, and they -began to think that no such person existed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Neither had they heard anything more of Si -Peters and his crowd, and they fancied they were -safe from molestation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sunday passed quietly, and on Monday morning -Jerry proposed they take along a game bag full of -provisions and climb to the top of the rocky hill in -the centre of the island.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We must go to the very top before we leave,” -he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The game bag was filled with eatables, and cups, -plates, etc., and then they tied up the tent flaps -and drew the boat still higher up out of the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The first quarter of a mile of the journey was -easy enough, but after that they struck the rocks, -and climbing became more and more difficult with -every step.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Phew! but dis am work!” puffed Blumpo. -“Dis boy’s most tucked out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll take a good long rest at noon, Blumpo,” -said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='82' id='Page_82'></span> -Up and up they went until Jerry, who was in advance, -came to a sudden halt. A deep split in the -rocks barred his further progress.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will we have to go back?” asked Harry, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It looks like it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t we leap over?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We might try. I can, if you are willing to follow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I kin jump dat easy enough,” put in Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry stepped back, and running a few feet, made -the leap in safety. Harry followed, and then both -boys waited for Blumpo Brown to join them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The homeless youth measured the distance with -his eye and came on like a steam engine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But just before he reached the edge of the split -he slipped and went headlong. Unable to stop -himself, he crashed down into the opening head -first.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In going over the rocks he twisted himself partly -around.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With one hand he caught hold of a frail bush -growing among the rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His left foot caught in a crevice, and there he -hung, unable to help himself, and with death staring -him in the face!</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d6.jpg' alt='wreath' id='iid-0017' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='83' id='Page_83'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE HERMIT OF THE ISLAND.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’ll be killed!” yelled Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His face was deadly white.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help me!” came faintly from Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before the others could realize it, Jerry had -leaped back to the other side of the opening. -Catching hold of a jutting rock with one hand, he -grasped Blumpo’s wrist with the other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now let go below and I’ll haul you up, -Blumpo,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The frightened youth did as requested, and -slowly but surely Jerry dragged him up to a safe -spot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Jerry!” shouted Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By golly! but dat was a close call!” shuddered -the homeless youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, with tears in his big, honest eyes, he -wrung our hero’s hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You dun sabed my life, Jerry!” he declared -solemnly. “I won’t forgit dat, neber!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The nervous boy was averse to attempting a -<span class='pageno' title='84' id='Page_84'></span> -second jump, and so the party walked along the -opening until a much narrower spot was reached.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Once over, the upward climb was again begun. -By noon they reckoned that they were within half -a mile of the top. But all were exhausted, and -glad enough to rest and take a bite to eat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A fine spring was found, and here they washed -up and quenched their thirst before resuming the -journey.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They found a large quantity of huckleberries -growing on the hillside, and these made very acceptable -eating.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A fellow could put in a month here,” remarked -Jerry. “But, heigho! the vacation will soon be -ended, and then for school again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The rest over, they went up and up again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beat you to the summit!” cried Jerry, and -started up the last stretch on a rush. Harry -followed, and Blumpo was not far behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>What a splendid panorama was spread before -them! They could see clear to either end of the -lake and off to the hills east and west.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I see the church steeple!” cried Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look! look!” exclaimed Harry, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He pointed down the lake to where a yacht was -bowling along before the breeze.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Si Peters’ boat!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wonder if Peters knows we are still on the -island?” mused Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='85' id='Page_85'></span> -“I reckon he does.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a wonder he and his crowd never came up -to make more trouble for us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps he dun got scared at dis hoss pistol -ob mine,” put in Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To him that “hoss” pistol was a mighty weapon, -greatly to be feared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A little back of the summit of rocks was a -grassy plateau, and here the boys decided to -camp for the night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What a beautiful place for a picnic!” said -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Rather hard to get to, though,” returned -Jerry. “I wonder if there is a spring handy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A spring away up heah!” exclaimed Blumpo. -“Yo’ expect watah to run up hill? Ha, ha!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Blumpo; strange as it may seem, the -finest springs are found at the very tops of mountains. -Come on and look for one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The homeless youth showed his surprise, but he -readily joined in the hunt, and so did Harry. -There was a patch of brush behind the plateau, -and this they skirted. Ere long Jerry found a -tiny rivulet flowing in a well-worn hollow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The head of this rill of water will bring us to -the spring,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They began to follow the watercourse. It led -around half a dozen big rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Halt!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='86' id='Page_86'></span> -All three of the boys sprang back in amazement. -From whence had that unexpected command -proceeded?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Halt, I say!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They stopped short.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who are you?” asked Jerry quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am the Lonely Man. Leave me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Lonely Man,” repeated Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. Depart, my boys, at once.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you the man they call the hermit of the -island?” asked Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I presume so. Now leave me. I have not -spoken to other men for years.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We would like to get a little water first, if you -please,” said Jerry. “Surely so good an old man -as you will not refuse us that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This way of talking evidently struck the hermit’s -fancy, for there was a rustle of bushes, and -the hermit of the island stepped into view.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All of the boys stared at him in blank amazement. -He was a reddish-black individual, with -snow white hair and long flowing beard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo grew so frightened that he immediately -fell on his knees.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“De voodoo doctor, suah!” he muttered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like many other ignorant people, he was very -superstitious and believed in charms and voodooism.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are sorry to have disturbed you in your -lonely retreat,” began Harry. “But we—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='87' id='Page_87'></span> -“Say no more, my boy. Get the water you -need and depart.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We will.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry and Jerry turned toward the spring and -quietly filled up the big tin can they had brought -along.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old hermit watched them curiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look like good boys,” he said. “I want -to ask a favor of you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What?” asked both boys in a breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wish to end my days here undisturbed. -Will you promise not to reveal my dwelling place -to your friends?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am willing to say nothing,” said Jerry, -promptly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So am I,” returned Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old man looked much relieved.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And how is it with you?” he went on, turning -and walking to where Blumpo had his head bent -low on the ground.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Please, sah, don’t charm me, sah! don’t cast -no spell ober me!” howled Blumpo. “I ain’t dun -nuffin’ ’deed I ain’t. I’se de best boy in Lakeview! -Ain’t I, Harry? Ain’t dat de truf, -Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will not harm you, so do not be afraid,” said -the hermit with a faint smile on his reddish-black -face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t tell a t’ing! not a word, sah, hope ter -<span class='pageno' title='88' id='Page_88'></span> -die if I do!” went on Blumpo, still keeping his -face down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was afraid that if he looked at the hermit he -would be bewitched.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo, get up!” said Harry, sharply. -“Don’t make a fool of yourself. This gentleman -is not going to hurt you. Stand up and be a -man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus spoken to, the homeless boy arose slowly -to his feet. His knees were still trembling, and he -needed but little incentive to take to his heels.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have not seen a colored or an Indian boy in -years,” went on the old hermit. “If you are an -honest boy let me take your hand.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He advanced, and with his knees knocking together -Blumpo put out his hand and looked the -old man in the face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next instant the hermit gave a leap back in -profound astonishment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Abraham! As sure as the sun shines! And I -thought he was dead!”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0018' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='89' id='Page_89'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE HERMIT’S SECRET.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>All three of the boys were much mystified by the -old hermit’s words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He must be a little off in his head,” thought -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who is Abraham?” asked Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is Abraham!” cried the hermit. “Are -you not Abraham?” he went on to Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I reckon not, sah. I’se jess plain Blumpo -Brown.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo Brown! Ha! how well I remember -that name! You are indeed Abraham, and I am -your father!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the hermit caught Blumpo in his arms. It -is needless to say the youth was frightened and -bewildered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come to my cave and I will tell you all,” -went on the hermit, and he dragged Blumpo -along.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry willingly followed. They found -that the old man had quite a comfortable place -among the rocks. It was elaborately furnished, -showing that the hermit was well-to-do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='90' id='Page_90'></span> -They all took seats on some skins thrown over -rude couches. The hermit made Blumpo sit close -to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My name is Daniel Brown,” he began. “And -you, Blumpo, are my only son. Your full name is -Blum-pou-la-hau,—the Indian for boy-of-the-laughing-face,—for, -you know, you have much Indian -blood in your veins.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dat’s what folks said I had,” said Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I thought you were dead—that you had been -drowned. It was this drove me to make a hermit -of myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the old hermit went into many particulars, -to which all listened with great interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo could scarcely believe his ears. His face -began to expand, and a smile broke out on it, the -like of which had never before been seen. He was -a homeless waif no longer. He had found a -father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry talked to the old hermit for an -hour and more. They found him peculiar in his -ideas, but with a warm heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before they retired for the night Daniel Brown -came to the conclusion to give up his dwelling on -the top of the mountain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He said he would build a cabin down by the -lakeside and there he and Blumpo could live like -ordinary people.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have several thousand dollars saved up,” he -<span class='pageno' title='91' id='Page_91'></span> -said, “so we will not want for anything. I will -buy a boat, and Blumpo can make a living by -letting her out to pleasure parties.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dat will suit me exactly,” cried Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you must also go to school in the winter,” -went on Daniel Brown. “And you must -drop that dialect, and not say dat for that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Golly! but won’t I be eddicate!” murmured -Blumpo. “Say, Pop maybe I kin hab—I mean -have—a new suit, eh?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Two of them, Abraham,” said the hermit; -and then all hands laughed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was well for the boys that they were housed in -the hermit’s dwelling, for that night a terrible -thunder storm came up. The wind howled and -shrieked around the mountain top, and continued -until dawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If we had been on the plateau we would have -been blown off into the lake,” said Harry, at -breakfast.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By nine o’clock it cleared off and at twelve the -mountain was as dry as ever. They packed up, -and, accompanied by the hermit, set off, for the -old camp.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Daniel Brown knew every inch of the mountain -and under his guidance they reached the bottom -much quicker than they would otherwise have -done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As they were trailing through the woods toward -the camp, Harry suddenly put up his hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='92' id='Page_92'></span> -“Listen! Don’t you hear some persons talking?” -he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where can it be?” asked Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Down by the camp,” said Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Si Peters’ crowd, I’ll bet a new hat!” cried -Jerry. “Come on, all of you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman broke into a run, and -Harry and Blumpo came after, with the hermit -lagging on behind. A turn in the brush brought -them in sight of the camp.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There were Si Peters, Wash Crosby, and four -others in the act of shoving Harry’s craft into the -water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They intended to run off with our boat!” -yelled Jerry. “Stop, there, you thieves!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop, or we’ll fire on you!” added Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Peters crowd were surprised and alarmed. -They hesitated for a moment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go ahead, don’t mind them!” howled Si -Peters. “Quick, fellows, shove out to the -yacht!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before Jerry and the others could reach the spot -the big row-boat was afloat. The Peters crowd -leaped on board and quickly shipped the oars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop, or we’ll fire on you!” sang out Harry -again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fire and be blowed!” howled Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! went Harry’s gun, and the shot rattled -all around the row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='93' id='Page_93'></span> -But now a turn of a headland took the craft out -of range.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Follow me!” said Jerry, as he leaped across -the camp to where they could again catch sight of -the craft.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Over the rock and through the brush they stumbled, -a distance of two hundred feet. Then the -shore of the lake was again reached.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, alas! before they could do anything the -Peters crowd was entirely out of range. They -saw the big row-boat taken over to where the -yacht lay at anchor. Harry’s craft was tied fast -to the stern and the Rockpointers clambered -aboard their own vessel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good-bye and good luck to you!” cried Si -Peters, mockingly. “Hope you fellows enjoy -playing Robinson Crusoe. We’ll come back for -you some time next year.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then the yacht sailed away, leaving those -on the island to their fate.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0019' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='94' id='Page_94'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>AN EXCITING CHASE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>For the moment the boys did not know what to -do. Si Peters and his crowd had run off with -their row-boat, and how to get to the mainland -was a serious question.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To swim the distance would be a dangerous undertaking, -and there was no telling how long it -would be before another craft should come along -to take them off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the hermit solved the problem.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you want to follow those boys you can take -my boat,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Have you a boat?” asked Jerry, quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Certainly, although I use it but sparingly, and -then only at night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hermit led the way to the lower end of the -island. Here in a water-cave rested a long, round-bottomed -row-boat, containing two pairs of oars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just the thing!” cried Jerry. “Come on, -Harry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He and his chum leaped in. Blumpo looked at -his newly found father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='95' id='Page_95'></span> -“I will go along if you wish,” said the hermit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In five seconds more all four were in the boat, -which was then shoved out into the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With Jerry and Harry at the oars, they made -good progress in the direction of Si Peters’ yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All were armed, and Blumpo occupied the time -in seeing that every weapon was ready for use.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The wind is dying out,” said Harry. “That is -in our favor.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They have not more than half a mile start,” -rejoined Jerry. “We ought to catch up in half an -hour.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was evident that those on the yacht did not -anticipate pursuit, for it was not until the distance -between the two craft had been considerably -lessened that they showed signs of alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They see us!” cried Blumpo. “Shall I give ’em -a shot?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; wait,” replied Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The wind had now gone down almost entirely, -and the yacht’s sails were flapping idly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters and Wash Crosby were evidently -alarmed at the turn affairs had taken, and they -called their chums around them for consultation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can’t do anything while the wind is down,” -said Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let’s get out and row,” suggested Graves, who -was one of the number.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can we tow the yacht?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='96' id='Page_96'></span> -“We can try.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was decided on, and all of the crowd leaped -into Harry’s boat. They brought the craft -around to the yacht’s bow, and then every one -took an oar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See, they are hauling off the yacht!” cried -Harry. “They mean to get away somehow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll race them,” replied Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They bent to their oars and made the old hermit’s -boat fairly fly through the water. Slowly -they crept nearer and nearer. It was an exciting -chase.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take my place, Blumpo!” cried Jerry, at last, -and the boy willingly obeyed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry leaped into the bow, and taking up his -gun pointed it at Si Peters’ head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Si Peters!” he called out, “do you see this -gun? Unless you stop rowing I’ll fire at you, no -matter what the consequences are.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters turned deadly white, for he was in -reality a big coward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you hear me?” went on Jerry. “One—two—th——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! don’t shoot!” yelled the Rockpoint -bully, and he held up his oar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, Wash Crosby, you stop rowing, too!” -went on Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Think you are boss, eh?” sneered Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am. Up with the oar!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='97' id='Page_97'></span> -Crosby hesitated, and then his oar went up beside -Si’s. The others became badly frightened and -also stopped rowing. In a moment more the hermit’s -craft was beside the big row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Rockpointers gazed at the white-haired man -in astonishment. They wanted to know who he -was, but just then had other matters to attend to.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You think you own the earth when you have a -gun!” howled Si Peters to Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re on top, that is certain,” responded our -hero. “Say, Harry, supposing we get on the -yacht and make them row us back to the island?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not much!” growled Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just the thing!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Still keeping the Peters crowd under guard, -Jerry and his friends boarded the yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, much against their will, they made the -others turn about and drag them back to where -they had started from, towing the hermit’s craft -behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Peters and Crosby were in a perfect rage, but -could do nothing, as Jerry pretended to be very -savage and itching to shoot them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The island reached, Jerry made the Peters crowd -beach the boat and clean her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now take your yacht and begone!” he commanded, -and the crowd hurried off in double-quick -order. As the yacht drifted away the hermit -laughed heartily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='98' id='Page_98'></span> -“Cleverly done!” he said. “Jerry Upton, you -are a smart lad.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys spent one more day on the island and -then left for home. The hermit went along, and -created some surprise when he appeared on the -streets of Lakeview with Blumpo, his son.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All the boys were glad that the homeless youth -had found a father, who would endeavor to make -something out of the good-natured and honest -lad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was also a surprise for our hero and -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters and his gang had been arrested for -burning down a barn belonging to Harry’s father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Rockpoint lads tried to beg off, but the -authorities took the matter in hand, and every -one of them was sent to the reformatory.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This ended the rivalry for the time being between -Lakeview and Rockpoint and, as a consequence, -the autumn and winter which followed -were comparatively quiet. But stirring events -were on the way, as the chapters which follow will -testify.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0020' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='99' id='Page_99'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>HARRY’S NEW YACHT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Luff up a bit, Harry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Jerry. Do you think we will make -that point?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If the wind holds out. We are behind the -rocks now, and that cuts most of the breeze off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo, coil up some of that rope, will you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To be suah,” returned the youth addressed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The scene was the deck of a handsome yacht -named the Whistler. She was as clean cut as a -craft could be, and carried a spread of snowy -white sails which would have gladdened the heart -of any sea-dog to behold.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Three boys and an old man were sailing this -craft. The three boys were Jerry, Harry and -Blumpo. The man was Jack Broxton, the boathouse -keeper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The yacht was a new one, recently purchased by -Harry Parker’s father for the use of his son and -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you remember what a row we had up -around this island last summer with Si Peters, -<span class='pageno' title='100' id='Page_100'></span> -Wash Crosby and the rest of the Rockpoint -crowd?” mused Jerry, as the yacht swung around -the north point of Hermit Island, that spot where -Blumpo had so strangely found his father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t I, though!” cried Harry. “I wonder if -they are out of the reformatory yet for setting fire -to the barn?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I heard da was,” put in Blumpo, who now -attended school regularly. “Si Peters got out -las’ month, an’ Wash Crosby got out six weeks -ago.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I hope they turn out better boys now,’ ” -said Harry, seriously. “I don’t see why they -want to get into such trouble. A fellow can have -lots of sport without doing wrong.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By the way, Harry, the great yacht race comes -off in Long Lake in a few weeks,” said Jerry. -“Why can’t we take our yacht down through the -river and be on deck to see it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By golly, dat would be most splendiferous!” -yelled Blumpo. “De best t’ing I’ve dun heard of -dis Summah!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve thought of it,” returned Harry. He -turned to the old tar. “Jack, could we take the -Whistler down through Poplar River to Long -Lake?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I reckon we could,” was the slow answer, as -Jack Broxton rolled his quid from one cheek to -the other. “The water is running putty high -now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='101' id='Page_101'></span> -“It would be a fine trip in itself,” went on Jerry. -“I’ve never sailed down the Poplar beyond Carlville.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nor I,” returned Harry. “But never mind -that just now. Here we are at the landing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An’ heah am my father’s house,” said Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The former hermit, now, however, a hermit no -longer, came out to greet his son. In the meantime -all hands lowered sail and tied up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a beautiful day, and the young oarsman -and Harry had come over to the island to see -what they could shoot. They left Jack in charge -of the yacht and Blumpo with his father, and -started off with guns and game bags for the interior.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There can’t be much game at this season of the -year,” said Harry. “But we may have a little -sport, and tramping in the woods does a fellow -lots of good.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed I know that,” was the quick response. -“Hullo, here’s a nasty bit of bog to cross.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll go around by yonder big tree.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two boys went on in a semi-circle. When -the big tree mentioned was reached Jerry stepped -on what he supposed was one of the twisted roots.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A second later he let out a yell which was heard -down to the landing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sprang back so suddenly that he bumped -into Harry, who was close behind, and both rolled -over in the wet grass.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='102' id='Page_102'></span> -Ere they could rise they heard an angry hiss, -and a snake darted from the tree and settled -directly upon Jerry’s body!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a moment Jerry was too paralyzed with -fear to move or speak. Then as he recovered he -threw off the snake and rolled away, over Harry -and close to the boggy spot. Harry also turned -away, but came up against a heavy mass of -brush.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The snake hissed angrily. The pressure of Jerry’s -foot on its head had just been sufficient to -arouse its anger. It meant to strike if it could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hit it with your gun!” shouted Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You hit it!” cried our hero. “Oh!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The snake was again coming on, its long, green -body quivering in the spots of sunlight which shot -under the trees. There was no doubt but what -it intended to fight the intruders. More than -likely it had a nest of young near.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The shot was a square one, and when the smoke -from the gun cleared away it was found that the -reptile’s head was completely severed from the -body, which latter continued to twist about until -it fell into the water of the bog hole. Jerry -kicked the head in after it, out of sight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us get out of here,” he said, with a shudder. -“Who knows but what we have dropped -into a regular nest of snakes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='103' id='Page_103'></span> -That he was right in his surmise was soon evident, -for low hissings could be heard on several -sides. Without delay they sprang across the bog -swamp and took to the higher ground, where they -could see every foot of the way before them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve had snakes enough to last me the rest of -the summer,” soliloquized Jerry. “I hate them -worse than anything else in the world. Look!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He pointed on ahead, to where there was a tree -almost loaded with game birds. At a sign from -Jerry both raised their guns and fired.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a flutter and a whirr, and then came -a number of shrill cries from the birds which were -wounded. These the boys at once proceeded to -put out of their misery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Four birds,” said Harry, as he counted the lot. -“That wasn’t bad, eh?