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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..60dd9af --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50941 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50941) diff --git a/old/50941-8.txt b/old/50941-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f646dd0..0000000 --- a/old/50941-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4904 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, 1909, by -Stanley R. Matthews - -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: Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, 1909 - or, A Struggle For The Right - -Author: Stanley R. Matthews - -Release Date: January 16, 2016 [EBook #50941] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Demian Katz and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - - MOTOR STORIES - - THRILLING - ADVENTURE - - MOTOR - FICTION - - NO. 22 - JULY 24, 1909 - - FIVE - CENTS - - - MOTOR MATT'S - ENEMIES - - OR A STRUGGLE - FOR THE RIGHT - - _BY THE AUTHOR - OF "MOTOR MATT"_ - - [Illustration: _A hoarse laugh echoed in - Motor Matt's ears as the - burning launch leaped - away through the thick - shadows._] - - _STREET & SMITH - PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK_ - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -_Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to -Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of -Congress, Washington, D. C., by_ STREET & SMITH, _79-89 Seventh Avenue, -New York, N. Y._ - - No. 22. NEW YORK, July 24, 1909. Price Five Cents. - -MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES; - -OR, - -A STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT. - -By the author of "MOTOR MATT." - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I. ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE. - CHAPTER II. INTO A NOOSE--AND OUT OF IT AGAIN. - CHAPTER III. GEORGE'S SISTER. - CHAPTER IV. THE "JUMP SPARK." - CHAPTER V. BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT. - CHAPTER VI. "PICKEREL PETE." - CHAPTER VII. GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING. - CHAPTER VIII. SETTING A SNARE. - CHAPTER IX. ENEMIES TO BE FEARED. - CHAPTER X. BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER. - CHAPTER XI. CHUMS TO THE RESCUE. - CHAPTER XII. HOW FATE THREW THE DICE. - CHAPTER XIII. UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT. - CHAPTER XIV. A DASH FOR THE OPEN. - CHAPTER XV. THE POWER BOAT--MINUS THE POWER. - CHAPTER XVI. A RECONCILIATION. - THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS. - WATCH THE SKY. - - - - -CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY. - - - =Matt King=, otherwise Motor Matt. - - =Joe McGlory=, a young cowboy who proves himself a lad of worth and - character, and whose eccentricities are all on the humorous side. A - good chum to tie to--a point Motor Matt is quick to perceive. - - =George Lorry=, a lad who has begun steering a wrong course, and in - whom Matt recognizes a victim of circumstances rather than a youth - who is innately conceited, domineering and unscrupulous. - - =Lorry, Sr.=, George's father; a rich man whose attitude toward - Motor Matt, in part of the story, is as incomprehensible as it is - uncalled-for. - - =Big John=, an unscrupulous person who takes his dishonest toll - wherever he can find it; but, in crossing Motor Matt's course, he - meets with rather more than he has bargained for. - - =Kinky=, a pal of Big John. - - =Ross=, another pal of Big John; a desperate man with a grievance - against Motor Matt. - - =Ollie Merton=, a rich man's son with many failings, but rather - deeper than he appears. - - =Pickerel Pete=, a superstitious little moke who collects two dollars - from Motor Matt for a day's work and abruptly resigns. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE. - - -"Do you know what you're doing, John?" - -"If I didn't, Ollie, I wouldn't be doing it. I'm not one of these -fellows who take a jump in the dark and trust to luck." - -"Then it's about time you put me wise. I've been taking jumps in the -dark ever since you showed up in Madison yesterday." - -The man with the closely cropped red hair, the smooth face, and the -mole on his cheek laughed softly. - -"Back the car off the road and into the bushes," said he, "then we'll -sit where we can look around the bend toward Waunakee and I'll tell you -all you want to know." - -The young fellow with black hair and a sinister face threw in the -reverse and backed the big automobile off the road and into the -undergrowth. When he stopped the car it was all but screened from -sight. Jumping down, he walked out to where the man was standing in the -highway thoughtfully smoking a big, black cigar. - -Pulling a silver cigarette case from his pocket, Ollie helped himself -to a highly ornamental brand of Turkish poison, each little cylinder -cork-tipped and marked in gilt with his monogram. - -Big John looked at him with frank disapproval as he took a silver -matchbox from his vest and fired the imported "paper pipe." - -"You're the silver-plated boy, all right," muttered Big John. - -"Sterling, you big duffer," grinned Ollie. "Nothing plated about me." - -"The dope they roll up in that rice paper and hand you with your cute -little monogram is plate, all right--coffin plate----" - -"Oh, splash!" sneered Ollie. "You're a nice one to lecture a fellow, I -must say. Cut it out, John, and tell me what we're here for." - -Big John shook his red head forebodingly and moved off toward the bend -of the wooded road. Here he sat down just within a fringe of brush, in -such a position that he had a good view of the straightaway stretch -toward Waunakee, and Ollie pushed in beside him. - -"You know George Lorry, all right, eh, Ollie?" Big John observed. - -A flush crossed Ollie's sinister face. - -"You bet I know him!" said he. "The fellows used to call him 'Sis,' -because he was so nice and ladylike. But I've known for a long time -there was good stuff in George, and that he'd be a first-rate chap if -some one would only cut him adrift from his mother's apron strings. I -got him started right," and a very complacent look drifted over Ollie's -dark features. "He can smoke cigareets as well as the next one, now, -and play as good a game of cards as any fellow in our set. He's got -_me_ to thank for that." - -Big John stared at Ollie, and once more shook his head. - -"What fools you kids can make of yourselves!" he grunted. "You're the -one that started young Lorry, eh?" - -"He was a sissy," asserted Ollie, "and I was making a man of him. -George's folks never treated him right. Old Lorry has got as much money -as my governor, but he's a tightwad, all right, and put the screws -on George's allowance in a way that was scandalous. George bought a -five-thousand-dollar motor launch, and had it sent on here from Bay -City, C. O. D., and his skinflint father wouldn't foot the bill and the -launch had to go back." Ollie fired up to a white heat. "What sort of a -way was that for a man to treat his only son?" he demanded. - -"Awful!" commented Big John sarcastically. - -"George told me how he was treated," went on Ollie, failing to observe -the sarcasm in Big John's voice, "and I advised him to break away and -show the old folks that he wasn't going to let 'em tramp on him. He -joined our club and got to be one of the best card players we have." - -"Beautiful!" expanded Big John. "I suppose his folks were all cut up -about that, eh?" - -"I guess they were, only old Lorry took the wrong way of showing it. -What do you think he did?" flared Ollie. - -"I'm by. What did he do?" - -"Why, he made arrangements to send George to one of these military -academies, that's nothing more or less than a reform school. George -came to me and told me about it, and asked what he ought to do." - -"And what did you tell him?" - -"I told him to skip, and to take with him all the money of his father's -that he could get his hands on. Old Lorry is a brute, and I didn't make -any bones of telling George what I thought." - -"And George skipped, taking ten thousand dollars from his father's -safe," said Big John. "He went to Chicago first, then bought a ticket -to 'Frisco. When he got there he had made friends with three men, -and one of those men was me. I'm a villain, Ollie, and ought to be a -horrible example to every young fellow who's got sense enough to know -right from wrong, and the minute I learned Lorry had ten thousand -dollars I planned with my two pals, Kinky and Ross, to get it. We'd -have got away with it, too, on a boat to the Sandwich Islands, where I -could have bought a pineapple plantation and, mebby, have lived honest -for the rest of my life, but something happened." - -Big John looked through the bushes, out along the road, and scowled -blackly. - -"What happened?" demanded Ollie. - -"A chap named Joe McGlory----" - -"I've heard of _him_," interrupted Ollie. "He's a cousin of George's, -and lives in Arizona. A cowboy and a rowdy--nothing refined or genteel -in his make up. Go on." - -"Well, McGlory got a message from young Lorry's father asking him to go -to 'Frisco and hunt for George. McGlory went, but he'd never have found -George in a thousand years if it hadn't been for some one else who -butted into the game." - -Big John scowled again, this time more fiercely than he had done before. - -"Who was it?" queried Ollie. - -"Hold your horses a minute," proceeded Big John. "McGlory and this -other fellow took after Kinky, Ross, and me, and dropped on us like -a thousand of brick. My, oh, my! Say, that other lad was the clear -quill, all right. I've seen a good many likely younkers, but never one -to match him. I guess you'd call him a 'sissy,' seeing as how he don't -smoke, or drink, or gamble, but just trains his muscle to keep in form -and cultivates his brain along the line of motors, gasoline motors. And -muscle! Son, that fellow's got a 'right' any man would be proud to own, -and what he don't know about chug-engines nobody knows." - -Ollie's upper lip curled. - -"I don't believe in paragons," said he. "But what has all this got to -do with our being here?" - -"I'm getting to that. With this young fellow's help, McGlory got the -ten thousand away from us; not only that, but we had to get out of -'Frisco on the jump to keep the law from layin' hold of us. But Big -John wasn't throwing his hands in the air, not as anybody knows of. I -knew what would happen. Young Lorry would have to be brought back to -Madison, and this motor boy would have to help McGlory bring him back. -Also, the ten thousand dollars would be brought back--and I was still -yearnin' for that money and the pineapple plantation. I had Ross dodge -back to 'Frisco and watch. When McGlory and the other chap took the -cars with Lorry, Ross was on the same train, but he had changed himself -so no one would have known him. Ross is good at that sort of thing, and -that's the reason I made him do the shadowin'. Kinky and me hurried -right on to Madison, where I called on you and reminded you of the way -I'd once given you a tip on a hoss race in New York and helped you win -a thousand. You remembered old times"--Big John grinned widely--"and -you wasn't leery of me." - -"I always liked you, Big John," averred the misguided youth, "because -you're so free and easy." - -"Thanks," was the dry response. "Well, to proceed," he went on, "Ross -dropped in on Kinky and me, last night, and said that young Lorry -and t'other two hadn't come to Madison, but had got off the train at -Waunakee and had gone to a little cabin on the bank of a creek that -empties into the Catfish. Ross hung around the cabin, listenin', until -he found out that one of the outfit was to walk into Madison, this -morning, to have a talk with Mr. Lorry. I don't know what the talk's to -be about, but this motor boy must have something up his sleeve." Big -John gave an ill-omened grin. "As near as I can find out from Ross," -he continued, "this chug-engine chap thinks he can make a man out o' -Lorry--but he's going about it a little different from what you did, -Ollie. Now, I don't care a whoop about anything but that money, and -I rather believe I've fixed things so the motor boy won't have easy -sailin' with Mr. Lorry. But that's neither here nor there. I got you -to bring me out here in your benzine buggy, this mornin', so I could -lay for the chap that goes into town and take the ten thousand. After I -get it, you're to take me to Dane, or Lodi, or Barraboo, and leave me -there. That'll settle the debt you owe me on account of the tip I gave -you on that hoss race, see? Are you willin'?" - -The sinister face of the youth glowed with a fierce light. - -"I'm willing to help you get away, Big John," he answered, "and I'm -even willing to help you get the money. This motor boy you speak about -is trying to undermine my influence with George, and, by Jupiter, I -won't have it. I know what's the best thing for George." - -"We won't talk about that part of it," said Big John, who was a strange -mixture of right principles and evil actions, "because I might say -something you wouldn't like. As I was saying, I've got my heart set on -an honest life and a pineapple plantation, and ten thousand ain't any -more to Lorry, the millionaire, than ten cents is to me. I'm going to -get that money--and here's where I turn the trick. You can go farther -back into the bushes and watch, for I don't need your help." - -Unbuttoning his coat, Big John began unwrapping coil after coil -of light rope from around his waist. When he was through he had a -thirty-foot riata in his left hand and was holding the noose in his -right. - -Ollie, who had never been the confederate of a man before in such a -rascally piece of work, stared with wide eyes at Big John; then, before -pushing farther back into the brush, he turned his eyes down the wooded -road. - -A young fellow, lithely built, and with the grace and freedom of -movement that marks the perfect athlete, was swinging toward the bend -from the direction of Waunakee. - -"Is that McGlory?" asked Ollie in a whisper. - -"Nary it ain't McGlory," replied Big John, with a snap of the jaws. -"It's Matt King, otherwise Motor Matt, and here's where he gets what's -comin' for meddlin' in affairs that's none of his business. Get back, I -tell you, and give me a free hand." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -INTO A NOOSE--AND OUT OF IT AGAIN. - - -Motor Matt, swinging along the road toward Madison, that morning, was -particularly light-hearted. He and his new chum, Joe McGlory, had -accomplished something worth while; and whenever a young fellow does -that he is pretty sure to be on good terms with himself. - -The long railroad journey from San Francisco to a point within a few -miles of Madison had been safely accomplished. Young Lorry had not been -a willing traveler, at first, but Matt had gradually won him over by -suggesting a plan which carried an appeal to Lorry's heart. This plan -had to do with the three boys leaving the train at Waunakee, taking to -the little cabin in the woods, and then Lorry and McGlory staying there -while Matt went on to the city for a talk with the elder Lorry and to -deliver the ten thousand dollars. - -Motor Matt and McGlory had had some exciting experiences with Big John -and his two pals, Kinky and Ross, but those experiences had been passed -through safely, and the end of the journey, if not of Matt's work, was -in sight. - -Matt had faith to believe that there was "good stuff" in George Lorry. -The boy had fled from Madison, and had committed a dishonest act before -doing so. Having far and away too much pride for his own good, the -thought of being brought back, virtually under guard and in disgrace, -was more than he could bear. Matt had tried to think of a plan for -giving Lorry's return a different look--hence the reason for McGlory -and Lorry remaining in the cabin while Matt went on to the city. - -The morning was fresh, the sun was bright, and the clear weather seemed -a good augury for what lay before. Matt always made it a point to look -on the bright side of things, anyway. - -Ahead of him lay a bend in the road. When he rounded the bend he felt -sure that he would be able to catch a glimpse of the white dome of the -capitol, and from that point onward he would not be long in covering -the ground. - -He halted abruptly just before he got to the bend. The peculiar -corrugated marks of automobile tires lay under his eyes in the dust -of the road. It wasn't so much the marks themselves that claimed his -attention as the strange way they curved from the roadside and entered -the brush. Why should an automobile be taking to the woods in that -unaccountable fashion? - -From ahead of him, around the bend, he heard a car. The car was on the -move, plainly enough, but the motor was in distress, pounding badly; -not only that, but there was a smell of fried engine in the air, as -though some reckless driver were burning up his transmission. - -Was the car Matt heard the one that had left its tracks there by the -roadside? He presumed that this must be the case; so, instead of -investigating the bushes, he started to run around the bend. If he -could help the injured car, then perhaps the driver might give him a -lift the rest of the way into town. - -As he started on, after a moment's pause, a sinuous, snakelike thing -leaped noiselessly from the bushes behind him, unwound itself in the -air, and a loop fell over his head and dropped on his shoulders. - -Motor Matt jumped as though he had been touched with a live wire. He -half turned and lifted his hands to remove the coil, but it tightened -before he could free himself, and a rough jerk from behind landed him -on his back in the dust. - -Matt had not been expecting such lawlessness on that peaceable country -road. Who was back of it, and what was the purpose? - -To escape, half-strangled as he was and with enemies bearing down on -him, was out of the question--at that moment. The lad's resourcefulness -suggested a trick, whereby he hoped to gain time and discover a chance -for escape. - -Although the fall backward had not injured him in the least, yet he -gave a groan, tried to lift himself, and then fell back and lay still -and silent. - -In his ears the pounding of the motor around the bend continued to -echo, but, from the noise, he could not discover that the car was -coming in his direction. A quick tramp of feet and a rustle of bushes -were heard, and two figures bounded to his side. One of the figures -was that of a man, and the other of a well-dressed, dissipated-looking -youth. - -Matt, peering from half-closed eyes, could scarcely restrain an -exclamation at sight of the man. When he had seen the man last, in San -Francisco Bay, he had worn a red beard. Although the beard was gone, -Matt recognized the scoundrel instantly--and the mole served to make -his identification complete. - -"Confound it, John!" grumbled the youth, "_now_ what have you done? If -he's badly hurt----" - -Big John laughed. - -"Hurt! Motor Matt badly hurt by a little drop like that! Why, he's -tougher'n whalebone and you couldn't damage him with a sledge hammer. -He's just stunned and strangled, that's all. A good thing for me, too, -because he'll never know who roped him and we can get away before he -comes to himself. Pull out that noose so he can breathe, Ollie. I'll -get what I want out of the younker's pocket and----" - -"There's another machine!" Ollie muttered, staring toward the bend as -he was about to stoop over Matt and release the noose. - -"Just heard it?" answered Big John. "Well, don't let it worry you. I've -heard it for some time, and it's coming into this road from a branch -and is bound for town. Look sharp, now, for we've got to hustle." - -While Ollie, with trembling fingers, pulled out the loop and drew it -over Matt's head, Big John went down on one knee to search his pockets. - -Matt knew, then, what Big John was after. The rascal was foolish enough -to think Matt was carrying Lorry's money in cash. This was not the -case, for Matt and McGlory had bought a draft in San Francisco. Matt, -however, did not intend to lose even the draft. - -Suddenly, and most unexpectedly, he became very much alive. With a -quick move he hoisted himself upward, catching Ollie by the shoulders -and hurling him, with terrific force, against Big John. - -Both the youth and the man were caught at a disadvantage. Ollie gave -a startled cry as he carromed against Big John, and the latter, as he -staggered back, said something more forcible than polite. - -As for Matt, if he had any comments to make, he preferred to send them -by mail. Without hesitating an instant, he took to his heels and tore -around the bend. - -He could see the dome of the capitol, far off and embowered by trees, -but he was thinking more, at that moment, of the other car than he was -of the capitol. - -A hundred yards ahead was another road, coming from the timber into the -one he was following. The moment Matt raced around the bend a swagger -little runabout was jumping from one road into the other. - -The car was not _headed_ toward Madison, although it was proceeding in -that direction. It was on the reverse gear, and a young woman in the -driver's seat was craning her head around in order to see the way and -do the guiding. - -There was only the young woman in the car, and Matt, in spite of his -dangerous situation, felt a distinct sense of disappointment. He had -been hoping to meet a man, in that emergency, and now to meet a young -woman---- - -But he had no time to waste in vain regrets. A look over his shoulder -showed him Big John hurrying after him at top speed. - -Matt knew that Big John was one of those lawless persons who carry -weapons in their hip pockets, and, although Matt's legs could -outdistance Big John's, the young motorist would hardly be able to -keep ahead of a bullet. - -But Big John held his hand and determined to trust to his sprinting -ability. To use a revolver would, perhaps, have carried the matter -farther than he wanted to see it go. - -Besides, Ollie was cranking up the big car and making ready to bring it -along in pursuit. - -The smell of sizzling engine became stronger as Matt drew closer to the -runabout. The girl, with a very white face, had turned in her seat and -was staring toward Matt with startled eyes. At the same moment she had -brought the car to a stop. - -Big John, on seeing Matt draw abreast of the runabout, halted and -looked around for Ollie and the touring car. - -"Will you give me a ride into Madison?" Matt asked of the girl, as -respectfully as he could in the circumstances. - -"What's--what's the matter?" asked the girl. - -"That fellow, back there, tried to rob me. I don't think he will follow -me far, on a public highway in broad daylight--if you will let me ride -in the runabout." - -"But the bearings are chewed up!" cried the girl; "I'm going home on -the reverse." - -"Take the other seat, please," said Matt. "I know something about -motors, and perhaps I can handle the car so as to get more speed out of -it with less rack on the engine." - -Without a word the girl changed to the other seat and Matt leaped into -the car beside her. - -The next moment he had advanced the spark, thrown in the high-speed -clutch, and they were shooting down a long slope. - -Matt's eyes were behind, and the girl's in front of her. - -"Oh, hurry, hurry!" she cried, in a frightened voice. "They've got -a big touring car, and I don't think anything can keep them from -overtaking us!" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -GEORGE'S SISTER. - - -Matt threw a look over his shoulder. Big John was just making a flying -leap to the running board of a large car. He fell aboard in a huddle, -colliding with the dash and striking violently against his young -companion, who was at the steering wheel. - -Matt was not able to look longer. By doing wonders with the spark and -the steering wheel, and by ignoring the bubbling in the radiator and -the pounding of the engine, he nursed the runabout along at a good rate -of speed. A low hill was before them, and it came near killing the car, -but when they had reached the crest and were ready for the descent on -the other side, an exclamation from the girl drew his attention. - -"What is it?" he asked. "Is that other car close upon us?" - -"Something has gone wrong with the other automobile," was the answer. -"When that man jumped aboard he must have injured something." - -Matt looked around again. Big John and his companion were on the -ground, looking over their car and trying to locate the trouble. - -Matt laughed. - -"It's a good thing for those fellows that the car went wrong," said he. -"In their excitement they might have done something that would have -got them both into trouble. We'll go on for a little way and then I'll -have a look at the runabout and see if I can't fix it up so we can run -headfirst, like every respectable automobile ought to run." - -They coasted down the hill, and the tired and much abused motor must -have appreciated the rest. - -"Is this your car?" asked Matt. - -"Yes," was the reply. "I don't think you can fix it, for I've stripped -the gear." - -"I'll look at it, anyway, if you don't mind, just as soon as we get to -the bottom of this slope. I've had a lot of experience with motors." - -"You say that man tried to rob you?" queried the girl. - -"That's the way it looked to me, but it seemed like an audacious thing -to attempt so near a big city like Madison. You see, I was walking into -town, and back there at the bend in the road some one threw a rope and -I got tangled in the noose and thrown off my feet. I managed to get -away, though, and the man took after me. If it hadn't been for you, -that other car might have overhauled me. I'm much obliged to you, miss." - -"I'm glad I was able to help you," was the quiet reply. "As you say, it -is strange any one should try to commit a robbery, in broad daylight, -so close to the city. And on a public highway, too!" - -By then they were at the foot of the slope and Matt brought the car to -a halt. Here he got out and turned to the girl. - -"If you'll jump down for a minute," said he, "I'll give that -transmission a sizing and see if I can do anything with it." - -"But won't the other car come?" she demurred. - -"Those fellows will think better of it. If they hadn't been excited -they wouldn't have tried to chase me. They've had time to cool off, -now, and to think better of what they're doing." - -Matt helped the girl down, and, for the first time, saw that she was -very young and very pretty. There was a familiar cast to her features, -somehow, which aroused his wonder. Was it possible that he had ever met -her before? - -Without trying very hard to answer this mental question, he stripped -off the transmission cover and thrust a hand inside. - -The metal band encircling the low-gear drum had sustained a fracture. -It was made of bronze, and had been slotted for convenience in -lubricating, and the break was through two of the slots. - -"The low gear is chewed up," he remarked to the girl, "and that part -of the machine is permanently retired. I guess we'll have to go into -Madison on the reverse, and it will be well to go slow so as not to -overheat the engine. We can take care of that, all right, if we stop -occasionally to cool off. How far are we from town, by the way?" - -"Not more than two miles from Sherman Avenue and Lake Mendota." - -"We'll get over that quick enough. You don't mind my riding with you?" - -"I'm glad to have you," was the smiling reply. "You'll save me from -twisting my head off and doing all the work." - -Matt, with his gray, earnest eyes and fine face, was a well-favored -lad, and it is not to be wondered at if the girl was impressed. - -"Are you a stranger in this part of the country?" the girl inquired, -when they were once more in their seats and backing away in the -direction of town. - -"Yes," he replied. "Never been in these parts before." - -"You were walking into town, you say?" - -The girl eyed his neat, trim figure with a certain amount of surprise. - -"I was," he answered, with a laugh, "but please don't think I'm a -tramp. I've a draft for ten thousand dollars in my pocket--and tramps -are not usually as well fixed as that. The fellow who roped me must -have known about that ten thousand, and perhaps he was foolish enough -to think that I had it in cash." - -"Ten thousand dollars!" murmured the girl. "That's a lot of money." - -Evidently it was not such a vast sum--to her. That swagger little car, -as Matt figured it, was given to her for her very own, and she was -wearing the latest thing in automobile coats, hats, and gauntlets. The -dust coat had become parted at the throat and revealed a fraternity pin -set with a big diamond. - -"After I take your car to the garage," said Matt, "perhaps you could -tell me where I can find Mr. Daniel Lorry?" - -The girl started. - -"Why," she exclaimed, "if we get to the garage about noon you will find -dad in the house in the same yard. He's my father. I'm Ethel Lorry." - -"Great spark-plugs!" exclaimed Matt. "I guess this is my lucky day, -after all. You're George's sister, are you?" - -A cry escaped the girl, and she reached out to drop a convulsive hand -on Matt's arm. - -"You know George?" she asked breathlessly. - -"I should say so!" returned Matt. - -"Where is he?" The girl was tremendously excited. "Is he well? Has he -come back from San Francisco?" - -"Yes, Miss Lorry, he is back from San Francisco, and he's feeling -tiptop. But he didn't want to come to Madison just yet. I left him not -more than an hour ago. His cousin, Joe McGlory, is with him." - -"But why didn't he want to come home?" cried the girl, with vague alarm -in her voice. - -"I'm to see your father and tell him about that. That's what I was -coming to town for." - -The girl suddenly whitened, a frightened look arose in her eyes, and -she drew as far away from Matt as she could. - -"What's the matter, Miss Lorry?" Matt asked. - -"Are you--can it be that you are the young man called Motor Matt?" - -"That's what I'm called. My real name is King, you know, Matt King, -but I'm always doing something with motors and that's why they call me -Motor Matt." - -The girl was silent for a space. Her face continued white, and she -seemed to be thinking deeply. - -"I think, Motor Matt," she said finally, in a strained voice, "that -you'd better get out of the car and let me run it back to Madison -alone." - -Matt was "stumped." For a moment, so great was his astonishment, he -could not do a thing but stare. - -"Why," he exclaimed, "I want to see your father; that's why I'm going -into town this morning." - -"I think it will be better for you if you don't see him." - -Matt's bewilderment continued to increase. - -"I've got ten thousand dollars for him, and also a message from -George," he managed to articulate. - -"You can give me the money and the message, Mr. Motor Matt," was the -terse reply, "and I will see that they are delivered." - -Matt halted the car--it was time to cool off the engine a little, -anyway--and straightened in his seat. - -"I am a friend of your brother's," he observed, "and Joe McGlory will -tell you what I have tried to do for him. Your father sent a telegram -to San Francisco asking McGlory to have me come with him and George, if -possible. Now, at a good deal of inconvenience and expense to myself, I -have come--and why shouldn't I see your father?" - -"Because," answered Miss Lorry steadily, "he has recently heard -something about you that--that is not to your credit. If you insist on -seeing him, he might--he might have you arrested." - -If Matt was "stumped" before, he was staggered now. Arrested! George -Lorry's father might have him arrested! And for what? For helping -George recover the ten thousand dollars, and for helping to bring -George back to Madison? - -"There's a big mistake, somewhere," muttered Matt. - -"You'll not go on?" queried Miss Lorry. - -"I _will_ go on," Matt returned firmly. "But I'll get out of the car -and walk, if you want it that way, Miss Lorry. I can't give the money -to you, or the message, either. As I say, there's a mistake, and I -must see your father and explain away the bad impression he has of me. -Certainly he didn't get that from Joe McGlory." - -"I don't know who told him what he knows," went on the girl, "and I -don't know _what_ he knows, but he's very much incensed against you, -Motor Matt." - -"I'll know why, before I'm many hours older," and Matt got up to leave -the car. - -Once more the girl caught his arm. - -"I'm glad you show that sort of spirit," said she. "If you are really -determined to see dad, and have a talk with him, then that proves on -the face of it that there must be some mistake. Please stay and take -the car into town for me!" - -Without a word, but with his mind working hard to evolve some clue to -this puzzling situation, Matt dropped back in the driver's seat. He -threw in the switch, and the gas in the cylinders took the spark. But -it was a silent ride that he and Miss Lorry had during the rest of the -time they were backing into town. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE "JUMP SPARK." - - -Into the grounds of one of the finest homes on "Fourth Lake Ridge," -otherwise known as "Aristocracy Hill," Matt backed the little runabout. -A brick-paved roadway, overarched with trees, led from the front of the -premises to the neat garage in the rear. - -A middle-aged gentleman, stout of build and with a florid face, was -sitting on the veranda of the house. The runabout, worrying backward -up the street and into the yard, was an astonishing sight. The -middle-aged gentleman leaned against the rail and stared; then, waving -a newspaper which he held in his hand, he shouted something and hurried -down the steps and toward the driveway. - -"Dad!" murmured Miss Lorry, with an apprehensive glance at Matt. - -A man--probably the Lorry chauffeur--appeared in the open door of the -garage and stared at the runabout in open-mouthed amazement. - -Matt brought the car to a stop, and Mr. Lorry came puffing up alongside. - -"What in the world's the matter, Ethel?" he demanded, his eyes swerving -from his daughter to Matt. - -"I smashed the low gear, dad, and had to come in on the reverse," Miss -Lorry answered. "I was just coming into the Waunakee road, two or three -miles the other side of Maple Bluff, when the gear went wrong." - -Mr. Lorry's eyes continued to rest on Matt, and they were becoming -uncomfortably inquisitive. He was wondering, no doubt, who Matt was, -how he came to be in the car, and why his daughter did not introduce -him. - -"Call Gus," went on Miss Lorry, jumping lightly out of the car, "and -have him run _Dandy_ into the garage. Gus will know what to send for in -order to make the runabout as good as new again." - -Without waiting to speak further, the girl whirled about and ran into -the house. Mr. Lorry stared after her, and then turned to give Matt -another look. - -"Are you a chauffeur?" he asked. - -"I have been--a racing chauffeur," Matt answered, springing to the -ground, "but I haven't been driving a car for some time." - -"You helped my daughter--that much is plain, even though I _have_ been -left in the dark on several other points." - -"I was coming into town along the Waunakee road," Matt went on, "to see -you." - -"To see me?" Mr. Lorry's interest visibly increased. - -"Yes, sir, on very important business. I happened to meet Miss Lorry -and she kindly gave me a ride into town. The least I could do was to -run her machine for her." - -"Did you know Miss Lorry?" - -"Not until she told me who she was." - -"Quite a coincidence that you should meet her, when you were coming -into town to see her father. But come up on the veranda--we'll be more -comfortable there." Mr. Lorry turned toward the garage. "The runabout's -in trouble, Gus," he called. "Take it into the garage, see what it -needs, then order whatever's necessary. This way, sir," he added to -Matt. - -While Gus removed the runabout to the garage, Matt followed Mr. Lorry -up the steps to the veranda and seated himself in a chair. - -"I don't remember ever seeing you before," remarked Mr. Lorry as he -sat down close to Matt, picked up a fan, and began stirring the air in -front of his perspiring face. "But I'm obliged to you for giving Ethel -a helping hand. I'm worried to death every time she's out with _Dandy_. -It wasn't more than a week ago that she came near going over a bluff at -McBride's Point." - -Matt lost no time in plunging into his business. Drawing the draft from -his pocket, he handed it to Mr. Lorry. - -"Part of my work," said he, "is to give you that." - -Mr. Lorry stared at the draft and opened his eyes wide. - -"Ten thousand dollars!" he exclaimed, "and it's made payable to Joseph -McGlory." - -"On the back, sir, you will see that Joe had indorsed it over to you." - -Mr. Lorry turned over the oblong slip of paper; then, suddenly, an idea -darted through his mind and he stiffened in his chair. - -"Is this--is this----" - -"It is the money George took when he left Madison," said Matt, dropping -his voice. - -Mr. Lorry's face hardened. - -"Then," said he raspingly, "inasmuch as you're not McGlory, I suppose -you're that young rascal, Matt King, better known as Motor Matt." - -"My name is Matt King, sir," answered Matt, "and you have no right to -refer to me as a rascal." - -"I have, by gad," exploded Mr. Lorry, "and a very good right! I've -heard about you, sir. You're the lad who was hand-and-glove with the -three villains who made George so much trouble on account of this -money. I wonder that you have the face to show yourself to me. Do you -know what I could do with you?" - -A hostile red had leaped into Mr. Lorry's face. As Matt sat back and -looked at him, he likened his anger to a "jump spark." - -The "make and break" system of ignition, while electrically simple, is -complicated mechanically. The "jump spark" system, on the other hand, -while complicated electrically is mechanically very simple. - -A simple error of some sort lay back of Mr. Lorry's anger, but it found -vent in mighty puzzling expressions. - -"Who is your authority for the statement that I was hand-and-glove with -the three men who robbed George?" asked Matt calmly. - -"I decline to quote anybody." - -"You can ask McGlory, or George, about me," proceeded Matt, "and I -think they will tell you that if it hadn't been for me that money would -never have been recovered." - -"You have pulled the wool over McGlory's eyes, and over George's, too. -But where's my son? Why didn't he bring this money to me himself? Why -was it necessary for him to send it at the hands of a stranger?" - -"Your son is a few miles out of town. He did not leave San Francisco -willingly, and it was only by promising him that we would not take him -directly into Madison that we got his consent to come with us." - -"A fine lay-out!" muttered Mr. Lorry. "The boy's got to come here, -sooner or later, and what is he to gain by delaying the matter? Can't -he realize how worried all of us are?" - -"He feels the disgrace of his position very keenly, Mr. Lorry." - -"Bosh! Not much of what he's done is known to outsiders, and those who -know, or think they know, anything about it, will forget the whole -business within a week after George gets back." - -"Are you going to send George to military school, Mr. Lorry?" - -At that the "jump spark" seemed about to set off an explosion. Mr. -Lorry twisted angrily in his chair. - -"What business is it of yours, young man?" he snapped. "That boy has -got to realize that he isn't of age yet, and I'm not going to let him -run wild and bring disgrace on himself, and on me." - -"Mr. Lorry," said Matt earnestly, "I have tried to be a good friend to -your son, and it was your request, contained in the telegram you sent -to San Francisco, that I come with him and McGlory, that brought me -here. I won't tell you what I have done--I will leave that to George -and his cousin--but I will tell you, as plainly as I can, that George -is just now in a place where he must be treated with consideration. One -false move would prove his ruin, and----" - -"By gad," interrupted Mr. Lorry, "do you mean to sit there and lecture -_me_? Why, I'm old enough to be your father! Such impudence as that -is----" - -"Sir," protested Matt, "I'm not impudent. I know George pretty well, -and I want to do what I can for him. He's got lots of pride, and he had -his heart set on getting a power-boat that would make a good showing in -the coming race of the Winnequa Yacht Club. He had talked about what he -was going to do to members of the club, and when he ordered that boat -and you refused to pay for it and let it be sent back to the builders, -the blow to his pride started him off on the wrong course." - -"A five-thousand-dollar boat, by gad!" growled Mr. Lorry. "His whims -were getting too confoundedly expensive. If his pride is going to -suffer every time I put my foot down on such a piece of folly, then -he'll have to pocket his pride. I'm his father, and I guess he'll have -to toe the mark for me for a while yet." - -"There's a way to make George the happiest fellow in Madison, Mr. -Lorry," Matt went on, "and it won't cost you more than two hundred and -fifty or three hundred dollars. I know a good deal about motors, and -I'll help George fix up a boat that will win a prize in that yacht club -race----" - -"Not a cent more will he get from me!" stormed Mr. Lorry. "He'll come -back here, and he'll go to that military school, and if what you call -his 'pride' keeps him from being a dutiful son, then his pride will be -broken. Where is he? Where did you leave him?" - -"If you go out to where he is now, without first giving him a chance -to----" - -Mr. Lorry leaned forward and shook a finger in Matt's face. - -"If you want to keep yourself out of trouble, my lad, you'll tell me -where that boy is, and no more ifs nor ands about it." - -Matt got up slowly. He was white, but none the less determined. - -"I am George's friend, Mr. Lorry," said he, "and I had to promise him -that I would help him do certain things here in Madison in order to get -him safely back from the West. If I tell you where he is, while you -feel as you do toward him, I would be breaking my promise. He is well, -and he will be here in a few days. As for the rest, if you want to make -trouble for me, why, go ahead." - -Intensely disappointed with the result of his interview, Matt passed -down the steps and toward the street. Mr. Lorry gasped wrathfully and -watched as he left the yard, but he made no attempt to interfere with -him. - -Matt was hardly out of sight, however, before he ran into the house and -began using the telephone. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT. - - -Motor Matt was surprised enough, as he left the Lorry mansion, and his -indignation equaled his surprise. - -Who could possibly have furnished Lorry with the information on which -he had based his remarkable conclusions? Certainly his attitude had -changed most decidedly since he had sent his telegram to 'Frisco -requesting that Matt accompany McGlory in bringing George home to -Madison. - -Matt, as he descended the ridge and proceeded toward the capitol and -the main part of the town, could think of only one possible cause for -Mr. Lorry's actions. Big John must be in some way mixed up in it. - -The knowledge that Big John was in that part of the country had come -like a thunderbolt to Matt. The last the king of the motor boys had -heard of Big John, he and his two pals, Kinky and Ross, were getting -out of California by way of Sausalito. A bolt from the blue could not -have been more astounding than the discovery of Big John attempting a -robbery there on the Waunakee road. - -Why had Big John come to Madison? And how had he known that Matt was -going to pass that particular point on the Waunakee road that morning? - -No doubt Big John's eastern trip had been inspired by the ten thousand -dollars of Lorry's. The rascal had been lured to Wisconsin by the hope -of recovering the money. This seemed clear enough--much clearer than -the method by which Big John had learned that Matt was to go over the -Waunakee road that morning, on foot. - -Yes, Big John must have been back of that misinformation which Mr. -Lorry had accepted as a true statement of facts. But it was odd how the -scoundrel had been able to influence Mr. Lorry as he had. - -Motor Matt felt that he was embarked on a struggle for the right, and -that he must go on with the battle in spite of his enemies. George -Lorry's whole future might hang on the result of that fight. - -Had Matt told Mr. Lorry where McGlory and George were waiting, the -millionaire would certainly have proceeded to the place and attempted -to bring George in to Madison. This would have led George to believe -that Matt had broken faith with him, and the lad would have bolted for -parts unknown. - -George had been allowed to have his way for so long that, when his -father took another tack and resolved to be severe with him, the lad -had thought himself abused and imposed upon. George was a spoiled -youth, but Matt believed that he had the right material in him and -would prove a credit to his people if given the proper kind of a -chance. Just as surely, too, he would go down to ruin and disgrace if -the wrong move was made at that critical time. - -Lorry, senior's, obstinate determination to send George to the military -school would be a step in the wrong direction. By paying out a little -money for a motor launch, Mr. Lorry would have gone far toward healing -the breach between him and his son, and would have paved the way for a -perfect understanding. This affair of the launch looked like a trifling -matter, but no one but Matt and McGlory knew how much it meant to -George. - -When Matt reached the main part of the city his study of the situation -had convinced him that he was doing exactly right. What his next step -was to be he hardly knew. He hated to go back and tell George of his -father's uncompromising attitude, and yet he felt the need of a talk -with McGlory in order to lay future plans. - -It was about one o'clock, and Matt went into a restaurant and ate his -dinner. From there he went to the post office to see if any mail had -followed him from San Francisco. - -No mail had reached him from the West, but there was a postal card, -posted that morning in Madison, which informed Matt that a certain -express company had received, and was holding at his risk, a crated -power boat on which there was a charge, for _transportation alone_, of -$262.50. - -When Matt read the postal card he was positive there was some mistake, -and that it had been given to the wrong person. The card was addressed, -plainly enough, to "Matt King, otherwise Motor Matt," but the king of -the motor boys was not expecting a launch, had not ordered one, and was -not intending to turn over $262.50 to the express company on what was -manifestly an error. - -He was on the point of handing the card back to the man at the -post-office window, with the information that the card could not be for -him, when he suddenly changed his mind and decided to go to the express -company's office and rectify the mistake at headquarters. - -A little inquiry put him on the right road, and within five minutes he -was leaning over a counter at the express office, showing the clerk the -card and telling him the boat must be for some other Matt King. - -"There's no other Matt King in Madison," protested the clerk, "and it's -a cinch there's no other Motor Matt. You're the fellow the boat is for." - -"But that charge!" exclaimed Matt. "It can't be for transportation -alone. It must be a C. O. D. collection for part of the price of the -boat. I haven't bought any boat, and am not expecting any one to send -me a boat. I'm a stranger here, and only reached Madison to-day." - -"Can't help that. If you're Motor Matt the boat's for you. If you -refuse it we'll have to notify the shipper, and if we can't get any -satisfaction from the shipper, the boat will have to be sold for the -charges." - -"Great spark-plugs!" muttered Matt. "Where's the boat from?" - -"San Francisco." - -The king of the motor boys stared blankly at the clerk. - -"From San Francisco, eh?" he repeated. - -"Yes, and it's all complete--an eighteen-footer, with engine installed." - -"Can--can I see it?" - -"Come this way." - -The clerk opened a gate at the end of the counter and Matt walked -through and into the storeroom. There he saw the boat, securely crated. -Between the bars of the crate he read the name _Sprite_, lettered on -the bow. - -By that time the king of the motor boys was too far gone for words. -Leaning against the wall of the room, he bent his head and drummed a -tattoo on his brow with his fingers. - -"Who's the shipper?" he finally managed to ask. - -"I don't know whether the way bill has it right or not, but the name of -the consignor is down as Ping Pong. It reads like a joke. Eh?" - -Matt left the room and retired to the other side of the counter in the -office. - -There was no joke about it. "Ping Pong" might look to the express agent -like a fake name, but it was _bona fide_ for all that. - -Ping Pong was the name of a Chinese lad whom Matt had befriended in -San Francisco. The Celestial had won the _Sprite_ in a raffle, and -had turned the boat over to Matt on condition that Matt would allow -Ping Pong to work for him. Ping and the _Sprite_ had disappeared -mysteriously before the young motorist left 'Frisco, and that was the -last seen of either the Chinaman or the boat until now. And here the -boat had turned up in that Madison office of the express company with -transportation charges of $262.50 to be collected! - -The idea of sending a power boat, engine and all, by express, in a -heavy crate, was a piece of folly of which even a ten-year-old American -boy would not have been guilty. But Ping was a Chinaman, and probably -he thought Matt was a millionaire. - -"Goin' to take it or leave it?" inquired the agent as Matt walked back -and forth across the office turning this new development over in his -mind. "The charges ain't any more than what they always are--three -times the merchandise rate." - -"I guess the charges are all right," said Matt humorously, "for it's a -long haul. And then, too, the crate, and the engine, and the boat weigh -up to beat the band." - -"Going to take it?" - -Matt's mind had been rapidly going over the points of the case. -Madison was surrounded by lakes, and motor-boating was a hobby with a -large number of the people. By sending the _Sprite_ to Matt, Ping had -undoubtedly determined that he should have the boat. The _Sprite_ was -speedy--Matt had tried her out in San Francisco Bay and knew that--and -with some changes in the reversing gear Matt believed she could show -her heels to anything from First Lake to Fourth. On such a showing, the -boat could undoubtedly be sold at a good price, and while $262.50 was a -big sum to pay out, just for express charges, still---- - -Then Matt had another thought, and it was a "startler." George wanted -a motor boat for the race. The _Sprite_ wasn't a five-thousand-dollar -"speeder," but she could run like a streak with the right kind of a -fellow at the engine. Mr. Lorry had refused to help George to a boat, -and this unexpected arrival of the _Sprite_ seemed almost providential. - -"I'm going to take the boat," said Matt, pushing a hand into his pocket -and stepping up to the counter. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -"PICKEREL PETE." - - -By bringing the submarine boat _Grampus_ safely around South America -the king of the motor boys had made a good deal of money. Most of this -he had invested on the Pacific Slope, but he had more than enough of -the "ready" with him to settle the express charges and to keep him -afloat until George Lorry's affairs had been put in proper shape. - -Having paid over the money and signed the express receipt, the question -as to what should be done with the _Sprite_ presented itself. - -"You can uncrate the boat in the storeroom, if you want to," said the -obliging clerk, "and then we'll have her hauled down to the water for -you." - -"Much obliged," answered Matt. "I believe I'll take off the crate and -see how the boat has stood her long overland journey." - -The clerk furnished him with a hatchet, and Matt threw off his coat and -got busy. In an hour, the clean-cut hull of the _Sprite_ had emerged -from a litter of boards and old gunny sacks. An examination showed that -both hull and machinery were in as good condition as ever. - -While Matt was working he had noticed a map of Madison hanging from -the storeroom wall. The map gave a very clear idea of Lakes Monona and -Mendota, between which lay the long and narrow city. - -One of the express company's drivers had come into the storeroom and -was looking over the _Sprite_ with an air of deep interest. - -"I wish you would tell me something about this map, neighbor," said -Matt. - -"Ask me anything you want to," was the cheerful response. "I was born -and raised here and I know the place pretty well." - -"What's this?" Matt inquired, laying a finger on a certain part of the -diagram. - -"That's the Yahara River, sometimes called the 'Catfish.' It's been -straightened into a canal, and connects Third and Fourth Lakes. Monona -is Third, and Mendota is Fourth. There's locks at the Mendota end." - -"And what's the other river coming into Mendota Lake on the side across -from the city?" - -"The Yahara again." - -"Then, if this boat was launched in Lake Monona, it could enter the -Canal over by Winnequa, cross into Mendota Lake, and proceed up the -Yahara?" - -"She could, sure. Lots of boats do that." - -"Here's a creek entering the Yahara. Is that navigable for a boat -drawing two or three feet of water?" - -"Maybe. I guess a small boat could get up the creek a ways." - -As Matt figured it, the cabin where he had left McGlory and George was -on the creek. Why couldn't he get the _Sprite_ afloat and proceed by -water to the cabin? - -"I don't know anything about these lakes," went on Matt, "but I'd like -to get some one who knows them and make a little cruise." - -"Fourth Lake is mighty treacherous. Whenever there's a west wind she -kicks up a big sea, and a lot of boats have come to grief on the rocks -of Maple Bluff. That's here--that piece of land running out into the -water, over where they've made a park. It used to be called McBride's -Point. A mile across from the bluff is Governor's Island. The insane -asylum is near the island. If you want to put your boat in Fourth Lake, -why don't you launch it there instead of taking it to Third Lake?" - -"Well, I want to try her out with a little longer cruise than just -across Fourth Lake. Do you know of any one I could get to pilot me -around?" - -"H'm!" murmured the driver thoughtfully. Presently his face brightened. -"Any objection to color?" he asked. - -"How do you mean?" - -"Well, how'd a colored boy do? I know of one that's right to home on -the lakes, and he's a character, you bet. His name's Pickerel Pete; -that's all he's got, just Pickerel Pete." - -"He'll do," said Matt. "How can I get hold of Pickerel Pete?" - -"Tell you what I'll do; I'll get hold of him for you. When you going to -put that boat in the water?" - -"Right away." - -"'Course we got to deliver it for you. I'll have some of the boys help -me get it on the dray, and on the way down to the lake I'll pick up -Pete. You don't need to wait here. In half an hour you go down King -Street to Wilson. There's a lot of landings and boathouses t'other side -the railroad depot. If we ain't there when you reach the place, you -wait, and we'll show up pretty soon afterward." - -"That's mighty good of you," said Matt. "You'll be careful of the boat, -will you?" - -"Sure, you bet. No harm'll happen to her. We got a special dray for -movin' boats like that." - -Matt went to the capitol grounds and sat down on a bench. For half or -three-quarters of an hour he was there, thinking of George and the -unsatisfactory state his affairs had drifted into. - -The king of the motor boys did not want to appear to be helping George -to dodge his father's authority, but he knew that the elder Lorry would -not have taken the stand he did if he had not acquired a whole lot of -misinformation. The thing for Matt to do was to get back to George and -McGlory, tell them exactly what had taken place, and then ask them for -suggestions as to the next move. - -On the way down King Street, Matt stopped at a store and bought a -supply of gasoline, oil, and cotton waste. Not having a hydrometer, he -tested the gasoline as well as he could by other means, and convinced -himself that it was, as the dealer assured him, the "right stuff." - -Matt rode down to the lake with the expressman who took his supplies, -and when he got there he found the _Sprite_ in the water, moored to a -small pier. The express driver, and those who had helped him with the -boat, were gone. The only person in the vicinity of the launch was a -barefooted little darky. He sat on the pier, absorbed in throwing a -couple of dice. - -"Come seben, 'leben, come seben, 'leben," he was saying, as the small -cubes rattled on the boards. - -"Pickerel Pete!" called Matt. - -The little negro jumped as though a bomb had exploded under him. - -"Yassuh, yassuh, dat's me," he answered, grabbing up the dice and -shoving them into a pocket of his ragged trousers. - -"Come over here, Pete, and give us a hand with this gasoline and stuff." - -"On de hop." - -The gasoline was emptied into the tanks and the oil cups filled. After -that Matt went over the machinery, carefully examining the ignition and -all connections. - -Pickerel Pete helped him intelligently. - -"Yo's de fellah whut's a-wantin' tuh hiah me?" he inquired. - -"Yes," replied Matt, highly pleased with the way Pete divined whatever -he wanted and handed it over to him from the tool kit. "Do you know -anything about a motor boat, Pete?" - -"Ah's done steered heaps o' boats froo dese yer lakes, boss," grinned -the moke, "an' Ah reckons Ah knows de spa'k plug f'om de propellah." - -"You know the lakes, too?" - -"Hones' tuh goodness, boss, Ah could go froo all de lakes f'om First -tuh Fo'th, en cleah down de Rock Rivah, wif mah eyes shut. Ah'm er -phenomegon." - -"What's that?" - -"Phenomegon. Doan' you-all know whut a phenomegon is?" - -"You mean a phenomenon, I guess." - -"Ah reckons Ah knows whut Ah means," answered Pete, with sudden dignity. - -"You've mixed phenomenon and paragon, and----" - -"Ah ain't mixed nuffin. Ef you-all thinks Ah'm er ignorampus, den Ah -'lows Ah ain't de fellah you wants tuh hiah." - -"Yes, you are, Pete--you're just the fellow." - -"How much does Ah git?" - -"Two dollars a day. There's pay for your first day's work." - -Pete almost fell out of the boat. Fifty cents a day was the most he had -ever received. - -"Does yo' think yo' kin stand dat, boss?" he inquired. "Ah'd hate -mahse'f tuh def ef Ah thought Ah was er strainin' yo' financibility." - -"I guess it won't be much of a wrench to give you a couple of dollars a -day," laughed Matt. - -"Den yo's bought me. By golly, dis is de first time Ah's evah had two -whole dollahs knockin' togethah en mah clothes since Ah was knee-high -to a chickum. Where you-all wants tuh go, boss?" - -"I want to go into Fourth Lake through the canal, then across Fourth -and up the Catfish." - -"Dat's easy. De Catfish runs f'om one lake tuh de odder, intuh one en -out ergin, cleah f'om Fo'th Lake tuh First. Thutty miles you-all kin go -in er boat, den intuh Rock Rivah en clean erroun' de worl'. But dat 'ar -Fo'th Lake is right juberous when dar's er west win'. A boat Ah was in -once, on dat 'ar lake, turned ovah fo' times! Yassuh. I got spilled out -de las' time en swum fo'teen miles towin' de boat by de painter, which -Ah done happen tuh ketch when Ah drapped in de watah. Ah got er medal -fo' dat. De Gun Club give me de medal." - -"They ought to have given you two medals, Pete." - -"En it was er solid gol' medal, with er inscripshun sayin' dat Pickerel -Pete was gallywhoopus tuh dat extent. Golly, but dat was er fine medal! -It was as big erroun' as er fryin' pan." - -"Must have bothered you some to tote it." - -"Sold it fo' fo' dollahs en fo'ty cents, en dey kep' it in de cap'tol -fo' people tuh come in en look at. Yo's got er pow'ful fine moke -wo'kin' fo' yo', boss." - -"Well, cast off, Pete, and we'll start. I'll do the steering, and you -can sit up front and tell me which way to go." - -Matt started the gasoline, switched on the spark, and Pete gave the fly -wheel a turn. One turn of the wheel was enough to give them their first -explosion, and the _Sprite_ shook herself together and started out into -the lake. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING. - - -The hum of the motor was soothing to Matt's troubled spirit, and even -the kick of the wheel sent a joyous thrill through his every nerve. -There were clouds in the west, and a promise of wind and rain in the -air, but if there was to be a storm it would not come before night, -and the _Sprite_ would have ample time to nose her way up the Catfish -and into the creek. - -It was surprising how quickly the kinks of fortune straightened -themselves out for Motor Matt whenever he found himself in control of -an explosive engine. - -The sun was sinking behind the capitol as the _Sprite_ headed toward -Winnequa on her way to the Canal. The yellow rays pierced the gathering -clouds, and Madison peered from its enveloping greenery like a phantom -city. - -A number of fishermen were rowing, sailing, and motoring home for -supper, and they stared at the dashing little _Sprite_, and some of -them yelled a cheerful greeting to the diminutive colored boy perched -on the launch's hood. - -"Dat's de Gobernor ob Wisconsin," Pete gravely explained, indicating -a grizzled fisherman in one of the boats. "Ah knows him as well as Ah -knows anybody. De fellah in dat rowboat wif de pipe is Honnerbull Tawm -Patterson, en he's done took me by de han' mo' times dan Ah kin count. -De lake is full ob notoribus pussuns tuhnight, seems lak." - -"Where's the Czar of Russia?" asked Matt soberly. - -"Ah reckons he was too busy tuh come out tuhday," answered Pete. "Ah -knows him, dough. Ah done took him tuh a good fishin' place ovah by -Picnic P'int las' week." - -They passed the canal and locks, swept into Fourth Lake, and Pete lined -out a westerly course that carried the _Sprite_ past the high bluffs of -McBride's Point with the buildings of the asylum in clear view. - -Pete's chatter enlivened the trip wonderfully. The little moke was a -"notoribus" personage, to take his word for it, and there were very few -famous people whom he had not shaken hands with or conducted around -the lakes. Matt was surprised to learn that he had dug bait for Julius -Cæsar and had shown Napoleon Bonaparte a pickerel hole off Governor's -Island. - -The Catfish was comparatively easy for the _Sprite_, but Whisky -Creek--which, Pete said, was the particular creek Matt was looking -for--was too shoal. After they had grounded twice, and backed clear -with considerable difficulty, Matt decided to tie up to a tree on the -creek bank and go on to the cabin on foot. - -By then it was falling dark, and Matt wanted to cover the remainder of -his journey as quickly as possible. - -"Pete," said he, getting out on the creek bank, "I'm going to leave you -with the boat for a short time, while I go up the creek." - -Pete immediately had an attack of the "shakes." - -"Golly, boss," he chattered, "Ah doan' lak de da'k when Ah's erlone. -Hit's spookerous, en white things done trabbel erroun' lookin' fo' -brack folks. Where you-all gwine?" - -"Not far. I ought to be back in an hour. You're not afraid of spooks, -are you, Pete? I should think a chap who was the friend of so many -illustrious people would be above such foolishness." - -The gathering wind sobbed through the trees, and from somewhere a -screech-owl tuned up in a most hair-raising way. - -"Br-r-r!" muttered Pete, hugging himself and dropping into the bottom -of the boat. "Ah ain't afraid, no, sah," he declared plaintively. "Ah -ain't afraid ob anythin' dat walks. Hit's dem white ha'nts whut doan' -walk, er fly, but moves erlong in er glide, dat gits me a-goin'. Mebby -Ah better go along wif yo' en see dot yo' doan' git lost?" - -"I'll not get lost, Pete, and I don't want the _Sprite_ left alone." - -"Yo'll be back in er houah, hones'?" - -"Yes." - -"Den hurry. Ef Ah was lef' in dishyer place twell midnight Ah'd be -skeered plumb intuh de 'sylum, sho' as yo's bawn. Hurry up en git back, -dat's all." - -Pete cuddled up with his back against the stern thwart, and Matt -whirled away and vanished into the timber. - -As Matt figured it, he was not more than a mile from the cabin. He had -landed on the side of the creek where he knew the shack to be, and if -he followed the little water course he knew he would soon arrive at the -place where he had left George and McGlory. - -The timber was broken into by fields of corn, and by cleared pasture -land. Matt pushed through the corn and climbed pasture fences, and -within half an hour came to the end of his journey. - -The cabin, nestling in a clump of oaks, seemed dark and deserted. -George had known of the cabin as a rendezvous, in the fall, for duck -hunters. It was a quiet and obscure place, and answered admirably the -requirements of the boys while working out their plans in Lorry's -behalf. - -As Matt drew closer to the hut the silence oppressed him with a -foreboding that something had gone wrong. The door was open, and he -stepped inside. - -Still there was no sign of life about the place. - -"McGlory!" he called; "George!" - -His voice echoed weirdly through the one room of the cabin, but brought -no response. - -Striking a match, he peered about him. - -Empty! There was no one in the room. - -The match flickered and dropped from Matt's fingers. Groping his way to -a bench, he sat down, alarmed and bewildered. - -What had become of McGlory and George? This was the question he asked -himself, and his mind framed a dozen different answers, none of them -satisfactory. - -George was full of whims and unreasonable resolves. Had he suddenly -made up his mind that he could not trust Matt to make peace with his -father? Had he broken away from McGlory, and had McGlory gone in -pursuit of him? - -Or was the absence of the boys due to some move against them on the -part of Big John? - -Or had they gone to some farmhouse after milk and eggs, or to get a hot -supper? - -That George had not "bolted," Matt was almost sure. Matt's plan for -patching up a truce with the elder Lorry had appealed to George too -strongly for that. - -As for Big John making George and McGlory any trouble, that was -possible, although not very probable. Matt did not see how Big John -could have any information about the cabin. - -And as for the boys visiting a neighboring farmhouse to secure food, it -was not in line with their plan for either George or McGlory to show -himself until their schemes were further advanced. - -Rations had been secured in Waunakee--cold rations, but enough to last -all three of the boys for two or three days. - -Giving over his bootless reflections, Matt lighted another match, -hunted up a candle, and soon had a more dependable glow in the room. - -A brief search showed him that George's suit case, McGlory's carpetbag, -and his own satchel were missing. This was a staggering discovery. It -meant, if it meant anything, that the two boys had left and did not -intend to return. - -They would hardly go away, it seemed to Matt, without leaving some clue -as to their whereabouts, and the cause that had led them to make such a -decided change in the general plans. George and McGlory understood that -Matt was to return as soon as he had talked with Mr. Lorry. - -Matt had expected to get back to the cabin early in the afternoon. Had -his failure to return alarmed the two boys? - -Matt hunted high and low for some scrap of writing which would let in a -little light on the situation, but he could find none. - -The rations brought from Waunakee had vanished along with the -luggage--another fact that indicated a permanent departure on the part -of the two lads. - -"Here's a go!" muttered Matt, leaning perplexedly in the open door of -the cabin. "About all George and McGlory left behind them was that -piece of candle. They might, at least, have tipped me off regarding -their intentions, I should think. All sorts of things are liable to -happen to a fellow when he's trying to do the right thing by another -chap who's too proud and weak-kneed to put himself company-front with -his responsibilities. But then, George is an odd stick. He can't be -judged by any of the usual standards, and I'm pretty sure that if he's -handled right, he'll come out all right. One or the other of them will -certainly come back here. I'll return to the mouth of the creek, get -Pete, and we'll bunk down in the cabin. It's the only thing to be done." - -Perplexed as he was, Matt neglected to put out the candle before -starting on his return to the Catfish. On a corner shelf, the feeble -gleam sputtered and flickered in the draft that came through the open -door. - -Matt hastened his steps on the return journey to the _Sprite_. The -clouds were slowly mounting and blotting out the stars, intensifying -the darkness. - -As he came close to the bank where the launch was moored he experienced -a feeling of relief when he saw the boat riding to her painter just as -she had been left. - -The _Sprite_ resembled a black blot on the water. The bank was rather -high, at that point, and its shadow covered the boat. - -"Hello, Pete!" called Matt. - -There was no answer to the call, and Matt began to think that Pete had -vanished, as well as George and McGlory. - -"Pete!" Matt cried in a louder tone. - -"Yassuh, yassuh," came the answer from below, and Matt's apprehension -suddenly subsided. - -"Come up here, Pete," Matt went on. "We're going to spend the night up -the creek. I guess the _Sprite_ will be safe enough. There's a lantern -in the port locker, amidships. Bring it up with you." - -Matt could see only the blurred outline of a human form moving around -in the boat. He heard the lid of the locker as it was lifted. - -"Ah kain't find dat lantern," came from the boat. - -"I'll get it," said Matt. - -The next moment he had climbed into the launch. Hardly had his feet -found firm foothold when he was seized and flung roughly backward. Two -pairs of hands held him, and a hoarse, mocking laugh echoed in his ears. