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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3936adc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68969 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68969) diff --git a/old/68969-0.txt b/old/68969-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0db3bc3..0000000 --- a/old/68969-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6165 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The golden west boys, by William S. -Hart - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The golden west boys - "Injun" and "Whitey" - -Author: William S. Hart - -Illustrator: Morris H. Pancoast - -Release Date: September 11, 2022 [eBook #68969] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Mary Meehan and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive). - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS *** - - - - - - THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS - "INJUN" AND "WHITEY" - - _A Story of Adventure_ - - BY WILLIAM S. HART - - ILLUSTRATIONS BY MORRIS H. PANCOAST - - BOSTON AND NEW YORK - HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY - The Riverside Press Cambridge - - COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY - WILLIAM S. HART - - MADE IN U. S. A. - _All Rights Reserved_ - - - TO MY BOY FRIENDS - - - - -TO MY BOY FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD - -The first fifteen years of my life were spent in the Dakota Territory. -The great West mothered me during the shaping of my boyhood ambitions -and ideals. Therefore, I know by personal experience much of the actual -life of our frontier days. - -Let me relate a few unusual stories of early environment which will -show why a man brought up in the West never forgets its history, -traditions and life. - -While boys of my age in the East were playing baseball, football and -the various school games, I was forced through environment to play the -more primitive games of the Indian. I lived on the frontier. White -settlers were scarce. Naturally, I had but a few boy companions of my -own race. A boy is a boy no matter what race or country; therefore, we -played with the Indian youths. - -In this way, I learned to ride Indian-style as well as with the saddle; -I learned to shoot accurately with rifle or six-gun; I learned to hunt -and track with the wisdom of my red friends; and I learned to play -the rugged, body-building games of the native Americans, which called -for the greatest endurance and best sportsmanship. In short, I was a -Western boy. - -For instance, we used to sail primitive Indian ice-boats on the upper -Missouri river. This sport was the chief joy of my winter days. With -our Indian boy friends we would construct the ice-boat in this fashion: - -Taking a suitable number of barrel-staves, we lashed them together -lengthwise with buck-skin thongs. Thus the staves were raised from the -surface both in the front and rear, making a canoe effect. Then a soap -box was placed in the middle of the craft. Next we placed a stout pole -upright in the front end of the box. To a crosspiece on the pole we -lashed a blanket. We were then all ready to go. - -When the winter winds hit those rude sails, we traveled so far and so -fast in one direction that it would take us all day to walk back home. - -During my Dakota boyhood I not only acquired the accomplishments -of the West, but I met some of the most famous characters of -frontier days--white and red men. In fact, my early days of intimate -relationship with the Sioux Indians enabled me to learn their tribal -traits and history nearly as well as I know our own. I speak the -"silent tongue"--the sign language of the Sioux which, by the way, is -understood by all Indian tribes. - -In those days the luxuries and even many of the necessities of -civilization were denied us in our frontier settlements. My mother -brought four children into this world, attended by Sioux squaws because -a doctor could not be procured. And, when a vicious rattler nearly -ended my career at the age of twelve years, a squaw officiated as the -doctor, the nearest physician being engaged in punching cows at a -ranch some sixty miles distant. That the Sioux squaw was a good doctor -is proven by the fact that I am alive to-day. - -I relate these incidents merely to acquaint the public with the West as -I knew it. - -When Western plays were first tried out on the American stage, I was an -actor of considerable experience. Previous to this time in theatrical -history I had played many diversified rôles, including those of -Shakespeare. - -As Cash Hawkins in "The Squaw Man," produced at Wallack's Theatre, -New York City, in 1905, it was my good fortune to be able to give -the American public a typical Western character. My success in this -character opened up a subsequent line of Western rôles for me, the -emphatic success of "The Squaw Man" causing the production of many -Western plays. Considerable comment was caused by my repeated successes -in these characters that I knew as a boy and loved so well. Many -persons who were interested in my work marveled at the realism of -the interpretations. Their enthusiasm persuaded me that the entire -American public loved the West and its traditions when presented with -truthfulness--and the boys most of all. - -Unfortunately, other sections of the United States had long been -deluged with sensational "thrillers" of the West on the melodramatic -stage, in dime novels and later in the early motion pictures. Many -intelligent people had formed the most weird and distorted ideas of the -West from the history of frontier days to the present. - -In 1914 Western pictures were, to use the language of the -motion-picture producers, "a drug on the market." - -Now I loved the themes of these plays. It hurt me to know that what I -loved was not appreciated simply because the true West was sacrificed -on the altar of sensationalism. Realizing that because of my early -associations of the West and my training as an actor combined, I was -qualified to rectify many mistakes which were then being made in -the production of Western photoplays, I decided to try my luck. To -give the American public the benefit of all I knew of the West from -experience and training became my one ambition. In turn, I would enjoy -the gratification of doing something that I had longed to do all my -life. And, naturally, I hoped for increased fame and financial success. -My continued success in Western rôles on the stage revealed to me -that what the public desired most of motion pictures of the West was -consistent realism. Of this fact I was so thoroughly convinced that I -was ready to sacrifice my standing on the legitimate stage, purchased -by long years of toil and hard knocks, to take a chance with fate. - -So I declined a flattering and remunerative offer from a big theatrical -firm in New York City and paid my own railroad fare to California. -In May, 1914, I started my work in Western pictures as a star at the -salary of $75 a week, with no other financial interest of any nature. -Such was the status of Western photoplays at that time. Nearly five -years have passed since that eventful time in my career. That I have -devoted this lengthy period exclusively to the production of Western -pictures is the best proof that the American public possesses a love -for the West that will endure for all time. - -"The Golden West Boys" is my answer to the thousands of letters I have -received from the boys--most of them, of course, from America, but many -from all points of the compass. My story in verse, "Pinto Ben," and -my prose story "The Savage" have been translated and published in the -Swedish language. With the war over translations in other languages are -to follow. - -All Hail the Boys!--I shall never "go broke" as long as I hold their -esteem. My next story will continue the "Golden West" Series in which -"Injun and Whitey Strike out For Themselves." - -"So long, boys--take keer o' yerselves." - - Faithfully yours, W. S. H. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I NEWS FROM THE WEST - - II PREPARATIONS - - III OFF FOR THE GOLDEN WEST - - IV ON THE WAY - - V INJUN - - VI BILL JORDAN - - VII WESTERN AIR AND APPETITE - - VIII WHITEY LEARNS TO RIDE - - IX THE BOYS SETTLE A QUESTION - - X A FRIEND IN NEED - - XI THE CHINOOK WIND - - XII MR. ROSS PAYS A CALL - - XIII THE LOST TRAIL - - XIV CROWLEY - - XV THE CAVE GIVES EVIDENCE - - XVI WHITEY IS MISSING - - XVII HELD IN CAPTIVITY - - XVIII INJUN TAKES A HAND - - XIX INJUN TO THE RESCUE - - XX THE TRUTH ABOUT CROWLEY - - XXI INJUN TACKLES CIVILIZATION - - XXII INJUN SHIES AT PINK PYJAMAS - - XXIII WHITEY HIS OWN BOSS - - XXIV MOOSE LAKE - - XXV THE ISLAND IN MOOSE LAKE - - XXVI THE MAN ON THE ISLAND - - XXVII A DANGEROUS SITUATION - - XXVIII A PENITENT PRISONER - - XXIX BRINGING HOME THE CAPTIVE - - XXX PEDRO'S HATRED - - XXXI PLANS FOR THE FUTURE - - - - - THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS - - - - - CHAPTER I - - NEWS FROM THE WEST - - -"Hooray! Hooray!" shouted Alan Sherwood,--better known as "Whitey" to -the boys in school. "Ooo-lu-lulu-loo-lulu!" he called, making the sound -by putting his hand over his mouth and rapidly pulling it away and -putting it back. He considered this a very good imitation of an Indian -war-whoop. - -Mr. Sherwood, "Whitey's" father, had just finished reading aloud a -letter from a firm of lawyers in Montana which stated that Uncle Robert -Granville, who died some weeks before, had left a will bequeathing his -large ranch and everything on it to Mr. Sherwood; and that, as the -ranch was a profitable one, it would be necessary for him to come to -Montana and either carry on the business or see to its disposal. - -"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled "Whitey," executing a very wild dance, and -letting out a series of whoops that almost deafened the other