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re right, Harry. We won’t get another -such shot if we tramp all day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I move we get back to the yacht. We have -come a good distance, and it will be more than -dinner time before we can make it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am with you. We can go out hunting again -this afternoon, or try our hand at fishing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the birds in their bags, Jerry and Harry -set out on the return to the landing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On the way they talked over the great yacht -races soon to come off, and also of the proposed -trip through the Poplar River to the large lake -beyond.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='104' id='Page_104'></span> -“It will be a dandy trip,” said Jerry, and then -he added, with much spirit: “How I would like -to sail on one of the yachts and help win.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So would I,” rejoined Harry. “It would be -great sport, not to say anything of the honor.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the chums arrived at the boat-landing -they found Blumpo and the others waiting for -them. A camp fire was burning a short distance -away from the log house, and over this the birds -were done to a turn by the youth, while the others -prepared some potatoes and coffee brought from -the yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo’s father considered it a great holiday to -have his son with him for the time being. He -asked Blumpo how he was getting along with his -studies, and was pleased to learn that the youth -was making fairly good progress.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After dinner it was decided to sail around to the -lower end of the island and try bass fishing, for -which the lake was famous.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And then we’ll come back here and stay all -night,” said Jerry to the old man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The lines were soon cast off and the main-sail -and jib set, and as soon as they caught the breeze -they swung around and down the lake at a speed -of several knots an hour.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Somebody else out besides ourselves,” observed -Jack Broxton, as he pointed to half a dozen -sail-boats cruising around. “This year everybody -has the yachting craze.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='105' id='Page_105'></span> -“It’s great sport,” returned Harry. “By the -way,” he went on, pointing to a large yacht coming -up the lake on a long tack. “What boat is -that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is called the Arrow, I don’t know who -owns her,” was the old boatkeeper’s reply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is coming over this way. Let us stand out -a little and see who is on board.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just as you say, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I’m curious about that yacht, too,” put -in Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The course of the Whistler was altered several -points, and they left the vicinity of the island -shore. As they drew closer to the big yacht Jerry -uttered a cry of astonishment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By Jinks! It can’t be possible!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s up?” asked Harry, coming to his side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There are Si Peters and Wash Crosby on the -deck of that yacht. I can see them as plain as -day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Our old enemies!” murmured Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Da didn’t lose no time in gittin togedder after -da got out of de ’formatory, did da,” laughed -Blumpo. “Da say de bad ones allers do stick like -glue.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, maybe they’ll be first-class chaps now,” -said Jerry, who was willing to let the past be forgotten.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you be too sure on that p’int, lads,” put -<span class='pageno' title='106' id='Page_106'></span> -in Jack Broxton. “It’s mighty hard to make -anything out of a bad egg, and Si Peters and -Wash Crosby are bad eggs if ever there were any.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dat’s so, fo’ suah,” murmured Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, we won’t have any words with them,” -said Jerry. “We’ll let bygones be bygones.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to know where they got that -yacht,” said Harry. “It can’t be possible Mr. -Peters bought it for Si. When Si went to the -reformatory he told father he intended to send his -son to a military school and cut off his allowance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe Si has promised to reform. Hullo! -they are coming this way!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry sprang up in alarm, for the big yacht had -suddenly veered around several points and was -now coming head on toward them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll be run down!” shrieked Blumpo, in -terror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The young fools!” muttered Jack Broxton. -“Don’t they know anything about steering?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The big yacht is evidently one too many for -them. See, there is no one aboard but Si and -Wash. Two hands are not enough for such a -craft.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nearer and nearer the two yachts came to each -other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jack Broxton did his best to steer clear of the -Arrow, but he was at a disadvantage. Soon the -<span class='pageno' title='107' id='Page_107'></span> -big yacht took away all the wind of the Whistler -and she lay helpless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep off!” yelled Jerry, but the cry was unheeded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! Crash! The Arrow struck the Whistler -on the bow, the long bowsprit ripping a hole in -the main-sail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then came a smashing of woodwork and the -Whistler began to sink.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0021' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='108' id='Page_108'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE ROBBERY OF THE ROCKPOINT HOTEL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are lost!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Heaben sabe us!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Cling fast for your lives!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A dozen other cries rang out, for the force of the -collision was terrible.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But all clung fast and no one was thrown into -the water, to be struck and perhaps instantly -killed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean, Si Peters?” yelled Jerry. -“You ran into us on purpose!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was no time to reply nor to say more. -After the crash the two yachts drifted apart, and -with a somewhat damaged bowsprit the Arrow -went on her way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she slid by, Harry caught a glimpse of Wash -Crosby holding fast to a big red valise, which had -come near bounding overboard. He thought no -more of it at the time, but had good reason to remember -it later.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall we do?” asked Jack Broxton. -“We’ve got a neat little hole in the side.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can we beach her on the island?” asked Harry. -<span class='pageno' title='109' id='Page_109'></span> -“I don’t want the Whistler to go to the bottom of -the lake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I reckon I can manage it. Just hold that bit -of canvas over the hole.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry and our hero jumped to do as bidden, -while Jack Broxton and Blumpo undertook to -steer the yacht toward shore. The craft was becoming -so water-logged that she acted clumsily, -and they had their hands full.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We is gwine down, suah!” groaned Blumpo, -but as he spoke the keel grated on the sand, and a -moment later she swung around hard and fast, -and the danger of sinking was past.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While Jack and Blumpo lowered the sails, Harry -and Jerry carried several lines ashore and tied -them to the trees in such a fashion that the yacht -could not pound herself, even if the wind came up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After the sails were lowered old Jack inspected -the damage done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can patch the main-sail in an hour,” he said. -“But that hole at the bow will take three, and I -ought to have more tools than I’ve got aboard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t we patch things up sufficiently to take -her back into Lakeview?” asked Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe we can. But it would be better on account -of the wind to steer for Rockpoint. She -couldn’t stand the chop sea on the other course.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; we’ll steer for Rockpoint, and take -her over to Dan Mason’s boatyard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='110' id='Page_110'></span> -Blumpo ran down the shore of the island to tell -his father of what had happened. While he was -gone the others patched up the break at the bow -with some thin wood and a square of canvas, -tacked on, and gave all a coating of pitch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Half an hour later found the Whistler bound for -Rockpoint. They had to sail along with great -care, for fear of breaking open the patched place. -Had this occurred they would all have gone to the -bottom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was growing dusk when the harbor at Rockpoint -was reached. At the dock they saw that -something unusual had happened. A crowd of -men were gathered about talking earnestly, and -pointing up the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whoever they were, they took a boat, I’m sure -of that,” said one man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s so,” said another.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But who were they, and where did they go?” -asked a third.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ah, that’s for the police to find out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Wondering what was up, Jack Broxton and the -three boys brought the Whistler around to the -boatyard and turned her over to Dan Mason. -The old fellow, who was a first-class man at repairing -boats of all kinds, promised to have the -craft in good trim by noon of the next day.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you hear the news?” he asked, after their -business talk was at an end.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='111' id='Page_111'></span> -“What news?” asked Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“About the hotel being robbed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Robbed!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Exactly. A couple of thieves got into the safe -and took a box of jewelry and four hundred dollars -in cash.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By George! dat am a loss!” ejaculated -Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The jewelry is said to be worth nearly one -thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Have they any idea who the thieves were?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, they wore handkerchiefs over their faces, -with holes cut in ’em for to see. Some thinks as -how they got away in one o’ the boats lying up -shore.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How did they do the job?” questioned Jerry, -with much interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t hear any of the particklers, boys.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on up to the hotel and find out,” said -Harry. “We haven’t got to hurry home this -evening.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Side by side Harry and the young oarsman -walked to the Rockpoint Hotel, a large place, -now filled to overflowing with Summer boarders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They found every one around the resort talking -over the case. Presently Harry heard somebody -say that the stolen money and box of jewels had -been placed by the robbers into a large red valise -<span class='pageno' title='112' id='Page_112'></span> -belonging to the proprietor of the hotel. At once -he called Jerry aside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know who committed this robbery,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Si Peters and Wash Crosby.”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0022' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='113' id='Page_113'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE RED VALISE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course Jerry was astonished at his chum’s -declaration.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How do you know this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They had that red valise. I saw it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us make a few more inquiries before we say -anything,” replied Jerry, slowly. “It’s pretty bad -to accuse anybody of such a crime as this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They asked a number of people about the robbery, -but could gain no information which would -directly implicate Si Peters and his crony.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We had better keep mum for the present, -Harry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What, and let the robbers escape?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t want that to happen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two talked it over for awhile, and when they -returned home they were much troubled. But -that night word came from New York City which -mystified them greatly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A detective telegraphed he had captured two -tramps who confessed to a hotel robbery on Lake -Otasco.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='114' id='Page_114'></span> -“That settles it,” said Harry. “We were all -wrong, and I am glad we said nothing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On the following day they rowed over to Rockpoint -for the Whistler. They heard no more -about the hotel robbery, and the matter almost -slipped their minds. But they were destined ere -long to remember the occurrence full well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry talked matters over with their -parents and made plans to sail down the Poplar -River to Long Lake, and go to the yacht races at -once.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jack Broxton was to accompany them. Unfortunately -for Blumpo, his father was taken sick -and the youth had to remain behind to attend -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bright and early the next day the trip was commenced.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It lasted two days and three nights, and then -they found themselves out on Long Lake, a large -and beautiful sheet of water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry and Jerry had studied up all the newspaper -reports concerning the race between the -Defender, a splendid yacht from the Poplar River, -and the Spray, a craft from up the lake, and they -knew exactly where to go in order to see the race -to the best advantage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know the captain of the Defender well,” said -Harry. “He and father are old friends.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maybe he’ll let you on his yacht then,” said -Jerry. “My, but wouldn’t that be jolly!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='115' id='Page_115'></span> -“I won’t go without you,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to be on that yacht myself,” said -old Jack Broxton, as they presently came in sight -of the Defender, anchored a short distance from -the starting point of the race.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll run up and I’ll hail the captain,” said -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This suited everybody, and it was done. The -captain of the Defender was on deck seeing to it -that everything was in order for the race. He -greeted Harry with a pleasant wave of his hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can we come on board and take a look -around?” asked Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but you won’t have time to waste,” was -the captain’s reply. “We’ve got to get down to -the starting point soon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Whistler was run up alongside, and Harry -and Jerry leaped on board of the Defender. They -shook hands with the captain, and also with -Frank Lee, the captain’s nephew, a bright boy of -their own age.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were much interested in the magnificent -yacht and all of her appointments, and laughed -greatly when Frank Lee snatched off their caps -and placed caps on them with the name of the -Defender above the peaks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now you fellows belong to the crew!” cried -Frank Lee.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, we’ll help you beat the Spray,” returned -Jerry, quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='116' id='Page_116'></span> -The captain overheard the remark and turned -to Harry:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Would you really like to remain on board during -the race?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed we would!” said Harry. “And we’ll do -duty, too, same as the rest of the crew, if you’ll -only keep us. You know both of us understand all -about a regular yacht.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you can stay. I am short one man, and -two boys ought to more than make up for him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perhaps Jerry and Harry were not delighted? -They sent word to Jack Broxton, and then made -themselves familiar with the great yacht, the pride -of all on board.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon it was time to up anchor and make for the -starting point. Jerry and Harry worked manfully -at the ropes, and so did Frank Lee. No one is -allowed to remain idle on a racing yacht. The -least one can do is to rush to this side or that and -thus make “ballast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All ready!” came the word, and the signal was -given to start, and the Defender and the Spray -were off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently Jerry came over to the captain, who -was at the wheel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can we pass the Spray?” he asked, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can try, Upton,” was the reply. “Can you -take the wheel for a minute. I must have a drink -of water.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='117' id='Page_117'></span> -“Aye, aye, sir,” said Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How proudly he took hold of the wheel! He was -for the time being in absolute command of the Defender.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An extra breeze sprang up. They were sailing -almost side by side with the Spray. Suddenly the -Defender shot ahead. Our hero stuck to the wheel, -while Harry and Frank Lee did their full share of -work with the rest of the crew.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Defender was ahead, but the race was not -yet over.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0023' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='118' id='Page_118'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE MISHAP TO THE YACHT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman was not allowed to remain -at the wheel long. Soon the captain of the Defender -came up again and took charge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I see we have passed the Spray,” he said. -“That’s a good one for you, Upton. Now we -must keep ahead.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After turning the wheel over to the captain, -Jerry moved forward to where Harry and Frank -Lee were standing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the gallant yacht was cutting -the water like a razor. The breeze was stiff, and -they were running free before it. Soon the Spray -was almost out of sight behind them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This Defender is a great boat,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the wind on the starboard quarter the -Defender and the Spray reached along for over a -mile at a six knots an hour gait.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the wind fell off to almost a calm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is no good,” observed Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fortunes of racing,” laughed Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to see another stiff breeze.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='119' id='Page_119'></span> -“We may catch more than enough before we -have finished,” put in Frank Lee.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The further on the two yachts went the lighter -became the wind, and each in turn ran into “soft” -spots, when balloon top-sails hung up and down -idly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But no matter how the wind came the Defender -got along, leaving the Spray steadily behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a triangular course, of three miles to each -side, and soon the first side was sailed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The yachts wore around the first mark float, -leaving it on the port hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Baby jib top-sails had been sent down before the -rounding, and spinnaker poles were now ready for -the balloon sail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With booms well off to port, the Defender led the -way to the second stretch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sharp work was done in handling the spinnaker, -for just one minute after rounding this big balloon -was set and pulling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was clever work, but the Spray sailors did -fully as well, for they had their spinnaker on just -as fast.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great Caesar!” ejaculated our hero, suddenly, -“Look!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ashore the sky grew black and ominous, foreboding -a coming squall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The weather certainly looked bad, and it turned -out worse than it looked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='120' id='Page_120'></span> -Instead of wind, rain came on, and soon all on -board the yachts were soaked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you think of that, Jerry?” asked -Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re going to catch it and no mistake,” replied -the young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All hands on board saw the coming squall and -looked at the captain for orders, but none came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The yachts, favored by a strengthening breeze, -were pushed on to meet that which was sure to -come, and half-way over on the third stretch it -came on hard and struck the Defender.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! slash! went the sails and the gallant -yacht swept well over on her side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again all looked to the captain, but he shook -his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Reckon he wants to see what she can stand,” -whispered Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was right. The captain, at the wheel, held -the yacht up to it, and held her true.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On and on they went, the sky growing blacker -and blacker as they proceeded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly Jerry heard a crack like a pistol shot, -and looking forward saw that the standing part -of the bridle to the jib had parted. The seizing -pulled out and away went the sheets.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sail snapped and cracked loudly, and in a -second more it carried away the club on the clew -of the jib.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='121' id='Page_121'></span> -“There she goes!” yelled somebody.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hardly had he uttered these words when the -big sail split in half and hung flapping in the wind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was now utterly useless to the racing yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A new sail must be set at once, but in that high -wind who would bring the old sail in?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll volunteer!” cried Jerry, as he sprang forward, -and Harry and Frank Lee came close on his -heels.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The crew hung back for a moment, and in that -time Jerry reached the flying sail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He caught one end just as an extra heavy puff -of wind came on, and in a twinkle he was dragged -half overboard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now Harry and Frank Lee sprang to the -rescue, and then the regular crew came forward. -All worked like beavers, and soon the torn sail -was taken off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Six minutes later a new sail was in place, and -on went the gallant Defender as speedily as before.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She carried herself well, and nothing was lost in -that blow but the jib.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the Spray could not stand the -strain and ran on behind with all sails reefed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A great yacht,” said those on the other boats. -And the Defender stock went away up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The captain praised Jerry for the quickness with -which he had taken hold of the torn sail and -steadied it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='122' id='Page_122'></span> -“A loose sail on board a racing craft is a dangerous -thing,” he said, “for there is no telling how -much damage it will do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The squall was of short duration, not lasting -over seven minutes, if as long. It gathered -strength as it worked off shore, and some of the -pleasure boats received the full benefit of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the Defender got within two miles of the finishing -line the breeze fell off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Still the gallant craft held her own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The finish is in sight!” cried Jerry, presently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was right. A mile more and the race would -be over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Those on board of the Spray did their best to -haul up to the Defender.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The effort did not avail them, for the Defender -gained steadily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last the line was crossed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Defender had won the race by a lead of over -half a mile, and she received a rousing reception.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Steam whistles blew their mightiest, flags waved, -and the crowd on the other boats shouted themselves -hoarse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a great day, and one never to be forgotten.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That settles it,” said Harry. “The Defender is -the champion yacht of the club.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was not long after this that the Whistler ran -up and took Jerry and Harry on board. Old Jack -<span class='pageno' title='123' id='Page_123'></span> -Broxton had seen the race and was greatly -pleased.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys resolved to anchor the Whistler off the -upper shore of Long Lake that night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll leave Jack in charge and take a trip -down to Harmony Beach,” suggested Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This suited Jerry, and by half past six the two -boys were on board the open cars on their way to -the great Summer resort. They enjoyed the ride -very much, especially Jerry who had never been to -the beach before. They visited the hotels and had -supper, and then listened to a band concert.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was after eleven o’clock before they were -ready to return to the Whistler.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As they were making their way back to the cars -Jerry caught Harry by the arm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look! Look!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry looked, and in a crowd of people saw -Wash Crosby. Not far away stood Si Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Both were swaggering around as if they had -plenty of money and wanted everybody to know -it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall we do?” asked Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hardly know,” replied Jerry. “I feel certain -in my mind that they robbed the Rockpoint Hotel -in spite of what the detectives think.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So do I. But we can’t prove it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two boys resolved to watch Peters and -Crosby and try to overhear any private talk they -might have.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='124' id='Page_124'></span> -Peters and Crosby entered a large music hall and -sat down at one of the tables.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Motioning to Harry, our hero led the way to the -side of the building.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A board was off, and by standing near the -opening they could hear everything Si Peters and -Wash Crosby said.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0024' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='125' id='Page_125'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>WORDS AND BLOWS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>The very first words spoken by Si Peters confirmed -the young oarsman’s suspicions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What did you do with the valise, Wash?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Left it on the yacht at the cove,” replied Wash -Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s where you made a big mistake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How so?” growled the toady.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They might take it into their heads to search -the yacht.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I guess not.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We don’t want to run any chances of being -found out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re all right; don’t worry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps we are and perhaps we are not.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, keep still, and let us enjoy the music,” -growled Crosby, for an orchestra was now -playing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A waiter came up and Si Peters gave an order. -Jerry was quite sure he had ordered something -stronger than what he was in the habit of drinking -at home. It was evident that the bully of Rockpoint -had turned out even worse than before.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='126' id='Page_126'></span> -“What shall we do?” whispered Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We ought to inform the police.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just my idea of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know if there are any officers around -here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, there must be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They looked around, but in the darkness no policeman -could be seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You stay here and I’ll go hunt up somebody,” -said Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scarcely had he spoken, however, when their attention -was attracted to a row that was taking -place in the concert hall. Two men were fighting, -and presently a chair flew through the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At once those sitting around tried to retire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Peters and Crosby rushed out in the crowd, and -not to lose sight of the pair Jerry and Harry went -after them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Fifty feet from the concert hall the four came -face to face. Si Peters started back, and Wash -Crosby wanted to run for it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who—what?” stammered Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We have caught you,” said Jerry, boldly. -“You may as well give in.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We know that you robbed the Rockpoint -Hotel,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s not so,” cried Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shut up!” hissed Si Peters.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='127' id='Page_127'></span> -Without warning he hit Jerry a sharp blow in -the face. Then he rushed at Harry and tripped -him up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on!” he yelled to Crosby. “We must get -away!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like a deer he ran off, behind a large roller -coaster where all was dark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry stopped Peters, but only for a moment. -Heavy blows were exchanged and then Peters followed -his chum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They are gone, sure enough!” cried Harry, in -dismay.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And gone they were, swallowed up in the crowd -which surged on all sides of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry searched in vain for the two -evil-doers and then hunted up the police and told -their story.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A watch was set, but Si Peters and Wash Crosby -managed to escape from the beach resort without -being detected.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry returned to Lakeview with the -Whistler, and the report spread that Si Peters -and Wash Crosby had robbed the hotel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first Mr. Peters refused to believe it. He -came over to Jerry’s home, and threatened Mr. -Upton with a lawsuit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the farmer quickly silenced him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t say a word to me, Mr. Peters,” he said. -“A boy that will try to tar and feather another -<span class='pageno' title='128' id='Page_128'></span> -boy, and then set fire to a barn and burn up -cattle, isn’t none too good to rob a hotel.