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -SETTING A SNARE. - - -Pickerel Pete did not feel overloaded with responsibility. Two dollars -a day was a princely wage, but there were things he would not do even -for that immense sum. He would try to stay with the boat for an hour, -in spite of the owls and the queer crooning of the wind in the trees, -but if he saw a "ha'nt," he'd resign his job, right then and there, and -leave the _Sprite_ to take care of herself. Anyhow, he had two dollars. -The fact that his services had been paid for until afternoon of the -following day did not enter seriously into his calculations. - -"Wisht de screech-owls would stop dat 'ar screechin'," muttered the -darky, "an' I wisht de win' would stop dat ar' groanin' in de trees. -Dishyer's jest de time fer spookerous doin's, an' I'd radder be home in -mah baid wif mah head kivered, so'st---- Golly, whut's dat?" - -Something fluttered among the tree branches overhanging the water, -farther along the creek. It may have been an owl, or some other bird, -changing its roosting place, but Pete's fears magnified the cause into -something connected with the "ha'nts." - -Crouching in the boat's bottom, he stared through the darkness and held -his breath. The fluttering had ceased and nothing else happened. As one -uneventful minute followed another, Pete gradually put the clamps on -his nerves. - -"Ah dunno 'bout dat," he whispered. "Mebby dat floppin' noise didun' -mean nuffin', en den, ag'in, mebby it _mout_. Hey, you, dar!" he added, -lifting his voice. - -The cry echoed across the creek, but the only answer was the echo. - -"If yo's one ob dem gliderin' spooks," called Pete, "den you-all doan' -want any truck wif _me_. Ah's on'y a po' li'l moke, en Ah ain't nevah -done no ha'm tuh nobody. Ah's fibilus, occasion'ly, en now an' den Ah's -tole a whopper, but dem yarns doan' amount tuh nuffin'." - -The silence continued, save for the soughing of the wind and the -"tu-whit, tu-whoo!" from the depths of the woods. - -"Ah done got tuh do somethin' tuh pass de time," thought Pete. "Ah'll -frow de iv'ries, dat's whut Ah'll do. Wonner where dar's a lantern?" - -Pete remembered having seen a lantern in one of the lockers while he -was helping Matt with the engine. After a little thought he located the -lantern, and secured it. Then he recalled having seen a box of matches -in the tool-chest, and he soon had the lantern going. - -It's surprising what a soothing effect a light will have on a -superstitious mind that dreads the dark. With the lantern on the stern -thwart, Pete knelt in the boat's bottom and cast his dice again and -again, becoming so careless of his "spookerous" surroundings that he -almost forgot his fears. - -The little white cubes dropped and rattled on the thwart, and Pete bent -low to read the faces. - -"Ah's got two dollahs," he muttered, surprised at the lucky -combinations turning up for him, "en Ah wisht dar was some odder moke -here tuh take er han' in dis game. Ah's havin' mo' luck, here, all by -mahse'f, dan I evah----" - -He straightened on his knees in sudden panic, then dropped his head -down on the thwart and covered his face with his hands. - -"Whut's dat?" he whimpered. "Whut's dat Ah hear? Hit sounded monsus lak -er chain rattlin'." - -But it wasn't a chain; it was a good, well-developed groan. It came -from the darkness at the top of the bank and echoed shiveringly across -the creek. - -"Dat wasn't no screech-owl," murmured Pete, in stifled tones. "Golly! -De ha'nts is comin' fo' me. Wisht Ah was out ob here! Oh, I wisht -Ah was some place else where dar's folks, en buildin's, en 'lectric -lights. Br-r-r!" - -The groan was repeated. It was a hollow kind of groan, long drawn out, -and given in the most approved ghostly style. Pete groaned on his own -account, and collapsed in the bottom of the boat, floundering forward -and trying to crawl into the motor and lose himself in the machinery. - -While the wretched little darky lay in a palpitating heap under the -steering wheel, a funereal voice was wafted toward him--a voice that -made him gasp, and close his eyes, and shiver until he shook the boat. - -"Who-o are you-u-u?" inquired the voice. - -"Oh, lawsy! Oh, mah goodness!" fluttered Pete in tremulous, incoherent -tones. "Ah's as good as daid! Ah's nevah gwine tuh git out ob dis -alive! Der ha'nts has cotched me! Oh, if I c'u'd only git away dis -once, Ah'll nevah brag no mo'! Ah'll nevah tell anodder whopper!" - -"Who-o are you-u-u?" insisted the sepulchral voice from the darkness at -the top of the bank. - -"Ah's er moke," whimpered Pete, "jes' a moke. You-all go 'long an' -nevah min' me. Ah ain't nevah done nuffin'--Pickerel Pete's a good l'il -coon. Please, Marse Gose, go off some odder place en do yo' gliderin'. -Oh, gee! Oh, golly!" - -"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" ordered the "ghost." - -"Ah'll go, yassuh," chattered Pete, "on'y doan' yo' grab me as Ah run -by. Dat's all. Yo' ain't layin' fo' tuh grab me, is yuh?" - -"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" insisted the spook, with hair-raising -emphasis. - -Pete got up slowly and cautiously in the boat. The lantern threw a -weird reflection over him, but the most noticeable thing about the -frightened little darky, just then, was the white of his eyes. He shook -like a person with the ague, and nearly dropped into the water while -stepping from the gunwale of the boat. - -Begging the spook not to grab him, he floundered up the bank and darted -into the timber as though the Old Nick was after him. His piteous wail -was lost in a crashing of bushes, and finally even that sound died out. - -A chuckling laugh echoed from the top of the bank, and a form -disentangled itself from the shadows. - -"Come on, Kinky," called a voice. "That little nigger was scared white. -He'll not stop running until he gets clear to Madison. What kind of a -spook do I make, eh?" - -"Pretty raw," answered another voice, as a second form pushed out -of the shadows and joined the first. "You can fool a superstitious, -half-grown darky, Ross, but I wouldn't make a business of this ghost -racket. What was the good of it, anyhow?" - -"Well, that darky never came here alone in that boat." - -"Well." - -"Some one must have come with him. Maybe the boat's other passengers -are the two kids we couldn't find in the cabin." - -"I don't know how it could be, Ross, but mebby you're right. That's not -a rowboat." - -"Just what I was thinkin', Kinky. Let's go down and look her over. The -darky was obliging enough to leave a lighted lantern for us." - -The two men descended to the boat, and Ross picked up the lantern and -swung it about him. - -"It's a motor-boat, blamed if it ain't!" Kinky exclaimed. - -"Right you are," chuckled Ross. "She must have come up from the town. -What's she doin' here at this time o' night? Suspicious, that's what -it is! I'll gamble heavy the boat has somethin' to do with the young -fellers in that cabin." - -"Well, like enough you're right," answered Kinky. "But what's that to -us? We came up the Catfish in a boat, too, an' we'd better take to our -oars an' go back to town huntin' for Big John. If he overhauled Motor -Matt and got that money, we don't want to give him a chance to get away -from us." - -"We'll see to _that_," grunted Ross decisively. - -"It looked as though Big John was tryin' to sidetrack us when he wanted -us to keep watch of that cabin to-night. What's the good of watchin' -the cabin if he gets the money? What's the use of keeping track of the -other two boys when King's the one we want?" - -"Right again, Kinky. That brain of yours seems to be doin' some -brilliant work to-night. Here, take a hack at this." - -Ross turned and held out a bottle. - -"If I take too many hacks at that, Ross," answered Kinky, "the -brilliant brain work is liable to stop." - -Nevertheless he seized the bottle and a prolonged gurgling followed. -When he had finished, Ross took the bottle back and gave some attention -to it himself. - -"All I want," growled Ross, as he screwed the top back on the flask, -"is to get a chance at this here Motor Matt." - -"Big John has already had a chance at him," suggested Kinky. - -"Will Big John do anythin' to even up with Motor Matt for the way we -was treated in 'Frisco Bay?" flung back Ross. "Don't you never think -it, Kinky. If Big John gets the money, he'll turn the cub loose to make -some more trouble for us. I'm built along different lines, myself. I -want revenge, with a big R. That's me." - -"Oh, slush!" grumbled Kinky. "You ought to have left more of that stuff -in the bottle. _Your_ brain work's anythin' but brilliant." - -"I mean what I say, anyhow," rapped out Ross. - -Picking up the lantern, he went forward, crawled over the hood, and -made a close examination of the forward part of the boat. - -"Thunder!" he exclaimed. - -"What've you found?" demanded Kinky. - -"What was the name of that chug-boat the Chink won in 'Frisco, and that -Motor Matt used in windin' us up?" - -"_Sprite._" - -"Well, wouldn't this knock you stiff? Say, Kinky, this here's the -_Sprite_." - -"Go on!" - -"There's the name, plain enough." - -"Then it's another _Sprite_. It's a common name, and the 'Frisco -_Sprite_ couldn't be here." - -"It's the same boat, you take it from me. It looks the same, and by -thunder it _is_ the same." - -"I don't see how it got here." - -"Nor I--but here she is, for all that. Let's burn her!" - -"What for?" - -"If it hadn't been for this boat we'd have been on the way to the -Sandwich Islands by now. I'll feel a heap better if we burn the blame -thing." - -"Aw, be sensible, can't you. If----" - -"Hist!" - -Ross interrupted Kinky with the warning syllable; then, quickly, the -lantern was extinguished, and Ross crept back into the rear of the -launch. - -"Listen!" he whispered; "some one's coming." - -"Then we'd better hike!" - -"Not on your life! Crowd up forward, there. I played the spook, a while -ago, and now let's see how well I can play the rôle of the darky." - -"But what----" - -"Sh-h-h!" - -Thus suddenly did Ross lay his snare. As Kinky crept forward, Ross -crouched in the stern; then followed the brief colloquy between Matt -and Ross, the latter imitating the voice of the negro. - -The instant Motor Matt dropped into the boat the snare suddenly -tightened. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ENEMIES TO BE FEARED. - - -As Matt fell his head struck against the gunwale of the boat. His -senses did not leave him entirely, but he was stunned for a few moments -and rendered incapable of doing anything in his own defense. Before he -recovered sufficiently to struggle with his assailants the two men had -found a rope and had lashed his hands. - -"Now for his feet, Kinky," said Ross. "This is a haul I wasn't -expectin', although we might have figured it out, I guess, if we'd had -time to think things over." - -Matt kicked out with his feet in a desperate attempt to overturn Kinky, -and, perhaps, leap upright and jump ashore. - -"He's a fighter, all right," snarled Ross. "Here, I'll hold him while -you finish the job." - -With hands bound and two men to secure his ankles, resistance was worse -than useless. When the binding was done, and Matt was lying helpless, -he had a chance to study the faces of his captors while Kinky was -relighting the lantern. - -Ross' talk had already given Matt an inkling of the two men's identity. -The gleam from the lantern left no doubt about their being Big John's -pals. - -Matt was not surprised that the two rascals should be in that part of -the country. They and Big John were birds of a feather, and it was -quite natural that all three should flock together. What did surprise -Matt, however, was the fact that Kinky and Ross should be in that -particular place, and have laid their plans to capture him. - -"Surprise party, eh?" queried Ross. "You weren't expectin' to meet a -couple of old friends, eh, Motor Matt? Oh, you're not so much. You're -cracked up pretty high, but I reckon you're not any brighter than the -rest of us. Wonder if you've got ten thousand about you that we could -borrow for a while?" - -"You're after that money," said Matt, "and you're fooled. You won't get -it, and neither will Big John. It has been in Mr. Lorry's hands ever -since noon. You didn't think I'd bring ten thousand dollars back with -me in cash, did you? The money was in the form of a draft, payable to -Mr. Lorry, and it wouldn't have benefited you or Big John any if you -had stolen it." - -"That's luck for old Lorry, then," answered Ross, pushing his hand into -Matt's pockets. "Here's a roll," he added, drawing some bills out of -Matt's vest. "It's hardly big enough for the ten thousand, but I reckon -we'll have to be satisfied with what we can get." - -"If you take that," said Matt, "you'll be in trouble with the law -before you're many hours older. So far as San Francisco is concerned, -I'm willing to let bygones be bygones; but if you take my money I'll do -everything I can to have you caught." - -Kinky seemed nervous. Ross, however, was reckless and in an evil temper. - -"We'll _not_ get ourselves into trouble," he flared. "By the time we're -through with you, my hearty, there won't be anybody to make us trouble." - -Ross brought out his flask again and helped himself liberally to its -contents. - -"Here," he said, extending the flask toward Kinky. - -"I guess I've had enough," demurred Kinky. - -"Take it, you fool!" cried Ross; "you'll need it before we're done with -this night's work." - -Not until that moment did Motor Matt realize that here were two -enemies who were seriously to be feared. He had thought, when he -recognized his captors, that they had merely made a prisoner of him in -the hope of securing the ten thousand dollars, but now he realized that -there was something more villainous, perhaps more murderous, back of -their scheming. - -Liquor arouses the evil passions of men and makes them ripe for deeds -they would not think of committing when in their sober senses. Kinky -and Ross were partly intoxicated. Kinky was the less desperate of the -two villains, mainly because he was the more cowardly. - -Matt hardened himself to face whatever might be coming. - -"You'd better think well about this, Ross," said he. "All you've got to -do to keep clear of the law is to return my money, set me at liberty, -and take yourselves off. I'll forget what you've done, and what -happened in San Francisco Bay----" - -"That's more than we'll do, you young cub," scowled Ross. "You hadn't -any notion I followed you all the way from 'Frisco, on the same train, -had you? You didn't know I got off the train at Waunakee, when you got -off, and that I trailed you and your two friends to that cabin in the -woods, eh? And I don't believe, when you and your pards were talking in -that cabin, that you had any notion I was hanging around and listening. -But I was. I knew one of you was to go into town this morning with -the money for old Lorry, so it was me that put Big John wise and had -him waiting for you on the road. But do you think I rigged myself out -in different clothes and followed you clear from 'Frisco just in the -hope of getting that money? You're wrong if you do think that. I was -after something else--and that was to _play even_. It's a habit of mine -always to settle my accounts. Big John works differently--but I'm not -responsible for what he does, or doesn't do. When I lay out a course -and take the bit in my teeth, nothing can stop me." - -There was a short silence. - -"But, I say, Ross," began Kinky in faint protest, "you don't intend -to----" - -"Wait till I ask you to talk," cut in Ross. "You can bobble more in -your conversation than any man I ever knew." - -"Do you know where my two friends are?" queried Matt. "You know who I -mean--young Lorry and McGlory." - -"We don't know where they are. I don't object to telling you if that -will make you any easier in your mind." - -"Where's the colored boy that was here with the boat?" - -"I played spook and scared him out. He's on the way to Madison, and -is hitting only the high places. Is this the old _Sprite_ you used in -'Frisco Bay?" - -"Yes." - -"Glad to know it. She'll go up in smoke before we're done with her." - -Ross' veiled hints of what he was going to do did not bother Matt very -much. He had a hearty contempt for a boaster--even a desperate boaster -of Ross' stamp. - -The scoundrel was in a communicative mood, and many points which had -been dark to Matt were being cleared away. - -"What has Big John done," Matt asked, "to get Mr. Lorry down on me?" - -Ross laughed huskily. - -"How do I know?" he answered. "Big John is about as sly as they make -'em. I didn't know he'd done anything to get Lorry down on you--didn't -think he'd have the nerve to go near Lorry. You got away from that pal -of ours?" - -"Yes." - -"Then I wish John was here with us. He's probably as mad as a hornet -over losing that money, and would make a better stand-by than Kinky." - -"I never go back on a pal," expanded Kinky, "but I think a pal ought to -be sensible and not kick up too big a row for his own good." - -"You'll find the row plenty big enough if you go too far," warned Matt, -speaking for Kinky's especial benefit. - -Kinky stirred uneasily. - -"It's a case," declared Ross, "where we've got to go as far as we can. -That's what'll make it safe for us. Kinky and me have been loafing in -the woods all day. We were not to report to Big John until to-night. -It's safer for us, you understand, to get together at night than at any -other time." - -Matt had been working desperately at the cord that bound his hands. The -cord was drawn tight and firmly knotted, and his efforts had not met -with much success. - -Ross suddenly detected him in his work, and, with an oath, jerked him -over and looked at the rope. - -"That's enough of that," he said sternly. "Suppose you do get rid of -the rope, how'll it help you? You lay still and be quiet, that's your -cue." - -"What are we going to do, Ross?" inquired Kinky nervously. - -"You're going up on the bank and cast off the painter," returned Ross. -"I don't think you're any too steady on your feet, so be careful." - -"What do you want me to cast off the painter for? We've got a boat of -our own, and we don't need this." - -"I'm engineerin' this deal, Kinky," said Ross sharply. "Do as I say, or -else take to the woods and let me do it alone." - -Kinky got up and staggered ashore. Although he worked awkwardly, yet -he finally succeeded in releasing the painter and throwing the rope -aboard. Then he scrambled back into the boat himself. - -Ross, meanwhile, had been starting the engine. He proceeded in a way -that proved he had some knowledge of motors. - -Turning the _Sprite_, Ross sent her slowly toward the mouth of the -creek, peering sharply ahead as they moved through the water. - -"There she is," muttered Ross, shutting off the power. - -As the _Sprite_ came to a halt, Ross reached over the side and caught -the gunwale of another boat. - -"We'll tow our boat behind, Kinky," announced Ross. "Climb into her and -make sure the oars are safe inboard, then fasten her painter to the -stern of the _Sprite_." - -This rather difficult operation was safely accomplished, and then, -with the rowboat in tow, the launch glided out of the creek into the -Catfish, and down the Catfish toward Fourth Lake. - -How was that voyage to end for Motor Matt? - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER. - - -Matt's position in the boat enabled him to watch one dark bank of the -river as they glided down toward the lake. He was listening and looking -for some sign of life on the bank. Had he seen any one, a shout would -quickly have apprised the person of the prisoner's predicament. - -But Matt saw no one. Steadily the _Sprite_ glided onward--steadily, but -covering so crooked a course that Matt wondered they did not drive into -the bank on one side or the other. - -The lake was reached. The storm promised by the late afternoon was -slow in coming. The wind was no higher than it had been, two or three -hours before, but the waves were beating sullenly on the rocks as if in -warning of what was to come. - -Far across the lake Matt could see the glare of city lights. Because of -his position in the boat, the other shore of the lake was not visible -to him. - -He was looking for other boats, but there were very few boats on the -lake at the time. He saw one moving light, however, and essayed a lusty -call for help. - -Ross swore savagely. - -"Clap a hand over that cub's mouth!" he snapped. - -At the same instant he jerked one hand from the wheel, caught up the -lantern, and dropped it overboard. - -Kinky, meanwhile, had forced his hands over Matt's lips. - -The light Matt had seen had shifted its position, and was gliding -toward the _Sprite_. - -"Hello, there!" called a voice from the dark. - -"Hello, yourself," flung back Ross. - -"Did you hail us?" - -"No." - -"I thought some one yelled. What became of your light?" - -"A lubber here with me knocked it overboard." - -"Well, you'd better get out another. If you take my advice, you won't -stay out long, either. There's nasty weather coming, and we're making -for our berth over at the asylum." - -Ross allowed this warning to go unanswered. The light of the other boat -dwindled away and vanished in the gloom. - -"This is far enough, I reckon," Ross remarked, halting the _Sprite_. -"You can leave him alone now, Kinky," he added. "He could yell till -he's black in the face and no one would hear him; but, if he knows -what's good for him, he won't whoop it up while we're close to him. -Pull the rowboat up alongside, Kinky." - -Ross lifted the hood and leaned down into the space reserved for the -motor and the gasoline tanks. - -"Confound it!" he exclaimed, lifting himself erect, "I wish I had that -lantern now." - -He continued to grumble and work around in the bow of the boat. At last -he finished his labor, whatever it was, and turned to Kinky. - -The latter was holding the rowboat alongside the launch. The task was -none too easy, as the swell was bumping the boats together and then -forcing them apart. - -"What am I to do, Ross?" asked Kinky. "I can't hang on here much -longer." - -"Get into the rowboat and take the oars," ordered Ross. - -"Ain't you going along with me?" - -"Sure, when I get through." - -"What's your game?" - -"Never you mind," was the angry retort. "It's my game, from now on, -and you'll watch and do as you're told. Get into the boat and hold her -close to the _Sprite_ with the oars. When I want you I'll let you know. -Mind your eye when you change or you'll find yourself at the bottom of -the lake." - -Kinky made three attempts to get from one boat into the other. At the -last attempt he came near swamping the rowboat, and when he drew back -and clung panting to the side of the _Sprite_ the rowboat had got away -from him. - -Ross shouted his maledictions. - -"What can you expect of a fellow workin' like this in the dark?" -grunted Kinky. "I ain't no sailor, anyway." - -"You got feet and hands, haven't you? Then why don't you use 'em?" - -With this retort, Ross started the motor and laid the _Sprite_ -alongside the rowboat once more. - -"Now," he ordered, "try it again, Kinky. If you get a spill you'll stay -in the lake for all of me." - -Kinky's next effort was more successful. He had a narrow escape, but he -finally plumped down into the bottom of the rowboat, righted himself -unsteadily, and got on the 'midships thwart. A moment more and he had -shipped the oars. - -"Now what?" he demanded. - -His own temper was beginning to rise at the rough, and perhaps -unnecessary, work he had been made to do. - -Ross had again switched off the power of the motor and the launch was -rolling in the waves. - -"Wait, and I'll tell you," answered Ross. - -He was lashing the steering wheel with a piece of rope. Kinky could not -see what he was doing, or he would probably have ventured some remarks. -Matt, however, was able to follow the scoundrel's movements, and a -vague alarm ran through him. - -"What are you up to, Ross?" asked Matt sternly. - -Ross snarled at him, but did not make any response that could be -understood. - -"I suppose you could get at this wheel, bound as you are," muttered -Ross, turning around, at last, and facing Matt. "But I'll fix that," he -added with a brutal laugh. - -Making his way to where Matt was lying, he caught him by the shoulders -and dragged him roughly forward. - -"What are you doing this for?" demanded Matt. - -Ross was strong, and, without deigning a reply, he heaved the helpless -youth up onto the hood. Bound as he was, Matt's position was precarious -in the extreme. - -"I never thought you were such a scoundrel, Ross," Matt said quietly. -"It can't be you're going to leave me like this." - -"You wait till I get through," was the fierce answer. - -By craning his head around, Matt could see Ross pick up a pile of -waste. From the pungent odor of gasoline which assailed Matt's nostrils -he knew that the waste had been soaked in the inflammable stuff. - -Ross carried the waste back into the stern of the boat. - -"You like motors, King," called Ross, "and I'm going to give you such a -ride on a motor-boat as you never had before. I hope you'll enjoy it." - -"For the last time, Ross," called Matt, horribly conscious of the trend -the scoundrel's work was taking, "I ask you to think of what you are -doing." - -"I've thought of it all I'm going to. It's a fine plan, and I'm going -to carry it right through to a finish." - -Ross turned to the rowboat, which Kinky was keeping close to the -_Sprite_. - -"Come alongside, Kinky," Ross called. "I'm about ready to be taken off." - -"What have you been doin', Ross?" demanded Kinky, pulling the other -boat closer. - -Matt felt, at that moment, as though Kinky was his only hope. - -"He's got me tied here on the hood, Kinky," Matt called, "and he's -going to fire the boat! If you let him keep on, you'll be equally -guilty with him, and the law will sooner or later take care of you -both." - -"Let him talk!" exclaimed Ross. "Much good it'll do him. A little more -to the left, Kinky." - -The man in the rowboat had turned to look. - -"Is that him on that forward deck, Ross?" asked Kinky. - -"That's where I put him." - -"Blazes! Why, he's liable to roll off into the water and be drowned. -What did you put him there for?" - -"I told you I was attendin' to this," retorted Ross. "Get that boat -alongside here, and be quick about it." - -"But I'm not goin' to stand for any----" - -"You're going to do as I tell you. Get alongside." - -Kinky, unfortunately for Matt, had the weaker will of the two. He was -plainly afraid of Ross, and the latter could bullyrag him into doing -anything. - -As the rowboat came up, Ross leaned over and grabbed the painter. -Securing the end of it to the driver's seat of the launch, he stepped -back into the stern, struck a match, and dropped it into the heap of -waste. - -A fire leaped upward instantly, and a yell of consternation broke from -Kinky. - -"Ross, you're mad! You want to make a swinging job of this for both of -us, I guess. Put out that blaze or I'll put it out myself." - -Ross did not reply. Hastening forward again, he started the motor, and -the _Sprite_ began driving ahead, hauling the rowboat with it. - -"This course, Motor Matt," said Ross, "will carry you direct to Maple -Bluff. I hope you'll have a comfortable landing. Good-by, and good luck -to you! Have I paid my debts? Think it over." - -Whirling swiftly, Ross clambered into the rowboat. - -"I'll not stand for this!" yelled Kinky. "This may be your idea of -paying your debts, but----" - -Ross pushed Kinky backward, sending him sprawling across the 'midships -thwart. - -"Get up and take the oars," he cried. "Pal of mine though you are, if -you try to make me any more trouble something will happen to you. I've -got the bit in my teeth, I tell you, and I'll settle for Motor Matt as -I think best." - -Ross leaned forward and slashed the blade of his pocketknife through -the painter, and a hoarse laugh echoed in Motor Matt's ears as the -burning launch leaped away through the thick shadows. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CHUMS TO THE RESCUE. - - -Matt was several moments realizing the terrible predicament in which -Ross had placed him. The glowing fire in the stern of the _Sprite_ -lighted the darkness with a ghastly glare. - -The boat was on fire and speeding, with a lashed wheel, across the -troubled waters of the lake. - -What could Matt do to save himself? It was a time when he must think -quickly. He would also have to act with promptness and decision--an -impossibility in his helpless state. - -If he could roll back over the hood, he might contrive to get aft and, -in some manner, smother the fire. - -He made the attempt--and succeeded, although not until he had come -within an inch of sliding off the rounded hood and into the lake. - -As he fell into the bottom of the boat, he struck the lever that -controlled the sparking apparatus, throwing off the switch and causing -the _Sprite_ to slow to a halt. - -This was a little gained, for the speed of the boat would not now fan -the flames; but Matt was wedged in between the driver's seat and the -motor, and found it impossible to extricate himself. - -His heart sank. - -Was this to be the end? Was the _Sprite_ to burn and sink, there in the -open lake, and carry him to the bottom? - -At this moment, just as his hopes were at the lowest ebb, he heard a -shout from near at hand. - -"Matt! Where are you, pard?" - -McGlory! That was McGlory's voice! - -The wonder of McGlory's being there to help him was lost, for the -moment, in the wild joy that swelled in Matt's breast. - -"Here!" he shouted. - -A whoop of delight came from McGlory. - -"We've found him, George!" Matt heard him exclaim. - -Then there came a splash of oars and a jolt as another boat bumped -against the _Sprite_. - -"Hold her steady, pard," McGlory went on, "and I'll get Matt out of -this in a brace of shakes." - -The next moment the cowboy scrambled into the launch. - -"Where are you, Matt?" called McGlory. - -"Never mind me," Matt answered; "put out the fire. Beat it out--use -your coat." - -The fire looked worse than it was in reality. Not much of the woodwork -was afire, but the blazing waste had been scattered by the wind and was -sending up smoke and flame from the stern almost to the driver's seat. - -McGlory was thinking more about Matt than he was about the boat. -However, he had his orders and did not stop to do any arguing. Jerking -off his coat, he got to work at once. - -Lorry helped. Fastening the skiff which had brought him and McGlory off -from the shore, he likewise removed his coat, and the little _Sprite_ -rocked and pitched with the mad efforts of the two boys to get the best -of the blaze. - -Inside of five minutes they had the last flame smothered. While George -dipped up water with his cap and deluged the smoking woodwork, McGlory -pulled Matt out of his cramped quarters. - -"Well, speak to me about this!" gasped McGlory. "He's tied! Say, this -would make the hair stand on a buffalo robe. Lashed hand and foot and -turned adrift out in the middle of the lake! Sufferin' volcanoes! Who -did it, pard?" - -"Get the ropes off me," said Matt, "and then I can talk to better -advantage. My arms are numb clear to the shoulder." - -McGlory pulled a knife from his pocket and groped carefully while he -cut the cords. - -"It seems like a dream," muttered Matt. - -"Nightmare, you mean," returned McGlory. "If I'd been in such a fix I'd -'a' thrown a fit." - -"And then to have you fellows come!" went on Matt. "I don't know how -you managed it, but here you are, and here I am, and I guess the old -_Sprite_ is good for several trips yet. Shake!" - -McGlory caught Matt's outstretched hand and gave it a hearty pressure. -As soon as the cowboy was through, Matt leaned over and gave Lorry's -hand a cordial grip. - -"I'll never forget what you have done for me," declared Matt. - -"Shucks!" muttered McGlory. "That's what pards are for--to help one -another when they're in a tight pinch. And I'm an Injun if this -_wasn't_ a tight one. But see here, once, Matt. You called this boat -the _Sprite_." - -"That's her name, Joe." - -"Queer they'd have another motor boat, same size and rig of that -'Frisco launch and with the same name, here at Madison." - -"It's the same _Sprite_." - -"Not the same boat you fellows used in Frisco Bay!" exclaimed Lorry. - -"The same identical boat," returned Matt. - -"Wouldn't that rattle your spurs?" breathed McGlory. "But how did she -get here?" - -"By express." - -"Who sent her?" - -"Ping." - -"Ping! And did the yaller mug come with her?" - -"If he did I haven't seen him." - -"Why," went on Lorry, "the boat came through nearly as quick as we did!" - -"How did Ping know where to send her?" asked McGlory. - -"He could have found that out easy enough. They knew at police -headquarters that we were coming to Madison." - -"And she came by express!" - -"Yes, with charges of over two hundred and fifty dollars for -transportation." - -"Tell me about that!" McGlory nearly fell off his seat. "But that's -just like a heathen Chinee. Probably he thought the charges wouldn't -be more'n a dollar and a half. And they were over two-fifty! Sufferin' -millionaires!" - -"It's all well enough to talk," put in Lorry, "but there are lots more -comfortable places than a motor boat, with a dead engine, in the middle -of the lake." - -"That's right, too," agreed McGlory. "Every once in a while little -George, the child wonder, gets a bean on the right number. It will be -blowing great guns on this stretch of water before morning. I move we -hike." - -"Where'll we hike?" - -"Did you fix things up in Madison?" George inquired. - -"Not the way I wanted to, George," said Matt. "We'll have to talk about -that." - -"Then we won't go to Madison," declared George, "and that's settled. -We might as well haul off into the Catfish and spend the night in the -boat." - -"There used to be a 'tarp' for coverin' her in rough weather," put -in McGlory. "Was Ping thoughtful enough to send all the stuff that -belonged to her?" - -"He was," said Matt, "at thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents a hundred -pounds--three times the merchandise rate." - -"Oh, glory! What did you take the boat off the express company's hands -for, pard?" - -"For the reason, Joe, that I had use for her." - -"And this is the kind of use you've been putting her to!" muttered the -cowboy. "It wasn't worth the price, not by a whole row of 'dobies." - -The waves were rolling higher and higher, and the _Sprite_ was pitching -like an unruly broncho. - -"We'll have to get out of this," said Lorry, as the skiff alongside -smashed against the _Sprite's_ bulwarks and gave them all a rough -shaking. "The wind's carrying us toward Maple Bluff, and I don't want -any experience with the bluff on a night like this. Where's a lantern? -Is there one aboard?" - -"There was," answered Matt, "but Ross threw it into the lake." - -"Ross!" gulped McGlory. "You don't mean to say you've seen him?" - -"We'll go over all that later," said Matt. "We'll make for the Catfish -as fast as we can." - -"That's as good a place as any, I reckon, seeing as how George isn't -ready to go to Madison." - -Matt opened the hood and sniffed at the engine to ascertain if there -was any waste gasoline dripping from the tanks. He decided that the -tanks were all closed. - -The engine was started and Matt brought the boat's nose around into the -wind. The trailing skiff was allowed to fall behind to the end of its -mooring chain. - -There was thunder, off in the west, and an occasional sharp flash of -lightning. The flashes served to guide Matt over the course he had -recently covered, while a prisoner in the hands of Ross and Kinky. - -As he held the _Sprite_ steadily to her course, more and more the -wonder grew upon him as to the timely arrival of McGlory and George. -Although Matt, when bound and cast adrift, had left a fiery trail over -the lake, yet he was positive that the grewsome beacon alone had not -been responsible for the providential appearance of his two friends. - -But everything would soon be made clear, and Matt hurried the moment of -explanation by driving the launch at her best speed. - -The wind, of course, delayed the boat appreciably, but her sharp bows -cut the water like a knife, and the white spray went swirling upward on -both sides of the craft, high into the night. - -It was an exhilarating ride, and thoroughly enjoyed by Matt and George. -McGlory loved boats, but he had been built for a landsman, and the roll -and tumble of rough water gave him unpleasant feelings in the region of -the stomach. - -The cowboy drew a long breath of relief when the launch battled her way -into the quieter waters of the Catfish, and he sprang eagerly ashore to -make the boat fast to a tree, under the lee of a steep bank. - -"There's a boathouse near here," said George, when the skiff had also -been secured, "and the proper move for us is to make for it and break -in. The rain will be coming down in sheets before long. The boathouse -belongs to a friend of mine, and he won't make much of a fuss when he -knows who it was broke into the place." - -Before Matt left the launch he spread the tarpaulin over it carefully -and made the edges secure to the metal pins along the gunwale; then, -led by Lorry, the boys made their way to the boathouse. - -Forcing an entrance was not difficult, and just as the lads got inside -the rain began. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -HOW FATE THREW THE DICE. - - -There was a rough but comfortable sitting room in one end of the -boathouse. Lorry, who was familiar with the place, left Matt and -McGlory near the door which they had forced open, and groped his way to -the sitting room, where he lighted a tin lamp. - -There was a smell of stale cigarette smoke in the room, and the walls -were papered with pictures of prize fighters, sailboats, race horses, -and "footlight favorites," all cut from newspapers and magazines. This, -and the acrid odor of cigarettes, attested sufficiently the taste of -the owner of the boathouse. - -There were chairs enough to seat the three boys comfortably. - -"Somebody has been here, pards," declared McGlory, "and not so very -long ago, either." - -"He's a Sherlock Holmes, all right," grinned Lorry. "How do you suppose -he knew that, Motor Matt?" - -"Oh, go on!" growled the cowboy. "Your friend George is a cigarette -fiend. Why do you reckon the windows were draped like that?" - -There were two small windows in the sitting room, and each was covered -with a double thickness of canvas, battened down on all sides. - -"Give it up," said Lorry. "Ollie must have been having a game of cards -here with some of the boys, and probably he didn't want anybody looking -in." - -"Ollie?" murmured Matt, startled, suddenly remembering that, at the -time of the attempted robbery on the Waunakee road, Big John had -addressed his youthful companion as "Ollie." - -"Yes, Ollie Merton," answered Lorry; "he's the fellow who owns this -place." - -"What sort of looking fellow is he?" - -"Why, he's about my build, rather dark, and with a face that's not much -of a recommendation; but Ollie's been a good friend of mine, just the -same." - -Matt was convinced that the Ollie he had met on the Waunakee road, -under such evil conditions, was the same Ollie who had papered that -rude little sitting room--and had left behind him the reek of his -cigarettes. - -"What are you asking about Ollie for?" inquired Lorry curiously. - -"We'll get to that in a few minutes," said Matt. "Just now I want to -hear how you fellows came to leave the cabin on the creek, and what -sort of a coincidence it was that enabled you to come to my rescue, out -there on the lake." - -"I reckon we can explain that a heap easier than you can explain how -you came to be lashed hand and foot and jammed between the thwart and -the engine of a burning boat," returned McGlory. "You didn't get back -to the cabin, that was one of the things that bothered George and me, -and we couldn't savvy the why of it; then, all at once, we spotted our -old friends, Ross and Kinky, standing among the oaks and piping off -the cabin. _Was_ it a jolt? Say, speak to me about that. 'That means -trouble,' said George, and I allowed that he had rung the bell. - -"There we'd been congratulatin' ourselves that no one knew of the -hang-out, when along comes those 'Frisco gents, loafing in the scrub -and taking the sizing of our wickiup. Having made up our minds that the -appearance of Ross and Kinky spelled trouble with a big T, George and -me got to guessing that those two lads had somehow interfered with your -getting back to the cabin, Matt. - -"'We'll duck out of this, George,' says I, 'and you can bet your -moccasins on _that_. And when we duck,' I says further, 'we'll take the -luggage and the grub along with us.' - -"'But what about Matt?' says George. 'He's trying to do something for -me, in Madison, and it looks kind of rough to scatter when maybe he'll -whistle for this siding even if he is somewhat behind his running time. -Didn't you tell me that Motor Matt usually does what he says he'll do?' - -"You must admit, Matt, that this cousin of mine is improving a whole -lot or he'd never have thought of that. Up to now, he's been so busy -taking care of Number One that he hasn't had any consideration for the -rest of the human race. But I explains to him like this: - -"'Georgie, we're makin' a change of base. That's all. When we dodge -those tinhorns, and pile our traps in another part of the woods, we'll -sneak back here on the q. t. and watch for Matt. Like as not we can -head him off on the Waunakee road before he reaches the bridge over the -creek.' - -"George thought that would be all right, so we get our plunder -together, sneak out of the cabin, drop over the edge of the creek bank, -crawl a mile downstream, and sashay right into the woods. I don't know -whether you'll believe it or not--things like that happen mostly in -story books--but we find the neatest cave you ever crawled into right -on the banks of the Catfish. George says it's a second edition of Black -Hawk's cave. Well, say, after we get the bats out of that hole in the -rock, we are almost as snug as we are here, this minute. Sufferin' -Niagara, hear it pour!" - -"Never mind the rain, Joe," said Matt. "Your talk is mighty exciting. -Go on with it." - -"Of course," proceeded McGlory, "we couldn't enjoy our cave while you -were due to arrive at the cabin any minute and drop into the hands of -Ross and Kinky. I reckon it was about eight o'clock into dewfall when -George and me crawled out of that hole and started to make a short -cut for the Waunakee road. Then, right in the middle of the dark, we -heard somethin' coming our way just a-tearin'. George guessed bears -and I guessed Injuns; but, no, we were both fooled. It was a little -negro--George struck a match and got his color a minute after him and -me had collided and I had flopped him on his back and was holding him -down. Then----" - -"Pickerel Pete!" exclaimed Matt. - -"That's a guess for your life. Sure, pard, it was Pickerel Pete, and a -scared Pickerel he was, at that. He thought George and me was a pair of -'ha'nts,' whatever they are; but George knew him, and he braced up some -when he made sure that we were perfectly human. - -"Then--speak to me about what that little ebony chap told us! Motor -Matt had hired him for two plunks a day--you're getting reckless with -your money, pard--and he had piloted Motor Matt from Third Lake to -Fourth, and from Fourth up the Catfish to Whisky Creek. Motor Matt -had left the boat tied up there, with Blackberry on guard, and gone on -afoot up the creek. Then spooks arrived, ordered Pete to duck, and he -had started for home like a singed cat. He was on his way when he ran -into us. - -"Well, George and me was all crinkled up with a scare. Matt's gone on -to the cabin, we figure it out, and he's dropped into the hands of Ross -and Kinky. We make a run for the cabin. No one there, not even Ross and -Kinky. But there's a candle still burnin' on the corner shelf. - -"Was it Motor Matt who lit that candle, we asked ourselves, or Big -John's pals? Of course we couldn't tell that, but we allowed it was -probably Matt who had struck a light. Then it was us for the mouth of -the creek to see what was going on at the launch. - -"I forgot to tell you, pard, that George and I had found a skiff, while -we were fooling around the creek bank, waiting for you to get back. The -skiff pleased me--I never saw a boat yet that didn't--and I suggested -to George that we paddle down the creek in the skiff. That would save -climbing fences and blundering around in the dark. Well, we took the -skiff. It didn't draw much more'n a drink of water, and, although the -creek is lower than usual at this time of year, according to George, we -got down it all right. Just as we got within hailing distance of the -launch, we heard the chug of an engine, and some one calling from the -boat to some one else on the bank. We'd found Ross and Kinky--their -voices give 'em away; and from what they said later we also knew that -we'd found _you_. - -"George and I were up a tree for fair, then. Ross and Kinky were -'heeled'--we didn't have to guess any about that--while all I had was a -pocketknife, and all George had was a scarfpin. - -"'Well,' says George, 'I'm not going to leave those tinhorns to do what -they please with Matt.' Surprisin', eh, the way this cousin of mine is -beginnin' to act? He was as nervy as a Ute buck with an overload of -tizwin. I asks George what he thinks we can do against two men with a -pair of hardware hornets that sting six times apiece. George didn't -know, but allowed we'd better drop down the creek and get a closer view. - -"By the time we got down to where the launch was she had moved on and -stopped again. When she moved on once more, something was trailing -behind her. It was so dark we couldn't see what the thing was very -plain, but after some sort of a while we made out that it was a boat. -Well, how we ever did it I don't know, but George--it was George, -mind you--made our chain painter fast to the stern of the trailing -rowboat--and that's the sort of procession we made down the Catfish." -McGlory threw back his head and laughed till he shook. "First, the -launch," he went on; "then the rowboat, then George, and me, and the -skiff. Sufferin' side-wheelers! Why, I nearly gave the snap away -enjoying it." - -"Great spark plugs!" muttered Matt. "When we went down the Catfish, -I was watching the bank, hoping to see some one I could call to. And -there were you and George behind us all the time! I wish Ross and Kinky -knew about that." - -"It was too much fun to last, pard," continued McGlory, sobering a -little. "When we got out into the lake the heavier swell made the chain -break loose from the rowboat, and we had to follow with the oars, -which was slow work. We were a long ways off when you spoke that other -launch; and when you started like a streak of fire for the northwest -end of the lake, we were still so far off that we didn't think we could -reach you in time to do you any good. But we broke our backs at the -oars, and managed to make it. You know the rest." - -"Fine!" exclaimed Matt admiringly. "Say, you fellows are pards worth -having. What became of Pickerel Pete?" - -"Bother him!" put in George. "We didn't have any time to fool with the -little moke after we heard what he had to tell us about you." - -"He kept on toward town, burnin' the air," said McGlory. - -"I think," said Matt reflectively, "that this cave of yours would be a -safer place for us than this boathouse." - -"Safer," returned the cowboy, "but it hasn't got any chairs and nothing -to make a light with. Hear the rain, once! Gee, _compadres_, I wouldn't -move from here to the cave, through all that water, for a bushel of -double eagles." - -"Why is the cave safer?" asked Lorry. - -"Because this Ollie Merton isn't such a friend of yours as you think," -said Matt. - -George Lorry stiffened in the old, arrogant way. - -"I guess I know my friends," he answered frigidly. - -"Listen," went on Matt. "When I left the cabin and started along the -Waunakee road, some one in the bushes threw a riata at me. It was Big -John threw the rope, and along with Big John was this Ollie Merton. -They were after that ten thousand dollars, but I played a trick on them -and got away with the draft. It was your sister, George, that helped me -get away." - -"What!" exclaimed George; "not Ethel?" - -"Yes. She was on the Waunakee road with her motor car----" - -George scowled. - -"The governor would put twenty-five hundred in a runabout for sis," he -growled, "and wouldn't scrip up when I wanted a motor boat. Is that -right? Is----" - -Voices were heard outside, accompanying a slushy crunch of wet gravel. -Matt leaped for the light and blew it out. - -"Not a word!" he whispered. "That must be Ollie Merton, and we don't -want him to see us. There's an overturned catboat--get under it." - -Lorry tried to protest, but Matt caught him by the arm and hustled him -toward the overturned boat. The boat had been lying under the boys' -eyes during their talk. Barely had they secreted themselves when the -door opened and two persons walked in, followed by a whirling gust of -rain. - -"Whoosh!" called a familiar voice, "I'm glad to get out of that, Ollie." - -"Big John!" whispered Matt in Lorry's ear. "He's come here with Merton. -Keep quiet, now, and listen." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT. - - -When Matt, Lorry, and McGlory had made forcible entrance into the -boathouse, it had been through the door that fronted the river. Merton -and Big John had entered through a door at the other end of the house. -Thus, for a time, at least, the broken lock on the other door was not -discovered. - -"Light up," went on the voice of Big John. "And if you've got anything -in a bottle, Ollie, trot it out and mebby it'll drive the chill from -our bones. I'm not pinin' for an attack of rheumatism." - -"I've got that, too," answered Ollie, with a fatuous snicker. "Always -keep something for snake bites." - -"And it's a bad thing for a lad of your years. Hurry up with the light." - -"Give me time to get out of this mackintosh and then I'll hunt for -matches." - -There followed the slap of a wet garment on the floor. The next moment -a match was struck, and young Merton could be seen making for the lamp. -The moment he touched the chimney he jumped back with a cry and the -match dropped from his fingers. - -"What ails you?" demanded Big John. - -"Why, the chimney's _hot_!" exclaimed Merton. "Somebody's been here, -and they haven't been gone very long, either." - -"Thunder! It must have been Ross and Kinky. They were to meet us here, -you know, and Ross had a key to the boathouse." - -"If they were here a few minutes ago," went on Merton, "why aren't they -here now?" - -"I'll have to pass that. But if any one was here, it was those pals of -mine. Go on and light the lamp. Use your handkerchief for taking off -the chimney." - -Matt, under the overturned boat, drew a breath of relief. But it was -only a temporary relief. Already he was wondering what would happen -when Ross and Kinky arrived at the rendezvous. Ross had told Matt that -he and Kinky were to meet Big John that night, but had carried the -impression that the meeting was to take place in town. - -Merton's fears were apparently relieved, and he soon had the lamp -lighted. - -Big John divested himself of a raincoat and removed a dripping cap. -Coat and cap he hung very carefully from two nails in the wall. - -Merton, meanwhile, was unlocking a cupboard. A bottle and two glasses -came out of the cupboard. Merton poured some of the liquor into the -glasses. Big John reached over and emptied part of Merton's glass into -his own. - -"That leaves enough for you, son, and a heap more than you ought to -have," said he. "It ain't good for younkers--nor for old fellers, -either." - -"Oh, splash!" grunted Merton. "You ought to go around with a pocketful -of tracts," he grinned. "Whenever you rob a man, leave a tract with -him." - -"You're mighty cute," observed Big John, setting his empty glass on the -table and leaning back in his chair, "but the two of us wasn't cute -enough to get the best of Motor Matt. There's a boy! He's a bright and -shinin' example. He has backcapped me twice, and the more he does it -the more I admire him." - -Merton stared; then, developing his silver cigarette case and his -silver match box, he proceeded to smoke. - -"You're a queer fish, Big John," said he. "If you've got such high -standards, why don't you live up to 'em?" - -Big John shook his head gloomily. - -"I expect it ain't in me," he answered. - -"If you'd had Ross and Kinky with you, there at the bend in the -Waunakee road, this Motor Matt wouldn't have made a get-away." - -"Mebby not; but Ross is down on Motor Matt and wouldn't hesitate to -hand him his finish. That's the reason I wouldn't have Ross along; and -I let Kinky stay with Ross as a sort of safeguard, in case anythin' -went crossways and Ross happened to find Motor Matt. Only the hope of -me gettin' that money has caused Ross to hold back as long as he has. -Now that he knows there's no hope of gettin' the money, he'll be as mad -as a cannibal. Ross is worse'n an Apache Injun when he's worked up." - -"Then he'll be mad when he comes here and finds you didn't get the -money, won't he?" - -"He will; and I've laid my plans to make a quick jump for the West. -I'll land that precious Ross where he won't get us all into trouble." - -"You were telling me that you had set old man Lorry against Motor Matt." - -A slow grin worked its way over Big John's face. - -"Anonymous letter," said he. "I just wrote Lorry that I was a -detective, and didn't think it wise to put my information over my own -name, see? Then I went on to tell him to look out for Motor Matt, and -explained that he was in cahoots with the three desperate scoundrels -who had stolen the ten thousand in 'Frisco. That'll make Lorry think a -little. But see here, son. You haven't been private adviser for young -Lorry just to make a man of him in the gamblin' line, have you? What's -your graft? I'll bet it's somethin' more than getting him away from his -mother's apron strings, and out of the sissy class." - -Merton's sinister face took on a crafty look. - -"You're right," said he. "The Winnequa Club has a race in a few days. -For reasons of my own, I intend to win that race. See? Lorry also -wanted to have a boat in the race, and he's about the only one, apart -from me, whose dad has money enough to furnish him with a boat that -will make the rest of us climb. But old man Lorry isn't furnishing -George with the boat." Merton chuckled. "When George asked me what he -ought to do the time his father threatened to send him to military -school, I told George to skip, and to get as far away as he could. That -left me free to do as I wanted to in that motor-boat event." - -Merton winked. - -"H'm!" murmured Big John. "You're a foxy youngster. I'm not sayin' it's -creditable in you, mind, but it shows sharp thinking, all right." - -The three boys under the overturned boat were able to see and hear all -that went on. When the conversation between Merton and Big John had -proceeded that far, Matt heard a sharp breath escape Lorry's lips. - -A few words, and Merton's despicable planning had been laid bare. Out -of Merton's own mouth Lorry could judge him. This false friend, with -whom Lorry had associated, and whose advice he had taken, had headed -him toward irretrievable ruin. - -"Oh, I can be foxy if I want to," said Merton. "All I want now is to -make sure that Lorry doesn't get in that race." - -"I guess you can be easy on that point," returned Big John dryly. "The -old gent won't put up money for the boat on a bet. Motor Matt called on -Lorry. I talked with Gus, the Lorry chauffeur, and he said there was a -heap of coldness developed durin' the interview, and that when Motor -Matt had left, Lorry used the telephone and asked police headquarters -to have a plain-clothes man pick up his trail and follow him. The fly -cop followed Motor Matt from Third Lake into Fourth, but lost him -somewhere around the Mendota end of the Catfish. The last thing I did, -before leaving Madison to come here, was to drop another unsigned -letter in the mails for Lorry." - -"What was that for?" asked Merton. - -"I told Lorry that if he would cross Fourth Lake in the morning, and -proceed up the Catfish as far as Whisky Creek, then leave the boat and -walk up the creek for a mile, he would come to the place where Motor -Matt was having McGlory keep his son. I reckon _that_ will give Motor -Matt something to think about. I'll not be here to see the fun, and I -guess young King will get out of the scrape in his customary fashion, -but it'll be something by way of remembering Big John. King has made me -a lot o' trouble, and has beat me out of a pineapple plantation, and -that's all I can do to rough things up for him. You see----" - -Big John broke off suddenly. Some one else was approaching the -boathouse. Matt, McGlory, and Lorry could hear the footsteps plainly. - -Merton started to get up, but Big John lifted a restraining hand. - -"If they're the ones we expect," said he, "they've got a key and can -let themselves in. If they're not the ones we're looking for, then we -don't want them here." - -A key rattled in the lock just as Big John finished speaking. The next -moment the door opened and two men blew in. - -They were Ross and Kinky! - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A DASH FOR THE OPEN. - - -That visit of Matt, McGlory, and Lorry to the boathouse was worth all -the danger it had brought, even if it had resulted in nothing more than -opening Lorry's eyes to the duplicity of his supposed friend. - -But other things had developed that were highly interesting, as well as -edifying. - -Matt was astounded to learn that an anonymous letter had made the -elder Lorry so bitterly hostile. If Lorry had put so much faith in one -unsigned letter, surely he would have equal confidence in the second, -and might be expected to cross the lake on the following morning and -make his way to the cabin on the creek. - -It was likewise refreshing to learn that Big John was intending to take -his two pals and return to the West. Matt was not forgetting that Ross -and Kinky had some three hundred dollars of his money, and before the -flight something must be done to recover the funds. - -But just then a common danger suggested that the boys must get away -from the boathouse. There were four enemies against them, and at least -three of the enemies were armed. - -"We've got to get out of here, Joe," whispered Matt. - -"Why not lay low till _they_ get out?" returned the cowboy. - -"It won't be possible. That hot lamp chimney is going to do the trick -for us. Big John will mention it and ask Ross and Kinky why they left -the boathouse and went out into the rain. Ross and Kinky will say they -didn't; then there'll be talk and a hunt for intruders. We've got to -make a dash for the open--and at once." - -"You've got it right, Motor Matt," murmured Lorry. "The quicker I can -get away from here, the better I'll like it. I've learned a lot," and -there was bitterness in Lorry's voice as he finished. - -"Let's heave over the boat and make a dash for the back door," -suggested McGlory. "We're rushin' straight into the dark, and, if we're -quick, we can get clear before there's any shooting." - -"That hits me," said Lorry. - -"It's now or never, then," assented Matt. "Separate, just outside the -boathouse, and then come together again at the launch. We'll go up to -that cave you fellows found. You understand the plan, do you?" - -"Yes," answered Lorry and McGlory. - -"Then lay hold of the edge of the boat," went on Matt. - -In their narrow quarters the three boys knelt, waiting for the word to -lift the boat's edge from the skids and throw the hulk entirely over. -It was not a large boat, and their strength was fully equal to the task -they had set for themselves. - -"_Now!_" hissed Matt. - -Over went the boat with a crash. Startled yells came from the sitting -room, followed by silence broken only by a rush of feet as Matt, Lorry, -and McGlory darted toward the rear door. - -"Stop 'em!" roared Big John. - -"Guns!" cried Ross; "use your guns!" - -McGlory halted and whirled. At the side of the boat he had found a -small can of white lead, which was probably to do its part in giving -the hull a coat of paint. When starting to run the cowboy had taken the -can of lead with him. - -He paused to hurl the can. Straight as a bullet it shot through the -air, crashed into the lamp, and plunged the interior of the boathouse -in darkness. Another moment and McGlory had hurled himself through the -door. - -Acting upon Matt's suggestion, the three friends separated as soon as -they reached the outside air. Ten minutes later they were all together -again at the place where the _Sprite_ was moored. - -There was a lull in the storm, and for a while, at least, the rain had -stopped. - -Matt began ripping off the boat's tarpaulin cover. - -"Cast off the painter, Joe," he called, as he worked. "You can help me -with this, George," he added. "Never mind the skiff--we can't bother -with that now." - -Clearing a working space aft of the hood, Matt leaped into the boat -and began getting the motor into action. George finished removing the -"tarp," and McGlory scrambled aboard with the end of the painter. - -From the direction of the boathouse sounds of pursuit could be heard. - -"Tumble in, George," called Matt. "You can finish that from inside the -boat." - -McGlory gave his cousin a hand and Matt started the propeller. - -Taking the launch up the river on such a night was hazardous in the -extreme. But Matt had the bearings of the stream in his head, and he -urged the _Sprite_ boldly onward. - -From behind them, somewhere, a revolver was fired. The leaden missile -caused no damage, and the launch rushed on into the gloom. - -Lorry, who knew the river well, pushed to Matt's side to be of what -help he could. - -"You never had a better chance to wreck a boat, Motor Matt," said -Lorry, "than you've got right now." - -"I'm hoping for the best," returned Matt. "Instinct, more than anything -else, is guiding me. I don't know, but I seem to _feel_ it when we're -going wrong." - -It was the same instinct, perhaps, which carries a horse over the right -road when the rider is lost, or that carries a bird miles and miles -through the air to the same nest in the same tree of the forest. - -This was not the first time Matt had profited by that vague intuition. -It was almost like a sixth sense. - -McGlory, time and again, held his breath, fearing that they were about -to run upon the rocks; but, just as surely, time and again, the king of -the motor boys turned the wheel and deep water remained under them. - -"It's up to you fellows to tell me where to stop," said Matt. - -"I'm watching for the place," replied Lorry, "but the shore line -looks like a solid blur of shadow. I can't distinguish one point from -another." - -"Figure it out by dead-reckoning," suggested Matt. "You must have some -idea, George, how far the cave is from the lake." - -"Two miles, I should say." - -"Then, at this speed, we've covered the two miles," and Matt shut off -the power and let the boat's momentum carry her toward the bank. - -The _Sprite_ came to a halt with a slight jar, which proved that she -had struck. - -"That's all right," announced Matt, "and we're close enough to tie up. -Never mind if we do get our feet wet; we're in luck to get out of that -boathouse as well as we did." - -"You can gamble the limit on that," answered McGlory, splashing ashore -with the painter. "I'm a Digger, too, if this place don't look familiar -to me, what little I can see of it." - -"It's familiar to me, too," exulted Lorry. "Why, fellows, we're within -a hundred feet of the cave! Talk about luck, will you? This lays over -anything that ever came my way." - -Matt replaced the tarpaulin, got over the side, and waded to the bank. -Lorry and McGlory led him upward for a dozen feet to a place where the -bank broke away in a sort of narrow shelf. Something like a hundred -feet along this shelf was the opening into the cavern. The entrance was -masked with hazels, but the boys crowded in, and soon found themselves -in dry quarters. - -"Speak to me about that boathouse, please!" guffawed the cowboy, -stretching himself out on the uneven stone floor. "Were Big John and -his pals surprised! I rather guess they were." - -"Tell us more about that attempt Big John and Merton made to rob you on -the Waunakee road," said Lorry. "It seems strange that Merton should -have a hand in anything like that, or that he should be mixed up with -this gang of scoundrels at all. Merton's folks are immensely wealthy. -They're traveling in Europe now, and Merton is in Madison attending the -university. Mert is a spender, all right, and all he has to do when he -wants money is to ask for it. Why should he help Big John try to get -that ten thousand from you, Matt?" - -"Possibly it wasn't the money end of the deal that attracted Merton," -answered Matt. "It may be that all he wanted, Lorry, was to make you as -much trouble as he could." - -Lorry muttered angrily under his breath. - -"I don't know how I ever let him pull the wool over my eyes," said he, -"but it's a fact that I considered Ollie Merton my best friend. It was -by his advice that I took that money and went to 'Frisco." - -"That, alone," remarked Matt earnestly, "proves that Merton was not a -friend." - -"I'm beginning to see it in that light myself," admitted Lorry. "It's -hard to have to say so, but it's the truth." - -"Hard!" scoffed McGlory. "Why, pard, the way you're showin' up is sure -hard to beat. But don't hang fire with that yarn of yours, Matt. You've -got ours, and all George and I need is a statement of facts from you in -order to get the whole business straight in our own minds. Heave ahead -now, and be quick about it. I'm about ready to doze off." - -Matt began with his start for Waunakee, related the attempted robbery, -and the manner in which he and Ethel Lorry had backed the runabout -along the Waunakee road and into Madison. - -The part Matt dreaded to tell had to do with his interview with -Lorry's father; but Lorry had shown such a surprising change in his -whole manner of thought and action that Matt detailed the conversation -between himself and Mr. Lorry exactly as it had occurred. - -A few days before, such a report would have sent George into a furious -tirade against his father, but he now listened quietly and without -comment. - -Matt, highly pleased, proceeded to tell how he had taken the launch -from the express office, had engaged Pickerel Pete, and had run the -_Sprite_ into Fourth Lake and up the Catfish; then followed his visit -to the cabin, his failure to find McGlory and Lorry, his return to the -launch, his capture by a ruse on the part of Ross, and, finally, the -murderous attempt which Ross had made and which had come so near being -successful. - -"That Ross must be bug-house!" growled McGlory angrily. - -"He had been drinking," said Matt. "A man will do things when he's -partly intoxicated that he wouldn't think of doing when sober." - -"You're out three hundred dollars, Matt," spoke up Lorry, "and I don't -think that money will ever come back to you. When we made that dash -from the boathouse, Big John and his pals knew we had been there long -enough to learn a whole lot about their plans. Ross and Kinky have -discovered that you were saved from the burning boat, even if they -didn't know it before, and all three of the rascals will not lose a -minute getting away from this part of the country. I doubt if it would -do any good for us to go to Madison and report to the police. Big John -and his pals are done with Madison, and with you. They'll make tracks -for where they came from, and they'll do it at once." - -"That sounds like pretty good reasoning to me," observed Matt, "but I -guess that what we've accomplished is worth all it cost us. What are -your plans, Lorry?" - -"I'm going home in the morning," declared Lorry. "If I'm to go to a -military school--well, there are worse places." - -"Listen to George!" cried McGlory. "Oh, tell me about George! Ain't he -a surprise party, though?" - -"Now," said Matt jubilantly, "I'm _sure_ that what we've accomplished -is worth the price. Good night, pards. I've found a soft stone, and -I've got material for pleasant dreams, so I'm going to sleep. In the -morning, we're for across the lake--and Aristocracy Hill!