members -of the family. - -"What are you 'hooraying' about?" asked Mr. Sherwood, while his wife -and his two small sisters held their hands over their ears. "I hope," -said Mr. Sherwood, with a quizzical smile, "it is not because your poor -uncle Robert is dead?" - -"Why, of course not, Father," said "Whitey," somewhat abashed; "I'm -very sorry that Uncle Robert is dead--but--I'm just glad that I'm going -out West and can go hunting and be a cowboy, and maybe shoot a few -grizzly bears and Indians!" - -"Who told you that _you_ were going?" asked his father, pretending to -be very serious, but having hard work to keep back a smile. - -"Well, I'd just like to see myself staying here if we owned a ranch -out West!" said "Whitey," with fine scorn. "I've heard you say, lots of -times, that the West is the place for a young man!" - -Whitey had just attained the age of fourteen, and Mr. Sherwood had to -conceal a smile behind his hand, as he glanced at his wife, who was an -interested listener. - -"And what do you want to kill Indians for--they never did anything to -you, did they?" asked Mr. Sherwood. - -"No," said Whitey, hesitating about making such an admission, "I don't -know as they ever did anything to me--but everybody kills 'em, don't -they? In all the Western books I read, people always kill 'em--'wipe -'em out' is what the scouts call it in the books--make 'em 'bite the -dust!' I thought that was the proper thing to do," he said, in defense -of his position. - -"Well," said Mr. Sherwood, "I think I'd give the matter a little -consideration before I started the slaughter. It isn't open season for -Indians just now, and besides, if the Indians should happen to hear -that you were coming, they might all leave, while there is yet time to -escape the White Avenger! And as for the grizzlies--did you ever see a -grizzly bear, Son?" - -"Sure," said Whitey, disdainfully, "up at the Bronx Zoo. He was a -terribly moth-eaten looking affair--no life in him at all! He just went -sniffing around and all he cared about was to eat peanuts. And when the -keeper went into the cage, he ran like he was scared to death!" - -"Maybe he'd act a little different if he were in his native Rockies, -and you might not have any peanuts with you," said Mr. Sherwood, -shaking his head. "Would you believe it, if I told you that a grizzly -can run almost as fast as the fastest horse? And in the brush and over -the rough ground, a great deal faster?" - -"I'd believe it, if you say so; but it doesn't seem possible," said -Whitey, doubtfully. "If he can run that fast, it would make him mighty -hard to catch, wouldn't it?" he asked, after some thought. - -"It would," laughed Mr. Sherwood, "if he always ran the other way--but -he doesn't! Sometimes it's harder to _let him go_ than it is to -catch him! Sometimes he runs after _you_--and then you'd have to 'go -some'--as you say." - -"If he ever came at me," said Whitey, belligerently, "I'd put a bullet -in his heart!" - -"Even that doesn't always stop a grizzly, right away," said Mr. -Sherwood. "They have very surprising vitality. I think that, for the -time being, I'd let the Indians and grizzlies alone--let the poor -things live! At any rate, you're not out West, yet, and it may be that -I shall decide not to go at all--though I suppose I shall," and Mr. -Sherwood proceeded to ponder over the matter. Nevertheless, it was -plain to be seen that he, too, felt the call of the mountain and the -prairie almost as much as did his son. - -Although a prosperous merchant in New York he had spent several years -of his early life in the great West; and once a man gets the lure of -the wilds in his blood, he is seldom able to shake it off altogether. -But he felt that there were too many things to be considered--his -business, his family and their welfare and the schooling of his -children--to make a hasty decision, pack up, bag and baggage, and leave -a comfortable home for a new and untried one. - -No one, not even grown-ups, can always do just as he likes. Everybody -has obligations to others; and there are many things that we all must -forego to fulfill those obligations--as a matter of duty. For duty is, -after all, nothing but fulfilling obligations, and the sooner a _boy_ -learns this, the sooner he becomes a _man_! - -Alan Sherwood, although he was only fourteen years old, was getting to -be a good deal of a man. The nickname "Whitey" had been given him by -his companions at school on account of his light blonde hair. He had -resented it, at first; but after he found out that he couldn't "lick -the whole school,"--although he came pretty near doing it--he gradually -became resigned to it, and answered to it readily. - -Whitey was large for his age, and was far stronger than the average boy -of fifteen or sixteen. This had been brought about by the fact that he -had been a weakling up to the time he was seven or eight, and had been -humiliated and imposed upon by the other boys until he determined to -remedy his physical defects, if hard work and systematic exercise would -do it. - -He consulted his father and found out that the first thing for an -athlete to do was to breathe properly, for "wind" is a most important -thing in all contests of strength and endurance. - -"No matter how fast a boy can run," said Mr. Sherwood who had been a -famous college athlete in his day, "if he hasn't good wind, he won't -last in a long race; and even if he is far stronger than his opponent -in a boxing or a wrestling bout, he will be beaten by the boy who has -good wind." - -Whitey began by taking a long, deep breath, as soon as he came out of -doors in the morning, and holding it while he walked ten steps; and -this he repeated ten times. It made him a little dizzy, at first, but -he found that he could soon increase it to twenty and thirty times -without discomfort. He was careful to make the increase very gradually, -stopping the deep breathing as soon as he felt the slightest dizziness. - -Then he began to take up systematic and regular running, jogging around -the block at a slow pace, and slowing down to a walk as soon as he felt -his heart beating fast. He soon found that he could negotiate this -without breathing hard, and then he began to increase the distance. -He had been assured by his father that many boys, and men, too, who -_think_ they are training are really hurting themselves by over-doing -it, and are surprised to find that they do not get into condition, -being ignorant of the fact that _moderation_ is the basis of all -success. - -Mr. Sherwood pointed out to Whitey that shrewd baseball managers do -not allow their men to exert themselves to the utmost in the early -days of spring training, but compel them to "lob 'em over" until their -arm-muscles become flexible. And they will not allow a player to run -bases at top speed for fear that he may strain a tendon in his leg and -impair his speed for a large part of the playing season. - -"It is a hard thing for a young and ambitious athlete to keep himself -in check when he is brimming over with health and strength and -enthusiasm," said Mr. Sherwood, "but it is the _real_ way to train. -Many a young athlete ruins his chances for future success by going at -it too violently at first." - -Of course, there were many other things that Mr. Sherwood showed -Whitey, one of the most important being regular hours--regular hours -for sleep and for play; in short, to be systematic. And another thing -of great importance was cleanliness--both of mind and body--for no boy -or man can, or ever did, become a really great athlete without the aid -of both of these. - -And as for smoking--"Well," said Mr. Sherwood, "I can't say that -there is anything really wrong about a _man_ smoking, but for a boy -to smoke means that he is willing to sacrifice almost everything to -that. It not only is apt to stunt his growth, but _one cigarette_ may -destroy all the good effects of a week's training. And not only that, -it affects the eye and the nerves--takes away accuracy from the eye, -and makes the hand unsteady. I don't believe it pays--I don't believe -there is enough fun in smoking to make up for what it costs a boy in a -physical way, even if there were no other reasons." - -And so Whitey really went into training without seeming to have done -so--any boy can do it; he doesn't need any dumb-bells or gymnasium -apparatus--and the result was, that by the time he was thirteen, he was -the strongest boy in the school; and what is more important, he had -learned to control himself. He wasn't nearly so anxious to fight as he -had been, although, when he did get into a fight, he was able to render -a good account of himself. It is always found that the boy who really -_can_ fight isn't nearly so quarrelsome as the one who is always ready -to _start_ a fight--and let some other fellow _finish_ it! - -Long after Whitey had gone to bed, and was dreaming of picking up a -grizzly bear by the hind leg and knocking down eleven Indians with -him, Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood sat debating the pros and cons of going -to Montana. And it was finally decided that before moving their home -to the West, Mr. Sherwood should go out to the ranch and learn what -the conditions were and whether it was a suitable place to bring his -family. And what is more interesting, it was finally agreed that Whitey -was to go with him, although this arrangement was not made without some -protest from Mrs. Sherwood, who had a mother's natural solicitude for -her boy. But Mr. Sherwood said, with a smile and a shake of the head, -that he was not at all fearful about Whitey--"It's the poor Indians and -grizzlies I'm sorry for!" - - - - - CHAPTER II - - PREPARATIONS - - -The next few days were busy ones for Whitey and his friends. It was -vacation time, and as soon as Whitey had the "honest-to-goodness" -assurance that he was "really and truly" going out West, he lost no -time in communicating