diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/50941-h/50941-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/50941-h/50941-h.htm | 5817 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 5817 deletions
diff --git a/old/50941-h/50941-h.htm b/old/50941-h/50941-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index a468f5a..0000000 --- a/old/50941-h/50941-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5817 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Motor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the Right, by Stanley R. 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. Matthews - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR MATT'S ENEMIES *** - -***** This file should be named 50941-h.htm or 50941-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/4/50941/ - -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/)) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> |