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My son is as good as yours!” growled Mr. -Peters, and went off in a perfect rage. But he -bothered the Uptons no more, nor did he go near -the Parkers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The lake was searched, and the yacht found up -at the cove Si Peters had mentioned. On board -was found the valise taken from the hotel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After this detectives were sent out to find the -two young rascals. But Si Peters and Wash -Crosby kept out of sight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet the day of reckoning was not far off, as we -shall soon see.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>About a week after this Harry invited Jerry to -a drive along the west shore of Lake Otasco.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As they bowled along they talked over all sorts -of matters, and presently Harry mentioned Si -Peters and Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wonder if they are still hanging around -Harmony Beach?” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t think they would dare,” replied -Jerry. “They must know by the newspapers that -the detectives are on their track.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wish we could bring them to justice. It -would be a feather in our cap.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So it would, Harry. But I would rather have -the law do the work. I never want to have anymore -to do with either of them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='129' id='Page_129'></span> -It did not take the two boys long to drive to the -lower end of the lake. Here the team was put up -at a livery stable, and the chums hired bathing -suits and houses, and spread themselves for a fine -dip in the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The water was just right, and they enjoyed -every second of the half hour they allowed themselves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was eight o’clock in the evening before they -went to get their team again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The moon was just coming up over the rim of -the lake and this promised them a splendid drive -back to Lakeview.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Harry and our hero entered the turnout -two figures stole up from the back of the -barn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pair were Si Peters and Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They ran on ahead, and as the boys waited to -settle with the livery stable keeper they soon disappeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry drove, and the young oarsman leaned -back and took it easy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A mile was covered, and they were just passing a -clump of bushes when whizz! a stone came flying -into the carriage. It struck Jerry on the arm, -causing him to cry with pain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who threw that?” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Whizz! came another stone. It struck Harry -in the cheek, drawing blood.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='130' id='Page_130'></span> -“Whoa!” yelled Jerry, and while the horses were -still in motion, he leaped to the road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He had noted the direction from which the -missiles came, and bound off, but behind the -bushes all was dark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look out for yourself!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was busy with the horses, who were shying -first to one side and then to the other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first Jerry could see nothing, but soon he discovered -two forms in the semi-darkness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He rushed over and found himself face to face -with Si Peters and Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Peters!” he ejaculated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scarcely had he spoken when a club was raised. -Jerry tried to avoid the descending blow, but was -only partly successful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The club landed over his shoulder and neck and -he was more than half stunned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come!” he heard Peters whisper to Crosby, -and then all became a confused whirl and he -pitched forward in the grass.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two rascals ran out into the road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That for you, Harry Parker!” yelled Si -Peters, and struck Harry in the knee with the -club.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meantime Wash Crosby sprang half into -the carriage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He made a grab at Harry’s gold watch chain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The chain broke from the buttonhole and along -with it came Harry’s beautiful timepiece.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='131' id='Page_131'></span> -“I’ll keep this to remember you by!” cried -Wash Crosby in derision, and away he sped across -the highway and down a side road, with Si Peters -at his heels.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0025' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='132' id='Page_132'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>ANOTHER BOAT RACE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>The horses now demanded all of Harry’s attention. -One of them was bound to run away, -and the youth had all he could do to hold the -animal in check. But the lad knew what he was -doing and presently held them under complete -control.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then our hero staggered out of the bushes with -his hand on his neck, where a big lump was -rising.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where are they?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gone! Did they rob you, Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then you are in luck.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean, Harry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Crosby took my gold watch and chain.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He did. Jerry, those two chaps have turned -nothing but common thieves,” went on Harry, -bitterly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It certainly looks so, Harry. What shall we -do now?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='133' id='Page_133'></span> -“Jump in and we’ll go after them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was soon beside Harry, and they turned -up the side road taken by the fugitives. The -moon was out full, making the way as light as -day, yet nothing was to be seen of the rascally -pair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was not to be wondered at, for after running -along the road but a few hundred feet, Si -Peters and Wash Crosby had taken to an open -field. Crossing this, they came out upon a railroad -track. A freight train was coming along -slowly, around the bend of the lake, and they had -small trouble in boarding this. Inside of an -hour they were many miles away from the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Harry searched for the pair until midnight, -and then gave up the hunt and returned to -Lakeview. Once again the authorities were notified, -and the detectives started on a fresh hunt for -the evil-doers. Yet it was destined to be a long -time before Si Peters and Wash Crosby were heard -of again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>About this time the Lakeview boat club was -organizing another series of rowing races, and -both Harry and Jerry were easily persuaded to -enter a contest, which was to take place between a -number of local oarsmen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A prize of a fine bicycle had been put up, also -several other articles of more or less value, and -<span class='pageno' title='134' id='Page_134'></span> -Jerry and Harry immediately went into training, -with a firm determination to win.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There were seven entries, all by young fellows of -Jerry’s age, and as the youth looked at his opponents -he felt that the race would be no easy one.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Saturday afternoon, the time appointed for the -contest, came, bright and clear, and it found the -lake front crowded to its utmost capacity. Many -came over from Rockpoint, but it was noticed that -those who had belonged to Si Peters’ crowd were -absent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The race was to be two miles long, up the lake -and back again. The boats were all drawn up in -a line, and everything was made ready for a start. -Jerry was at one end of the line, with Harry at -the other, and the remaining five contestants between -them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bang! went the gun on the judges’ boat, and -away shot the seven rowers like one man; and the -race was begun.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For over half a mile the seven contestants kept -almost side by side. Then three of them were -seen to drop behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gravling is ahead!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Harry Parker is second.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Phil Raymond is a close third!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton is crawling up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the shouting went on, as the four leaders -swept past. When the turning point was reached, -<span class='pageno' title='135' id='Page_135'></span> -Harry led, Raymond came second, Gravling third, -and Jerry fourth. The remaining three felt they -were out of the race, and rowed back to the boathouse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Harry!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter, Jerry? You’re not doing -as good as the day you beat Si Peters!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurry up, Gravling!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pull for all you know how, Raymond!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On and on came the four, their long blades -flashing brightly in the sunshine. They were making -fast time, and, no matter who won, the lake -record was likely to be broken.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Half way down the homestretch, Harry still led, -with Gravling but half a length behind him. A -length further back came Raymond and Jerry, -side by side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the terrific speed was now beginning to tell -upon Raymond, and slowly but surely he fell behind, -despite the urgings of his friends. Then -Jerry set to work to overtake Gravling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See Jerry Upton crawling up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, but isn’t that a beautiful stroke!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gravling can’t shake him off!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They are a tie!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The last cry was true. When still a dozen -lengths from the finish Jerry had overtaken Gravling. -But they did not remain tied long. Half a -dozen strokes and Jerry shot ahead and the bow -of his craft overlapped Harry’s stern.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='136' id='Page_136'></span> -“Jerry Upton is second!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s going to shake up Harry Parker for first -place!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On came the two friends, but now it was noticed -that Jerry, although he still rowed his best, seemed -to be losing his interest in the race.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It will be no fun to beat Harry,” was the -thought which ran through his head; and then, -with a yell from three thousand throats, Harry -crossed the line a winner, with our hero not quite -half a boat length behind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah for Harry Parker!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Cheer after cheer rent the air, and both lads were -immediately surrounded by their friends. Jerry -was one of the first to shake his chum’s hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won it fairly, Harry,” he said. “What -kind of time did we make?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was greatly pleased to learn that the lake -record for two miles had been lowered by forty-three -seconds, and that he had helped lower it by -forty-two seconds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That evening the club held a meeting, and Harry -was presented with the bicycle, something he had -been wishing for for some time. Jerry’s prize was -a silver watch and chain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This just suits me,” he said. “Now, when I’m -away from home, I’ll be able to tell what time it -is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='137' id='Page_137'></span> -The celebration was at its height, when a message -came for Jerry from his home, stating that -his father had been kicked by one of the horses -and was badly injured.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This news shocked the youth a good deal, and -bidding his friends a hasty good-night, the young -oarsman set off for the farm on a run.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He found his father lying on a couch in the dining-room. -A doctor had just arrived, and he was -doing all that he could for the sufferer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where did the horse kick him, mother?” he -questioned, hurriedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In the side, right under the heart,” replied Mrs. -Upton. “Oh, I do trust it is not serious!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So do I. What can I do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know. We must see what the doctor -says.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The medical man, after a long examination, declared -that several ribs had been fractured, and -that Mr. Upton was suffering from shock. Some -medicine was administered, and the patient was -carefully carried upstairs and placed upon a -bed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>No one in the farmhouse slept that night. Mrs. -Upton sat by her husband’s side, and Jerry came -and went, ready to do anything that might be -asked of him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two days later the doctor pronounced the -wounded man out of danger. But his injuries -<span class='pageno' title='138' id='Page_138'></span> -were severe, and it would be a long while before -Mr. Upton would be able to go around as before.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His enforced idleness made the farmer fret a -good deal. It was true that the harvest work on -the farm was over, but he had wished to do much -more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I reckon that trip to New York is now -out of the question,” Jerry heard him say to Mrs. -Upton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, father, were you going to New York?” -asked the boy, in much curiosity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I had an idea that way, son,” returned Mr. -Upton, slowly. “I was going on business,” he -added, after a pause.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this Jerry was more curious than ever. -New York was over two hundred miles from Lakeview, -and he had never heard of his parent having -business in the metropolis.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You see it’s this way, Jerry,” said Mr. Upton, -noticing his look. “When your uncle Charley -died he left all his property to me. Some time -ago I was cleaning out one of his old trunks and -I ran across some deeds to property in California. -From what I can make out the land must be nigh -to the city of Sacramento.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And the property belongs to you?” cried -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I can’t say that exactly. As near as I can -figure it, your uncle Charley owned an interest in -<span class='pageno' title='139' id='Page_139'></span> -it. The property was in the hands of a land -boomer named Alexander Slocum, and there was -a letter in the trunk from this Alexander Slocum -which was dated from New York. I think this -boomer holds other papers relating to the land, -and I was thinking of making a trip to New York -and hunting him up, if he is still there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why not let me go to New York in your place,” -suggested Jerry, quickly. It had always been the -ambition of his life to pay a visit to the great -metropolis.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I was kind of thinking of that, son,” -returned the sick man, slowly. “I’ll see about it -in a day or two.”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0026' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='140' id='Page_140'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY STARTS ON A JOURNEY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Now that the matter had once been talked over, -the young oarsman was very anxious to know all -about the property in California, and his mother -brought forth the deeds and other papers found -in the old trunk.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy studied the documents with care. He -knew but little of the law, yet he felt that if the -land mentioned in the papers was valuable his -father’s share, as heir to his uncle, must be considerable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to ask Mr. Parker about this,” he -said to his folks, but Mr. Upton shook his head. -He was a very retired man and never brought his -affairs to the ears of any outsider.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The whole thing might prove worthless,” he -said, “and then we would be laughed at by our -neighbors.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’d risk it,” said Jerry, but his father only -shook his head again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nevertheless Mr. Upton appeared to be favorably -impressed with the idea of Jerry’s going to -New York to hunt up Alexander Slocum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='141' id='Page_141'></span> -“It won’t do any harm,” he said to his wife. “I -have money for the fare in the house, and it will -give Jerry a chance to see a bit of the world.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Upton was doubtful, but when Jerry begged -to go she finally consented. Long talks about the -western land and Alexander Slocum followed, and -the youth prevailed upon his folks to let him take -the deeds and papers with him, promising that he -would take the best of care of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And while I’m in New York I’m going to look -around for a situation, and earn a little money,” -said Jerry. “Who knows but what I may strike -even a better opening than that Mr. Parker has -promised me at his shoe factory.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s not likely a lad off the farm can strike -much,” smiled his mother, yet she was pleased at -Jerry’s earnestness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Three days later Jerry was off, valise in hand. -He had bid good-bye to Harry and Blumpo, telling -them he was going to New York on some private -business for his father. His mother saw him -to the train and kissed him affectionately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take good care of yourself, Jerry,” she said. -“And remember, New York is an entirely different -place from Lakeview or Rockpoint, and you must -have your eyes and ears open to avoid trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll take care of myself, don’t worry mother,” -and two minutes later the train came along and -he was off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='142' id='Page_142'></span> -Yet it must be confessed that our hero felt just a -bit strange as he settled back in the cushioned -seat, with his valise beside him. He was going -over two hundred miles from home and among -total strangers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I suppose it will be different from knocking -around Lakeview, Rockpoint or even Long Lake,” -he mused. “I’ll have to brace up and watch myself, -or they’ll take me for a regular greeny.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the train moved on, Jerry revolved the situation -in his mind. He knew he would arrive in the -metropolis late in the afternoon, and determined -to seek a boarding-house first of all, knowing it -would be useless to hunt for any trace of Alexander -Slocum after office hours.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last the run through green fields and small -towns and cities came to an end, and the train ran -into the Grand Central Depot at Forty-second -Street, and Jerry alighted in a crowd and made his -way to the street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Cab! coupe! This way for the Central Hotel! -Evening paper! Sun or World!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A hundred cries seemed to start up all in an -instant, making Jerry’s ears ring. The rattle of -the carts and trucks on the pavement was also -new, and for the moment, the Lakeview boy did -not know which way to turn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Carry yer baggage?” queried a bare-foot boy, -and almost caught his valise from his hand. But -<span class='pageno' title='143' id='Page_143'></span> -the young oarsman pulled it back and shook his -head, and got out of the crowd as quickly as he -could, starting eastward, for he had heard that -the cheaper boarding houses lay in that direction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was not long before the boy came to several -places which displayed the sign, Boarding. But -the first two were too elegant, and Jerry passed -them without stopping. Then came a third, and -ascending the steps Jerry rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An elderly lady answered the summons, a sharp-faced -woman with powdered hair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You take boarders here?” queried Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We do, young man,” she answered, in a voice -that made our hero far from comfortable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I expect to stay in New York a week or two, -and I—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We don’t take transients,” she snapped. -“Only regular boarders with first-class references,” -and she shut the door in Jerry’s face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was glad enough to escape to the pavement, -feeling satisfied that he would not have cared to -have boarded there, even had she been willing to -take him in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A block further on was another place, a modest -brick residence, set back behind a small plot of -green. Thinking this looked inviting, and not -reasoning that the spot of green was as valuable -as a brown-stone building would have been, -Jerry entered the garden and made known his -<span class='pageno' title='144' id='Page_144'></span> -wants to the servant who was dusting the piazza -chairs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She called the lady of the house, who on hearing -what Jerry had to say, smiled in a motherly way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hardly think I can take you in, my boy,” she -said. “Do you know how much I charge a week?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, ma’am.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Twelve to fifteen dollars for a single room and -not less than ten otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry almost gasped for breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is twice what I can afford to pay,” he -returned. “Gracious! I had no idea rates were so -high.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is not high, here in New York. But perhaps -I can direct you to a place that will suit. I -have a friend three blocks over. Here is her card,” -and she handed it over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thanking her, the young oarsman got out without -delay. He was glad she had directed him, for -now he was certain he would at least strike a place -that would fit his pocket-book.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry went on until he came to an avenue down -which the elevated cars were running. They were -a great novelty and he paused on the corner to -watch several of the trains rattle along overhead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Jerry was about to move on, he heard a wild -cry of alarm from the second story window of a -house opposite. Looking in the direction, he saw -a girl pointing up the street to where a baby-carriage -<span class='pageno' title='145' id='Page_145'></span> -had rolled from the pavement to the -gutter, overturning itself and spilling a little child -into the street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The youth ran in the direction with the idea of -picking the child up. As he did this an ice-wagon -came along at a furious speed, the driver on the -seat trying in vain to stop his horse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The ice-wagon was heading directly for the child -and unless something was done the little one -would be run over and most likely killed. With -his heart in his throat our hero threw down his -valise and leaped to the rescue. In another instant -the runaway horse was fairly on top of the -lad.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0027' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='146' id='Page_146'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE WORK OF A REAL HERO.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry’s heart was in his throat when he sprang -to the rescue of the little child in the street. He -saw that the horse attached to the ice-wagon -could not be stopped and realized only too well -what it meant should he be struck down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet the sight of that innocent face nerved him -on, and in less time than it takes to write it he -had the child in his arms. Clinging to the little -one, he flung himself backward, and like a flash -the horse sprang past, dragging the ice-wagon -so close that the wheels scraped his leg.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A shout went up from the crowd, but Jerry did -not hear what was said. Staggering up, he ran -back to the sidewalk, leaving the baby-carriage -a wreck behind him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In another moment the girl who had given the -first cry of alarm was at Jerry’s side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is he hurt? Is little Tommy hurt?” she cried, -as she snatched the youngster from Jerry’s arms.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Me fell in the dirt,” lisped the little one. “Me -ain’t hurt, but me awful dirty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind the dirt, dear,” cried the girl. “I -<span class='pageno' title='147' id='Page_147'></span> -am thankful you escaped. Mary, why didn’t you -take better care of him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The last words were addressed to an Irish girl -who had just sauntered up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I went to get a hoky-poky at the corner,” replied -the girl. “I don’t care to mind yer brother -any more anyway,” she added, and darted out of -sight into the crowd.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seeing the little boy was uninjured, the crowd -moved on, and presently the young oarsman found -himself alone with the girl, who appeared to be -several years older than himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are a brave boy,” she said, warmly. “I -would like to reward you, but I am poor.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t want any reward,” replied Jerry, -stoutly. “It was a close shave, though.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look like a stranger around here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am—I just arrived in New York and I am -looking for a boarding-house. Can you tell me -where this one is?” and Jerry showed her the card -the lady had given him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes; it is one block over to your left—a -real nice house, too. May I ask your name?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mine is Nellie Ardell, and this is my brother -Tommy. We are alone here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Haven’t you any folks?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. Mother was with us up to last winter, but -she had consumption and died.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='148' id='Page_148'></span> -The tears stood in Nellie Ardell’s eyes as she -spoke. Jerry saw at once that she had had a hard -struggle of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you do for a living?” he ventured to -ask.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do sewing and mending for my neighbors—principally -mending for the girls who work in the -stores.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And can you make much that way?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not a great deal. But I try to make enough -to pay the rent and store bills. May I ask what -you are going to do in New York?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I came to find a real estate dealer named Alexander -Slocum. I want to see him about some -property left by my uncle to my father. Have you -ever heard of him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Heard of him?” she cried in surprise. “He is -my landlord.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was dumbfounded by this unexpected bit of -information.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are certain?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, of course I am. He was around to see -me only day before yesterday about the rent. I -am a bit behind, and I had to put him off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And what kind of a man is he?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think he is very hard-hearted. But then, -that may be because I am behind in my payment. -He threatened to put me out of my rooms if I -didn’t pay when he called again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='149' id='Page_149'></span> -“How many rooms have you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Only two, and I pay six dollars a month for -them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And how far behind are you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I only owe for the month.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And he won’t trust you even that long? He -certainly must be mean,” Jerry rejoined warmly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You said something about property belonging -to your father,” said Nellie Ardell. “Has Mr. -Slocum an interest in it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He has and he hasn’t,” the boy replied, and he -told his story in a few words as they walked along -to the entrance of the house in which she lived.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I trust you get your right, Jerry Upton,” -said the girl. “Come and see me some time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will,” and after Jerry had procured Alexander -Slocum’s office address from her, the pair -separated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was very thoughtful as he proceeded on -his way. By a turn of fortune he had gotten on -Slocum’s track much quicker than expected. The -question was, how should he best approach the -man?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll settle that after I have procured a boarding -place,” he thought, and hurried to the address -given him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Price, the landlady, was a very nice old -person. She had a top room in the back she said -she would let with board, for five dollars a week, -<span class='pageno' title='150' id='Page_150'></span> -and Jerry closed with her without delay, paying -for one week in advance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This finished, our hero found he was hungry, -and after a washing-up, ate supper with a relish. -He could not help but notice that the vegetables -and milk served were not as fresh as those at -home, but remembered he was now in the city and -not on a farm, and did not complain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Price had taken in another new boarder -that day, a tall, slim man, possibly thirty years -of age. He was introduced as Mr. Wakefield -Smith, and he did all he could to make himself -popular. Jerry felt that a good bit of his pleasantry -was forced, but as there was no use in finding -fault, he became quite friendly with the man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Supposing we take a walk out together this -evening?” Wakefield Smith suggested. “No -doubt you would like to see the sights.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll go out for an hour or so,” answered the -young oarsman, and they started while it was yet -light.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Wakefield Smith knew the metropolis from -end to end, and as the pair covered block after -block, he pointed out various buildings. He -smoked constantly, and several times invited -Jerry to have a cigar, but the youth declined.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Supposing we have a drink, then?” he urged.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again Jerry declined, which made the man -frown. He insisted Jerry should at least have -<span class='pageno' title='151' id='Page_151'></span> -some soda water with him, and at last the boy -accepted, and they entered rather a modest looking -drug store on a side street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hullo! what’s that crowd on the street?” exclaimed -Mr. Wakefield Smith, as the glasses were -set out, and as Jerry looked out of the doorway -he fancied the man shoved up close to where his -glass was standing and made a movement as if to -throw something into it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry saw nothing unusual in the street, and the -man’s manner made him suspicious, so that he -hesitated about drinking the soda. He swallowed -a small portion of it and threw the remainder in a -corner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter, don’t you like it?” demanded -Wakefield Smith, almost roughly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it’s bitter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Humph!” He growled something under his -breath. “I’ll not treat you again,” he went on, as -they came out on the street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>What Jerry had taken of the soda had made his -head ache, and this caused the young oarsman to -grow more suspicious than ever. He had read in -a daily paper about folks being drugged by friendly -strangers, and resolved to be on guard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pair passed on the distance of a block, and -then Jerry announced his intention of returning -home to the boarding-house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t go yet,” urged Mr. Wakefield Smith. -<span class='pageno' title='152' id='Page_152'></span> -“Come on across the way. There are some beautiful -pictures in an art store window I want to -show you. One of the pictures is worth ten thousand -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He caught our hero by the arm and hurried him -over the way and into the crowd. Jerry was -jostled to the right and left, and it was fully a -minute before he squeezed himself out to a clear -spot. Then he looked around for Mr. Wakefield -Smith, but the man was gone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like a flash Jerry felt something had gone -wrong. He put his hand in his pocket. His -money was missing!