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE POWER BOAT--MINUS THE POWER. - - -The boys were astir early, it being their intention to reach Madison -and the Lorry home before Mr. Lorry could get away to cross the -lake--providing that proved to be his intention. - -The boys had a frugal breakfast off the cold food McGlory and Lorry had -brought from the cabin, and immediately after they emerged from the -cave upon the narrow shelf that ran in front of it. - -The rain seemed to be over, and the leaden clouds were being scattered -by a fierce wind from the west. - -"This is a bad morning to be on Fourth Lake," said George, casting an -anxious eye upward. "I had hoped the wind would blow itself out, but -it appears to be as strong as ever." - -"Why not leave the _Sprite_ here," suggested McGlory, "and hike for -Madison along the wagon road?" - -"It would take us too long," protested Matt. "I think a boat that -can stand the seas in 'Frisco Bay ought to be able to negotiate this -fresh-water lake. The _Sprite's_ reliable, I can say that for her; and, -so long as we have power, I guess we needn't fear the wind." - -"We'd better have a look at the boat by daylight," said McGlory. "For -all we know, pards, the end may have been burned off her." - -But an examination showed that the _Sprite_ had suffered little damage -from the fire. The luggage was thrown aboard and the boys climbed to -their places. One turn of the flywheel and the cylinders took the -spark; then, on the reverse, the boat was pulled from the shoal into -deep water, Matt changed to the forward drive, and they were off in a -wide circle that pointed them for Lake Mendota. - -"I don't care a whoop what happens now," gloried the cowboy, "we've got -George out of the woods, and that's the main thing." - -"Call it that if you want to, Joe," said Lorry, "but there's music for -me to face, over on Fourth Lake Ridge." - -"And you're goin' to face it like a little man, Georgie; and if Uncle -Dan don't back down on that military-school proposition he'll get a -cold blast from Joe McGlory. And that, pards," the cowboy added, "is a -shot that goes as it lays." - -"I'll take my medicine and not make much of a face, no matter how -bitter the dose is," went on George; "but there's one thing that's -bound to happen." - -"Meanin' which, George?" inquired McGlory. - -"Why, my father is going to be set right on the subject of Motor Matt." - -"Don't let me cause any friction between you, George," urged Matt. "The -breach between you and your father is in a fair way of being healed." - -"So far as I am concerned," said Lorry, a flush tinging his cheeks, -"I'm willing to admit that I acted like a fool. I'll go on record with -that, face to face with the governor; I'll even go further and say -that it was weakness that made me hang back from Madison, stop in that -cabin, and send Motor Matt on to make a dicker and save my pride. But -the governor has got to understand that Motor Matt's my friend, and -that, but for him and you, Joe, I'd not be here now. Right is right, -and Motor Matt is going to have justice, if nothing more." - -"I'm glad as blazes, George," caroled McGlory, "to hear you tune up in -that fashion. The more I listen to you, since last night, the better I -feel." - -"I was quite a while getting to sleep in that cave," pursued Lorry. -"I lay there, on the hard rocks, and reviewed everything I've done -since leaving Madison. It seems as though a fog had been cleared out -of my brain, and that I was able to stand off and get a clean-cut, -impersonal look at myself. The sight wasn't pleasing. I know why Motor -Matt suggested that stop at Waunakee, and a probation in the cabin on -the creek. He read me better than I could read myself. He knew that I -had pride which would not suffer humiliation and disgrace, and that -if I was not pampered and humored a little I would probably go off on -another rebellious splurge--and wind up my future prospects. By staying -at that cabin, I brought all these dangers upon Matt; and yet, if he -had not suggested some such move as the halt at Waunakee, I should very -likely have bolted from the train between 'Frisco and here. Oh, what an -unreasoning idiot I have been!" - -Lorry dropped down on a seat and bowed his head in his hands. - -"Speak to me about this, Matt!" whispered McGlory, placing himself -alongside the king of the motor boys. "Who'd ever have dreamed my -haughty, high-and-mighty cousin would ever have come to the scratch in -such a way? Sufferin' tyrants! I wonder if Uncle Dan is going to do the -right thing by George, or make as big a fool of himself as George did?" - -"I think Mr. Lorry, after he sees and talks with George, will do the -right thing," returned Matt. - -Just here the _Sprite_ shot out of the river into the rolling waters of -Fourth Lake. The west wind, marshaling its strength on the broad sweep -of the prairies, caught up the waves and flung them headlong toward -Maple Bluff. The launch leaped and staggered, shoved her bow into the -highest waves, and then shivered and flung off the spray in a double -cataract on each side. - -It was a nerve-tingling ride, and McGlory suddenly made up his mind -that his stomach would feel better if he sat down. - -George, his face flushed with excitement, looked around him and gave a -jubilant shout. - -"Great!" he cried. - -"I wish I felt like that," groaned McGlory. "For Heaven's sake, Matt, -see how quick you can get us to the other side." - -"We can tie up at the yacht club on the west shore," said Lorry. - -"All right," answered Matt. "Look at that boat over there, George," he -added, nodding his head in the direction of Governor's Island. "She's -the only other boat on the lake, so far as I can see, and she's acting -as though something is wrong with her." - -Lorry stood up, braced himself, and peered ahead. - -"She's a bigger boat than ours," he remarked, "and looked to me like -the _Stella_. The _Stella_ is a thirty-footer, and belongs to Barkley -Cameron, a neighbor of ours up on the Hill. By Jupiter," he added, a -few moments later, "it is the _Stella_, and she's in trouble, as sure -as you're a foot high." - -"The wind is driving her toward the Bluff," said Matt excitedly. "Her -engine's dead--she hasn't any power to fight the wind and waves." - -"And there are four men aboard her," went on Lorry. "Great Scott! If -they ever go on those rocks at the point, the boat will be smashed -to kindling and every one aboard of her drowned. Let's stand by the -_Stella_, Matt, and try and do something for her." - -"I'm rushing the _Sprite_ in the _Stella's_ direction," answered Matt, -"and have been for some time. But we may not be able to do anything. -She's half a mile nearer the rocks than we are, and she may go onto -them before we can overhaul her." - -Far off, just beyond the drifting and helpless launch, Matt and Lorry -could see the white waves flinging themselves against the jutting crags -of McBride's Point. The _Sprite_ was coming up with the _Stella_ hand -over fist, but the _Stella's_ drift was carrying her toward the cliffs -with tremendous speed. - -"I can see the people on board," cried George, "and two of them are -tinkering with the engine. If they can get the motor in shape they're -all right, but if they can't----" - -George broke off abruptly, and stood clinging to Matt and staring at -the other boat with frenzied eyes. Two of the _Stella's_ passengers, as -Matt could see, were looking toward the _Sprite_ and waving their hands -frantically. - -"Matt," called George huskily, "one of those men is my father!" - -"Great guns!" gasped Matt. "He started across the lake in the _Stella_. -We didn't leave the Catfish quick enough. But keep your nerve, George. -We're going to save them if we have to run into the breakers and pull -the _Stella_ off the cliff!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A RECONCILIATION. - - -McGlory aroused himself for a moment, and learned what the excitement -was all about. Straightway he forgot his physical ills and became -absorbed in the wonderful race Motor Matt was running with death. By -every trick in his power the king of the motor boys was doing his -utmost to urge the _Sprite_ onward. The boat's speed became a terrific -dash, a headlong hustle, with wind and wave helping the propeller. - -"We'll never make it!" groaned George. - -"Buck up, George!" cried McGlory. "Motor Matt has done harder things -than this." - -"But the _Stella_ will be on the rocks before we can get to her! And -there's the governor, likely to meet his fate right under my eyes! Oh, -what a scoundrel I have been! Seeing the governor like this, perhaps -for the last time, makes me realize what I have done. He was crossing -the lake to find me, Joe." - -George's voice died to a whisper and ended in a dry sob. - -"Pull yourself together, I tell you!" roared McGlory. "Now's the time -to show yourself a _man_!" - -"Yell to them to stand ready to throw a rope," said Matt, between his -teeth. "We can't get alongside of them before they hit the rocks, but -we can come near enough so we can catch a rope if there's a strong -enough arm to pass it." - -Lorry cast aside his overpowering doubts and fears and flung himself -into the fight with demoniacal energy. - -"Stand ready with a rope!" he yelled, trumpeting through his hands and -doing his best to make his voice heard above the roar and crash of the -waves. - -Again and again he repeated it, and McGlory joined in, timing his voice -with his cousin's. - -One of the men who had been working at the engine suddenly left his -thankless labor and placed himself well forward on the _Stella_ at the -point nearest to the approaching _Sprite_. - -"Make ready to grab the rope, both of you!" shouted Matt. "If you're -lucky enough to grab it, take a half-hitch around the stern stanchion, -and lay back on the end of the rope with every ounce of power in your -bodies! There, stand by! They're going to throw!" - -Matt shifted the wheel and, for a minute, placed the _Sprite_ broadside -on to wind and waves. This gave the man with the rope a better mark. - -Out shot the coil of hemp, but the resistance of the wind caused it to -fall pitifully short. - -A cry of despair went up from Lorry. - -"Once more!" yelled McGlory, as Matt pointed the _Sprite_ straight for -the _Stella_ and flung her onward. - -The man rapidly coiled the rope in his hands. Another man stepped -forward and took the rope to make the next cast himself. He was a more -powerfully built man than the one who had attempted the first cast. - -"This will tell the story," cried George. "If this throw fails the -_Stella_ will be smashed to pieces on the bluff." - -Matt and McGlory knew that fully as well as Lorry; and those on the -_Stella_ must have realized it. - -The man with the rope was cool and deliberate. It was plain he was -not going to waste any valuable chances by undue haste; then, as he -was whirling the rope to let it fly, Matt again turned the _Sprite_ -broadside on. - -For an instant it looked as though the rope was again to fall short; -but Lorry, stretching far out from the side of the _Sprite_, snatched -the end of the rope out of the air with convulsive fingers, and fell -with it to the bottom of the boat. - -A faint cheer went up from those on the _Stella_. - -But the battle was not yet won. McGlory went to the assistance of -Lorry, and the slack of the cable was jerked out of the water. This -gave sufficient rope for a half-hitch around the stanchion and a firm -hand hold. The cowboy and his cousin lay back on the line, bracing -their feet against the thwarts and clinging with all their strength. - -Motor Matt, meanwhile, had been busy with his part of the work. The -instant the rope was made fast, he had shifted the bow of the _Sprite_, -switching off the power for a moment in order to lessen the shock when -the launch should begin to feel the pull. - -Yet even with this precaution the shock was tremendous. But nothing -gave way, and slowly but surely the _Sprite_ took up her burden. - -For a few moments the two boats seemed to stand stationary, the power -of the _Sprite_ just counterbalancing the push of wind and wave against -both boats; then, a little later, the _Sprite_ began to move, gathering -headway by slow degrees. - -Anything like speed was out of the question, but the _Sprite_, without -missing a shot, plowed her way like a tugboat through the churning -waters, and brought herself and her tow safely along the yacht club's -pier. - -Matt and McGlory, busy making the _Sprite_ fast, caught a glimpse of -George rushing across the pier to meet his father. - -"George!" shouted the elder man. - -"Dad!" cried George. - -And they came together, gripping each other's hands. With arms locked -they walked the length of the pier and vanished inside the yacht club's -headquarters. - -"Reconciliation?" queried McGlory. "If it isn't, I don't know the -brand. Oh, I reckon Uncle Dan will do the right thing by George. That -cold blast of mine will have to be permanently retired. Matt, give us -your paw! This is a grand day for the Lorry tribe!" - -"No doubt about that, Joe," answered Matt, with feeling, as he and -McGlory shook hands. - -Half an hour later Matt went into the yacht club to telephone police -headquarters about his stolen money. He had only a very faint hope of -ever seeing the money again, but he felt it his duty to do everything -possible to recover it. - -Over the 'phone he gave a description of Big John, Ross, and Kinky. - -The man at the other end of the line had just promised to do what he -could when Matt was caught by a strong hand and turned around. He was -once more face to face with Lorry, Sr. But there was a difference in -the Lorry of Matt's first and second meeting. - -"By gad!" cried Lorry, "I want to shake hands with a hero. Nobly done, -young man! But for you we'd have gone to smash against Maple Bluff, -every last one of us on the _Stella_. We had our little differences -when we met, that other time, Motor Matt, but I didn't understand -the matter then. George here has been telling me how much he owes to -you, how much I owe to you, how much I owe to him, and we all owe to -McGlory, and everybody owes to everybody else. Gad! my head is fair -splitting with it all. Never mind that three hundred that was taken -away from you; I guess"--and the rich man laughed--"that my bank -account is good for three hundred. I'll see that _you_ don't lose -anything. We'll have more talk about this later." - -Lorry, Sr., turned to where McGlory was standing, at Matt's side, his -black eyes gleaming humorously. - -"Ah, Joe, you rascal," went on Lorry, placing two hands on the cowboy's -shoulders, "you've done something to make us all proud of you--and I -guess you'll find it out before you're many days older." - -"What are you going to do for George, uncle?" queried McGlory. - -"You watch! Keep your eyes skinned and you'll see me do something for -you as well as for George." - -Lorry, Sr., pushed himself between Matt and McGlory and caught each of -them by an arm. - -"Come on, my lads!" said he, "you're both going up to the house with -George and me. This is a happy day, and the Lorrys are going to -celebrate. Naturally, the celebration won't be complete without Motor -Matt and Joe. Never mind your boat--I've asked the people here to look -after it. Gus is outside with the big car, and all we've got to do is -to get in and strike out for home. _Home!_ How does that sound to you, -my son?" - -"It has a truer ring, dad," answered George, "than it ever had before." - -"Maybe it's a different home, George," answered Mr. Lorry. "Anyhow, -we'll try to make it so." - - -THE END. - - - - -THE NEXT NUMBER (23) WILL CONTAIN - -MOTOR MATT'S PRIZE; - -OR, - -THE PLUCK THAT WINS. - - A Clash in Black and Yellow--Pickerel Pete's Revenge--A "Dark - Horse"--Plans--An Order to Quit--Facing the Music--Gathering - Clouds--The Plotters--Firebugs at Work--Saving the "Sprite"--Out of - a Blazing Furnace--What About the Race?--Mart Rawlins Weakens--The - Race--The Start--The Finish--Conclusion. - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -NEW YORK, July 24, 1909. - - -TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. - -(_Postage Free._) - -Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. - - 3 months 65c. - 4 months 85c. - 6 months $1.25 - One year 2.50 - 2 copies one year 4.00 - 1 copy two years 4.00 - -=How to Send Money=--By post-office or express money-order, registered -letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by -currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter. - -=Receipts=--Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change -of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly -credited, and should let us know at once. - - ORMOND G. SMITH, } - GEORGE C. SMITH, } _Proprietors_. - - STREET & SMITH, Publishers, - 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. - - - - -THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS. - - -It was the sudden change in the color of the water that made Nick -Salveson realize something was wrong. - -All day thunder had been muttering far up in the mountains, but down in -the river valley the autumn sun had been shining warm; and, busy with -his fishing, Nick had paid no attention to the heavy clouds which hung -over the jagged peaks upstream. - -Suddenly the water lost its crystal clearness, and turned to a yellow, -muddy hue, and the canoe began to strain at her anchor rope. - -"Reckon it's about time to quit," muttered the young fellow; and, -hastily reeling in his line, he laid the rod down and set to work to -pull up the anchor. - -It was badly jammed between two rocks at the bottom. By the time he had -cleared it the river had risen at least two feet, and was roaring down -in a sheet of muddy foam. - -"Guess there's been a cloud burst up in the hills," said Nick to -himself as he turned the bow of the canoe upstream. - -He was not uneasy. He had spent the whole summer in Alaska, and could -handle a canoe as well as most boys of his age. - -He had been anchored close in under the far bank. To reach his camp he -had to cross the whole width of the river, and return nearly a mile -upstream. - -But he had not taken six strokes before he realized that two strong men -could not have paddled the canoe back against the flood that was now -coming down. The only thing to do was to get across, land anywhere he -could, pull the canoe up, and walk back. - -"Great ghost! but it's strong," he muttered, as, in spite of his -efforts, the bow of the canoe was swung sideways by the weight of the -water. - -He leaned forward, drove the paddle deep in the yellow flood, and, with -all his weight in the stroke, attempted to force her round. - -Crack! The paddle, worn thin with weeks of hard wear, snapped like a -pipestem. Nick was left with a mere foot or so of useless stump. The -blade was gone. - -Instantly the rising flood seized the canoe and sent her flying madly -downstream. Like a feather she danced and spun among the whirling -yellow eddies. - -Recovering from the sudden shock of the accident, Nick made a -desperate effort to steer inshore by using the stump of the paddle. It -was useless. The flood, rising every minute, mocked his best efforts. - -At last, streaming with perspiration, and with his heart beating like -a hammer, he gave it up, and sat grimly quiet and silent. There was -something of the stoicism of the Indian in this son of a San Francisco -millionaire. He had done his best. Now the only thing was to wait and -see what the river would do with him. - -Mile after mile the relentless current bore him flying westward. Soon -he was past all his landmarks, and speeding through country completely -unknown to him. Once or twice the river contracted dangerously between -walls of rock, and the canoe pitched and plunged among foam-tipped -waves. But for the most part the banks were hillsides covered with -primeval forest of fir and hemlock. There was nowhere any sign of man. - -"It'll take me all my time to get back even if I do manage to hit the -bank somewhere," said Nick to himself grimly, as he noted the tangled -thickness of the woods on either hand. - -He was in a tight place; he knew that. What he hoped was that some -freak of the current would drive the canoe near enough to the bank to -catch hold of a branch and so pull himself ashore. - -But this did not happen, and, after his mad flight had lasted for a -full hour, Nick became desperately anxious. In the distance, he could -see that the valley narrowed greatly, and he more than suspected that -he was approaching dangerous rapids. - -He swung round a curve. Yes, he was right. Barely half a mile away the -whole river plunged into a gorge so narrow it looked like a mere crack -in the cliff. The shriek of the tortured waters rang high above the -roar of the flood which bore the canoe onward to its doom. - -Nick was no fool. He knew that in all human possibility his fate was -sealed. No craft that man ever built could hope to pass in safety down -the raging flood that boiled through that rift in the mountain. - -"Rotten luck!" he muttered. "Well, there's one comfort--there's no one -to miss me except old Rube, and I don't remember I ever did any one a -dirty trick in my life." - -Every instant the scream of the rapids grew louder. Nick could see the -mouth of the rift and the yellow waves heaping themselves high against -the black precipices on either hand. - -On flashed the canoe. Every moment her speed increased. She was a bare -one hundred yards from the top of the rapids, when a yell from the -right-hand bank rose high above the thunder of the flood, and Nick, -turning his head, saw a small, slight figure dashing down through the -trees. - -Just above the gate of the rapids half a dozen great bowlders showed -their black heads above the yellow foam. Without a moment's hesitation -the stranger leaped from the bank to the nearest, and so from rock to -rock, till he stood far out near the centre of the raging river. - -Nick watched him with straining eyes. Was there still a bare chance? -No! At that moment an eddy swept the canoe away to the left. With -a groan Nick realized that she would pass far out of reach of his -would-be rescuer. - -The canoe shot like an arrow toward the lip of the fall. Nick waved the -broken stump of his paddle in farewell to the figure on the rocks. - -The latter's right arm whirled up, and, with a sharp hiss, a coil of -rope flashed out and dropped clean and true across the canoe. - -Nick snatched at it with the energy of despair. As it tightened, the -canoe was drawn away from under him, and he, dragged over the stern, -was struggling in the rushing water. - -A minute of gasping, stifling battle among the tumbling, roaring waves. -The strain on the rope was so tremendous that it seemed to Nick that -either it must break or the man who held it must be pulled off his -slippery perch. - -But neither happened, and inch by inch the boy was drawn in, until a -hand grasped him and pulled him, gasping and exhausted, onto the solid -summit of the bowlder. - -"Can you jump?" He heard an anxious voice. "The water's still rising. -It'll be over the rock soon." - -"You bet I can," replied Nick, struggling to his feet and shaking -himself like a dog. - -"Come on, then!" cried the other. And, sure-footed as a goat, he sprang -across six feet of raging torrent to the next rock. Nick set his teeth -and followed, and in another minute was safe ashore beside his rescuer. - -"Mean to say you live here all alone!" exclaimed Nick Salveson in blank -amazement, as he looked round the bare little log hut a little later. - -"Yes, for the last four months, ever since my father left." - -"Did he go down to the coast?" - -"I wish he had. No, he went inland, over the Big Snowies!" - -"Great Scott! What for?" asked Nick bluntly. - -"Gold," replied the other. "I'll tell you about it. My name's -Glenn--Roger Glenn. We came here a year ago prospecting. We heard -there was gold down here, but we didn't do much, and an Indian who was -snowbound here last winter told my father that there was rich placer -ground the other side of the mountains." - -"But no one's ever been across there," objected Nick. "There's no pass." - -"The Indian told us there was. He made a map. Here's a copy of it." - -"So your dad tried it?" said Nick, staring curiously at the rough map. - -"He went the first of June last, and I've not seen or heard of him -since. He said he'd be back in six or eight weeks." - -"Gee, but that's bad," replied Nick sympathetically. "What do you -reckon you are to do?" - -"What can I do?" cried young Glenn bitterly. "I'm mad to go after him, -but I haven't a red cent to grubstake myself or buy a pony or dogs or a -sledge." - -Nick stared in silence at the other for some seconds. Then he said -slowly: - -"Say, Mr. Glenn, that flood may have done us both a good turn. What -d'ye say to taking me along in your trip over the Snowies?" - -Roger stared violently. - -"B-but----" he began. - -"No 'buts' about it. I'm running this outfit. Look here, Roger--I guess -you don't mind my calling you by your first name--I'm pretty well -fixed. My people are dead; they were killed in the earthquake in San -Francisco. I'm my own boss, though I am only eighteen, and I came up to -Alaska this summer to get a holiday before I go to the university next -Christmas. There isn't a thing I'd like better than a trip over the -Snowies, and if we're smart we'll do it and be back before winter hits -us. Are you agreeable?" - -"I don't know how to thank you," said Roger brokenly. - -"Then don't worry to try, old man," replied Nick comfortably. "Just fix -up a mouthful of grub, and give me a bunk. We ought to start before -sun-up to-morrow morning." - - * * * * * - -"Seems to me, Rube, you were a bit out in your reckoning," said Nick as -early one morning, ten days later, he looked out of the tent and found -the landscape white with snow. - -Rube shook his grizzled head. - -"'Tain't that altogether, boss. I reckon we're a matter of four -thousand feet higher than your summer camp. Winter comes here a sight -sooner than down in them river valleys. Howsomever, it ain't deep, and -it'll melt when the sun gets good an' strong." - -All that day the little party of three struggled up a narrow valley -that wound ever upward into the heart of a maze of great snow peaks. -Over and over again tall cliffs loomed up in front, and it seemed as if -they could go no further. But always there appeared some fresh opening, -and bit by bit they won their way upward toward the summit of the range. - -"I reckoned as I knew this here country's well as any," said Rube, -staring thoughtfully up at a tremendous pyramid peak, the snow on which -was gold and crimson in the light of the setting sun. "But this beats -me. 'Tain't on any map as ever I seed." - -"The Indian said no white man had ever crossed it," said Roger. - -"Hed he bin across hisself?" inquired Rube. - -"No. He told dad that none of his tribe had ever been across. And when -dad asked him why, he only shook his head, and said something about its -being the country of two-tailed devils." - -"How did he know of this here pass then?" demanded Rube. - -"The map was given him by his father. It had come down goodness knows -how many generations. He tried awfully hard to persuade dad not to go." - -"They've got a mighty queer lot of legends about these mountains," put -in Nick. "You couldn't pay any Injun I ever saw to put foot on 'em." - -They camped that night in bitter cold and deep snow on the very summit -of the pass. Rube took Nick aside. - -"Say, boss, do you reckon we're ever going to find Roger's dad?" - -Nick shrugged his shoulders. - -"I don't know. Roger says that before he left his father told him he'd -blaze a trail, so as if anything went wrong his son could come along -after. Roger found his father's mark on a tree near the eastern end of -the pass." - -"Seems to me the chances are ez something hez happened to old Glenn," -said Rube thoughtfully. "Chewed by a b'ar, I reckon. Or maybe had a -fall. It's a fool job fer any man to come into country like this by -hisself." - -"I guess I'm going as far as Roger wants," said Nick, "Seeing what he's -done for me, it's about the least I can do for him." - -"You're right, boss," said Rube. "He's a real white, that boy is!" - -"If we don't find his father, I'm going to take him back to the -States," said Nick. "But that's a bit o' news you can keep to yourself -for the present." - -Next morning the sun shone brilliantly on the snow, and, looking down, -the party saw, thousands of feet below them, an unknown country covered -with a forest heavier than any of them had ever seen before. - -"Mighty curious-looking country this," observed Rube doubtfully, as -they slipped and slithered down the steep snow-covered rocks. "I don't -reckon I ever seed woods as thick as them before." - -"What's that queer-looking little plain halfway down?" asked Nick. -"Looks like a clearing of some kind." - -A smile crossed Rube's leathery face. - -"Thet's a pond, boss. It's fruz over, an' the snow's laying thick on -it." - -Further down they came to a place where the only possible track lay -along the bottom of a three-hundred-foot slope, steeper than the roof -of a house and thick in snow, which glared blinding white in the -morning sun. The opposite slope was covered with the amazingly thick -forest which they had seen from above. - -"Go keerful," said Rube. "'Twouldn't take a great deal to start a -snowslide down them rocks." - -"Seems as if something had been falling already," said Roger suddenly. -"Look at these pits in the snow." - -He pointed to a hole in the snow. It was circular and about two feet -deep. - -"Now that's strange," exclaimed Nick. "There's a whole row of 'em." - -Rube looked at the queer marks, grunted, and shook his head. He hadn't -a notion what they were, but did not like to betray his ignorance to -the boys. - -"Reckon best not talk," he growled. "Don't take much to start snow -a-sliding." - -For the next half mile no one spoke. Twice more Roger noticed a series -of the same queer marks in the snow. Also in two places there seemed to -be regular roads beaten back into the thick underbrush of the snowclad -forest on their right. He did not pay much attention. His eyes were -fixed on the tree trunks. - -Suddenly he gave a shout. - -"Dad's mark!" he cried, pointing to a blaze on a big trunk by the path. - -The words were hardly out of his mouth before there came a deep -crashing sound from somewhere behind. - -"Yew've done it now!" cried Rube. "That's the snow!" - -"Not a bit of it," retorted Nick. "It's coming from the wood." - -"Blamed if you ain't right!" exclaimed Rube. "Thet beats all. I never -heerd a snowslide come down through a wood afore." - -"It's not snow; it's something alive!" shouted Roger. "For heaven's -sake, look there!" - -Rooted to the ground with sheer amazement, the three saw the forest -wave as if it were grass, heard the crashing of great boughs and trunks -breaking like nettles under a boy's stick. - -There came a scream like the escape of steam from an express engine, -and then there burst out from the forest a beast so huge and hideous -that those who saw it stood gasping, unable to believe their eyes. - -As large as a four-roomed cottage, in shape it resembled an elephant. -It was covered all over with a thatch of coarse, reddish hair, and high -above its monstrous head it waved a trunk of incredible size. On each -side of this trunk curled vast tusks, and its small, bloodshot eyes -glowed with bestial fury. - -Again came that awful trumpeting. Instantly both the pack ponies were -off at a mad gallop. - -"Run!" shrieked Rube. - -The warning was needless. Nick and Roger were off as hard as their -shaking legs could carry them, and behind them came the monster at a -shambling gallop, which, in spite of the snow, covered the ground at -terrific speed. - -Again he trumpeted, and one of the pack ponies, mad with fright, tried -to wheel sideways into the wood. The poor brute slipped and fell, -rolling over and over. Before it could regain its feet the monster was -upon it, and, lifting pony, pack, and all, bodily in its trunk, flung -it against the cliffside with such frightful force as must have broken -every bone in its body. - -The momentary delay gave the others a few yards' start; but almost -instantly the gigantic brute was on their track again, and the solid -ground shook beneath its ponderous weight as it thundered down the -slope. - -It could not last. The monster was gaining at every stride. Already -Roger felt his breath failing. There was no cover; in fact, the pass -was opening out wider and wider as they went. - -"Try the trees!" shrieked Nick to Roger. - -"No," came a gasp from Rube. "The lake! That's our only chance!" - -They were close by the side of the little frozen lake, and the boys saw -Rube wheel and dash down the steep bank. - -It seemed madness, for on the open ice they were at the mad brute's -mercy. Roger was for going straight on, but Nick seized his arm and -swung him to the left and onto the lake. - -Another of those ear-piercing squeals. Roger, glancing back over his -shoulder, saw the gigantic bulk of their enemy come plunging down the -sharp descent toward the ice. It rushed straight toward him as though -certain of its prey. - -Then came a rending crack, and the whole surface of the ice rose and -fell beneath the feet of the fugitives. A crash like the explosion of -a shell, a terrific bellow, and a wave of icy water rushed across the -frozen snow. - -"That's done it!" came an exulting yell from Rube; and, swinging round, -the boys were just in time to see the domelike head of their terrible -enemy sink amid a lather of broken ice and foam. - -For another second or two that terrible trunk waved high in the air, as -the huge beast fought for its ancient life in the hole its ponderous -bulk had broken. Then this, too, vanished. The last of the mammoths had -sunk into the depths. - -While the three stood in awe-stricken silence, watching the black water -heave and bubble, there came a loud shout from the woods at the far end -of the lake. A burly man in furs stood waving a rifle. - -With a shriek of joy Roger tore away across the ice toward him. - -"Reckon that's his pa," observed Rube. - -"Guess so," agreed Nick. "We might as well go and see." - -"Dad!" cried Roger, as Rube and Nick came up. "If it hadn't been for -these good friends I could never have come to look for you." - -"Then," said the man in furs with a grave smile, "I'm afraid I should -have been hung up here for the term of my natural life." - -"What--did that old hairy elephant chase yer?" exclaimed Rube. - -"He did, and I got away by the skin of my teeth by climbing a cliff," -replied Mr. Glenn. "I've been living up in the hills ever since. Time -and again I've tried to find another way out, but there isn't one, and -for the life of me I didn't dare risk conclusions a second time with -the mammoth." - -"I reckon he won't trouble us no more," said Rube dryly. "Say, though, -I'd like to have had them tusks. They'd be worth a mint o' money in the -States." - -"They'd be awkward to carry," smiled Mr. Glenn. "They'd weigh about a -quarter of a ton apiece. What do you suppose they'd be worth?" - -"A thousand dollars, I reckon," said Rube. Such a sum represented -wealth untold to the old trapper. - -Mr. Glenn put a hand in his coat pocket, and pulled out a lump of dull -yellow metal as big as his fist. - -"This isn't worth quite that much," he said quietly, as he handed it to -Rube. "But I'd be glad if you'd take it as a sort of consolation prize." - -"Great gosh! It's a twenty-ounce nugget!" gasped Rube. - -"Yes, and plenty more where that came from," said the prospector. - -He turned to his son. - -"Roger, I've made the strike of a lifetime. Now to get back to Dawson -before the snow comes." - - - - -WATCH THE SKY. - - -The different colors of the sky are caused by certain rays of light -being more or less strongly reflected or absorbed, according to -the amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere. Such colors -do, therefore, portend to some extent the kind of weather that may -naturally be expected to follow. For instance, a red sunset indicates -a fine day to follow, because the air when dry refracts more red or -heat-making rays, and as dry air is not perfectly transparent, they are -again reflected in the horizon. A coppery or yellowish sunset generally -foretells rain. The following has been advocated as a fairly successful -way of prognosticating: Fix your eye on the smallest cloud you can -see: if it decreases and disappears, the weather will be good; if it -increases in size, rain may be looked for. - - - - -LATEST ISSUES - - -BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY - -All kinds of stories that boys like. The biggest and best nickel's -worth ever offered. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 331--Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By Cornelius - Shea. - - 332--In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan Deering. By - Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 333--A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe. - - 334--A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon J. Cobb. - - 335--Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. By Frank - Sheridan. - - 336--Archie Atwood, Champion; or, An All-around Athlete's Career. By - Cornelius Shea. - - 337--Dick Stanhope Afloat; or, The Eventful Cruise of the _Elsinore_. - By Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 338--Working His Way Upward; or, From Footlights to Riches. By Fred - Thorpe. - - 339--The Fourteenth Boy; or, How Vin Lovell Won Out. By Weldon J. - Cobb. - - 340--Among the Nomads; or, Life in the Open. By the author of - "Through Air to Fame." - - 341--Bob, the Acrobat; or, Hustle and Win Out. By Harrie Irving - Hancock. - - 342--Through the Earth; or, Jack Nelson's Invention. By Fred Thorpe. - - 343--The Boy Chief; or, Comrades of Camp and Trail. By John De Morgan. - - -MOTOR STORIES - -The latest and best five-cent weekly. We won't say how interesting it -is. See for yourself. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the _Hawk_. - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the _Grampus_. - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - - -TIP TOP WEEKLY - -The most popular publication for boys. The adventures of Frank and Dick -Merriwell can be had only in this weekly. =High art colored covers. -Thirty-two pages. Price, 5 cents.= - - 681--Frank Merriwell's Patience; or, The Making of a Pitcher. - - 682--Frank Merriwell's Pupil; or, The Boy with the Wizard Wing. - - 683--Frank Merriwell's Fighters; or, The Decisive Battle with - Blackstone. - - 684--Dick Merriwell at the "Meet"; or, Honors Worth Winning. - - 685--Dick Merriwell's Protest; or, The Man Who Would Not Play Clean. - - 686--Dick Merriwell In The Marathon; or, The Sensation of the Great - Run. - - 687--Dick Merriwell's Colors; or, All For the Blue. - - 688--Dick Merriwell, Driver; or, The Race for the Daremore Cup. - - 689--Dick Merriwell on the Deep; or, The Cruise of the _Yale_. - - 690--Dick Merriwell in the North Woods; or, The Timber Thieves of the - Floodwood. - - 691--Dick Merriwell's Dandies; or, A Surprise for the Cowboy Nine. - - 692--Dick Merriwell's "Skyscooter"; or, Professor Pagan and the - "Princess." - - 693--Dick Merriwell in the Elk Mountains; or, The Search for "Dead - Injun" Mine. - - -_For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by_ - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York - - -=IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS= of our Weeklies and cannot procure them -from your newsdealer, they can be obtained from this office direct. -Fill out the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price -of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. -=POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.= - - - ________________________ _190_ - - _STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City._ - - _Dear Sirs: Enclosed please find_ ___________________________ - _cents for which send me_: - - TIP TOP WEEKLY, Nos. ________________________________ - - NICK CARTER WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - BUFFALO BILL STORIES, " ________________________________ - - BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - MOTOR STORIES, " ________________________________ - - _Name_ ________________ _Street_ ________________ - - _City_ ________________ _State_ ________________ - - - - -A GREAT SUCCESS!! - -MOTOR STORIES - - -Every boy who reads one of the splendid adventures of Motor Matt, which -are making their appearance in this weekly, is at once surprised and -delighted. Surprised at the generous quantity of reading matter that we -are giving for five cents; delighted with the fascinating interest of -the stories, second only to those published in the Tip Top Weekly. - -Matt has positive mechanical genius, and while his adventures are -unusual, they are, however, drawn so true to life that the reader can -clearly see how it is possible for the ordinary boy to experience them. - - -_HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY AND THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED_: - - 1--Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel. - - 2--Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends. - - 3--Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier. - - 4--Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet." - - 5--Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot. - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk." - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus." - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - -To be Published on July 12th. - - 21--Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need. - -To be Published on July 19th. - - 22--Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the Right. - -To be Published on July 26th. - - 23--Motor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That Wins. - -To be Published on August 2nd. - - 24--Motor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame and Fortune. - - -PRICE, FIVE CENTS - -At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt -of the price. - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - - -Added table of contents. - -Bold text is represented with =equal signs=, italics with _underscores_. - -Page 1, Added comma after "Joe McGlory" in list of "Characters that -appear in this story." - -Page 10, restored missing period to last sentence of chapter VI. - -Page 29, corrected "Rufe" to "Rube" ("miss me except old Rube"). - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, -1909, by Stanley R. 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Matthews. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - -.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - -.br {border-right: solid 2px;} - -.bbox {border: solid 2px;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } -img { border: 0; } -.huge { font-size: 200%; } -.large { font-size: 150%; } -.medium { font-size: 125%; } -.small { font-size: 75%; } -.chaptitle { text-align: center; } -.sig { text-align: right; margin-right: 1.5em; } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, 1909, by -Stanley R. Matthews - -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: Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, 1909 - or, A Struggle For The Right - -Author: Stanley R. Matthews - -Release Date: January 16, 2016 [EBook #50941] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Demian Katz and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/coverlarge.jpg"><img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="573" title="" alt="A hoarse laugh echoed in -Motor Matt's ears as the -burning launch leaped -away through the thick -shadows." /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h1>MOTOR STORIES</h1> - -<table summary="scaffold"> -<tr> -<td style="width: 50%; padding-right: 1.5em;" class="tdr"> -THRILLING<br /> -ADVENTURE -</td> -<td style="width: 50%; padding-left: 1.5em;" class="tdl"> -MOTOR<br /> -FICTION -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="bb bt tdl"> -NO. 22<br /> -JULY 24, 1909. -</td> -<td class="bb bt tdr"> -FIVE<br /> -CENTS -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl large"> -MOTOR MATT'S<br /> -ENEMIES -</td><td class="tdr large"> -<span class="smcap">or</span> A STRUGGLE<br /> -FOR THE RIGHT -</td> -</tr><tr> -<td colspan="2" class="tdc"> -<span class="smcap"><i>BY The Author<br /> -of "MOTOR MATT"</i></span> -</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2"> -<i>STREET & SMITH<br /> -PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</i> -</td> -</tr></table> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> -</table> - -<p><i>Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, -Washington, D. C., by</i> <span class="smcap">Street & Smith</span>, <i>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York, N. Y.</i></p> - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bb bt"> -<tr><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdl">No. 22.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdc">NEW YORK, July 24, 1909.</td><td style="width: 33%;" class="tdr">Price Five Cents.</td></tr> -</table> - -<p class="center huge">MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES;</p> - -<p class="center">OR,</p> - -<p class="center large">A STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="center">By the author of "MOTOR MATT."</p> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - -<p class="center"> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. INTO A NOOSE—AND OUT OF IT AGAIN.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. GEORGE'S SISTER.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. THE "JUMP SPARK."</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. "PICKEREL PETE."</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. SETTING A SNARE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. ENEMIES TO BE FEARED.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. CHUMS TO THE RESCUE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. HOW FATE THREW THE DICE.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. A DASH FOR THE OPEN.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. THE POWER BOAT—MINUS THE POWER.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. A RECONCILIATION.</a><br /> -<a href="#THE_GUARDIAN_OF_THE_PASS">THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS.</a><br /> -<a href="#WATCH_THE_SKY">WATCH THE SKY.</a><br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="bbox"> -<h2><a name="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY" id="CHARACTERS_THAT_APPEAR_IN_THIS_STORY">CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY.</a></h2> - - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>Matt King</b>, otherwise Motor Matt.</p> - -<p><b>Joe McGlory</b>, a young cowboy who proves himself a lad of worth -and character, and whose eccentricities are all on the humorous -side. A good chum to tie to—a point Motor Matt is quick to -perceive.</p> - -<p><b>George Lorry</b>, a lad who has begun steering a wrong course, and in -whom Matt recognizes a victim of circumstances rather than a -youth who is innately conceited, domineering and unscrupulous.</p> - -<p><b>Lorry, Sr.</b>, George's father; a rich man whose attitude toward -Motor Matt, in part of the story, is as incomprehensible as it is -uncalled-for.</p> - -<p><b>Big John</b>, an unscrupulous person who takes his dishonest toll -wherever he can find it; but, in crossing Motor Matt's course, -he meets with rather more than he has bargained for.</p> - -<p><b>Kinky</b>, a pal of Big John.</p> - -<p><b>Ross</b>, another pal of Big John; a desperate man with a grievance -against Motor Matt.</p> - -<p><b>Ollie Merton</b>, a rich man's son with many failings, but rather deeper -than he appears.</p> - -<p><b>Pickerel Pete</b>, a superstitious little moke who collects two dollars -from Motor Matt for a day's work and abruptly resigns.</p></blockquote> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE.</p> - - -<p>"Do you know what you're doing, John?"</p> - -<p>"If I didn't, Ollie, I wouldn't be doing it. I'm not -one of these fellows who take a jump in the dark and -trust to luck."</p> - -<p>"Then it's about time you put me wise. I've been -taking jumps in the dark ever since you showed up in -Madison yesterday."</p> - -<p>The man with the closely cropped red hair, the smooth -face, and the mole on his cheek laughed softly.</p> - -<p>"Back the car off the road and into the bushes," said -he, "then we'll sit where we can look around the bend -toward Waunakee and I'll tell you all you want to -know."</p> - -<p>The young fellow with black hair and a sinister face -threw in the reverse and backed the big automobile off -the road and into the undergrowth. When he stopped -the car it was all but screened from sight. Jumping -down, he walked out to where the man was standing in -the highway thoughtfully smoking a big, black cigar.</p> - -<p>Pulling a silver cigarette case from his pocket, Ollie -helped himself to a highly ornamental brand of Turkish -poison, each little cylinder cork-tipped and marked in -gilt with his monogram.</p> - -<p>Big John looked at him with frank disapproval as he -took a silver matchbox from his vest and fired the imported -"paper pipe."</p> - -<p>"You're the silver-plated boy, all right," muttered -Big John.</p> - -<p>"Sterling, you big duffer," grinned Ollie. "Nothing -plated about me."</p> - -<p>"The dope they roll up in that rice paper and hand -you with your cute little monogram is plate, all right—coffin -plate——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, splash!" sneered Ollie. "You're a nice one to -lecture a fellow, I must say. Cut it out, John, and tell -me what we're here for."</p> - -<p>Big John shook his red head forebodingly and moved -off toward the bend of the wooded road. Here he sat -down just within a fringe of brush, in such a position -that he had a good view of the straightaway stretch -toward Waunakee, and Ollie pushed in beside him.</p> - -<p>"You know George Lorry, all right, eh, Ollie?" Big -John observed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<p>A flush crossed Ollie's sinister face.</p> - -<p>"You bet I know him!" said he. "The fellows used -to call him 'Sis,' because he was so nice and ladylike. -But I've known for a long time there was good stuff in -George, and that he'd be a first-rate chap if some one -would only cut him adrift from his mother's apron -strings. I got him started right," and a very complacent -look drifted over Ollie's dark features. "He can smoke -cigareets as well as the next one, now, and play as -good a game of cards as any fellow in our set. He's -got <i>me</i> to thank for that."</p> - -<p>Big John stared at Ollie, and once more shook his -head.</p> - -<p>"What fools you kids can make of yourselves!" he -grunted. "You're the one that started young Lorry, -eh?"</p> - -<p>"He was a sissy," asserted Ollie, "and I was making a -man of him. George's folks never treated him right. -Old Lorry has got as much money as my governor, but -he's a tightwad, all right, and put the screws on George's -allowance in a way that was scandalous. George bought -a five-thousand-dollar motor launch, and had it sent on -here from Bay City, C. O. D., and his skinflint father -wouldn't foot the bill and the launch had to go back." -Ollie fired up to a white heat. "What sort of a way was -that for a man to treat his only son?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"Awful!" commented Big John sarcastically.</p> - -<p>"George told me how he was treated," went on Ollie, -failing to observe the sarcasm in Big John's voice, "and -I advised him to break away and show the old folks that -he wasn't going to let 'em tramp on him. He joined our -club and got to be one of the best card players we have."</p> - -<p>"Beautiful!" expanded Big John. "I suppose his -folks were all cut up about that, eh?"</p> - -<p>"I guess they were, only old Lorry took the wrong -way of showing it. What do you think he did?" flared -Ollie.</p> - -<p>"I'm by. What did he do?"</p> - -<p>"Why, he made arrangements to send George to one -of these military academies, that's nothing more or less -than a reform school. George came to me and told me -about it, and asked what he ought to do."</p> - -<p>"And what did you tell him?"</p> - -<p>"I told him to skip, and to take with him all the money -of his father's that he could get his hands on. Old Lorry -is a brute, and I didn't make any bones of telling George -what I thought."</p> - -<p>"And George skipped, taking ten thousand dollars -from his father's safe," said Big John. "He went to -Chicago first, then bought a ticket to 'Frisco. When -he got there he had made friends with three men, and -one of those men was me. I'm a villain, Ollie, and ought -to be a horrible example to every young fellow who's got -sense enough to know right from wrong, and the minute -I learned Lorry had ten thousand dollars I planned -with my two pals, Kinky and Ross, to get it. We'd have -got away with it, too, on a boat to the Sandwich Islands, -where I could have bought a pineapple plantation and, -mebby, have lived honest for the rest of my life, but -something happened."</p> - -<p>Big John looked through the bushes, out along the -road, and scowled blackly.</p> - -<p>"What happened?" demanded Ollie.</p> - -<p>"A chap named Joe McGlory——"</p> - -<p>"I've heard of <i>him</i>," interrupted Ollie. "He's a cousin -of George's, and lives in Arizona. A cowboy and a -rowdy—nothing refined or genteel in his make up. Go -on."</p> - -<p>"Well, McGlory got a message from young Lorry's -father asking him to go to 'Frisco and hunt for George. -McGlory went, but he'd never have found George in a -thousand years if it hadn't been for some one else who -butted into the game."</p> - -<p>Big John scowled again, this time more fiercely than -he had done before.</p> - -<p>"Who was it?" queried Ollie.</p> - -<p>"Hold your horses a minute," proceeded Big John. -"McGlory and this other fellow took after Kinky, Ross, -and me, and dropped on us like a thousand of brick. -My, oh, my! Say, that other lad was the clear quill, all -right. I've seen a good many likely younkers, but never -one to match him. I guess you'd call him a 'sissy,' seeing -as how he don't smoke, or drink, or gamble, but just -trains his muscle to keep in form and cultivates his brain -along the line of motors, gasoline motors. And muscle! -Son, that fellow's got a 'right' any man would be proud -to own, and what he don't know about chug-engines nobody -knows."</p> - -<p>Ollie's upper lip curled.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe in paragons," said he. "But what has -all this got to do with our being here?"</p> - -<p>"I'm getting to that. With this young fellow's help, -McGlory got the ten thousand away from us; not only -that, but we had to get out of 'Frisco on the jump to -keep the law from layin' hold of us. But Big John -wasn't throwing his hands in the air, not as anybody -knows of. I knew what would happen. Young Lorry -would have to be brought back to Madison, and this -motor boy would have to help McGlory bring him back. -Also, the ten thousand dollars would be brought back—and -I was still yearnin' for that money and the pineapple -plantation. I had Ross dodge back to 'Frisco and -watch. When McGlory and the other chap took the cars -with Lorry, Ross was on the same train, but he had -changed himself so no one would have known him. -Ross is good at that sort of thing, and that's the reason -I made him do the shadowin'. Kinky and me hurried -right on to Madison, where I called on you and reminded -you of the way I'd once given you a tip on a hoss race -in New York and helped you win a thousand. You remembered -old times"—Big John grinned widely—"and -you wasn't leery of me."</p> - -<p>"I always liked you, Big John," averred the misguided -youth, "because you're so free and easy."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," was the dry response. "Well, to proceed," -he went on, "Ross dropped in on Kinky and me, last -night, and said that young Lorry and t'other two hadn't -come to Madison, but had got off the train at Waunakee -and had gone to a little cabin on the bank of a creek that -empties into the Catfish. Ross hung around the cabin, -listenin', until he found out that one of the outfit was to -walk into Madison, this morning, to have a talk with -Mr. Lorry. I don't know what the talk's to be about, -but this motor boy must have something up his sleeve." -Big John gave an ill-omened grin. "As near as I can -find out from Ross," he continued, "this chug-engine -chap thinks he can make a man out o' Lorry—but he's -going about it a little different from what you did, Ollie. -Now, I don't care a whoop about anything but that -money, and I rather believe I've fixed things so the -motor boy won't have easy sailin' with Mr. Lorry. But -that's neither here nor there. I got you to bring me out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -here in your benzine buggy, this mornin', so I could lay -for the chap that goes into town and take the ten thousand. -After I get it, you're to take me to Dane, or Lodi, -or Barraboo, and leave me there. That'll settle the debt -you owe me on account of the tip I gave you on that -hoss race, see? Are you willin'?"</p> - -<p>The sinister face of the youth glowed with a fierce -light.</p> - -<p>"I'm willing to help you get away, Big John," he answered, -"and I'm even willing to help you get the money. -This motor boy you speak about is trying to undermine -my influence with George, and, by Jupiter, I won't have -it. I know what's the best thing for George."</p> - -<p>"We won't talk about that part of it," said Big John, -who was a strange mixture of right principles and evil -actions, "because I might say something you wouldn't -like. As I was saying, I've got my heart set on an honest -life and a pineapple plantation, and ten thousand ain't -any more to Lorry, the millionaire, than ten cents is to -me. I'm going to get that money—and here's where I -turn the trick. You can go farther back into the bushes -and watch, for I don't need your help."</p> - -<p>Unbuttoning his coat, Big John began unwrapping -coil after coil of light rope from around his waist. When -he was through he had a thirty-foot riata in his left hand -and was holding the noose in his right.</p> - -<p>Ollie, who had never been the confederate of a man -before in such a rascally piece of work, stared with wide -eyes at Big John; then, before pushing farther back into -the brush, he turned his eyes down the wooded road.</p> - -<p>A young fellow, lithely built, and with the grace and -freedom of movement that marks the perfect athlete, was -swinging toward the bend from the direction of Waunakee.</p> - -<p>"Is that McGlory?" asked Ollie in a whisper.</p> - -<p>"Nary it ain't McGlory," replied Big John, with a -snap of the jaws. "It's Matt King, otherwise Motor -Matt, and here's where he gets what's comin' for meddlin' -in affairs that's none of his business. Get back, I -tell you, and give me a free hand."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">INTO A NOOSE—AND OUT OF IT AGAIN.</p> - - -<p>Motor Matt, swinging along the road toward Madison, -that morning, was particularly light-hearted. He and -his new chum, Joe McGlory, had accomplished something -worth while; and whenever a young fellow does -that he is pretty sure to be on good terms with himself.</p> - -<p>The long railroad journey from San Francisco to a -point within a few miles of Madison had been safely accomplished. -Young Lorry had not been a willing traveler, -at first, but Matt had gradually won him over by -suggesting a plan which carried an appeal to Lorry's -heart. This plan had to do with the three boys leaving -the train at Waunakee, taking to the little cabin in the -woods, and then Lorry and McGlory staying there while -Matt went on to the city for a talk with the elder Lorry -and to deliver the ten thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>Motor Matt and McGlory had had some exciting experiences -with Big John and his two pals, Kinky and -Ross, but those experiences had been passed through -safely, and the end of the journey, if not of Matt's work, -was in sight.</p> - -<p>Matt had faith to believe that there was "good stuff" -in George Lorry. The boy had fled from Madison, and -had committed a dishonest act before doing so. Having -far and away too much pride for his own good, the -thought of being brought back, virtually under guard -and in disgrace, was more than he could bear. Matt -had tried to think of a plan for giving Lorry's return -a different look—hence the reason for McGlory and -Lorry remaining in the cabin while Matt went on to the -city.</p> - -<p>The morning was fresh, the sun was bright, and the -clear weather seemed a good augury for what lay before. -Matt always made it a point to look on the bright side -of things, anyway.</p> - -<p>Ahead of him lay a bend in the road. When he -rounded the bend he felt sure that he would be able to -catch a glimpse of the white dome of the capitol, and -from that point onward he would not be long in covering -the ground.</p> - -<p>He halted abruptly just before he got to the bend. -The peculiar corrugated marks of automobile tires lay -under his eyes in the dust of the road. It wasn't so -much the marks themselves that claimed his attention as -the strange way they curved from the roadside and entered -the brush. Why should an automobile be taking -to the woods in that unaccountable fashion?</p> - -<p>From ahead of him, around the bend, he heard a car. -The car was on the move, plainly enough, but the motor -was in distress, pounding badly; not only that, but there -was a smell of fried engine in the air, as though some -reckless driver were burning up his transmission.</p> - -<p>Was the car Matt heard the one that had left its -tracks there by the roadside? He presumed that this -must be the case; so, instead of investigating the bushes, -he started to run around the bend. If he could help the -injured car, then perhaps the driver might give him a lift -the rest of the way into town.</p> - -<p>As he started on, after a moment's pause, a sinuous, -snakelike thing leaped noiselessly from the bushes behind -him, unwound itself in the air, and a loop fell over -his head and dropped on his shoulders.</p> - -<p>Motor Matt jumped as though he had been touched -with a live wire. He half turned and lifted his hands -to remove the coil, but it tightened before he could free -himself, and a rough jerk from behind landed him on -his back in the dust.</p> - -<p>Matt had not been expecting such lawlessness on that -peaceable country road. Who was back of it, and what -was the purpose?</p> - -<p>To escape, half-strangled as he was and with enemies -bearing down on him, was out of the question—at that -moment. The lad's resourcefulness suggested a trick, -whereby he hoped to gain time and discover a chance for -escape.</p> - -<p>Although the fall backward had not injured him in the -least, yet he gave a groan, tried to lift himself, and then -fell back and lay still and silent.</p> - -<p>In his ears the pounding of the motor around the bend -continued to echo, but, from the noise, he could not discover -that the car was coming in his direction. A quick -tramp of feet and a rustle of bushes were heard, and two -figures bounded to his side. One of the figures was that -of a man, and the other of a well-dressed, dissipated-looking -youth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>Matt, peering from half-closed eyes, could scarcely restrain -an exclamation at sight of the man. When he -had seen the man last, in San Francisco Bay, he had -worn a red beard. Although the beard was gone, Matt -recognized the scoundrel instantly—and the mole served -to make his identification complete.</p> - -<p>"Confound it, John!" grumbled the youth, "<i>now</i> what -have you done? If he's badly hurt——"</p> - -<p>Big John laughed.</p> - -<p>"Hurt! Motor Matt badly hurt by a little drop like -that! Why, he's tougher'n whalebone and you couldn't -damage him with a sledge hammer. He's just stunned -and strangled, that's all. A good thing for me, too, because -he'll never know who roped him and we can get -away before he comes to himself. Pull out that noose -so he can breathe, Ollie. I'll get what I want out of the -younker's pocket and——"</p> - -<p>"There's another machine!" Ollie muttered, staring -toward the bend as he was about to stoop over Matt -and release the noose.</p> - -<p>"Just heard it?" answered Big John. "Well, don't -let it worry you. I've heard it for some time, and it's -coming into this road from a branch and is bound for -town. Look sharp, now, for we've got to hustle."</p> - -<p>While Ollie, with trembling fingers, pulled out the loop -and drew it over Matt's head, Big John went down on -one knee to search his pockets.</p> - -<p>Matt knew, then, what Big John was after. The rascal -was foolish enough to think Matt was carrying Lorry's -money in cash. This was not the case, for Matt -and McGlory had bought a draft in San Francisco. -Matt, however, did not intend to lose even the draft.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, and most unexpectedly, he became very -much alive. With a quick move he hoisted himself upward, -catching Ollie by the shoulders and hurling him, -with terrific force, against Big John.</p> - -<p>Both the youth and the man were caught at a disadvantage. -Ollie gave a startled cry as he carromed -against Big John, and the latter, as he staggered back, -said something more forcible than polite.</p> - -<p>As for Matt, if he had any comments to make, he preferred -to send them by mail. Without hesitating an instant, -he took to his heels and tore around the bend.</p> - -<p>He could see the dome of the capitol, far off and embowered -by trees, but he was thinking more, at that moment, -of the other car than he was of the capitol.</p> - -<p>A hundred yards ahead was another road, coming -from the timber into the one he was following. The moment -Matt raced around the bend a swagger little runabout -was jumping from one road into the other.</p> - -<p>The car was not <i>headed</i> toward Madison, although it -was proceeding in that direction. It was on the reverse -gear, and a young woman in the driver's seat was craning -her head around in order to see the way and do the -guiding.</p> - -<p>There was only the young woman in the car, and Matt, -in spite of his dangerous situation, felt a distinct sense -of disappointment. He had been hoping to meet a man, -in that emergency, and now to meet a young woman——</p> - -<p>But he had no time to waste in vain regrets. A look -over his shoulder showed him Big John hurrying after -him at top speed.</p> - -<p>Matt knew that Big John was one of those lawless -persons who carry weapons in their hip pockets, and, although -Matt's legs could outdistance Big John's, the -young motorist would hardly be able to keep ahead of a -bullet.</p> - -<p>But Big John held his hand and determined to trust -to his sprinting ability. To use a revolver would, perhaps, -have carried the matter farther than he wanted to -see it go.</p> - -<p>Besides, Ollie was cranking up the big car and making -ready to bring it along in pursuit.</p> - -<p>The smell of sizzling engine became stronger as Matt -drew closer to the runabout. The girl, with a very white -face, had turned in her seat and was staring toward -Matt with startled eyes. At the same moment she had -brought the car to a stop.</p> - -<p>Big John, on seeing Matt draw abreast of the runabout, -halted and looked around for Ollie and the touring -car.</p> - -<p>"Will you give me a ride into Madison?" Matt asked -of the girl, as respectfully as he could in the circumstances.</p> - -<p>"What's—what's the matter?" asked the girl.</p> - -<p>"That fellow, back there, tried to rob me. I don't -think he will follow me far, on a public highway in broad -daylight—if you will let me ride in the runabout."</p> - -<p>"But the bearings are chewed up!" cried the girl; "I'm -going home on the reverse."</p> - -<p>"Take the other seat, please," said Matt. "I know -something about motors, and perhaps I can handle the -car so as to get more speed out of it with less rack on the -engine."</p> - -<p>Without a word the girl changed to the other seat and -Matt leaped into the car beside her.</p> - -<p>The next moment he had advanced the spark, thrown -in the high-speed clutch, and they were shooting down a -long slope.</p> - -<p>Matt's eyes were behind, and the girl's in front of her.</p> - -<p>"Oh, hurry, hurry!" she cried, in a frightened voice. -"They've got a big touring car, and I don't think anything -can keep them from overtaking us!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">GEORGE'S SISTER.</p> - - -<p>Matt threw a look over his shoulder. Big John was -just making a flying leap to the running board of a large -car. He fell aboard in a huddle, colliding with the dash -and striking violently against his young companion, who -was at the steering wheel.</p> - -<p>Matt was not able to look longer. By doing wonders -with the spark and the steering wheel, and by ignoring -the bubbling in the radiator and the pounding of the engine, -he nursed the runabout along at a good rate of -speed. A low hill was before them, and it came near -killing the car, but when they had reached the crest and -were ready for the descent on the other side, an exclamation -from the girl drew his attention.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" he asked. "Is that other car close upon -us?"</p> - -<p>"Something has gone wrong with the other automobile," -was the answer. "When that man jumped aboard -he must have injured something."</p> - -<p>Matt looked around again. Big John and his companion -were on the ground, looking over their car and -trying to locate the trouble.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<p>Matt laughed.</p> - -<p>"It's a good thing for those fellows that the car went -wrong," said he. "In their excitement they might have -done something that would have got them both into -trouble. We'll go on for a little way and then I'll have -a look at the runabout and see if I can't fix it up so we -can run headfirst, like every respectable automobile ought -to run."</p> - -<p>They coasted down the hill, and the tired and much -abused motor must have appreciated the rest.</p> - -<p>"Is this your car?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the reply. "I don't think you can fix it, -for I've stripped the gear."</p> - -<p>"I'll look at it, anyway, if you don't mind, just as soon -as we get to the bottom of this slope. I've had a lot of -experience with motors."</p> - -<p>"You say that man tried to rob you?" queried the girl.</p> - -<p>"That's the way it looked to me, but it seemed like -an audacious thing to attempt so near a big city like -Madison. You see, I was walking into town, and back -there at the bend in the road some one threw a rope and -I got tangled in the noose and thrown off my feet. I -managed to get away, though, and the man took after -me. If it hadn't been for you, that other car might have -overhauled me. I'm much obliged to you, miss."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad I was able to help you," was the quiet reply. -"As you say, it is strange any one should try to -commit a robbery, in broad daylight, so close to the city. -And on a public highway, too!"</p> - -<p>By then they were at the foot of the slope and Matt -brought the car to a halt. Here he got out and turned -to the girl.</p> - -<p>"If you'll jump down for a minute," said he, "I'll give -that transmission a sizing and see if I can do anything -with it."</p> - -<p>"But won't the other car come?" she demurred.</p> - -<p>"Those fellows will think better of it. If they hadn't -been excited they wouldn't have tried to chase me. -They've had time to cool off, now, and to think better of -what they're doing."</p> - -<p>Matt helped the girl down, and, for the first time, -saw that she was very young and very pretty. There was -a familiar cast to her features, somehow, which aroused -his wonder. Was it possible that he had ever met her -before?</p> - -<p>Without trying very hard to answer this mental question, -he stripped off the transmission cover and thrust a -hand inside.</p> - -<p>The metal band encircling the low-gear drum had -sustained a fracture. It was made of bronze, and had -been slotted for convenience in lubricating, and the break -was through two of the slots.</p> - -<p>"The low gear is chewed up," he remarked to the girl, -"and that part of the machine is permanently retired. I -guess we'll have to go into Madison on the reverse, and -it will be well to go slow so as not to overheat the engine. -We can take care of that, all right, if we stop occasionally -to cool off. How far are we from town, by the -way?"