the news to all the boys. He found Tom Johnson -at breakfast; but after Tom had heard the news, he had no further -appetite, and went with Whitey over to the home of George and Bobby -Smith, and the four boys went out to talk over the matter. Whitey's -equipment was a matter for much consideration. - -"Gee!" said Tom, "you'll need a revolver--Colt's forty-five is what all -the cowboys use--an' the sheriffs, too. An' a Winchester rifle." - -"Yes," said George, "an' 'f I was you, I'd take a lot o' fishin'-tackle -and rods an' reels an' things. You bet there's fish out there in -Montana--I've heard the fish are so thick in some river out there that -you can walk in an' ketch 'em with your hands!" - -"I guess you're thinking of the Columbia River salmon--that ain't in -Montana," said Whitey, who was up in geography. - -"Well," said George, unconvinced, "it's right out there in the West, -some place--mebbe you could tramp over there some afternoon. I know _I_ -would 'f _I_ was out there!" - -"Well, I'll tell you what I'd do," chimed in Bobby, excitedly, "'f I -was you, the first thing I got would be a big felt hat an' some cowboy -clothes! If you don't they all call you a "tenderfoot," an' they'll -make you do a dance by shootin' at your feet! I've seen 'em do it in -the movies lots o' times." Bobby was aged six, but he had advanced -ideas and experience, too. "An' you're going to want a saddle an' a -lariat an' a good pair o' snow-shoes--it snows fierce out there in -Montana an' Alaska an' all those places--'tain't safe to go any place -without snow-shoes! A blizzard is liable to come up any old time!" - -The wisdom of all this was readily admitted; and after a list had -been carefully prepared, the four boys went to a big sporting-goods -store and submitted it, and asked to see the various articles. The -clerk looked the list over and got out the various things it called -for, which included everything from a baseball--which Tom said "might -come in handy"--to snow-shoes. Each of the boys handled and carefully -inspected each article and approved it. Whitey had looked at some -woodman's hatchets, but Bobby suggested that Whitey could take a -tomahawk away from the first Indian he killed and thus save expense. - -"How much would all that come to?" asked Whitey, a little -apprehensively. - -The clerk figured it up. "One hundred and sixty-eight dollars and forty -cents," he said cheerfully. - -A hurried audit of the finances of the party revealed the fact that -the cash capital on hand amounted to two thirty-six! - -"Just send them up to the house," said Whitey, loftily, and he gave the -name and the address. One of the proprietors stood near and listened -smilingly to the whole transaction; and when the boys had gone, he went -to the telephone. - -Mr. Sherwood, in his office, picked up the receiver, and a familiar -voice came over the wire: "Hello, Sherwood! This is Robertson. Your -boy was just in here with some friends and bought out the store! He's -evidently going out West--with a vengeance!" - -"Is that so?" laughed Mr. Sherwood. "What did he buy?" - -"I can tell you what he _didn't_ buy easier than what he _did_! The -bill amounts to one hundred and sixty-eight, forty. What do you want -me to do?--he said to send the stuff up to the house!" and Robertson -laughed the good-natured laugh of a man who appreciates boys. - -"Great Jehosaphat!" said Mr. Sherwood. "What kind of a selection did he -make?" - -"Well," answered Mr. Robertson, "it isn't altogether bad, but of -course, he's got a lot of things that he won't need at all. It's June, -and he has selected an elegant pair of snow-shoes!" - -"My, my!" exclaimed Mr. Sherwood. "Can you beat it?" - -"Yes," answered Mr. Robertson, "I think I can. He had expert advice -from the three youngsters who were with him and it was more or less a -consultation purchase. One of the kids assured him that it was the next -thing to suicide to go around Butte, Montana, without a compass! Said a -man might get into Butte and wander 'round and 'round in a circle and -never get anywhere, if he didn't have a compass! Ha, ha! I guess that -beats the snow-shoes, doesn't it?" - -"I'll have to admit that it does!" laughed Mr. Sherwood. "Any other -freak stuff?" - -"Well," laughed Mr. Robertson, "I wish you'd run over here and take a -look at it! Or, if you say so, I'll send it all up to the house and -you can return anything you don't want him to have. It is certainly -surprising how much those kids know about the West, at that. I suppose -they get it from the movies--the outfit wouldn't be bad for a man, but -I know you don't want that kid of yours to have some of the things. -There's a Colt forty-five and a 'scalping-knife', the boys called it, a -foot long, among other things." - -"I'm not really surprised," laughed Mr. Sherwood. "The minute Alan -heard the news about the ranch, he declared war on Indians and -grizzlies! Don't bother to send the stuff up to the house--I'll bring -the boy in and buy some stuff before I go. Thanks for calling me up! I -need a few things, myself, but they are strictly in the line of peace." - -That evening, after dinner, Mr. Sherwood said, good-naturedly, "Mr. -Robertson tells me that you made a few purchases to-day, Son?" - -"Yes," answered Whitey, "but they haven't come. I've been looking for -them all afternoon--I guess something's the matter." - -"Have you got the list of the things you ordered?" asked his father. -"I'd like to look at it--maybe I can make some suggestions--possibly -you didn't get enough?" and Mr. Sherwood repressed a smile. - -"Oh, yes! I guess I got about everything I wanted. Tom and George and -Bobby were with me, and the things I didn't think of they did. It only -came to one hundred and sixty-eight dollars, and you know I've got more -than two hundred in the savings bank." And Whitey showed the list to -his father. - -Mr. Sherwood examined it with a good deal of interest. "Well," he said, -"this shows that you have been thinking the matter over and getting -prepared--which is all right. But I don't believe I'd carry all these -things out there, if I were you. They can be bought there just as well, -and many of them are unnecessary. It's summer now, and I don't think -you'll need any snow-shoes just yet, and as for rifle and revolver, I'm -not sure that I ought to buy you anything in that line until you know -something more than you do about handling them. We'll see to that after -we get out there." - -"Do you mean to say that there are stores--regular stores--out there -in Montana?" asked Whitey, in astonishment. - -"Oh, yes," smiled Mr. Sherwood, "some very fine ones--you can buy about -anything there that you can here. And as for those 'cowboy clothes,' I -think a couple of good suits of corduroy would be better--the big felt -hat is all right--after you get used to it. I'll get you everything you -need, though I'd like to have you suggest things for me to get and I'll -tell you whether you should have them. It is well for a boy to study -out those things for himself, and then take advice of some one who -knows as to the things he really needs. - -"On a man's first trip into the West, he almost always takes a lot of -stuff that is of no value to him, and might better be left at home. -But, there is such a thing as not taking enough, and we'll be careful -to avoid that." - -Then he added, "And another thing, Son--you won't find that there is -as much difference between New York and Montana as you think. You -mustn't get the idea that people out there are altogether savages, and -that Indians and 'bad men' go around shooting up people every day. -Of course, there is a little of that sort of thing, even now; but I -believe there are more people murdered in New York City every year than -in all the states west of the Mississippi put together. I may be wrong, -but I think not." - -Whitey looked much disappointed, and his father laughed as he saw his -rueful face. "You'll see plenty of adventure--don't worry about that! -But you'll find people a good deal the same as they are here." - -"Don't the Indians put on war-paint and feathers and have a war-dance -and scalp the pale-faces--and things like that?" asked Whitey, -reluctant to give up all his cherished traditions. - -"Well, not exactly," said Mr. Sherwood, smiling. "The sheriff won't let -'em. He just locks 'em up until they get sober, and then puts 'em to -work on the rock-pile." - -This seemed to take a good deal of enchantment out of things, and Mr. -Sherwood added, "I am speaking, of course, of where we are going. There -are many places where the Indians have to be watched and reckoned -with; but you won't be very likely to get into those places." - -Out on the front steps, later in the evening, Whitey and the boys held -a consultation, and the sad news about the gun and the revolver was -received with much apprehension and shaking of heads. - -"Gee!" said Tom, "I'd certainly hate to be out West among those bears -an' panthers an' cowboys an' Indians without a gun!" - -"We'll simply _haf'_ to get Whitey one--somehow!" said George who was -much concerned. "'Tain't _safe_ for a man out there 'thout he's heeled! -Mebbe," he continued, after some thought, "if Whitey ain't goin' till -next week we can manage it--_somehow_!" - -Bobby, the youngest boy of the lot, was as much alarmed about Whitey's -safety as anybody, but he said nothing. However, he gave the matter -deep and even prayerful thought. On his knees, that night, he concluded -his prayers--"And, Lord, _please_ don't let Whitey go out West without -a revolver! You _know_ it ain't safe! Amen!" - -And that was why Bobby's father never could find that little, -pearl-handled pistol that he kept in the automobile! - -Many of the boys in the neighborhood dropped in, and by bedtime Whitey -was the most envied as well as the most popular boy on the block. -He had promised a bear or a panther-skin to every one of his