</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0028' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='153' id='Page_153'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A FRUITLESS SEARCH.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Less than half a day in New York and robbed! -Oh, what a greeny I have been!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus Jerry groaned to himself as he searched -first one pocket and then another. It was all to -no purpose, the money was gone and he was left -absolutely penniless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman was certain that Mr. Wakefield -Smith had robbed him. He had been wary of -the man from the start, and now blamed himself -greatly for having given the rascal the chance to -take the pocket-book.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without loss of time Jerry darted into the -crowd again, looking in every direction for the -thief. He was so eager, he ran plump into an old -gentleman, knocking his silk hat to the pavement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hi! hi! stop, you young rascal!” puffed the -man, as Jerry stooped and restored the tile to -him. “What do you mean by running into me in -this fashion?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Excuse me, but I have been robbed! I want to -catch the thief.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Robbed?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='154' id='Page_154'></span> -“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The gentleman nervously felt to see if his money -and watch were safe. Several others heard the -words, and they gathered around Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who robbed you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How much did you have?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why didn’t you hold the thief?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before Jerry could answer any of the questions -a policeman came forward and touched him on -the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you the boy said he was robbed?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What were you robbed of?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A pocket-book containing nearly thirty dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you see the thief?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I believe it was a man I was walking with. He -called himself Wakefield Smith.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The policeman questioned Jerry closely, and -then took a good look around for the individual. -Later on, boy and officer walked to Mrs. Price’s -boarding-house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here it was learned that Mr. Wakefield Smith -had not paid any board money, giving as an -excuse that he had nothing less than a one-hundred-dollar -bill and that he would pay in the -morning. It also came to light that he had walked -out with Mrs. Price’s silver-handled umbrella, -worth eight dollars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='155' id='Page_155'></span> -“The villain!” she cried. “I hope the police -catch him!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You don’t wish it more than I do,” returned -the young oarsman, dolefully. “He took my last -dollar.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Acting on the policeman’s advice, Jerry walked -around to the nearest precinct station and made -a complaint, giving the best description of Mr. -Wakefield Smith he could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We will do our best to capture him,” said the -captain in charge, and with this promise the -youth had to be content.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>My readers can imagine our hero did not spend -a restful night. He lay awake for several hours -speculating on the turn affairs had taken. His -board was paid for a week, but that was all. He -did not even have money to pay car fare back to -Lakeview.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wonder what mother and father would say -if they knew?” he thought. “I won’t let them -know until there’s nothing else to do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry arose early the next day and got breakfast -before any of the other boarders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I must find something to do without delay,” -he explained to Mrs. Price. “A fellow without a -dollar in his pocket can’t afford to remain idle.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have a week’s board coming to you,” she -said, with a faint smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but I haven’t even the price of a car fare -in my pocket.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='156' id='Page_156'></span> -“Well, Mr. Upton, I like your looks, and if -you’ll accept it I’ll loan you a couple of dollars. -I suppose it was partly my fault that Smith robbed -you. But don’t blame me, I’ve suffered, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will accept the loan gladly, Mrs. Price. I -don’t like to go around without a cent. I will -pay you back as soon as I can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know you will. I may have been deceived in -that Smith, but I am certain I am not in you,” -added the landlady.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the two dollars tucked away in a safe -place, Jerry left the house. He knew it would be -useless to go to Alexander Slocum’s office at such -an early hour, and determined to look around in -the hope of striking something whereby he might -earn at least enough money to last him while -stopping in New York.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t write home unless I have to,” he muttered -to himself. “My time is my own and I’ll -make the most of it while I’m here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Getting one of the dollar bills changed, Jerry -bought a morning paper and looked over the -Help Wanted—Males—column, and noted several -addresses.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll try them and lose no time,” he thought, -and hurried to the nearest store where a boy was -wanted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was surprised to find a dozen applicants -ahead of him. Worse than that, a boy had already -<span class='pageno' title='157' id='Page_157'></span> -been hired; so all of the others were forced -to leave.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry next tried a florist’s establishment. But -here a boy was wanted who understood the city -thoroughly, and he was quickly told he would not -do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry walked from one place to another for three -hours without success. Somewhat disheartened, -he strolled into a park close to Broadway and sat -down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The situation was certainly a serious one, and -the young oarsman was decidedly sober in mind -as he sat there, staring vacantly at the hurrying -throng.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, young man, how did you make out last -night?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The question came from a bench just behind -Jerry. Looking around, he saw sitting there the -gentleman he had run into while trying to find -Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t make out at all, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Couldn’t find him, eh?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Those pickpockets are slick chaps, and no mistake,” -went on the gentleman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you lose much?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All I had—nearly thirty dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Phew! that is too bad. Well, I wouldn’t sit -down to mope about it. You might as well get -to work and earn the amount over again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='158' id='Page_158'></span> -“The trouble is, I can’t find any work,” answered -the boy, earnestly. “I would work fast enough -if I could only find it to do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are out of a situation?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Since when?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Since I came to New York,” answered Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are about as bad off as I was some forty -years ago,” said the man, with a broad smile. -“At that time I found myself in this city, with -just twenty-five cents in my pocket. But I struck -employment, and rose from one place to another -until now I am my own master, with a -book-binding-shop where I employ nearly fifty -hands.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he spoke he gazed at Jerry curiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You were going to ask me for a job, weren’t -you?” he went on, and Jerry nodded. “What -can you do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not used to any such work, sir. But you’ll -find me willing and strong—and honest. I would -like to earn a little before I went back to my -home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, those three qualities you mention are -sure to win, my boy. Perhaps I can find an opening -for you. Here comes a friend I have been -waiting for. I am going out of town with him. -Call at my shop to-morrow morning, if you don’t -strike anything in the meantime.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='159' id='Page_159'></span> -And, handing out his card, Mr. Islen walked -rapidly away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Fifteen minutes later found Jerry on the way to -Alexander Slocum’s office. In an inner pocket he -carried the papers his father had unearthed from -the trunk in the garret at home.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0029' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='160' id='Page_160'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>ALEXANDER SLOCUM IS ASTONISHED.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry felt that his mission to the real estate -man was a delicate one. What would he have to -say when he learned who the youth was and what -he had come for?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy resolved to be on guard. He might be -from the country and green, but no one should -catch him napping, as had Mr. Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The distance to the address furnished by Nellie -Ardell was nearly a dozen blocks, but Jerry was -used to walking and made the journey on foot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman found Alexander Slocum’s -set of offices located on the top floor of an old-fashioned -four-story office building. There was an -elevator, however, and this Jerry used and soon -found himself in front of a ground-glass door, -which bore the sign:</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'><span class='sc'>Alexander Slocum</span>,</p> -<p class='line'>Real Estate and Fire Insurance.</p> -<p class='line'>Loans Negotiated.</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a hum of voices from within, but the -hum ceased as Jerry knocked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='161' id='Page_161'></span> -“Come in,” was the short invitation, and the -boy entered, to find a large apartment, comfortably -furnished with desks, stuffed chairs and -other things which went to show that the man he -had come to interview was doing well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Near an open window sat two gentlemen dressed -in black. One was much older than the other, and -Jerry rightfully guessed that he was an office -assistant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other man was well preserved, with a waxed -mustache and piercing black eyes. He held a silk -hat in his hand, as if he had been on the point of -leaving.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, young man, what can I do for you?” -questioned the office assistant, as he regarded -Jerry indifferently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I came to see Mr. Alexander Slocum,” replied -our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am Mr. Slocum,” put in the other man. -“What is it you want?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I came to see you on a bit of private business, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. Well, Mr. Casey here knows all about -my affairs; so you need have no hesitation in -speaking in front of him,” laughed the real estate -man somewhat harshly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am Jerry Upton, and I came from Lakeview. -My uncle, Charles Upton, who is now dead, was -once interested in a colonization land scheme that -you started.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='162' id='Page_162'></span> -Jerry watched Mr. Slocum narrowly as he spoke, -and saw that the man was greatly astonished. -He started back, and for an instant the assuring -look his face wore faded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton from Lakeview,” he murmured -slowly. Then he cleared his throat. “I—I did -not expect to see you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I suppose not, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it you want?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want to find out how matters stand in regard -to the land in California. My father heard -you had gone to Europe.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I did go to Europe, but not to escape inquiry,” -added Slocum, hastily. “You see, that scheme -failed utterly,” he went on slowly. “Why, I lost -nearly every dollar I possessed in it. What your -uncle lost was nothing in comparison.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was to him, Mr. Slocum. To whom does -the land belong?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it—er—it reverted to its original owners, -some mine speculators of Denver.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is the land located?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not far from the city of Sacramento.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t you give me the precise location?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this Alexander Slocum glared at our hero -savagely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It would do you no good to spend money on -hunting the matter up,” he answered. “That -affair was settled long ago. The money was lost, -and that is all there is to it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='163' id='Page_163'></span> -“Not if I know it, Mr. Slocum. I intend to sift -the matter to the bottom. I am convinced that -all was not carried out as it should have been.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You appear to be a very foolish boy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That may be your opinion, but it won’t alter -my intention. I have my uncle’s papers with me, -and, unless you will give me some particulars of -how the scheme fell through, I shall place the matter -in the hands of a lawyer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum winced at this, and Jerry -fancied he was hard struck. He made a movement -as if to clutch the youth by the arm, then drew -back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have your uncle’s papers?” he asked -cautiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. My father is his sole heir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I should like to see them. Perhaps I spoke -hastily; but really you are mistaken in thinking -it can be of any use to bring that old deal up -again. The money was lost, and there is no -chance of getting it back again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, either you are responsible for the amount, -or else my uncle’s interest in the land still holds -good,” said Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me see the papers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Slocum made a movement as if to take -them. But Jerry drew back and shook his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I prefer not to let them go out of my possession.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='164' id='Page_164'></span> -“Do you mean to say you won’t trust me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can put it that way, if you wish, Mr. -Slocum.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The real estate man bit his lip. Then he made a -movement to his assistant, who at once slid behind -Jerry, towards the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are you going to do?” the young oarsman -asked, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without replying, the assistant locked the door -and slipped the key into his pocket.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t grow excited,” said Alexander Slocum, -coldly. “I want to see those papers, that’s all. -Show them to me at once!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like a flash Jerry realized he was trapped by the -enemy.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d6.jpg' alt='wreath' id='iid-0030' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='165' id='Page_165'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY’S CLEVER ESCAPE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry saw at once that things were growing -warm. From the look on his face it was plain to -see that Alexander Slocum was in deadly earnest -when he said he wanted to see those papers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His manner made our hero feel that the papers -would not be safe in his hands. If he gave them -up he might never see them again, and without -the documents the claim on the land in California -would fall flat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you hear what I said, Upton? I want you -to let me see those papers,” Slocum went on, after -a second of intense silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean by locking that door?” -Jerry demanded of the elderly assistant, without -paying any attention to the real estate dealer’s -words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Casey made no response. Instead, he took his -stand by his employer’s side, as if awaiting further -orders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You act as if you were afraid of me,” sneered -Slocum. “I won’t hurt you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won’t—not if I can help it,” answered -<span class='pageno' title='166' id='Page_166'></span> -Jerry. “But I want you to unlock that door. I -am not to be treated as a prisoner.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I only wanted to secure us against interruption. -So many agents come up here, and they -are a regular nuisance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slocum advanced and held out his hand, as if expecting -Jerry would drop the precious papers into -it. Instead, the boy retreated and took up a position -behind a flat-top desk in the centre of the -office.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this the real estate dealer grew furious behind -his well-waxed mustache. He had expected -to intimidate our hero easily, and now he was -nonplused.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you going to let me see those papers?” he -fumed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; at least not now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I prefer not to answer that question.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You think you have a case against me—that -you can place me in a tight hole.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, if all is straight you have nothing to -fear.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t preach to me, boy. All is straight. I -lost my money as well as the others did.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This doesn’t look as if you had lost much,” -ventured Jerry, as he glanced about the elegant -apartment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I have made money since, in a lucky real -<span class='pageno' title='167' id='Page_167'></span> -estate deal in Brooklyn. I won’t keep your -papers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want that door unlocked.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slocum muttered something under his breath, -and his face grew suddenly red. Like a flash he -placed his hands on the flat desk and leaped over -it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll bring you to terms, you young country -fool!” he cried, and made a clutch for Jerry’s -collar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Had our hero not turned like a flash he would -have had the lad. But Jerry was on guard and -fled to the office door. Raising his foot he gave -the barrier a kick that caused it to crack heavily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t. Let me out, or I’ll kick the door -down.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Casey, catch the young rascal!” cried Slocum. -“I’m going to teach him a thing or two.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Anxious to obey the command of the man who -held him completely under his thumb, Casey ran -forward. Seeing him coming, Jerry fled behind a -large screen. Here rested a heavy cane, and he -picked it up and brandished it over his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep back! Advance at your peril.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m afraid to go near the young fool,” said -Casey.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll fix him. Stand aside. I never yet saw -the boy that could get the best of me,” muttered -Alexander Slocum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='168' id='Page_168'></span> -“He may kill you, Mr. Slocum.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll risk it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Running around the desk, the real estate dealer -came for the young oarsman. As he approached, -the boy pushed the screen against him and he went -down, with the heavy object on top of him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You—you villain!” he spluttered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To this Jerry made no answer. Taking advantage -of the time afforded him, he looked around -for some means of escaping his enemies. To remain -a moment longer in the office he felt would -be perilous in the extreme.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Near the corner to which Jerry had retreated -was an open window. Glancing out of it he saw -that the roof of the next building was but six or -eight feet below the window sill.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without stopping to think twice, our hero -leaped out of the window and on to the roof -below.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! stop!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Both Slocum and his assistant called after -Jerry, but he paid no attention. Leaving the -vicinity of the window, he ran along the roof to -the rear. Here there was an addition to a tin-shop -underneath, and he dropped down and found -himself within twelve feet of a narrow alleyway.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you coming back?” bawled Alexander -Slocum; and then, as Jerry let himself down over -the edge of the roof, he suddenly disappeared -from the window.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='169' id='Page_169'></span> -Guessing he was coming down to head him off, -the youth lost no time in dropping to the ground.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Once down, it was an easy matter to gain the -street. As he came out on the pavement, Slocum -came running up all out of breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a fine boy!” he cried. “Come back to -the office, and let us talk matters over.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not to-day,” answered Jerry. “I’ve had -enough of a dose for the present.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are making a mistake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t intend to put my head into the lion’s -mouth.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While the two were speaking Casey came up, -and, as the two appeared as if they wanted to -drag Jerry back into the building just left, the -youth retreated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum followed for a block, and then -gave up the chase. Seeing this, Jerry walked on -more leisurely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero’s visit to the real estate dealer had set -him to thinking deeply. The man’s anxiety concerning -the papers made the boy feel sure there -was more at the bottom of the land speculation -than either his parents or he had suspected.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perhaps the land was still held by this man and -was of great value. If this was so how was he to -go to work to establish his father’s claim?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Pondering over the affair, the young oarsman -thought of Mr. Randolph Islen and of his kindness. -<span class='pageno' title='170' id='Page_170'></span> -He resolved to tell that gentleman his story -and see what he would have to say.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This conclusion reached, Jerry felt in his inner -pocket to see if the precious papers were still safe. -To his horror they were gone.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0031' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='171' id='Page_171'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>SOMETHING ABOUT A TRAMP.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gone!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The cry burst involuntarily from Jerry’s lips, -and for the moment his heart seemed to stop beating. -The precious papers were missing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>What had become of them? With great haste -he hunted all of his pockets, not once but a dozen -times. Then he felt in the linings, and in fact in -all places where the packet might have become -concealed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was useless; they were gone; that was all -there was to it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Had he dropped them in Slocum’s office, or during -his hasty flight to the alleyway?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero retraced his steps, with eyes bent to -the ground, in hopes that they would be found -lying on the walk. In doing this he ran into -half a dozen folks, many of whom did not take -kindly to the collision.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look where you are going, boy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hunting for a pin or gold dollars?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry paid no attention to the remarks. Reaching -<span class='pageno' title='172' id='Page_172'></span> -the alleyway, he turned into it and continued -the search, but without success.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Say, wot yer doin’ in here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The question was asked by a youth in the tin-shop. -He was red-headed and had a freckled face, -but not an unpleasant one.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I was looking for something I lost,” said the -young oarsman. “Have you seen anything in -here of a flat, white package with a black shoestring -tied around it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes, I did,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And where is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A tramp had it. I saw him walk out of der -alley wid it not five minutes ago.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A tramp? What kind of a looking man?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tall and thin, with a grizzly beard. Oh, he -was a regular bum.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where did he go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Up the street, I think. Was the bundle valuable?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed it was, to me,” replied Jerry, and hurried -off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He could see nothing of any tramp, and, after -dodging around among the trucks for several -minutes, returned to the youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Please describe that tramp to me, will you?” -asked Jerry, and the tinner’s boy did so, as well -as he was able.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think da call him Crazy Jim,” he concluded. -<span class='pageno' title='173' id='Page_173'></span> -“He don’t come down here very often. He -belongs uptown somewhere.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, if you ever see him again, please let me -know. My name is Jerry Upton, and here is my -address,” and our hero handed it over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I will. My name is Jerry Martin. -Wot was in de package?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Some papers belonging to my father.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy wanted to question Jerry for further -particulars, but the young oarsman did not care -to say too much, and hurried off, to seek the -tramp again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That evening found our hero at Mrs. Price’s, -footsore and downhearted. He had seen nothing -of Crazy Jim, and it looked as if the precious -packet was gone for good.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry could not help but wonder what Alexander -Slocum’s next move would be. Would the man -endeavor to hunt him out or would he write to -his father?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next morning, on his way to Mr. Randolph -Islen’s place of business, Jerry met Nellie Ardell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you find Mr. Slocum’s?” she asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I did; and had a very disagreeable visit,” returned -our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I knew you would have,” she went on. “I wish -he was not my landlord.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry asked her how Tommy was, and then they -parted, and five minutes more brought our hero -to the book-bindery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='174' id='Page_174'></span> -Mr. Islen was not yet in, but he soon arrived, -and smiled as Jerry presented himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On hand, I see, my young friend. Well, how -did you make out? Did you obtain a position?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s rather hard. Mr. Grice!” he called out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The foreman of the book-bindery came in and -Jerry was introduced to him. Quite a chat followed, -at the end of which Jerry was hired to work -in the stock department at a salary of six dollars -a week.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The salary was not large, but it would pay his -expenses, and that was all he wished for at present.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t have to write home for money,” he -thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Grice wanted Jerry to come to work immediately, -but our hero begged to speak to Mr. Islen -in private for a moment, and when they were left -alone told his story from beginning to end.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The rich book-binder listened with interest, and -tapped meditatively upon his desk when Jerry had -finished.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is rather a strange story, Upton,” he -said. “What would you like me to do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like you to give me some advice, sir. -What had I best do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can do a number of things. What would -be the best I cannot say. You might hire a lawyer -<span class='pageno' title='175' id='Page_175'></span> -to look into the case, and again you might -have this Slocum arrested for locking you in the -office. The loss of the packet complicates matters. -Did it have your name on?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then you had better wait, and in the meantime -advertise for the packet, offering a reward. That -tramp may be watching for such an advertisement.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was sound advice; but Jerry had no -money, and said so.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will pay for the advertisement and take it -out of your pay,” said Mr. Islen; and the notice -was written out without delay and sent off by the -office boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman now felt a trifle lighter in -heart. He reasoned that the packet would be of -no value to the tramp and that he would be glad -to surrender it in hope of a reward. He did not -remember at the time that he had written Alexander -Slocum’s name and address on the outside -wrapper; yet such was a fact.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Jerry entered the bindery he found several -pairs of curious eyes bent upon him from boys of -about his own age. Without delay Mr. Grice set -our hero to work.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is your name?” asked one of the boys, -as soon as he had a chance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton. What is yours?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='176' id='Page_176'></span> -“Dick Lenning. Say, do you know you have -got the job Grice was going to give my brother?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s so. Jack was coming to work to-morrow. -It ain’t fair to take the bread out of a fellow’s -mouth like that,” growled Dick Lenning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I fancy Mr. Islen gave me my position—” -Jerry ventured.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! So it was the boss put you in. Well, it -ain’t fair anyway. Where do you come from—Brooklyn?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, Lakeview.