</p> - -<p>"Not more than two miles from Sherman Avenue and -Lake Mendota."</p> - -<p>"We'll get over that quick enough. You don't mind -my riding with you?"</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to have you," was the smiling reply. "You'll -save me from twisting my head off and doing all the -work."</p> - -<p>Matt, with his gray, earnest eyes and fine face, was a -well-favored lad, and it is not to be wondered at if the -girl was impressed.</p> - -<p>"Are you a stranger in this part of the country?" the -girl inquired, when they were once more in their seats -and backing away in the direction of town.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied. "Never been in these parts before."</p> - -<p>"You were walking into town, you say?"</p> - -<p>The girl eyed his neat, trim figure with a certain -amount of surprise.</p> - -<p>"I was," he answered, with a laugh, "but please don't -think I'm a tramp. I've a draft for ten thousand dollars -in my pocket—and tramps are not usually as well -fixed as that. The fellow who roped me must have -known about that ten thousand, and perhaps he was foolish -enough to think that I had it in cash."</p> - -<p>"Ten thousand dollars!" murmured the girl. "That's -a lot of money."</p> - -<p>Evidently it was not such a vast sum—to her. That -swagger little car, as Matt figured it, was given to her -for her very own, and she was wearing the latest thing -in automobile coats, hats, and gauntlets. The dust coat -had become parted at the throat and revealed a fraternity -pin set with a big diamond.</p> - -<p>"After I take your car to the garage," said Matt, -"perhaps you could tell me where I can find Mr. Daniel -Lorry?"</p> - -<p>The girl started.</p> - -<p>"Why," she exclaimed, "if we get to the garage about -noon you will find dad in the house in the same yard. -He's my father. I'm Ethel Lorry."</p> - -<p>"Great spark-plugs!" exclaimed Matt. "I guess this -is my lucky day, after all. You're George's sister, are -you?"</p> - -<p>A cry escaped the girl, and she reached out to drop a -convulsive hand on Matt's arm.</p> - -<p>"You know George?" she asked breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"I should say so!" returned Matt.</p> - -<p>"Where is he?" The girl was tremendously excited. -"Is he well? Has he come back from San Francisco?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Miss Lorry, he is back from San Francisco, -and he's feeling tiptop. But he didn't want to come to -Madison just yet. I left him not more than an hour ago. -His cousin, Joe McGlory, is with him."</p> - -<p>"But why didn't he want to come home?" cried the -girl, with vague alarm in her voice.</p> - -<p>"I'm to see your father and tell him about that. That's -what I was coming to town for."</p> - -<p>The girl suddenly whitened, a frightened look arose in -her eyes, and she drew as far away from Matt as she -could.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Miss Lorry?" Matt asked.</p> - -<p>"Are you—can it be that you are the young man called -Motor Matt?"</p> - -<p>"That's what I'm called. My real name is King, you -know, Matt King, but I'm always doing something with -motors and that's why they call me Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>The girl was silent for a space. Her face continued -white, and she seemed to be thinking deeply.</p> - -<p>"I think, Motor Matt," she said finally, in a strained -voice, "that you'd better get out of the car and let me -run it back to Madison alone."</p> - -<p>Matt was "stumped." For a moment, so great was his -astonishment, he could not do a thing but stare.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why," he exclaimed, "I want to see your father; -that's why I'm going into town this morning."</p> - -<p>"I think it will be better for you if you don't see him."</p> - -<p>Matt's bewilderment continued to increase.</p> - -<p>"I've got ten thousand dollars for him, and also a message -from George," he managed to articulate.</p> - -<p>"You can give me the money and the message, Mr. -Motor Matt," was the terse reply, "and I will see that -they are delivered."</p> - -<p>Matt halted the car—it was time to cool off the engine -a little, anyway—and straightened in his seat.</p> - -<p>"I am a friend of your brother's," he observed, "and -Joe McGlory will tell you what I have tried to do for -him. Your father sent a telegram to San Francisco asking -McGlory to have me come with him and George, if -possible. Now, at a good deal of inconvenience and expense -to myself, I have come—and why shouldn't I see -your father?"</p> - -<p>"Because," answered Miss Lorry steadily, "he has recently -heard something about you that—that is not to -your credit. If you insist on seeing him, he might—he -might have you arrested."</p> - -<p>If Matt was "stumped" before, he was staggered now. -Arrested! George Lorry's father might have him arrested! -And for what? For helping George recover the -ten thousand dollars, and for helping to bring George -back to Madison?</p> - -<p>"There's a big mistake, somewhere," muttered Matt.</p> - -<p>"You'll not go on?" queried Miss Lorry.</p> - -<p>"I <i>will</i> go on," Matt returned firmly. "But I'll get -out of the car and walk, if you want it that way, Miss -Lorry. I can't give the money to you, or the message, -either. As I say, there's a mistake, and I must see your -father and explain away the bad impression he has of -me. Certainly he didn't get that from Joe McGlory."</p> - -<p>"I don't know who told him what he knows," went on -the girl, "and I don't know <i>what</i> he knows, but he's -very much incensed against you, Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>"I'll know why, before I'm many hours older," and -Matt got up to leave the car.</p> - -<p>Once more the girl caught his arm.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad you show that sort of spirit," said she. "If -you are really determined to see dad, and have a talk -with him, then that proves on the face of it that there -must be some mistake. Please stay and take the car into -town for me!"</p> - -<p>Without a word, but with his mind working hard to -evolve some clue to this puzzling situation, Matt dropped -back in the driver's seat. He threw in the switch, and -the gas in the cylinders took the spark. But it was a -silent ride that he and Miss Lorry had during the rest -of the time they were backing into town.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE "JUMP SPARK."</p> - - -<p>Into the grounds of one of the finest homes on "Fourth -Lake Ridge," otherwise known as "Aristocracy Hill," -Matt backed the little runabout. A brick-paved roadway, -overarched with trees, led from the front of the premises -to the neat garage in the rear.</p> - -<p>A middle-aged gentleman, stout of build and with a -florid face, was sitting on the veranda of the house. -The runabout, worrying backward up the street and into -the yard, was an astonishing sight. The middle-aged -gentleman leaned against the rail and stared; then, waving -a newspaper which he held in his hand, he shouted -something and hurried down the steps and toward the -driveway.</p> - -<p>"Dad!" murmured Miss Lorry, with an apprehensive -glance at Matt.</p> - -<p>A man—probably the Lorry chauffeur—appeared in -the open door of the garage and stared at the runabout -in open-mouthed amazement.</p> - -<p>Matt brought the car to a stop, and Mr. Lorry came -puffing up alongside.</p> - -<p>"What in the world's the matter, Ethel?" he demanded, -his eyes swerving from his daughter to Matt.</p> - -<p>"I smashed the low gear, dad, and had to come in on -the reverse," Miss Lorry answered. "I was just coming -into the Waunakee road, two or three miles the other -side of Maple Bluff, when the gear went wrong."</p> - -<p>Mr. Lorry's eyes continued to rest on Matt, and they -were becoming uncomfortably inquisitive. He was wondering, -no doubt, who Matt was, how he came to be in -the car, and why his daughter did not introduce him.</p> - -<p>"Call Gus," went on Miss Lorry, jumping lightly out -of the car, "and have him run <i>Dandy</i> into the garage. -Gus will know what to send for in order to make the -runabout as good as new again."</p> - -<p>Without waiting to speak further, the girl whirled -about and ran into the house. Mr. Lorry stared after -her, and then turned to give Matt another look.</p> - -<p>"Are you a chauffeur?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I have been—a racing chauffeur," Matt answered, -springing to the ground, "but I haven't been driving a -car for some time."</p> - -<p>"You helped my daughter—that much is plain, even -though I <i>have</i> been left in the dark on several other -points."</p> - -<p>"I was coming into town along the Waunakee road," -Matt went on, "to see you."</p> - -<p>"To see me?" Mr. Lorry's interest visibly increased.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, on very important business. I happened to -meet Miss Lorry and she kindly gave me a ride into -town. The least I could do was to run her machine for -her."</p> - -<p>"Did you know Miss Lorry?"</p> - -<p>"Not until she told me who she was."</p> - -<p>"Quite a coincidence that you should meet her, when -you were coming into town to see her father. But come -up on the veranda—we'll be more comfortable there." -Mr. Lorry turned toward the garage. "The runabout's -in trouble, Gus," he called. "Take it into the garage, -see what it needs, then order whatever's necessary. This -way, sir," he added to Matt.</p> - -<p>While Gus removed the runabout to the garage, Matt -followed Mr. Lorry up the steps to the veranda and -seated himself in a chair.</p> - -<p>"I don't remember ever seeing you before," remarked -Mr. Lorry as he sat down close to Matt, picked up a fan, -and began stirring the air in front of his perspiring face. -"But I'm obliged to you for giving Ethel a helping hand. -I'm worried to death every time she's out with <i>Dandy</i>. -It wasn't more than a week ago that she came near going -over a bluff at McBride's Point."</p> - -<p>Matt lost no time in plunging into his business. Drawing -the draft from his pocket, he handed it to Mr. Lorry.</p> - -<p>"Part of my work," said he, "is to give you that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Lorry stared at the draft and opened his eyes wide.</p> - -<p>"Ten thousand dollars!" he exclaimed, "and it's made -payable to Joseph McGlory."</p> - -<p>"On the back, sir, you will see that Joe had indorsed -it over to you."</p> - -<p>Mr. Lorry turned over the oblong slip of paper; then, -suddenly, an idea darted through his mind and he stiffened -in his chair.</p> - -<p>"Is this—is this——"</p> - -<p>"It is the money George took when he left Madison," -said Matt, dropping his voice.</p> - -<p>Mr. Lorry's face hardened.</p> - -<p>"Then," said he raspingly, "inasmuch as you're not -McGlory, I suppose you're that young rascal, Matt -King, better known as Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>"My name is Matt King, sir," answered Matt, "and -you have no right to refer to me as a rascal."</p> - -<p>"I have, by gad," exploded Mr. Lorry, "and a very -good right! I've heard about you, sir. You're the lad -who was hand-and-glove with the three villains who made -George so much trouble on account of this money. I -wonder that you have the face to show yourself to me. -Do you know what I could do with you?"</p> - -<p>A hostile red had leaped into Mr. Lorry's face. As -Matt sat back and looked at him, he likened his anger to -a "jump spark."</p> - -<p>The "make and break" system of ignition, while electrically -simple, is complicated mechanically. The "jump -spark" system, on the other hand, while complicated -electrically is mechanically very simple.</p> - -<p>A simple error of some sort lay back of Mr. Lorry's -anger, but it found vent in mighty puzzling expressions.</p> - -<p>"Who is your authority for the statement that I was -hand-and-glove with the three men who robbed George?" -asked Matt calmly.</p> - -<p>"I decline to quote anybody."</p> - -<p>"You can ask McGlory, or George, about me," proceeded -Matt, "and I think they will tell you that if it -hadn't been for me that money would never have been -recovered."</p> - -<p>"You have pulled the wool over McGlory's eyes, and -over George's, too. But where's my son? Why didn't -he bring this money to me himself? Why was it necessary -for him to send it at the hands of a stranger?"</p> - -<p>"Your son is a few miles out of town. He did not -leave San Francisco willingly, and it was only by promising -him that we would not take him directly into Madison -that we got his consent to come with us."</p> - -<p>"A fine lay-out!" muttered Mr. Lorry. "The boy's got -to come here, sooner or later, and what is he to gain by -delaying the matter? Can't he realize how worried all of -us are?"</p> - -<p>"He feels the disgrace of his position very keenly, Mr. -Lorry."</p> - -<p>"Bosh! Not much of what he's done is known to outsiders, -and those who know, or think they know, anything -about it, will forget the whole business within a -week after George gets back."</p> - -<p>"Are you going to send George to military school, -Mr. Lorry?"</p> - -<p>At that the "jump spark" seemed about to set off an -explosion. Mr. Lorry twisted angrily in his chair.</p> - -<p>"What business is it of yours, young man?" he -snapped. "That boy has got to realize that he isn't of -age yet, and I'm not going to let him run wild and bring -disgrace on himself, and on me."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Lorry," said Matt earnestly, "I have tried to be -a good friend to your son, and it was your request, contained -in the telegram you sent to San Francisco, that -I come with him and McGlory, that brought me here. I -won't tell you what I have done—I will leave that to -George and his cousin—but I will tell you, as plainly as -I can, that George is just now in a place where he must -be treated with consideration. One false move would -prove his ruin, and——"</p> - -<p>"By gad," interrupted Mr. Lorry, "do you mean to -sit there and lecture <i>me</i>? Why, I'm old enough to be -your father! Such impudence as that is——"</p> - -<p>"Sir," protested Matt, "I'm not impudent. I know -George pretty well, and I want to do what I can for him. -He's got lots of pride, and he had his heart set on getting -a power-boat that would make a good showing in the -coming race of the Winnequa Yacht Club. He had -talked about what he was going to do to members of the -club, and when he ordered that boat and you refused to -pay for it and let it be sent back to the builders, the blow -to his pride started him off on the wrong course."</p> - -<p>"A five-thousand-dollar boat, by gad!" growled Mr. -Lorry. "His whims were getting too confoundedly expensive. -If his pride is going to suffer every time I put -my foot down on such a piece of folly, then he'll have to -pocket his pride. I'm his father, and I guess he'll have -to toe the mark for me for a while yet."</p> - -<p>"There's a way to make George the happiest fellow in -Madison, Mr. Lorry," Matt went on, "and it won't cost -you more than two hundred and fifty or three hundred -dollars. I know a good deal about motors, and I'll help -George fix up a boat that will win a prize in that yacht -club race——"</p> - -<p>"Not a cent more will he get from me!" stormed Mr. -Lorry. "He'll come back here, and he'll go to that military -school, and if what you call his 'pride' keeps him -from being a dutiful son, then his pride will be broken. -Where is he? Where did you leave him?"</p> - -<p>"If you go out to where he is now, without first giving -him a chance to——"</p> - -<p>Mr. Lorry leaned forward and shook a finger in Matt's -face.</p> - -<p>"If you want to keep yourself out of trouble, my lad, -you'll tell me where that boy is, and no more ifs nor -ands about it."</p> - -<p>Matt got up slowly. He was white, but none the less -determined.</p> - -<p>"I am George's friend, Mr. Lorry," said he, "and I -had to promise him that I would help him do certain -things here in Madison in order to get him safely back -from the West. If I tell you where he is, while you -feel as you do toward him, I would be breaking my -promise. He is well, and he will be here in a few days. -As for the rest, if you want to make trouble for me, -why, go ahead."</p> - -<p>Intensely disappointed with the result of his interview, -Matt passed down the steps and toward the street. -Mr. Lorry gasped wrathfully and watched as he left the -yard, but he made no attempt to interfere with him.</p> - -<p>Matt was hardly out of sight, however, before he ran -into the house and began using the telephone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT.</p> - - -<p>Motor Matt was surprised enough, as he left the Lorry -mansion, and his indignation equaled his surprise.</p> - -<p>Who could possibly have furnished Lorry with the -information on which he had based his remarkable conclusions? -Certainly his attitude had changed most decidedly -since he had sent his telegram to 'Frisco requesting -that Matt accompany McGlory in bringing George -home to Madison.</p> - -<p>Matt, as he descended the ridge and proceeded toward -the capitol and the main part of the town, could think of -only one possible cause for Mr. Lorry's actions. Big -John must be in some way mixed up in it.</p> - -<p>The knowledge that Big John was in that part of the -country had come like a thunderbolt to Matt. The last -the king of the motor boys had heard of Big John, he and -his two pals, Kinky and Ross, were getting out of California -by way of Sausalito. A bolt from the blue could -not have been more astounding than the discovery of Big -John attempting a robbery there on the Waunakee road.</p> - -<p>Why had Big John come to Madison? And how had -he known that Matt was going to pass that particular -point on the Waunakee road that morning?</p> - -<p>No doubt Big John's eastern trip had been inspired by -the ten thousand dollars of Lorry's. The rascal had been -lured to Wisconsin by the hope of recovering the money. -This seemed clear enough—much clearer than the method -by which Big John had learned that Matt was to go -over the Waunakee road that morning, on foot.</p> - -<p>Yes, Big John must have been back of that misinformation -which Mr. Lorry had accepted as a true statement -of facts. But it was odd how the scoundrel had -been able to influence Mr. Lorry as he had.</p> - -<p>Motor Matt felt that he was embarked on a struggle -for the right, and that he must go on with the battle in -spite of his enemies. George Lorry's whole future might -hang on the result of that fight.</p> - -<p>Had Matt told Mr. Lorry where McGlory and George -were waiting, the millionaire would certainly have proceeded -to the place and attempted to bring George in to -Madison. This would have led George to believe that -Matt had broken faith with him, and the lad would have -bolted for parts unknown.</p> - -<p>George had been allowed to have his way for so long -that, when his father took another tack and resolved to -be severe with him, the lad had thought himself abused -and imposed upon. George was a spoiled youth, but Matt -believed that he had the right material in him and would -prove a credit to his people if given the proper kind of a -chance. Just as surely, too, he would go down to ruin -and disgrace if the wrong move was made at that critical -time.</p> - -<p>Lorry, senior's, obstinate determination to send George -to the military school would be a step in the wrong direction. -By paying out a little money for a motor launch, -Mr. Lorry would have gone far toward healing the breach -between him and his son, and would have paved the way -for a perfect understanding. This affair of the launch -looked like a trifling matter, but no one but Matt and -McGlory knew how much it meant to George.</p> - -<p>When Matt reached the main part of the city his study -of the situation had convinced him that he was doing exactly -right. What his next step was to be he hardly -knew. He hated to go back and tell George of his father's -uncompromising attitude, and yet he felt the need -of a talk with McGlory in order to lay future plans.</p> - -<p>It was about one o'clock, and Matt went into a restaurant -and ate his dinner. From there he went to the post -office to see if any mail had followed him from San -Francisco.</p> - -<p>No mail had reached him from the West, but there was -a postal card, posted that morning in Madison, which informed -Matt that a certain express company had received, -and was holding at his risk, a crated power boat -on which there was a charge, for <i>transportation alone</i>, of -$262.50.</p> - -<p>When Matt read the postal card he was positive there -was some mistake, and that it had been given to the -wrong person. The card was addressed, plainly enough, -to "Matt King, otherwise Motor Matt," but the king of -the motor boys was not expecting a launch, had not ordered -one, and was not intending to turn over $262.50 -to the express company on what was manifestly an error.</p> - -<p>He was on the point of handing the card back to the -man at the post-office window, with the information that -the card could not be for him, when he suddenly changed -his mind and decided to go to the express company's -office and rectify the mistake at headquarters.</p> - -<p>A little inquiry put him on the right road, and within -five minutes he was leaning over a counter at the express -office, showing the clerk the card and telling him the boat -must be for some other Matt King.</p> - -<p>"There's no other Matt King in Madison," protested -the clerk, "and it's a cinch there's no other Motor Matt. -You're the fellow the boat is for."</p> - -<p>"But that charge!" exclaimed Matt. "It can't be for -transportation alone. It must be a C. O. D. collection for -part of the price of the boat. I haven't bought any boat, -and am not expecting any one to send me a boat. I'm a -stranger here, and only reached Madison to-day."</p> - -<p>"Can't help that. If you're Motor Matt the boat's for -you. If you refuse it we'll have to notify the shipper, -and if we can't get any satisfaction from the shipper, the -boat will have to be sold for the charges."</p> - -<p>"Great spark-plugs!" muttered Matt. "Where's the -boat from?"</p> - -<p>"San Francisco."</p> - -<p>The king of the motor boys stared blankly at the clerk.</p> - -<p>"From San Francisco, eh?" he repeated.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and it's all complete—an eighteen-footer, with -engine installed."</p> - -<p>"Can—can I see it?"</p> - -<p>"Come this way."</p> - -<p>The clerk opened a gate at the end of the counter -and Matt walked through and into the storeroom. There -he saw the boat, securely crated. Between the bars of the -crate he read the name <i>Sprite</i>, lettered on the bow.</p> - -<p>By that time the king of the motor boys was too far -gone for words. Leaning against the wall of the room, -he bent his head and drummed a tattoo on his brow with -his fingers.</p> - -<p>"Who's the shipper?" he finally managed to ask.</p> - -<p>"I don't know whether the way bill has it right or -not, but the name of the consignor is down as Ping -Pong. It reads like a joke. Eh?"</p> - -<p>Matt left the room and retired to the other side of the -counter in the office.</p> - -<p>There was no joke about it. "Ping Pong" might look -to the express agent like a fake name, but it was <i>bona fide</i> -for all that.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ping Pong was the name of a Chinese lad whom Matt -had befriended in San Francisco. The Celestial had won -the <i>Sprite</i> in a raffle, and had turned the boat over to -Matt on condition that Matt would allow Ping Pong to -work for him. Ping and the <i>Sprite</i> had disappeared -mysteriously before the young motorist left 'Frisco, and -that was the last seen of either the Chinaman or the boat -until now. And here the boat had turned up in that -Madison office of the express company with transportation -charges of $262.50 to be collected!</p> - -<p>The idea of sending a power boat, engine and all, by -express, in a heavy crate, was a piece of folly of which -even a ten-year-old American boy would not have been -guilty. But Ping was a Chinaman, and probably he -thought Matt was a millionaire.</p> - -<p>"Goin' to take it or leave it?" inquired the agent as -Matt walked back and forth across the office turning this -new development over in his mind. "The charges ain't -any more than what they always are—three times the -merchandise rate."</p> - -<p>"I guess the charges are all right," said Matt humorously, -"for it's a long haul. And then, too, the crate, and -the engine, and the boat weigh up to beat the band."</p> - -<p>"Going to take it?"</p> - -<p>Matt's mind had been rapidly going over the points of -the case. Madison was surrounded by lakes, and motor-boating -was a hobby with a large number of the people. -By sending the <i>Sprite</i> to Matt, Ping had undoubtedly -determined that he should have the boat. The <i>Sprite</i> -was speedy—Matt had tried her out in San Francisco -Bay and knew that—and with some changes in the reversing -gear Matt believed she could show her heels to -anything from First Lake to Fourth. On such a showing, -the boat could undoubtedly be sold at a good price, -and while $262.50 was a big sum to pay out, just for express -charges, still——</p> - -<p>Then Matt had another thought, and it was a "startler." -George wanted a motor boat for the race. The -<i>Sprite</i> wasn't a five-thousand-dollar "speeder," but she -could run like a streak with the right kind of a fellow at -the engine. Mr. Lorry had refused to help George to a -boat, and this unexpected arrival of the <i>Sprite</i> seemed -almost providential.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to take the boat," said Matt, pushing a -hand into his pocket and stepping up to the counter.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">"PICKEREL PETE."</p> - - -<p>By bringing the submarine boat <i>Grampus</i> safely -around South America the king of the motor boys had -made a good deal of money. Most of this he had invested -on the Pacific Slope, but he had more than enough -of the "ready" with him to settle the express charges -and to keep him afloat until George Lorry's affairs had -been put in proper shape.</p> - -<p>Having paid over the money and signed the express -receipt, the question as to what should be done with the -<i>Sprite</i> presented itself.</p> - -<p>"You can uncrate the boat in the storeroom, if you -want to," said the obliging clerk, "and then we'll have -her hauled down to the water for you."</p> - -<p>"Much obliged," answered Matt. "I believe I'll take -off the crate and see how the boat has stood her long -overland journey."</p> - -<p>The clerk furnished him with a hatchet, and Matt -threw off his coat and got busy. In an hour, the clean-cut -hull of the <i>Sprite</i> had emerged from a litter of boards -and old gunny sacks. An examination showed that both -hull and machinery were in as good condition as ever.</p> - -<p>While Matt was working he had noticed a map of -Madison hanging from the storeroom wall. The map -gave a very clear idea of Lakes Monona and Mendota, -between which lay the long and narrow city.</p> - -<p>One of the express company's drivers had come into -the storeroom and was looking over the <i>Sprite</i> with an -air of deep interest.</p> - -<p>"I wish you would tell me something about this map, -neighbor," said Matt.</p> - -<p>"Ask me anything you want to," was the cheerful response. -"I was born and raised here and I know the -place pretty well."</p> - -<p>"What's this?" Matt inquired, laying a finger on a -certain part of the diagram.</p> - -<p>"That's the Yahara River, sometimes called the 'Catfish.' -It's been straightened into a canal, and connects -Third and Fourth Lakes. Monona is Third, and Mendota -is Fourth. There's locks at the Mendota end."</p> - -<p>"And what's the other river coming into Mendota -Lake on the side across from the city?"</p> - -<p>"The Yahara again."</p> - -<p>"Then, if this boat was launched in Lake Monona, it -could enter the Canal over by Winnequa, cross into -Mendota Lake, and proceed up the Yahara?"</p> - -<p>"She could, sure. Lots of boats do that."</p> - -<p>"Here's a creek entering the Yahara. Is that navigable -for a boat drawing two or three feet of water?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe. I guess a small boat could get up the creek -a ways."</p> - -<p>As Matt figured it, the cabin where he had left McGlory -and George was on the creek. Why couldn't he -get the <i>Sprite</i> afloat and proceed by water to the cabin?</p> - -<p>"I don't know anything about these lakes," went on -Matt, "but I'd like to get some one who knows them -and make a little cruise."</p> - -<p>"Fourth Lake is mighty treacherous. Whenever -there's a west wind she kicks up a big sea, and a lot -of boats have come to grief on the rocks of Maple Bluff. -That's here—that piece of land running out into the -water, over where they've made a park. It used to be -called McBride's Point. A mile across from the bluff -is Governor's Island. The insane asylum is near the -island. If you want to put your boat in Fourth Lake, -why don't you launch it there instead of taking it to -Third Lake?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I want to try her out with a little longer cruise -than just across Fourth Lake. Do you know of any -one I could get to pilot me around?"</p> - -<p>"H'm!" murmured the driver thoughtfully. Presently -his face brightened. "Any objection to color?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"How do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Well, how'd a colored boy do? I know of one that's -right to home on the lakes, and he's a character, you -bet. His name's Pickerel Pete; that's all he's got, just -Pickerel Pete."</p> - -<p>"He'll do," said Matt. "How can I get hold of Pickerel -Pete?"</p> - -<p>"Tell you what I'll do; I'll get hold of him for you. -When you going to put that boat in the water?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Right away."</p> - -<p>"'Course we got to deliver it for you. I'll have some -of the boys help me get it on the dray, and on the way -down to the lake I'll pick up Pete. You don't need to -wait here. In half an hour you go down King Street to -Wilson. There's a lot of landings and boathouses -t'other side the railroad depot. If we ain't there when -you reach the place, you wait, and we'll show up pretty -soon afterward."</p> - -<p>"That's mighty good of you," said Matt. "You'll be -careful of the boat, will you?"</p> - -<p>"Sure, you bet. No harm'll happen to her. We got -a special dray for movin' boats like that."</p> - -<p>Matt went to the capitol grounds and sat down on a -bench. For half or three-quarters of an hour he was -there, thinking of George and the unsatisfactory state his -affairs had drifted into.</p> - -<p>The king of the motor boys did not want to appear -to be helping George to dodge his father's authority, but -he knew that the elder Lorry would not have taken the -stand he did if he had not acquired a whole lot of misinformation. -The thing for Matt to do was to get back -to George and McGlory, tell them exactly what had -taken place, and then ask them for suggestions as to the -next move.</p> - -<p>On the way down King Street, Matt stopped at a -store and bought a supply of gasoline, oil, and cotton -waste. Not having a hydrometer, he tested the gasoline -as well as he could by other means, and convinced himself -that it was, as the dealer assured him, the "right -stuff."</p> - -<p>Matt rode down to the lake with the expressman who -took his supplies, and when he got there he found the -<i>Sprite</i> in the water, moored to a small pier. The express -driver, and those who had helped him with the boat, were -gone. The only person in the vicinity of the launch was -a barefooted little darky. He sat on the pier, absorbed -in throwing a couple of dice.</p> - -<p>"Come seben, 'leben, come seben, 'leben," he was saying, -as the small cubes rattled on the boards.</p> - -<p>"Pickerel Pete!" called Matt.</p> - -<p>The little negro jumped as though a bomb had exploded -under him.</p> - -<p>"Yassuh, yassuh, dat's me," he answered, grabbing up -the dice and shoving them into a pocket of his ragged -trousers.</p> - -<p>"Come over here, Pete, and give us a hand with this -gasoline and stuff."</p> - -<p>"On de hop."</p> - -<p>The gasoline was emptied into the tanks and the oil -cups filled. After that Matt went over the machinery, -carefully examining the ignition and all connections.</p> - -<p>Pickerel Pete helped him intelligently.</p> - -<p>"Yo's de fellah whut's a-wantin' tuh hiah me?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Matt, highly pleased with the way Pete -divined whatever he wanted and handed it over to him -from the tool kit. "Do you know anything about a -motor boat, Pete?"</p> - -<p>"Ah's done steered heaps o' boats froo dese yer lakes, -boss," grinned the moke, "an' Ah reckons Ah knows de -spa'k plug f'om de propellah."</p> - -<p>"You know the lakes, too?"</p> - -<p>"Hones' tuh goodness, boss, Ah could go froo all de -lakes f'om First tuh Fo'th, en cleah down de Rock Rivah, -wif mah eyes shut. Ah'm er phenomegon."</p> - -<p>"What's that?"</p> - -<p>"Phenomegon. Doan' you-all know whut a phenomegon -is?"</p> - -<p>"You mean a phenomenon, I guess."</p> - -<p>"Ah reckons Ah knows whut Ah means," answered -Pete, with sudden dignity.</p> - -<p>"You've mixed phenomenon and paragon, and——"</p> - -<p>"Ah ain't mixed nuffin. Ef you-all thinks Ah'm er -ignorampus, den Ah 'lows Ah ain't de fellah you wants -tuh hiah."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you are, Pete—you're just the fellow."</p> - -<p>"How much does Ah git?"</p> - -<p>"Two dollars a day. There's pay for your first day's -work."</p> - -<p>Pete almost fell out of the boat. Fifty cents a day was -the most he had ever received.</p> - -<p>"Does yo' think yo' kin stand dat, boss?" he inquired. -"Ah'd hate mahse'f tuh def ef Ah thought Ah was er -strainin' yo' financibility."</p> - -<p>"I guess it won't be much of a wrench to give you -a couple of dollars a day," laughed Matt.</p> - -<p>"Den yo's bought me. By golly, dis is de first time -Ah's evah had two whole dollahs knockin' togethah en -mah clothes since Ah was knee-high to a chickum. -Where you-all wants tuh go, boss?"</p> - -<p>"I want to go into Fourth Lake through the canal, -then across Fourth and up the Catfish."</p> - -<p>"Dat's easy. De Catfish runs f'om one lake tuh de -odder, intuh one en out ergin, cleah f'om Fo'th Lake tuh -First. Thutty miles you-all kin go in er boat, den intuh -Rock Rivah en clean erroun' de worl'. But dat 'ar Fo'th -Lake is right juberous when dar's er west win'. A boat -Ah was in once, on dat 'ar lake, turned ovah fo' times! -Yassuh. I got spilled out de las' time en swum fo'teen -miles towin' de boat by de painter, which Ah done happen -tuh ketch when Ah drapped in de watah. Ah got er -medal fo' dat. De Gun Club give me de medal."</p> - -<p>"They ought to have given you two medals, Pete."</p> - -<p>"En it was er solid gol' medal, with er inscripshun -sayin' dat Pickerel Pete was gallywhoopus tuh dat extent. -Golly, but dat was er fine medal! It was as big -erroun' as er fryin' pan."</p> - -<p>"Must have bothered you some to tote it."</p> - -<p>"Sold it fo' fo' dollahs en fo'ty cents, en dey kep' it in -de cap'tol fo' people tuh come in en look at. Yo's got er -pow'ful fine moke wo'kin' fo' yo', boss."</p> - -<p>"Well, cast off, Pete, and we'll start. I'll do the steering, -and you can sit up front and tell me which way to -go."</p> - -<p>Matt started the gasoline, switched on the spark, and -Pete gave the fly wheel a turn. One turn of the wheel -was enough to give them their first explosion, and the -<i>Sprite</i> shook herself together and started out into the -lake.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING.</p> - - -<p>The hum of the motor was soothing to Matt's troubled -spirit, and even the kick of the wheel sent a joyous thrill -through his every nerve. There were clouds in the west, -and a promise of wind and rain in the air, but if there -was to be a storm it would not come before night, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -the <i>Sprite</i> would have ample time to nose her way up -the Catfish and into the creek.</p> - -<p>It was surprising how quickly the kinks of fortune -straightened themselves out for Motor Matt whenever he -found himself in control of an explosive engine.</p> - -<p>The sun was sinking behind the capitol as the <i>Sprite</i> -headed toward Winnequa on her way to the Canal. The -yellow rays pierced the gathering clouds, and Madison -peered from its enveloping greenery like a phantom city.</p> - -<p>A number of fishermen were rowing, sailing, and motoring -home for supper, and they stared at the dashing -little <i>Sprite</i>, and some of them yelled a cheerful greeting -to the diminutive colored boy perched on the launch's -hood.</p> - -<p>"Dat's de Gobernor ob Wisconsin," Pete gravely explained, -indicating a grizzled fisherman in one of the -boats. "Ah knows him as well as Ah knows anybody. -De fellah in dat rowboat wif de pipe is Honnerbull Tawm -Patterson, en he's done took me by de han' mo' times -dan Ah kin count. De lake is full ob notoribus pussuns -tuhnight, seems lak."</p> - -<p>"Where's the Czar of Russia?" asked Matt soberly.</p> - -<p>"Ah reckons he was too busy tuh come out tuhday," -answered Pete. "Ah knows him, dough. Ah done took -him tuh a good fishin' place ovah by Picnic P'int las' -week."</p> - -<p>They passed the canal and locks, swept into Fourth -Lake, and Pete lined out a westerly course that carried -the <i>Sprite</i> past the high bluffs of McBride's Point with -the buildings of the asylum in clear view.</p> - -<p>Pete's chatter enlivened the trip wonderfully. The little -moke was a "notoribus" personage, to take his word -for it, and there were very few famous people whom -he had not shaken hands with or conducted around the -lakes. Matt was surprised to learn that he had dug bait -for Julius Cæsar and had shown Napoleon Bonaparte a -pickerel hole off Governor's Island.</p> - -<p>The Catfish was comparatively easy for the <i>Sprite</i>, but -Whisky Creek—which, Pete said, was the particular -creek Matt was looking for—was too shoal. After they -had grounded twice, and backed clear with considerable -difficulty, Matt decided to tie up to a tree on the creek -bank and go on to the cabin on foot.</p> - -<p>By then it was falling dark, and Matt wanted to cover -the remainder of his journey as quickly as possible.</p> - -<p>"Pete," said he, getting out on the creek bank, "I'm -going to leave you with the boat for a short time, while -I go up the creek."</p> - -<p>Pete immediately had an attack of the "shakes."</p> - -<p>"Golly, boss," he chattered, "Ah doan' lak de da'k -when Ah's erlone. Hit's spookerous, en white things -done trabbel erroun' lookin' fo' brack folks. Where you-all -gwine?"</p> - -<p>"Not far. I ought to be back in an hour. You're not -afraid of spooks, are you, Pete? I should think a chap -who was the friend of so many illustrious people would -be above such foolishness."</p> - -<p>The gathering wind sobbed through the trees, and -from somewhere a screech-owl tuned up in a most hair-raising -way.</p> - -<p>"Br-r-r!" muttered Pete, hugging himself and dropping -into the bottom of the boat. "Ah ain't afraid, no, -sah," he declared plaintively. "Ah ain't afraid ob anythin' -dat walks. Hit's dem white ha'nts whut doan' walk, -er fly, but moves erlong in er glide, dat gits me a-goin'. -Mebby Ah better go along wif yo' en see dot yo' doan' git -lost?"</p> - -<p>"I'll not get lost, Pete, and I don't want the <i>Sprite</i> -left alone."</p> - -<p>"Yo'll be back in er houah, hones'?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Den hurry. Ef Ah was lef' in dishyer place twell -midnight Ah'd be skeered plumb intuh de 'sylum, sho' as -yo's bawn. Hurry up en git back, dat's all."</p> - -<p>Pete cuddled up with his back against the stern thwart, -and Matt whirled away and vanished into the timber.</p> - -<p>As Matt figured it, he was not more than a mile from -the cabin. He had landed on the side of the creek where -he knew the shack to be, and if he followed the little -water course he knew he would soon arrive at the place -where he had left George and McGlory.</p> - -<p>The timber was broken into by fields of corn, and by -cleared pasture land. Matt pushed through the corn and -climbed pasture fences, and within half an hour came to -the end of his journey.</p> - -<p>The cabin, nestling in a clump of oaks, seemed dark -and deserted. George had known of the cabin as a rendezvous, -in the fall, for duck hunters. It was a quiet -and obscure place, and answered admirably the requirements -of the boys while working out their plans in Lorry's -behalf.</p> - -<p>As Matt drew closer to the hut the silence oppressed -him with a foreboding that something had gone wrong. -The door was open, and he stepped inside.</p> - -<p>Still there was no sign of life about the place.</p> - -<p>"McGlory!" he called; "George!"</p> - -<p>His voice echoed weirdly through the one room of the -cabin, but brought no response.</p> - -<p>Striking a match, he peered about him.</p> - -<p>Empty! There was no one in the room.</p> - -<p>The match flickered and dropped from Matt's fingers. -Groping his way to a bench, he sat down, alarmed and -bewildered.</p> - -<p>What had become of McGlory and George? This was -the question he asked himself, and his mind framed a -dozen different answers, none of them satisfactory.</p> - -<p>George was full of whims and unreasonable resolves. -Had he suddenly made up his mind that he could not -trust Matt to make peace with his father? Had he -broken away from McGlory, and had McGlory gone in -pursuit of him?</p> - -<p>Or was the absence of the boys due to some move -against them on the part of Big John?</p> - -<p>Or had they gone to some farmhouse after milk and -eggs, or to get a hot supper?</p> - -<p>That George had not "bolted," Matt was almost sure. -Matt's plan for patching up a truce with the elder Lorry -had appealed to George too strongly for that.</p> - -<p>As for Big John making George and McGlory any -trouble, that was possible, although not very probable. -Matt did not see how Big John could have any information -about the cabin.</p> - -<p>And as for the boys visiting a neighboring farmhouse -to secure food, it was not in line with their plan for -either George or McGlory to show himself until their -schemes were further advanced.</p> - -<p>Rations had been secured in Waunakee—cold rations, -but enough to last all three of the boys for two or three -days.</p> - -<p>Giving over his bootless reflections, Matt lighted another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -match, hunted up a candle, and soon had a more -dependable glow in the room.</p> - -<p>A brief search showed him that George's suit case, -McGlory's carpetbag, and his own satchel were missing. -This was a staggering discovery. It meant, if it meant -anything, that the two boys had left and did not intend to -return.</p> - -<p>They would hardly go away, it seemed to Matt, without -leaving some clue as to their whereabouts, and the -cause that had led them to make such a decided change -in the general plans. George and McGlory understood -that Matt was to return as soon as he had talked with -Mr. Lorry.</p> - -<p>Matt had expected to get back to the cabin early in the -afternoon. Had his failure to return alarmed the two -boys?</p> - -<p>Matt hunted high and low for some scrap of writing -which would let in a little light on the situation, but he -could find none.</p> - -<p>The rations brought from Waunakee had vanished -along with the luggage—another fact that indicated a -permanent departure on the part of the two lads.</p> - -<p>"Here's a go!" muttered Matt, leaning perplexedly in -the open door of the cabin. "About all George and McGlory -left behind them was that piece of candle. They -might, at least, have tipped me off regarding their intentions, -I should think. All sorts of things are liable -to happen to a fellow when he's trying to do the right -thing by another chap who's too proud and weak-kneed -to put himself company-front with his responsibilities. -But then, George is an odd stick. He can't be judged -by any of the usual standards, and I'm pretty sure that -if he's handled right, he'll come out all right. One or -the other of them will certainly come back here. I'll return -to the mouth of the creek, get Pete, and we'll bunk -down in the cabin. It's the only thing to be done."</p> - -<p>Perplexed as he was, Matt neglected to put out the -candle before starting on his return to the Catfish. On a -corner shelf, the feeble gleam sputtered and flickered in -the draft that came through the open door.</p> - -<p>Matt hastened his steps on the return journey to the -<i>Sprite</i>. The clouds were slowly mounting and blotting -out the stars, intensifying the darkness.</p> - -<p>As he came close to the bank where the launch was -moored he experienced a feeling of relief when he saw -the boat riding to her painter just as she had been left.</p> - -<p>The <i>Sprite</i> resembled a black blot on the water. The -bank was rather high, at that point, and its shadow covered -the boat.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Pete!" called Matt.</p> - -<p>There was no answer to the call, and Matt began to -think that Pete had vanished, as well as George and McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Pete!" Matt cried in a louder tone.</p> - -<p>"Yassuh, yassuh," came the answer from below, and -Matt's apprehension suddenly subsided.</p> - -<p>"Come up here, Pete," Matt went on. "We're going -to spend the night up the creek. I guess the <i>Sprite</i> will -be safe enough. There's a lantern in the port locker, -amidships. Bring it up with you."</p> - -<p>Matt could see only the blurred outline of a human -form moving around in the boat. He heard the lid of the -locker as it was lifted.</p> - -<p>"Ah kain't find dat lantern," came from the boat.</p> - -<p>"I'll get it," said Matt.</p> - -<p>The next moment he had climbed into the launch. -Hardly had his feet found firm foothold when he was -seized and flung roughly backward. Two pairs of hands -held him, and a hoarse, mocking laugh echoed in his ears.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">SETTING A SNARE.</p> - - -<p>Pickerel Pete did not feel overloaded with responsibility. -Two dollars a day was a princely wage, but there -were things he would not do even for that immense sum. -He would try to stay with the boat for an hour, in spite -of the owls and the queer crooning of the wind in the -trees, but if he saw a "ha'nt," he'd resign his job, right -then and there, and leave the <i>Sprite</i> to take care of herself. -Anyhow, he had two dollars. The fact that his -services had been paid for until afternoon of the following -day did not enter seriously into his calculations.</p> - -<p>"Wisht de screech-owls would stop dat 'ar screechin'," -muttered the darky, "an' I wisht de win' would stop dat -ar' groanin' in de trees. Dishyer's jest de time fer spookerous -doin's, an' I'd radder be home in mah baid wif mah -head kivered, so'st—— Golly, whut's dat?"</p> - -<p>Something fluttered among the tree branches overhanging -the water, farther along the creek. It may have -been an owl, or some other bird, changing its roosting -place, but Pete's fears magnified the cause into something -connected with the "ha'nts."</p> - -<p>Crouching in the boat's bottom, he stared through the -darkness and held his breath. The fluttering had ceased -and nothing else happened. As one uneventful minute -followed another, Pete gradually put the clamps on his -nerves.</p> - -<p>"Ah dunno 'bout dat," he whispered. "Mebby dat floppin' -noise didun' mean nuffin', en den, ag'in, mebby it -<i>mout</i>. Hey, you, dar!" he added, lifting his voice.</p> - -<p>The cry echoed across the creek, but the only answer -was the echo.</p> - -<p>"If yo's one ob dem gliderin' spooks," called Pete, "den -you-all doan' want any truck wif <i>me</i>. Ah's on'y a po' -li'l moke, en Ah ain't nevah done no ha'm tuh nobody. -Ah's fibilus, occasion'ly, en now an' den Ah's tole a -whopper, but dem yarns doan' amount tuh nuffin'."</p> - -<p>The silence continued, save for the soughing of the -wind and the "tu-whit, tu-whoo!" from the depths of the -woods.</p> - -<p>"Ah done got tuh do somethin' tuh pass de time," -thought Pete. "Ah'll frow de iv'ries, dat's whut Ah'll -do. Wonner where dar's a lantern?"</p> - -<p>Pete remembered having seen a lantern in one of the -lockers while he was helping Matt with the engine. After -a little thought he located the lantern, and secured it. -Then he recalled having seen a box of matches in the -tool-chest, and he soon had the lantern going.</p> - -<p>It's surprising what a soothing effect a light will have -on a superstitious mind that dreads the dark. With the -lantern on the stern thwart, Pete knelt in the boat's bottom -and cast his dice again and again, becoming so careless -of his "spookerous" surroundings that he almost forgot -his fears.</p> - -<p>The little white cubes dropped and rattled on the -thwart, and Pete bent low to read the faces.</p> - -<p>"Ah's got two dollahs," he muttered, surprised at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -lucky combinations turning up for him, "en Ah wisht dar -was some odder moke here tuh take er han' in dis game. -Ah's havin' mo' luck, here, all by mahse'f, dan I -evah——"</p> - -<p>He straightened on his knees in sudden panic, then -dropped his head down on the thwart and covered his -face with his hands.</p> - -<p>"Whut's dat?" he whimpered. "Whut's dat Ah hear? -Hit sounded monsus lak er chain rattlin'."</p> - -<p>But it wasn't a chain; it was a good, well-developed -groan. It came from the darkness at the top of the bank -and echoed shiveringly across the creek.</p> - -<p>"Dat wasn't no screech-owl," murmured Pete, in stifled -tones. "Golly! De ha'nts is comin' fo' me. Wisht Ah -was out ob here! Oh, I wisht Ah was some place else -where dar's folks, en buildin's, en 'lectric lights. Br-r-r!"</p> - -<p>The groan was repeated. It was a hollow kind of -groan, long drawn out, and given in the most approved -ghostly style. Pete groaned on his own account, and -collapsed in the bottom of the boat, floundering forward -and trying to crawl into the motor and lose himself in -the machinery.</p> - -<p>While the wretched little darky lay in a palpitating -heap under the steering wheel, a funereal voice was -wafted toward him—a voice that made him gasp, and -close his eyes, and shiver until he shook the boat.</p> - -<p>"Who-o are you-u-u?" inquired the voice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, lawsy! Oh, mah goodness!" fluttered Pete in -tremulous, incoherent tones. "Ah's as good as daid! -Ah's nevah gwine tuh git out ob dis alive! Der ha'nts -has cotched me! Oh, if I c'u'd only git away dis once, -Ah'll nevah brag no mo'! Ah'll nevah tell anodder whopper!"</p> - -<p>"Who-o are you-u-u?" insisted the sepulchral voice -from the darkness at the top of the bank.</p> - -<p>"Ah's er moke," whimpered Pete, "jes' a moke. You-all -go 'long an' nevah min' me. Ah ain't nevah done nuffin'—Pickerel -Pete's a good l'il coon. Please, Marse -Gose, go off some odder place en do yo' gliderin'. Oh, -gee! Oh, golly!"</p> - -<p>"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" ordered the "ghost."</p> - -<p>"Ah'll go, yassuh," chattered Pete, "on'y doan' yo' -grab me as Ah run by. Dat's all. Yo' ain't layin' fo' -tuh grab me, is yuh?"</p> - -<p>"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" insisted the spook, with -hair-raising emphasis.</p> - -<p>Pete got up slowly and cautiously in the boat. The -lantern threw a weird reflection over him, but the most -noticeable thing about the frightened little darky, just -then, was the white of his eyes. He shook like a person -with the ague, and nearly dropped into the water while -stepping from the gunwale of the boat.</p> - -<p>Begging the spook not to grab him, he floundered up -the bank and darted into the timber as though the Old -Nick was after him. His piteous wail was lost in a -crashing of bushes, and finally even that sound died out.</p> - -<p>A chuckling laugh echoed from the top of the bank, -and a form disentangled itself from the shadows.</p> - -<p>"Come on, Kinky," called a voice. "That little nigger -was scared white. He'll not stop running until he gets -clear to Madison. What kind of a spook do I make, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Pretty raw," answered another voice, as a second -form pushed out of the shadows and joined the first. -"You can fool a superstitious, half-grown darky, Ross, -but I wouldn't make a business of this ghost racket. -What was the good of it, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Well, that darky never came here alone in that boat."</p> - -<p>"Well."</p> - -<p>"Some one must have come with him. Maybe the -boat's other passengers are the two kids we couldn't find -in the cabin."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how it could be, Ross, but mebby you're -right. That's not a rowboat."</p> - -<p>"Just what I was thinkin', Kinky. Let's go down and -look her over. The darky was obliging enough to leave -a lighted lantern for us."</p> - -<p>The two men descended to the boat, and Ross picked -up the lantern and swung it about him.</p> - -<p>"It's a motor-boat, blamed if it ain't!" Kinky exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Right you are," chuckled Ross. "She must have come -up from the town. What's she doin' here at this time o' -night? Suspicious, that's what it is! I'll gamble heavy -the boat has somethin' to do with the young fellers in that -cabin."</p> - -<p>"Well, like enough you're right," answered Kinky. -"But what's that to us? We came up the Catfish in a -boat, too, an' we'd better take to our oars an' go back -to town huntin' for Big John. If he overhauled Motor -Matt and got that money, we don't want to give him a -chance to get away from us."</p> - -<p>"We'll see to <i>that</i>," grunted Ross decisively.</p> - -<p>"It looked as though Big John was tryin' to sidetrack -us when he wanted us to keep watch of that cabin to-night. -What's the good of watchin' the cabin if he gets -the money? What's the use of keeping track of the other -two boys when King's the one we want?"</p> - -<p>"Right again, Kinky. That brain of yours seems to -be doin' some brilliant work to-night. Here, take a hack -at this."</p> - -<p>Ross turned and held out a bottle.</p> - -<p>"If I take too many hacks at that, Ross," answered -Kinky, "the brilliant brain work is liable to stop."</p> - -<p>Nevertheless he seized the bottle and a prolonged -gurgling followed. When he had finished, Ross took the -bottle back and gave some attention to it himself.</p> - -<p>"All I want," growled Ross, as he screwed the top back -on the flask, "is to get a chance at this here Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>"Big John has already had a chance at him," suggested -Kinky.</p> - -<p>"Will Big John do anythin' to even up with Motor -Matt for the way we was treated in 'Frisco Bay?" flung -back Ross. "Don't you never think it, Kinky. If Big -John gets the money, he'll turn the cub loose to make -some more trouble for us. I'm built along different lines, -myself. I want revenge, with a big R. That's me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, slush!" grumbled Kinky. "You ought to have -left more of that stuff in the bottle. <i>Your</i> brain work's -anythin' but brilliant."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I mean what I say, anyhow," rapped out Ross.</p> - -<p>Picking up the lantern, he went forward, crawled over -the hood, and made a close examination of the forward -part of the boat.</p> - -<p>"Thunder!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"What've you found?" demanded Kinky.</p> - -<p>"What was the name of that chug-boat the Chink won -in 'Frisco, and that Motor Matt used in windin' us up?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Sprite.</i>"</p> - -<p>"Well, wouldn't this knock you stiff? Say, Kinky, this -here's the <i>Sprite</i>."</p> - -<p>"Go on!"</p> - -<p>"There's the name, plain enough."</p> - -<p>"Then it's another <i>Sprite</i>. It's a common name, and -the 'Frisco <i>Sprite</i> couldn't be here."</p> - -<p>"It's the same boat, you take it from me. It looks the -same, and by thunder it <i>is</i> the same."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how it got here."</p> - -<p>"Nor I—but here she is, for all that. Let's burn her!"</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"If it hadn't been for this boat we'd have been on the -way to the Sandwich Islands by now. I'll feel a heap -better if we burn the blame thing."</p> - -<p>"Aw, be sensible, can't you. If——"</p> - -<p>"Hist!"</p> - -<p>Ross interrupted Kinky with the warning syllable; -then, quickly, the lantern was extinguished, and Ross -crept back into the rear of the launch.</p> - -<p>"Listen!" he whispered; "some one's coming."</p> - -<p>"Then we'd better hike!"</p> - -<p>"Not on your life! Crowd up forward, there. I -played the spook, a while ago, and now let's see how well -I can play the rôle of the darky."</p> - -<p>"But what——"</p> - -<p>"Sh-h-h!"</p> - -<p>Thus suddenly did Ross lay his snare. As Kinky crept -forward, Ross crouched in the stern; then followed the -brief colloquy between Matt and Ross, the latter imitating -the voice of the negro.</p> - -<p>The instant Motor Matt dropped into the boat the -snare suddenly tightened.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">ENEMIES TO BE FEARED.</p> - - -<p>As Matt fell his head struck against the gunwale of the -boat. His senses did not leave him entirely, but he was -stunned for a few moments and rendered incapable of -doing anything in his own defense. Before he recovered -sufficiently to struggle with his assailants the two men -had found a rope and had lashed his hands.</p> - -<p>"Now for his feet, Kinky," said Ross. "This is a haul -I wasn't expectin', although we might have figured it -out, I guess, if we'd had time to think things over."</p> - -<p>Matt kicked out with his feet in a desperate attempt to -overturn Kinky, and, perhaps, leap upright and jump -ashore.</p> - -<p>"He's a fighter, all right," snarled Ross. "Here, I'll -hold him while you finish the job."</p> - -<p>With hands bound and two men to secure his ankles, -resistance was worse than useless. When the binding -was done, and Matt was lying helpless, he had a chance -to study the faces of his captors while Kinky was relighting -the lantern.</p> - -<p>Ross' talk had already given Matt an inkling of the -two men's identity. The gleam from the lantern left no -doubt about their being Big John's pals.</p> - -<p>Matt was not surprised that the two rascals should be -in that part of the country. They and Big John were -birds of a feather, and it was quite natural that all three -should flock together. What did surprise Matt, however, -was the fact that Kinky and Ross should be in that -particular place, and have laid their plans to capture him.</p> - -<p>"Surprise party, eh?" queried Ross. "You weren't -expectin' to meet a couple of old friends, eh, Motor Matt? -Oh, you're not so much. You're cracked up pretty high, -but I reckon you're not any brighter than the rest of us. -Wonder if you've got ten thousand about you that we -could borrow for a while?"</p> - -<p>"You're after that money," said Matt, "and you're -fooled. You won't get it, and neither will Big John. It -has been in Mr. Lorry's hands ever since noon. You -didn't think I'd bring ten thousand dollars back with me -in cash, did you? The money was in the form of a draft, -payable to Mr. Lorry, and it wouldn't have benefited you -or Big John any if you had stolen it."</p> - -<p>"That's luck for old Lorry, then," answered Ross, -pushing his hand into Matt's pockets. "Here's a roll," he -added, drawing some bills out of Matt's vest. "It's -hardly big enough for the ten thousand, but I reckon -we'll have to be satisfied with what we can get."</p> - -<p>"If you take that," said Matt, "you'll be in trouble -with the law before you're many hours older. So far as -San Francisco is concerned, I'm willing to let bygones -be bygones; but if you take my money I'll do everything -I can to have you caught."</p> - -<p>Kinky seemed nervous. Ross, however, was reckless -and in an evil temper.</p> - -<p>"We'll <i>not</i> get ourselves into trouble," he flared. "By -the time we're through with you, my hearty, there won't -be anybody to make us trouble."</p> - -<p>Ross brought out his flask again and helped himself -liberally to its contents.</p> - -<p>"Here," he said, extending the flask toward Kinky.</p> - -<p>"I guess I've had enough," demurred Kinky.</p> - -<p>"Take it, you fool!" cried Ross; "you'll need it before -we're done with this night's work."</p> - -<p>Not until that moment did Motor Matt realize that here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -were two enemies who were seriously to be feared. He -had thought, when he recognized his captors, that they -had merely made a prisoner of him in the hope of securing -the ten thousand dollars, but now he realized that -there was something more villainous, perhaps more murderous, -back of their scheming.</p> - -<p>Liquor arouses the evil passions of men and makes -them ripe for deeds they would not think of committing -when in their sober senses. Kinky and Ross were partly -intoxicated. Kinky was the less desperate of the two villains, -mainly because he was the more cowardly.</p> - -<p>Matt hardened himself to face whatever might be coming.</p> - -<p>"You'd better think well about this, Ross," said he. -"All you've got to do to keep clear of the law is to return -my money, set me at liberty, and take yourselves off. -I'll forget what you've done, and what happened in San -Francisco Bay——"</p> - -<p>"That's more than we'll do, you young cub," scowled -Ross. "You hadn't any notion I followed you all the way -from 'Frisco, on the same train, had you? You didn't -know I got off the train at Waunakee, when you got off, -and that I trailed you and your two friends to that cabin -in the woods, eh? And I don't believe, when you and -your pards were talking in that cabin, that you had any -notion I was hanging around and listening. But I was. -I knew one of you was to go into town this morning with -the money for old Lorry, so it was me that put Big John -wise and had him waiting for you on the road. But do -you think I rigged myself out in different clothes and -followed you clear from 'Frisco just in the hope of getting -that money? You're wrong if you do think that. I -was after something else—and that was to <i>play even</i>. -It's a habit of mine always to settle my accounts. Big -John works differently—but I'm not responsible for what -he does, or doesn't do. When I lay out a course and take -the bit in my teeth, nothing can stop me."</p> - -<p>There was a short silence.</p> - -<p>"But, I say, Ross," began Kinky in faint protest, "you -don't intend to——"</p> - -<p>"Wait till I ask you to talk," cut in Ross. "You can -bobble more in your conversation than any man I ever -knew."</p> - -<p>"Do you know where my two friends are?" queried -Matt. "You know who I mean—young Lorry and McGlory."</p> - -<p>"We don't know where they are. I don't object to telling -you if that will make you any easier in your mind."</p> - -<p>"Where's the colored boy that was here with the boat?"</p> - -<p>"I played spook and scared him out. He's on the way -to Madison, and is hitting only the high places. Is this -the old <i>Sprite</i> you used in 'Frisco Bay?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Glad to know it. She'll go up in smoke before we're -done with her."</p> - -<p>Ross' veiled hints of what he was going to do did not -bother Matt very much. He had a hearty contempt for a -boaster—even a desperate boaster of Ross' stamp.</p> - -<p>The scoundrel was in a communicative mood, and -many points which had been dark to Matt were being -cleared away.</p> - -<p>"What has Big John done," Matt asked, "to get Mr. -Lorry down on me?"</p> - -<p>Ross laughed huskily.</p> - -<p>"How do I know?" he answered. "Big John is about -as sly as they make 'em. I didn't know he'd done anything -to get Lorry down on you—didn't think he'd have -the nerve to go near Lorry. You got away from that pal -of ours?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then I wish John was here with us. He's probably -as mad as a hornet over losing that money, and would -make a better stand-by than Kinky."</p> - -<p>"I never go back on a pal," expanded Kinky, "but I -think a pal ought to be sensible and not kick up too big -a row for his own good."</p> - -<p>"You'll find the row plenty big enough if you go too -far," warned Matt, speaking for Kinky's especial benefit.</p> - -<p>Kinky stirred uneasily.</p> - -<p>"It's a case," declared Ross, "where we've got to go as -far as we can. That's what'll make it safe for us. Kinky -and me have been loafing in the woods all day. We were -not to report to Big John until to-night. It's safer for -us, you understand, to get together at night than at any -other time."</p> - -<p>Matt had been working desperately at the cord that -bound his hands. The cord was drawn tight and firmly -knotted, and his efforts had not met with much success.</p> - -<p>Ross suddenly detected him in his work, and, with an -oath, jerked him over and looked at the rope.</p> - -<p>"That's enough of that," he said sternly. "Suppose -you do get rid of the rope, how'll it help you? You lay -still and be quiet, that's your cue."</p> - -<p>"What are we going to do, Ross?" inquired Kinky -nervously.</p> - -<p>"You're going up on the bank and cast off the painter," -returned Ross. "I don't think you're any too steady on -your feet, so be careful."</p> - -<p>"What do you want me to cast off the painter for? -We've got a boat of our own, and we don't need this."</p> - -<p>"I'm engineerin' this deal, Kinky," said Ross sharply. -"Do as I say, or else take to the woods and let me do it -alone."</p> - -<p>Kinky got up and staggered ashore. Although he -worked awkwardly, yet he finally succeeded in releasing -the painter and throwing the rope aboard. Then he -scrambled back into the boat himself.</p> - -<p>Ross, meanwhile, had been starting the engine. He -proceeded in a way that proved he had some knowledge -of motors.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>Turning the <i>Sprite</i>, Ross sent her slowly toward the -mouth of the creek, peering sharply ahead as they moved -through the water.</p> - -<p>"There she is," muttered Ross, shutting off the power.</p> - -<p>As the <i>Sprite</i> came to a halt, Ross reached over the -side and caught the gunwale of another boat.</p> - -<p>"We'll tow our boat behind, Kinky," announced Ross. -"Climb into her and make sure the oars are safe inboard, -then fasten her painter to the stern of the <i>Sprite</i>."</p> - -<p>This rather difficult operation was safely accomplished, -and then, with the rowboat in tow, the launch glided out -of the creek into the Catfish, and down the Catfish -toward Fourth Lake.</p> - -<p>How was that voyage to end for Motor Matt?</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER.</p> - - -<p>Matt's position in the boat enabled him to watch one -dark bank of the river as they glided down toward the -lake. He was listening and looking for some sign of -life on the bank. Had he seen any one, a shout would -quickly have apprised the person of the prisoner's predicament.</p> - -<p>But Matt saw no one. Steadily the <i>Sprite</i> glided onward—steadily, -but covering so crooked a course that -Matt wondered they did not drive into the bank on one -side or the other.</p> - -<p>The lake was reached. The storm promised by the late -afternoon was slow in coming. The wind was no higher -than it had been, two or three hours before, but the waves -were beating sullenly on the rocks as if in warning of -what was to come.</p> - -<p>Far across the lake Matt could see the glare of city -lights. Because of his position in the boat, the other -shore of the lake was not visible to him.</p> - -<p>He was looking for other boats, but there were very -few boats on the lake at the time. He saw one moving -light, however, and essayed a lusty call for help.</p> - -<p>Ross swore savagely.</p> - -<p>"Clap a hand over that cub's mouth!" he snapped.</p> - -<p>At the same instant he jerked one hand from the -wheel, caught up the lantern, and dropped it overboard.</p> - -<p>Kinky, meanwhile, had forced his hands over Matt's -lips.</p> - -<p>The light Matt had seen had shifted its position, and -was gliding toward the <i>Sprite</i>.</p> - -<p>"Hello, there!" called a voice from the dark.</p> - -<p>"Hello, yourself," flung back Ross.</p> - -<p>"Did you hail us?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"I thought some one yelled. What became of your -light?"</p> - -<p>"A lubber here with me knocked it overboard."</p> - -<p>"Well, you'd better get out another. If you take my -advice, you won't stay out long, either. There's nasty -weather coming, and we're making for our berth over at -the asylum."</p> - -<p>Ross allowed this warning to go unanswered. The -light of the other boat dwindled away and vanished in the -gloom.</p> - -<p>"This is far enough, I reckon," Ross remarked, halting -the <i>Sprite</i>. "You can leave him alone now, Kinky," he -added. "He could yell till he's black in the face and no -one would hear him; but, if he knows what's good for -him, he won't whoop it up while we're close to him. Pull -the rowboat up alongside, Kinky."</p> - -<p>Ross lifted the hood and leaned down into the space -reserved for the motor and the gasoline tanks.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" he exclaimed, lifting himself erect, "I -wish I had that lantern now."</p> - -<p>He continued to grumble and work around in the bow -of the boat. At last he finished his labor, whatever it -was, and turned to Kinky.</p> - -<p>The latter was holding the rowboat alongside the -launch. The task was none too easy, as the swell was -bumping the boats together and then forcing them apart.</p> - -<p>"What am I to do, Ross?" asked Kinky. "I can't hang -on here much longer."</p> - -<p>"Get into the rowboat and take the oars," ordered Ross.</p> - -<p>"Ain't you going along with me?"</p> - -<p>"Sure, when I get through."</p> - -<p>"What's your game?"