pals, -allowing each of them to make his own selection--some preferred bear, -some panther, with a slight demand for buffalo. It was all the same to -Whitey. - -There were requests for souvenir Indian scalps, but Whitey was doubtful -about supplying them. And they in return, had given him much sage -advice as to how he should conduct himself when he came in contact with -the desperate characters, both man and beast, that he must inevitably -encounter in the wilds of Montana. It was unanimously agreed that a -compass was necessary. - -"This goin' around Butte without a compass, is takin' a chance," said -Tom, with a warning shake of his head. "'Most as bad as bein' without -a gun! If a man ain't got a compass," warned Tom, for the sixth time, -"an' he gets lost, he goes 'round and 'round in a circle and doesn't -get anywhere!" - -It was agreed that this would be very bad in Butte! - - - - - CHAPTER III - - OFF FOR THE GOLDEN WEST - - -As the eventful day approached when Whitey and his father were to -start, it seemed to Whitey as though Old Father Time had lost his habit -of flying, and had subsided into a very slow walk. Whitey's entire -equipment was purchased at Mr. Robertson's store where he and the boys -had made their selection at first, and Tom and George and Bobby had -been allowed to come along and assist in the buying and selection. - -And, too, Mr. Sherwood made certain concessions. The apprehension of -the boys was so great at the thought of Whitey being in the wilds of -Montana without a gun, that, after some hesitation, Whitey's father -allowed a Winchester .22 calibre rifle, with a safety-lock, to be -added to the equipment. It was expressly agreed, however, that the -rifle must not be loaded until the boy had arrived at the ranch in -Montana. - -Mr. Sherwood put Whitey through a sort of drill, instructing him in -the mechanical workings of the gun, and how to handle it under all -circumstances--walking, running, climbing a fence or a hill or a tree, -or on horse-back; and explaining that a different method must be used -when a companion is with you than if you are alone. Whitey was made to -understand that when not in use, the muzzle of a gun must point either -straight up into the air or straight down at the ground, _and never in -the direction of any other person nor in the direction of himself_. -"And," said Mr. Sherwood, "if you ever aim the gun at any one, I will -take it away from you and never let you have it again." - -"But," said Whitey, "if the gun isn't loaded, what harm can it do?" - -"That is exactly the trouble," said his father, impressively. "It -is the guns that '_are not loaded_' that kill somebody! Careless -boys--and men, too--often _think_ the gun isn't loaded, when it _is_, -and that is the time when the damage is done! So, the only rule is, -don't _ever_ point a gun at any one whether it is unloaded or not!" - -Whitey readily agreed to all these conditions, for he could see the -wisdom of them. The corduroy suits were purchased and the wide-brimmed -hat as well as two pairs of heavy shoes and a pair of water-proof boots -that came high up on Whitey's legs above the knee. The compass--a small -pocket one--was added to allay Tom's fear that Whitey might get lost in -the wilderness of Butte! Then Mr. Sherwood added two things which the -boys had not thought of--a big strong jack-knife and a camera. - -"You boys will find that hunting with a camera is just about as much -fun as hunting with a gun," said Mr. Sherwood. "It isn't necessary to -_kill_ every animal you run across. It is just as interesting and far -less cruel to take his picture, and the animal likes it a great deal -better--and you've got something to show afterward. And as for the -jack-knife, you'll find that to be one of the most useful things you -can have when you are in the wilds." - -"Yes," said the excited Bobby, "an' if Whitey kills an Indian, he can -take his picture first, with the camera, and scalp him afterwards with -the knife!" - -"You don't ever scalp an Indian--nobody does!" said Tom, reprovingly. - -"Father says it ain't open season for Indians now--the sheriff won't -let any one kill 'em," said Whitey, a little disgustedly. "They put 'em -to work on the rock-pile if they get gay, like they used to. Besides," -he added, with an air of superior wisdom, "the Indians are kind o' -dyin' out, anyway--just like buffaloes--and the ones that don't die go -to Carlisle College, or some place." - -"Gee!" said George, "I saw the Carlisle football team play over at the -Polo Grounds last fall! They didn't look as though _they_ were 'dyin' -out!' They 'put it all over' some Eastern college! I wouldn't advise -Whitey to try to scalp one of those fellows!" - -"Of course not!" said Whitey. "They're educated and civilized--just -like other folks. The kind you kill--in all the books--are the ones -that get drunk on fire-water and put paint and feathers on 'emselves -and go 'round murdering the white settlers and burning folks at the -stake. The Carlisle boys don't do any of those things!" - -"Well," said Bobby, dubiously, reluctant to give up cherished -traditions, "I dunno. You can't tell--they might!" - -Mr. Sherwood ended the discussion by saying that they better get home -and finish packing; and the boys were much put out when Mr. Sherwood -had the big package sent to his house. It would have looked so much -more like business if they could have carried the gun through the -streets! - -It seemed to Whitey that the next morning would never come, but it did, -finally, and there was a large delegation at the Pennsylvania Station -to say good-by. While the farewells were being said, Bobby took Whitey -a little aside and with much secrecy slipped the little pearl-handled -.22 revolver into his hand and Whitey hastily transferred it to his -hip-pocket. - -"I got it out of our car!" Bobby whispered. "Mother was always afraid -of it an' tried to make Daddy get rid of it--so I just took it! You -oughta have it on the train--you know, for train-robbers, or somethin'! -Jack Harkaway says 'a man oughta go heeled!' Mebbe," he added, a -little apprehensively, "it'd be jes' as well not to say anythin' about -it--till you get out there." - -"Is she loaded?" asked Whitey, in an awed whisper. - -"Sure!" said Bobby. - -"I guess, mebbe, I better unload her," said Whitey, and he did. - -Whitey thanked his loyal little pal, and agreed that the matter should -be kept entirely secret. And it must be confessed that Whitey felt -very much safer--now that he was "heeled," though it made sitting down -awkward and slightly uncomfortable. - -Finally--it seemed an hour--the train pulled out, and, after kissing -his mother and sisters many times, and amid a hurrah from the boys and -a great waving of hands by everybody, Whitey was on his way into the -Boundless West. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - ON THE WAY - - -The train carrying Whitey and his father sped across the continent -at an average speed of perhaps fifty miles an hour, but it seemed to -Whitey that it crawled along at a snail's pace after it had crossed the -Mississippi. The first day, and most of the second, were novelties; new -scenes presented themselves continually and Whitey kept his face glued -to the window. But after that the monotony of the thing became tiresome -even to so wide-awake a boy as Whitey. - -Of course, as they came into the great prairies and away from -"civilization," the chance of encountering train-robbers lent an added -zest to things; but as time went on and no train-robbers appeared, -Whitey gradually came to the conclusion that the train-robbing business -was not all it had been cracked up to be, and that maybe the Daltons -and the James Boys and the rest of the bandits had retired. Which, -perhaps, was fortunate for them, as it will be remembered that Whitey -had the pearl-handled .22 in his hip-pocket! He should worry about -train-robbers! - -Whitey was completely staggered at the size of his own country. -He had no idea it was so large; distances, on the map, had seemed -insignificant, but when traveled, became prodigious. And long before he -got to his destination Whitey had come to the conclusion that this is -the greatest country on earth--as indeed it is! - -Mr. Sherwood told him the story of the foreigner who started from New -York for San Francisco. When the train got to Chicago, the foreigner -asked of the porter, "Aren't we there yet?" - -"Nossah," said the porter, "not yet!" - -Every morning, for three mornings, he asked the same question, and -received the same answer. - -When they finally got to San Francisco, after about five days, the -foreigner said, "They make an awful fuss about Columbus having -discovered America--I don't see how he could have missed it!" - -In order to get to the ranch, it had been necessary to leave the main -line at a junction, and take a branch road up into the northern part of -Montana. Traveling in this train was slightly different from what they -had enjoyed in the luxurious Pullman, but Whitey felt that they were -now near their journey's end, and he didn't mind the inconvenience of -the combination baggage and passenger coach which was the only one on -the "train." - -Whitey and his father alighted on a small platform, in the early hours -of the morning, and the prospect seemed dismal enough. There were only -a few people in sight, and it was cold and raw. Even in summer, at a -high altitude, such as in the foot-hills of the Rockies, the early -morning is cold. - -As they looked about them, a tall, and very sunbrowned man approached -and said, "I reckon you must be Mr. Sherwood?" and on being assured -that such was the case, the tall man introduced himself: "I'm Bill -Jordan, the foreman of the Granville ranch. Your telegram was a mite -delayed, but I managed to get here with a wagon to meet the train. You -an' this youngster has a pretty long drive ahead, an' I'd suggest yo' -all better