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never heard of it. Must be some country -village. You look like a hayseed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Dick Lenning spoke he gazed around to see -if Mr. Grice had gone. Then he added in a whisper:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have to set up the drinks for the crowd -before you can work here, see?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Drinks,” repeated our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sure; all the new hands do that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I—I rather think I won’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are too mean.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s not that; I don’t drink.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are a country jay, and no mistake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dick Lenning leaned forward and shoved Jerry -with his elbow, at the same time putting one foot -behind the youth. He wanted to trip our hero up, -but Jerry was on guard, and, resisting him, the -<span class='pageno' title='177' id='Page_177'></span> -young oarsman caused him to slip down against a -bench upon which rested a pot of book-binders’ -glue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The glue tipped over and part of it went down -Lenning’s leg, causing him to yell like a wild -Indian.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0032' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='178' id='Page_178'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>MR. WAKEFIELD SMITH AGAIN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll hammer you for that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What did he do, Dick?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Knocked the glue over me. You country jay, -you!” howled Dick Lenning, and, leaping up, he -bore down on Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Lenning was a good deal of a bully. He was tall -and strong, and evidently he thought he could -make our hero submit to his will easily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take that!” he fairly hissed, and aimed a -blow at Jerry’s ear. The youth dodged it and -caught his arm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hold on!” Jerry ejaculated. “I don’t want -to fight. You will only make trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let go!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not until you promise to keep quiet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll promise nothing,” stormed Lenning, and -began to struggle more excitedly than ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he soon wore himself out, when Jerry got -behind him and clasped hands over his breast. -The bully was about to call on his friends to assist -him, when a cry went up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Cheese it! Grice is coming this way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='179' id='Page_179'></span> -As if by magic the boys who had gathered -around ran off to their work, leaving the bully -and Jerry alone. Our hero released his opponent, -and, turning around, Lenning glared at him vindictively.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll get even with you for this, see if I don’t,” -he muttered in a hoarse whisper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then he followed his friends; and Mr. Grice came -up and took Jerry to another part of the shop.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have changed my mind about letting you -work here,” he said. “I want you to get used to -the place before I put you among those other -boys.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Evening found our hero a good deal worn out, -not so much by the work as by the close confinement -of the bindery. How different life in the -great metropolis was to life in the green fields of -the country!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After supper Jerry determined to take a walk -uptown, to get the outdoor exercise and also in -hope of seeing something of the tramp who had -taken the packet. He knew that looking for -the tramp in the metropolis was a good deal like -looking for a pin in a haystack, but imagined -that even that pin could be found if one looked -long and sharp enough for it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman sauntered forth toward -Broadway, and thence past the Forty-second -Street depot and up to Central Park. It was a -<span class='pageno' title='180' id='Page_180'></span> -long walk, but he did not mind it; in fact, it -seemed to do him good, for it rested his mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The window displays interested Jerry not a -little, and he took in everything that came along. -So the time flew quickly, until, coming to a -jeweler’s window, he saw it was after ten o’clock.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll have to be getting back,” he said to himself, -and was on the point of returning when he -saw that which surprised him greatly. A cab -whirled past the corner upon which he was standing, -and on the back seat he recognized Mr. -Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pickpocket was alone, and ere Jerry could -stop him the cab rolled down the side street out -of hearing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero did not stop long to consider what -was best to do, but took to his heels and followed -the cab as best he could.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The cab gained a distance of nearly two blocks, -and Jerry was almost on the point of giving up, -when it came to a halt in front of what looked -like a private club-house. Wakefield Smith alighted -and paid the cabman, who went about his -business without delay.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop there!” cried Jerry to the pickpocket, -as the man mounted the steps of the house. But -whether the man heard our hero or not, he paid -no attention. When Jerry reached the spot he -was standing on a low porch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='181' id='Page_181'></span> -“Did you hear me?” went on Jerry, and, to -prevent Smith from entering the place, our hero -caught him by the button of his coat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To Jerry’s surprise, the rascal offered no resistance. -Instead, he came down the steps backward, -and fell on his back on the sidewalk, his hat rolling -toward the gutter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shay, waz you do that fer?” he hiccoughed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry gazed at the pickpocket in wonder. Then -the truth flashed over our hero. The man who -had robbed him was beastly intoxicated.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0033' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='182' id='Page_182'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>AN UNLOOKED FOR ADVENTURE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>It would be hard to express Jerry’s feelings when -he found Mr. Wakefield Smith was suffering heavily -from intoxication. For the moment he could -do nothing but stare at the man as he lay helpless -on the pavement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Waz you mean, boy?” went on Smith, and he -tried in vain to get up. “Waz you knock me -down for, I demand to know?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you recognize me?” said our hero sharply, -as he looked the pickpocket squarely in the face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No—don’t know you from Adam, ’pon my -word.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am Jerry Upton, the boy you robbed the -other night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the words Smith straightened up for a moment -and a look of alarm crossed his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton,” he repeated, slowly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. What have you done with my money?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ain’t got a dollar of your money.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you haven’t, you’ve drank it up,” Jerry -ejaculated. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='183' id='Page_183'></span> -“Zat’s all right, m’boy, all right, I assure you. -Come on and have a good time with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With great difficulty Wakefield Smith arose to -his feet and staggered towards the house he had -been on the point of entering. Jerry pulled him -back and held him. As our hero did this he saw -Smith drop a ten-dollar bill. Jerry picked it up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are not going in there—you are going -with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where to?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To the nearest station-house.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pickpocket gave a hiccough and a cry of -alarm that was very much like a whine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To the station-house?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; come on.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Smith struggled feebly to get away, but the boy -held him with ease. Overcome, the man finally -sat down on the curbstone and refused to budge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shay, let us compromise,” he mumbled. “It -was all a mistake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was no mistake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I give you ten dollars, will you call it off?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then you don’t git a cent, see?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And with great deliberation the pickpocket -closed one bleared eye and glared at Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll see about that later,” cried our hero, -hotly, and catching the rascal by the collar the -<span class='pageno' title='184' id='Page_184'></span> -youth yanked him to a standing position. “Now -come on, and no nonsense.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seeing that the youth was not to be fooled with, -Wakefield Smith tried to dicker again, getting -himself badly twisted in his plea that he would -make everything all right. Jerry would not trust -him and forced him to walk along until the nearest -corner was reached. Here he suddenly made a -clutch at an electric-light pole and held fast.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help! help! help!” he cried out at the top of -his lungs. “Police!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman did not know what to make -of this appeal for assistance, for it seemed to him -that the authorities were the very people Mr. -Wakefield Smith wished to avoid. He was destined, -however to soon learn a trick that was -brand new to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pickpocket had hardly uttered his cry when -a bluecoat put into appearance and came running -to the spot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the trouble here?” he demanded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shay, officer, make that young fellow go -away,” hiccoughed Mr. Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is he up to?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Trying to rob me, officer; reg’lar slick -Aleck.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this cool assertion Jerry was dumbfounded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So you’re trying to rob this gent, eh?” said -the bluecoat, turning to our hero and catching -his arm. “I reckon I came just in time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='185' id='Page_185'></span> -“It’s a falsehood; he is the pickpocket,” rejoined -Jerry as soon as he could speak.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He looks like it,” said the officer, sarcastically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He didn’t rob me now, he robbed several -nights ago. I just ran across him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s a slick Aleck,” went on Mr. Wakefield -Smith. “Don’t let him take my watch, officer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No fear of that. Come along with me, young -man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I have to go I want him to go, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At these words Mr. Wakefield Smith’s face -changed color.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t go, officer; have an important engagement -at the—er—club.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is a pickpocket and I’ll prove it at the -station house,” said Jerry, warningly. “It is -your duty to make him go along. I’ll help you -carry him if it’s necessary.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you’ll skip out, too, if you get the -chance,” remarked the policeman, grimly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you think that, handcuff me to this fellow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you mean that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hang me if I don’t think you are honest, after -all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s a big thief!” bawled Mr. Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep quiet and come along. They can -straighten matters out at the precinct.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The officer took Mr. Wakefield Smith by the arm -<span class='pageno' title='186' id='Page_186'></span> -and started to walk the prisoner away. With a -dexterous twist the intoxicated man cleared himself -and plunged down the street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The bluecoat and Jerry made after him as -quickly as they could, but a drawing school in the -neighborhood had just let out, and they were detained -by the crowd. Mr. Wakefield Smith stumbled -across the street and down a side thoroughfare -that was very dark. The officer and our hero -went after him, but at the end of the second block -he was no longer to be seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now you’ve let him escape,” said Jerry to the -policeman. “I have a good mind to report you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go on with you!” howled the officer in return. -“I reckon it was a put up job all around. Clear -about your business or I’ll run you in for disorderly -conduct!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he made such a savage dash at the young -oarsman with his long club that our hero was -glad to retreat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He continued the hunt for the pickpocket alone, -but without avail, and, much disheartened, finally -returned to his boarding-house. He was afraid he -had seen the last of Mr. Wakefield Smith, and -was glad he had gotten at least ten dollars from -the pickpocket.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0034' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='187' id='Page_187'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>NELLIE ARDELL’S TROUBLES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>On the following morning Jerry went to work at -the bindery as if nothing had happened. When -he went in, Dick Lenning glared at our hero and -stopped as if to speak, but changed his mind and -walked off without saying a word.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>During the day the young oarsman became -much better acquainted with his work and began -to like it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That night, on leaving the bindery by the side -entrance, which opened on a narrow lane, our hero -saw Dick Lenning and several of his friends waiting -for him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He attempted to pass but Lenning put out his -foot, and had Jerry not stopped he would have -been tripped up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me pass,” said he, sharply, but instead of -complying, Lenning took a stand in front of him -and hit the youth on the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I said I’d git square,” he hissed, savagely. “If -yer ain’t afraid, stand up and fight.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not afraid,” replied Jerry, and pushed him -up against the wall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='188' id='Page_188'></span> -Without delay a rough-and-tumble fight ensued.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Give it to him, Dick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do the hayseed up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Knock him into the middle of next week!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>These and a dozen other cries arose on the air, -and the crowd kept increasing until fully a hundred -spectators surrounded the pair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dick Lenning had caught Jerry unfairly, but the -youth soon managed to shake him off, and, hauling -back, gave him a clean blow on the end of his -unusually long nose, which caused the blood to -spurt from that organ in a stream.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s tapped Dick’s nose!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My! wasn’t that a blow, though!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The country lad is game!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Wild with rage, Dick Lenning endeavored to -close in again. Jerry stopped the movement this -time by a blow on the chest which sent him staggering -back several feet into the crowd.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter, Dick?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t let him use you like that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll fix him!” howled the bully, and rushed at -our hero a third time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again he hit Jerry, this time in the chin. But -our hero’s blood was now up, and, calculating -well, he struck a square blow in the left eye that -knocked the bully flat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dick is knocked out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That country jay is a corker!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='189' id='Page_189'></span> -“Git up, Dick. Yer eye is turnin’ all black!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Better let him go, he’s too much for you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dick Lenning was slow in coming to the front. -The eye was not only black, but it was closing -rapidly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s got a stone in his fist—he don’t fight -fair,” he growled to his friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have nothing in my fist,” retorted Jerry. -“If he wants any more, I fancy I can accommodate -him, although I don’t care to fight.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dick Lenning was uneasy. He glanced toward -his friends and passed a signal to one of his -cronies.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Police! skip!” cried the crony. “Come on, -Dick, you don’t want to git caught!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he dragged Dick Lenning away, while the -crowd scattered like magic. No policeman was in -sight, nor did any appear. It was only a ruse to -retire without acknowledging defeat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But that fight taught Dick Lenning a severe -lesson. He still remained down upon the young -oarsman, but in the future he fought shy of our -hero, knowing that Jerry would not stand his -bullying manner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On Saturday the shop closed down early, and, -having nothing else to do, Jerry walked down to -the newspaper office in hope of receiving some -answer to the advertisement for the missing -papers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='190' id='Page_190'></span> -But no answer was forthcoming, and, disappointed, -he retraced his steps and sauntered in -the direction in which Nellie Ardell and her little -brother Tommy lived.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll call on them and see how she made out -about her rent,” he said to himself, and mounted -the stairs to her apartment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a murmur of voices in the kitchen. -The door was partly open and Jerry saw the girl -and her little brother standing there, confronted -by a burly man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That rent has got to be paid, that’s all there -is to it,” the man was saying.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I cannot pay to-day,” replied Nellie Ardell. -“I will try to pay Monday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It won’t do. I’ve given you notice, and if you -can’t pay, you have got to leave.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this the girl burst into tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Would you put me on the street?” she wailed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll have to—it’s orders,” replied the burly -man doggedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whose order?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Slocum.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Slocum is a very hard-hearted man,” cried -the girl, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s so,” Jerry put in as he entered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Jerry Upton!” Nellie Ardell cried, when -she saw our hero. “This man wants to put me -out of my rooms.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='191' id='Page_191'></span> -“It’s a shame.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who are you?” demanded the burly man. -“Do you live here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. I am this young lady’s friend, however. -Did Mr. Slocum say to put her out?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall I do if they put me on the street?” -wailed Nellie Ardell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m sure I don’t know. But Slocum sha’n’t put -you on the street if I can help it,” went on Jerry, -suddenly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What will you do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How much do you owe him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Twelve dollars. I have four, but he won’t take -it. He wants the entire amount.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will let you have ten dollars,” said our hero, -and brought out the bill Wakefield Smith had -dropped.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, won’t that be robbing you?” cried Nellie -Ardell, but her eyes glistened with pleasure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind; take it and pay this man off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nellie Ardell accepted the amount without further -words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now,” she said, as she paid the man, “I am -going to move.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Move! What for?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can get better rooms for less money just -across the way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The burly man’s face fell. He was Alexander -<span class='pageno' title='192' id='Page_192'></span> -Slocum’s agent, and he knew that to get tenants -for the rooms Nellie Ardell occupied would be difficult.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It ain’t right to move now—in the middle of -the summer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You intended to put me out—if I couldn’t pay -the rent.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is different.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have paid up promptly for many months. -Mr. Slocum could have been a bit easier for once.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is more than mean,” put in Jerry. “I -would advise you to move by all means.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You seem to know a great deal about him,” -sneered the agent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do—and I’ll know more some day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The agent began to growl, but, seeing he could -do nothing, he went off to inform Alexander Slocum -that Nellie Ardell intended to move.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d6.jpg' alt='wreath' id='iid-0035' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='193' id='Page_193'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A CRAZY MAN’S DOINGS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are more than kind to me, Jerry Upton,” -exclaimed Nellie Ardell, when they and her little -brother were left alone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t want to see you thrown out of your -home,” said Jerry, soberly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I shall pay you back that money as soon as I -possibly can,” she went on. “I expect to get -about twenty dollars for sewing next week. One -of the ladies I work for is out of town, but is coming -back on Wednesday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right—take your time. When will you -move? Maybe I can help carry some things for -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve a good mind to move this afternoon. -Those other rooms are all ready.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then do it, and I’ll pitch right in,” and in fun -the young oarsman picked up several chairs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will. Will you be kind enough to stay with -Tommy a few minutes?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nellie Ardell went off at once, and was back in -ten minutes. When she returned she had rented -<span class='pageno' title='194' id='Page_194'></span> -three small rooms for less money than she now -paid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She had not many articles of furniture and it -did not seem the least bit like working to our hero -to assist her in transferring them across the way. -The two worked together, and as they labored -they talked, Jerry telling her a good deal about -his mission to New York and the girl relating her -own experiences in keeping the wolf from the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We were not always poor,” said Nellie Ardell. -“When father was alive we lived in our own home -in Brooklyn. But he grew interested in a Western -land scheme and it took all of his money.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That was our trouble. I came to New York -to see what I could do toward making Alexander -Slocum give an accounting of the money he put in -a California land scheme for my uncle.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, my father was in Slocum’s land scheme!” -she ejaculated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps it was the same. This land scheme I -speak of was called the Judge Martin—why, I -don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is the same. It was so called because the -land once belonged to a Judge Martin of Colorado.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course, Jerry was deeply interested, and, the -moving finished, he and she sat down to talk the -matter over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From what our hero learned of Nellie Ardell he -<span class='pageno' title='195' id='Page_195'></span> -came to the conclusion that Alexander Slocum -was every inch the villain he had taken him to be.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The real estate dealer had hoodwinked the girl -completely, and she had surrendered to him all -the documents her parent had left behind at the -time of his death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s too bad,” said Jerry. “We must work together -against him. But nothing can be done until -my missing papers are recovered.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before he left, another matter was discussed and -settled. In her new quarters Nellie Ardell had a -small room she did not really need, and she offered -to board Jerry at three dollars and a half a week. -As this would be an acceptable saving just at present, -our hero accepted the offer and agreed to -make the change on the following Monday.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sunday passed quietly. Jerry spent part of the -day in writing a long letter home, telling the folks -just how matters stood and urging them not to -worry, as he felt certain all would come out right -in the end, and that he was quite content to remain -in New York and support himself until he -had settled matters with Alexander Slocum. The -letter was finished late in the afternoon, and after -taking supper he went out to post it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The novelty of life in the city had not yet -passed, and, the letter put into a corner box, the -young oarsman sauntered on and on, taking in -the many strange sights.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='196' id='Page_196'></span> -He had gone a distance of half a dozen blocks -when he came to a church. The doors were wide -open, and as the congregation were singing, he -stopped to listen to the music.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the music stopped, our hero passed on -down the street, which seemed to grow poorer as -he advanced. The new houses gave place to those -that were very old, and on all sides Jerry could -see the effects of grinding poverty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a great city,” he thought. “And it is -true that one half doesn’t know how the other -half lives.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Please, mister, will you give me five cents?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry stopped in his walk and looked down to -see who had addressed him. It was a little girl, -and she was crying bitterly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Five cents?” he repeated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, mister; please don’t say no. I’ve asked -so many for the money already and they won’t -give me a cent.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are you going to do with five cents?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve got to bring it home to daddy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To daddy—you mean your father?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s a sort of a father, but he’s not my real -papa,” sobbed the little girl. “He took me when -papa died.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What does your—your daddy want with the -five cents?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this question the little girl’s face flushed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='197' id='Page_197'></span> -“I—I daren’t tell you—daddy would whip me,” -she whimpered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Does he drink?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I daren’t tell you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Does he send you out very often to beg?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He sends me out when he’s—when he’s—but I -daren’t tell you. He would whip me most to -death.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where do you live?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Over there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the little girl pointed to a long row of rear -tenements, the very worst-looking in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And what is daddy’s name?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“His real name is James MacHenry, but the -folks around here all call him Crazy Jim,” she -answered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry started back in surprise. Crazy Jim was -the tramp who had been seen walking off with his -packet of documents!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So you live with Crazy Jim?” said our hero, -to the little girl, slowly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How long have you lived with him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, a long while, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take me to him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this request she drew back in horror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I can’t do that, indeed I can’t,” she faltered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='198' id='Page_198'></span> -“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I took a man to him once—a charity officer—and -daddy—whip—whipped me for it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then show me where he lives,” went on Jerry -after a pause. “You needn’t let him see you. I -must have a talk with him. Perhaps I’ll give him -some money.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little girl still hesitated, but finally led the -way up the street into a horrible-looking alley and -pointed to a dingy tenement-house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Daddy is up there on the top floor in the -back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And is that where you live?” asked Jerry, with -a shudder he could not repress.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, of course.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s not a nice place.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no,” and something like a tear glistened in -the girl’s eye.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here is ten cents for you,” added Jerry. -“You had better keep it for yourself. Are you -hungry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A little. I only had some bread to-day for dinner -and supper.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then go down to the restaurant on the corner -and get something to eat for the money. You -need it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little girl ran off to do as bidden, and our -hero entered the dilapidated tenement. Four -dirty men and women sat on the stoop smoking -and drinking from a tin pail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='199' id='Page_199'></span> -“Who are ye lookin’ fer?” asked one of the -men, roughly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Crazy Jim,” answered Jerry, briefly, and -brushed past him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hallway was dark, and it was with difficulty -that the young oarsman found the rickety stairs, -every step of which creaked as he trod upon it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Arriving at the top floor, the youth noticed a -shaft of light streaming from beneath a door in -the rear. He knocked loudly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a movement within, the door was -flung back, and Jerry found himself confronted by -a tall, round-shouldered individual, with long, unkempt -hair and a wild look in his small black eyes.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d2.jpg' alt='scroll' id='iid-0036' style='width:50px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='200' id='Page_200'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>THE LITTLE NOBODY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well!” demanded the man laconically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is this James MacHenry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s me, boy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would like to see you on business,” Jerry -went on, as he brushed past and entered one of the -barest living apartments he had ever seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On business?