</p> - -<p>"Never you mind," was the angry retort. "It's my -game, from now on, and you'll watch and do as you're -told. Get into the boat and hold her close to the <i>Sprite</i> -with the oars. When I want you I'll let you know. Mind -your eye when you change or you'll find yourself at the -bottom of the lake."</p> - -<p>Kinky made three attempts to get from one boat into -the other. At the last attempt he came near swamping -the rowboat, and when he drew back and clung panting -to the side of the <i>Sprite</i> the rowboat had got away from -him.</p> - -<p>Ross shouted his maledictions.</p> - -<p>"What can you expect of a fellow workin' like this -in the dark?" grunted Kinky. "I ain't no sailor, anyway."</p> - -<p>"You got feet and hands, haven't you? Then why -don't you use 'em?"</p> - -<p>With this retort, Ross started the motor and laid the -<i>Sprite</i> alongside the rowboat once more.</p> - -<p>"Now," he ordered, "try it again, Kinky. If you get a -spill you'll stay in the lake for all of me."</p> - -<p>Kinky's next effort was more successful. He had a -narrow escape, but he finally plumped down into the bottom -of the rowboat, righted himself unsteadily, and got -on the 'midships thwart. A moment more and he had -shipped the oars.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now what?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>His own temper was beginning to rise at the rough, -and perhaps unnecessary, work he had been made to do.</p> - -<p>Ross had again switched off the power of the motor -and the launch was rolling in the waves.</p> - -<p>"Wait, and I'll tell you," answered Ross.</p> - -<p>He was lashing the steering wheel with a piece of rope. -Kinky could not see what he was doing, or he would -probably have ventured some remarks. Matt, however, -was able to follow the scoundrel's movements, and a -vague alarm ran through him.</p> - -<p>"What are you up to, Ross?" asked Matt sternly.</p> - -<p>Ross snarled at him, but did not make any response -that could be understood.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you could get at this wheel, bound as you -are," muttered Ross, turning around, at last, and facing -Matt. "But I'll fix that," he added with a brutal laugh.</p> - -<p>Making his way to where Matt was lying, he caught -him by the shoulders and dragged him roughly forward.</p> - -<p>"What are you doing this for?" demanded Matt.</p> - -<p>Ross was strong, and, without deigning a reply, he -heaved the helpless youth up onto the hood. Bound as -he was, Matt's position was precarious in the extreme.</p> - -<p>"I never thought you were such a scoundrel, Ross," -Matt said quietly. "It can't be you're going to leave me -like this."</p> - -<p>"You wait till I get through," was the fierce answer.</p> - -<p>By craning his head around, Matt could see Ross pick -up a pile of waste. From the pungent odor of gasoline -which assailed Matt's nostrils he knew that the waste had -been soaked in the inflammable stuff.</p> - -<p>Ross carried the waste back into the stern of the boat.</p> - -<p>"You like motors, King," called Ross, "and I'm going -to give you such a ride on a motor-boat as you never had -before. I hope you'll enjoy it."</p> - -<p>"For the last time, Ross," called Matt, horribly conscious -of the trend the scoundrel's work was taking, "I -ask you to think of what you are doing."</p> - -<p>"I've thought of it all I'm going to. It's a fine plan, -and I'm going to carry it right through to a finish."</p> - -<p>Ross turned to the rowboat, which Kinky was keeping -close to the <i>Sprite</i>.</p> - -<p>"Come alongside, Kinky," Ross called. "I'm about -ready to be taken off."</p> - -<p>"What have you been doin', Ross?" demanded Kinky, -pulling the other boat closer.</p> - -<p>Matt felt, at that moment, as though Kinky was his -only hope.</p> - -<p>"He's got me tied here on the hood, Kinky," Matt -called, "and he's going to fire the boat! If you let him -keep on, you'll be equally guilty with him, and the law -will sooner or later take care of you both."</p> - -<p>"Let him talk!" exclaimed Ross. "Much good it'll do -him. A little more to the left, Kinky."</p> - -<p>The man in the rowboat had turned to look.</p> - -<p>"Is that him on that forward deck, Ross?" asked -Kinky.</p> - -<p>"That's where I put him."</p> - -<p>"Blazes! Why, he's liable to roll off into the water and -be drowned. What did you put him there for?"</p> - -<p>"I told you I was attendin' to this," retorted Ross. -"Get that boat alongside here, and be quick about it."</p> - -<p>"But I'm not goin' to stand for any——"</p> - -<p>"You're going to do as I tell you. Get alongside."</p> - -<p>Kinky, unfortunately for Matt, had the weaker will of -the two. He was plainly afraid of Ross, and the latter -could bullyrag him into doing anything.</p> - -<p>As the rowboat came up, Ross leaned over and grabbed -the painter. Securing the end of it to the driver's seat of -the launch, he stepped back into the stern, struck a match, -and dropped it into the heap of waste.</p> - -<p>A fire leaped upward instantly, and a yell of consternation -broke from Kinky.</p> - -<p>"Ross, you're mad! You want to make a swinging job -of this for both of us, I guess. Put out that blaze or I'll -put it out myself."</p> - -<p>Ross did not reply. Hastening forward again, he -started the motor, and the <i>Sprite</i> began driving ahead, -hauling the rowboat with it.</p> - -<p>"This course, Motor Matt," said Ross, "will carry you -direct to Maple Bluff. I hope you'll have a comfortable -landing. Good-by, and good luck to you! Have I paid -my debts? Think it over."</p> - -<p>Whirling swiftly, Ross clambered into the rowboat.</p> - -<p>"I'll not stand for this!" yelled Kinky. "This may be -your idea of paying your debts, but——"</p> - -<p>Ross pushed Kinky backward, sending him sprawling -across the 'midships thwart.</p> - -<p>"Get up and take the oars," he cried. "Pal of mine -though you are, if you try to make me any more trouble -something will happen to you. I've got the bit in my -teeth, I tell you, and I'll settle for Motor Matt as I think -best."</p> - -<p>Ross leaned forward and slashed the blade of his -pocketknife through the painter, and a hoarse laugh -echoed in Motor Matt's ears as the burning launch leaped -away through the thick shadows.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">CHUMS TO THE RESCUE.</p> - - -<p>Matt was several moments realizing the terrible predicament -in which Ross had placed him. The glowing -fire in the stern of the <i>Sprite</i> lighted the darkness with a -ghastly glare.</p> - -<p>The boat was on fire and speeding, with a lashed wheel, -across the troubled waters of the lake.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>What could Matt do to save himself? It was a time -when he must think quickly. He would also have to act -with promptness and decision—an impossibility in his -helpless state.</p> - -<p>If he could roll back over the hood, he might contrive -to get aft and, in some manner, smother the fire.</p> - -<p>He made the attempt—and succeeded, although not -until he had come within an inch of sliding off the -rounded hood and into the lake.</p> - -<p>As he fell into the bottom of the boat, he struck the -lever that controlled the sparking apparatus, throwing -off the switch and causing the <i>Sprite</i> to slow to a halt.</p> - -<p>This was a little gained, for the speed of the boat -would not now fan the flames; but Matt was wedged -in between the driver's seat and the motor, and found it -impossible to extricate himself.</p> - -<p>His heart sank.</p> - -<p>Was this to be the end? Was the <i>Sprite</i> to burn and -sink, there in the open lake, and carry him to the bottom?</p> - -<p>At this moment, just as his hopes were at the lowest -ebb, he heard a shout from near at hand.</p> - -<p>"Matt! Where are you, pard?"</p> - -<p>McGlory! That was McGlory's voice!</p> - -<p>The wonder of McGlory's being there to help him was -lost, for the moment, in the wild joy that swelled in -Matt's breast.</p> - -<p>"Here!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>A whoop of delight came from McGlory.</p> - -<p>"We've found him, George!" Matt heard him exclaim.</p> - -<p>Then there came a splash of oars and a jolt as another -boat bumped against the <i>Sprite</i>.</p> - -<p>"Hold her steady, pard," McGlory went on, "and I'll -get Matt out of this in a brace of shakes."</p> - -<p>The next moment the cowboy scrambled into the -launch.</p> - -<p>"Where are you, Matt?" called McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Never mind me," Matt answered; "put out the fire. -Beat it out—use your coat."</p> - -<p>The fire looked worse than it was in reality. Not -much of the woodwork was afire, but the blazing waste -had been scattered by the wind and was sending up -smoke and flame from the stern almost to the driver's -seat.</p> - -<p>McGlory was thinking more about Matt than he was -about the boat. However, he had his orders and did not -stop to do any arguing. Jerking off his coat, he got to -work at once.</p> - -<p>Lorry helped. Fastening the skiff which had brought -him and McGlory off from the shore, he likewise removed -his coat, and the little <i>Sprite</i> rocked and pitched -with the mad efforts of the two boys to get the best of -the blaze.</p> - -<p>Inside of five minutes they had the last flame smothered. -While George dipped up water with his cap and -deluged the smoking woodwork, McGlory pulled Matt -out of his cramped quarters.</p> - -<p>"Well, speak to me about this!" gasped McGlory. -"He's tied! Say, this would make the hair stand on a -buffalo robe. Lashed hand and foot and turned adrift -out in the middle of the lake! Sufferin' volcanoes! Who -did it, pard?"</p> - -<p>"Get the ropes off me," said Matt, "and then I can -talk to better advantage. My arms are numb clear to the -shoulder."</p> - -<p>McGlory pulled a knife from his pocket and groped -carefully while he cut the cords.</p> - -<p>"It seems like a dream," muttered Matt.</p> - -<p>"Nightmare, you mean," returned McGlory. "If I'd -been in such a fix I'd 'a' thrown a fit."</p> - -<p>"And then to have you fellows come!" went on Matt. -"I don't know how you managed it, but here you are, -and here I am, and I guess the old <i>Sprite</i> is good for several -trips yet. Shake!"</p> - -<p>McGlory caught Matt's outstretched hand and gave it -a hearty pressure. As soon as the cowboy was through, -Matt leaned over and gave Lorry's hand a cordial grip.</p> - -<p>"I'll never forget what you have done for me," declared -Matt.</p> - -<p>"Shucks!" muttered McGlory. "That's what pards are -for—to help one another when they're in a tight pinch. -And I'm an Injun if this <i>wasn't</i> a tight one. But see -here, once, Matt. You called this boat the <i>Sprite</i>."</p> - -<p>"That's her name, Joe."</p> - -<p>"Queer they'd have another motor boat, same size and -rig of that 'Frisco launch and with the same name, here -at Madison."</p> - -<p>"It's the same <i>Sprite</i>."</p> - -<p>"Not the same boat you fellows used in Frisco Bay!" -exclaimed Lorry.</p> - -<p>"The same identical boat," returned Matt.</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't that rattle your spurs?" breathed McGlory. -"But how did she get here?"</p> - -<p>"By express."</p> - -<p>"Who sent her?"</p> - -<p>"Ping."</p> - -<p>"Ping! And did the yaller mug come with her?"</p> - -<p>"If he did I haven't seen him."</p> - -<p>"Why," went on Lorry, "the boat came through nearly -as quick as we did!"</p> - -<p>"How did Ping know where to send her?" asked McGlory.</p> - -<p>"He could have found that out easy enough. They -knew at police headquarters that we were coming to -Madison."</p> - -<p>"And she came by express!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, with charges of over two hundred and fifty dollars -for transportation."</p> - -<p>"Tell me about that!" McGlory nearly fell off his -seat. "But that's just like a heathen Chinee. Probably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -he thought the charges wouldn't be more'n a dollar and -a half. And they were over two-fifty! Sufferin' millionaires!"</p> - -<p>"It's all well enough to talk," put in Lorry, "but there -are lots more comfortable places than a motor boat, -with a dead engine, in the middle of the lake."</p> - -<p>"That's right, too," agreed McGlory. "Every once -in a while little George, the child wonder, gets a bean -on the right number. It will be blowing great guns on -this stretch of water before morning. I move we hike."</p> - -<p>"Where'll we hike?"</p> - -<p>"Did you fix things up in Madison?" George inquired.</p> - -<p>"Not the way I wanted to, George," said Matt. "We'll -have to talk about that."</p> - -<p>"Then we won't go to Madison," declared George, -"and that's settled. We might as well haul off into the -Catfish and spend the night in the boat."</p> - -<p>"There used to be a 'tarp' for coverin' her in rough -weather," put in McGlory. "Was Ping thoughtful -enough to send all the stuff that belonged to her?"</p> - -<p>"He was," said Matt, "at thirty-seven dollars and fifty -cents a hundred pounds—three times the merchandise -rate."</p> - -<p>"Oh, glory! What did you take the boat off the express -company's hands for, pard?"</p> - -<p>"For the reason, Joe, that I had use for her."</p> - -<p>"And this is the kind of use you've been putting her -to!" muttered the cowboy. "It wasn't worth the price, -not by a whole row of 'dobies."</p> - -<p>The waves were rolling higher and higher, and the -<i>Sprite</i> was pitching like an unruly broncho.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to get out of this," said Lorry, as the -skiff alongside smashed against the <i>Sprite's</i> bulwarks -and gave them all a rough shaking. "The wind's carrying -us toward Maple Bluff, and I don't want any experience -with the bluff on a night like this. Where's a -lantern? Is there one aboard?"</p> - -<p>"There was," answered Matt, "but Ross threw it into -the lake."</p> - -<p>"Ross!" gulped McGlory. "You don't mean to say -you've seen him?"</p> - -<p>"We'll go over all that later," said Matt. "We'll -make for the Catfish as fast as we can."</p> - -<p>"That's as good a place as any, I reckon, seeing as -how George isn't ready to go to Madison."</p> - -<p>Matt opened the hood and sniffed at the engine to -ascertain if there was any waste gasoline dripping from -the tanks. He decided that the tanks were all closed.</p> - -<p>The engine was started and Matt brought the boat's -nose around into the wind. The trailing skiff was allowed -to fall behind to the end of its mooring chain.</p> - -<p>There was thunder, off in the west, and an occasional -sharp flash of lightning. The flashes served to guide -Matt over the course he had recently covered, while a -prisoner in the hands of Ross and Kinky.</p> - -<p>As he held the <i>Sprite</i> steadily to her course, more and -more the wonder grew upon him as to the timely arrival -of McGlory and George. Although Matt, when bound -and cast adrift, had left a fiery trail over the lake, yet -he was positive that the grewsome beacon alone had -not been responsible for the providential appearance of -his two friends.</p> - -<p>But everything would soon be made clear, and Matt -hurried the moment of explanation by driving the launch -at her best speed.</p> - -<p>The wind, of course, delayed the boat appreciably, -but her sharp bows cut the water like a knife, and the -white spray went swirling upward on both sides of the -craft, high into the night.</p> - -<p>It was an exhilarating ride, and thoroughly enjoyed -by Matt and George. McGlory loved boats, but he had -been built for a landsman, and the roll and tumble of -rough water gave him unpleasant feelings in the region -of the stomach.</p> - -<p>The cowboy drew a long breath of relief when the -launch battled her way into the quieter waters of the -Catfish, and he sprang eagerly ashore to make the boat -fast to a tree, under the lee of a steep bank.</p> - -<p>"There's a boathouse near here," said George, when -the skiff had also been secured, "and the proper move for -us is to make for it and break in. The rain will be -coming down in sheets before long. The boathouse belongs -to a friend of mine, and he won't make much of -a fuss when he knows who it was broke into the place."</p> - -<p>Before Matt left the launch he spread the tarpaulin -over it carefully and made the edges secure to the metal -pins along the gunwale; then, led by Lorry, the boys -made their way to the boathouse.</p> - -<p>Forcing an entrance was not difficult, and just as the -lads got inside the rain began.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">HOW FATE THREW THE DICE.</p> - - -<p>There was a rough but comfortable sitting room in -one end of the boathouse. Lorry, who was familiar with -the place, left Matt and McGlory near the door which -they had forced open, and groped his way to the sitting -room, where he lighted a tin lamp.</p> - -<p>There was a smell of stale cigarette smoke in the -room, and the walls were papered with pictures of prize -fighters, sailboats, race horses, and "footlight favorites," -all cut from newspapers and magazines. This, and the -acrid odor of cigarettes, attested sufficiently the taste of -the owner of the boathouse.</p> - -<p>There were chairs enough to seat the three boys comfortably.</p> - -<p>"Somebody has been here, pards," declared McGlory, -"and not so very long ago, either."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He's a Sherlock Holmes, all right," grinned Lorry. -"How do you suppose he knew that, Motor Matt?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, go on!" growled the cowboy. "Your friend -George is a cigarette fiend. Why do you reckon the windows -were draped like that?"</p> - -<p>There were two small windows in the sitting room, -and each was covered with a double thickness of canvas, -battened down on all sides.</p> - -<p>"Give it up," said Lorry. "Ollie must have been having -a game of cards here with some of the boys, and -probably he didn't want anybody looking in."</p> - -<p>"Ollie?" murmured Matt, startled, suddenly remembering -that, at the time of the attempted robbery on the -Waunakee road, Big John had addressed his youthful -companion as "Ollie."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ollie Merton," answered Lorry; "he's the fellow -who owns this place."</p> - -<p>"What sort of looking fellow is he?"</p> - -<p>"Why, he's about my build, rather dark, and with a -face that's not much of a recommendation; but Ollie's -been a good friend of mine, just the same."</p> - -<p>Matt was convinced that the Ollie he had met on the -Waunakee road, under such evil conditions, was the -same Ollie who had papered that rude little sitting room—and -had left behind him the reek of his cigarettes.</p> - -<p>"What are you asking about Ollie for?" inquired -Lorry curiously.</p> - -<p>"We'll get to that in a few minutes," said Matt. "Just -now I want to hear how you fellows came to leave the -cabin on the creek, and what sort of a coincidence it was -that enabled you to come to my rescue, out there on the -lake."</p> - -<p>"I reckon we can explain that a heap easier than you -can explain how you came to be lashed hand and foot -and jammed between the thwart and the engine of a -burning boat," returned McGlory. "You didn't get -back to the cabin, that was one of the things that bothered -George and me, and we couldn't savvy the why of -it; then, all at once, we spotted our old friends, Ross -and Kinky, standing among the oaks and piping off the -cabin. <i>Was</i> it a jolt? Say, speak to me about that. -'That means trouble,' said George, and I allowed that he -had rung the bell.</p> - -<p>"There we'd been congratulatin' ourselves that no one -knew of the hang-out, when along comes those 'Frisco -gents, loafing in the scrub and taking the sizing of our -wickiup. Having made up our minds that the appearance -of Ross and Kinky spelled trouble with a big T, -George and me got to guessing that those two lads had -somehow interfered with your getting back to the cabin, -Matt.</p> - -<p>"'We'll duck out of this, George,' says I, 'and you -can bet your moccasins on <i>that</i>. And when we duck,' -I says further, 'we'll take the luggage and the grub along -with us.'</p> - -<p>"'But what about Matt?' says George. 'He's trying -to do something for me, in Madison, and it looks kind -of rough to scatter when maybe he'll whistle for this -siding even if he is somewhat behind his running time. -Didn't you tell me that Motor Matt usually does what -he says he'll do?'</p> - -<p>"You must admit, Matt, that this cousin of mine is -improving a whole lot or he'd never have thought of -that. Up to now, he's been so busy taking care of -Number One that he hasn't had any consideration for -the rest of the human race. But I explains to him like -this:</p> - -<p>"'Georgie, we're makin' a change of base. That's all. -When we dodge those tinhorns, and pile our traps in -another part of the woods, we'll sneak back here on the -q. t. and watch for Matt. Like as not we can head him -off on the Waunakee road before he reaches the bridge -over the creek.'</p> - -<p>"George thought that would be all right, so we get our -plunder together, sneak out of the cabin, drop over the -edge of the creek bank, crawl a mile downstream, and -sashay right into the woods. I don't know whether you'll -believe it or not—things like that happen mostly in story -books—but we find the neatest cave you ever crawled -into right on the banks of the Catfish. George says it's -a second edition of Black Hawk's cave. Well, say, after -we get the bats out of that hole in the rock, we are -almost as snug as we are here, this minute. Sufferin' -Niagara, hear it pour!"</p> - -<p>"Never mind the rain, Joe," said Matt. "Your talk -is mighty exciting. Go on with it."</p> - -<p>"Of course," proceeded McGlory, "we couldn't enjoy -our cave while you were due to arrive at the cabin any -minute and drop into the hands of Ross and Kinky. I -reckon it was about eight o'clock into dewfall when -George and me crawled out of that hole and started to -make a short cut for the Waunakee road. Then, right -in the middle of the dark, we heard somethin' coming -our way just a-tearin'. George guessed bears and I -guessed Injuns; but, no, we were both fooled. It was a -little negro—George struck a match and got his color -a minute after him and me had collided and I had -flopped him on his back and was holding him down. -Then——"</p> - -<p>"Pickerel Pete!" exclaimed Matt.</p> - -<p>"That's a guess for your life. Sure, pard, it was -Pickerel Pete, and a scared Pickerel he was, at that. He -thought George and me was a pair of 'ha'nts,' whatever -they are; but George knew him, and he braced up some -when he made sure that we were perfectly human.</p> - -<p>"Then—speak to me about what that little ebony chap -told us! Motor Matt had hired him for two plunks a -day—you're getting reckless with your money, pard—and -he had piloted Motor Matt from Third Lake to -Fourth, and from Fourth up the Catfish to Whisky<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -Creek. Motor Matt had left the boat tied up there, with -Blackberry on guard, and gone on afoot up the creek. -Then spooks arrived, ordered Pete to duck, and he had -started for home like a singed cat. He was on his way -when he ran into us.</p> - -<p>"Well, George and me was all crinkled up with a -scare. Matt's gone on to the cabin, we figure it out, -and he's dropped into the hands of Ross and Kinky. We -make a run for the cabin. No one there, not even Ross -and Kinky. But there's a candle still burnin' on the -corner shelf.</p> - -<p>"Was it Motor Matt who lit that candle, we asked -ourselves, or Big John's pals? Of course we couldn't -tell that, but we allowed it was probably Matt who had -struck a light. Then it was us for the mouth of the -creek to see what was going on at the launch.</p> - -<p>"I forgot to tell you, pard, that George and I had -found a skiff, while we were fooling around the creek -bank, waiting for you to get back. The skiff pleased me—I -never saw a boat yet that didn't—and I suggested to -George that we paddle down the creek in the skiff. That -would save climbing fences and blundering around in -the dark. Well, we took the skiff. It didn't draw much -more'n a drink of water, and, although the creek is lower -than usual at this time of year, according to George, -we got down it all right. Just as we got within hailing -distance of the launch, we heard the chug of an engine, -and some one calling from the boat to some one else on -the bank. We'd found Ross and Kinky—their voices -give 'em away; and from what they said later we also -knew that we'd found <i>you</i>.</p> - -<p>"George and I were up a tree for fair, then. Ross -and Kinky were 'heeled'—we didn't have to guess any -about that—while all I had was a pocketknife, and all -George had was a scarfpin.</p> - -<p>"'Well,' says George, 'I'm not going to leave those -tinhorns to do what they please with Matt.' Surprisin', -eh, the way this cousin of mine is beginnin' to act? He -was as nervy as a Ute buck with an overload of tizwin. -I asks George what he thinks we can do against two -men with a pair of hardware hornets that sting six -times apiece. George didn't know, but allowed we'd -better drop down the creek and get a closer view.</p> - -<p>"By the time we got down to where the launch was -she had moved on and stopped again. When she moved -on once more, something was trailing behind her. It was -so dark we couldn't see what the thing was very plain, -but after some sort of a while we made out that it was -a boat. Well, how we ever did it I don't know, but -George—it was George, mind you—made our chain -painter fast to the stern of the trailing rowboat—and -that's the sort of procession we made down the Catfish." -McGlory threw back his head and laughed till -he shook. "First, the launch," he went on; "then the -rowboat, then George, and me, and the skiff. Sufferin' -side-wheelers! Why, I nearly gave the snap away enjoying -it."</p> - -<p>"Great spark plugs!" muttered Matt. "When we went -down the Catfish, I was watching the bank, hoping to -see some one I could call to. And there were you and -George behind us all the time! I wish Ross and Kinky -knew about that."</p> - -<p>"It was too much fun to last, pard," continued McGlory, -sobering a little. "When we got out into the -lake the heavier swell made the chain break loose from -the rowboat, and we had to follow with the oars, which -was slow work. We were a long ways off when you -spoke that other launch; and when you started like a -streak of fire for the northwest end of the lake, we were -still so far off that we didn't think we could reach you -in time to do you any good. But we broke our backs -at the oars, and managed to make it. You know the -rest."</p> - -<p>"Fine!" exclaimed Matt admiringly. "Say, you fellows -are pards worth having. What became of Pickerel -Pete?"</p> - -<p>"Bother him!" put in George. "We didn't have any -time to fool with the little moke after we heard what -he had to tell us about you."</p> - -<p>"He kept on toward town, burnin' the air," said McGlory.</p> - -<p>"I think," said Matt reflectively, "that this cave of -yours would be a safer place for us than this boathouse."</p> - -<p>"Safer," returned the cowboy, "but it hasn't got any -chairs and nothing to make a light with. Hear the rain, -once! Gee, <i>compadres</i>, I wouldn't move from here to -the cave, through all that water, for a bushel of double -eagles."</p> - -<p>"Why is the cave safer?" asked Lorry.</p> - -<p>"Because this Ollie Merton isn't such a friend of yours -as you think," said Matt.</p> - -<p>George Lorry stiffened in the old, arrogant way.</p> - -<p>"I guess I know my friends," he answered frigidly.</p> - -<p>"Listen," went on Matt. "When I left the cabin and -started along the Waunakee road, some one in the bushes -threw a riata at me. It was Big John threw the rope, -and along with Big John was this Ollie Merton. They -were after that ten thousand dollars, but I played a trick -on them and got away with the draft. It was your sister, -George, that helped me get away."</p> - -<p>"What!" exclaimed George; "not Ethel?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. She was on the Waunakee road with her motor -car——"</p> - -<p>George scowled.</p> - -<p>"The governor would put twenty-five hundred in a -runabout for sis," he growled, "and wouldn't scrip up -when I wanted a motor boat. Is that right? Is——"</p> - -<p>Voices were heard outside, accompanying a slushy -crunch of wet gravel. Matt leaped for the light and -blew it out.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Not a word!" he whispered. "That must be Ollie -Merton, and we don't want him to see us. There's an -overturned catboat—get under it."</p> - -<p>Lorry tried to protest, but Matt caught him by the -arm and hustled him toward the overturned boat. The -boat had been lying under the boys' eyes during their -talk. Barely had they secreted themselves when the -door opened and two persons walked in, followed by a -whirling gust of rain.</p> - -<p>"Whoosh!" called a familiar voice, "I'm glad to get -out of that, Ollie."</p> - -<p>"Big John!" whispered Matt in Lorry's ear. "He's -come here with Merton. Keep quiet, now, and listen."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT.</p> - - -<p>When Matt, Lorry, and McGlory had made forcible -entrance into the boathouse, it had been through the door -that fronted the river. Merton and Big John had entered -through a door at the other end of the house. -Thus, for a time, at least, the broken lock on the other -door was not discovered.</p> - -<p>"Light up," went on the voice of Big John. "And if -you've got anything in a bottle, Ollie, trot it out and -mebby it'll drive the chill from our bones. I'm not pinin' -for an attack of rheumatism."</p> - -<p>"I've got that, too," answered Ollie, with a fatuous -snicker. "Always keep something for snake bites."</p> - -<p>"And it's a bad thing for a lad of your years. Hurry -up with the light."</p> - -<p>"Give me time to get out of this mackintosh and then -I'll hunt for matches."</p> - -<p>There followed the slap of a wet garment on the floor. -The next moment a match was struck, and young Merton -could be seen making for the lamp. The moment he -touched the chimney he jumped back with a cry and the -match dropped from his fingers.</p> - -<p>"What ails you?" demanded Big John.</p> - -<p>"Why, the chimney's <i>hot</i>!" exclaimed Merton. -"Somebody's been here, and they haven't been gone very -long, either."</p> - -<p>"Thunder! It must have been Ross and Kinky. They -were to meet us here, you know, and Ross had a key -to the boathouse."</p> - -<p>"If they were here a few minutes ago," went on Merton, -"why aren't they here now?"</p> - -<p>"I'll have to pass that. But if any one was here, it -was those pals of mine. Go on and light the lamp. Use -your handkerchief for taking off the chimney."</p> - -<p>Matt, under the overturned boat, drew a breath of -relief. But it was only a temporary relief. Already he -was wondering what would happen when Ross and -Kinky arrived at the rendezvous. Ross had told Matt -that he and Kinky were to meet Big John that night, -but had carried the impression that the meeting was to -take place in town.</p> - -<p>Merton's fears were apparently relieved, and he soon -had the lamp lighted.</p> - -<p>Big John divested himself of a raincoat and removed -a dripping cap. Coat and cap he hung very carefully -from two nails in the wall.</p> - -<p>Merton, meanwhile, was unlocking a cupboard. A -bottle and two glasses came out of the cupboard. Merton -poured some of the liquor into the glasses. Big -John reached over and emptied part of Merton's glass -into his own.</p> - -<p>"That leaves enough for you, son, and a heap more -than you ought to have," said he. "It ain't good for -younkers—nor for old fellers, either."</p> - -<p>"Oh, splash!" grunted Merton. "You ought to go -around with a pocketful of tracts," he grinned. "Whenever -you rob a man, leave a tract with him."</p> - -<p>"You're mighty cute," observed Big John, setting his -empty glass on the table and leaning back in his chair, -"but the two of us wasn't cute enough to get the best -of Motor Matt. There's a boy! He's a bright and -shinin' example. He has backcapped me twice, and the -more he does it the more I admire him."</p> - -<p>Merton stared; then, developing his silver cigarette -case and his silver match box, he proceeded to smoke.</p> - -<p>"You're a queer fish, Big John," said he. "If you've -got such high standards, why don't you live up to 'em?"</p> - -<p>Big John shook his head gloomily.</p> - -<p>"I expect it ain't in me," he answered.</p> - -<p>"If you'd had Ross and Kinky with you, there at the -bend in the Waunakee road, this Motor Matt wouldn't -have made a get-away."</p> - -<p>"Mebby not; but Ross is down on Motor Matt and -wouldn't hesitate to hand him his finish. That's the -reason I wouldn't have Ross along; and I let Kinky stay -with Ross as a sort of safeguard, in case anythin' went -crossways and Ross happened to find Motor Matt. Only -the hope of me gettin' that money has caused Ross to -hold back as long as he has. Now that he knows there's -no hope of gettin' the money, he'll be as mad as a cannibal. -Ross is worse'n an Apache Injun when he's -worked up."</p> - -<p>"Then he'll be mad when he comes here and finds you -didn't get the money, won't he?"</p> - -<p>"He will; and I've laid my plans to make a quick -jump for the West. I'll land that precious Ross where -he won't get us all into trouble."</p> - -<p>"You were telling me that you had set old man Lorry -against Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>A slow grin worked its way over Big John's face.</p> - -<p>"Anonymous letter," said he. "I just wrote Lorry -that I was a detective, and didn't think it wise to put<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -my information over my own name, see? Then I went -on to tell him to look out for Motor Matt, and explained -that he was in cahoots with the three desperate scoundrels -who had stolen the ten thousand in 'Frisco. That'll -make Lorry think a little. But see here, son. You -haven't been private adviser for young Lorry just to -make a man of him in the gamblin' line, have you? -What's your graft? I'll bet it's somethin' more than -getting him away from his mother's apron strings, and -out of the sissy class."</p> - -<p>Merton's sinister face took on a crafty look.</p> - -<p>"You're right," said he. "The Winnequa Club has a -race in a few days. For reasons of my own, I intend to -win that race. See? Lorry also wanted to have a boat -in the race, and he's about the only one, apart from me, -whose dad has money enough to furnish him with a boat -that will make the rest of us climb. But old man Lorry -isn't furnishing George with the boat." Merton chuckled. -"When George asked me what he ought to do the time -his father threatened to send him to military school, I -told George to skip, and to get as far away as he could. -That left me free to do as I wanted to in that motor-boat -event."</p> - -<p>Merton winked.</p> - -<p>"H'm!" murmured Big John. "You're a foxy youngster. -I'm not sayin' it's creditable in you, mind, but it -shows sharp thinking, all right."</p> - -<p>The three boys under the overturned boat were able -to see and hear all that went on. When the conversation -between Merton and Big John had proceeded that -far, Matt heard a sharp breath escape Lorry's lips.</p> - -<p>A few words, and Merton's despicable planning had -been laid bare. Out of Merton's own mouth Lorry could -judge him. This false friend, with whom Lorry had -associated, and whose advice he had taken, had headed -him toward irretrievable ruin.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I can be foxy if I want to," said Merton. "All -I want now is to make sure that Lorry doesn't get in -that race."</p> - -<p>"I guess you can be easy on that point," returned Big -John dryly. "The old gent won't put up money for the -boat on a bet. Motor Matt called on Lorry. I talked -with Gus, the Lorry chauffeur, and he said there was -a heap of coldness developed durin' the interview, and -that when Motor Matt had left, Lorry used the telephone -and asked police headquarters to have a plain-clothes -man pick up his trail and follow him. The fly -cop followed Motor Matt from Third Lake into Fourth, -but lost him somewhere around the Mendota end of the -Catfish. The last thing I did, before leaving Madison -to come here, was to drop another unsigned letter in the -mails for Lorry."</p> - -<p>"What was that for?" asked Merton.</p> - -<p>"I told Lorry that if he would cross Fourth Lake in -the morning, and proceed up the Catfish as far as -Whisky Creek, then leave the boat and walk up the creek -for a mile, he would come to the place where Motor -Matt was having McGlory keep his son. I reckon <i>that</i> -will give Motor Matt something to think about. I'll not -be here to see the fun, and I guess young King will get -out of the scrape in his customary fashion, but it'll be -something by way of remembering Big John. King has -made me a lot o' trouble, and has beat me out of a pineapple -plantation, and that's all I can do to rough things -up for him. You see——"</p> - -<p>Big John broke off suddenly. Some one else was approaching -the boathouse. Matt, McGlory, and Lorry -could hear the footsteps plainly.</p> - -<p>Merton started to get up, but Big John lifted a restraining -hand.</p> - -<p>"If they're the ones we expect," said he, "they've got -a key and can let themselves in. If they're not the ones -we're looking for, then we don't want them here."</p> - -<p>A key rattled in the lock just as Big John finished -speaking. The next moment the door opened and two -men blew in.</p> - -<p>They were Ross and Kinky!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">A DASH FOR THE OPEN.</p> - - -<p>That visit of Matt, McGlory, and Lorry to the boathouse -was worth all the danger it had brought, even if -it had resulted in nothing more than opening Lorry's -eyes to the duplicity of his supposed friend.</p> - -<p>But other things had developed that were highly interesting, -as well as edifying.</p> - -<p>Matt was astounded to learn that an anonymous letter -had made the elder Lorry so bitterly hostile. If Lorry -had put so much faith in one unsigned letter, surely he -would have equal confidence in the second, and might be -expected to cross the lake on the following morning and -make his way to the cabin on the creek.</p> - -<p>It was likewise refreshing to learn that Big John was -intending to take his two pals and return to the West. -Matt was not forgetting that Ross and Kinky had some -three hundred dollars of his money, and before the flight -something must be done to recover the funds.</p> - -<p>But just then a common danger suggested that the -boys must get away from the boathouse. There were -four enemies against them, and at least three of the enemies -were armed.</p> - -<p>"We've got to get out of here, Joe," whispered Matt.</p> - -<p>"Why not lay low till <i>they</i> get out?" returned the -cowboy.</p> - -<p>"It won't be possible. That hot lamp chimney is going -to do the trick for us. Big John will mention it and -ask Ross and Kinky why they left the boathouse and -went out into the rain. Ross and Kinky will say they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -didn't; then there'll be talk and a hunt for intruders. -We've got to make a dash for the open—and at once."</p> - -<p>"You've got it right, Motor Matt," murmured Lorry. -"The quicker I can get away from here, the better I'll -like it. I've learned a lot," and there was bitterness in -Lorry's voice as he finished.</p> - -<p>"Let's heave over the boat and make a dash for the -back door," suggested McGlory. "We're rushin' straight -into the dark, and, if we're quick, we can get clear before -there's any shooting."</p> - -<p>"That hits me," said Lorry.</p> - -<p>"It's now or never, then," assented Matt. "Separate, -just outside the boathouse, and then come together -again at the launch. We'll go up to that cave you fellows -found. You understand the plan, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Lorry and McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Then lay hold of the edge of the boat," went on -Matt.</p> - -<p>In their narrow quarters the three boys knelt, waiting -for the word to lift the boat's edge from the skids and -throw the hulk entirely over. It was not a large boat, -and their strength was fully equal to the task they had -set for themselves.</p> - -<p>"<i>Now!</i>" hissed Matt.</p> - -<p>Over went the boat with a crash. Startled yells came -from the sitting room, followed by silence broken only -by a rush of feet as Matt, Lorry, and McGlory darted -toward the rear door.</p> - -<p>"Stop 'em!" roared Big John.</p> - -<p>"Guns!" cried Ross; "use your guns!"</p> - -<p>McGlory halted and whirled. At the side of the boat -he had found a small can of white lead, which was -probably to do its part in giving the hull a coat of paint. -When starting to run the cowboy had taken the can of -lead with him.</p> - -<p>He paused to hurl the can. Straight as a bullet it -shot through the air, crashed into the lamp, and plunged -the interior of the boathouse in darkness. Another moment -and McGlory had hurled himself through the door.</p> - -<p>Acting upon Matt's suggestion, the three friends separated -as soon as they reached the outside air. Ten -minutes later they were all together again at the place -where the <i>Sprite</i> was moored.</p> - -<p>There was a lull in the storm, and for a while, at -least, the rain had stopped.</p> - -<p>Matt began ripping off the boat's tarpaulin cover.</p> - -<p>"Cast off the painter, Joe," he called, as he worked. -"You can help me with this, George," he added. "Never -mind the skiff—we can't bother with that now."</p> - -<p>Clearing a working space aft of the hood, Matt leaped -into the boat and began getting the motor into action. -George finished removing the "tarp," and McGlory -scrambled aboard with the end of the painter.</p> - -<p>From the direction of the boathouse sounds of pursuit -could be heard.</p> - -<p>"Tumble in, George," called Matt. "You can finish -that from inside the boat."</p> - -<p>McGlory gave his cousin a hand and Matt started the -propeller.</p> - -<p>Taking the launch up the river on such a night was -hazardous in the extreme. But Matt had the bearings -of the stream in his head, and he urged the <i>Sprite</i> boldly -onward.</p> - -<p>From behind them, somewhere, a revolver was fired. -The leaden missile caused no damage, and the launch -rushed on into the gloom.</p> - -<p>Lorry, who knew the river well, pushed to Matt's side -to be of what help he could.</p> - -<p>"You never had a better chance to wreck a boat, -Motor Matt," said Lorry, "than you've got right now."</p> - -<p>"I'm hoping for the best," returned Matt. "Instinct, -more than anything else, is guiding me. I don't know, -but I seem to <i>feel</i> it when we're going wrong."</p> - -<p>It was the same instinct, perhaps, which carries a -horse over the right road when the rider is lost, or that -carries a bird miles and miles through the air to the -same nest in the same tree of the forest.</p> - -<p>This was not the first time Matt had profited by that -vague intuition. It was almost like a sixth sense.</p> - -<p>McGlory, time and again, held his breath, fearing that -they were about to run upon the rocks; but, just as -surely, time and again, the king of the motor boys turned -the wheel and deep water remained under them.</p> - -<p>"It's up to you fellows to tell me where to stop," said -Matt.</p> - -<p>"I'm watching for the place," replied Lorry, "but the -shore line looks like a solid blur of shadow. I can't distinguish -one point from another."</p> - -<p>"Figure it out by dead-reckoning," suggested Matt. -"You must have some idea, George, how far the cave -is from the lake."</p> - -<p>"Two miles, I should say."</p> - -<p>"Then, at this speed, we've covered the two miles," -and Matt shut off the power and let the boat's momentum -carry her toward the bank.</p> - -<p>The <i>Sprite</i> came to a halt with a slight jar, which -proved that she had struck.</p> - -<p>"That's all right," announced Matt, "and we're close -enough to tie up. Never mind if we do get our feet -wet; we're in luck to get out of that boathouse as well -as we did."</p> - -<p>"You can gamble the limit on that," answered McGlory, -splashing ashore with the painter. "I'm a Digger, -too, if this place don't look familiar to me, what little I -can see of it."</p> - -<p>"It's familiar to me, too," exulted Lorry. "Why, fellows, -we're within a hundred feet of the cave! Talk -about luck, will you? This lays over anything that ever -came my way."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<p>Matt replaced the tarpaulin, got over the side, and -waded to the bank. Lorry and McGlory led him upward -for a dozen feet to a place where the bank broke away -in a sort of narrow shelf. Something like a hundred feet -along this shelf was the opening into the cavern. The -entrance was masked with hazels, but the boys crowded -in, and soon found themselves in dry quarters.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about that boathouse, please!" guffawed -the cowboy, stretching himself out on the uneven stone -floor. "Were Big John and his pals surprised! I rather -guess they were."</p> - -<p>"Tell us more about that attempt Big John and Merton -made to rob you on the Waunakee road," said Lorry. -"It seems strange that Merton should have a hand in -anything like that, or that he should be mixed up with -this gang of scoundrels at all. Merton's folks are immensely -wealthy. They're traveling in Europe now, and -Merton is in Madison attending the university. Mert -is a spender, all right, and all he has to do when he -wants money is to ask for it. Why should he help Big -John try to get that ten thousand from you, Matt?"</p> - -<p>"Possibly it wasn't the money end of the deal that attracted -Merton," answered Matt. "It may be that all he -wanted, Lorry, was to make you as much trouble as he -could."</p> - -<p>Lorry muttered angrily under his breath.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how I ever let him pull the wool over -my eyes," said he, "but it's a fact that I considered -Ollie Merton my best friend. It was by his advice that -I took that money and went to 'Frisco."</p> - -<p>"That, alone," remarked Matt earnestly, "proves that -Merton was not a friend."</p> - -<p>"I'm beginning to see it in that light myself," admitted -Lorry. "It's hard to have to say so, but it's the truth."</p> - -<p>"Hard!" scoffed McGlory. "Why, pard, the way -you're showin' up is sure hard to beat. But don't hang -fire with that yarn of yours, Matt. You've got ours, -and all George and I need is a statement of facts from -you in order to get the whole business straight in our -own minds. Heave ahead now, and be quick about it. -I'm about ready to doze off."</p> - -<p>Matt began with his start for Waunakee, related the -attempted robbery, and the manner in which he and -Ethel Lorry had backed the runabout along the Waunakee -road and into Madison.</p> - -<p>The part Matt dreaded to tell had to do with his interview -with Lorry's father; but Lorry had shown such -a surprising change in his whole manner of thought and -action that Matt detailed the conversation between himself -and Mr. Lorry exactly as it had occurred.</p> - -<p>A few days before, such a report would have sent -George into a furious tirade against his father, but he -now listened quietly and without comment.</p> - -<p>Matt, highly pleased, proceeded to tell how he had -taken the launch from the express office, had engaged -Pickerel Pete, and had run the <i>Sprite</i> into Fourth Lake -and up the Catfish; then followed his visit to the cabin, -his failure to find McGlory and Lorry, his return to the -launch, his capture by a ruse on the part of Ross, and, -finally, the murderous attempt which Ross had made and -which had come so near being successful.</p> - -<p>"That Ross must be bug-house!" growled McGlory -angrily.</p> - -<p>"He had been drinking," said Matt. "A man will do -things when he's partly intoxicated that he wouldn't -think of doing when sober."</p> - -<p>"You're out three hundred dollars, Matt," spoke up -Lorry, "and I don't think that money will ever come -back to you. When we made that dash from the boathouse, -Big John and his pals knew we had been there -long enough to learn a whole lot about their plans. Ross -and Kinky have discovered that you were saved from -the burning boat, even if they didn't know it before, and -all three of the rascals will not lose a minute getting -away from this part of the country. I doubt if it would -do any good for us to go to Madison and report to the -police. Big John and his pals are done with Madison, -and with you. They'll make tracks for where they came -from, and they'll do it at once."</p> - -<p>"That sounds like pretty good reasoning to me," observed -Matt, "but I guess that what we've accomplished -is worth all it cost us. What are your plans, Lorry?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going home in the morning," declared Lorry. -"If I'm to go to a military school—well, there are worse -places."</p> - -<p>"Listen to George!" cried McGlory. "Oh, tell me -about George! Ain't he a surprise party, though?"</p> - -<p>"Now," said Matt jubilantly, "I'm <i>sure</i> that what -we've accomplished is worth the price. Good night, -pards. I've found a soft stone, and I've got material for -pleasant dreams, so I'm going to sleep. In the morning, -we're for across the lake—and Aristocracy Hill!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">THE POWER BOAT—MINUS THE POWER.</p> - - -<p>The boys were astir early, it being their intention to -reach Madison and the Lorry home before Mr. Lorry -could get away to cross the lake—providing that proved -to be his intention.</p> - -<p>The boys had a frugal breakfast off the cold food -McGlory and Lorry had brought from the cabin, and -immediately after they emerged from the cave upon the -narrow shelf that ran in front of it.</p> - -<p>The rain seemed to be over, and the leaden clouds -were being scattered by a fierce wind from the west.</p> - -<p>"This is a bad morning to be on Fourth Lake," said -George, casting an anxious eye upward. "I had hoped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -the wind would blow itself out, but it appears to be as -strong as ever."</p> - -<p>"Why not leave the <i>Sprite</i> here," suggested McGlory, -"and hike for Madison along the wagon road?"</p> - -<p>"It would take us too long," protested Matt. "I think -a boat that can stand the seas in 'Frisco Bay ought to -be able to negotiate this fresh-water lake. The <i>Sprite's</i> -reliable, I can say that for her; and, so long as we have -power, I guess we needn't fear the wind."</p> - -<p>"We'd better have a look at the boat by daylight," -said McGlory. "For all we know, pards, the end may -have been burned off her."</p> - -<p>But an examination showed that the <i>Sprite</i> had suffered -little damage from the fire. The luggage was -thrown aboard and the boys climbed to their places. One -turn of the flywheel and the cylinders took the spark; -then, on the reverse, the boat was pulled from the shoal -into deep water, Matt changed to the forward drive, and -they were off in a wide circle that pointed them for Lake -Mendota.</p> - -<p>"I don't care a whoop what happens now," gloried -the cowboy, "we've got George out of the woods, and -that's the main thing."</p> - -<p>"Call it that if you want to, Joe," said Lorry, "but -there's music for me to face, over on Fourth Lake -Ridge."</p> - -<p>"And you're goin' to face it like a little man, Georgie; -and if Uncle Dan don't back down on that military-school -proposition he'll get a cold blast from Joe McGlory. -And that, pards," the cowboy added, "is a shot that goes -as it lays."</p> - -<p>"I'll take my medicine and not make much of a face, -no matter how bitter the dose is," went on George; "but -there's one thing that's bound to happen."</p> - -<p>"Meanin' which, George?" inquired McGlory.</p> - -<p>"Why, my father is going to be set right on the subject -of Motor Matt."</p> - -<p>"Don't let me cause any friction between you, George," -urged Matt. "The breach between you and your father -is in a fair way of being healed."</p> - -<p>"So far as I am concerned," said Lorry, a flush tinging -his cheeks, "I'm willing to admit that I acted like a fool. -I'll go on record with that, face to face with the governor; -I'll even go further and say that it was weakness -that made me hang back from Madison, stop in that -cabin, and send Motor Matt on to make a dicker and -save my pride. But the governor has got to understand -that Motor Matt's my friend, and that, but for him and -you, Joe, I'd not be here now. Right is right, and Motor -Matt is going to have justice, if nothing more."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad as blazes, George," caroled McGlory, "to -hear you tune up in that fashion. The more I listen to -you, since last night, the better I feel."</p> - -<p>"I was quite a while getting to sleep in that cave," -pursued Lorry. "I lay there, on the hard rocks, and -reviewed everything I've done since leaving Madison. It -seems as though a fog had been cleared out of my -brain, and that I was able to stand off and get a clean-cut, -impersonal look at myself. The sight wasn't pleasing. -I know why Motor Matt suggested that stop at -Waunakee, and a probation in the cabin on the creek. -He read me better than I could read myself. He knew -that I had pride which would not suffer humiliation -and disgrace, and that if I was not pampered and humored -a little I would probably go off on another rebellious -splurge—and wind up my future prospects. By -staying at that cabin, I brought all these dangers upon -Matt; and yet, if he had not suggested some such move -as the halt at Waunakee, I should very likely have bolted -from the train between 'Frisco and here. Oh, what an -unreasoning idiot I have been!"</p> - -<p>Lorry dropped down on a seat and bowed his head in -his hands.</p> - -<p>"Speak to me about this, Matt!" whispered McGlory, -placing himself alongside the king of the motor boys. -"Who'd ever have dreamed my haughty, high-and-mighty -cousin would ever have come to the scratch in -such a way? Sufferin' tyrants! I wonder if Uncle Dan -is going to do the right thing by George, or make as -big a fool of himself as George did?"</p> - -<p>"I think Mr. Lorry, after he sees and talks with -George, will do the right thing," returned Matt.</p> - -<p>Just here the <i>Sprite</i> shot out of the river into the -rolling waters of Fourth Lake. The west wind, marshaling -its strength on the broad sweep of the prairies, -caught up the waves and flung them headlong toward -Maple Bluff. The launch leaped and staggered, shoved -her bow into the highest waves, and then shivered and -flung off the spray in a double cataract on each side.</p> - -<p>It was a nerve-tingling ride, and McGlory suddenly -made up his mind that his stomach would feel better if -he sat down.</p> - -<p>George, his face flushed with excitement, looked -around him and gave a jubilant shout.</p> - -<p>"Great!" he cried.</p> - -<p>"I wish I felt like that," groaned McGlory. "For -Heaven's sake, Matt, see how quick you can get us to -the other side."</p> - -<p>"We can tie up at the yacht club on the west shore," -said Lorry.</p> - -<p>"All right," answered Matt. "Look at that boat over -there, George," he added, nodding his head in the direction -of Governor's Island. "She's the only other boat -on the lake, so far as I can see, and she's acting as -though something is wrong with her."</p> - -<p>Lorry stood up, braced himself, and peered ahead.</p> - -<p>"She's a bigger boat than ours," he remarked, "and -looked to me like the <i>Stella</i>. The <i>Stella</i> is a thirty-footer, -and belongs to Barkley Cameron, a neighbor of ours -up on the Hill. By Jupiter," he added, a few moments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -later, "it is the <i>Stella</i>, and she's in trouble, as sure as -you're a foot high."</p> - -<p>"The wind is driving her toward the Bluff," said -Matt excitedly. "Her engine's dead—she hasn't any -power to fight the wind and waves."</p> - -<p>"And there are four men aboard her," went on Lorry. -"Great Scott! If they ever go on those rocks at the -point, the boat will be smashed to kindling and every -one aboard of her drowned. Let's stand by the <i>Stella</i>, -Matt, and try and do something for her."</p> - -<p>"I'm rushing the <i>Sprite</i> in the <i>Stella's</i> direction," answered -Matt, "and have been for some time. But we -may not be able to do anything. She's half a mile nearer -the rocks than we are, and she may go onto them before -we can overhaul her."</p> - -<p>Far off, just beyond the drifting and helpless launch, -Matt and Lorry could see the white waves flinging -themselves against the jutting crags of McBride's Point. -The <i>Sprite</i> was coming up with the <i>Stella</i> hand over -fist, but the <i>Stella's</i> drift was carrying her toward the -cliffs with tremendous speed.</p> - -<p>"I can see the people on board," cried George, "and -two of them are tinkering with the engine. If they -can get the motor in shape they're all right, but if they -can't——"</p> - -<p>George broke off abruptly, and stood clinging to Matt -and staring at the other boat with frenzied eyes. Two -of the <i>Stella's</i> passengers, as Matt could see, were looking -toward the <i>Sprite</i> and waving their hands frantically.</p> - -<p>"Matt," called George huskily, "one of those men is -my father!"</p> - -<p>"Great guns!" gasped Matt. "He started across the -lake in the <i>Stella</i>. We didn't leave the Catfish quick -enough. But keep your nerve, George. We're going to -save them if we have to run into the breakers and pull -the <i>Stella</i> off the cliff!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> - -<p class="chaptitle">A RECONCILIATION.</p> - - -<p>McGlory aroused himself for a moment, and learned -what the excitement was all about. Straightway he -forgot his physical ills and became absorbed in the wonderful -race Motor Matt was running with death. By -every trick in his power the king of the motor boys -was doing his utmost to urge the <i>Sprite</i> onward. The -boat's speed became a terrific dash, a headlong hustle, -with wind and wave helping the propeller.</p> - -<p>"We'll never make it!" groaned George.</p> - -<p>"Buck up, George!" cried McGlory. "Motor Matt has -done harder things than this."</p> - -<p>"But the <i>Stella</i> will be on the rocks before we can get -to her! And there's the governor, likely to meet his -fate right under my eyes! Oh, what a scoundrel I have -been! Seeing the governor like this, perhaps for the -last time, makes me realize what I have done. He was -crossing the lake to find me, Joe."</p> - -<p>George's voice died to a whisper and ended in a dry -sob.</p> - -<p>"Pull yourself together, I tell you!" roared McGlory. -"Now's the time to show yourself a <i>man</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Yell to them to stand ready to throw a rope," said -Matt, between his teeth. "We can't get alongside of -them before they hit the rocks, but we can come near -enough so we can catch a rope if there's a strong enough -arm to pass it."</p> - -<p>Lorry cast aside his overpowering doubts and fears -and flung himself into the fight with demoniacal energy.</p> - -<p>"Stand ready with a rope!" he yelled, trumpeting -through his hands and doing his best to make his voice -heard above the roar and crash of the waves.</p> - -<p>Again and again he repeated it, and McGlory joined -in, timing his voice with his cousin's.</p> - -<p>One of the men who had been working at the engine -suddenly left his thankless labor and placed himself well -forward on the <i>Stella</i> at the point nearest to the approaching -<i>Sprite</i>.</p> - -<p>"Make ready to grab the rope, both of you!" shouted -Matt. "If you're lucky enough to grab it, take a half-hitch -around the stern stanchion, and lay back on the -end of the rope with every ounce of power in your -bodies! There, stand by! They're going to throw!"</p> - -<p>Matt shifted the wheel and, for a minute, placed the -<i>Sprite</i> broadside on to wind and waves. This gave the -man with the rope a better mark.</p> - -<p>Out shot the coil of hemp, but the resistance of the -wind caused it to fall pitifully short.</p> - -<p>A cry of despair went up from Lorry.</p> - -<p>"Once more!" yelled McGlory, as Matt pointed the -<i>Sprite</i> straight for the <i>Stella</i> and flung her onward.</p> - -<p>The man rapidly coiled the rope in his hands. Another -man stepped forward and took the rope to make -the next cast himself. He was a more powerfully built -man than the one who had attempted the first cast.</p> - -<p>"This will tell the story," cried George. "If this -throw fails the <i>Stella</i> will be smashed to pieces on the -bluff."</p> - -<p>Matt and McGlory knew that fully as well as Lorry; -and those on the <i>Stella</i> must have realized it.</p> - -<p>The man with the rope was cool and deliberate. It -was plain he was not going to waste any valuable chances -by undue haste; then, as he was whirling the rope to let -it fly, Matt again turned the <i>Sprite</i> broadside on.</p> - -<p>For an instant it looked as though the rope was again -to fall short; but Lorry, stretching far out from the -side of the <i>Sprite</i>, snatched the end of the rope out of -the air with convulsive fingers, and fell with it to the -bottom of the boat.</p> - -<p>A faint cheer went up from those on the <i>Stella</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>But the battle was not yet won. McGlory went to -the assistance of Lorry, and the slack of the cable was -jerked out of the water. This gave sufficient rope for -a half-hitch around the stanchion and a firm hand hold. -The cowboy and his cousin lay back on the line, bracing -their feet against the thwarts and clinging with all their -strength.</p> - -<p>Motor Matt, meanwhile, had been busy with his part -of the work. The instant the rope was made fast, he -had shifted the bow of the <i>Sprite</i>, switching off the -power for a moment in order to lessen the shock when -the launch should begin to feel the pull.</p> - -<p>Yet even with this precaution the shock was tremendous. -But nothing gave way, and slowly but surely -the <i>Sprite</i> took up her burden.</p> - -<p>For a few moments the two boats seemed to stand -stationary, the power of the <i>Sprite</i> just counterbalancing -the push of wind and wave against both boats; then, -a little later, the <i>Sprite</i> began to move, gathering headway -by slow degrees.</p> - -<p>Anything like speed was out of the question, but the -<i>Sprite</i>, without missing a shot, plowed her way like a -tugboat through the churning waters, and brought herself -and her tow safely along the yacht club's pier.</p> - -<p>Matt and McGlory, busy making the <i>Sprite</i> fast, -caught a glimpse of George rushing across the pier to -meet his father.</p> - -<p>"George!" shouted the elder man.</p> - -<p>"Dad!" cried George.</p> - -<p>And they came together, gripping each other's hands. -With arms locked they walked the length of the pier -and vanished inside the yacht club's headquarters.</p> - -<p>"Reconciliation?" queried McGlory. "If it isn't, I -don't know the brand. Oh, I reckon Uncle Dan will do -the right thing by George. That cold blast of mine will -have to be permanently retired. Matt, give us your -paw! This is a grand day for the Lorry tribe!"</p> - -<p>"No doubt about that, Joe," answered Matt, with -feeling, as he and McGlory shook hands.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later Matt went into the yacht club to -telephone police headquarters about his stolen money. -He had only a very faint hope of ever seeing the money -again, but he felt it his duty to do everything possible -to recover it.</p> - -<p>Over the 'phone he gave a description of Big John, -Ross, and Kinky.</p> - -<p>The man at the other end of the line had just promised -to do what he could when Matt was caught by a -strong hand and turned around. He was once more face -to face with Lorry, Sr. But there was a difference in -the Lorry of Matt's first and second meeting.</p> - -<p>"By gad!" cried Lorry, "I want to shake hands with -a hero. Nobly done, young man! But for you we'd -have gone to smash against Maple Bluff, every last one -of us on the <i>Stella</i>. We had our little differences when -we met, that other time, Motor Matt, but I didn't understand -the matter then. George here has been telling -me how much he owes to you, how much I owe to you, -how much I owe to him, and we all owe to McGlory, -and everybody owes to everybody else. Gad! my head -is fair splitting with it all. Never mind that three hundred -that was taken away from you; I guess"—and the -rich man laughed—"that my bank account is good for -three hundred. I'll see that <i>you</i> don't lose anything. -We'll have more talk about this later."</p> - -<p>Lorry, Sr., turned to where McGlory was standing, -at Matt's side, his black eyes gleaming humorously.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Joe, you rascal," went on Lorry, placing two -hands on the cowboy's shoulders, "you've done something -to make us all proud of you—and I guess you'll find it -out before you're many days older."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do for George, uncle?" -queried McGlory.</p> - -<p>"You watch! Keep your eyes skinned and you'll see -me do something for you as well as for George."</p> - -<p>Lorry, Sr., pushed himself between Matt and McGlory -and caught each of them by an arm.</p> - -<p>"Come on, my lads!" said he, "you're both going up to -the house with George and me. This is a happy day, -and the Lorrys are going to celebrate. Naturally, the -celebration won't be complete without Motor Matt and -Joe. Never mind your boat—I've asked the people here -to look after it. Gus is outside with the big car, and -all we've got to do is to get in and strike out for home. -<i>Home!</i> How does that sound to you, my son?"</p> - -<p>"It has a truer ring, dad," answered George, "than it -ever had before."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it's a different home, George," answered Mr. -Lorry. "Anyhow, we'll try to make it so."</p> - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - -<p class="center medium">THE NEXT NUMBER (23) WILL CONTAIN</p> - -<p class="center huge">MOTOR MATT'S PRIZE;</p> - -<p class="center medium">OR,</p> - -<p class="center large">THE PLUCK THAT WINS.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<blockquote> - -<p>A Clash in Black and Yellow—Pickerel Pete's -Revenge—A "Dark Horse"—Plans—An Order -to Quit—Facing the Music—Gathering Clouds—The -Plotters—Firebugs at Work—Saving the -"Sprite"—Out of a Blazing Furnace—What -About the Race?—Mart Rawlins Weakens—The -Race—The Start—The Finish—Conclusion.</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - - - - -<table summary="scaffold" class="bbox"> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="tdc huge">MOTOR STORIES</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr large" style="padding-right: .25em;">THRILLING ADVENTURE</td><td class="tdl large" style="padding-left: .25em;">MOTOR FICTION</td></tr> -</table> - -<p>NEW YORK, July 24, 1909.</p> - - -<p>TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS.</p> - -<p>(<i>Postage Free.</i>)</p> - -<p>Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each.</p> - -<table summary="Terms"> -<tr><td>3 months</td><td class="tdr">65c.</td></tr> -<tr><td>4 months</td><td class="tdr">85c.</td></tr> -<tr><td>6 months</td><td class="tdr">$1.25</td></tr> -<tr><td>One year</td><td class="tdr">2.50</td></tr> -<tr><td>2 copies one year</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> -<tr><td>1 copy two years</td><td class="tdr">4.00</td></tr> -</table> - -<p><b>How to Send Money</b>—By post-office or express money-order, -registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent -by currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter.</p> - -<p><b>Receipts</b>—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper -change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly -credited, and should let us know at once.</p> - -<table summary="scaffold"> -<tr><td> -<span class="smcap">Ormond G. Smith</span>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">George C. Smith</span>, -</td> -<td style="font-size: 200%">}</td><td style="padding-right: 1em;"><i>Proprietors</i>.</td> -<td class="tdc"> -<b>STREET & SMITH, Publishers,<br /> -79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</b> -</td></tr></table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="THE_GUARDIAN_OF_THE_PASS" id="THE_GUARDIAN_OF_THE_PASS">THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS.</a></h2> - - -<p>It was the sudden change in the color of the water that -made Nick Salveson realize something was wrong.</p> - -<p>All day thunder had been muttering far up in the mountains, -but down in the river valley the autumn sun had been -shining warm; and, busy with his fishing, Nick had paid no -attention to the heavy clouds which hung over the jagged -peaks upstream.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the water lost its crystal clearness, and turned -to a yellow, muddy hue, and the canoe began to strain at -her anchor rope.</p> - -<p>"Reckon it's about time to quit," muttered the young fellow; -and, hastily reeling in his line, he laid the rod down -and set to work to pull up the anchor.</p> - -<p>It was badly jammed between two rocks at the bottom. -By the time he had cleared it the river had risen at least -two feet, and was roaring down in a sheet of muddy foam.</p> - -<p>"Guess there's been a cloud burst up in the hills," said -Nick to himself as he turned the bow of the canoe upstream.</p> - -<p>He was not uneasy. He had spent the whole summer in -Alaska, and could handle a canoe as well as most boys of -his age.</p> - -<p>He had been anchored close in under the far bank. To -reach his camp he had to cross the whole width of the -river, and return nearly a mile upstream.</p> - -<p>But he had not taken six strokes before he realized that -two strong men could not have paddled the canoe back -against the flood that was now coming down. The only -thing to do was to get across, land anywhere he could, -pull the canoe up, and walk back.</p> - -<p>"Great ghost! but it's strong," he muttered, as, in spite of -his efforts, the bow of the canoe was swung sideways by the -weight of the water.</p> - -<p>He leaned forward, drove the paddle deep in the yellow -flood, and, with all his weight in the stroke, attempted to -force her round.