get a hot cup o' coffee an' some eggs over to the shack -'cross the road before yo' all starts." This was most agreeable to both -Whitey and his father, and they proceeded to the shack for breakfast. - -It must be acknowledged that what they called "breakfast," was not much -like what Whitey used to get at home. The room was low and dingy, and -the dishes were thick and cracked, and a big man who acted as waiter, -seemed to "deal" the plates from his arm. But "hunger is the best -sauce," and Whitey managed to consume everything that was set before -him, while his father and Jordan talked about the ranch. - -Whitey liked the big man the moment he saw him. He had a firm and -rather cold face, but a very kindly one when he smiled. His manner -toward every one was reserved. It was evident that the other men all -deferred to him. He did as little talking as possible, and his eyes -seemed to be taking in everything. He always thought for some time -before he expressed an opinion; but when he did venture one, it carried -conviction with it. And what meant more than anything else to Whitey, -was the fact that he took a good deal of notice of him, asking him one -or two questions about New York, and telling Whitey that there were -lots of horses on the ranch for him to ride. - -When they came out of the shack, Whitey got his first look at an -Indian, except those that he had seen in the Wild West shows. His -shoulders were covered with a very dirty blanket, his trousers were -much too long and were crumpled about his ankles and under his bare -feet at the heels. Altogether, he was not an impressive figure. He -stood near the wagon while their baggage was being loaded into it, and -watching his opportunity, approached Mr. Sherwood. But whatever the -Indian intended to do was nipped in the bud, for Bill Jordan came back -a little unexpectedly. "Beat it!" said Jordan, and the Indian ducked -away hastily, just in time to escape most of the kick that Jordan aimed -at him. - -This was most astonishing to Whitey. The Indian did not conduct himself -in the way that might be expected from the books that Whitey had read, -and as "the proud Red Man of lofty mien and bearing," this Indian was -a most dismal failure. According to all the authorities, he should -have said to Jordan, drawing himself to his full height, "Dog of a -Paleface, an insult to Rain-in-the-Neck can be wiped out only in blood! -Let the White Man tremble before the vengeance of the Chief of The -Wallawalloos!" - -But nothing like that happened, at all. No full height; no dignity -of folded arms and proud and awful threat of terrible vengeance. The -Indian just "beat it!" And half way across the platform, he stopped -and scratched himself. It was all wrong! All wrong! - -In a few moments, everything was in readiness and they entered the -wagon, Jordan taking Whitey on the seat with him. They sped over -the ground at a fast and steady gait that put the miles behind -surprisingly. And Whitey had many questions to ask about the various -interesting things they saw, which Jordan answered cheerfully. - -Whitey could not get the Indian out of his mind. "Are all the Indians -out here like that one?" he asked, after a while. - -"Well, no," said Jordan, "not all of 'em. That feller evidently don't -b'long up here; he's prob'ly from the Southwest an' ain't nuthin' but -a sort of a hobo. He's jest a sample of the kind that hangs 'round -towns. An Indian h'aint no business in a town--he belongs in the open. -He h'aint no more business bein' in a town ner an eagle has bein' in -a cage--both on 'em is plumb ruint by it. Now, the's some Indians -up North fu'ther," Jordan went on, after a pause, "that's quite -consider'ble men--'twouldn't be safe exac'ly, to kick none of 'em, -'less you wanted a fight. But they keeps to theirselves--'way from -town." Whitey's fallen hopes in the noble Red Man revived a little at -this. - -"Do those fellows give you any trouble now?" asked Mr. Sherwood. "I -mean the Indians that gave Mr. Granville so much trouble some years -ago." - -"Not lately," said Jordan, and his grim face set hard. "We give 'em -quite consider'ble of a lesson, one time. They was a bunch o' Dakotas -wanderin' 'round, an' they sure played hob with the cattle, fer a -spell. The' was some Greasers among 'em, too; but we give a few -neck-tie parties an' they kind o' got discouraged." - -"What is a neck-tie party, Mr. Jordan?" asked Whitey. - -"Well," said Jordan, smiling, "the way o' playin' the game is like -this: you take a man--gener'ly a Greaser--an' tie his hands behind him -an' set him onto a horse. Then you make a slip-knot in a rope, or a -lariat, an' you put it 'round the Greaser's neck an' throw the other -end over the limb of a tree, an' two or three o' the boys takes a holt -of it. Then, if somebody happens to hit the horse a slap--well, most -gener'ly the neck-tie fits sort o' snug!" - -"Why, that's hanging a man!" exclaimed Whitey, all excitement. - -"Some calls it that," said Jordan, dryly. "I guess it 'mounts to 'bout -the same thing--fer the man! But, y' see, this way, it's gener'ly a -kind of a accident--somebody jes' happens to slap the horse, or mebbe -the horse is res'less an' moves hisself. Then th' ain't nobody to -blame!" - -"Gee!" said Whitey, "I'd like to see one of those parties!" - -"Well, I dunno," said Jordan, soberly, "they ain't altogether such -all-fired pleasant an' sociable affairs as y' might think. I hope I've -seen the last one--in these parts." And Jordan didn't speak again for -some time. - -Whitey figured that, after all, maybe all the Indians wouldn't stay -tame and dispirited, and that maybe there would be "something doing," -before the summer was over. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - INJUN - - -It was some twenty-two miles out to the ranch, but the wagon rolled -over the prairie at a fast clip, and well inside of two hours they were -inside the boundary of the ranch, and saw, here and there, herds of -cattle grazing. Jordan called their attention to both the boundary and -the cattle, and Whitey felt a sense of elation when he thought that all -of this belonged to his father. Also, he felt that, for once, he had a -yard big enough for him to play in without feeling crowded. - -In the distance, loomed the mountains, and Whitey promised himself -that he would explore them some afternoon--they didn't look very far -off. But when he spoke of it, Jordan laughed and said, "When you pick -out the day you're goin', it'll be jest as well to start kind o' -early--them mountains is more 'n fifty miles away." - -Mr. Sherwood explained to Whitey that the apparent nearness of the -mountains was on account of the clear and rarefied air. But to tell the -truth, Whitey was frankly incredulous; he had a good pair of eyes, and -if he could believe them at all, those mountains were certainly not -fifty miles away! He made up his mind that he would test it, sometime, -and he did. He came to the conclusion that instead of being fifty miles -away, the mountains were at least five times that distance! - -As the wagon neared the ranch-house, they came upon a strange figure -on a small, but very wiry pinto, moving almost directly across their -trail. It was an Indian boy, apparently about the same age as Whitey, -and picturesquely clad in a "hickory shirt," open at the neck and -leaving a good part of his breast exposed, "buck-skin" trousers, and -rudely made moccasins. A bow and a quiver containing a number of arrows -were slung over his shoulder. The boy had neither saddle nor bridle, -and seemed to be a part of his horse, guiding and controlling him -solely by the pressure of his knees. - -"Here's a card!" said Jordan, to Mr. Sherwood and Whitey. "Just look -this bird over for a minute. He's a queer duck!" Then raising his -voice, he shouted, "Hello, 'Injun!'" - -The boy stopped the pinto suddenly, without any perceptible movement, -and raised his hand in salutation, and waited for the wagon to come up. - -As they ranged alongside of him, Jordan pulled up the horses: -"'Injun,'" said Jordan, "this here is the new Boss," pointing to Mr. -Sherwood. "An' this here is his boy," and Jordan indicated Whitey. "You -come over to the ranch-house to-morrow; I've got somethin' fer you to -do." - -The boy looked calmly at them, but gave no sign that he understood. -His face was most intelligent and not at all unpleasant, though as far -as any change of expression is concerned, it might have been carved -out of stone. His eyes, however, were keen and restive, and he looked -from one to another of the party in a shrewd, appraising way. He seemed -slight, compared to Whitey, even a little scrawny, with very thin arms -and legs; but as keen an observer of physical condition as Whitey had -become by this time was not to be deceived thereby. A steel wire is -thin and attenuated, but it is very strong; and to Whitey's practiced -eye those arms and legs were simply bundles of wire. - -"Well," said Jordan, after he had allowed the boys to size each other -up for a time, "I guess that'll be about all, 'Injun.' So long!" and -Jordan clucked to the horses. - -The Indian boy raised his hand in a peculiar sort of salute as he -turned his horse slightly and galloped away. Whitey watched him with -admiration on every line of his face as far as he could distinguish his -movements; and Jordan watched Whitey, smiling. - -"Who is he?" asked Whitey, at last, turning to Jordan, and Mr. Sherwood -also looked an inquiry. - -"He's some kid!" laughed Jordan. "He don't belong to nobody, an' he -don't live nowhere! Wherever he builds his camp-fire is home! He's -took care of hisself ever sence he was big 'nuff to kick a duck in the -ankle, an' he don't ask no odds o' nobody! Him an' that pinto is jes' -one--they're part of each other. That there hoss knows what thet kid is -_thinkin'_ 'bout! You talk 'bout yer Centaurs, er whatever they was, -they didn't have nuthin' on that pair!" - -"Did he understand what you said to him?" asked Whitey. "He didn't seem -to." - -Jordan laughed: "Oh, he understood, all right! He'll be there the first -thing in the mornin', with bells on!" Jordan looked smilingly at Whitey -for a moment, and then added, "I kind o' figured him an' you'd sort o' -team up, mebbe?" - -Whitey was plainly pleased, and he looked at his father inquiringly. -"If you are asking my permission, Son," said Mr. Sherwood, "I have no -hesitation in granting it. No doubt this Indian boy will teach you a -lot of useful things; and perhaps you can teach him something, too." -Then turning to Jordan, Mr. Sherwood said, "I suppose the boy is all -right, isn't he? By that I mean, he doesn't take too many chances and -get into trouble?" - -"I guess he takes chances a-plenty," said Jordan, slowly, "but what boy -won't--providin' he's a reg'lar boy? Er a man either? Y' can't keep a -squirrel on the ground, as the sayin' is. But I'll take a ticket on -that 'Injun' to git out 'n any fix he gits into. He's a pretty wise -fish, that kid," said Jordan; and then looking at Whitey, he added, -"An' this here youngster don't look like no mollycoddle, neither. Long -as they don't set out t' deevastate the grizzly crop an' they let -painters alone, I don't reckon nuthin' 's goin' to muss 'em up much. -Let 'em go to it!" - -This seemed to settle it, much to Whitey's relief; and Jordan did not -speak again until they drove into the ranch-yard. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - BILL JORDAN - - -The ranch-house itself was a long, low building, with broad porches on -two sides of it built on the Arizona style; and nearby were several -other out-buildings and two or three large corrals. Some of the -ranch-hands lounged about the yard, and took charge of the horses and -wagon and carried the luggage into the house. The rooms were large and -airy, with many windows; and the coolness was a relief after the long -ride in the blazing sun. - -After a good dinner, prepared by Sing Wong, the Chinese cook, Jordan -showed Mr. Sherwood over the ranch, Whitey following, an interested -listener and spectator of all that was said and shown. Whitey had lost -no time in unpacking the trunk that contained his rifle, and carried -it with him on the tour of the ranch, handling it in a way that showed -that the drill given him by his father had not been wasted. - -Bill Jordan examined the rifle and pronounced it a good one. "The -question is," said Bill, banteringly, "kin you hit anythin' with it? -The gun's all right, but how good kin you pint it?" and he handed the -gun back to Whitey. - -"Well," said Whitey, "I don't think I'm a very good shot--I've only -shot a rifle a few times in a shooting-gallery--but if you'll pick out -a mark, I'll see what I can do." - -"All right," said Bill, "I'll do it." He took off his broad brimmed -Stetson and handled and brushed it fondly. "I think a heap o' this here -hat, Son, but I'm goin' to resk you havin' one chance at it, purvidin' -the distance is reasonable." And Bill walked about twenty yards away -and hung the hat on a post and rejoined them. Whitey prepared to aim, -and Mr. Sherwood was about to interfere, but at a sign from Bill, he -refrained. - -"What'll you bet you hit it?" asked Jordan, banteringly--"the first -time you pull the trigger, I mean?" - -"I don't bet," said Whitey, "but I think I can hit it." - -"I guess you're a pretty level-headed kid," said Bill, "that bettin' -thing ain't much good--I wisht I never'd made no bets," he added, -reminiscently. "But I don't think y' _kin_ hit it--not under present -circumstances, I don't. I don't think that there Stetson is in no -danger whatsumever!" - -Whitey grinned and took careful aim and pulled the trigger. There was -only the snap of the hammer and no report. Whitey looked at the rifle -and then at the grinning Bill. - -"What did I tell you!" said the latter, exultantly. - -Whitey examined the rifle and then announced, disgustedly, "There -wasn't any cartridge in it!" - -"Jesso," said Bill, opening his big hand and showing Whitey the -cartridge that he had removed from the gun when he had taken it -into his hands for the ostensible purpose of examining it. "Jesso," -he repeated. "I played it sort o' low-down on yo' so's to show yo' -somethin'. There was jest two reasons why you wasn't goin' to let fly -no bullet at that hat--mebbe three." - -"What were they?" asked Whitey. - -"Well," said Bill, "unless you're in a big hurry, always examine your -gun 'fore yo' shoot, to see that everythin' is O. K. An' another an' -more important thing is, _always look where you're shootin'_. If yo'll -jest cast yer eye over and beyond that hat, you'll see there's two -cow-punchers a-leanin' agin that corral--not right in line--but in -that direction. I admit that a cow-puncher ain't worth much," said -Bill, grinning at one or two of the boys who stood near watching the -performance, "but 't ain't a good thing to shoot 'em up--'specially -with no twenty-two's! The third reason is that's a mighty good hat--I -paid eighteen bucks fer her!" - -Whitey readily admitted the first two propositions, and said he would -be careful anything like that did not occur again; but when Bill -started to get his hat, Whitey said, "Just a moment, Mr. Jordan," and -Bill stopped and looked at Whitey inquiringly. - -"You offered to make me a bet, didn't you?" Whitey asked. - -"Yes, I guess I did," said Bill, scratching his head. "What about it?" - -"Well," said Whitey, "I always heard that if a fellow didn't have a -chance to _win_, then he didn't have a chance to _lose_. That's so, -isn't it?" - -"Well, yes," admitted Bill, "I guess that's right 'nuff." - -"Then," said Whitey, resolutely and with conviction, "I think I'm -entitled to a real chance at that hat!" - -This was a bomb-shell in Bill Jordan's camp. The cow-punchers who -had gathered around heartily endorsed Whitey's argument. "The Kid's -right! Come on, Bill! Be game! Give him a chance!" came from all sides, -coupled with loud laughter and slaps on Bill's broad back. - -Bill scratched his head and grinned in great apparent apprehension. -"Looks like the majority was agin me," he said, finally, looking -ruefully at the Stetson and calling to the cow-punchers at the corral -to get out of the way. "An' that is a good hat, too! All right! Fire -away! I throws myself on the mercy o' the co't! But say, Son, have a -heart! You're shootin' at eighteen dollars wo'th o' hat!" - -Whitey took careful aim and fired, and the hat flew up into the air and -fell in the dust. A loud yell went up from the boys as several of them -ran and picked it up and brought it to Bill, who examined the hole in -it ruefully. "She's ventilated now, all right," he said, "an' I reckon -it'll be some lengths o' periods 'fore I tries to put anythin' over on -this here kid again! If I ever do so far fergit myself, I got this here -ventilator in my sky-piece to remind me!" - -It was plain, however, that Bill was tickled at the way Whitey had -handled the situation, and "making a hit" with Bill Jordan meant -something on the Granville ranch. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - WESTERN AIR AND APPETITE - - -The following morning, Whitey was up almost with the sun, but he found -the ranch already astir. Mr. Sherwood was busy over the ranch accounts -when Whitey went in to breakfast. It needed very little persuasion on -the part of the shuffling, grinning Sing Wong to induce him to put away -a bigger breakfast than he had ever had before in his life. Twenty-four -hours in that mountain air would give an appetite to a mummy, and -Whitey was far from being a mummy. Bill Jordan watched him stow away -plate after plate of flap-jacks and honey in addition to bacon and eggs -and milk, and finally said with an anxious shake of his head, that the -ranch would have to do a bigger business than ever if Whitey intended -to make a long visit. - -"Mr. Jordan," said Whitey, pausing to get his breath, and accepting -with some hesitation "just one more plate" of flap-jacks, "I don't -believe I'll _ever_ want to go back!" - -Bill threw up his hands in a gesture of despair, and "allowed as how, -if that was the case, he'd haf' to raise Sing Wong's wages, or else see -about getting him an assistant!" - -Whitey laughed and assured Bill that he hadn't been very hungry that -morning, but when he got down to business, he'd show him how a really -hungry boy _could_ eat. - -"It's a pity you wasn't here 'bout a year or so ago," said Bill. "We -could o' made a clean-up with you!" - -"How is that?" asked Whitey. - -"Well," said Bill, "we had a feller here who was some strong as a -table-finisher an' bone-polisher, an' we issued a challenge to eat -him agin any man in the West. He et like nine starvin' Cubans, an' -then some! It looked like he could spot most anybody three er four -good-sized steaks an' then win pulled-up. But the' was a 'hayseed' -blowed in one day an' offered to eat him fer consider'ble change. They -set down to make the terms and specifications o' the eatin' contest, -an' our man says, 'What'll we begin with?' An' the other feller says, -'Well, suppose we start on hams?' 'All right,' says our champion, 'how -many slices?' 