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, a few days ago you picked up a packet -downtown belonging to me—a packet containing -some documents and letters.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who said they belonged to you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I say so. My name is Jerry Upton, and I -dropped the packet in the alleyway where you -found it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man stared at our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Say, is this a game?” he demanded, harshly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you trying to get me into trouble?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I am trying to keep you out of trouble,” -replied the young oarsman, warmly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You say that packet belonged to you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='201' id='Page_201'></span> -“It didn’t have your name on it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it—” Our hero stopped short. “It had -Alexander Slocum’s name on it!” he burst out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Exactly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You don’t mean to say you delivered that -packet to him?” gasped the youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I did—not an hour ago.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry fell back into a chair and breathed heavily. -The packet was gone—into the hands of the -enemy!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The man said it was his package,” said Crazy -Jim. “He gave me a reward of five dollars for -returning it to him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was mine. He wanted to steal it—and now -he’s done it,” cried Jerry. “You let him have it -but an hour ago?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where did he go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you open the packet?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but I couldn’t make nothing out of it—’cos -I ain’t eddicated. I read his name on it -and got another fellow to write a postal card -yesterday afternoon. He came here, examined -the papers, and seemed much pleased.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No doubt he was pleased,” groaned the young -oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Was the thing worth much?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was worth a good deal. I would have given -five dollars to get it back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='202' id='Page_202'></span> -“What does he want with it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wants to do my father out of some property,” -answered our hero. “By the way, who is that -little girl who lives with you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this question Crazy Jim’s face darkened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That ain’t none of your business,” he growled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You shouldn’t send her out on the street to -beg.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wot! has she been blabbin’ again? I’ll break -every bone in her body!” and off the man -started out of the room and down the narrow -stairs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry had noticed that his breath smelt strongly -of liquor. He was not only a drinking man, but -also one who was not quite right in his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t hurt her, you brute!” called out the -boy, and followed him out of the alleyway into -the street. At the nearest corner stood the little -girl, and Crazy Jim rushed up to her fiercely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You good-fer-nothin’!” he bawled. “I’ll teach -ye a lesson! Didn’t I tell ye ter keep yer clapper -still about me? Take that! and that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He raised his heavy hand and struck her a cruel -blow on the side of the head. She staggered back, -and he was about to repeat his unjust action, -when Jerry thought it about time to interfere. -Catching him by the arm, our hero hurled him -backward with such force that he fell flat in the -gutter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='203' id='Page_203'></span> -At once a shout went up from those who saw -Jerry’s action.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are yer doin’?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who is that boy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a fearful exclamation, Crazy Jim arose to -his feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll fix ye fer that!” he hissed, and sprang forward. -“You ain’t got no right ter interfere between -me an’ the gal.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are a brute!” burst out our hero. “This -little girl has done nothing to deserve such punishment.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who set you over me?” howled the infuriated -man. “I’ll fix ye!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He tried his best to hit Jerry with his fist, but -the young oarsman dodged him and took a stand -in front of the little girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You had better run away,” Jerry whispered to -her. “He is in a terrible mood just now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where shall I go?” whimpered the girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Anywhere? Up two blocks. I will join you -soon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without delay the little girl ran off. Crazy Jim -tried to follow her, but Jerry headed him off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seeing he could do nothing with his hands, the -savage man looked around for some weapon. A -heavy stone was lying handy, and he picked it up. -The next moment it was launched at our hero’s -head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='204' id='Page_204'></span> -Luckily, Jerry was quick at dodging, or he -might have been seriously wounded. The missile -went sailing over the lad’s head and flew with a -crash through the front window of a neighboring -store.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The smashing of the pane of glass was followed -by a shout of alarm from the storekeeper, who sat -in a chair on the pavement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here, vot’s dot?” he yelled. “Vot you means -py preaking mine vinder, hey, you Crazy Gim? I -vos got you locked up. Ain’t it? Bolice! bolice!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The German storekeeper continued to yell so -loudly that it was not long before an officer appeared. -Seeing this, Jerry backed out of the -crowd and hurried off. He saw the policeman -catch Crazy Jim by the arm, and a wordy war followed. -A minute later the fellow was being -marched off to the station-house. No doubt the -policeman would have liked it had he found Jerry, -but our hero kept at a safe distance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was now quite dark, and it was with some difficulty -that Jerry again found the little girl. She -stood by a hitching post, sobbing bitterly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is he?” she asked, choking back her -sobs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The policeman took him off. Don’t cry any -more,” Jerry added, soothingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But where shall I go?” she asked. “I can’t go -back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='205' id='Page_205'></span> -“Have you no friends?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. Crazy Jim and I came to New York alone -when papa died.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where did you come from?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little girl shook her head at this. She had -been too young to remember.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dottie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dottie what?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nothing, only Dottie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was in a quandary. To a certain degree -he felt responsible for her present forlorn condition. -Suddenly an idea struck him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you will come with me, I’ll see to it that you -have a good bed to-night, and breakfast in the -morning,” he said. “And after that I’ll see what -I can do for you, Dottie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My name is Jerry Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look like a nice boy and I’ll go with you,” -and she placed her hand confidently in that of the -young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry took the little one to Nellie Ardell’s apartments. -Of course she was much surprised, and, -sitting down, our hero had to explain everything -as far as he was able. Nellie Ardell agreed instantly -to take the little girl in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can stay here until we can do something -for you,” she said. “I know how it would feel to -have little Tommy on the streets homeless.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='206' id='Page_206'></span> -And soon after that Dottie was put to bed, very -well content. Her hard life with Crazy Jim had -made her used to ups and downs that no ordinary -little girl could have endured.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The reader can well imagine that Jerry did not -sleep much that night. He could not forget that -Alexander Slocum had the precious packet of -papers. Bitterly he regretted not having taken -better care of the documents.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will call on Slocum, and come to some sort of -an understanding,” Jerry said to himself. “Perhaps -when I tell him that both Nellie Ardell and -myself are ready to proceed against him he will be -willing to come to terms.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next day was a busy one at the book-bindery, -and our hero got no chance to call on Slocum. -During that time he learned that Crazy Jim had -been locked up for resisting the officer and had -been sentenced to thirty days on Blackwell’s -Island.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman did not know what to do -about little Dottie, but Nellie Ardell solved this -question.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have received a whole lot of new work,” she -said. “So for the present we can keep her to mind -Tommy while I am dressmaking.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the little girl stayed on. Jerry never -dreamed of how much she had to do with his future -life.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='207' id='Page_207'></span> -On Thursday Mr. Islen’s brother died and the -bindery was closed for several days. Jerry took -the opportunity to walk down to Alexander Slocum’s -offices.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The real estate man was alone, and greeted our -hero with a sinister smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So you have seen fit to call again, young -man,” were his first words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Slocum, let us come to business,” Jerry replied -firmly. “What are you going to do about -my father’s claim?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum laughed harshly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your father’s claim?” he repeated. “I don’t -recognize the fact that your father has any claim -against me.”</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0037' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='208' id='Page_208'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>ALEXANDER SLOCUM SHOWS HIS HAND.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum’s statement was no more -than Jerry had expected, so he was not taken -back by the words. He looked the man steadily -in the eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So that is the position you are going to take -now—since you received my packet from James -MacHenry,” said Jerry, deliberately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slocum started and winced, and the young oarsman -saw that Crazy Jim had spoken the truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I haven’t anything belonging to you, Upton.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is useless for you to deny it, Mr. Slocum. He -found the packet and delivered it to you for a reward -of five dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The packet he delivered to me was my own. It -contained some legal documents belonging to this -office.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You may make others believe that, Mr. Slocum, -but—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But what, boy? Remember, I want none of -your insolence here. I will listen to you, but you -mustn’t grow impertinent.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m only speaking the truth. You virtually -<span class='pageno' title='209' id='Page_209'></span> -robbed me, just as you robbed my father and Mr. -Bryant Ardell.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ha!” Slocum leaped to his feet. “Who—where -did you hear of Bryant Ardell?” he asked, -excitedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have met Nellie Ardell several times—in fact, -I am boarding with her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did she set you to hounding me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; we met by accident after I had come to -New York almost on purpose to see you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is an impudent young woman.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She told me that you had her land papers, -just as you now have mine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a falsehood!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If both of us go to court with our story, we -may prove that it is not a falsehood.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ha! are you going to combine to ruin my -reputation?” cried the real estate dealer, growing -pale.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are going to try to obtain our rights.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll gain nothing. I’ll—I’ll have you locked -up on a charge of black-mail!” Alexander Slocum -began to pace his office nervously. “See -here, Upton how much do you want to go off and -leave me alone?” he questioned, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want what is due my father.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll not get it!” he whispered, hoarsely, -throwing his mask aside. “Do you think I have -plotted and worked all these years for nothing? -<span class='pageno' title='210' id='Page_210'></span> -Not much! All that property is mine, do you -hear? Nobody else shall ever own a foot of it. -Now, I’ll tell you what I am willing to do. I’ll -give you a hundred dollars in cash and we’ll call it -square. Mind you, I don’t admit your claim. I -only want to avoid trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry looked at the man and drew a long breath. -He could see through Slocum’s words as clearly as -he could see through the window. His father’s -claim was worth a fortune!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, what do you say?” demanded Slocum -as Jerry did not answer him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I say this, Mr. Slocum,” rejoined our hero. “I -won’t accept your proposition, and before I am -done with you I’ll have our rights and you’ll be in -state’s prison.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a snarl very much like that made by a -fretful tiger, the man leaped toward the boy as if -to grab him by the throat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You fool! I’ll make you come to terms!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His hand touched Jerry’s collar, but the young -oarsman evaded him and placed the flat-top desk -between them. When the man ran around the -desk, Jerry picked up a heavy brass-bound ruler.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop, or I’ll crack you with this!” cried our -hero, and, seeing the weapon, Slocum halted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be a fool, boy!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t intend to be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can do nothing against me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='211' id='Page_211'></span> -“That remains to be seen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who will take your word against mine? Nobody. -You are a mere country lad, while I am a -well-known New York citizen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Ardell was also well known in his day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again Alexander Slocum’s face grew pale.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nellie Ardell has no doubt urged you to attack -me,” he growled. “I must see her. Why didn’t -she come with you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is busy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will explain matters to her in detail. Really, -the claim is not worth anything, but I wish to -avoid trouble, and—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You might as well stop, Mr. Slocum, for it’s -too late to say that now. I am positive our -claims are of great value. Since you won’t do the -right thing, I shall advise my father to bring -action in court to compel you to come to terms.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While speaking, Jerry had walked to the door, -and now placed his hand on the knob.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! stop!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I have had enough for the present.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You villain!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slocum ran toward Jerry, who opened the door -to step out, but found the way blockaded by -Casey, his book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here, what’s up?” cried the man, in wonder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t let him get away, Casey!” cried Alexander -Slocum. “He is going to make trouble, sure!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='212' id='Page_212'></span> -“Let me go!” burst out our hero as the book-keeper -caught hold of him. “Let go, or I’ll——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry never finished that sentence. Alexander -Slocum had picked up the ruler the youth had -dropped, and leaped to the front. Down came the -weapon on the young oarsman’s head; he felt a -sharp stinging pain—and then he knew no more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Jerry came to his senses all was dark -around him. He was lying on a damp, cement -floor, evidently that of a cellar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His head ached greatly, and for several minutes -he could not remember what had happened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then came back that scene in Slocum’s office. -He staggered to his feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Where was he and how long had he been there?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The first question was readily answered. Stepping -forward, Jerry stumbled over some loose -coal. He was in a coal-cellar. Around and above -were brick walls. The door was of sheet-iron, and -it was tightly closed and barred. How had he -come to that place? Probably his enemies had -carried him hither, although how they could do it -without being seen was a question.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As soon as our hero felt strong enough he -looked about for some means of escaping from his -prison. With great care he examined the walls -and tried the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Finding no outlet on any side, he turned his attention -to the pavements above. From one spot -<span class='pageno' title='213' id='Page_213'></span> -there came a faint glimmer of light, in a circle, and -he rightfully guessed that the coal-hole was located -there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How to reach the hole was a problem. It was -several feet above our hero’s head, and there was -nothing in the coal-vault to stand upon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry considered the situation for a minute, and -then, standing directly under the cover of the hole, -leaped upward, sending his hand over his head as -he did so.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The cover was loose, and the force of the blow -caused it to fly upward. Another blow and it fell -away entirely, and in a second more the young -oarsman was clambering out of the opening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was drawing towards evening, and the street -was full of people, some of which eyed the boy -curiously. Restoring the cover to its place, he left -the spot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The question now was, should he return to Slocum’s -office or seek outside assistance? He decided -upon the latter course. To attempt to bring -the rascally real estate agent to terms alone -would be foolhardy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry’s head ached so much he could think only -with difficulty, and he decided to return to Nellie -Ardell’s apartments. It was a hard walk, and he -was glad when the place was reached and he could -sit down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter—are you hurt?” cried the -young woman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='214' id='Page_214'></span> -“I was knocked out,” replied the youth, with a -sorry little laugh. “I’ve got a pretty big lump on -the top of my head.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sitting down, he told his story, to which Nellie -Ardell listened with breathless attention.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The wicked man! He should be locked up!” -she burst out, when Jerry had finished. “It’s a -wonder he didn’t kill you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s true. As it was, the blow was awfully -hard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What will you do now?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I really don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Won’t that Mr. Islen whom you work for, help -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps he will,” returned the youth, struck -with the idea. “The trouble is his brother is dead, -and that has upset him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“One thing is certain, Jerry, the property is valuable.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and another thing is certain,” added our -hero. “We want our shares of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It would be a great help to me to get some -money out of it,” said Nellie Ardell, with a sigh. -“This sewing constantly day in and day out is -wearing on me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two talked for over an hour, and then Jerry -felt compelled to lie down. It was nearly morning -before his head stopped aching and he got some -rest.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d3.jpg' alt='fan' id='iid-0038' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='215' id='Page_215'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>On the next day the bindery was opened as -usual, but Mr. Islen did not appear, having gone -to Philadelphia. Jerry worked throughout the -day, wondering what Alexander Slocum had -thought and done after he had discovered the -escape. Little did the young oarsman dream of -what the real estate dealer was then doing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero was proving himself to be skillful at -the work assigned to him and the foreman often -praised him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll be worth a raise in wages,” he said. -“I never saw a boy take hold as you do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry never delayed after the day’s work was -over. He washed up, put on his coat, and hurried -forth to his boarding place.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Jerry reached the house he found little -Dottie on the stoop, with Tommy in her arms. -Tommy was crying for something to eat, and the -little girl was having her hands full with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is Miss Nellie?” asked our hero in some -surprise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know,” returned the girl. “She sent -<span class='pageno' title='216' id='Page_216'></span> -me out with Tommy after dinner, and when I -tried to get in after awhile the door was locked -and she was gone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you have been sitting here ever since?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come up. I’ll open the door.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry led the way, and with a night key opened -the door to the kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A cry of surprise burst from his lips. Everywhere -were the signs of a desperate struggle. Two -of the chairs were overturned, the table-cloth hung -half off the table, and Nellie Ardell’s sewing was -strewn in all directions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is Slocum’s work!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Those were the words which arose to the youth’s -lips as he surveyed the situation in the kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum had tried to get him out of -the way, and now he had tried the same plan upon -Nellie Ardell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There had been a fierce struggle, of that there -was not the slightest doubt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the girl had been overpowered in the end -and taken off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To where?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That was the all-important question.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While our hero was gazing around the room, little -Tommy was crying at the top of his lungs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To quiet him, Jerry gave him his bowl of bread -and milk, and also gave Dottie her supper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='217' id='Page_217'></span> -Then Jerry began a minute examination of the -rooms.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was mud on the oil-cloth—the tracks of -four boots.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Slocum and Casey, his book-keeper,” he said -to himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Going below he interviewed Mrs. Flannigan, a -good-natured Irish woman who lived on the next -floor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did you see Miss Ardell this afternoon?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sure, an’ Oi did not Oi was out,” she replied.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He next tried the janitress, who lived in the -basement. She was a peppery old woman who -seldom had a pleasant word for anybody.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did I see her? Yes, she went out with two -men about two hours ago,” she said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What sort of looking men?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t say—I’m not taking notice of everybody -who comes and goes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But this is important, Mrs. Foley. I am -afraid something has happened to Miss Ardell.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They were tall men, and I guess both had big -black mustaches and beards.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where did she go with them?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Into a carriage. All of ’em seemed to be in a -big hurry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Which way did the carriage go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Down towards the Brooklyn ferry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a thoughtful mood, the young oarsman -<span class='pageno' title='218' id='Page_218'></span> -walked back upstairs. He met Mrs. Flannigan -outside of the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s wrong, Mr. Upton?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is what I am trying to find out. Miss -Ardell is missing. If I go out, will you look after -the children?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sure, Oi will, bless the dears,” she said. Her -heart was as large as her ruddy, full-blown face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without waiting longer, Jerry ran down into -the street and endeavored to trace the carriage -down to the ferry. In this he was successful, and -learned that the turnout containing two men and -a young lady, who appeared to be ill, had crossed -to Brooklyn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By this time night had set in, and all efforts to -follow the carriage proved unsuccessful. Yet unwilling -to give up, Jerry spent over two hours in -Brooklyn, hunting in every direction for a clew.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero had never been across the East River -before, and in hunting around it was but natural -that he should get lost. At the end of the search -he found himself a good distance from the river, in -a neighborhood that looked anything but respectable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s time I got back,” thought the youth, and -started to make inquiries.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a dozen blocks out of your way,” said a -man. “Go down that way three blocks, and turn -to your left.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='219' id='Page_219'></span> -As Jerry walked along a somewhat gloomy -street, he noticed three men walking ahead of him. -One was a tall, finely built man, wearing a large -round hat, of the western type.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other men were short fellows, each with a -red mustache. They carried heavy canes and -walked on either side of the tall individual.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Aren’t we almost there?” Jerry heard the tall -man ask, as he drew closer to the trio.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it ain’t but a step further,” was the reply -from one of the short men.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are certain this Crazy Jim is the man I am -after?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The mentioning of Crazy Jim’s name interested -Jerry. Crazy Jim was still up on Blackwell’s -Island. It was possible, however, that they referred -to some other individual.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To hear what further they might have to say -the young oarsman kept close to the party.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s been a long hunt for me, gentlemen,” said -the tall man, and by his speech Jerry felt sure he -was a westerner. “But if I am on the right trail, -things will soon come out right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you want to find Crazy Jim for?” -asked one of the short men.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not saying anything about that just now,” -was the cool response.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, excuse me, of course not.” The short fellow -<span class='pageno' title='220' id='Page_220'></span> -looked around, but failed to catch sight of our -hero. “Jack, how about a smoke?” he said to -the other short fellow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Strike a light,” was the answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The words were evidently a secret signal, for -hardly were they spoken when one of the short -men caught the westerner from behind and held -his arms.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here, what’s the meaning of this?” cried the -man, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep still, old man, and we won’t hurt you. -Raise a row and you’ll get knocked out. Quick, -Pete, with his diamond pin and that roll of bills in -his left pocket!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this command the man in front rushed in and -caught hold of the man’s pin. Out it came in his -hand, a beautiful affair, worth at least a hundred -dollars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! stop!” yelled the westerner. “Police! -police!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shut up!” hissed the man who held him. -“Pete, crack him over the head. We can’t afford -to take any chances here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus ordered, the man who held the diamond -pin slipped it into his pocket. Then he raised his -heavy cane and started to do as bidden when -Jerry rushed at him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! Don’t hit that man!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The rascal was surprised.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='221' id='Page_221'></span> -“Who are you? Oh, it’s only a boy. Clear out -of here!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t! You let that man alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t leave me,” pleaded the victim. “They -want to rob me. He has my diamond pin!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shut up!” howled the man in the rear. “Crack -him, Pete, and crack the boy, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Once more the heavy cane was raised. Our hero -caught it in the center, and by a dexterous twist -wrenched it from the rascal’s hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a howl of baffled rage the rascal turned -and caught Jerry by the throat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Give me that stick, boy, or I’ll choke the life -out of you!” he hissed into the youth’s ear.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0039' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='222' id='Page_222'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>JERRY HEARS AN ASTONISHING STATEMENT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>When the footpad, for the fellow was nothing -less, attacked Jerry, our hero felt that he had a -tough struggle before him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The rascal’s grasp on the young oarsman’s -throat was light, however, and Jerry quickly -shook it off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meantime the westerner began to struggle -and shout at the top of his voice:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help! Police! police!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In vain the fellow who held him tried to stop his -cries. They grew louder, and soon footsteps were -heard approaching.