</p> - -<p>Crack! The paddle, worn thin with weeks of hard wear, -snapped like a pipestem. Nick was left with a mere foot or -so of useless stump. The blade was gone.</p> - -<p>Instantly the rising flood seized the canoe and sent her -flying madly downstream. Like a feather she danced and -spun among the whirling yellow eddies.</p> - -<p>Recovering from the sudden shock of the accident, Nick -made a desperate effort to steer inshore by using the stump -of the paddle. It was useless. The flood, rising every minute, -mocked his best efforts.</p> - -<p>At last, streaming with perspiration, and with his heart -beating like a hammer, he gave it up, and sat grimly quiet -and silent. There was something of the stoicism of the -Indian in this son of a San Francisco millionaire. He had -done his best. Now the only thing was to wait and see what -the river would do with him.</p> - -<p>Mile after mile the relentless current bore him flying westward. -Soon he was past all his landmarks, and speeding -through country completely unknown to him. Once or twice -the river contracted dangerously between walls of rock, -and the canoe pitched and plunged among foam-tipped waves. -But for the most part the banks were hillsides covered with -primeval forest of fir and hemlock. There was nowhere -any sign of man.</p> - -<p>"It'll take me all my time to get back even if I do manage -to hit the bank somewhere," said Nick to himself -grimly, as he noted the tangled thickness of the woods on -either hand.</p> - -<p>He was in a tight place; he knew that. What he hoped -was that some freak of the current would drive the canoe -near enough to the bank to catch hold of a branch and so -pull himself ashore.</p> - -<p>But this did not happen, and, after his mad flight had -lasted for a full hour, Nick became desperately anxious. In -the distance, he could see that the valley narrowed greatly, -and he more than suspected that he was approaching dangerous -rapids.</p> - -<p>He swung round a curve. Yes, he was right. Barely -half a mile away the whole river plunged into a gorge so -narrow it looked like a mere crack in the cliff. The shriek -of the tortured waters rang high above the roar of the flood -which bore the canoe onward to its doom.</p> - -<p>Nick was no fool. He knew that in all human possibility -his fate was sealed. No craft that man ever built could -hope to pass in safety down the raging flood that boiled -through that rift in the mountain.</p> - -<p>"Rotten luck!" he muttered. "Well, there's one comfort—there's -no one to miss me except old Rube, and I don't remember -I ever did any one a dirty trick in my life."</p> - -<p>Every instant the scream of the rapids grew louder. Nick -could see the mouth of the rift and the yellow waves heaping -themselves high against the black precipices on either hand.</p> - -<p>On flashed the canoe. Every moment her speed increased. -She was a bare one hundred yards from the top of the rapids, -when a yell from the right-hand bank rose high above the -thunder of the flood, and Nick, turning his head, saw a small, -slight figure dashing down through the trees.</p> - -<p>Just above the gate of the rapids half a dozen great -bowlders showed their black heads above the yellow foam. -Without a moment's hesitation the stranger leaped from the -bank to the nearest, and so from rock to rock, till he stood -far out near the centre of the raging river.</p> - -<p>Nick watched him with straining eyes. Was there still -a bare chance? No! At that moment an eddy swept the -canoe away to the left. With a groan Nick realized that -she would pass far out of reach of his would-be rescuer.</p> - -<p>The canoe shot like an arrow toward the lip of the fall. -Nick waved the broken stump of his paddle in farewell to -the figure on the rocks.</p> - -<p>The latter's right arm whirled up, and, with a sharp -hiss, a coil of rope flashed out and dropped clean and true -across the canoe.</p> - -<p>Nick snatched at it with the energy of despair. As it -tightened, the canoe was drawn away from under him, and -he, dragged over the stern, was struggling in the rushing -water.</p> - -<p>A minute of gasping, stifling battle among the tumbling, -roaring waves. The strain on the rope was so tremendous -that it seemed to Nick that either it must break or the man -who held it must be pulled off his slippery perch.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>But neither happened, and inch by inch the boy was -drawn in, until a hand grasped him and pulled him, gasping -and exhausted, onto the solid summit of the bowlder.</p> - -<p>"Can you jump?" He heard an anxious voice. "The -water's still rising. It'll be over the rock soon."</p> - -<p>"You bet I can," replied Nick, struggling to his feet and -shaking himself like a dog.</p> - -<p>"Come on, then!" cried the other. And, sure-footed as a -goat, he sprang across six feet of raging torrent to the -next rock. Nick set his teeth and followed, and in another -minute was safe ashore beside his rescuer.</p> - -<p>"Mean to say you live here all alone!" exclaimed Nick -Salveson in blank amazement, as he looked round the bare -little log hut a little later.</p> - -<p>"Yes, for the last four months, ever since my father -left."</p> - -<p>"Did he go down to the coast?"</p> - -<p>"I wish he had. No, he went inland, over the Big -Snowies!"</p> - -<p>"Great Scott! What for?" asked Nick bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Gold," replied the other. "I'll tell you about it. My -name's Glenn—Roger Glenn. We came here a year ago -prospecting. We heard there was gold down here, but we -didn't do much, and an Indian who was snowbound here -last winter told my father that there was rich placer ground -the other side of the mountains."</p> - -<p>"But no one's ever been across there," objected Nick. -"There's no pass."</p> - -<p>"The Indian told us there was. He made a map. Here's -a copy of it."</p> - -<p>"So your dad tried it?" said Nick, staring curiously at the -rough map.</p> - -<p>"He went the first of June last, and I've not seen or -heard of him since. He said he'd be back in six or eight -weeks."</p> - -<p>"Gee, but that's bad," replied Nick sympathetically. "What -do you reckon you are to do?"</p> - -<p>"What can I do?" cried young Glenn bitterly. "I'm mad -to go after him, but I haven't a red cent to grubstake myself -or buy a pony or dogs or a sledge."</p> - -<p>Nick stared in silence at the other for some seconds. Then -he said slowly:</p> - -<p>"Say, Mr. Glenn, that flood may have done us both a good -turn. What d'ye say to taking me along in your trip over -the Snowies?"</p> - -<p>Roger stared violently.</p> - -<p>"B-but——" he began.</p> - -<p>"No 'buts' about it. I'm running this outfit. Look here, -Roger—I guess you don't mind my calling you by your first -name—I'm pretty well fixed. My people are dead; they -were killed in the earthquake in San Francisco. I'm my -own boss, though I am only eighteen, and I came up to -Alaska this summer to get a holiday before I go to the university -next Christmas. There isn't a thing I'd like better -than a trip over the Snowies, and if we're smart we'll do -it and be back before winter hits us. Are you agreeable?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know how to thank you," said Roger brokenly.</p> - -<p>"Then don't worry to try, old man," replied Nick comfortably. -"Just fix up a mouthful of grub, and give me a -bunk. We ought to start before sun-up to-morrow morning."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Seems to me, Rube, you were a bit out in your reckoning," -said Nick as early one morning, ten days later, he -looked out of the tent and found the landscape white with -snow.</p> - -<p>Rube shook his grizzled head.</p> - -<p>"'Tain't that altogether, boss. I reckon we're a matter of -four thousand feet higher than your summer camp. Winter -comes here a sight sooner than down in them river valleys. -Howsomever, it ain't deep, and it'll melt when the sun gets -good an' strong."</p> - -<p>All that day the little party of three struggled up a narrow -valley that wound ever upward into the heart of a maze of -great snow peaks. Over and over again tall cliffs loomed up -in front, and it seemed as if they could go no further. But -always there appeared some fresh opening, and bit by bit -they won their way upward toward the summit of the range.</p> - -<p>"I reckoned as I knew this here country's well as any," -said Rube, staring thoughtfully up at a tremendous pyramid -peak, the snow on which was gold and crimson in the light -of the setting sun. "But this beats me. 'Tain't on any map -as ever I seed."</p> - -<p>"The Indian said no white man had ever crossed it," said -Roger.</p> - -<p>"Hed he bin across hisself?" inquired Rube.</p> - -<p>"No. He told dad that none of his tribe had ever been -across. And when dad asked him why, he only shook his -head, and said something about its being the country of two-tailed -devils."</p> - -<p>"How did he know of this here pass then?" demanded -Rube.</p> - -<p>"The map was given him by his father. It had come down -goodness knows how many generations. He tried awfully -hard to persuade dad not to go."</p> - -<p>"They've got a mighty queer lot of legends about these -mountains," put in Nick. "You couldn't pay any Injun I -ever saw to put foot on 'em."</p> - -<p>They camped that night in bitter cold and deep snow on -the very summit of the pass. Rube took Nick aside.</p> - -<p>"Say, boss, do you reckon we're ever going to find Roger's -dad?"</p> - -<p>Nick shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Roger says that before he left his father -told him he'd blaze a trail, so as if anything went wrong his -son could come along after. Roger found his father's mark -on a tree near the eastern end of the pass."</p> - -<p>"Seems to me the chances are ez something hez happened -to old Glenn," said Rube thoughtfully. "Chewed by a b'ar, -I reckon. Or maybe had a fall. It's a fool job fer any man -to come into country like this by hisself."</p> - -<p>"I guess I'm going as far as Roger wants," said Nick, -"Seeing what he's done for me, it's about the least I can do -for him."</p> - -<p>"You're right, boss," said Rube. "He's a real white, that -boy is!"</p> - -<p>"If we don't find his father, I'm going to take him back -to the States," said Nick. "But that's a bit o' news you can -keep to yourself for the present."</p> - -<p>Next morning the sun shone brilliantly on the snow, and, -looking down, the party saw, thousands of feet below them, -an unknown country covered with a forest heavier than any -of them had ever seen before.</p> - -<p>"Mighty curious-looking country this," observed Rube -doubtfully, as they slipped and slithered down the steep -snow-covered rocks. "I don't reckon I ever seed woods as -thick as them before."</p> - -<p>"What's that queer-looking little plain halfway down?" -asked Nick. "Looks like a clearing of some kind."</p> - -<p>A smile crossed Rube's leathery face.</p> - -<p>"Thet's a pond, boss. It's fruz over, an' the snow's laying -thick on it."</p> - -<p>Further down they came to a place where the only possible -track lay along the bottom of a three-hundred-foot -slope, steeper than the roof of a house and thick in snow, -which glared blinding white in the morning sun. The opposite -slope was covered with the amazingly thick forest -which they had seen from above.</p> - -<p>"Go keerful," said Rube. "'Twouldn't take a great deal -to start a snowslide down them rocks."</p> - -<p>"Seems as if something had been falling already," said -Roger suddenly. "Look at these pits in the snow."</p> - -<p>He pointed to a hole in the snow. It was circular and -about two feet deep.</p> - -<p>"Now that's strange," exclaimed Nick. "There's a whole -row of 'em."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>Rube looked at the queer marks, grunted, and shook his -head. He hadn't a notion what they were, but did not like -to betray his ignorance to the boys.</p> - -<p>"Reckon best not talk," he growled. "Don't take much -to start snow a-sliding."</p> - -<p>For the next half mile no one spoke. Twice more Roger -noticed a series of the same queer marks in the snow. Also -in two places there seemed to be regular roads beaten back -into the thick underbrush of the snowclad forest on their -right. He did not pay much attention. His eyes were fixed -on the tree trunks.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he gave a shout.</p> - -<p>"Dad's mark!" he cried, pointing to a blaze on a big trunk -by the path.</p> - -<p>The words were hardly out of his mouth before there came -a deep crashing sound from somewhere behind.</p> - -<p>"Yew've done it now!" cried Rube. "That's the snow!"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it," retorted Nick. "It's coming from the -wood."</p> - -<p>"Blamed if you ain't right!" exclaimed Rube. "Thet beats -all. I never heerd a snowslide come down through a wood -afore."</p> - -<p>"It's not snow; it's something alive!" shouted Roger. -"For heaven's sake, look there!"</p> - -<p>Rooted to the ground with sheer amazement, the three -saw the forest wave as if it were grass, heard the crashing -of great boughs and trunks breaking like nettles under a boy's -stick.</p> - -<p>There came a scream like the escape of steam from an -express engine, and then there burst out from the forest a -beast so huge and hideous that those who saw it stood gasping, -unable to believe their eyes.</p> - -<p>As large as a four-roomed cottage, in shape it resembled -an elephant. It was covered all over with a thatch of coarse, -reddish hair, and high above its monstrous head it waved -a trunk of incredible size. On each side of this trunk curled -vast tusks, and its small, bloodshot eyes glowed with bestial -fury.</p> - -<p>Again came that awful trumpeting. Instantly both the -pack ponies were off at a mad gallop.</p> - -<p>"Run!" shrieked Rube.</p> - -<p>The warning was needless. Nick and Roger were off as -hard as their shaking legs could carry them, and behind them -came the monster at a shambling gallop, which, in spite of -the snow, covered the ground at terrific speed.</p> - -<p>Again he trumpeted, and one of the pack ponies, mad with -fright, tried to wheel sideways into the wood. The poor -brute slipped and fell, rolling over and over. Before it could -regain its feet the monster was upon it, and, lifting pony, -pack, and all, bodily in its trunk, flung it against the cliffside -with such frightful force as must have broken every bone -in its body.</p> - -<p>The momentary delay gave the others a few yards' start; -but almost instantly the gigantic brute was on their track -again, and the solid ground shook beneath its ponderous -weight as it thundered down the slope.</p> - -<p>It could not last. The monster was gaining at every stride. -Already Roger felt his breath failing. There was no cover; -in fact, the pass was opening out wider and wider as they -went.</p> - -<p>"Try the trees!" shrieked Nick to Roger.</p> - -<p>"No," came a gasp from Rube. "The lake! That's our -only chance!"</p> - -<p>They were close by the side of the little frozen lake, and -the boys saw Rube wheel and dash down the steep bank.</p> - -<p>It seemed madness, for on the open ice they were at the -mad brute's mercy. Roger was for going straight on, but -Nick seized his arm and swung him to the left and onto the -lake.</p> - -<p>Another of those ear-piercing squeals. Roger, glancing -back over his shoulder, saw the gigantic bulk of their enemy -come plunging down the sharp descent toward the ice. It -rushed straight toward him as though certain of its prey.</p> - -<p>Then came a rending crack, and the whole surface of the -ice rose and fell beneath the feet of the fugitives. A crash -like the explosion of a shell, a terrific bellow, and a wave -of icy water rushed across the frozen snow.</p> - -<p>"That's done it!" came an exulting yell from Rube; and, -swinging round, the boys were just in time to see the -domelike head of their terrible enemy sink amid a lather -of broken ice and foam.</p> - -<p>For another second or two that terrible trunk waved high -in the air, as the huge beast fought for its ancient life in the -hole its ponderous bulk had broken. Then this, too, vanished. -The last of the mammoths had sunk into the depths.</p> - -<p>While the three stood in awe-stricken silence, watching the -black water heave and bubble, there came a loud shout from -the woods at the far end of the lake. A burly man in furs -stood waving a rifle.</p> - -<p>With a shriek of joy Roger tore away across the ice toward -him.</p> - -<p>"Reckon that's his pa," observed Rube.</p> - -<p>"Guess so," agreed Nick. "We might as well go and -see."</p> - -<p>"Dad!" cried Roger, as Rube and Nick came up. "If -it hadn't been for these good friends I could never have -come to look for you."</p> - -<p>"Then," said the man in furs with a grave smile, "I'm -afraid I should have been hung up here for the term of my -natural life."</p> - -<p>"What—did that old hairy elephant chase yer?" exclaimed -Rube.</p> - -<p>"He did, and I got away by the skin of my teeth by -climbing a cliff," replied Mr. Glenn. "I've been living up -in the hills ever since. Time and again I've tried to find -another way out, but there isn't one, and for the life of me -I didn't dare risk conclusions a second time with the mammoth."</p> - -<p>"I reckon he won't trouble us no more," said Rube dryly. -"Say, though, I'd like to have had them tusks. They'd be -worth a mint o' money in the States."</p> - -<p>"They'd be awkward to carry," smiled Mr. Glenn. "They'd -weigh about a quarter of a ton apiece. What do you suppose -they'd be worth?"</p> - -<p>"A thousand dollars, I reckon," said Rube. Such a sum -represented wealth untold to the old trapper.</p> - -<p>Mr. Glenn put a hand in his coat pocket, and pulled out a -lump of dull yellow metal as big as his fist.</p> - -<p>"This isn't worth quite that much," he said quietly, as he -handed it to Rube. "But I'd be glad if you'd take it as a -sort of consolation prize."</p> - -<p>"Great gosh! It's a twenty-ounce nugget!" gasped Rube.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and plenty more where that came from," said the -prospector.</p> - -<p>He turned to his son.</p> - -<p>"Roger, I've made the strike of a lifetime. Now to get -back to Dawson before the snow comes."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="WATCH_THE_SKY" id="WATCH_THE_SKY">WATCH THE SKY.</a></h2> - - -<p>The different colors of the sky are caused by certain rays -of light being more or less strongly reflected or absorbed, -according to the amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere. -Such colors do, therefore, portend to some extent -the kind of weather that may naturally be expected to follow. -For instance, a red sunset indicates a fine day to follow, because -the air when dry refracts more red or heat-making -rays, and as dry air is not perfectly transparent, they are -again reflected in the horizon. A coppery or yellowish sunset -generally foretells rain. The following has been advocated -as a fairly successful way of prognosticating: Fix -your eye on the smallest cloud you can see: if it decreases -and disappears, the weather will be good; if it increases in -size, rain may be looked for.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2 class="huge bb"> -<a href="images/i1large.jpg"><img src="images/i1.jpg" width="48" height="23" alt="hand" /></a> -<a name="LATEST_ISSUES" id="LATEST_ISSUES">LATEST ISSUES</a> -<a href="images/i2large.jpg"><img src="images/i2.jpg" width="48" height="23" alt="hand" /></a> -</h2> - - -<h3>BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY</h3> - -<p>All kinds of stories that boys like. The biggest and best nickel's worth ever offered. <b>High art colored -covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>331—Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By -Cornelius Shea.</p> - -<p>332—In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan -Deering. By Harrie Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>333—A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe.</p> - -<p>334—A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon -J. Cobb.</p> - -<p>335—Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. -By Frank Sheridan.</p> - -<p>336—Archie Atwood, Champion; or, An All-around Athlete's -Career. By Cornelius Shea.</p> - -<p>337—Dick Stanhope Afloat; or, The Eventful Cruise of the -<i>Elsinore</i>. By Harrie Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>338—Working His Way Upward; or, From Footlights to Riches. -By Fred Thorpe.</p> - -<p>339—The Fourteenth Boy; or, How Vin Lovell Won Out. By -Weldon J. Cobb.</p> - -<p>340—Among the Nomads; or, Life in the Open. By the author -of "Through Air to Fame."</p> - -<p>341—Bob, the Acrobat; or, Hustle and Win Out. By Harrie -Irving Hancock.</p> - -<p>342—Through the Earth; or, Jack Nelson's Invention. By Fred -Thorpe.</p> - -<p>343—The Boy Chief; or, Comrades of Camp and Trail. By John -De Morgan.</p></blockquote> - - -<h3>MOTOR STORIES</h3> - -<p>The latest and best five-cent weekly. We won't say how interesting it is. See for yourself. <b>High art -colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear.</p> - -<p>7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.</p> - -<p>8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.</p> - -<p>9—Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.</p> - -<p>10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.</p> - -<p>11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen -Brady.</p> - -<p>12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas.</p> - -<p>13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.</p> - -<p>14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the <i>Hawk</i>.</p> - -<p>15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the -<i>Grampus</i>.</p> - -<p>16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.</p> - -<p>17—Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos.</p> - -<p>18—Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon.</p> - -<p>19—Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn.</p> - -<p>20—Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor -Boys.</p></blockquote> - - -<h3>TIP TOP WEEKLY</h3> - -<p>The most popular publication for boys. The adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell can be had only in -this weekly. <b>High art colored covers. Thirty-two pages. Price, 5 cents.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>681—Frank Merriwell's Patience; or, The Making of a Pitcher.</p> - -<p>682—Frank Merriwell's Pupil; or, The Boy with the Wizard -Wing.</p> - -<p>683—Frank Merriwell's Fighters; or, The Decisive Battle with -Blackstone.</p> - -<p>684—Dick Merriwell at the "Meet"; or, Honors Worth Winning.</p> - -<p>685—Dick Merriwell's Protest; or, The Man Who Would Not -Play Clean.</p> - -<p>686—Dick Merriwell In The Marathon; or, The Sensation of the -Great Run.</p> - -<p>687—Dick Merriwell's Colors; or, All For the Blue.</p> - -<p>688—Dick Merriwell, Driver; or, The Race for the Daremore -Cup.</p> - -<p>689—Dick Merriwell on the Deep; or, The Cruise of the <i>Yale</i>.</p> - -<p>690—Dick Merriwell in the North Woods; or, The Timber -Thieves of the Floodwood.</p> - -<p>691—Dick Merriwell's Dandies; or, A Surprise for the Cowboy -Nine.</p> - -<p>692—Dick Merriwell's "Skyscooter"; or, Professor Pagan and -the "Princess."</p> - -<p>693—Dick Merriwell in the Elk Mountains; or, The Search for -"Dead Injun" Mine.</p></blockquote> - - -<p><i>For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, -5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by</i></p> - -<p class="center large">STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b class="medium">IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS</b> of our Weeklies and cannot procure them from your newsdealer, they can be -obtained from this office direct. Fill out the following Order Blank and send it to -us with the price of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. <b>POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.</b></p></blockquote> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<table summary="form" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> - -<tr><td colspan="6" class="tdr sig">________________________ <i>190</i></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="6"><i>STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City.</i><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Dear Sirs: Enclosed please find</i> ___________________________ <i>cents for which send me</i>:</span> -</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td><b>TIP TOP WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>Nos.</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>BUFFALO BILL STORIES,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>Nos.</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td><b>NICK CARTER WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td><b>DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td class="br">______________________</td> -<td><b>MOTOR STORIES,</b></td><td class="tdc"><b>"</b></td><td>______________________</td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="6" class="tdc"> -<i>Name</i> ________________ <i>Street</i> ________________ <i>City</i> ________________ <i>State</i> ________________<br /> -</td></tr></table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="A_GREAT_SUCCESS" id="A_GREAT_SUCCESS">A GREAT SUCCESS!!</a></h2> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center huge u">MOTOR STORIES</p> - - -<p>Every boy who reads one of the splendid adventures of Motor -Matt, which are making their appearance in this weekly, is at once -surprised and delighted. Surprised at the generous quantity of -reading matter that we are giving for five cents; delighted with the -fascinating interest of the stories, second only to those published -in the Tip Top Weekly.</p> - -<p>Matt has positive mechanical genius, and while his adventures -are unusual, they are, however, drawn so true to life that the reader can -clearly see how it is possible for the ordinary boy to experience them.</p> - - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center"><b><i>HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY AND THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED</i>:</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.</p> - -<p>2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.</p> - -<p>3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's -Courier.</p> - -<p>4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the -"Comet."</p> - -<p>5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret -Plot.</p> - -<p>6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.</p> - -<p>7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.</p> - -<p>8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds -Forward.</p> - -<p>9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.</p> - -<p>10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon -House Plot.</p> - -<p>11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange -Case of Helen Brady.</p> - -<p>12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the -Bahamas.</p> - -<p>13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the -Iron Chest.</p> - -<p>14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the -"Hawk."</p> - -<p>15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise -of the "Grampus."</p> - -<p>16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in -Strange Waters.</p> - -<p>17—Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don -Carlos.</p> - -<p>18—Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon.</p> - -<p>19—Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn.</p> - -<p>20—Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory -for the Motor Boys.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 12th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>21—Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 19th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>22—Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the -Right.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on July 26th.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>23—Motor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That Wins.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center small">To be Published on August 2nd.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>24—Motor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame -and Fortune.</p></blockquote> - - -<p class="large center">PRICE, FIVE CENTS</p> - -<p class="center">At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of the price.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<table summary="scaffold" style="width: 50%;"> -<tr class="medium"><td style="width: 33%">STREET & SMITH,</td><td class="tdc"><i>Publishers</i>,</td><td class="tdr" style="width: 33%">NEW YORK</td></tr> -</table> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes:</a></h2> - - -<p>Added table of contents.</p> - -<p>Images may be clicked to view larger versions.</p> - -<p>Page 1, Added comma after "Joe McGlory" in list of "Characters that appear in this story."</p> - -<p>Page 10, restored missing period to last sentence of chapter VI.</p> - -<p>Page 29, corrected "Rufe" to "Rube" ("miss me except old Rube").</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, -1909, by Stanley R. 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Matthews - -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: Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, 1909 - or, A Struggle For The Right - -Author: Stanley R. Matthews - -Release Date: January 16, 2016 [EBook #50941] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Demian Katz and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images -courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - - MOTOR STORIES - - THRILLING - ADVENTURE - - MOTOR - FICTION - - NO. 22 - JULY 24, 1909 - - FIVE - CENTS - - - MOTOR MATT'S - ENEMIES - - OR A STRUGGLE - FOR THE RIGHT - - _BY THE AUTHOR - OF "MOTOR MATT"_ - - [Illustration: _A hoarse laugh echoed in - Motor Matt's ears as the - burning launch leaped - away through the thick - shadows._] - - _STREET & SMITH - PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK_ - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -_Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to -Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of -Congress, Washington, D. C., by_ STREET & SMITH, _79-89 Seventh Avenue, -New York, N. Y._ - - No. 22. NEW YORK, July 24, 1909. Price Five Cents. - -MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES; - -OR, - -A STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT. - -By the author of "MOTOR MATT." - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I. ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE. - CHAPTER II. INTO A NOOSE--AND OUT OF IT AGAIN. - CHAPTER III. GEORGE'S SISTER. - CHAPTER IV. THE "JUMP SPARK." - CHAPTER V. BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT. - CHAPTER VI. "PICKEREL PETE." - CHAPTER VII. GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING. - CHAPTER VIII. SETTING A SNARE. - CHAPTER IX. ENEMIES TO BE FEARED. - CHAPTER X. BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER. - CHAPTER XI. CHUMS TO THE RESCUE. - CHAPTER XII. HOW FATE THREW THE DICE. - CHAPTER XIII. UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT. - CHAPTER XIV. A DASH FOR THE OPEN. - CHAPTER XV. THE POWER BOAT--MINUS THE POWER. - CHAPTER XVI. A RECONCILIATION. - THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS. - WATCH THE SKY. - - - - -CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THIS STORY. - - - =Matt King=, otherwise Motor Matt. - - =Joe McGlory=, a young cowboy who proves himself a lad of worth and - character, and whose eccentricities are all on the humorous side. A - good chum to tie to--a point Motor Matt is quick to perceive. - - =George Lorry=, a lad who has begun steering a wrong course, and in - whom Matt recognizes a victim of circumstances rather than a youth - who is innately conceited, domineering and unscrupulous. - - =Lorry, Sr.=, George's father; a rich man whose attitude toward - Motor Matt, in part of the story, is as incomprehensible as it is - uncalled-for. - - =Big John=, an unscrupulous person who takes his dishonest toll - wherever he can find it; but, in crossing Motor Matt's course, he - meets with rather more than he has bargained for. - - =Kinky=, a pal of Big John. - - =Ross=, another pal of Big John; a desperate man with a grievance - against Motor Matt. - - =Ollie Merton=, a rich man's son with many failings, but rather - deeper than he appears. - - =Pickerel Pete=, a superstitious little moke who collects two dollars - from Motor Matt for a day's work and abruptly resigns. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -ON THE ROAD TO WAUNAKEE. - - -"Do you know what you're doing, John?" - -"If I didn't, Ollie, I wouldn't be doing it. I'm not one of these -fellows who take a jump in the dark and trust to luck." - -"Then it's about time you put me wise. I've been taking jumps in the -dark ever since you showed up in Madison yesterday." - -The man with the closely cropped red hair, the smooth face, and the -mole on his cheek laughed softly. - -"Back the car off the road and into the bushes," said he, "then we'll -sit where we can look around the bend toward Waunakee and I'll tell you -all you want to know." - -The young fellow with black hair and a sinister face threw in the -reverse and backed the big automobile off the road and into the -undergrowth. When he stopped the car it was all but screened from -sight. Jumping down, he walked out to where the man was standing in the -highway thoughtfully smoking a big, black cigar. - -Pulling a silver cigarette case from his pocket, Ollie helped himself -to a highly ornamental brand of Turkish poison, each little cylinder -cork-tipped and marked in gilt with his monogram. - -Big John looked at him with frank disapproval as he took a silver -matchbox from his vest and fired the imported "paper pipe." - -"You're the silver-plated boy, all right," muttered Big John. - -"Sterling, you big duffer," grinned Ollie. "Nothing plated about me." - -"The dope they roll up in that rice paper and hand you with your cute -little monogram is plate, all right--coffin plate----" - -"Oh, splash!" sneered Ollie. "You're a nice one to lecture a fellow, I -must say. Cut it out, John, and tell me what we're here for." - -Big John shook his red head forebodingly and moved off toward the bend -of the wooded road. Here he sat down just within a fringe of brush, in -such a position that he had a good view of the straightaway stretch -toward Waunakee, and Ollie pushed in beside him. - -"You know George Lorry, all right, eh, Ollie?" Big John observed. - -A flush crossed Ollie's sinister face. - -"You bet I know him!" said he. "The fellows used to call him 'Sis,' -because he was so nice and ladylike. But I've known for a long time -there was good stuff in George, and that he'd be a first-rate chap if -some one would only cut him adrift from his mother's apron strings. I -got him started right," and a very complacent look drifted over Ollie's -dark features. "He can smoke cigareets as well as the next one, now, -and play as good a game of cards as any fellow in our set. He's got -_me_ to thank for that." - -Big John stared at Ollie, and once more shook his head. - -"What fools you kids can make of yourselves!" he grunted. "You're the -one that started young Lorry, eh?" - -"He was a sissy," asserted Ollie, "and I was making a man of him. -George's folks never treated him right. Old Lorry has got as much money -as my governor, but he's a tightwad, all right, and put the screws -on George's allowance in a way that was scandalous. George bought a -five-thousand-dollar motor launch, and had it sent on here from Bay -City, C. O. D., and his skinflint father wouldn't foot the bill and the -launch had to go back." Ollie fired up to a white heat. "What sort of a -way was that for a man to treat his only son?" he demanded. - -"Awful!" commented Big John sarcastically. - -"George told me how he was treated," went on Ollie, failing to observe -the sarcasm in Big John's voice, "and I advised him to break away and -show the old folks that he wasn't going to let 'em tramp on him. He -joined our club and got to be one of the best card players we have." - -"Beautiful!" expanded Big John. "I suppose his folks were all cut up -about that, eh?" - -"I guess they were, only old Lorry took the wrong way of showing it. -What do you think he did?" flared Ollie. - -"I'm by. What did he do?" - -"Why, he made arrangements to send George to one of these military -academies, that's nothing more or less than a reform school. George -came to me and told me about it, and asked what he ought to do." - -"And what did you tell him?" - -"I told him to skip, and to take with him all the money of his father's -that he could get his hands on. Old Lorry is a brute, and I didn't make -any bones of telling George what I thought." - -"And George skipped, taking ten thousand dollars from his father's -safe," said Big John. "He went to Chicago first, then bought a ticket -to 'Frisco. When he got there he had made friends with three men, -and one of those men was me. I'm a villain, Ollie, and ought to be a -horrible example to every young fellow who's got sense enough to know -right from wrong, and the minute I learned Lorry had ten thousand -dollars I planned with my two pals, Kinky and Ross, to get it. We'd -have got away with it, too, on a boat to the Sandwich Islands, where I -could have bought a pineapple plantation and, mebby, have lived honest -for the rest of my life, but something happened." - -Big John looked through the bushes, out along the road, and scowled -blackly. - -"What happened?" demanded Ollie. - -"A chap named Joe McGlory----" - -"I've heard of _him_," interrupted Ollie. "He's a cousin of George's, -and lives in Arizona. A cowboy and a rowdy--nothing refined or genteel -in his make up. Go on." - -"Well, McGlory got a message from young Lorry's father asking him to go -to 'Frisco and hunt for George. McGlory went, but he'd never have found -George in a thousand years if it hadn't been for some one else who -butted into the game." - -Big John scowled again, this time more fiercely than he had done before. - -"Who was it?" queried Ollie. - -"Hold your horses a minute," proceeded Big John. "McGlory and this -other fellow took after Kinky, Ross, and me, and dropped on us like -a thousand of brick. My, oh, my! Say, that other lad was the clear -quill, all right. I've seen a good many likely younkers, but never one -to match him. I guess you'd call him a 'sissy,' seeing as how he don't -smoke, or drink, or gamble, but just trains his muscle to keep in form -and cultivates his brain along the line of motors, gasoline motors. And -muscle! Son, that fellow's got a 'right' any man would be proud to own, -and what he don't know about chug-engines nobody knows." - -Ollie's upper lip curled. - -"I don't believe in paragons," said he. "But what has all this got to -do with our being here?" - -"I'm getting to that. With this young fellow's help, McGlory got the -ten thousand away from us; not only that, but we had to get out of -'Frisco on the jump to keep the law from layin' hold of us. But Big -John wasn't throwing his hands in the air, not as anybody knows of. I -knew what would happen. Young Lorry would have to be brought back to -Madison, and this motor boy would have to help McGlory bring him back. -Also, the ten thousand dollars would be brought back--and I was still -yearnin' for that money and the pineapple plantation. I had Ross dodge -back to 'Frisco and watch. When McGlory and the other chap took the -cars with Lorry, Ross was on the same train, but he had changed himself -so no one would have known him. Ross is good at that sort of thing, and -that's the reason I made him do the shadowin'. Kinky and me hurried -right on to Madison, where I called on you and reminded you of the way -I'd once given you a tip on a hoss race in New York and helped you win -a thousand. You remembered old times"--Big John grinned widely--"and -you wasn't leery of me." - -"I always liked you, Big John," averred the misguided youth, "because -you're so free and easy." - -"Thanks," was the dry response. "Well, to proceed," he went on, "Ross -dropped in on Kinky and me, last night, and said that young Lorry -and t'other two hadn't come to Madison, but had got off the train at -Waunakee and had gone to a little cabin on the bank of a creek that -empties into the Catfish. Ross hung around the cabin, listenin', until -he found out that one of the outfit was to walk into Madison, this -morning, to have a talk with Mr. Lorry. I don't know what the talk's to -be about, but this motor boy must have something up his sleeve." Big -John gave an ill-omened grin. "As near as I can find out from Ross," -he continued, "this chug-engine chap thinks he can make a man out o' -Lorry--but he's going about it a little different from what you did, -Ollie. Now, I don't care a whoop about anything but that money, and -I rather believe I've fixed things so the motor boy won't have easy -sailin' with Mr. Lorry. But that's neither here nor there. I got you -to bring me out here in your benzine buggy, this mornin', so I could -lay for the chap that goes into town and take the ten thousand. After I -get it, you're to take me to Dane, or Lodi, or Barraboo, and leave me -there. That'll settle the debt you owe me on account of the tip I gave -you on that hoss race, see? Are you willin'?" - -The sinister face of the youth glowed with a fierce light. - -"I'm willing to help you get away, Big John," he answered, "and I'm -even willing to help you get the money. This motor boy you speak about -is trying to undermine my influence with George, and, by Jupiter, I -won't have it. I know what's the best thing for George." - -"We won't talk about that part of it," said Big John, who was a strange -mixture of right principles and evil actions, "because I might say -something you wouldn't like. As I was saying, I've got my heart set on -an honest life and a pineapple plantation, and ten thousand ain't any -more to Lorry, the millionaire, than ten cents is to me. I'm going to -get that money--and here's where I turn the trick. You can go farther -back into the bushes and watch, for I don't need your help." - -Unbuttoning his coat, Big John began unwrapping coil after coil -of light rope from around his waist. When he was through he had a -thirty-foot riata in his left hand and was holding the noose in his -right. - -Ollie, who had never been the confederate of a man before in such a -rascally piece of work, stared with wide eyes at Big John; then, before -pushing farther back into the brush, he turned his eyes down the wooded -road. - -A young fellow, lithely built, and with the grace and freedom of -movement that marks the perfect athlete, was swinging toward the bend -from the direction of Waunakee. - -"Is that McGlory?" asked Ollie in a whisper. - -"Nary it ain't McGlory," replied Big John, with a snap of the jaws. -"It's Matt King, otherwise Motor Matt, and here's where he gets what's -comin' for meddlin' in affairs that's none of his business. Get back, I -tell you, and give me a free hand." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -INTO A NOOSE--AND OUT OF IT AGAIN. - - -Motor Matt, swinging along the road toward Madison, that morning, was -particularly light-hearted. He and his new chum, Joe McGlory, had -accomplished something worth while; and whenever a young fellow does -that he is pretty sure to be on good terms with himself. - -The long railroad journey from San Francisco to a point within a few -miles of Madison had been safely accomplished. Young Lorry had not been -a willing traveler, at first, but Matt had gradually won him over by -suggesting a plan which carried an appeal to Lorry's heart. This plan -had to do with the three boys leaving the train at Waunakee, taking to -the little cabin in the woods, and then Lorry and McGlory staying there -while Matt went on to the city for a talk with the elder Lorry and to -deliver the ten thousand dollars. - -Motor Matt and McGlory had had some exciting experiences with Big John -and his two pals, Kinky and Ross, but those experiences had been passed -through safely, and the end of the journey, if not of Matt's work, was -in sight. - -Matt had faith to believe that there was "good stuff" in George Lorry. -The boy had fled from Madison, and had committed a dishonest act before -doing so. Having far and away too much pride for his own good, the -thought of being brought back, virtually under guard and in disgrace, -was more than he could bear. Matt had tried to think of a plan for -giving Lorry's return a different look--hence the reason for McGlory -and Lorry remaining in the cabin while Matt went on to the city. - -The morning was fresh, the sun was bright, and the clear weather seemed -a good augury for what lay before. Matt always made it a point to look -on the bright side of things, anyway. - -Ahead of him lay a bend in the road. When he rounded the bend he felt -sure that he would be able to catch a glimpse of the white dome of the -capitol, and from that point onward he would not be long in covering -the ground. - -He halted abruptly just before he got to the bend. The peculiar -corrugated marks of automobile tires lay under his eyes in the dust -of the road. It wasn't so much the marks themselves that claimed his -attention as the strange way they curved from the roadside and entered -the brush. Why should an automobile be taking to the woods in that -unaccountable fashion? - -From ahead of him, around the bend, he heard a car. The car was on the -move, plainly enough, but the motor was in distress, pounding badly; -not only that, but there was a smell of fried engine in the air, as -though some reckless driver were burning up his transmission. - -Was the car Matt heard the one that had left its tracks there by the -roadside? He presumed that this must be the case; so, instead of -investigating the bushes, he started to run around the bend. If he -could help the injured car, then perhaps the driver might give him a -lift the rest of the way into town. - -As he started on, after a moment's pause, a sinuous, snakelike thing -leaped noiselessly from the bushes behind him, unwound itself in the -air, and a loop fell over his head and dropped on his shoulders. - -Motor Matt jumped as though he had been touched with a live wire. He -half turned and lifted his hands to remove the coil, but it tightened -before he could free himself, and a rough jerk from behind landed him -on his back in the dust. - -Matt had not been expecting such lawlessness on that peaceable country -road. Who was back of it, and what was the purpose? - -To escape, half-strangled as he was and with enemies bearing down on -him, was out of the question--at that moment. The lad's resourcefulness -suggested a trick, whereby he hoped to gain time and discover a chance -for escape. - -Although the fall backward had not injured him in the least, yet he -gave a groan, tried to lift himself, and then fell back and lay still -and silent. - -In his ears the pounding of the motor around the bend continued to -echo, but, from the noise, he could not discover that the car was -coming in his direction. A quick tramp of feet and a rustle of bushes -were heard, and two figures bounded to his side. One of the figures -was that of a man, and the other of a well-dressed, dissipated-looking -youth. - -Matt, peering from half-closed eyes, could scarcely restrain an -exclamation at sight of the man. When he had seen the man last, in San -Francisco Bay, he had worn a red beard. Although the beard was gone, -Matt recognized the scoundrel instantly--and the mole served to make -his identification complete. - -"Confound it, John!" grumbled the youth, "_now_ what have you done? If -he's badly hurt----" - -Big John laughed. - -"Hurt! Motor Matt badly hurt by a little drop like that! Why, he's -tougher'n whalebone and you couldn't damage him with a sledge hammer. -He's just stunned and strangled, that's all. A good thing for me, too, -because he'll never know who roped him and we can get away before he -comes to himself. Pull out that noose so he can breathe, Ollie. I'll -get what I want out of the younker's pocket and----" - -"There's another machine!" Ollie muttered, staring toward the bend as -he was about to stoop over Matt and release the noose. - -"Just heard it?" answered Big John. "Well, don't let it worry you. I've -heard it for some time, and it's coming into this road from a branch -and is bound for town. Look sharp, now, for we've got to hustle." - -While Ollie, with trembling fingers, pulled out the loop and drew it -over Matt's head, Big John went down on one knee to search his pockets. - -Matt knew, then, what Big John was after. The rascal was foolish enough -to think Matt was carrying Lorry's money in cash. This was not the -case, for Matt and McGlory had bought a draft in San Francisco. Matt, -however, did not intend to lose even the draft. - -Suddenly, and most unexpectedly, he became very much alive. With a -quick move he hoisted himself upward, catching Ollie by the shoulders -and hurling him, with terrific force, against Big John. - -Both the youth and the man were caught at a disadvantage. Ollie gave -a startled cry as he carromed against Big John, and the latter, as he -staggered back, said something more forcible than polite. - -As for Matt, if he had any comments to make, he preferred to send them -by mail. Without hesitating an instant, he took to his heels and tore -around the bend. - -He could see the dome of the capitol, far off and embowered by trees, -but he was thinking more, at that moment, of the other car than he was -of the capitol. - -A hundred yards ahead was another road, coming from the timber into the -one he was following. The moment Matt raced around the bend a swagger -little runabout was jumping from one road into the other. - -The car was not _headed_ toward Madison, although it was proceeding in -that direction. It was on the reverse gear, and a young woman in the -driver's seat was craning her head around in order to see the way and -do the guiding. - -There was only the young woman in the car, and Matt, in spite of his -dangerous situation, felt a distinct sense of disappointment. He had -been hoping to meet a man, in that emergency, and now to meet a young -woman---- - -But he had no time to waste in vain regrets. A look over his shoulder -showed him Big John hurrying after him at top speed. - -Matt knew that Big John was one of those lawless persons who carry -weapons in their hip pockets, and, although Matt's legs could -outdistance Big John's, the young motorist would hardly be able to -keep ahead of a bullet. - -But Big John held his hand and determined to trust to his sprinting -ability. To use a revolver would, perhaps, have carried the matter -farther than he wanted to see it go. - -Besides, Ollie was cranking up the big car and making ready to bring it -along in pursuit. - -The smell of sizzling engine became stronger as Matt drew closer to the -runabout. The girl, with a very white face, had turned in her seat and -was staring toward Matt with startled eyes. At the same moment she had -brought the car to a stop. - -Big John, on seeing Matt draw abreast of the runabout, halted and -looked around for Ollie and the touring car. - -"Will you give me a ride into Madison?" Matt asked of the girl, as -respectfully as he could in the circumstances. - -"What's--what's the matter?" asked the girl. - -"That fellow, back there, tried to rob me. I don't think he will follow -me far, on a public highway in broad daylight--if you will let me ride -in the runabout." - -"But the bearings are chewed up!" cried the girl; "I'm going home on -the reverse." - -"Take the other seat, please," said Matt. "I know something about -motors, and perhaps I can handle the car so as to get more speed out of -it with less rack on the engine." - -Without a word the girl changed to the other seat and Matt leaped into -the car beside her. - -The next moment he had advanced the spark, thrown in the high-speed -clutch, and they were shooting down a long slope. - -Matt's eyes were behind, and the girl's in front of her. - -"Oh, hurry, hurry!" she cried, in a frightened voice. "They've got -a big touring car, and I don't think anything can keep them from -overtaking us!" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -GEORGE'S SISTER. - - -Matt threw a look over his shoulder. Big John was just making a flying -leap to the running board of a large car. He fell aboard in a huddle, -colliding with the dash and striking violently against his young -companion, who was at the steering wheel. - -Matt was not able to look longer. By doing wonders with the spark and -the steering wheel, and by ignoring the bubbling in the radiator and -the pounding of the engine, he nursed the runabout along at a good rate -of speed. A low hill was before them, and it came near killing the car, -but when they had reached the crest and were ready for the descent on -the other side, an exclamation from the girl drew his attention. - -"What is it?" he asked. "Is that other car close upon us?" - -"Something has gone wrong with the other automobile," was the answer. -"When that man jumped aboard he must have injured something." - -Matt looked around again. Big John and his companion were on the -ground, looking over their car and trying to locate the trouble. - -Matt laughed. - -"It's a good thing for those fellows that the car went wrong," said he. -"In their excitement they might have done something that would have -got them both into trouble. We'll go on for a little way and then I'll -have a look at the runabout and see if I can't fix it up so we can run -headfirst, like every respectable automobile ought to run." - -They coasted down the hill, and the tired and much abused motor must -have appreciated the rest. - -"Is this your car?" asked Matt. - -"Yes," was the reply. "I don't think you can fix it, for I've stripped -the gear." - -"I'll look at it, anyway, if you don't mind, just as soon as we get to -the bottom of this slope. I've had a lot of experience with motors." - -"You say that man tried to rob you?" queried the girl. - -"That's the way it looked to me, but it seemed like an audacious thing -to attempt so near a big city like Madison. You see, I was walking into -town, and back there at the bend in the road some one threw a rope and -I got tangled in the noose and thrown off my feet. I managed to get -away, though, and the man took after me. If it hadn't been for you, -that other car might have overhauled me. I'm much obliged to you, miss." - -"I'm glad I was able to help you," was the quiet reply. "As you say, it -is strange any one should try to commit a robbery, in broad daylight, -so close to the city. And on a public highway, too!" - -By then they were at the foot of the slope and Matt brought the car to -a halt. Here he got out and turned to the girl. - -"If you'll jump down for a minute," said he, "I'll give that -transmission a sizing and see if I can do anything with it." - -"But won't the other car come?" she demurred. - -"Those fellows will think better of it. If they hadn't been excited -they wouldn't have tried to chase me. They've had time to cool off, -now, and to think better of what they're doing." - -Matt helped the girl down, and, for the first time, saw that she was -very young and very pretty. There was a familiar cast to her features, -somehow, which aroused his wonder. Was it possible that he had ever met -her before? - -Without trying very hard to answer this mental question, he stripped -off the transmission cover and thrust a hand inside. - -The metal band encircling the low-gear drum had sustained a fracture. -It was made of bronze, and had been slotted for convenience in -lubricating, and the break was through two of the slots. - -"The low gear is chewed up," he remarked to the girl, "and that part -of the machine is permanently retired. I guess we'll have to go into -Madison on the reverse, and it will be well to go slow so as not to -overheat the engine. We can take care of that, all right, if we stop -occasionally to cool off. How far are we from town, by the way?" - -"Not more than two miles from Sherman Avenue and Lake Mendota." - -"We'll get over that quick enough. You don't mind my riding with you?" - -"I'm glad to have you," was the smiling reply. "You'll save me from -twisting my head off and doing all the work." - -Matt, with his gray, earnest eyes and fine face, was a well-favored -lad, and it is not to be wondered at if the girl was impressed. - -"Are you a stranger in this part of the country?" the girl inquired, -when they were once more in their seats and backing away in the -direction of town. - -"Yes," he replied. "Never been in these parts before." - -"You were walking into town, you say?" - -The girl eyed his neat, trim figure with a certain amount of surprise. - -"I was," he answered, with a laugh, "but please don't think I'm a -tramp. I've a draft for ten thousand dollars in my pocket--and tramps -are not usually as well fixed as that. The fellow who roped me must -have known about that ten thousand, and perhaps he was foolish enough -to think that I had it in cash." - -"Ten thousand dollars!" murmured the girl. "That's a lot of money." - -Evidently it was not such a vast sum--to her. That swagger little car, -as Matt figured it, was given to her for her very own, and she was -wearing the latest thing in automobile coats, hats, and gauntlets. The -dust coat had become parted at the throat and revealed a fraternity pin -set with a big diamond. - -"After I take your car to the garage," said Matt, "perhaps you could -tell me where I can find Mr. Daniel Lorry?" - -The girl started. - -"Why," she exclaimed, "if we get to the garage about noon you will find -dad in the house in the same yard. He's my father. I'm Ethel Lorry." - -"Great spark-plugs!" exclaimed Matt. "I guess this is my lucky day, -after all. You're George's sister, are you?" - -A cry escaped the girl, and she reached out to drop a convulsive hand -on Matt's arm. - -"You know George?" she asked breathlessly. - -"I should say so!" returned Matt. - -"Where is he?" The girl was tremendously excited. "Is he well? Has he -come back from San Francisco?" - -"Yes, Miss Lorry, he is back from San Francisco, and he's feeling -tiptop. But he didn't want to come to Madison just yet. I left him not -more than an hour ago. His cousin, Joe McGlory, is with him." - -"But why didn't he want to come home?" cried the girl, with vague alarm -in her voice. - -"I'm to see your father and tell him about that. That's what I was -coming to town for." - -The girl suddenly whitened, a frightened look arose in her eyes, and -she drew as far away from Matt as she could. - -"What's the matter, Miss Lorry?" Matt asked. - -"Are you--can it be that you are the young man called Motor Matt?" - -"That's what I'm called. My real name is King, you know, Matt King, -but I'm always doing something with motors and that's why they call me -Motor Matt." - -The girl was silent for a space. Her face continued white, and she -seemed to be thinking deeply. - -"I think, Motor Matt," she said finally, in a strained voice, "that -you'd better get out of the car and let me run it back to Madison -alone." - -Matt was "stumped." For a moment, so great was his astonishment, he -could not do a thing but stare. - -"Why," he exclaimed, "I want to see your father; that's why I'm going -into town this morning." - -"I think it will be better for you if you don't see him." - -Matt's bewilderment continued to increase. - -"I've got ten thousand dollars for him, and also a message from -George," he managed to articulate. - -"You can give me the money and the message, Mr. Motor Matt," was the -terse reply, "and I will see that they are delivered." - -Matt halted the car--it was time to cool off the engine a little, -anyway--and straightened in his seat. - -"I am a friend of your brother's," he observed, "and Joe McGlory will -tell you what I have tried to do for him. Your father sent a telegram -to San Francisco asking McGlory to have me come with him and George, if -possible. Now, at a good deal of inconvenience and expense to myself, I -have come--and why shouldn't I see your father?" - -"Because," answered Miss Lorry steadily, "he has recently heard -something about you that--that is not to your credit. If you insist on -seeing him, he might--he might have you arrested." - -If Matt was "stumped" before, he was staggered now. Arrested! George -Lorry's father might have him arrested! And for what? For helping -George recover the ten thousand dollars, and for helping to bring -George back to Madison? - -"There's a big mistake, somewhere," muttered Matt. - -"You'll not go on?" queried Miss Lorry. - -"I _will_ go on," Matt returned firmly. "But I'll get out of the car -and walk, if you want it that way, Miss Lorry. I can't give the money -to you, or the message, either. As I say, there's a mistake, and I -must see your father and explain away the bad impression he has of me. -Certainly he didn't get that from Joe McGlory." - -"I don't know who told him what he knows," went on the girl, "and I -don't know _what_ he knows, but he's very much incensed against you, -Motor Matt." - -"I'll know why, before I'm many hours older," and Matt got up to leave -the car. - -Once more the girl caught his arm. - -"I'm glad you show that sort of spirit," said she. "If you are really -determined to see dad, and have a talk with him, then that proves on -the face of it that there must be some mistake. Please stay and take -the car into town for me!" - -Without a word, but with his mind working hard to evolve some clue to -this puzzling situation, Matt dropped back in the driver's seat. He -threw in the switch, and the gas in the cylinders took the spark. But -it was a silent ride that he and Miss Lorry had during the rest of the -time they were backing into town. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE "JUMP SPARK." - - -Into the grounds of one of the finest homes on "Fourth Lake Ridge," -otherwise known as "Aristocracy Hill," Matt backed the little runabout. -A brick-paved roadway, overarched with trees, led from the front of the -premises to the neat garage in the rear. - -A middle-aged gentleman, stout of build and with a florid face, was -sitting on the veranda of the house. The runabout, worrying backward -up the street and into the yard, was an astonishing sight. The -middle-aged gentleman leaned against the rail and stared; then, waving -a newspaper which he held in his hand, he shouted something and hurried -down the steps and toward the driveway. - -"Dad!" murmured Miss Lorry, with an apprehensive glance at Matt. - -A man--probably the Lorry chauffeur--appeared in the open door of the -garage and stared at the runabout in open-mouthed amazement. - -Matt brought the car to a stop, and Mr. Lorry came puffing up alongside. - -"What in the world's the matter, Ethel?" he demanded, his eyes swerving -from his daughter to Matt. - -"I smashed the low gear, dad, and had to come in on the reverse," Miss -Lorry answered. "I was just coming into the Waunakee road, two or three -miles the other side of Maple Bluff, when the gear went wrong." - -Mr. Lorry's eyes continued to rest on Matt, and they were becoming -uncomfortably inquisitive. He was wondering, no doubt, who Matt was, -how he came to be in the car, and why his daughter did not introduce -him. - -"Call Gus," went on Miss Lorry, jumping lightly out of the car, "and -have him run _Dandy_ into the garage. Gus will know what to send for in -order to make the runabout as good as new again." - -Without waiting to speak further, the girl whirled about and ran into -the house. Mr. Lorry stared after her, and then turned to give Matt -another look. - -"Are you a chauffeur?" he asked. - -"I have been--a racing chauffeur," Matt answered, springing to the -ground, "but I haven't been driving a car for some time." - -"You helped my daughter--that much is plain, even though I _have_ been -left in the dark on several other points." - -"I was coming into town along the Waunakee road," Matt went on, "to see -you." - -"To see me?" Mr. Lorry's interest visibly increased. - -"Yes, sir, on very important business. I happened to meet Miss Lorry -and she kindly gave me a ride into town. The least I could do was to -run her machine for her." - -"Did you know Miss Lorry?" - -"Not until she told me who she was." - -"Quite a coincidence that you should meet her, when you were coming -into town to see her father. But come up on the veranda--we'll be more -comfortable there." Mr. Lorry turned toward the garage. "The runabout's -in trouble, Gus," he called. "Take it into the garage, see what it -needs, then order whatever's necessary. This way, sir," he added to -Matt. - -While Gus removed the runabout to the garage, Matt followed Mr. Lorry -up the steps to the veranda and seated himself in a chair. - -"I don't remember ever seeing you before," remarked Mr. Lorry as he -sat down close to Matt, picked up a fan, and began stirring the air in -front of his perspiring face. "But I'm obliged to you for giving Ethel -a helping hand. I'm worried to death every time she's out with _Dandy_. -It wasn't more than a week ago that she came near going over a bluff at -McBride's Point." - -Matt lost no time in plunging into his business. Drawing the draft from -his pocket, he handed it to Mr. Lorry. - -"Part of my work," said he, "is to give you that." - -Mr. Lorry stared at the draft and opened his eyes wide. - -"Ten thousand dollars!" he exclaimed, "and it's made payable to Joseph -McGlory." - -"On the back, sir, you will see that Joe had indorsed it over to you." - -Mr. Lorry turned over the oblong slip of paper; then, suddenly, an idea -darted through his mind and he stiffened in his chair. - -"Is this--is this----" - -"It is the money George took when he left Madison," said Matt, dropping -his voice. - -Mr. Lorry's face hardened. - -"Then," said he raspingly, "inasmuch as you're not McGlory, I suppose -you're that young rascal, Matt King, better known as Motor Matt." - -"My name is Matt King, sir," answered Matt, "and you have no right to -refer to me as a rascal." - -"I have, by gad," exploded Mr. Lorry, "and a very good right! I've -heard about you, sir. You're the lad who was hand-and-glove with the -three villains who made George so much trouble on account of this -money. I wonder that you have the face to show yourself to me. Do you -know what I could do with you?" - -A hostile red had leaped into Mr. Lorry's face. As Matt sat back and -looked at him, he likened his anger to a "jump spark." - -The "make and break" system of ignition, while electrically simple, is -complicated mechanically. The "jump spark" system, on the other hand, -while complicated electrically is mechanically very simple. - -A simple error of some sort lay back of Mr. Lorry's anger, but it found -vent in mighty puzzling expressions. - -"Who is your authority for the statement that I was hand-and-glove with -the three men who robbed George?" asked Matt calmly. - -"I decline to quote anybody." - -"You can ask McGlory, or George, about me," proceeded Matt, "and I -think they will tell you that if it hadn't been for me that money would -never have been recovered." - -"You have pulled the wool over McGlory's eyes, and over George's, too. -But where's my son? Why didn't he bring this money to me himself? Why -was it necessary for him to send it at the hands of a stranger?" - -"Your son is a few miles out of town. He did not leave San Francisco -willingly, and it was only by promising him that we would not take him -directly into Madison that we got his consent to come with us." - -"A fine lay-out!" muttered Mr. Lorry. "The boy's got to come here, -sooner or later, and what is he to gain by delaying the matter? Can't -he realize how worried all of us are?" - -"He feels the disgrace of his position very keenly, Mr. Lorry." - -"Bosh! Not much of what he's done is known to outsiders, and those who -know, or think they know, anything about it, will forget the whole -business within a week after George gets back." - -"Are you going to send George to military school, Mr. Lorry?" - -At that the "jump spark" seemed about to set off an explosion. Mr. -Lorry twisted angrily in his chair. - -"What business is it of yours, young man?" he snapped. "That boy has -got to realize that he isn't of age yet, and I'm not going to let him -run wild and bring disgrace on himself, and on me." - -"Mr. Lorry," said Matt earnestly, "I have tried to be a good friend to -your son, and it was your request, contained in the telegram you sent -to San Francisco, that I come with him and McGlory, that brought me -here. I won't tell you what I have done--I will leave that to George -and his cousin--but I will tell you, as plainly as I can, that George -is just now in a place where he must be treated with consideration. One -false move would prove his ruin, and----" - -"By gad," interrupted Mr. Lorry, "do you mean to sit there and lecture -_me_? Why, I'm old enough to be your father! Such impudence as that -is----" - -"Sir," protested Matt, "I'm not impudent. I know George pretty well, -and I want to do what I can for him. He's got lots of pride, and he had -his heart set on getting a power-boat that would make a good showing in -the coming race of the Winnequa Yacht Club. He had talked about what he -was going to do to members of the club, and when he ordered that boat -and you refused to pay for it and let it be sent back to the builders, -the blow to his pride started him off on the wrong course." - -"A five-thousand-dollar boat, by gad!" growled Mr. Lorry. "His whims -were getting too confoundedly expensive. If his pride is going to -suffer every time I put my foot down on such a piece of folly, then -he'll have to pocket his pride. I'm his father, and I guess he'll have -to toe the mark for me for a while yet." - -"There's a way to make George the happiest fellow in Madison, Mr. -Lorry," Matt went on, "and it won't cost you more than two hundred and -fifty or three hundred dollars. I know a good deal about motors, and -I'll help George fix up a boat that will win a prize in that yacht club -race----" - -"Not a cent more will he get from me!" stormed Mr. Lorry. "He'll come -back here, and he'll go to that military school, and if what you call -his 'pride' keeps him from being a dutiful son, then his pride will be -broken. Where is he? Where did you leave him?" - -"If you go out to where he is now, without first giving him a chance -to----" - -Mr. Lorry leaned forward and shook a finger in Matt's face. - -"If you want to keep yourself out of trouble, my lad, you'll tell me -where that boy is, and no more ifs nor ands about it." - -Matt got up slowly. He was white, but none the less determined. - -"I am George's friend, Mr. Lorry," said he, "and I had to promise him -that I would help him do certain things here in Madison in order to get -him safely back from the West. If I tell you where he is, while you -feel as you do toward him, I would be breaking my promise. He is well, -and he will be here in a few days. As for the rest, if you want to make -trouble for me, why, go ahead." - -Intensely disappointed with the result of his interview, Matt passed -down the steps and toward the street. Mr. Lorry gasped wrathfully and -watched as he left the yard, but he made no attempt to interfere with -him. - -Matt was hardly out of sight, however, before he ran into the house and -began using the telephone. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BY EXPRESS, CHARGES COLLECT. - - -Motor Matt was surprised enough, as he left the Lorry mansion, and his -indignation equaled his surprise. - -Who could possibly have furnished Lorry with the information on which -he had based his remarkable conclusions? Certainly his attitude had -changed most decidedly since he had sent his telegram to 'Frisco -requesting that Matt accompany McGlory in bringing George home to -Madison. - -Matt, as he descended the ridge and proceeded toward the capitol and -the main part of the town, could think of only one possible cause for -Mr. Lorry's actions. Big John must be in some way mixed up in it. - -The knowledge that Big John was in that part of the country had come -like a thunderbolt to Matt. The last the king of the motor boys had -heard of Big John, he and his two pals, Kinky and Ross, were getting -out of California by way of Sausalito. A bolt from the blue could not -have been more astounding than the discovery of Big John attempting a -robbery there on the Waunakee road. - -Why had Big John come to Madison? And how had he known that Matt was -going to pass that particular point on the Waunakee road that morning? - -No doubt Big John's eastern trip had been inspired by the ten thousand -dollars of Lorry's. The rascal had been lured to Wisconsin by the hope -of recovering the money. This seemed clear enough--much clearer than -the method by which Big John had learned that Matt was to go over the -Waunakee road that morning, on foot. - -Yes, Big John must have been back of that misinformation which Mr. -Lorry had accepted as a true statement of facts. But it was odd how the -scoundrel had been able to influence Mr. Lorry as he had. - -Motor Matt felt that he was embarked on a struggle for the right, and -that he must go on with the battle in spite of his enemies. George -Lorry's whole future might hang on the result of that fight. - -Had Matt told Mr. Lorry where McGlory and George were waiting, the -millionaire would certainly have proceeded to the place and attempted -to bring George in to Madison. This would have led George to believe -that Matt had broken faith with him, and the lad would have bolted for -parts unknown. - -George had been allowed to have his way for so long that, when his -father took another tack and resolved to be severe with him, the lad -had thought himself abused and imposed upon. George was a spoiled -youth, but Matt believed that he had the right material in him and -would prove a credit to his people if given the proper kind of a -chance. Just as surely, too, he would go down to ruin and disgrace if -the wrong move was made at that critical time. - -Lorry, senior's, obstinate determination to send George to the military -school would be a step in the wrong direction. By paying out a little -money for a motor launch, Mr. Lorry would have gone far toward healing -the breach between him and his son, and would have paved the way for a -perfect understanding. This affair of the launch looked like a trifling -matter, but no one but Matt and McGlory knew how much it meant to -George. - -When Matt reached the main part of the city his study of the situation -had convinced him that he was doing exactly right. What his next step -was to be he hardly knew. He hated to go back and tell George of his -father's uncompromising attitude, and yet he felt the need of a talk -with McGlory in order to lay future plans. - -It was about one o'clock, and Matt went into a restaurant and ate his -dinner. From there he went to the post office to see if any mail had -followed him from San Francisco. - -No mail had reached him from the West, but there was a postal card, -posted that morning in Madison, which informed Matt that a certain -express company had received, and was holding at his risk, a crated -power boat on which there was a charge, for _transportation alone_, of -$262.50. - -When Matt read the postal card he was positive there was some mistake, -and that it had been given to the wrong person. The card was addressed, -plainly enough, to "Matt King, otherwise Motor Matt," but the king of -the motor boys was not expecting a launch, had not ordered one, and was -not intending to turn over $262.50 to the express company on what was -manifestly an error. - -He was on the point of handing the card back to the man at the -post-office window, with the information that the card could not be for -him, when he suddenly changed his mind and decided to go to the express -company's office and rectify the mistake at headquarters. - -A little inquiry put him on the right road, and within five minutes he -was leaning over a counter at the express office, showing the clerk the -card and telling him the boat must be for some other Matt King. - -"There's no other Matt King in Madison," protested the clerk, "and it's -a cinch there's no other Motor Matt. You're the fellow the boat is for." - -"But that charge!" exclaimed Matt. "It can't be for transportation -alone. It must be a C. O. D. collection for part of the price of the -boat. I haven't bought any boat, and am not expecting any one to send -me a boat. I'm a stranger here, and only reached Madison to-day." - -"Can't help that. If you're Motor Matt the boat's for you. If you -refuse it we'll have to notify the shipper, and if we can't get any -satisfaction from the shipper, the boat will have to be sold for the -charges." - -"Great spark-plugs!" muttered Matt. "Where's the boat from?" - -"San Francisco." - -The king of the motor boys stared blankly at the clerk. - -"From San Francisco, eh?" he repeated. - -"Yes, and it's all complete--an eighteen-footer, with engine installed." - -"Can--can I see it?" - -"Come this way." - -The clerk opened a gate at the end of the counter and Matt walked -through and into the storeroom. There he saw the boat, securely crated. -Between the bars of the crate he read the name _Sprite_, lettered on -the bow. - -By that time the king of the motor boys was too far gone for words. -Leaning against the wall of the room, he bent his head and drummed a -tattoo on his brow with his fingers. - -"Who's the shipper?" he finally managed to ask. - -"I don't know whether the way bill has it right or not, but the name of -the consignor is down as Ping Pong. It reads like a joke. Eh?" - -Matt left the room and retired to the other side of the counter in the -office. - -There was no joke about it. "Ping Pong" might look to the express agent -like a fake name, but it was _bona fide_ for all that. - -Ping Pong was the name of a Chinese lad whom Matt had befriended in -San Francisco. The Celestial had won the _Sprite_ in a raffle, and -had turned the boat over to Matt on condition that Matt would allow -Ping Pong to work for him. Ping and the _Sprite_ had disappeared -mysteriously before the young motorist left 'Frisco, and that was the -last seen of either the Chinaman or the boat until now. And here the -boat had turned up in that Madison office of the express company with -transportation charges of $262.50 to be collected! - -The idea of sending a power boat, engine and all, by express, in a -heavy crate, was a piece of folly of which even a ten-year-old American -boy would not have been guilty. But Ping was a Chinaman, and probably -he thought Matt was a millionaire. - -"Goin' to take it or leave it?" inquired the agent as Matt walked back -and forth across the office turning this new development over in his -mind. "The charges ain't any more than what they always are--three -times the merchandise rate." - -"I guess the charges are all right," said Matt humorously, "for it's a -long haul. And then, too, the crate, and the engine, and the boat weigh -up to beat the band." - -"Going to take it?" - -Matt's mind had been rapidly going over the points of the case. -Madison was surrounded by lakes, and motor-boating was a hobby with a -large number of the people. By sending the _Sprite_ to Matt, Ping had -undoubtedly determined that he should have the boat. The _Sprite_ was -speedy--Matt had tried her out in San Francisco Bay and knew that--and -with some changes in the reversing gear Matt believed she could show -her heels to anything from First Lake to Fourth. On such a showing, the -boat could undoubtedly be sold at a good price, and while $262.50 was a -big sum to pay out, just for express charges, still---- - -Then Matt had another thought, and it was a "startler." George wanted -a motor boat for the race. The _Sprite_ wasn't a five-thousand-dollar -"speeder," but she could run like a streak with the right kind of a -fellow at the engine. Mr. Lorry had refused to help George to a boat, -and this unexpected arrival of the _Sprite_ seemed almost providential. - -"I'm going to take the boat," said Matt, pushing a hand into his pocket -and stepping up to the counter. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -"PICKEREL PETE." - - -By bringing the submarine boat _Grampus_ safely around South America -the king of the motor boys had made a good deal of money. Most of this -he had invested on the Pacific Slope, but he had more than enough of -the "ready" with him to settle the express charges and to keep him -afloat until George Lorry's affairs had been put in proper shape. - -Having paid over the money and signed the express receipt, the question -as to what should be done with the _Sprite_ presented itself. - -"You can uncrate the boat in the storeroom, if you want to," said the -obliging clerk, "and then we'll have her hauled down to the water for -you." - -"Much obliged," answered Matt. "I believe I'll take off the crate and -see how the boat has stood her long overland journey." - -The clerk furnished him with a hatchet, and Matt threw off his coat and -got busy. In an hour, the clean-cut hull of the _Sprite_ had emerged -from a litter of boards and old gunny sacks. An examination showed that -both hull and machinery were in as good condition as ever. - -While Matt was working he had noticed a map of Madison hanging from -the storeroom wall. The map gave a very clear idea of Lakes Monona and -Mendota, between which lay the long and narrow city. - -One of the express company's drivers had come into the storeroom and -was looking over the _Sprite_ with an air of deep interest. - -"I wish you would tell me something about this map, neighbor," said -Matt. - -"Ask me anything you want to," was the cheerful response. "I was born -and raised here and I know the place pretty well." - -"What's this?" Matt inquired, laying a finger on a certain part of the -diagram. - -"That's the Yahara River, sometimes called the 'Catfish.' It's been -straightened into a canal, and connects Third and Fourth Lakes. Monona -is Third, and Mendota is Fourth. There's locks at the Mendota end." - -"And what's the other river coming into Mendota Lake on the side across -from the city?" - -"The Yahara again." - -"Then, if this boat was launched in Lake Monona, it could enter the -Canal over by Winnequa, cross into Mendota Lake, and proceed up the -Yahara?" - -"She could, sure. Lots of boats do that." - -"Here's a creek entering the Yahara. Is that navigable for a boat -drawing two or three feet of water?" - -"Maybe. I guess a small boat could get up the creek a ways." - -As Matt figured it, the cabin where he had left McGlory and George was -on the creek. Why couldn't he get the _Sprite_ afloat and proceed by -water to the cabin? - -"I don't know anything about these lakes," went on Matt, "but I'd like -to get some one who knows them and make a little cruise." - -"Fourth Lake is mighty treacherous. Whenever there's a west wind she -kicks up a big sea, and a lot of boats have come to grief on the rocks -of Maple Bluff. That's here--that piece of land running out into the -water, over where they've made a park. It used to be called McBride's -Point. A mile across from the bluff is Governor's Island. The insane -asylum is near the island. If you want to put your boat in Fourth Lake, -why don't you launch it there instead of taking it to Third Lake?" - -"Well, I want to try her out with a little longer cruise than just -across Fourth Lake. Do you know of any one I could get to pilot me -around?" - -"H'm!" murmured the driver thoughtfully. Presently his face brightened. -"Any objection to color?" he asked. - -"How do you mean?" - -"Well, how'd a colored boy do? I know of one that's right to home on -the lakes, and he's a character, you bet. His name's Pickerel Pete; -that's all he's got, just Pickerel Pete." - -"He'll do," said Matt. "How can I get hold of Pickerel Pete?" - -"Tell you what I'll do; I'll get hold of him for you. When you going to -put that boat in the water?" - -"Right away." - -"'Course we got to deliver it for you. I'll have some of the boys help -me get it on the dray, and on the way down to the lake I'll pick up -Pete. You don't need to wait here. In half an hour you go down King -Street to Wilson. There's a lot of landings and boathouses t'other side -the railroad depot. If we ain't there when you reach the place, you -wait, and we'll show up pretty soon afterward." - -"That's mighty good of you," said Matt. "You'll be careful of the boat, -will you?" - -"Sure, you bet. No harm'll happen to her. We got a special dray for -movin' boats like that." - -Matt went to the capitol grounds and sat down on a bench. For half or -three-quarters of an hour he was there, thinking of George and the -unsatisfactory state his affairs had drifted into. - -The king of the motor boys did not want to appear to be helping George -to dodge his father's authority, but he knew that the elder Lorry would -not have taken the stand he did if he had not acquired a whole lot of -misinformation. The thing for Matt to do was to get back to George and -McGlory, tell them exactly what had taken place, and then ask them for -suggestions as to the next move. - -On the way down King Street, Matt stopped at a store and bought a -supply of gasoline, oil, and cotton waste. Not having a hydrometer, he -tested the gasoline as well as he could by other means, and convinced -himself that it was, as the dealer assured him, the "right stuff." - -Matt rode down to the lake with the expressman who took his supplies, -and when he got there he found the _Sprite_ in the water, moored to a -small pier. The express driver, and those who had helped him with the -boat, were gone. The only person in the vicinity of the launch was a -barefooted little darky. He sat on the pier, absorbed in throwing a -couple of dice. - -"Come seben, 'leben, come seben, 'leben," he was saying, as the small -cubes rattled on the boards. - -"Pickerel Pete!" called Matt. - -The little negro jumped as though a bomb had exploded under him. - -"Yassuh, yassuh, dat's me," he answered, grabbing up the dice and -shoving them into a pocket of his ragged trousers. - -"Come over here, Pete, and give us a hand with this gasoline and stuff." - -"On de hop." - -The gasoline was emptied into the tanks and the oil cups filled. After -that Matt went over the machinery, carefully examining the ignition and -all connections. - -Pickerel Pete helped him intelligently. - -"Yo's de fellah whut's a-wantin' tuh hiah me?" he inquired. - -"Yes," replied Matt, highly pleased with the way Pete divined whatever -he wanted and handed it over to him from the tool kit. "Do you know -anything about a motor boat, Pete?" - -"Ah's done steered heaps o' boats froo dese yer lakes, boss," grinned -the moke, "an' Ah reckons Ah knows de spa'k plug f'om de propellah." - -"You know the lakes, too?" - -"Hones' tuh goodness, boss, Ah could go froo all de lakes f'om First -tuh Fo'th, en cleah down de Rock Rivah, wif mah eyes shut. Ah'm er -phenomegon." - -"What's that?" - -"Phenomegon. Doan' you-all know whut a phenomegon is?" - -"You mean a phenomenon, I guess." - -"Ah reckons Ah knows whut Ah means," answered Pete, with sudden dignity. - -"You've mixed phenomenon and paragon, and----" - -"Ah ain't mixed nuffin. Ef you-all thinks Ah'm er ignorampus, den Ah -'lows Ah ain't de fellah you wants tuh hiah." - -"Yes, you are, Pete--you're just the fellow." - -"How much does Ah git?" - -"Two dollars a day. There's pay for your first day's work." - -Pete almost fell out of the boat. Fifty cents a day was the most he had -ever received. - -"Does yo' think yo' kin stand dat, boss?" he inquired. "Ah'd hate -mahse'f tuh def ef Ah thought Ah was er strainin' yo' financibility." - -"I guess it won't be much of a wrench to give you a couple of dollars a -day," laughed Matt. - -"Den yo's bought me. By golly, dis is de first time Ah's evah had two -whole dollahs knockin' togethah en mah clothes since Ah was knee-high -to a chickum. Where you-all wants tuh go, boss?" - -"I want to go into Fourth Lake through the canal, then across Fourth -and up the Catfish." - -"Dat's easy. De Catfish runs f'om one lake tuh de odder, intuh one en -out ergin, cleah f'om Fo'th Lake tuh First. Thutty miles you-all kin go -in er boat, den intuh Rock Rivah en clean erroun' de worl'. But dat 'ar -Fo'th Lake is right juberous when dar's er west win'. A boat Ah was in -once, on dat 'ar lake, turned ovah fo' times! Yassuh. I got spilled out -de las' time en swum fo'teen miles towin' de boat by de painter, which -Ah done happen tuh ketch when Ah drapped in de watah. Ah got er medal -fo' dat. De Gun Club give me de medal." - -"They ought to have given you two medals, Pete." - -"En it was er solid gol' medal, with er inscripshun sayin' dat Pickerel -Pete was gallywhoopus tuh dat extent. Golly, but dat was er fine medal! -It was as big erroun' as er fryin' pan." - -"Must have bothered you some to tote it." - -"Sold it fo' fo' dollahs en fo'ty cents, en dey kep' it in de cap'tol -fo' people tuh come in en look at. Yo's got er pow'ful fine moke -wo'kin' fo' yo', boss." - -"Well, cast off, Pete, and we'll start. I'll do the steering, and you -can sit up front and tell me which way to go." - -Matt started the gasoline, switched on the spark, and Pete gave the fly -wheel a turn. One turn of the wheel was enough to give them their first -explosion, and the _Sprite_ shook herself together and started out into -the lake. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -GEORGE AND M'GLORY MISSING. - - -The hum of the motor was soothing to Matt's troubled spirit, and even -the kick of the wheel sent a joyous thrill through his every nerve. -There were clouds in the west, and a promise of wind and rain in the -air, but if there was to be a storm it would not come before night, -and the _Sprite_ would have ample time to nose her way up the Catfish -and into the creek. - -It was surprising how quickly the kinks of fortune straightened -themselves out for Motor Matt whenever he found himself in control of -an explosive engine. - -The sun was sinking behind the capitol as the _Sprite_ headed toward -Winnequa on her way to the Canal. The yellow rays pierced the gathering -clouds, and Madison peered from its enveloping greenery like a phantom -city. - -A number of fishermen were rowing, sailing, and motoring home for -supper, and they stared at the dashing little _Sprite_, and some of -them yelled a cheerful greeting to the diminutive colored boy perched -on the launch's hood. - -"Dat's de Gobernor ob Wisconsin," Pete gravely explained, indicating -a grizzled fisherman in one of the boats. "Ah knows him as well as Ah -knows anybody. De fellah in dat rowboat wif de pipe is Honnerbull Tawm -Patterson, en he's done took me by de han' mo' times dan Ah kin count. -De lake is full ob notoribus pussuns tuhnight, seems lak." - -"Where's the Czar of Russia?" asked Matt soberly. - -"Ah reckons he was too busy tuh come out tuhday," answered Pete. "Ah -knows him, dough. Ah done took him tuh a good fishin' place ovah by -Picnic P'int las' week." - -They passed the canal and locks, swept into Fourth Lake, and Pete lined -out a westerly course that carried the _Sprite_ past the high bluffs of -McBride's Point with the buildings of the asylum in clear view. - -Pete's chatter enlivened the trip wonderfully. The little moke was a -"notoribus" personage, to take his word for it, and there were very few -famous people whom he had not shaken hands with or conducted around -the lakes. Matt was surprised to learn that he had dug bait for Julius -Caesar and had shown Napoleon Bonaparte a pickerel hole off Governor's -Island. - -The Catfish was comparatively easy for the _Sprite_, but Whisky -Creek--which, Pete said, was the particular creek Matt was looking -for--was too shoal. After they had grounded twice, and backed clear -with considerable difficulty, Matt decided to tie up to a tree on the -creek bank and go on to the cabin on foot. - -By then it was falling dark, and Matt wanted to cover the remainder of -his journey as quickly as possible. - -"Pete," said he, getting out on the creek bank, "I'm going to leave you -with the boat for a short time, while I go up the creek." - -Pete immediately had an attack of the "shakes." - -"Golly, boss," he chattered, "Ah doan' lak de da'k when Ah's erlone. -Hit's spookerous, en white things done trabbel erroun' lookin' fo' -brack folks. Where you-all gwine?" - -"Not far. I ought to be back in an hour. You're not afraid of spooks, -are you, Pete? I should think a chap who was the friend of so many -illustrious people would be above such foolishness." - -The gathering wind sobbed through the trees, and from somewhere a -screech-owl tuned up in a most hair-raising way. - -"Br-r-r!" muttered Pete, hugging himself and dropping into the bottom -of the boat. "Ah ain't afraid, no, sah," he declared plaintively. "Ah -ain't afraid ob anythin' dat walks. Hit's dem white ha'nts whut doan' -walk, er fly, but moves erlong in er glide, dat gits me a-goin'. Mebby -Ah better go along wif yo' en see dot yo' doan' git lost?" - -"I'll not get lost, Pete, and I don't want the _Sprite_ left alone." - -"Yo'll be back in er houah, hones'?" - -"Yes." - -"Den hurry. Ef Ah was lef' in dishyer place twell midnight Ah'd be -skeered plumb intuh de 'sylum, sho' as yo's bawn. Hurry up en git back, -dat's all." - -Pete cuddled up with his back against the stern thwart, and Matt -whirled away and vanished into the timber. - -As Matt figured it, he was not more than a mile from the cabin. He had -landed on the side of the creek where he knew the shack to be, and if -he followed the little water course he knew he would soon arrive at the -place where he had left George and McGlory. - -The timber was broken into by fields of corn, and by cleared pasture -land. Matt pushed through the corn and climbed pasture fences, and -within half an hour came to the end of his journey. - -The cabin, nestling in a clump of oaks, seemed dark and deserted. -George had known of the cabin as a rendezvous, in the fall, for duck -hunters. It was a quiet and obscure place, and answered admirably the -requirements of the boys while working out their plans in Lorry's -behalf. - -As Matt drew closer to the hut the silence oppressed him with a -foreboding that something had gone wrong. The door was open, and he -stepped inside. - -Still there was no sign of life about the place. - -"McGlory!" he called; "George!" - -His voice echoed weirdly through the one room of the cabin, but brought -no response. - -Striking a match, he peered about him. - -Empty! There was no one in the room. - -The match flickered and dropped from Matt's fingers. Groping his way to -a bench, he sat down, alarmed and bewildered. - -What had become of McGlory and George? This was the question he asked -himself, and his mind framed a dozen different answers, none of them -satisfactory. - -George was full of whims and unreasonable resolves. Had he suddenly -made up his mind that he could not trust Matt to make peace with his -father? Had he broken away from McGlory, and had McGlory gone in -pursuit of him? - -Or was the absence of the boys due to some move against them on the -part of Big John? - -Or had they gone to some farmhouse after milk and eggs, or to get a hot -supper? - -That George had not "bolted," Matt was almost sure. Matt's plan for -patching up a truce with the elder Lorry had appealed to George too -strongly for that. - -As for Big John making George and McGlory any trouble, that was -possible, although not very probable. Matt did not see how Big John -could have any information about the cabin. - -And as for the boys visiting a neighboring farmhouse to secure food, it -was not in line with their plan for either George or McGlory to show -himself until their schemes were further advanced. - -Rations had been secured in Waunakee--cold rations, but enough to last -all three of the boys for two or three days. - -Giving over his bootless reflections, Matt lighted another match, -hunted up a candle, and soon had a more dependable glow in the room. - -A brief search showed him that George's suit case, McGlory's carpetbag, -and his own satchel were missing. This was a staggering discovery. It -meant, if it meant anything, that the two boys had left and did not -intend to return. - -They would hardly go away, it seemed to Matt, without leaving some clue -as to their whereabouts, and the cause that had led them to make such a -decided change in the general plans. George and McGlory understood that -Matt was to return as soon as he had talked with Mr. Lorry. - -Matt had expected to get back to the cabin early in the afternoon. Had -his failure to return alarmed the two boys? - -Matt hunted high and low for some scrap of writing which would let in a -little light on the situation, but he could find none. - -The rations brought from Waunakee had vanished along with the -luggage--another fact that indicated a permanent departure on the part -of the two lads. - -"Here's a go!" muttered Matt, leaning perplexedly in the open door of -the cabin. "About all George and McGlory left behind them was that -piece of candle. They might, at least, have tipped me off regarding -their intentions, I should think. All sorts of things are liable to -happen to a fellow when he's trying to do the right thing by another -chap who's too proud and weak-kneed to put himself company-front with -his responsibilities. But then, George is an odd stick. He can't be -judged by any of the usual standards, and I'm pretty sure that if he's -handled right, he'll come out all right. One or the other of them will -certainly come back here. I'll return to the mouth of the creek, get -Pete, and we'll bunk down in the cabin. It's the only thing to be done." - -Perplexed as he was, Matt neglected to put out the candle before -starting on his return to the Catfish. On a corner shelf, the feeble -gleam sputtered and flickered in the draft that came through the open -door. - -Matt hastened his steps on the return journey to the _Sprite_. The -clouds were slowly mounting and blotting out the stars, intensifying -the darkness. - -As he came close to the bank where the launch was moored he experienced -a feeling of relief when he saw the boat riding to her painter just as -she had been left. - -The _Sprite_ resembled a black blot on the water. The bank was rather -high, at that point, and its shadow covered the boat. - -"Hello, Pete!" called Matt. - -There was no answer to the call, and Matt began to think that Pete had -vanished, as well as George and McGlory. - -"Pete!" Matt cried in a louder tone. - -"Yassuh, yassuh," came the answer from below, and Matt's apprehension -suddenly subsided. - -"Come up here, Pete," Matt went on. "We're going to spend the night up -the creek. I guess the _Sprite_ will be safe enough. There's a lantern -in the port locker, amidships. Bring it up with you." - -Matt could see only the blurred outline of a human form moving around -in the boat. He heard the lid of the locker as it was lifted. - -"Ah kain't find dat lantern," came from the boat. - -"I'll get it," said Matt. - -The next moment he had climbed into the launch. Hardly had his feet -found firm foothold when he was seized and flung roughly backward. Two -pairs of hands held him, and a hoarse, mocking laugh echoed in his ears. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -SETTING A SNARE. - - -Pickerel Pete did not feel overloaded with responsibility. Two dollars -a day was a princely wage, but there were things he would not do even -for that immense sum. He would try to stay with the boat for an hour, -in spite of the owls and the queer crooning of the wind in the trees, -but if he saw a "ha'nt," he'd resign his job, right then and there, and -leave the _Sprite_ to take care of herself. Anyhow, he had two dollars. -The fact that his services had been paid for until afternoon of the -following day did not enter seriously into his calculations. - -"Wisht de screech-owls would stop dat 'ar screechin'," muttered the -darky, "an' I wisht de win' would stop dat ar' groanin' in de trees. -Dishyer's jest de time fer spookerous doin's, an' I'd radder be home in -mah baid wif mah head kivered, so'st---- Golly, whut's dat?" - -Something fluttered among the tree branches overhanging the water, -farther along the creek. It may have been an owl, or some other bird, -changing its roosting place, but Pete's fears magnified the cause into -something connected with the "ha'nts." - -Crouching in the boat's bottom, he stared through the darkness and held -his breath. The fluttering had ceased and nothing else happened. As one -uneventful minute followed another, Pete gradually put the clamps on -his nerves. - -"Ah dunno 'bout dat," he whispered. "Mebby dat floppin' noise didun' -mean nuffin', en den, ag'in, mebby it _mout_. Hey, you, dar!" he added, -lifting his voice. - -The cry echoed across the creek, but the only answer was the echo. - -"If yo's one ob dem gliderin' spooks," called Pete, "den you-all doan' -want any truck wif _me_. Ah's on'y a po' li'l moke, en Ah ain't nevah -done no ha'm tuh nobody. Ah's fibilus, occasion'ly, en now an' den Ah's -tole a whopper, but dem yarns doan' amount tuh nuffin'." - -The silence continued, save for the soughing of the wind and the -"tu-whit, tu-whoo!" from the depths of the woods. - -"Ah done got tuh do somethin' tuh pass de time," thought Pete. "Ah'll -frow de iv'ries, dat's whut Ah'll do. Wonner where dar's a lantern?" - -Pete remembered having seen a lantern in one of the lockers while he -was helping Matt with the engine. After a little thought he located the -lantern, and secured it. Then he recalled having seen a box of matches -in the tool-chest, and he soon had the lantern going. - -It's surprising what a soothing effect a light will have on a -superstitious mind that dreads the dark. With the lantern on the stern -thwart, Pete knelt in the boat's bottom and cast his dice again and -again, becoming so careless of his "spookerous" surroundings that he -almost forgot his fears. - -The little white cubes dropped and rattled on the thwart, and Pete bent -low to read the faces. - -"Ah's got two dollahs," he muttered, surprised at the lucky -combinations turning up for him, "en Ah wisht dar was some odder moke -here tuh take er han' in dis game. Ah's havin' mo' luck, here, all by -mahse'f, dan I evah----" - -He straightened on his knees in sudden panic, then dropped his head -down on the thwart and covered his face with his hands. - -"Whut's dat?" he whimpered. "Whut's dat Ah hear? Hit sounded monsus lak -er chain rattlin'." - -But it wasn't a chain; it was a good, well-developed groan. It came -from the darkness at the top of the bank and echoed shiveringly across -the creek. - -"Dat wasn't no screech-owl," murmured Pete, in stifled tones. "Golly! -De ha'nts is comin' fo' me. Wisht Ah was out ob here! Oh, I wisht -Ah was some place else where dar's folks, en buildin's, en 'lectric -lights. Br-r-r!" - -The groan was repeated. It was a hollow kind of groan, long drawn out, -and given in the most approved ghostly style. Pete groaned on his own -account, and collapsed in the bottom of the boat, floundering forward -and trying to crawl into the motor and lose himself in the machinery. - -While the wretched little darky lay in a palpitating heap under the -steering wheel, a funereal voice was wafted toward him--a voice that -made him gasp, and close his eyes, and shiver until he shook the boat. - -"Who-o are you-u-u?" inquired the voice. - -"Oh, lawsy! Oh, mah goodness!" fluttered Pete in tremulous, incoherent -tones. "Ah's as good as daid! Ah's nevah gwine tuh git out ob dis -alive! Der ha'nts has cotched me! Oh, if I c'u'd only git away dis -once, Ah'll nevah brag no mo'! Ah'll nevah tell anodder whopper!" - -"Who-o are you-u-u?" insisted the sepulchral voice from the darkness at -the top of the bank. - -"Ah's er moke," whimpered Pete, "jes' a moke. You-all go 'long an' -nevah min' me. Ah ain't nevah done nuffin'--Pickerel Pete's a good l'il -coon. Please, Marse Gose, go off some odder place en do yo' gliderin'. -Oh, gee! Oh, golly!" - -"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" ordered the "ghost." - -"Ah'll go, yassuh," chattered Pete, "on'y doan' yo' grab me as Ah run -by. Dat's all. Yo' ain't layin' fo' tuh grab me, is yuh?" - -"Go 'way, go 'way, go 'way!" insisted the spook, with hair-raising -emphasis. - -Pete got up slowly and cautiously in the boat. The lantern threw a -weird reflection over him, but the most noticeable thing about the -frightened little darky, just then, was the white of his eyes. He shook -like a person with the ague, and nearly dropped into the water while -stepping from the gunwale of the boat. - -Begging the spook not to grab him, he floundered up the bank and darted -into the timber as though the Old Nick was after him. His piteous wail -was lost in a crashing of bushes, and finally even that sound died out. - -A chuckling laugh echoed from the top of the bank, and a form -disentangled itself from the shadows. - -"Come on, Kinky," called a voice. "That little nigger was scared white. -He'll not stop running until he gets clear to Madison. What kind of a -spook do I make, eh?" - -"Pretty raw," answered another voice, as a second form pushed out -of the shadows and joined the first. "You can fool a superstitious, -half-grown darky, Ross, but I wouldn't make a business of this ghost -racket. What was the good of it, anyhow?" - -"Well, that darky never came here alone in that boat." - -"Well." - -"Some one must have come with him. Maybe the boat's other passengers -are the two kids we couldn't find in the cabin." - -"I don't know how it could be, Ross, but mebby you're right. That's not -a rowboat." - -"Just what I was thinkin', Kinky. Let's go down and look her over. The -darky was obliging enough to leave a lighted lantern for us." - -The two men descended to the boat, and Ross picked up the lantern and -swung it about him. - -"It's a motor-boat, blamed if it ain't!" Kinky exclaimed. - -"Right you are," chuckled Ross. "She must have come up from the town. -What's she doin' here at this time o' night? Suspicious, that's what -it is! I'll gamble heavy the boat has somethin' to do with the young -fellers in that cabin." - -"Well, like enough you're right," answered Kinky. "But what's that to -us? We came up the Catfish in a boat, too, an' we'd better take to our -oars an' go back to town huntin' for Big John. If he overhauled Motor -Matt and got that money, we don't want to give him a chance to get away -from us." - -"We'll see to _that_," grunted Ross decisively. - -"It looked as though Big John was tryin' to sidetrack us when he wanted -us to keep watch of that cabin to-night. What's the good of watchin' -the cabin if he gets the money? What's the use of keeping track of the -other two boys when King's the one we want?" - -"Right again, Kinky. That brain of yours seems to be doin' some -brilliant work to-night. Here, take a hack at this." - -Ross turned and held out a bottle. - -"If I take too many hacks at that, Ross," answered Kinky, "the -brilliant brain work is liable to stop." - -Nevertheless he seized the bottle and a prolonged gurgling followed. -When he had finished, Ross took the bottle back and gave some attention -to it himself. - -"All I want," growled Ross, as he screwed the top back on the flask, -"is to get a chance at this here Motor Matt." - -"Big John has already had a chance at him," suggested Kinky. - -"Will Big John do anythin' to even up with Motor Matt for the way we -was treated in 'Frisco Bay?" flung back Ross. "Don't you never think -it, Kinky. If Big John gets the money, he'll turn the cub loose to make -some more trouble for us. I'm built along different lines, myself. I -want revenge, with a big R. That's me." - -"Oh, slush!" grumbled Kinky. "You ought to have left more of that stuff -in the bottle. _Your_ brain work's anythin' but brilliant." - -"I mean what I say, anyhow," rapped out Ross. - -Picking up the lantern, he went forward, crawled over the hood, and -made a close examination of the forward part of the boat. - -"Thunder!" he exclaimed. - -"What've you found?" demanded Kinky. - -"What was the name of that chug-boat the Chink won in 'Frisco, and that -Motor Matt used in windin' us up?" - -"_Sprite._" - -"Well, wouldn't this knock you stiff? Say, Kinky, this here's the -_Sprite_." - -"Go on!" - -"There's the name, plain enough." - -"Then it's another _Sprite_. It's a common name, and the 'Frisco -_Sprite_ couldn't be here." - -"It's the same boat, you take it from me. It looks the same, and by -thunder it _is_ the same." - -"I don't see how it got here." - -"Nor I--but here she is, for all that. Let's burn her!" - -"What for?" - -"If it hadn't been for this boat we'd have been on the way to the -Sandwich Islands by now. I'll feel a heap better if we burn the blame -thing." - -"Aw, be sensible, can't you. If----" - -"Hist!" - -Ross interrupted Kinky with the warning syllable; then, quickly, the -lantern was extinguished, and Ross crept back into the rear of the -launch. - -"Listen!" he whispered; "some one's coming." - -"Then we'd better hike!" - -"Not on your life! Crowd up forward, there. I played the spook, a while -ago, and now let's see how well I can play the role of the darky." - -"But what----" - -"Sh-h-h!" - -Thus suddenly did Ross lay his snare. As Kinky crept forward, Ross -crouched in the stern; then followed the brief colloquy between Matt -and Ross, the latter imitating the voice of the negro. - -The instant Motor Matt dropped into the boat the snare suddenly -tightened. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ENEMIES TO BE FEARED. - - -As Matt fell his head struck against the gunwale of the boat. His -senses did not leave him entirely, but he was stunned for a few moments -and rendered incapable of doing anything in his own defense. Before he -recovered sufficiently to struggle with his assailants the two men had -found a rope and had lashed his hands. - -"Now for his feet, Kinky," said Ross. "This is a haul I wasn't -expectin', although we might have figured it out, I guess, if we'd had -time to think things over." - -Matt kicked out with his feet in a desperate attempt to overturn Kinky, -and, perhaps, leap upright and jump ashore. - -"He's a fighter, all right," snarled Ross. "Here, I'll hold him while -you finish the job." - -With hands bound and two men to secure his ankles, resistance was worse -than useless. When the binding was done, and Matt was lying helpless, -he had a chance to study the faces of his captors while Kinky was -relighting the lantern. - -Ross' talk had already given Matt an inkling of the two men's identity. -The gleam from the lantern left no doubt about their being Big John's -pals. - -Matt was not surprised that the two rascals should be in that part of -the country. They and Big John were birds of a feather, and it was -quite natural that all three should flock together. What did surprise -Matt, however, was the fact that Kinky and Ross should be in that -particular place, and have laid their plans to capture him. - -"Surprise party, eh?" queried Ross. "You weren't expectin' to meet a -couple of old friends, eh, Motor Matt? Oh, you're not so much. You're -cracked up pretty high, but I reckon you're not any brighter than the -rest of us. Wonder if you've got ten thousand about you that we could -borrow for a while?" - -"You're after that money," said Matt, "and you're fooled. You won't get -it, and neither will Big John. It has been in Mr. Lorry's hands ever -since noon. You didn't think I'd bring ten thousand dollars back with -me in cash, did you? The money was in the form of a draft, payable to -Mr. Lorry, and it wouldn't have benefited you or Big John any if you -had stolen it." - -"That's luck for old Lorry, then," answered Ross, pushing his hand into -Matt's pockets. "Here's a roll," he added, drawing some bills out of -Matt's vest. "It's hardly big enough for the ten thousand, but I reckon -we'll have to be satisfied with what we can get." - -"If you take that," said Matt, "you'll be in trouble with the law -before you're many hours older. So far as San Francisco is concerned, -I'm willing to let bygones be bygones; but if you take my money I'll do -everything I can to have you caught." - -Kinky seemed nervous. Ross, however, was reckless and in an evil temper. - -"We'll _not_ get ourselves into trouble," he flared. "By the time we're -through with you, my hearty, there won't be anybody to make us trouble." - -Ross brought out his flask again and helped himself liberally to its -contents. - -"Here," he said, extending the flask toward Kinky. - -"I guess I've had enough," demurred Kinky. - -"Take it, you fool!" cried Ross; "you'll need it before we're done with -this night's work." - -Not until that moment did Motor Matt realize that here were two -enemies who were seriously to be feared. He had thought, when he -recognized his captors, that they had merely made a prisoner of him in -the hope of securing the ten thousand dollars, but now he realized that -there was something more villainous, perhaps more murderous, back of -their scheming. - -Liquor arouses the evil passions of men and makes them ripe for deeds -they would not think of committing when in their sober senses. Kinky -and Ross were partly intoxicated. Kinky was the less desperate of the -two villains, mainly because he was the more cowardly. - -Matt hardened himself to face whatever might be coming. - -"You'd better think well about this, Ross," said he. "All you've got to -do to keep clear of the law is to return my money, set me at liberty, -and take yourselves off. I'll forget what you've done, and what -happened in San Francisco Bay----" - -"That's more than we'll do, you young cub," scowled Ross. "You hadn't -any notion I followed you all the way from 'Frisco, on the same train, -had you? You didn't know I got off the train at Waunakee, when you got -off, and that I trailed you and your two friends to that cabin in the -woods, eh? And I don't believe, when you and your pards were talking in -that cabin, that you had any notion I was hanging around and listening. -But I was. I knew one of you was to go into town this morning with -the money for old Lorry, so it was me that put Big John wise and had -him waiting for you on the road. But do you think I rigged myself out -in different clothes and followed you clear from 'Frisco just in the -hope of getting that money? You're wrong if you do think that. I was -after something else--and that was to _play even_. It's a habit of mine -always to settle my accounts. Big John works differently--but I'm not -responsible for what he does, or doesn't do. When I lay out a course -and take the bit in my teeth, nothing can stop me." - -There was a short silence. - -"But, I say, Ross," began Kinky in faint protest, "you don't intend -to----" - -"Wait till I ask you to talk," cut in Ross. "You can bobble more in -your conversation than any man I ever knew." - -"Do you know where my two friends are?" queried Matt. "You know who I -mean--young Lorry and McGlory." - -"We don't know where they are. I don't object to telling you if that -will make you any easier in your mind." - -"Where's the colored boy that was here with the boat?" - -"I played spook and scared him out. He's on the way to Madison, and -is hitting only the high places. Is this the old _Sprite_ you used in -'Frisco Bay?" - -"Yes." - -"Glad to know it. She'll go up in smoke before we're done with her." - -Ross' veiled hints of what he was going to do did not bother Matt very -much. He had a hearty contempt for a boaster--even a desperate boaster -of Ross' stamp. - -The scoundrel was in a communicative mood, and many points which had -been dark to Matt were being cleared away. - -"What has Big John done," Matt asked, "to get Mr. Lorry down on me?" - -Ross laughed huskily. - -"How do I know?" he answered. "Big John is about as sly as they make -'em. I didn't know he'd done anything to get Lorry down on you--didn't -think he'd have the nerve to go near Lorry. You got away from that pal -of ours?" - -"Yes." - -"Then I wish John was here with us. He's probably as mad as a hornet -over losing that money, and would make a better stand-by than Kinky." - -"I never go back on a pal," expanded Kinky, "but I think a pal ought to -be sensible and not kick up too big a row for his own good." - -"You'll find the row plenty big enough if you go too far," warned Matt, -speaking for Kinky's especial benefit. - -Kinky stirred uneasily. - -"It's a case," declared Ross, "where we've got to go as far as we can. -That's what'll make it safe for us. Kinky and me have been loafing in -the woods all day. We were not to report to Big John until to-night. -It's safer for us, you understand, to get together at night than at any -other time." - -Matt had been working desperately at the cord that bound his hands. The -cord was drawn tight and firmly knotted, and his efforts had not met -with much success. - -Ross suddenly detected him in his work, and, with an oath, jerked him -over and looked at the rope. - -"That's enough of that," he said sternly. "Suppose you do get rid of -the rope, how'll it help you? You lay still and be quiet, that's your -cue." - -"What are we going to do, Ross?" inquired Kinky nervously. - -"You're going up on the bank and cast off the painter," returned Ross. -"I don't think you're any too steady on your feet, so be careful." - -"What do you want me to cast off the painter for? We've got a boat of -our own, and we don't need this." - -"I'm engineerin' this deal, Kinky," said Ross sharply. "Do as I say, or -else take to the woods and let me do it alone." - -Kinky got up and staggered ashore. Although he worked awkwardly, yet -he finally succeeded in releasing the painter and throwing the rope -aboard. Then he scrambled back into the boat himself. - -Ross, meanwhile, had been starting the engine. He proceeded in a way -that proved he had some knowledge of motors. - -Turning the _Sprite_, Ross sent her slowly toward the mouth of the -creek, peering sharply ahead as they moved through the water. - -"There she is," muttered Ross, shutting off the power. - -As the _Sprite_ came to a halt, Ross reached over the side and caught -the gunwale of another boat. - -"We'll tow our boat behind, Kinky," announced Ross. "Climb into her and -make sure the oars are safe inboard, then fasten her painter to the -stern of the _Sprite_." - -This rather difficult operation was safely accomplished, and then, -with the rowboat in tow, the launch glided out of the creek into the -Catfish, and down the Catfish toward Fourth Lake. - -How was that voyage to end for Motor Matt? - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER. - - -Matt's position in the boat enabled him to watch one dark bank of the -river as they glided down toward the lake. He was listening and looking -for some sign of life on the bank. Had he seen any one, a shout would -quickly have apprised the person of the prisoner's predicament. - -But Matt saw no one. Steadily the _Sprite_ glided onward--steadily, but -covering so crooked a course that Matt wondered they did not drive into -the bank on one side or the other. - -The lake was reached. The storm promised by the late afternoon was -slow in coming. The wind was no higher than it had been, two or three -hours before, but the waves were beating sullenly on the rocks as if in -warning of what was to come. - -Far across the lake Matt could see the glare of city lights. Because of -his position in the boat, the other shore of the lake was not visible -to him. - -He was looking for other boats, but there were very few boats on the -lake at the time. He saw one moving light, however, and essayed a lusty -call for help. - -Ross swore savagely. - -"Clap a hand over that cub's mouth!" he snapped. - -At the same instant he jerked one hand from the wheel, caught up the -lantern, and dropped it overboard. - -Kinky, meanwhile, had forced his hands over Matt's lips. - -The light Matt had seen had shifted its position, and was gliding -toward the _Sprite_. - -"Hello, there!" called a voice from the dark. - -"Hello, yourself," flung back Ross. - -"Did you hail us?" - -"No." - -"I thought some one yelled. What became of your light?" - -"A lubber here with me knocked it overboard." - -"Well, you'd better get out another. If you take my advice, you won't -stay out long, either. There's nasty weather coming, and we're making -for our berth over at the asylum." - -Ross allowed this warning to go unanswered. The light of the other boat -dwindled away and vanished in the gloom. - -"This is far enough, I reckon," Ross remarked, halting the _Sprite_. -"You can leave him alone now, Kinky," he added. "He could yell till -he's black in the face and no one would hear him; but, if he knows -what's good for him, he won't whoop it up while we're close to him. -Pull the rowboat up alongside, Kinky." - -Ross lifted the hood and leaned down into the space reserved for the -motor and the gasoline tanks. - -"Confound it!" he exclaimed, lifting himself erect, "I wish I had that -lantern now." - -He continued to grumble and work around in the bow of the boat. At last -he finished his labor, whatever it was, and turned to Kinky. - -The latter was holding the rowboat alongside the launch. The task was -none too easy, as the swell was bumping the boats together and then -forcing them apart. - -"What am I to do, Ross?" asked Kinky. "I can't hang on here much -longer." - -"Get into the rowboat and take the oars," ordered Ross. - -"Ain't you going along with me?" - -"Sure, when I get through." - -"What's your game?" - -"Never you mind," was the angry retort. "It's my game, from now on, -and you'll watch and do as you're told. Get into the boat and hold her -close to the _Sprite_ with the oars. When I want you I'll let you know. -Mind your eye when you change or you'll find yourself at the bottom of -the lake." - -Kinky made three attempts to get from one boat into the other. At the -last attempt he came near swamping the rowboat, and when he drew back -and clung panting to the side of the _Sprite_ the rowboat had got away -from him. - -Ross shouted his maledictions. - -"What can you expect of a fellow workin' like this in the dark?" -grunted Kinky. "I ain't no sailor, anyway." - -"You got feet and hands, haven't you? Then why don't you use 'em?" - -With this retort, Ross started the motor and laid the _Sprite_ -alongside the rowboat once more. - -"Now," he ordered, "try it again, Kinky. If you get a spill you'll stay -in the lake for all of me." - -Kinky's next effort was more successful. He had a narrow escape, but he -finally plumped down into the bottom of the rowboat, righted himself -unsteadily, and got on the 'midships thwart. A moment more and he had -shipped the oars. - -"Now what?" he demanded. - -His own temper was beginning to rise at the rough, and perhaps -unnecessary, work he had been made to do. - -Ross had again switched off the power of the motor and the launch was -rolling in the waves. - -"Wait, and I'll tell you," answered Ross. - -He was lashing the steering wheel with a piece of rope. Kinky could not -see what he was doing, or he would probably have ventured some remarks. -Matt, however, was able to follow the scoundrel's movements, and a -vague alarm ran through him. - -"What are you up to, Ross?" asked Matt sternly. - -Ross snarled at him, but did not make any response that could be -understood. - -"I suppose you could get at this wheel, bound as you are," muttered -Ross, turning around, at last, and facing Matt. "But I'll fix that," he -added with a brutal laugh. - -Making his way to where Matt was lying, he caught him by the shoulders -and dragged him roughly forward. - -"What are you doing this for?" demanded Matt. - -Ross was strong, and, without deigning a reply, he heaved the helpless -youth up onto the hood. Bound as he was, Matt's position was precarious -in the extreme. - -"I never thought you were such a scoundrel, Ross," Matt said quietly. -"It can't be you're going to leave me like this." - -"You wait till I get through," was the fierce answer. - -By craning his head around, Matt could see Ross pick up a pile of -waste. From the pungent odor of gasoline which assailed Matt's nostrils -he knew that the waste had been soaked in the inflammable stuff. - -Ross carried the waste back into the stern of the boat. - -"You like motors, King," called Ross, "and I'm going to give you such a -ride on a motor-boat as you never had before. I hope you'll enjoy it." - -"For the last time, Ross," called Matt, horribly conscious of the trend -the scoundrel's work was taking, "I ask you to think of what you are -doing." - -"I've thought of it all I'm going to. It's a fine plan, and I'm going -to carry it right through to a finish." - -Ross turned to the rowboat, which Kinky was keeping close to the -_Sprite_. - -"Come alongside, Kinky," Ross called. "I'm about ready to be taken off." - -"What have you been doin', Ross?" demanded Kinky, pulling the other -boat closer. - -Matt felt, at that moment, as though Kinky was his only hope. - -"He's got me tied here on the hood, Kinky," Matt called, "and he's -going to fire the boat! If you let him keep on, you'll be equally -guilty with him, and the law will sooner or later take care of you -both." - -"Let him talk!" exclaimed Ross. "Much good it'll do him. A little more -to the left, Kinky." - -The man in the rowboat had turned to look. - -"Is that him on that forward deck, Ross?" asked Kinky. - -"That's where I put him." - -"Blazes! Why, he's liable to roll off into the water and be drowned. -What did you put him there for?" - -"I told you I was attendin' to this," retorted Ross. "Get that boat -alongside here, and be quick about it." - -"But I'm not goin' to stand for any----" - -"You're going to do as I tell you. Get alongside." - -Kinky, unfortunately for Matt, had the weaker will of the two. He was -plainly afraid of Ross, and the latter could bullyrag him into doing -anything. - -As the rowboat came up, Ross leaned over and grabbed the painter. -Securing the end of it to the driver's seat of the launch, he stepped -back into the stern, struck a match, and dropped it into the heap of -waste. - -A fire leaped upward instantly, and a yell of consternation broke from -Kinky. - -"Ross, you're mad! You want to make a swinging job of this for both of -us, I guess. Put out that blaze or I'll put it out myself." - -Ross did not reply. Hastening forward again, he started the motor, and -the _Sprite_ began driving ahead, hauling the rowboat with it. - -"This course, Motor Matt," said Ross, "will carry you direct to Maple -Bluff. I hope you'll have a comfortable landing. Good-by, and good luck -to you! Have I paid my debts? Think it over." - -Whirling swiftly, Ross clambered into the rowboat. - -"I'll not stand for this!" yelled Kinky. "This may be your idea of -paying your debts, but----" - -Ross pushed Kinky backward, sending him sprawling across the 'midships -thwart. - -"Get up and take the oars," he cried. "Pal of mine though you are, if -you try to make me any more trouble something will happen to you. I've -got the bit in my teeth, I tell you, and I'll settle for Motor Matt as -I think best." - -Ross leaned forward and slashed the blade of his pocketknife through -the painter, and a hoarse laugh echoed in Motor Matt's ears as the -burning launch leaped away through the thick shadows. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CHUMS TO THE RESCUE. - - -Matt was several moments realizing the terrible predicament in which -Ross had placed him. The glowing fire in the stern of the _Sprite_ -lighted the darkness with a ghastly glare. - -The boat was on fire and speeding, with a lashed wheel, across the -troubled waters of the lake. - -What could Matt do to save himself? It was a time when he must think -quickly. He would also have to act with promptness and decision--an -impossibility in his helpless state. - -If he could roll back over the hood, he might contrive to get aft and, -in some manner, smother the fire. - -He made the attempt--and succeeded, although not until he had come -within an inch of sliding off the rounded hood and into the lake. - -As he fell into the bottom of the boat, he struck the lever that -controlled the sparking apparatus, throwing off the switch and causing -the _Sprite_ to slow to a halt. - -This was a little gained, for the speed of the boat would not now fan -the flames; but Matt was wedged in between the driver's seat and the -motor, and found it impossible to extricate himself. - -His heart sank. - -Was this to be the end? Was the _Sprite_ to burn and sink, there in the -open lake, and carry him to the bottom? - -At this moment, just as his hopes were at the lowest ebb, he heard a -shout from near at hand. - -"Matt! Where are you, pard?" - -McGlory! That was McGlory's voice! - -The wonder of McGlory's being there to help him was lost, for the -moment, in the wild joy that swelled in Matt's breast. - -"Here!" he shouted. - -A whoop of delight came from McGlory. - -"We've found him, George!" Matt heard him exclaim. - -Then there came a splash of oars and a jolt as another boat bumped -against the _Sprite_. - -"Hold her steady, pard," McGlory went on, "and I'll get Matt out of -this in a brace of shakes." - -The next moment the cowboy scrambled into the launch. - -"Where are you, Matt?" called McGlory. - -"Never mind me," Matt answered; "put out the fire. Beat it out--use -your coat." - -The fire looked worse than it was in reality. Not much of the woodwork -was afire, but the blazing waste had been scattered by the wind and was -sending up smoke and flame from the stern almost to the driver's seat. - -McGlory was thinking more about Matt than he was about the boat. -However, he had his orders and did not stop to do any arguing. Jerking -off his coat, he got to work at once. - -Lorry helped. Fastening the skiff which had brought him and McGlory off -from the shore, he likewise removed his coat, and the little _Sprite_ -rocked and pitched with the mad efforts of the two boys to get the best -of the blaze. - -Inside of five minutes they had the last flame smothered. While George -dipped up water with his cap and deluged the smoking woodwork, McGlory -pulled Matt out of his cramped quarters. - -"Well, speak to me about this!" gasped McGlory. "He's tied! Say, this -would make the hair stand on a buffalo robe. Lashed hand and foot and -turned adrift out in the middle of the lake! Sufferin' volcanoes! Who -did it, pard?" - -"Get the ropes off me," said Matt, "and then I can talk to better -advantage. My arms are numb clear to the shoulder." - -McGlory pulled a knife from his pocket and groped carefully while he -cut the cords. - -"It seems like a dream," muttered Matt. - -"Nightmare, you mean," returned McGlory. "If I'd been in such a fix I'd -'a' thrown a fit." - -"And then to have you fellows come!" went on Matt. "I don't know how -you managed it, but here you are, and here I am, and I guess the old -_Sprite_ is good for several trips yet. Shake!" - -McGlory caught Matt's outstretched hand and gave it a hearty pressure. -As soon as the cowboy was through, Matt leaned over and gave Lorry's -hand a cordial grip. - -"I'll never forget what you have done for me," declared Matt. - -"Shucks!" muttered McGlory. "That's what pards are for--to help one -another when they're in a tight pinch. And I'm an Injun if this -_wasn't_ a tight one. But see here, once, Matt. You called this boat -the _Sprite_." - -"That's her name, Joe." - -"Queer they'd have another motor boat, same size and rig of that -'Frisco launch and with the same name, here at Madison." - -"It's the same _Sprite_." - -"Not the same boat you fellows used in Frisco Bay!" exclaimed Lorry. - -"The same identical boat," returned Matt. - -"Wouldn't that rattle your spurs?" breathed McGlory. "But how did she -get here?" - -"By express." - -"Who sent her?" - -"Ping." - -"Ping! And did the yaller mug come with her?" - -"If he did I haven't seen him." - -"Why," went on Lorry, "the boat came through nearly as quick as we did!" - -"How did Ping know where to send her?" asked McGlory. - -"He could have found that out easy enough. They knew at police -headquarters that we were coming to Madison." - -"And she came by express!" - -"Yes, with charges of over two hundred and fifty dollars for -transportation." - -"Tell me about that!" McGlory nearly fell off his seat. "But that's -just like a heathen Chinee. Probably he thought the charges wouldn't -be more'n a dollar and a half. And they were over two-fifty! Sufferin' -millionaires!" - -"It's all well enough to talk," put in Lorry, "but there are lots more -comfortable places than a motor boat, with a dead engine, in the middle -of the lake." - -"That's right, too," agreed McGlory. "Every once in a while little -George, the child wonder, gets a bean on the right number. It will be -blowing great guns on this stretch of water before morning. I move we -hike." - -"Where'll we hike?" - -"Did you fix things up in Madison?" George inquired. - -"Not the way I wanted to, George," said Matt. "We'll have to talk about -that." - -"Then we won't go to Madison," declared George, "and that's settled. -We might as well haul off into the Catfish and spend the night in the -boat." - -"There used to be a 'tarp' for coverin' her in rough weather," put -in McGlory. "Was Ping thoughtful enough to send all the stuff that -belonged to her?" - -"He was," said Matt, "at thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents a hundred -pounds--three times the merchandise rate." - -"Oh, glory! What did you take the boat off the express company's hands -for, pard?" - -"For the reason, Joe, that I had use for her." - -"And this is the kind of use you've been putting her to!" muttered the -cowboy. "It wasn't worth the price, not by a whole row of 'dobies." - -The waves were rolling higher and higher, and the _Sprite_ was pitching -like an unruly broncho. - -"We'll have to get out of this," said Lorry, as the skiff alongside -smashed against the _Sprite's_ bulwarks and gave them all a rough -shaking. "The wind's carrying us toward Maple Bluff, and I don't want -any experience with the bluff on a night like this. Where's a lantern? -Is there one aboard?" - -"There was," answered Matt, "but Ross threw it into the lake." - -"Ross!" gulped McGlory. "You don't mean to say you've seen him?" - -"We'll go over all that later," said Matt. "We'll make for the Catfish -as fast as we can." - -"That's as good a place as any, I reckon, seeing as how George isn't -ready to go to Madison." - -Matt opened the hood and sniffed at the engine to ascertain if there -was any waste gasoline dripping from the tanks. He decided that the -tanks were all closed. - -The engine was started and Matt brought the boat's nose around into the -wind. The trailing skiff was allowed to fall behind to the end of its -mooring chain. - -There was thunder, off in the west, and an occasional sharp flash of -lightning. The flashes served to guide Matt over the course he had -recently covered, while a prisoner in the hands of Ross and Kinky. - -As he held the _Sprite_ steadily to her course, more and more the -wonder grew upon him as to the timely arrival of McGlory and George. -Although Matt, when bound and cast adrift, had left a fiery trail over -the lake, yet he was positive that the grewsome beacon alone had not -been responsible for the providential appearance of his two friends. - -But everything would soon be made clear, and Matt hurried the moment of -explanation by driving the launch at her best speed. - -The wind, of course, delayed the boat appreciably, but her sharp bows -cut the water like a knife, and the white spray went swirling upward on -both sides of the craft, high into the night. - -It was an exhilarating ride, and thoroughly enjoyed by Matt and George. -McGlory loved boats, but he had been built for a landsman, and the roll -and tumble of rough water gave him unpleasant feelings in the region of -the stomach. - -The cowboy drew a long breath of relief when the launch battled her way -into the quieter waters of the Catfish, and he sprang eagerly ashore to -make the boat fast to a tree, under the lee of a steep bank. - -"There's a boathouse near here," said George, when the skiff had also -been secured, "and the proper move for us is to make for it and break -in. The rain will be coming down in sheets before long. The boathouse -belongs to a friend of mine, and he won't make much of a fuss when he -knows who it was broke into the place." - -Before Matt left the launch he spread the tarpaulin over it carefully -and made the edges secure to the metal pins along the gunwale; then, -led by Lorry, the boys made their way to the boathouse. - -Forcing an entrance was not difficult, and just as the lads got inside -the rain began. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -HOW FATE THREW THE DICE. - - -There was a rough but comfortable sitting room in one end of the -boathouse. Lorry, who was familiar with the place, left Matt and -McGlory near the door which they had forced open, and groped his way to -the sitting room, where he lighted a tin lamp. - -There was a smell of stale cigarette smoke in the room, and the walls -were papered with pictures of prize fighters, sailboats, race horses, -and "footlight favorites," all cut from newspapers and magazines. This, -and the acrid odor of cigarettes, attested sufficiently the taste of -the owner of the boathouse. - -There were chairs enough to seat the three boys comfortably. - -"Somebody has been here, pards," declared McGlory, "and not so very -long ago, either." - -"He's a Sherlock Holmes, all right," grinned Lorry. "How do you suppose -he knew that, Motor Matt?" - -"Oh, go on!" growled the cowboy. "Your friend George is a cigarette -fiend. Why do you reckon the windows were draped like that?" - -There were two small windows in the sitting room, and each was covered -with a double thickness of canvas, battened down on all sides. - -"Give it up," said Lorry. "Ollie must have been having a game of cards -here with some of the boys, and probably he didn't want anybody looking -in." - -"Ollie?" murmured Matt, startled, suddenly remembering that, at the -time of the attempted robbery on the Waunakee road, Big John had -addressed his youthful companion as "Ollie." - -"Yes, Ollie Merton," answered Lorry; "he's the fellow who owns this -place." - -"What sort of looking fellow is he?" - -"Why, he's about my build, rather dark, and with a face that's not much -of a recommendation; but Ollie's been a good friend of mine, just the -same." - -Matt was convinced that the Ollie he had met on the Waunakee road, -under such evil conditions, was the same Ollie who had papered that -rude little sitting room--and had left behind him the reek of his -cigarettes. - -"What are you asking about Ollie for?" inquired Lorry curiously. - -"We'll get to that in a few minutes," said Matt. "Just now I want to -hear how you fellows came to leave the cabin on the creek, and what -sort of a coincidence it was that enabled you to come to my rescue, out -there on the lake." - -"I reckon we can explain that a heap easier than you can explain how -you came to be lashed hand and foot and jammed between the thwart and -the engine of a burning boat," returned McGlory. "You didn't get back -to the cabin, that was one of the things that bothered George and me, -and we couldn't savvy the why of it; then, all at once, we spotted our -old friends, Ross and Kinky, standing among the oaks and piping off -the cabin. _Was_ it a jolt? Say, speak to me about that. 'That means -trouble,' said George, and I allowed that he had rung the bell. - -"There we'd been congratulatin' ourselves that no one knew of the -hang-out, when along comes those 'Frisco gents, loafing in the scrub -and taking the sizing of our wickiup. Having made up our minds that the -appearance of Ross and Kinky spelled trouble with a big T, George and -me got to guessing that those two lads had somehow interfered with your -getting back to the cabin, Matt. - -"'We'll duck out of this, George,' says I, 'and you can bet your -moccasins on _that_. And when we duck,' I says further, 'we'll take the -luggage and the grub along with us.' - -"'But what about Matt?' says George. 