'Slices!' says the other guy, contemptuous like, 'slices! -I didn't say nuthin' 'bout slices! I said hams!' - -"Well, sir, that settled it! Our man give this feller one look an' -crawfished right there! He snuk out an' got on his pinto, an' we ain't -never saw him sence. Now, if yo'd a bin here----" and Bill shrugged his -shoulders and made a deprecatory gesture that indicated that a real -eater, like Whitey, never would have allowed "hams" to faze him. - -"Mebbe we better issue another challenge?" added Bill, tentatively. -"Yo' won't need much trainin'!" - -"I'm not very fond of hams," said Whitey, "but if he'll start on steers -I'll accommodate him!" - -Bill let out a laugh that shook the rafters. "I guess you'll do!" he -said as he reached for his hat, and regarded the hole in it with a grin. - -"Do you suppose 'Injun' will be here to-day, Mr. Jordan?" asked Whitey. - -"He's bin here more'n an hour, a'ready!" said Jordan, "I seen him an' -that pinto of his when I come past the corral. I meant to tell you -'bout it, but disremembered to." - -"I hope he'll wait," said Whitey. - -Bill laughed: "He'll wait, all right. Patience is an Injun's middle -name! Time don't mean nuthin' to them." - -Whitey got his rifle and started out for the corral. He found 'Injun' -just where Bill had said he was, waiting patiently, and Bill Jordan -made it a point to be on hand a few moments afterward. Both of the boys -were diffident, although Injun did not display it. - -Whitey began the conversation: "Hello, Injun," he said, in a pleasant -way. Injun raised his hand in his peculiar way of salutation, but -made no other acknowledgment of the greeting, but eyed Whitey's rifle -interestedly. - -"Want to look at it?" asked Whitey, holding it out. "It's a dandy!" - -Injun took the gun and examined it carefully, and Whitey noticed that -he did not violate any of the rules of handling it and he evidently -knew all about the mechanism. After he had looked it over admiringly -and tried the sights, he handed it back to Whitey without comment, but -there was no doubt that he would have given his right leg to own it. - -Whitey, in turn, examined and admired Injun's bow and arrows, and -found that, although he was undoubtedly as strong as Injun, he had -considerable difficulty in pulling the bow back to its fullest extent. - -There is a certain knack in this which comes only from long practice; -just as there is in all branches of athletic sports or feats of skill; -and experience is not alone the _best_ teacher, but may be said to be -the _only_ teacher. In this particular thing, the Indian has the added -incentive of necessity--the ability to shoot an arrow far and straight -means his very livelihood; and the loss of an arrow is serious--not -only because he loses the animal or bird, but because it takes a long -time to make a really good arrow. - -A similar condition exists in many other branches of out-door craft, -and the novice has great difficulty in mastering something which looks -easy. The ability to ride a high-spirited horse, or to throw a lariat -accurately, or to send a canoe through the water swiftly without making -a ripple or any perceptible noise, or to run at high speed over the -snow and through the thick woods on snow-shoes without coming to grief, -cannot be learned in a day or a month. In fact, some people can never -learn to do these things properly. If a boy or man hasn't a good eye -and steady nerves, he can never arrive at any extraordinary proficiency. - -It is impossible for two red-blooded boys to be together any length of -time without engaging in some kind of a contest; and the examinations -of the rifle and the bow and arrows made a very good basis for it, and -Jordan acted the part of promoter. - -"Let's see who is the best shot," he suggested. "Whitey--(Jordan had -by this time learned what he termed Alan's "handle" or "monicker"), -you use the gun an' let Injun use the bow and arrows and shoot at a -mark--say 'bout twenty paces off. What d' y' say?" - -"Sure," said Whitey, agreeing readily. "We'll shoot at your hat!" - -"Not by no means, y' won't!" said Jordan, grinning. "I got some respect -fer that old hat yet! 'T was a new one, yestiddy--till yo' made an old -one out'n it!" he added, reproachfully. - -Jordan took a pine board, marked a circle and bull's eye on it, and -fixed it against a post of the corral about twenty paces away. He -elected that Whitey shoot first, and the latter took careful aim and -fired. The splinters flew from the board, but it was found to have only -chipped the edge, and was not within the circle; but it was not such a -bad shot, as the board was hardly more than a foot wide. - -Injun fitted an arrow to the bow and drew the string back to his ear. -The arrow went straight to the mark and sunk itself in the pine board -in the bull's eye. Injun had not used one of his sharp-pointed hunting -arrows, or it would probably have gone clear through the board. Whitey -was most enthusiastic in his admiration for such skill as this, and, -too, it stirred in him a determination to emulate it. But try as he -would, he could not send the bullets from his rifle with anything near -the accuracy that Injun shot his arrows. - -Whitey tried the bow and arrows several times, but succeeded in hitting -the board only once, and with nothing like the force that Injun had -communicated to the shaft. He urged Injun to try the rifle--he didn't -have to urge very hard, as the latter was dying to try it. And while he -obtained somewhat better results from it than Whitey got from the bow, -he proved that as far as getting his dinner in the woods or mountains -is concerned, he might better stick to his bow. However, there was -no doubt that the first competition between the boys had resulted in -Injun's favor. - -As Injun handed the rifle back to Whitey, he looked at Jordan, and for -the first time spoke. - -"Him shoot!" he said. - -"Who--me?" said Jordan, "I guess I'm a leetle mite out o' practice. -Tell yo' what I'll do, though, Whitey--yo' done put my lid on the bum, -an' I'll shoot if you'll let me have a crack at that new hat o' your'n! -Come on now, are yo' game?" said Jordan, taking his big Colt forty-five -from his holster. - -"Turn about is fair play," said Whitey, "so here goes!" and he fastened -his hat on the board, making a fair mark. - -Jordan laughed, and turning, he emptied his revolver in the direction -of the hat in less time than it takes to tell it. "By Crackey!" -exclaimed Jordan, in a disappointed way, "I don't believe I hit thet -air old sky-piece, after all! I'm shore gettin' outer practice!" - -The boys ran to the hat, and found that it was untouched. BUT--Jordan -had put a ring of bullets all around it, none of them being more than -half an inch from the brim! - -"I guess you don't need much practice!" gasped Whitey, as he came back -with the hat. "I wouldn't have thought it possible for any one to -shoot like that!" he added, in undisguised admiration. - -"Well," said Jordan, slowly, "mebbe if I'd bin a leetle more careful -an' took more time, I _might_ have hit it. I reckon, now, I've done -throwed away my chance to get even with yo'!" - -"You'll never get another chance at _my_ hat--not unless you let me put -it up a mile away--and even then I'd be afraid you'd hit it!" - -"I reckon the hat's some safe if thet's the case," said Bill. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - WHITEY LEARNS TO RIDE - - -"Look here, Whitey," said Bill Jordan, one afternoon, "kin yo' ride a -hoss? If yo' an' this here Injun is goin' in cahoots, yo' gotta ride -some!" - -"I'm not what any one would call a good rider," said Whitey, "but I -guess I can manage to stay on. I used to ride the horses down at Coney -Island, and once or twice when we were in the country; but these horses -are different. They don't wait till you get your seat before they whirl -'round and beat it!" - -"Some of 'em is a mite hasty," admitted Bill, "but we got one or two -nice, ol' hobby-hosses in the corral thet'll be 'bout yo'r size. Buck," -he shouted to one of the cow-punchers nearby, "go bring thet ol' sorrel -out'n the corral--thet is, pervidin' he's able to walk. Yo'll probably -find him leanin' up agin the fence to keep from fallin' down. This here -Whitey person is goin' to set on him fer a spell an' take a nap." - -Buck took a halter and went into the corral, and soon returned leading -the sorrel, which did not seem to be in any danger of falling down -if he didn't have something to lean against. In fact, the sorrel was -a pretty lively animal, and Whitey had his misgivings; but he knew -that Bill Jordan would not allow him to mount a fractious or vicious -horse, inexperienced as he was, and he made up his mind that he would -"go through" with it. If he were to spend any length of time in the -West, he knew that the sooner he learned to ride, the better off he -would be, and the more he could enter into the work and play of the -ranch--and, indeed, the very life of the West with which the horse is -so inseparably associated. Then, too, he admired and marveled at the -way Injun rode his pony, and the spirit of rivalry within him made him -determine that he would not remain outclassed, for any long time, by a -boy of his own age in any department of out-door life. - -Bill watched Whitey narrowly, and it is probable that if he had seen -any exhibition of "the white feather," he would have stopped the -performance. For he knew that confidence is the main thing, and if the -boy were timid, he might come to grief. But Whitey evidently did not -have "cold feet." - -"Buck, you keep the ol' rack-o'-bones from fallin' apart, an' I'll give -the kid a hand," said Bill, offering to boost Whitey into the saddle. - -"Let me try to mount myself," said Whitey. "I may be out on the prairie -some time and it won't be convenient to come way back here to get you -to boost me up." - -"Correct," said Bill, tickled over the boy's refusal of his assistance. -"It's always well to play a lone hand--ef yo' got the cards to do it!" -And Whitey swung himself onto the horse in as near an imitation of the -way of the ranchmen as he could. - -Once he was mounted on the sorrel, after some elementary instructions -from Bill as to mounting and keeping his seat by the knee-grip, Buck, -who had stood at the horse's head, released his hold, and the sorrel -started off at a lively clip; and if Whitey had not remembered his -instructions and been prepared for just this thing, he would have been -unseated. As it was, he had a narrow escape, but managed to stick -on, to the great delight of Bill--and, incidentally, of himself! -Every added minute