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry received a savage blow on the chest and -struck out in return, hitting the footpad in the -chin. Then the two clinched, and both rolled to -the pavement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry’s assailant was a strong man and he was -slowly but surely getting the best of the youth -when three men put in an appearance. They were -heavy-set individuals and were followed by a policeman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='223' id='Page_223'></span> -“What’s up here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t kill that boy!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is a thief!” cried Jerry. “He has that -man’s diamond pin.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s right,” put in the westerner, who had -managed to turn and catch hold of his assailant. -“This fellow is his mate. They just tackled me -when the boy came to my help.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is a falsehood,” roared the footpad who had -attacked our hero.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Saying this, he arose and tried to sneak away. -But Jerry tripped him up, sending him headlong, -and before he could rise the policeman had him -handcuffed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While this was going on the westerner and two -of the new arrivals managed to make a prisoner of -the other footpad. He used some terrible language, -but this did not avail him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know them,” said the policeman, after the -capture was effected. “They are Hungry Pete and -Jack the Slick. They are wanted for a burglary at -Sheepshead Bay. How did you happen to fall in -with them?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I met them up at Rumford’s Hotel. They said -they knew a man I was looking for.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will you come along and make a charge -against them?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Certainly. He has my diamond pin.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pin was brought to light and handed over -<span class='pageno' title='224' id='Page_224'></span> -to its owner, and then our hero was asked to go -along.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Anxious to know what the westerner might -want of Crazy Jim, Jerry agreed, and a minute -later found the whole crowd bound for the nearest -station-house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here the westerner gave his name as Colonel -Albert Dartwell. He said he was from Denver and -had come east on private business.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have been sick for two months,” he said. “I -am still weak. That is the reason I did not put -up a better fight when those two men tackled me.” -Jerry told his story, and the upshot of the matter -was that the two footpads were held for another -hearing before the judge in the morning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My boy, I owe you something for your services -to me,” said the westerner, as he and our hero -came out on the street. “You did well for a boy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I did the best I could,” replied the young oarsman. -“But I want to ask you a question. I heard -you mention Crazy Jim. What do you want to -see him for?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A look of pain crossed Colonel Dartwell’s face at -my words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a long story, Upton. I am from the West -and came many miles to see him. Do you know -the man?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know one fellow called Crazy Jim, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“His right name is James MacHenry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='225' id='Page_225'></span> -“That’s the man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ah! And where can he be found?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Most likely on Blackwell’s Island.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is in prison?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For breaking the glass in a store window and -creating a row.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Colonel Dartwell drew a long breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Those footpads told me he was in a hotel in -the neighborhood. You are sure you are right?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir. To be truthful, I was mixed up in -the scrape that took Crazy Jim to prison.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed. Would you mind telling me about -it? You don’t look like a boy that would do -wrong.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wasn’t my fault. Crazy Jim had a packet -belonging to me—a packet containing some valuable -documents. I called for them and found he -had given them up to an enemy of mine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And that led to the row.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not exactly. He is a bad man, and there was -a little girl living with him, and he—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Jerry spoke Colonel Dartwell grasped him by -the arm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! What did you say about a little girl?” -he demanded, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I said there was a little girl living with him. -He used to send her out to beg. He got it into -<span class='pageno' title='226' id='Page_226'></span> -his head that she had set me against him, and he -started to beat her. I told her to run away, and -then he attacked me and got arrested.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And what became of the little girl? Tell me, -quickly!” And Colonel Dartwell’s voice was husky -as he spoke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I met her afterward and took her to where I -was boarding, and she is still stopping there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Describe her to me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seeing there was something behind the inquiry, -Jerry gave him the best description he could. -The colonel listened with fixed attention.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It must be her!” he murmured. “My poor, -lost Dottie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dottie! That’s her name!” cried our hero. -“And she is—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is my daughter,” was his answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your daughter!” ejaculated Jerry, in amazement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, my daughter. Take me to her at once.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will, sir; but this is the strangest thing I ever -heard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have no doubt of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Was she stolen from you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. It’s a long story. I will tell it to you -while we are on the way. She is well?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir. But she has been misused, so you -mustn’t expect to see her looking real good. She -is very thin.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='227' id='Page_227'></span> -“I have not seen her for four years, not since she -was a mite of a toddler.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pair started for the ferry without delay, and -as they proceeded, the colonel related his story.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was a mine-owner and had lived in the West -for fifteen years. His wife had died when Dottie -was born, and the child had been turned over to -the care of a colored nurse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At that time James MacHenry had been a prospector -in the region and he had opened a mine -close to that located by the colonel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All went well until the MacHenry mine petered -out, as it is called, and then the man’s mind became -deranged. He accused the colonel of having -cheated him out of a slice of the richest land and a -bitter quarrel resulted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two weeks later MacHenry disappeared, and -shortly after that baby Dottie was missing. A -long search was made for the child, but without -avail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Curiously enough, the colonel did not connect -the disappearance of his child with that of Crazy -Jim. He started to hunt for the little one among -the Indians and the outlaws in the mountains.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two years passed, and then one night a good-for-nothing -miner named Duffy was shot in a quarrel -over a game of cards. On his dying bed Duffy -confessed that he had once been intimate with -Crazy Jim and that the latter had acknowledged -stealing Dottie.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='228' id='Page_228'></span> -A hunt was at once made for the abductor. It -was said he had gone to San Francisco, and later -on he was traced to Chicago, but there the trail -was lost until long after, when a tramp turned up -who spoke of having seen Crazy Jim around -New York.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without delay Colonel Dartwell had come East -and scoured the metropolis. While here he had -fallen in with footpads who had sought to rob -him.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0040' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='229' id='Page_229'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A JOYOUS MEETING.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>By the time Colonel Dartwell’s story was told -he and Jerry had landed in the metropolis, and a -hurried walk of a few minutes brought them to -Nellie Ardell’s apartment. Mrs. Flannigan was -waiting for our hero, having put both of the -children to bed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An’ did ye find Miss Ardell?” she asked, -quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, Mrs. Flannigan. But I have found somebody -else—the father of little Dottie.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indade, now! An’ ain’t that noice,” she exclaimed, -glancing at Colonel Dartwell’s well-dressed -figure. “Well, the poor dear needs somebody, -not but what she got good care here,” she added, -hastily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Tears stood in the colonel’s eyes as he stepped -up beside the bed upon which Dottie lay. He took -the white-robed figure up in his arms and kissed -her face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is she,” he said, in a choking voice. “The -living picture of her dead mother!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dottie awoke with a start and was inclined to -<span class='pageno' title='230' id='Page_230'></span> -cry out. But Jerry and the colonel quickly -soothed her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am your papa, Dottie; don’t you remember -papa and big Ruth that used to be with you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little girl looked puzzled. Then she gave a -cry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Papa! papa! I know you! I knew you would -come to me! Oh, papa, don’t go away again! -Crazy Jim said you were dead! Oh, papa!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she clung to him convulsively. It was such -an affecting scene Jerry had to turn away, while -Mrs. Flannigan, standing in the partly open doorway, -shed copious tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An hour later the children had again retired, -and the colonel and the young oarsman sat in the -little kitchen talking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you say you think Miss Ardell was abducted?” -he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I felt sure of it, sir. This Alexander Slocum -wants to get her out of the way on account of -some property he is holding back from her. I am -interested in the same property.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Jerry told him the particulars of affairs so -far as they concerned Slocum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If the land in question is near Sacramento it -ought to be of great value,” said the colonel. -“Property in that section is booming.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want to find Nellie Ardell, sir. I am afraid -he will do her bodily harm. He might even kill -her to get her out of the way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='231' id='Page_231'></span> -“I will help you all I can, Upton. You have -done me a great service, and I certainly owe the -young lady much for taking my child in and caring -for her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero and the colonel went over the matter -carefully for fully an hour and decided to start on -a hunt as soon as it grew light. The colonel -offered to employ a detective and this offer Jerry -readily accepted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry passed several hours trying to sleep, and -at the first sign of dawn was up and dressed. The -colonel had rested in an arm-chair, not caring to -separate himself from his child by going to a -hotel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Flannigan was again called upon and readily -agreed to take charge of Tommy and Dottie -once more. She took them to her own rooms and -was cautioned about letting strangers in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t fear, they’ll not take ’em from me,” she -said, and in such a determined way that Jerry was -compelled to laugh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The call at a detective’s office was soon over, -and it was not as satisfactory as our hero had -anticipated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You mustn’t expect too much,” laughed the -colonel. “In spite of the thrilling detective stories -published, detectives are only ordinary men, -and cannot do the impossible. Mr. Gray will no -doubt go to work in his own way and do the best -he can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='232' id='Page_232'></span> -Their next movement was to cross to Brooklyn. -Here the pair started on the hunt for the carriage -that had carried Nellie Ardell off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An hour was spent in a fruitless search. They -were about to give it up, when they saw a carriage -coming down to the ferry that was covered with -dust and mud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That looks as if it had been out in the country -a good distance,” observed Colonel Dartwell. -“I’ll stop the driver and see what he has to say. -It can do no harm.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Walking up in front of the team he motioned for -the driver to halt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Want a carriage, boss?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I want to know where you have been?” demanded -the westerner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this question the driver seemed plainly disconcerted. -He looked around, and, seeing a clear -space to his left, whipped up his animals and sped -off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s our man!” cried the colonel. “Come on, -he must not escape us!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He set off with all speed and Jerry followed. -The driver drove as far as the first corner and then -had to halt because of a blockade in the street.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come down here!” commanded Colonel Dartwell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I ain’t done nothin’,” growled the fellow. -“You let me alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='233' id='Page_233'></span> -“I asked you where you had been.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Up to the park.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who did you have for a fare?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An old man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s not true—you had two men and a girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The carriage driver muttered something under -his breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I—I—who said I had the men and a girl?” he -asked, surlily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I say so. Where did you take the young -lady?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first the driver beat about the bush. But the -colonel threatened him with arrest, and this -brought him around.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t arrest me, boss. I wasn’t in the game. -The men hired me to take ’em out—that was all. -They said the girl was light-headed and the place -was a private asylum.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Probably,” rejoined Colonel Dartwell, sarcastically. -“Take us to that place without delay. -But stop—drive to police headquarters first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Very unwillingly the fellow complied. At the -headquarters help was procured in the shape of -two ward detectives. All four of the party entered -the carriage and were driven off to effect Nellie -Ardell’s rescue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was with deep interest that Jerry accompanied -Colonel Dartwell and the officers of the law -in the search for the missing young lady.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='234' id='Page_234'></span> -On through the crowded streets of Brooklyn -drove the carriage, the driver now apparently as -willing to help the law as he had before wished to -evade it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The carriage was turning into one of the fine -thoroughfares when Jerry caught sight of a figure -which instantly arrested his attention. The figure -was that of Mr. Wakefield Smith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop!” cried the young oarsman to the driver -of the carriage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s up?” demanded the colonel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you see that man over there by the paper -stand?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is Wakefield Smith, the pickpocket.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed! He ought to be arrested.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You know him to be a pickpocket?” questioned -one of the detectives.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do. He robbed me of over twenty dollars. I -got back ten dollars. He’s a very smooth and -slick worker.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think I know that chap,” returned the detective. -“Don’t he look like Charley the Dude?” he -asked of his companion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By Jove! that’s our man!” ejaculated the second -detective. “I would know him anywhere by -that peculiar walk. He has grown a heavy mustache -since I saw him last.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will you stop and arrest him?” asked Jerry. -“He ought to be locked up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='235' id='Page_235'></span> -“We can get the policeman on the beat to attend -to him. There is an officer on the next corner. -Just call him, Harrity.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The carriage was brought up to the curb and -our hero and the officers alighted, the Colonel remaining -behind to keep an eye on the driver.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Wakefield Smith was strolling down the -street in a lordly way when Jerry tapped him on -the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So I’ve met you again,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pickpocket turned and his face fell. But -only for a moment; then he gazed at the youth -brazenly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know you, me boy,” he drawled in an -assumed voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I know you, Mr. Smith,” rejoined Jerry. -“I want the balance of my money. I got ten dollars -the night you were intoxicated, but that is -not enough.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Boy, you are talking riddles. I never saw -you before.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can easily prove it, I fancy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s no use, Charley,” broke in the detective, -who had followed him. “We know you well -enough.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And who are you?” asked the pickpocket, -much disconcerted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am a detective. You are the rogue known -as Charley the Dude. You may consider yourself -under arrest.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='236' id='Page_236'></span> -“This is an outrage!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hardly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By this time the second detective had arrived -with a policeman. At sight of the bluecoat the -pickpocket became nervous. Turning, he suddenly -started to run.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the others ran for him, and soon he was -handcuffed. Explanations to the policeman -followed, and the officer took him off, and Jerry -and the detectives continued on their way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It may be well to state here that the pickpocket, -whose real name was Charles Heulig, was later on -convicted of several crimes and sent to state -prison for a term of years. Jerry never received a -cent of the balance of the money due, but other -events that followed made this loss seem a trivial -one.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d4.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0041' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='237' id='Page_237'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>ALEXANDER SLOCUM IS BROUGHT TO BOOK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>In half an hour after the arrest of the pickpocket -the young oarsman and his companions found -themselves on the outskirts of Brooklyn and bowling -along a smooth country road which the detectives -said they knew well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On and on they went, until Colonel Dartwell -asked the driver how much further they had to go.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“About half a mile, sir,” was the answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His words proved correct. Turning into a side -road, the carriage came to the entrance to a large -grounds, surrounded by a high board fence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Over the gateway was the sign:</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:.8em;'>DR. HALCONE’S PRIVATE SANITARIUM.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A private lunatic asylum,” murmured Colonel -Dartwell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir,” said the driver. “You know I told -you they said the young lady was a bit off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall we do?” was the question put by -the westerner to the detectives. “Shall we go in -boldly and order them to produce the girl?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will they do it?” asked Jerry. “They may be -in Slocum’s pay, and hide her away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='238' id='Page_238'></span> -“The young man is right,” said one of the detectives. -“We’ll drive on a way and then sneak -back and size the place up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was done, and five minutes later found the -colonel and our hero walking along a hedge -which separated the grounds on one side from a -woods.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look there!” Jerry cried suddenly, and pointed -to an upper window of the brick building beyond.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He had seen Nellie Ardell’s face as the young -lady walked about the apartment. As the others -gazed upward Alexander Slocum appeared. He -held a sheet of paper and a pen in his hands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He wants her to sign something,” cried our -hero in a low voice. “See! see! he is going to -force her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Leave me be, Mr. Slocum,” those below heard -Nellie Ardell exclaim. “I will not sign off my interest -in that property. Leave me be! Oh, that -somebody was at hand to help me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on—there is no time to waste!” cried -Colonel Dartwell, and pushed through the hedge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry followed, and both ran for a side door of -the building, which stood open.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here they found themselves confronted by a -burly man of advanced age, evidently the proprietor -of the sanitarium.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here, what do you want here?” he demanded, -roughly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='239' id='Page_239'></span> -“We want that young lady upstairs!” cried -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t have her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll see about that,” put in Colonel Dartwell. -“You have no authority to detain her here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is insane, and——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Help! help!” came from upstairs, and rushing -past the burly doctor, Jerry skipped up the stairs, -three steps at a time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The colonel came behind. The doctor was about -to remonstrate when he found himself confronted -by the two detectives.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero and the colonel soon found the proper -door. It was locked, but putting his shoulder to -it the young oarsman soon burst it open.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Alexander Slocum stood at the table in the center -of the room. He had Nellie Ardell by the -wrist, and was endeavoring to force her to sign -the paper before them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Leave her alone, you villain!” cried Jerry, and -dragged him backward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton!” exclaimed the young woman, -and her tone was full of joy. “Oh, how thankful -I am that you have come!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What—what is the meaning of this?” asked -Slocum, turning deadly pale.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It means that you have been found out, Alexander -Slocum,” replied our hero. “We have -learned—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='240' id='Page_240'></span> -“Darnley the boomer!” burst out Colonel Dartwell -at this point. “So this is where you drifted -to after the swindle at Silver Run.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you know him?” queried Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Only too well. He was in Colorado for several -years under the name of Chester Darnley. He is a -boomer and all-around swindler.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a—a falsehood,” burst from Alexander -Slocum’s lips, but his voice trembled as he spoke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can prove all I say,” said the colonel. -“There are witnesses enough against you at -Silver Run.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slocum was all but overcome. He sank in a -chair, and a moment later one of the detectives -came up and slipped a pair of handcuffs on his -wrists.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The proprietor of the so-called sanitarium was -also arrested, and both prisoners were driven -down to the Brooklyn police station. A hearing -was had, and the prisoners were held for trial.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From Brooklyn the colonel, Nellie, and Jerry -returned to New York. Nellie left the party to go -home, and Jerry and the colonel continued on to -Slocum’s office with an officer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The book-keeper, Casey, was found and arrested, -and the office was placed in care of the authorities. -The next day Jerry recovered his father’s papers -and also those belonging to Nellie Ardell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman lost no time in sending -<span class='pageno' title='241' id='Page_241'></span> -word home how matters had turned, stating that -the claim was probably worth a good deal of -money. He added that if his father was not well -enough to come to the metropolis, Colonel Dartwell -stood ready to take entire charge of the case -and see that they got their rights.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An answer soon came back, written by Mrs. -Upton. Mr. Upton was well enough to sit up, but -that was all, and he would be glad enough to do -as his son had suggested. So the necessary papers -were made out, and a suit instituted against Alexander -Slocum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meantime, Mr. Islen sold out his bindery, -and by this turn of affairs our hero found himself -out of employment. But he had had enough of -the great metropolis for the present, and was glad -enough to go back to Lakeview while awaiting the -time when Slocum should be brought to trial.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The news of what he had accomplished had -leaked out, and when he arrived he found Harry -and Blumpo awaiting him at the depot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a clever one, Jerry!” cried Harry, -shaking his hand warmly. “To run off on the -quiet and come back with a fortune for your -family.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We haven’t got the fortune yet,” laughed -the young oarsman. “But we hope to have it -before long.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I always said Jerry was de greatest boy dat -<span class='pageno' title='242' id='Page_242'></span> -eber was born,” ejaculated Blumpo, with his face -on a broad grin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How is your father Blumpo?” asked Jerry, -to change the subject.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s very well again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must tell us your whole story,” went on -Harry. “I am dying to hear it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will—but I must get home first,” answered -the young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was soon on his way to the farm, where his -parents received him with open arms. A splendid -dinner was awaiting him—such a repast as he had -not had since leaving—but none of the food was -touched until his tale was told from end to end, -with all of its details as they have been presented -to my readers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You did well, son,” was Mr. Upton’s comment. -“I don’t believe anybody could have done better.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Upton smiled fondly and put her arms -about the boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s our Jerry, father,” was all she said, but -the simple words meant a good deal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His own story told, and the dinner finished, -Jerry wanted to know the news around Lakeview, -but his parents had little to tell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have not been out since your father was -taken down,” said Mrs. Upton. “You’ll have -to ask Harry Parker and your other friends.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='243' id='Page_243'></span> -“Have Si Peters and Wash Crosby been caught -yet?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, and I doubt if they ever do catch them,” -responded Mrs. Upton.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d5.jpg' alt='cherub' id='iid-0042' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='244' id='Page_244'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>HARRY TO THE RESCUE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Early on the following morning Harry came -over to take Jerry for a sail on the lake in the -Whistler.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can sail and talk at the same time,” he explained. -“I know you must be longing for a whiff -of the water.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are right there, Harry,” returned the -young oarsman. “Lake Otasco is better than the -hot pavements of New York City a hundred times -over.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two boys soon set off. Harry had expected -Blumpo to accompany them, but that youth was -out in his own boat with a party that had hired -the craft for several days.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blumpo is making money,” said Harry, “and -I am glad of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So am I,” replied our hero. “He is an odd -sort of chap, but his heart is of gold.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Whistler was soon on her way up the lake -with old Jack Broxton at the tiller, and as the -breeze was steady the boys had little to do but -<span class='pageno' title='245' id='Page_245'></span> -talk. Once again our hero related his story, and -Harry proved a most attentive listener.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That Alexander Slocum ought to go to prison -for life,” he said, at the conclusion. “The idea -of daring to make out that Nellie Ardell was -insane.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was a bold scheme, Harry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It seems to me the world is full of bad people, -Jerry. Look at such men as that Slocum and his -tools, and then at such boys as Si Peters and -Wash Crosby.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where do you suppose Crosby and Peters -are?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The authorities don’t know. But Blumpo -told me a few days ago he was almost certain he -had seen them on the north shore of the lake. He -said they took to their heels in the bushes just -about the time he spotted them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They are bound to be brought to justice -sooner or later.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know. But I do know one thing; I -would like to get back my gold watch.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus the talk ran on, until Hermit Island was -reached. Here they ran in for a few minutes, to -pass a word with Blumpo’s father, who greeted -them cordially. After this, they continued up -along the south side of the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As they skirted the beautiful shore they gradually -crept up to a large excursion boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='246' id='Page_246'></span> -“Hullo, what’s that boat doing here?” cried -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a Sunday school excursion from Cedar -Falls,” replied his chum.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The steamboat was not a large one and she -seemed to have more than her regular allowance -of passengers aboard. Every deck was full of -grown folks and children, dressed in their best.