'He's trying to do something for -me, in Madison, and it looks kind of rough to scatter when maybe he'll -whistle for this siding even if he is somewhat behind his running time. -Didn't you tell me that Motor Matt usually does what he says he'll do?' - -"You must admit, Matt, that this cousin of mine is improving a whole -lot or he'd never have thought of that. Up to now, he's been so busy -taking care of Number One that he hasn't had any consideration for the -rest of the human race. But I explains to him like this: - -"'Georgie, we're makin' a change of base. That's all. When we dodge -those tinhorns, and pile our traps in another part of the woods, we'll -sneak back here on the q. t. and watch for Matt. Like as not we can -head him off on the Waunakee road before he reaches the bridge over the -creek.' - -"George thought that would be all right, so we get our plunder -together, sneak out of the cabin, drop over the edge of the creek bank, -crawl a mile downstream, and sashay right into the woods. I don't know -whether you'll believe it or not--things like that happen mostly in -story books--but we find the neatest cave you ever crawled into right -on the banks of the Catfish. George says it's a second edition of Black -Hawk's cave. Well, say, after we get the bats out of that hole in the -rock, we are almost as snug as we are here, this minute. Sufferin' -Niagara, hear it pour!" - -"Never mind the rain, Joe," said Matt. "Your talk is mighty exciting. -Go on with it." - -"Of course," proceeded McGlory, "we couldn't enjoy our cave while you -were due to arrive at the cabin any minute and drop into the hands of -Ross and Kinky. I reckon it was about eight o'clock into dewfall when -George and me crawled out of that hole and started to make a short -cut for the Waunakee road. Then, right in the middle of the dark, we -heard somethin' coming our way just a-tearin'. George guessed bears -and I guessed Injuns; but, no, we were both fooled. It was a little -negro--George struck a match and got his color a minute after him and -me had collided and I had flopped him on his back and was holding him -down. Then----" - -"Pickerel Pete!" exclaimed Matt. - -"That's a guess for your life. Sure, pard, it was Pickerel Pete, and a -scared Pickerel he was, at that. He thought George and me was a pair of -'ha'nts,' whatever they are; but George knew him, and he braced up some -when he made sure that we were perfectly human. - -"Then--speak to me about what that little ebony chap told us! Motor -Matt had hired him for two plunks a day--you're getting reckless with -your money, pard--and he had piloted Motor Matt from Third Lake to -Fourth, and from Fourth up the Catfish to Whisky Creek. Motor Matt -had left the boat tied up there, with Blackberry on guard, and gone on -afoot up the creek. Then spooks arrived, ordered Pete to duck, and he -had started for home like a singed cat. He was on his way when he ran -into us. - -"Well, George and me was all crinkled up with a scare. Matt's gone on -to the cabin, we figure it out, and he's dropped into the hands of Ross -and Kinky. We make a run for the cabin. No one there, not even Ross and -Kinky. But there's a candle still burnin' on the corner shelf. - -"Was it Motor Matt who lit that candle, we asked ourselves, or Big -John's pals? Of course we couldn't tell that, but we allowed it was -probably Matt who had struck a light. Then it was us for the mouth of -the creek to see what was going on at the launch. - -"I forgot to tell you, pard, that George and I had found a skiff, while -we were fooling around the creek bank, waiting for you to get back. The -skiff pleased me--I never saw a boat yet that didn't--and I suggested -to George that we paddle down the creek in the skiff. That would save -climbing fences and blundering around in the dark. Well, we took the -skiff. It didn't draw much more'n a drink of water, and, although the -creek is lower than usual at this time of year, according to George, we -got down it all right. Just as we got within hailing distance of the -launch, we heard the chug of an engine, and some one calling from the -boat to some one else on the bank. We'd found Ross and Kinky--their -voices give 'em away; and from what they said later we also knew that -we'd found _you_. - -"George and I were up a tree for fair, then. Ross and Kinky were -'heeled'--we didn't have to guess any about that--while all I had was a -pocketknife, and all George had was a scarfpin. - -"'Well,' says George, 'I'm not going to leave those tinhorns to do what -they please with Matt.' Surprisin', eh, the way this cousin of mine is -beginnin' to act? He was as nervy as a Ute buck with an overload of -tizwin. I asks George what he thinks we can do against two men with a -pair of hardware hornets that sting six times apiece. George didn't -know, but allowed we'd better drop down the creek and get a closer view. - -"By the time we got down to where the launch was she had moved on and -stopped again. When she moved on once more, something was trailing -behind her. It was so dark we couldn't see what the thing was very -plain, but after some sort of a while we made out that it was a boat. -Well, how we ever did it I don't know, but George--it was George, -mind you--made our chain painter fast to the stern of the trailing -rowboat--and that's the sort of procession we made down the Catfish." -McGlory threw back his head and laughed till he shook. "First, the -launch," he went on; "then the rowboat, then George, and me, and the -skiff. Sufferin' side-wheelers! Why, I nearly gave the snap away -enjoying it." - -"Great spark plugs!" muttered Matt. "When we went down the Catfish, -I was watching the bank, hoping to see some one I could call to. And -there were you and George behind us all the time! I wish Ross and Kinky -knew about that." - -"It was too much fun to last, pard," continued McGlory, sobering a -little. "When we got out into the lake the heavier swell made the chain -break loose from the rowboat, and we had to follow with the oars, -which was slow work. We were a long ways off when you spoke that other -launch; and when you started like a streak of fire for the northwest -end of the lake, we were still so far off that we didn't think we could -reach you in time to do you any good. But we broke our backs at the -oars, and managed to make it. You know the rest." - -"Fine!" exclaimed Matt admiringly. "Say, you fellows are pards worth -having. What became of Pickerel Pete?" - -"Bother him!" put in George. "We didn't have any time to fool with the -little moke after we heard what he had to tell us about you." - -"He kept on toward town, burnin' the air," said McGlory. - -"I think," said Matt reflectively, "that this cave of yours would be a -safer place for us than this boathouse." - -"Safer," returned the cowboy, "but it hasn't got any chairs and nothing -to make a light with. Hear the rain, once! Gee, _compadres_, I wouldn't -move from here to the cave, through all that water, for a bushel of -double eagles." - -"Why is the cave safer?" asked Lorry. - -"Because this Ollie Merton isn't such a friend of yours as you think," -said Matt. - -George Lorry stiffened in the old, arrogant way. - -"I guess I know my friends," he answered frigidly. - -"Listen," went on Matt. "When I left the cabin and started along the -Waunakee road, some one in the bushes threw a riata at me. It was Big -John threw the rope, and along with Big John was this Ollie Merton. -They were after that ten thousand dollars, but I played a trick on them -and got away with the draft. It was your sister, George, that helped me -get away." - -"What!" exclaimed George; "not Ethel?" - -"Yes. She was on the Waunakee road with her motor car----" - -George scowled. - -"The governor would put twenty-five hundred in a runabout for sis," he -growled, "and wouldn't scrip up when I wanted a motor boat. Is that -right? Is----" - -Voices were heard outside, accompanying a slushy crunch of wet gravel. -Matt leaped for the light and blew it out. - -"Not a word!" he whispered. "That must be Ollie Merton, and we don't -want him to see us. There's an overturned catboat--get under it." - -Lorry tried to protest, but Matt caught him by the arm and hustled him -toward the overturned boat. The boat had been lying under the boys' -eyes during their talk. Barely had they secreted themselves when the -door opened and two persons walked in, followed by a whirling gust of -rain. - -"Whoosh!" called a familiar voice, "I'm glad to get out of that, Ollie." - -"Big John!" whispered Matt in Lorry's ear. "He's come here with Merton. -Keep quiet, now, and listen." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -UNDER THE OVERTURNED BOAT. - - -When Matt, Lorry, and McGlory had made forcible entrance into the -boathouse, it had been through the door that fronted the river. Merton -and Big John had entered through a door at the other end of the house. -Thus, for a time, at least, the broken lock on the other door was not -discovered. - -"Light up," went on the voice of Big John. "And if you've got anything -in a bottle, Ollie, trot it out and mebby it'll drive the chill from -our bones. I'm not pinin' for an attack of rheumatism." - -"I've got that, too," answered Ollie, with a fatuous snicker. "Always -keep something for snake bites." - -"And it's a bad thing for a lad of your years. Hurry up with the light." - -"Give me time to get out of this mackintosh and then I'll hunt for -matches." - -There followed the slap of a wet garment on the floor. The next moment -a match was struck, and young Merton could be seen making for the lamp. -The moment he touched the chimney he jumped back with a cry and the -match dropped from his fingers. - -"What ails you?" demanded Big John. - -"Why, the chimney's _hot_!" exclaimed Merton. "Somebody's been here, -and they haven't been gone very long, either." - -"Thunder! It must have been Ross and Kinky. They were to meet us here, -you know, and Ross had a key to the boathouse." - -"If they were here a few minutes ago," went on Merton, "why aren't they -here now?" - -"I'll have to pass that. But if any one was here, it was those pals of -mine. Go on and light the lamp. Use your handkerchief for taking off -the chimney." - -Matt, under the overturned boat, drew a breath of relief. But it was -only a temporary relief. Already he was wondering what would happen -when Ross and Kinky arrived at the rendezvous. Ross had told Matt that -he and Kinky were to meet Big John that night, but had carried the -impression that the meeting was to take place in town. - -Merton's fears were apparently relieved, and he soon had the lamp -lighted. - -Big John divested himself of a raincoat and removed a dripping cap. -Coat and cap he hung very carefully from two nails in the wall. - -Merton, meanwhile, was unlocking a cupboard. A bottle and two glasses -came out of the cupboard. Merton poured some of the liquor into the -glasses. Big John reached over and emptied part of Merton's glass into -his own. - -"That leaves enough for you, son, and a heap more than you ought to -have," said he. "It ain't good for younkers--nor for old fellers, -either." - -"Oh, splash!" grunted Merton. "You ought to go around with a pocketful -of tracts," he grinned. "Whenever you rob a man, leave a tract with -him." - -"You're mighty cute," observed Big John, setting his empty glass on the -table and leaning back in his chair, "but the two of us wasn't cute -enough to get the best of Motor Matt. There's a boy! He's a bright and -shinin' example. He has backcapped me twice, and the more he does it -the more I admire him." - -Merton stared; then, developing his silver cigarette case and his -silver match box, he proceeded to smoke. - -"You're a queer fish, Big John," said he. "If you've got such high -standards, why don't you live up to 'em?" - -Big John shook his head gloomily. - -"I expect it ain't in me," he answered. - -"If you'd had Ross and Kinky with you, there at the bend in the -Waunakee road, this Motor Matt wouldn't have made a get-away." - -"Mebby not; but Ross is down on Motor Matt and wouldn't hesitate to -hand him his finish. That's the reason I wouldn't have Ross along; and -I let Kinky stay with Ross as a sort of safeguard, in case anythin' -went crossways and Ross happened to find Motor Matt. Only the hope of -me gettin' that money has caused Ross to hold back as long as he has. -Now that he knows there's no hope of gettin' the money, he'll be as mad -as a cannibal. Ross is worse'n an Apache Injun when he's worked up." - -"Then he'll be mad when he comes here and finds you didn't get the -money, won't he?" - -"He will; and I've laid my plans to make a quick jump for the West. -I'll land that precious Ross where he won't get us all into trouble." - -"You were telling me that you had set old man Lorry against Motor Matt." - -A slow grin worked its way over Big John's face. - -"Anonymous letter," said he. "I just wrote Lorry that I was a -detective, and didn't think it wise to put my information over my own -name, see? Then I went on to tell him to look out for Motor Matt, and -explained that he was in cahoots with the three desperate scoundrels -who had stolen the ten thousand in 'Frisco. That'll make Lorry think a -little. But see here, son. You haven't been private adviser for young -Lorry just to make a man of him in the gamblin' line, have you? What's -your graft? I'll bet it's somethin' more than getting him away from his -mother's apron strings, and out of the sissy class." - -Merton's sinister face took on a crafty look. - -"You're right," said he. "The Winnequa Club has a race in a few days. -For reasons of my own, I intend to win that race. See? Lorry also -wanted to have a boat in the race, and he's about the only one, apart -from me, whose dad has money enough to furnish him with a boat that -will make the rest of us climb. But old man Lorry isn't furnishing -George with the boat." Merton chuckled. "When George asked me what he -ought to do the time his father threatened to send him to military -school, I told George to skip, and to get as far away as he could. That -left me free to do as I wanted to in that motor-boat event." - -Merton winked. - -"H'm!" murmured Big John. "You're a foxy youngster. I'm not sayin' it's -creditable in you, mind, but it shows sharp thinking, all right." - -The three boys under the overturned boat were able to see and hear all -that went on. When the conversation between Merton and Big John had -proceeded that far, Matt heard a sharp breath escape Lorry's lips. - -A few words, and Merton's despicable planning had been laid bare. Out -of Merton's own mouth Lorry could judge him. This false friend, with -whom Lorry had associated, and whose advice he had taken, had headed -him toward irretrievable ruin. - -"Oh, I can be foxy if I want to," said Merton. "All I want now is to -make sure that Lorry doesn't get in that race." - -"I guess you can be easy on that point," returned Big John dryly. "The -old gent won't put up money for the boat on a bet. Motor Matt called on -Lorry. I talked with Gus, the Lorry chauffeur, and he said there was a -heap of coldness developed durin' the interview, and that when Motor -Matt had left, Lorry used the telephone and asked police headquarters -to have a plain-clothes man pick up his trail and follow him. The fly -cop followed Motor Matt from Third Lake into Fourth, but lost him -somewhere around the Mendota end of the Catfish. The last thing I did, -before leaving Madison to come here, was to drop another unsigned -letter in the mails for Lorry." - -"What was that for?" asked Merton. - -"I told Lorry that if he would cross Fourth Lake in the morning, and -proceed up the Catfish as far as Whisky Creek, then leave the boat and -walk up the creek for a mile, he would come to the place where Motor -Matt was having McGlory keep his son. I reckon _that_ will give Motor -Matt something to think about. I'll not be here to see the fun, and I -guess young King will get out of the scrape in his customary fashion, -but it'll be something by way of remembering Big John. King has made me -a lot o' trouble, and has beat me out of a pineapple plantation, and -that's all I can do to rough things up for him. You see----" - -Big John broke off suddenly. Some one else was approaching the -boathouse. Matt, McGlory, and Lorry could hear the footsteps plainly. - -Merton started to get up, but Big John lifted a restraining hand. - -"If they're the ones we expect," said he, "they've got a key and can -let themselves in. If they're not the ones we're looking for, then we -don't want them here." - -A key rattled in the lock just as Big John finished speaking. The next -moment the door opened and two men blew in. - -They were Ross and Kinky! - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A DASH FOR THE OPEN. - - -That visit of Matt, McGlory, and Lorry to the boathouse was worth all -the danger it had brought, even if it had resulted in nothing more than -opening Lorry's eyes to the duplicity of his supposed friend. - -But other things had developed that were highly interesting, as well as -edifying. - -Matt was astounded to learn that an anonymous letter had made the -elder Lorry so bitterly hostile. If Lorry had put so much faith in one -unsigned letter, surely he would have equal confidence in the second, -and might be expected to cross the lake on the following morning and -make his way to the cabin on the creek. - -It was likewise refreshing to learn that Big John was intending to take -his two pals and return to the West. Matt was not forgetting that Ross -and Kinky had some three hundred dollars of his money, and before the -flight something must be done to recover the funds. - -But just then a common danger suggested that the boys must get away -from the boathouse. There were four enemies against them, and at least -three of the enemies were armed. - -"We've got to get out of here, Joe," whispered Matt. - -"Why not lay low till _they_ get out?" returned the cowboy. - -"It won't be possible. That hot lamp chimney is going to do the trick -for us. Big John will mention it and ask Ross and Kinky why they left -the boathouse and went out into the rain. Ross and Kinky will say they -didn't; then there'll be talk and a hunt for intruders. We've got to -make a dash for the open--and at once." - -"You've got it right, Motor Matt," murmured Lorry. "The quicker I can -get away from here, the better I'll like it. I've learned a lot," and -there was bitterness in Lorry's voice as he finished. - -"Let's heave over the boat and make a dash for the back door," -suggested McGlory. "We're rushin' straight into the dark, and, if we're -quick, we can get clear before there's any shooting." - -"That hits me," said Lorry. - -"It's now or never, then," assented Matt. "Separate, just outside the -boathouse, and then come together again at the launch. We'll go up to -that cave you fellows found. You understand the plan, do you?" - -"Yes," answered Lorry and McGlory. - -"Then lay hold of the edge of the boat," went on Matt. - -In their narrow quarters the three boys knelt, waiting for the word to -lift the boat's edge from the skids and throw the hulk entirely over. -It was not a large boat, and their strength was fully equal to the task -they had set for themselves. - -"_Now!_" hissed Matt. - -Over went the boat with a crash. Startled yells came from the sitting -room, followed by silence broken only by a rush of feet as Matt, Lorry, -and McGlory darted toward the rear door. - -"Stop 'em!" roared Big John. - -"Guns!" cried Ross; "use your guns!" - -McGlory halted and whirled. At the side of the boat he had found a -small can of white lead, which was probably to do its part in giving -the hull a coat of paint. When starting to run the cowboy had taken the -can of lead with him. - -He paused to hurl the can. Straight as a bullet it shot through the -air, crashed into the lamp, and plunged the interior of the boathouse -in darkness. Another moment and McGlory had hurled himself through the -door. - -Acting upon Matt's suggestion, the three friends separated as soon as -they reached the outside air. Ten minutes later they were all together -again at the place where the _Sprite_ was moored. - -There was a lull in the storm, and for a while, at least, the rain had -stopped. - -Matt began ripping off the boat's tarpaulin cover. - -"Cast off the painter, Joe," he called, as he worked. "You can help me -with this, George," he added. "Never mind the skiff--we can't bother -with that now." - -Clearing a working space aft of the hood, Matt leaped into the boat -and began getting the motor into action. George finished removing the -"tarp," and McGlory scrambled aboard with the end of the painter. - -From the direction of the boathouse sounds of pursuit could be heard. - -"Tumble in, George," called Matt. "You can finish that from inside the -boat." - -McGlory gave his cousin a hand and Matt started the propeller. - -Taking the launch up the river on such a night was hazardous in the -extreme. But Matt had the bearings of the stream in his head, and he -urged the _Sprite_ boldly onward. - -From behind them, somewhere, a revolver was fired. The leaden missile -caused no damage, and the launch rushed on into the gloom. - -Lorry, who knew the river well, pushed to Matt's side to be of what -help he could. - -"You never had a better chance to wreck a boat, Motor Matt," said -Lorry, "than you've got right now." - -"I'm hoping for the best," returned Matt. "Instinct, more than anything -else, is guiding me. I don't know, but I seem to _feel_ it when we're -going wrong." - -It was the same instinct, perhaps, which carries a horse over the right -road when the rider is lost, or that carries a bird miles and miles -through the air to the same nest in the same tree of the forest. - -This was not the first time Matt had profited by that vague intuition. -It was almost like a sixth sense. - -McGlory, time and again, held his breath, fearing that they were about -to run upon the rocks; but, just as surely, time and again, the king of -the motor boys turned the wheel and deep water remained under them. - -"It's up to you fellows to tell me where to stop," said Matt. - -"I'm watching for the place," replied Lorry, "but the shore line -looks like a solid blur of shadow. I can't distinguish one point from -another." - -"Figure it out by dead-reckoning," suggested Matt. "You must have some -idea, George, how far the cave is from the lake." - -"Two miles, I should say." - -"Then, at this speed, we've covered the two miles," and Matt shut off -the power and let the boat's momentum carry her toward the bank. - -The _Sprite_ came to a halt with a slight jar, which proved that she -had struck. - -"That's all right," announced Matt, "and we're close enough to tie up. -Never mind if we do get our feet wet; we're in luck to get out of that -boathouse as well as we did." - -"You can gamble the limit on that," answered McGlory, splashing ashore -with the painter. "I'm a Digger, too, if this place don't look familiar -to me, what little I can see of it." - -"It's familiar to me, too," exulted Lorry. "Why, fellows, we're within -a hundred feet of the cave! Talk about luck, will you? This lays over -anything that ever came my way." - -Matt replaced the tarpaulin, got over the side, and waded to the bank. -Lorry and McGlory led him upward for a dozen feet to a place where the -bank broke away in a sort of narrow shelf. Something like a hundred -feet along this shelf was the opening into the cavern. The entrance was -masked with hazels, but the boys crowded in, and soon found themselves -in dry quarters. - -"Speak to me about that boathouse, please!" guffawed the cowboy, -stretching himself out on the uneven stone floor. "Were Big John and -his pals surprised! I rather guess they were." - -"Tell us more about that attempt Big John and Merton made to rob you on -the Waunakee road," said Lorry. "It seems strange that Merton should -have a hand in anything like that, or that he should be mixed up with -this gang of scoundrels at all. Merton's folks are immensely wealthy. -They're traveling in Europe now, and Merton is in Madison attending the -university. Mert is a spender, all right, and all he has to do when he -wants money is to ask for it. Why should he help Big John try to get -that ten thousand from you, Matt?" - -"Possibly it wasn't the money end of the deal that attracted Merton," -answered Matt. "It may be that all he wanted, Lorry, was to make you as -much trouble as he could." - -Lorry muttered angrily under his breath. - -"I don't know how I ever let him pull the wool over my eyes," said he, -"but it's a fact that I considered Ollie Merton my best friend. It was -by his advice that I took that money and went to 'Frisco." - -"That, alone," remarked Matt earnestly, "proves that Merton was not a -friend." - -"I'm beginning to see it in that light myself," admitted Lorry. "It's -hard to have to say so, but it's the truth." - -"Hard!" scoffed McGlory. "Why, pard, the way you're showin' up is sure -hard to beat. But don't hang fire with that yarn of yours, Matt. You've -got ours, and all George and I need is a statement of facts from you in -order to get the whole business straight in our own minds. Heave ahead -now, and be quick about it. I'm about ready to doze off." - -Matt began with his start for Waunakee, related the attempted robbery, -and the manner in which he and Ethel Lorry had backed the runabout -along the Waunakee road and into Madison. - -The part Matt dreaded to tell had to do with his interview with -Lorry's father; but Lorry had shown such a surprising change in his -whole manner of thought and action that Matt detailed the conversation -between himself and Mr. Lorry exactly as it had occurred. - -A few days before, such a report would have sent George into a furious -tirade against his father, but he now listened quietly and without -comment. - -Matt, highly pleased, proceeded to tell how he had taken the launch -from the express office, had engaged Pickerel Pete, and had run the -_Sprite_ into Fourth Lake and up the Catfish; then followed his visit -to the cabin, his failure to find McGlory and Lorry, his return to the -launch, his capture by a ruse on the part of Ross, and, finally, the -murderous attempt which Ross had made and which had come so near being -successful. - -"That Ross must be bug-house!" growled McGlory angrily. - -"He had been drinking," said Matt. "A man will do things when he's -partly intoxicated that he wouldn't think of doing when sober." - -"You're out three hundred dollars, Matt," spoke up Lorry, "and I don't -think that money will ever come back to you. When we made that dash -from the boathouse, Big John and his pals knew we had been there long -enough to learn a whole lot about their plans. Ross and Kinky have -discovered that you were saved from the burning boat, even if they -didn't know it before, and all three of the rascals will not lose a -minute getting away from this part of the country. I doubt if it would -do any good for us to go to Madison and report to the police. Big John -and his pals are done with Madison, and with you. They'll make tracks -for where they came from, and they'll do it at once." - -"That sounds like pretty good reasoning to me," observed Matt, "but I -guess that what we've accomplished is worth all it cost us. What are -your plans, Lorry?" - -"I'm going home in the morning," declared Lorry. "If I'm to go to a -military school--well, there are worse places." - -"Listen to George!" cried McGlory. "Oh, tell me about George! Ain't he -a surprise party, though?" - -"Now," said Matt jubilantly, "I'm _sure_ that what we've accomplished -is worth the price. Good night, pards. I've found a soft stone, and -I've got material for pleasant dreams, so I'm going to sleep. In the -morning, we're for across the lake--and Aristocracy Hill!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE POWER BOAT--MINUS THE POWER. - - -The boys were astir early, it being their intention to reach Madison -and the Lorry home before Mr. Lorry could get away to cross the -lake--providing that proved to be his intention. - -The boys had a frugal breakfast off the cold food McGlory and Lorry had -brought from the cabin, and immediately after they emerged from the -cave upon the narrow shelf that ran in front of it. - -The rain seemed to be over, and the leaden clouds were being scattered -by a fierce wind from the west. - -"This is a bad morning to be on Fourth Lake," said George, casting an -anxious eye upward. "I had hoped the wind would blow itself out, but -it appears to be as strong as ever." - -"Why not leave the _Sprite_ here," suggested McGlory, "and hike for -Madison along the wagon road?" - -"It would take us too long," protested Matt. "I think a boat that -can stand the seas in 'Frisco Bay ought to be able to negotiate this -fresh-water lake. The _Sprite's_ reliable, I can say that for her; and, -so long as we have power, I guess we needn't fear the wind." - -"We'd better have a look at the boat by daylight," said McGlory. "For -all we know, pards, the end may have been burned off her." - -But an examination showed that the _Sprite_ had suffered little damage -from the fire. The luggage was thrown aboard and the boys climbed to -their places. One turn of the flywheel and the cylinders took the -spark; then, on the reverse, the boat was pulled from the shoal into -deep water, Matt changed to the forward drive, and they were off in a -wide circle that pointed them for Lake Mendota. - -"I don't care a whoop what happens now," gloried the cowboy, "we've got -George out of the woods, and that's the main thing." - -"Call it that if you want to, Joe," said Lorry, "but there's music for -me to face, over on Fourth Lake Ridge." - -"And you're goin' to face it like a little man, Georgie; and if Uncle -Dan don't back down on that military-school proposition he'll get a -cold blast from Joe McGlory. And that, pards," the cowboy added, "is a -shot that goes as it lays." - -"I'll take my medicine and not make much of a face, no matter how -bitter the dose is," went on George; "but there's one thing that's -bound to happen." - -"Meanin' which, George?" inquired McGlory. - -"Why, my father is going to be set right on the subject of Motor Matt." - -"Don't let me cause any friction between you, George," urged Matt. "The -breach between you and your father is in a fair way of being healed." - -"So far as I am concerned," said Lorry, a flush tinging his cheeks, -"I'm willing to admit that I acted like a fool. I'll go on record with -that, face to face with the governor; I'll even go further and say -that it was weakness that made me hang back from Madison, stop in that -cabin, and send Motor Matt on to make a dicker and save my pride. But -the governor has got to understand that Motor Matt's my friend, and -that, but for him and you, Joe, I'd not be here now. Right is right, -and Motor Matt is going to have justice, if nothing more." - -"I'm glad as blazes, George," caroled McGlory, "to hear you tune up in -that fashion. The more I listen to you, since last night, the better I -feel." - -"I was quite a while getting to sleep in that cave," pursued Lorry. -"I lay there, on the hard rocks, and reviewed everything I've done -since leaving Madison. It seems as though a fog had been cleared out -of my brain, and that I was able to stand off and get a clean-cut, -impersonal look at myself. The sight wasn't pleasing. I know why Motor -Matt suggested that stop at Waunakee, and a probation in the cabin on -the creek. He read me better than I could read myself. He knew that I -had pride which would not suffer humiliation and disgrace, and that -if I was not pampered and humored a little I would probably go off on -another rebellious splurge--and wind up my future prospects. By staying -at that cabin, I brought all these dangers upon Matt; and yet, if he -had not suggested some such move as the halt at Waunakee, I should very -likely have bolted from the train between 'Frisco and here. Oh, what an -unreasoning idiot I have been!" - -Lorry dropped down on a seat and bowed his head in his hands. - -"Speak to me about this, Matt!" whispered McGlory, placing himself -alongside the king of the motor boys. "Who'd ever have dreamed my -haughty, high-and-mighty cousin would ever have come to the scratch in -such a way? Sufferin' tyrants! I wonder if Uncle Dan is going to do the -right thing by George, or make as big a fool of himself as George did?" - -"I think Mr. Lorry, after he sees and talks with George, will do the -right thing," returned Matt. - -Just here the _Sprite_ shot out of the river into the rolling waters of -Fourth Lake. The west wind, marshaling its strength on the broad sweep -of the prairies, caught up the waves and flung them headlong toward -Maple Bluff. The launch leaped and staggered, shoved her bow into the -highest waves, and then shivered and flung off the spray in a double -cataract on each side. - -It was a nerve-tingling ride, and McGlory suddenly made up his mind -that his stomach would feel better if he sat down. - -George, his face flushed with excitement, looked around him and gave a -jubilant shout. - -"Great!" he cried. - -"I wish I felt like that," groaned McGlory. "For Heaven's sake, Matt, -see how quick you can get us to the other side." - -"We can tie up at the yacht club on the west shore," said Lorry. - -"All right," answered Matt. "Look at that boat over there, George," he -added, nodding his head in the direction of Governor's Island. "She's -the only other boat on the lake, so far as I can see, and she's acting -as though something is wrong with her." - -Lorry stood up, braced himself, and peered ahead. - -"She's a bigger boat than ours," he remarked, "and looked to me like -the _Stella_. The _Stella_ is a thirty-footer, and belongs to Barkley -Cameron, a neighbor of ours up on the Hill. By Jupiter," he added, a -few moments later, "it is the _Stella_, and she's in trouble, as sure -as you're a foot high." - -"The wind is driving her toward the Bluff," said Matt excitedly. "Her -engine's dead--she hasn't any power to fight the wind and waves." - -"And there are four men aboard her," went on Lorry. "Great Scott! If -they ever go on those rocks at the point, the boat will be smashed -to kindling and every one aboard of her drowned. Let's stand by the -_Stella_, Matt, and try and do something for her." - -"I'm rushing the _Sprite_ in the _Stella's_ direction," answered Matt, -"and have been for some time. But we may not be able to do anything. -She's half a mile nearer the rocks than we are, and she may go onto -them before we can overhaul her." - -Far off, just beyond the drifting and helpless launch, Matt and Lorry -could see the white waves flinging themselves against the jutting crags -of McBride's Point. The _Sprite_ was coming up with the _Stella_ hand -over fist, but the _Stella's_ drift was carrying her toward the cliffs -with tremendous speed. - -"I can see the people on board," cried George, "and two of them are -tinkering with the engine. If they can get the motor in shape they're -all right, but if they can't----" - -George broke off abruptly, and stood clinging to Matt and staring at -the other boat with frenzied eyes. Two of the _Stella's_ passengers, as -Matt could see, were looking toward the _Sprite_ and waving their hands -frantically. - -"Matt," called George huskily, "one of those men is my father!" - -"Great guns!" gasped Matt. "He started across the lake in the _Stella_. -We didn't leave the Catfish quick enough. But keep your nerve, George. -We're going to save them if we have to run into the breakers and pull -the _Stella_ off the cliff!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A RECONCILIATION. - - -McGlory aroused himself for a moment, and learned what the excitement -was all about. Straightway he forgot his physical ills and became -absorbed in the wonderful race Motor Matt was running with death. By -every trick in his power the king of the motor boys was doing his -utmost to urge the _Sprite_ onward. The boat's speed became a terrific -dash, a headlong hustle, with wind and wave helping the propeller. - -"We'll never make it!" groaned George. - -"Buck up, George!" cried McGlory. "Motor Matt has done harder things -than this." - -"But the _Stella_ will be on the rocks before we can get to her! And -there's the governor, likely to meet his fate right under my eyes! Oh, -what a scoundrel I have been! Seeing the governor like this, perhaps -for the last time, makes me realize what I have done. He was crossing -the lake to find me, Joe." - -George's voice died to a whisper and ended in a dry sob. - -"Pull yourself together, I tell you!" roared McGlory. "Now's the time -to show yourself a _man_!" - -"Yell to them to stand ready to throw a rope," said Matt, between his -teeth. "We can't get alongside of them before they hit the rocks, but -we can come near enough so we can catch a rope if there's a strong -enough arm to pass it." - -Lorry cast aside his overpowering doubts and fears and flung himself -into the fight with demoniacal energy. - -"Stand ready with a rope!" he yelled, trumpeting through his hands and -doing his best to make his voice heard above the roar and crash of the -waves. - -Again and again he repeated it, and McGlory joined in, timing his voice -with his cousin's. - -One of the men who had been working at the engine suddenly left his -thankless labor and placed himself well forward on the _Stella_ at the -point nearest to the approaching _Sprite_. - -"Make ready to grab the rope, both of you!" shouted Matt. "If you're -lucky enough to grab it, take a half-hitch around the stern stanchion, -and lay back on the end of the rope with every ounce of power in your -bodies! There, stand by! They're going to throw!" - -Matt shifted the wheel and, for a minute, placed the _Sprite_ broadside -on to wind and waves. This gave the man with the rope a better mark. - -Out shot the coil of hemp, but the resistance of the wind caused it to -fall pitifully short. - -A cry of despair went up from Lorry. - -"Once more!" yelled McGlory, as Matt pointed the _Sprite_ straight for -the _Stella_ and flung her onward. - -The man rapidly coiled the rope in his hands. Another man stepped -forward and took the rope to make the next cast himself. He was a more -powerfully built man than the one who had attempted the first cast. - -"This will tell the story," cried George. "If this throw fails the -_Stella_ will be smashed to pieces on the bluff." - -Matt and McGlory knew that fully as well as Lorry; and those on the -_Stella_ must have realized it. - -The man with the rope was cool and deliberate. It was plain he was -not going to waste any valuable chances by undue haste; then, as he -was whirling the rope to let it fly, Matt again turned the _Sprite_ -broadside on. - -For an instant it looked as though the rope was again to fall short; -but Lorry, stretching far out from the side of the _Sprite_, snatched -the end of the rope out of the air with convulsive fingers, and fell -with it to the bottom of the boat. - -A faint cheer went up from those on the _Stella_. - -But the battle was not yet won. McGlory went to the assistance of -Lorry, and the slack of the cable was jerked out of the water. This -gave sufficient rope for a half-hitch around the stanchion and a firm -hand hold. The cowboy and his cousin lay back on the line, bracing -their feet against the thwarts and clinging with all their strength. - -Motor Matt, meanwhile, had been busy with his part of the work. The -instant the rope was made fast, he had shifted the bow of the _Sprite_, -switching off the power for a moment in order to lessen the shock when -the launch should begin to feel the pull. - -Yet even with this precaution the shock was tremendous. But nothing -gave way, and slowly but surely the _Sprite_ took up her burden. - -For a few moments the two boats seemed to stand stationary, the power -of the _Sprite_ just counterbalancing the push of wind and wave against -both boats; then, a little later, the _Sprite_ began to move, gathering -headway by slow degrees. - -Anything like speed was out of the question, but the _Sprite_, without -missing a shot, plowed her way like a tugboat through the churning -waters, and brought herself and her tow safely along the yacht club's -pier. - -Matt and McGlory, busy making the _Sprite_ fast, caught a glimpse of -George rushing across the pier to meet his father. - -"George!" shouted the elder man. - -"Dad!" cried George. - -And they came together, gripping each other's hands. With arms locked -they walked the length of the pier and vanished inside the yacht club's -headquarters. - -"Reconciliation?" queried McGlory. "If it isn't, I don't know the -brand. Oh, I reckon Uncle Dan will do the right thing by George. That -cold blast of mine will have to be permanently retired. Matt, give us -your paw! This is a grand day for the Lorry tribe!" - -"No doubt about that, Joe," answered Matt, with feeling, as he and -McGlory shook hands. - -Half an hour later Matt went into the yacht club to telephone police -headquarters about his stolen money. He had only a very faint hope of -ever seeing the money again, but he felt it his duty to do everything -possible to recover it. - -Over the 'phone he gave a description of Big John, Ross, and Kinky. - -The man at the other end of the line had just promised to do what he -could when Matt was caught by a strong hand and turned around. He was -once more face to face with Lorry, Sr. But there was a difference in -the Lorry of Matt's first and second meeting. - -"By gad!" cried Lorry, "I want to shake hands with a hero. Nobly done, -young man! But for you we'd have gone to smash against Maple Bluff, -every last one of us on the _Stella_. We had our little differences -when we met, that other time, Motor Matt, but I didn't understand -the matter then. George here has been telling me how much he owes to -you, how much I owe to you, how much I owe to him, and we all owe to -McGlory, and everybody owes to everybody else. Gad! my head is fair -splitting with it all. Never mind that three hundred that was taken -away from you; I guess"--and the rich man laughed--"that my bank -account is good for three hundred. I'll see that _you_ don't lose -anything. We'll have more talk about this later." - -Lorry, Sr., turned to where McGlory was standing, at Matt's side, his -black eyes gleaming humorously. - -"Ah, Joe, you rascal," went on Lorry, placing two hands on the cowboy's -shoulders, "you've done something to make us all proud of you--and I -guess you'll find it out before you're many days older." - -"What are you going to do for George, uncle?" queried McGlory. - -"You watch! Keep your eyes skinned and you'll see me do something for -you as well as for George." - -Lorry, Sr., pushed himself between Matt and McGlory and caught each of -them by an arm. - -"Come on, my lads!" said he, "you're both going up to the house with -George and me. This is a happy day, and the Lorrys are going to -celebrate. Naturally, the celebration won't be complete without Motor -Matt and Joe. Never mind your boat--I've asked the people here to look -after it. Gus is outside with the big car, and all we've got to do is -to get in and strike out for home. _Home!_ How does that sound to you, -my son?" - -"It has a truer ring, dad," answered George, "than it ever had before." - -"Maybe it's a different home, George," answered Mr. Lorry. "Anyhow, -we'll try to make it so." - - -THE END. - - - - -THE NEXT NUMBER (23) WILL CONTAIN - -MOTOR MATT'S PRIZE; - -OR, - -THE PLUCK THAT WINS. - - A Clash in Black and Yellow--Pickerel Pete's Revenge--A "Dark - Horse"--Plans--An Order to Quit--Facing the Music--Gathering - Clouds--The Plotters--Firebugs at Work--Saving the "Sprite"--Out of - a Blazing Furnace--What About the Race?--Mart Rawlins Weakens--The - Race--The Start--The Finish--Conclusion. - - - - -MOTOR STORIES - -THRILLING ADVENTURE MOTOR FICTION - -NEW YORK, July 24, 1909. - - -TERMS TO MOTOR STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. - -(_Postage Free._) - -Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. - - 3 months 65c. - 4 months 85c. - 6 months $1.25 - One year 2.50 - 2 copies one year 4.00 - 1 copy two years 4.00 - -=How to Send Money=--By post-office or express money-order, registered -letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by -currency, coin, or postage-stamps in ordinary letter. - -=Receipts=--Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change -of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly -credited, and should let us know at once. - - ORMOND G. SMITH, } - GEORGE C. SMITH, } _Proprietors_. - - STREET & SMITH, Publishers, - 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. - - - - -THE GUARDIAN OF THE PASS. - - -It was the sudden change in the color of the water that made Nick -Salveson realize something was wrong. - -All day thunder had been muttering far up in the mountains, but down in -the river valley the autumn sun had been shining warm; and, busy with -his fishing, Nick had paid no attention to the heavy clouds which hung -over the jagged peaks upstream. - -Suddenly the water lost its crystal clearness, and turned to a yellow, -muddy hue, and the canoe began to strain at her anchor rope. - -"Reckon it's about time to quit," muttered the young fellow; and, -hastily reeling in his line, he laid the rod down and set to work to -pull up the anchor. - -It was badly jammed between two rocks at the bottom. By the time he had -cleared it the river had risen at least two feet, and was roaring down -in a sheet of muddy foam. - -"Guess there's been a cloud burst up in the hills," said Nick to -himself as he turned the bow of the canoe upstream. - -He was not uneasy. He had spent the whole summer in Alaska, and could -handle a canoe as well as most boys of his age. - -He had been anchored close in under the far bank. To reach his camp he -had to cross the whole width of the river, and return nearly a mile -upstream. - -But he had not taken six strokes before he realized that two strong men -could not have paddled the canoe back against the flood that was now -coming down. The only thing to do was to get across, land anywhere he -could, pull the canoe up, and walk back. - -"Great ghost! but it's strong," he muttered, as, in spite of his -efforts, the bow of the canoe was swung sideways by the weight of the -water. - -He leaned forward, drove the paddle deep in the yellow flood, and, with -all his weight in the stroke, attempted to force her round. - -Crack! The paddle, worn thin with weeks of hard wear, snapped like a -pipestem. Nick was left with a mere foot or so of useless stump. The -blade was gone. - -Instantly the rising flood seized the canoe and sent her flying madly -downstream. Like a feather she danced and spun among the whirling -yellow eddies. - -Recovering from the sudden shock of the accident, Nick made a -desperate effort to steer inshore by using the stump of the paddle. It -was useless. The flood, rising every minute, mocked his best efforts. - -At last, streaming with perspiration, and with his heart beating like -a hammer, he gave it up, and sat grimly quiet and silent. There was -something of the stoicism of the Indian in this son of a San Francisco -millionaire. He had done his best. Now the only thing was to wait and -see what the river would do with him. - -Mile after mile the relentless current bore him flying westward. Soon -he was past all his landmarks, and speeding through country completely -unknown to him. Once or twice the river contracted dangerously between -walls of rock, and the canoe pitched and plunged among foam-tipped -waves. But for the most part the banks were hillsides covered with -primeval forest of fir and hemlock. There was nowhere any sign of man. - -"It'll take me all my time to get back even if I do manage to hit the -bank somewhere," said Nick to himself grimly, as he noted the tangled -thickness of the woods on either hand. - -He was in a tight place; he knew that. What he hoped was that some -freak of the current would drive the canoe near enough to the bank to -catch hold of a branch and so pull himself ashore. - -But this did not happen, and, after his mad flight had lasted for a -full hour, Nick became desperately anxious. In the distance, he could -see that the valley narrowed greatly, and he more than suspected that -he was approaching dangerous rapids. - -He swung round a curve. Yes, he was right. Barely half a mile away the -whole river plunged into a gorge so narrow it looked like a mere crack -in the cliff. The shriek of the tortured waters rang high above the -roar of the flood which bore the canoe onward to its doom. - -Nick was no fool. He knew that in all human possibility his fate was -sealed. No craft that man ever built could hope to pass in safety down -the raging flood that boiled through that rift in the mountain. - -"Rotten luck!" he muttered. "Well, there's one comfort--there's no one -to miss me except old Rube, and I don't remember I ever did any one a -dirty trick in my life." - -Every instant the scream of the rapids grew louder. Nick could see the -mouth of the rift and the yellow waves heaping themselves high against -the black precipices on either hand. - -On flashed the canoe. Every moment her speed increased. She was a bare -one hundred yards from the top of the rapids, when a yell from the -right-hand bank rose high above the thunder of the flood, and Nick, -turning his head, saw a small, slight figure dashing down through the -trees. - -Just above the gate of the rapids half a dozen great bowlders showed -their black heads above the yellow foam. Without a moment's hesitation -the stranger leaped from the bank to the nearest, and so from rock to -rock, till he stood far out near the centre of the raging river. - -Nick watched him with straining eyes. Was there still a bare chance? -No! At that moment an eddy swept the canoe away to the left. With -a groan Nick realized that she would pass far out of reach of his -would-be rescuer. - -The canoe shot like an arrow toward the lip of the fall. Nick waved the -broken stump of his paddle in farewell to the figure on the rocks. - -The latter's right arm whirled up, and, with a sharp hiss, a coil of -rope flashed out and dropped clean and true across the canoe. - -Nick snatched at it with the energy of despair. As it tightened, the -canoe was drawn away from under him, and he, dragged over the stern, -was struggling in the rushing water. - -A minute of gasping, stifling battle among the tumbling, roaring waves. -The strain on the rope was so tremendous that it seemed to Nick that -either it must break or the man who held it must be pulled off his -slippery perch. - -But neither happened, and inch by inch the boy was drawn in, until a -hand grasped him and pulled him, gasping and exhausted, onto the solid -summit of the bowlder. - -"Can you jump?" He heard an anxious voice. "The water's still rising. -It'll be over the rock soon." - -"You bet I can," replied Nick, struggling to his feet and shaking -himself like a dog. - -"Come on, then!" cried the other. And, sure-footed as a goat, he sprang -across six feet of raging torrent to the next rock. Nick set his teeth -and followed, and in another minute was safe ashore beside his rescuer. - -"Mean to say you live here all alone!" exclaimed Nick Salveson in blank -amazement, as he looked round the bare little log hut a little later. - -"Yes, for the last four months, ever since my father left." - -"Did he go down to the coast?" - -"I wish he had. No, he went inland, over the Big Snowies!" - -"Great Scott! What for?" asked Nick bluntly. - -"Gold," replied the other. "I'll tell you about it. My name's -Glenn--Roger Glenn. We came here a year ago prospecting. We heard -there was gold down here, but we didn't do much, and an Indian who was -snowbound here last winter told my father that there was rich placer -ground the other side of the mountains." - -"But no one's ever been across there," objected Nick. "There's no pass." - -"The Indian told us there was. He made a map. Here's a copy of it." - -"So your dad tried it?" said Nick, staring curiously at the rough map. - -"He went the first of June last, and I've not seen or heard of him -since. He said he'd be back in six or eight weeks." - -"Gee, but that's bad," replied Nick sympathetically. "What do you -reckon you are to do?" - -"What can I do?" cried young Glenn bitterly. "I'm mad to go after him, -but I haven't a red cent to grubstake myself or buy a pony or dogs or a -sledge." - -Nick stared in silence at the other for some seconds. Then he said -slowly: - -"Say, Mr. Glenn, that flood may have done us both a good turn. What -d'ye say to taking me along in your trip over the Snowies?" - -Roger stared violently. - -"B-but----" he began. - -"No 'buts' about it. I'm running this outfit. Look here, Roger--I guess -you don't mind my calling you by your first name--I'm pretty well -fixed. My people are dead; they were killed in the earthquake in San -Francisco. I'm my own boss, though I am only eighteen, and I came up to -Alaska this summer to get a holiday before I go to the university next -Christmas. There isn't a thing I'd like better than a trip over the -Snowies, and if we're smart we'll do it and be back before winter hits -us. Are you agreeable?" - -"I don't know how to thank you," said Roger brokenly. - -"Then don't worry to try, old man," replied Nick comfortably. "Just fix -up a mouthful of grub, and give me a bunk. We ought to start before -sun-up to-morrow morning." - - * * * * * - -"Seems to me, Rube, you were a bit out in your reckoning," said Nick as -early one morning, ten days later, he looked out of the tent and found -the landscape white with snow. - -Rube shook his grizzled head. - -"'Tain't that altogether, boss. I reckon we're a matter of four -thousand feet higher than your summer camp. Winter comes here a sight -sooner than down in them river valleys. Howsomever, it ain't deep, and -it'll melt when the sun gets good an' strong." - -All that day the little party of three struggled up a narrow valley -that wound ever upward into the heart of a maze of great snow peaks. -Over and over again tall cliffs loomed up in front, and it seemed as if -they could go no further. But always there appeared some fresh opening, -and bit by bit they won their way upward toward the summit of the range. - -"I reckoned as I knew this here country's well as any," said Rube, -staring thoughtfully up at a tremendous pyramid peak, the snow on which -was gold and crimson in the light of the setting sun. "But this beats -me. 'Tain't on any map as ever I seed." - -"The Indian said no white man had ever crossed it," said Roger. - -"Hed he bin across hisself?" inquired Rube. - -"No. He told dad that none of his tribe had ever been across. And when -dad asked him why, he only shook his head, and said something about its -being the country of two-tailed devils." - -"How did he know of this here pass then?" demanded Rube. - -"The map was given him by his father. It had come down goodness knows -how many generations. He tried awfully hard to persuade dad not to go." - -"They've got a mighty queer lot of legends about these mountains," put -in Nick. "You couldn't pay any Injun I ever saw to put foot on 'em." - -They camped that night in bitter cold and deep snow on the very summit -of the pass. Rube took Nick aside. - -"Say, boss, do you reckon we're ever going to find Roger's dad?" - -Nick shrugged his shoulders. - -"I don't know. Roger says that before he left his father told him he'd -blaze a trail, so as if anything went wrong his son could come along -after. Roger found his father's mark on a tree near the eastern end of -the pass." - -"Seems to me the chances are ez something hez happened to old Glenn," -said Rube thoughtfully. "Chewed by a b'ar, I reckon. Or maybe had a -fall. It's a fool job fer any man to come into country like this by -hisself." - -"I guess I'm going as far as Roger wants," said Nick, "Seeing what he's -done for me, it's about the least I can do for him." - -"You're right, boss," said Rube. "He's a real white, that boy is!" - -"If we don't find his father, I'm going to take him back to the -States," said Nick. "But that's a bit o' news you can keep to yourself -for the present." - -Next morning the sun shone brilliantly on the snow, and, looking down, -the party saw, thousands of feet below them, an unknown country covered -with a forest heavier than any of them had ever seen before. - -"Mighty curious-looking country this," observed Rube doubtfully, as -they slipped and slithered down the steep snow-covered rocks. "I don't -reckon I ever seed woods as thick as them before." - -"What's that queer-looking little plain halfway down?" asked Nick. -"Looks like a clearing of some kind." - -A smile crossed Rube's leathery face. - -"Thet's a pond, boss. It's fruz over, an' the snow's laying thick on -it." - -Further down they came to a place where the only possible track lay -along the bottom of a three-hundred-foot slope, steeper than the roof -of a house and thick in snow, which glared blinding white in the -morning sun. The opposite slope was covered with the amazingly thick -forest which they had seen from above. - -"Go keerful," said Rube. "'Twouldn't take a great deal to start a -snowslide down them rocks." - -"Seems as if something had been falling already," said Roger suddenly. -"Look at these pits in the snow." - -He pointed to a hole in the snow. It was circular and about two feet -deep. - -"Now that's strange," exclaimed Nick. "There's a whole row of 'em." - -Rube looked at the queer marks, grunted, and shook his head. He hadn't -a notion what they were, but did not like to betray his ignorance to -the boys. - -"Reckon best not talk," he growled. "Don't take much to start snow -a-sliding." - -For the next half mile no one spoke. Twice more Roger noticed a series -of the same queer marks in the snow. Also in two places there seemed to -be regular roads beaten back into the thick underbrush of the snowclad -forest on their right. He did not pay much attention. His eyes were -fixed on the tree trunks. - -Suddenly he gave a shout. - -"Dad's mark!" he cried, pointing to a blaze on a big trunk by the path. - -The words were hardly out of his mouth before there came a deep -crashing sound from somewhere behind. - -"Yew've done it now!" cried Rube. "That's the snow!" - -"Not a bit of it," retorted Nick. "It's coming from the wood." - -"Blamed if you ain't right!" exclaimed Rube. "Thet beats all. I never -heerd a snowslide come down through a wood afore." - -"It's not snow; it's something alive!" shouted Roger. "For heaven's -sake, look there!" - -Rooted to the ground with sheer amazement, the three saw the forest -wave as if it were grass, heard the crashing of great boughs and trunks -breaking like nettles under a boy's stick. - -There came a scream like the escape of steam from an express engine, -and then there burst out from the forest a beast so huge and hideous -that those who saw it stood gasping, unable to believe their eyes. - -As large as a four-roomed cottage, in shape it resembled an elephant. -It was covered all over with a thatch of coarse, reddish hair, and high -above its monstrous head it waved a trunk of incredible size. On each -side of this trunk curled vast tusks, and its small, bloodshot eyes -glowed with bestial fury. - -Again came that awful trumpeting. Instantly both the pack ponies were -off at a mad gallop. - -"Run!" shrieked Rube. - -The warning was needless. Nick and Roger were off as hard as their -shaking legs could carry them, and behind them came the monster at a -shambling gallop, which, in spite of the snow, covered the ground at -terrific speed. - -Again he trumpeted, and one of the pack ponies, mad with fright, tried -to wheel sideways into the wood. The poor brute slipped and fell, -rolling over and over. Before it could regain its feet the monster was -upon it, and, lifting pony, pack, and all, bodily in its trunk, flung -it against the cliffside with such frightful force as must have broken -every bone in its body. - -The momentary delay gave the others a few yards' start; but almost -instantly the gigantic brute was on their track again, and the solid -ground shook beneath its ponderous weight as it thundered down the -slope. - -It could not last. The monster was gaining at every stride. Already -Roger felt his breath failing. There was no cover; in fact, the pass -was opening out wider and wider as they went. - -"Try the trees!" shrieked Nick to Roger. - -"No," came a gasp from Rube. "The lake! That's our only chance!" - -They were close by the side of the little frozen lake, and the boys saw -Rube wheel and dash down the steep bank. - -It seemed madness, for on the open ice they were at the mad brute's -mercy. Roger was for going straight on, but Nick seized his arm and -swung him to the left and onto the lake. - -Another of those ear-piercing squeals. Roger, glancing back over his -shoulder, saw the gigantic bulk of their enemy come plunging down the -sharp descent toward the ice. It rushed straight toward him as though -certain of its prey. - -Then came a rending crack, and the whole surface of the ice rose and -fell beneath the feet of the fugitives. A crash like the explosion of -a shell, a terrific bellow, and a wave of icy water rushed across the -frozen snow. - -"That's done it!" came an exulting yell from Rube; and, swinging round, -the boys were just in time to see the domelike head of their terrible -enemy sink amid a lather of broken ice and foam. - -For another second or two that terrible trunk waved high in the air, as -the huge beast fought for its ancient life in the hole its ponderous -bulk had broken. Then this, too, vanished. The last of the mammoths had -sunk into the depths. - -While the three stood in awe-stricken silence, watching the black water -heave and bubble, there came a loud shout from the woods at the far end -of the lake. A burly man in furs stood waving a rifle. - -With a shriek of joy Roger tore away across the ice toward him. - -"Reckon that's his pa," observed Rube. - -"Guess so," agreed Nick. "We might as well go and see." - -"Dad!" cried Roger, as Rube and Nick came up. "If it hadn't been for -these good friends I could never have come to look for you." - -"Then," said the man in furs with a grave smile, "I'm afraid I should -have been hung up here for the term of my natural life." - -"What--did that old hairy elephant chase yer?" exclaimed Rube. - -"He did, and I got away by the skin of my teeth by climbing a cliff," -replied Mr. Glenn. "I've been living up in the hills ever since. Time -and again I've tried to find another way out, but there isn't one, and -for the life of me I didn't dare risk conclusions a second time with -the mammoth." - -"I reckon he won't trouble us no more," said Rube dryly. "Say, though, -I'd like to have had them tusks. They'd be worth a mint o' money in the -States." - -"They'd be awkward to carry," smiled Mr. Glenn. "They'd weigh about a -quarter of a ton apiece. What do you suppose they'd be worth?" - -"A thousand dollars, I reckon," said Rube. Such a sum represented -wealth untold to the old trapper. - -Mr. Glenn put a hand in his coat pocket, and pulled out a lump of dull -yellow metal as big as his fist. - -"This isn't worth quite that much," he said quietly, as he handed it to -Rube. "But I'd be glad if you'd take it as a sort of consolation prize." - -"Great gosh! It's a twenty-ounce nugget!" gasped Rube. - -"Yes, and plenty more where that came from," said the prospector. - -He turned to his son. - -"Roger, I've made the strike of a lifetime. Now to get back to Dawson -before the snow comes." - - - - -WATCH THE SKY. - - -The different colors of the sky are caused by certain rays of light -being more or less strongly reflected or absorbed, according to -the amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere. Such colors -do, therefore, portend to some extent the kind of weather that may -naturally be expected to follow. For instance, a red sunset indicates -a fine day to follow, because the air when dry refracts more red or -heat-making rays, and as dry air is not perfectly transparent, they are -again reflected in the horizon. A coppery or yellowish sunset generally -foretells rain. The following has been advocated as a fairly successful -way of prognosticating: Fix your eye on the smallest cloud you can -see: if it decreases and disappears, the weather will be good; if it -increases in size, rain may be looked for. - - - - -LATEST ISSUES - - -BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY - -All kinds of stories that boys like. The biggest and best nickel's -worth ever offered. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 331--Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By Cornelius - Shea. - - 332--In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan Deering. By - Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 333--A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe. - - 334--A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon J. Cobb. - - 335--Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. By Frank - Sheridan. - - 336--Archie Atwood, Champion; or, An All-around Athlete's Career. By - Cornelius Shea. - - 337--Dick Stanhope Afloat; or, The Eventful Cruise of the _Elsinore_. - By Harrie Irving Hancock. - - 338--Working His Way Upward; or, From Footlights to Riches. By Fred - Thorpe. - - 339--The Fourteenth Boy; or, How Vin Lovell Won Out. By Weldon J. - Cobb. - - 340--Among the Nomads; or, Life in the Open. By the author of - "Through Air to Fame." - - 341--Bob, the Acrobat; or, Hustle and Win Out. By Harrie Irving - Hancock. - - 342--Through the Earth; or, Jack Nelson's Invention. By Fred Thorpe. - - 343--The Boy Chief; or, Comrades of Camp and Trail. By John De Morgan. - - -MOTOR STORIES - -The latest and best five-cent weekly. We won't say how interesting it -is. See for yourself. =High art colored covers. Thirty-two big pages. -Price, 5 cents.= - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the _Hawk_. - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the _Grampus_. - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - - -TIP TOP WEEKLY - -The most popular publication for boys. The adventures of Frank and Dick -Merriwell can be had only in this weekly. =High art colored covers. -Thirty-two pages. Price, 5 cents.= - - 681--Frank Merriwell's Patience; or, The Making of a Pitcher. - - 682--Frank Merriwell's Pupil; or, The Boy with the Wizard Wing. - - 683--Frank Merriwell's Fighters; or, The Decisive Battle with - Blackstone. - - 684--Dick Merriwell at the "Meet"; or, Honors Worth Winning. - - 685--Dick Merriwell's Protest; or, The Man Who Would Not Play Clean. - - 686--Dick Merriwell In The Marathon; or, The Sensation of the Great - Run. - - 687--Dick Merriwell's Colors; or, All For the Blue. - - 688--Dick Merriwell, Driver; or, The Race for the Daremore Cup. - - 689--Dick Merriwell on the Deep; or, The Cruise of the _Yale_. - - 690--Dick Merriwell in the North Woods; or, The Timber Thieves of the - Floodwood. - - 691--Dick Merriwell's Dandies; or, A Surprise for the Cowboy Nine. - - 692--Dick Merriwell's "Skyscooter"; or, Professor Pagan and the - "Princess." - - 693--Dick Merriwell in the Elk Mountains; or, The Search for "Dead - Injun" Mine. - - -_For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt -of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by_ - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York - - -=IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS= of our Weeklies and cannot procure them -from your newsdealer, they can be obtained from this office direct. -Fill out the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price -of the Weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. -=POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.= - - - ________________________ _190_ - - _STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City._ - - _Dear Sirs: Enclosed please find_ ___________________________ - _cents for which send me_: - - TIP TOP WEEKLY, Nos. ________________________________ - - NICK CARTER WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - DIAMOND DICK WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - BUFFALO BILL STORIES, " ________________________________ - - BRAVE AND BOLD WEEKLY, " ________________________________ - - MOTOR STORIES, " ________________________________ - - _Name_ ________________ _Street_ ________________ - - _City_ ________________ _State_ ________________ - - - - -A GREAT SUCCESS!! - -MOTOR STORIES - - -Every boy who reads one of the splendid adventures of Motor Matt, which -are making their appearance in this weekly, is at once surprised and -delighted. Surprised at the generous quantity of reading matter that we -are giving for five cents; delighted with the fascinating interest of -the stories, second only to those published in the Tip Top Weekly. - -Matt has positive mechanical genius, and while his adventures are -unusual, they are, however, drawn so true to life that the reader can -clearly see how it is possible for the ordinary boy to experience them. - - -_HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY AND THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED_: - - 1--Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel. - - 2--Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends. - - 3--Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier. - - 4--Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet." - - 5--Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot. - - 6--Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear. - - 7--Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto. - - 8--Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward. - - 9--Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors. - - 10--Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot. - - 11--Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady. - - 12--Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas. - - 13--Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest. - - 14--Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk." - - 15--Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus." - - 16--Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters. - - 17--Motor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don Carlos. - - 18--Motor Matt in Brazil; or, Under the Amazon. - - 19--Motor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the Horn. - - 20--Motor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory for the Motor Boys. - -To be Published on July 12th. - - 21--Motor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in Need. - -To be Published on July 19th. - - 22--Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the Right. - -To be Published on July 26th. - - 23--Motor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That Wins. - -To be Published on August 2nd. - - 24--Motor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame and Fortune. - - -PRICE, FIVE CENTS - -At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt -of the price. - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - - -Added table of contents. - -Bold text is represented with =equal signs=, italics with _underscores_. - -Page 1, Added comma after "Joe McGlory" in list of "Characters that -appear in this story." - -Page 10, restored missing period to last sentence of chapter VI. - -Page 29, corrected "Rufe" to "Rube" ("miss me except old Rube"). - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Motor Matt's Enemies, No. 22, July 24, -1909, by Stanley R. 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