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A band was playing a merry air, and some of -the children were singing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let’s give them a cheer,” suggested the young -oarsman, as they drew closer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” replied Harry, pulling out his handkerchief. -“One, two, three. Hurrah! hur—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry stopped short, as a cry of horror arose -on board of the excursion boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A young girl had been standing close to the rail -on a camp stool at the bow of the boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her -balance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched -headlong into the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry saw her go under the greenish waves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’ll be struck by the paddle wheel,” he yelled, -and then, splash! he was overboard himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bravely he struck out to save the maiden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The order was given to back the steamboat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The wheels churned up the water into a white -foam, but still the momentum carried the large -<span class='pageno' title='247' id='Page_247'></span> -craft on. In the meantime Harry came up and -struck out valiantly for the girl, who was now -going down for a second time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Save her! Save her!” shrieked the mother of -the girl, in an agony of fear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Half a dozen life preservers were thrown overboard, -but none came to where the girl could -reach them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The mother of the girl wanted to join her daughter -in the water but strong hands held her back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The young fellow will save her, madam!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s a true hero!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Life lines were thrown over, but even these did -no good.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The steamboat swung around, but the run of -the water washed the girl closer and closer to the -paddle wheel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She now came up a second time. Should she -sink again all would be over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry was swimming with all the strength and -skill at his command.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last he was within a yard of the struggling -girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The maiden threw up her hands and went under.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As quick as a flash Harry dove down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A second passed. Then up came the youth with -the girl clinging to his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now the current was apparently too strong -for both of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='248' id='Page_248'></span> -They were hurled up against the paddle wheel of -the steamboat, and then disappeared entirely -from view.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jack Broxton gave a groan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Harry is lost!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry shuddered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It looks like it,” he replied.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The captain of the steamboat did not dare to -move his craft for fear he would do more harm -than good.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The mother of the girl continued to struggle to -free herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But now a cry was heard. It came from the -stern of the steamboat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There they are!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The girl is safe and so is that brave young -man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry and Jack Broxton heard the cry, and -immediately put about in their yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry was swimming along on his side. The -girl was too weak to support herself, and he was -holding her up well out of the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It took the Whistler but a moment to run up -alongside of the pair. Jerry reached over and -caught hold of the girl and placed her on deck.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meantime Harry secured a rope thrown -by Jack Broxton and pulled himself up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A cheer arose from those on the excursion boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is safe now, sure!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='249' id='Page_249'></span> -The girl was too exhausted to move, and both -boys rubbed her hands and did what they could -for her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jack Broxton ran up alongside of the steamboat -and a little later the girl was placed on -board.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The mother clasped her child to her breast.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go ahead, Jack,” said Harry in a low voice. -“I don’t want the crowd to stare at me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But the mother wants to thank you,” began -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Harry would not listen. He was too modest, -and made Jack Broxton actually run away -from the excursion boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But five hundred people cheered Harry and -waved their handkerchiefs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How did you escape the steamboat?” asked -Jerry, when the excitement was over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We went under part of her,” was the reply. “I -swam for all I knew how, but it was a close call.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After this Harry retired to the cabin and -changed his clothing. He drank several cups of -hot coffee, and half an hour later declared that -he felt as well as ever.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The remainder of the run down the lake was uneventful. -They dropped anchor near the mouth of -the Poplar River and started in to fish.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They had all the necessary tackle on board, and -procured bait at a boathouse near by.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='250' id='Page_250'></span> -The yacht was anchored at a well-known spot, -and then the sport began.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve a bite!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And sure enough he had something. He began -to reel in with great rapidity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“First fish,” said Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scarcely had Harry landed his haul than click, -click, click went Jerry’s reel. The line went off like -a flash.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry began to reel in. That something big was -on his hook was certain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The fish darted in every direction and Jerry had -his hands full playing him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll lose him!” cried Harry, excitedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll do my best with him,” responded Jerry, -quietly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After playing the fish for nearly five minutes he -reeled him in rapidly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Get the landing net, Jack,” he said, and the old -tar stood ready the moment the fish came into -view.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A bass! A three-pounder!” cried Harry. “By -jinks! but that’s a haul worth making!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was indeed a beautiful catch, and Jerry was -justly proud of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After this nothing was caught for twenty minutes. -Then Harry landed a fine fat perch weighing -a pound. Jack was not fishing, but smoked -and looked on contentedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='251' id='Page_251'></span> -Evening found them with a fine mess of bass and -perch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not a bad haul,” said Jerry, as he surveyed -the lot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I reckon it’s about time to be gitting back,” -observed Jack Broxton. “We want ter make -Lakeview afore dark.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the anchor was hoisted and away they went -before a nine-knot breeze.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The return was made along the north shore. -Here there were numerous little islands, separated -from the mainland by a series of channels, some -shallow and others deep enough to admit of the -passage of a good-sized yacht.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Whistler was just passing one of these channels, -and Jerry and Harry were at the side, cleaning -their fish, when suddenly old Jack Broxton -uttered a cry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it, Jack?” asked the young oarsman, -quickly, while Harry also raised up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s a boat over yonder, back of that -island, and I’m certain I saw Si Peters and Wash -Crosby on board,” was the old boatman’s interesting -answer.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0043' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='252' id='Page_252'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XL.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are sure?” demanded Jerry and Harry, -in a breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. The boat had the name Redeye painted -on the stern. If I remember rightly, she belongs -to a tough crowd of fishermen from Long Lake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is she now?” demanded Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Back there, somewhere.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We must follow that boat; eh, Jerry?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am willing,” replied the young oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You may have lively times with that crowd,” -put in Jack Broxton with a grave shake of his -head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll risk it,” answered Harry. He was thinking -of his missing gold watch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The course of the Whistler was changed, and -soon they rounded the shore of the island Jack -Broxton had pointed out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sure enough, there was the Redeye, with all sails -set, making up the lake.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Near the stern stood Si Peters, Wash Crosby -and several rascally looking men.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='253' id='Page_253'></span> -“They have discovered that we are after them,” -cried Jerry, a few minutes later. “See, they are -crowding on all sail!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The young oarsman was right. Leaving the -vicinity of the islands, the other craft stood -out boldly into the lake, and cut the water like -a knife.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s a good one,” observed Jack Broxton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Whistler already had all sails out; and -thus the craft went on, neither gaining nor losing -for half an hour.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then darkness settled over the lake, and the -wind fell flat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ve lost them now,” said Harry, dismally.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a good thing the wind has fallen,” replied -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How so?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As soon as it is dark enough we can take the -row-boat and follow in that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s an idea.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon night had settled over Lake Otasco. Then -our hero and Harry lost no time in entering the -tender of the Whistler.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Make as little noise as possible,” cautioned -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was in the bow peering ahead, while Harry -was at the oars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they went on a distance of a quarter of a -mile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='254' id='Page_254'></span> -“See anything?” whispered Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not yet. Pull in a little closer to shore. I -have an idea Peters and Crosby may land somewhere -around here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Like as not that is their game.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On they went, the darkness growing more intense -as they proceeded. There was no moon, -and the stars shone but faintly in the blue vault -overhead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly Jerry held up his hand as a sign to -Harry to stop rowing. Instantly his chum raised -the oars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you see?” he whispered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Something ahead—I can’t make out just what -yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Several minutes of breathless silence followed. -Then Jerry bent back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Redeye is just ahead, but I believe Si -Peters and Wash Crosby have already left her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A second later a low but clear cry rang out: -“You left that bundle behind, Crosby!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind, I don’t want the old suit,” was the -reply, coming from some distance in toward shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That settles it,” whispered Jerry. “Crosby -and Peters are in a row-boat pulling for shore, -beyond a doubt.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s all right,” replied Harry. “I would -rather tackle them than all those on the Redeye.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So would I.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='255' id='Page_255'></span> -The row-boat was headed for the west.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How far off the shore was they did not know. -They had located the voice of Crosby and now -steered in the direction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry at the bow continued to keep his ears on -the alert.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A little to the right, now,” he said. “That’s -it. If you don’t make too much noise we’ll surprise -them completely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think the best thing we can do is to follow -them after they land, until they reach some place -where we can have them locked up, Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is certainly a good plan. It will save us -the trouble of dragging them off to jail, if we are -fortunate enough to capture them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry’s plan was accepted, and on they went.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look!” cried Jerry, presently, and pointed -down the shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t see anything, Jerry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you see the lights coming toward us?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry strained his eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I see them now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a steamer coming this way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My gracious, we’ll have to get out of the way -or we’ll be run down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is close in shore,” went on Jerry. “I believe -she’ll pass between the other row-boat and ours.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us hold up a minute and see what she intends -to do,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='256' id='Page_256'></span> -He rested on his oars. Soon the craft came -closer. It was the excursion boat on her return.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She is not coming near us,” said Jerry. “Pull -on.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry had just taken to the oars again, when a -wild cry rang out. It came from the row-boat -which held Peters and Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! Don’t run us down!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The steamboat is onto them!” ejaculated -Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scarcely had he spoken when there came another -cry, followed by a crash.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They’ve been struck!” yelled Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pull ahead!” cried Jerry. “Like as not they -have either been killed or are drowning!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sprang to Harry’s side, and with an oar each -they sped on to the assistance of the unfortunate -ones.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the steamboat stopped.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the trouble?” called a voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>No answer was vouchsafed, and a moment later -the steamboat went on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Like as not, Si Peters and Wash Crosby are -dead,” observed Harry, as he bent to his oar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll soon know the truth,” replied the young -oarsman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Both boys pulled a swift stroke, and were soon -on the spot where the catastrophe had occurred.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the steamboat was fast disappearing -<span class='pageno' title='257' id='Page_257'></span> -in the distance. Soon the last light faded -from sight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the darkness of the night Jerry and Harry -could see but little.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There is an oar,” cried Harry, pointing it out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And there is part of the row-boat’s bottom,” -said Jerry. “It looks as if the row-boat was actually -ground to pieces.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then it isn’t likely that Si Peters and Wash -Crosby escaped.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll take a good look around.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two continued to row about, but for a long -while saw nothing but bits of wreckage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then our hero beheld a form floating just to -their right.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take both oars, Harry,” he said, “and be careful, -for that is Wash Crosby’s body.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry took the oars and began to row slowly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he moved on, Jerry stood in the bow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At that instant a strange thing happened. Si -Peters came up under the boat, giving it such a -shove that Jerry was hurled overboard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, with a swiftness that was really surprising, -Si Peters clambered into the row-boat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In his hand he held part of a broken oar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jump out after Jerry Upton!” he growled as -he advanced upon Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without replying, Harry leaped up to defend -himself. As he did this he saw that Jerry and -Wash Crosby were fighting in the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='258' id='Page_258'></span> -Neither Crosby nor Peters had been hurt by the -collision, both having left their craft before the -steamboat struck it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Their one thought now was to get the good row-boat -away from our two heroes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry, thinking Wash Crosby seriously hurt, -was taken completely by surprise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crosby caught him by the shoulder and forced -him far under the water, and then did his best to -hold him there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crosby was a powerful fellow, and he well understood -what defeat and capture meant—a term in -prison.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, as we know, Jerry’s muscles were like iron, -and his first surprise over, he went for Crosby -tooth and nail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a powerful twist he freed himself from the -rascal’s grasp and swam some distance away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then coming up behind Crosby, the young oarsman -let out with his right fist.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The blow took the Rockpoint bully behind the -ear, and Crosby let out a wild yell of pain, broken -by a gasp for air, as he went under the bosom of -the ocean.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he went down, our hero gave him an extra -shove and then swam with all speed for the row-boat, -which had drifted several yards away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He saw Harry and Si Peters standing up in the -boat. Peters had just struck at his chum, and -Harry had partly dodged the vicious blow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='259' id='Page_259'></span> -But the broken oar landed on Harry’s arm, -causing him to cry out from pain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Drop that, Si Peters.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The command, coming so unexpectedly, startled -Peters. He turned, to find Jerry at the gunwale -directly behind him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Jerry, help!” cried Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Si Peters gave a low yell of rage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again Harry sprang away, and now armed himself -with an oar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t frighten me, you fool!” shouted -Peters. “Don’t you dare to put your hand on the -boat!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as Jerry grasped the gunwale, Peters raised -his heavy foot as if to crush our hero’s fingers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Jerry was too quick for him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He dropped off. Then whizz! something dark -flew through the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was part of the broken oar, thrown by Jerry, -and it took Si Peters in the neck.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whack him one, Harry, while you have the -chance!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Harry needed no advice on the subject. He -sprang in, and a second later a resounding crack -laid Si Peters flat on his back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That was a good one,” cried Jerry, as he clambered -over the side. “Now bind him before he -comes to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Haven’t a blessed thing,” replied Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='260' id='Page_260'></span> -“Here is some cord. Tie his hands together.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While Harry was doing this, Jerry began to -look around for Wash Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This way! We are in trouble!” yelled Crosby.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pshaw!” exclaimed Jerry. “He’ll have that -yacht down on us in another minute.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But for once the young oarsman was mistaken. -The men on the Redeye had no desire, after befriending -Si Peters and Wash Crosby, to fall into -the hands of the law, and instead of coming up -they allowed their craft to float off in an opposite -direction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There is Crosby!” shouted Jerry, a moment -later, as he beheld the youth floundering around -in the water. “And look, here comes the -Whistler.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was right. A slight breeze had sprung up -and Jack Broxton had nursed the yacht along -with all of the skill at his command.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The coming of the old sailor ended the battle, so -far as the bad boys from Rockpoint were concerned. -Both Si Peters and Wash Crosby were -hauled on board, and here they were tightly -bound, to prevent their making further trouble.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was after midnight when Lakeview was -reached and the prisoners were handed over to the -local police. Then Harry and Jerry separated, to -go home and tell of their fresh adventures.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The following morning Si Peters and Wash -<span class='pageno' title='261' id='Page_261'></span> -Crosby were taken to Rockpoint and an examination -was held. The bad boys confessed robbing -the hotel and the larger part of the money taken -was recovered, as was also Harry’s gold watch, -which Si Peters had been bold enough to wear. -Some time later the evil-doers were tried and sent -to jail, and that was the last our heroes heard of -them.</p> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/illo-d1.jpg' alt='bow' id='iid-0044' style='width:40px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='262' id='Page_262'></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XLI.<br/> <span style='font-size:x-small'>A LAST RACE—GOOD-BYE TO THE RIVAL OARSMEN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah, here they come!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s going to be a dandy race, Harry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed it is, Dick.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There comes Hosmer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here comes Pinkney!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter with Villelet?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s all right!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The conversation took place on the bank of the -Hudson River, not far from Poughkeepsie.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was the day of the great intercollegiate boat -races.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The single-shell race had just been ordered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Among the number to compete in this race was -Jerry Upton.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Our hero was rich now—that is, his folks were, -which amounted to the same thing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On trial it had been proven what a villain Alexander -Slocum was. All of his masquerading in the -west under the name of Darnley was exposed, as -well as his fraudulent land schemes in the east. -The real-estate manipulator was sent to prison for -<span class='pageno' title='263' id='Page_263'></span> -a term of years, and the property in California -was divided up between Jerry’s father, Nellie Ardell -and several others who held an interest in it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The land was found to be within the city limits -of Sacramento, and the Upton share was computed -to be worth forty-five thousand dollars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Upton was offered forty thousand dollars -for it, but by the advice of Colonel Dartwell, who -became his intimate friend, he concluded to keep -it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The investment is bringing in good interest,” -he said, “and as it was Jerry who did the work in -getting it, the lad shall have it just as it stands -when I and my wife die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Immediately after these matters were settled up, -Jerry began to study for college, and Harry did -also, and both made the entrance examination -with ease.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry was a fine scholar and he was also one of -the best oarsmen in his class. Harry likewise -rowed a good deal, although not near as much as -formerly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a perfect day and the river was, filled with -pleasure boats, loaded down to the rails with -sightseers. The banks of the stream were likewise -lined with the crowds which had poured in to see -the various college oarsmen compete for the supremacy -in aquatic sports.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the crowd on shore was our old friend Blumpo -<span class='pageno' title='264' id='Page_264'></span> -Brown. Blumpo was now in business at Lakeview, -letting out pleasure boats, of which he -owned several, and he was unusually prosperous. -Just at present he was wearing the colors of -Jerry’s college and “whooping her up” for our -hero whenever the chance presented itself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the given signal the single shells took their -places at the starting point.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The participants were the pick of the single-shell -men, and Jerry realized that he would have a -struggle to win.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A puff of smoke, the report of a gun, and they -were off!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A fine start!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hosmer leads!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He will lead to the finish!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pinkney is a close second!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton is third!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My! but they are cutting the water!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Two to one that Hosmer wins!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Three to one that the record is broken!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Foah to one dat Jerry Upton wins dis race!” -cried Blumpo Brown, waving a big college flag -over his head. “Dat boy don’t know what it is to -lose!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hear that chap talk!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pitch him overboard to cool him off!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dat’s all right, it’s Jerry Upton’s muscle dat’s -talkin’, not me!” growled Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='265' id='Page_265'></span> -Down the straight course came the single-shell -oarsmen, each back bending to a long and powerful -stroke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The quarter stretch was past with Hosmer -still in the lead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Behind him came Pinkney and Jerry, side by -side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then came the half stretch. The leaders still -held the same positions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Told you Hosmer would win!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Jerry Upton is falling behind!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was true. Pinkney had increased his stroke -and was crawling up slowly but surely to the -leader.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pull, Jerry, pull,” yelled Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You dun got to win dat race, suah!” screamed -Blumpo.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry heard them, but paid no heed. He was -rowing the race of the year—the race that would -make his college chums shout with joy or look -glum for the balance of the season.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now the three-quarter mark was past. A -quarter of a mile more and the race would be over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See! Pinkney is drawing up to Hosmer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pinkney leads! Hosmer has dropped away -behind!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pinkney first and Jerry Upton second!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Villelet is crawling up!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He has passed Pinkney!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='266' id='Page_266'></span> -And so the shouting went on. The end of the -course was in sight. How the oarsmen were pulling! -But now look at Jerry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>How like a flash his back bends! How powerful -is that broad stroke! How quick his recovery!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In vain Pinkney tried to hold his lead. Jerry -means to win and nothing can hold him back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He fairly flies past Pinkney and comes in a winner -by a length and a half. His friends go wild.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah for Jerry Upton!” shouts Harry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the cheers echo and re-echo along the water -and back to the distant hills.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blumpo dances a breakdown for joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I told you he could do it,” he cries. “Da can’t -beat our Jerry nohow!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s right, they can’t!” adds Harry. “Hurrah! -hurrah! hurrah!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jerry leaves his shell, and is hoisted up upon the -shoulders of his friends and marched around the -town.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That night he is given a big reception by his fellow -students. It is the happiest moment of his life.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And here we will leave him and Harry and Blumpo, -and all of the rest, shouting as do our hero’s -many friends:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah for the Young Oarsman of Lakeview!”</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:3em;font-size:.8em;'>THE END</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<h2>TRANSCRIBER NOTES</h2> - -<p class='pindent'>Misspelled words and printer errors have been corrected. -The original spelling has been retained, except in cases -of obvious inconsistencies. Where differences occur, the -majority occurence prevails, e.g. Dick Lanning to Dick -Lenning, Islin to Islen, and Rockport to Rockpoint.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Inconsistencies in punctuation have been maintained.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Some illustrations were moved to facilitate page layout.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A cover was created for this eBook.</p> - -<p class='line'> </p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview, by Ralph Bonehill - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW *** - -***** This file should be named 50201-h.htm or 50201-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/0/50201/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Cindy Beyer and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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