on the horse gave added confidence to Whitey, and -as he began to get the swing and rhythm of it, he already felt that -exhilaration which comes from riding. Injun, of course, accompanied -him, and the two boys rode around the big corral to which his first -essay was confined. - -Bill Jordan watched Whitey with considerable satisfaction; he had -taken a great interest in the boy because he recognized in him many -of the sterling qualities that go to make a man. He had not selected -a "rocking-horse" for his first ride largely to see if Whitey would -tackle what seemed to be a difficult undertaking without fear; and the -manner in which the boy had "gone to it" pleased him immensely. He -knew that there was really very little actual danger, for the sorrel -was steady and "honest" and had no vicious traits, and there is such a -thing as too much "babying." - -Whitey was strong and confident, and there are worse things than a -fall from a horse. Jordan knew, also, that if a rider starts on an -"easy-chair" sort of a horse, he will learn many things which he must -eventually un-learn. At any rate, the proof of the pudding is in -the eating, and the manner in which Whitey performed justified his -judgment. It would not do, of course, to start _every_ boy in this way; -but Whitey was an unusual boy, and Bill felt that he took very few -chances. - -In the next few days Whitey picked up a surprising lot of horsemanship -and though he had a fall or two, when he attempted to do some of the -"fancy stuff" that Injun and the cow-punchers showed him, he had no -broken bones, and he felt that he was competent to ride almost anywhere -and keep up the pace. Confidence, after all, is the main thing, and -this Whitey had in large measure. And, what counts for much also, _he -was willing to be shown_. He did not "_know it all_." Any boy who -starts in a new game and thinks he knows it all will certainly come to -grief. - -The taking over of a new property like the big Bar O ranch and getting -the run of things is no small job; and Mr. Sherwood was kept too busy -to pay more than casual attention to Whitey. Thus the two boys were -left almost entirely to themselves, although Bill Jordan kept an eye on -them, as did many of the ranch-hands with whom they were favorites. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE BOYS SETTLE A QUESTION - - -Not only is it impossible for two red-blooded boys to be together -for any length of time without engaging in some kind of competition, -but usually that competition takes the form of seeing "who is the -best man!" No boy likes to be out-done at any sport; and if he is, -he usually tries to improve in that sport, or casts about to find -something at which he is better than his victor. Whitey was compelled -to acknowledge that Injun was the better shot--how long he would -remain better, especially with the rifle, was a matter that was up to -Whitey--but the strongest and fleetest boy in the big Eastern school -was not going to acknowledge Injun's superiority in other branches of -sport until he was obliged to do so. - -As far as riding was concerned, there was no comparison at all; and -again Whitey was compelled to admit inferiority. But he knew that his -rival had by far the better horse, and had practically been brought -up on his back; and Whitey felt that, given an equal opportunity, he, -too, could ride as well as the next boy. If spending most of his waking -hours in the saddle would accomplish this, he determined to put them in -that way. - -It must not be understood that Whitey was a "poor loser"--such was far -from the truth. Defeat did not make him "sore" and engender hatred -in him; it only made him try the harder. He was always the first to -congratulate his successful rival, _and to make up his mind that he -would strive to equal or excel his rival's performance_. In this -instance, however, he realized that he was "playing Injun's own game"; -and maybe, if Injun played some of Whitey's games, he would not come -off any better than Whitey had at Injun's. - -It was several days before the stiffness from riding began to leave -Whitey's muscles and they assumed their usual elasticity; but he -had stuck to his saddle during that time, and gradually the soreness -began to wear away. He also had acquired confidence and a knowledge of -his horse, the sorrel, which he had named Monty, and Monty had begun -to know him. This is a necessity for really finished or satisfactory -riding; and, on the advice of Bill Jordan, Whitey assumed entire charge -of the horse, grooming and feeding and watering him, and ingratiating -himself into Monty's confidence and affection in every way that he -could until he had established an understanding between them. - -"Ef yo' an' that sorrel gets to be pals," said Bill, "Yo' hes gone a -long ways toward bein' a rider. Team-work counts for a heap in that -game!" - -And so, although it would be a long time before Whitey and Monty -could ever hope to rival Injun and his pinto, yet, for all practical -purposes, Whitey became a fair horseman, and the pair made a good -combination. He even had aspirations toward riding one of the bucking -bronchos that the boys broke in the corral; but Bill Jordan put a veto -on this, and said that there would be "plenty of time for thet stuff -when funeral expenses ain't so high!" - -On most of his excursions out into the prairie, Injun accompanied him, -and seldom did the two boys come back to the ranch without a race. At -first Injun won regularly; but as Whitey learned to ride, he gradually -shortened the distance by which he and Monty were the losers, until it -became nip and tuck, and finally Whitey and Monty had won two heats in -succession. - -On the third day, as they came in neck and neck, the two boys rode so -close together that they could touch each other; and before they knew -it, were indulging in that most hazardous and difficult game, wrestling -on horse-back. Injun, who was literally part of the horse, finally -succeeded in unseating Whitey, and the latter hit the ground with a -thump. - -Whitey picked himself up, and grinning, said, "Injun, you might throw -me when we're on our horses, but you couldn't do it on the ground!" - -Injun slipped from his pinto, laid aside his bow and arrows and his -hunting-knife, and accepted the challenge without hesitation: "Me -'rassle," he said, and began to slip around Whitey with a gliding and -panther-like motion, looking for a hold. Whitey faced him alertly, and -for a moment nothing else happened. Bill Jordan and several of the -boys watched the contest from the fence of the corral. Suddenly, Injun -darted in with the swiftness of a rattlesnake making a strike, and -secured a hold on Whitey's leg, coming within an ace of upsetting him. -But Whitey was not to be upset so easily; he seized Injun's arm with -one hand, and putting his forearm under Injun's chin, forced his head -back; and exerting his thigh-muscles, he broke Injun's hold on his leg. -Quickly shifting his hold from Injun's arm, and slipping his other arm -beneath Injun's, he secured what boys call "an under-hold"; and then, -half turning, he threw Injun over his hip to the ground, heavily. - -But Whitey came down, too, although he was on top; for Injun had locked -his arms about Whitey's neck and held on with a grip like a vise. -They were locked in this way for perhaps two minutes, but Whitey knew -that it was only a matter of time when he could break this hold, and -he was in no hurry. At the slightest relaxation of the pressure that -Injun was putting on, he could get one of his hands under Injun's arms, -or he could twist out. He felt, at first contact that he was stronger -than Injun and a good deal heavier, and these are two big assets in -wrestling, though the smaller boy was perhaps quicker. And then, too, -Whitey knew many wrestling holds, while Injun depended entirely upon -his natural instincts; this, also, was greatly to Whitey's advantage. - -But there was one thing Whitey had not reckoned on, and that was -Injun's nature--Injun was getting angry, and Whitey could feel that his -opponent was trying to strangle him, and meant to do him some injury if -he could. - -"What are you trying to do?" asked Whitey as Injun put on more -pressure. "This isn't a fight--we're not trying to kill each other!" -But Injun made no reply but continued to rough it. - -This put a new face on the matter, and Whitey quickly slid one hand -beneath Injun's arm, and prying it up, he wrenched his head from -Injun's strangle-hold in no very gentle manner. As he did this, Injun -slid out from under him and got to his hands and knees in a sort of -"dog-fall"; and this gave Whitey a chance to twist one of Injun's arms -around his back and force it upward between the shoulder-blades in what -is known as a "hammer-lock," and quickly turned Injun over on his back -and pinned his shoulders down. Once Injun was "down" and manifestly -helpless, Whitey jumped to his feet and held out his hand; but Injun -rose slowly and did not take it. - -"Look out fer that Injun," said one of the boys to Bill Jordan, "he's -bad medicine! He'll do that kid some dirt, first thing y' know!" But -the warning was unnecessary, for Bill was already on his way toward the -two boys. - -Quick as a flash Injun stooped and picked up his knife which he had -thrown beside his bow and arrows, and turned to Whitey; but the latter -was ready and proceeded to show Injun a game that Injun knew nothing -about whatever. The Indian, in the wilds, doesn't know anything about -using his fists--he fights only with a weapon. Boxing is confined, -almost entirely, to the Anglo-Saxon race, and when Whitey's solid -fist landed on Injun's jaw with all the force that Whitey could put -into a long swing, Injun was a very much astonished young man, and he -went down in a heap, his arms stretched out and his eyes blinking and -his mind dazed. Whitey stepped on the wrist of the hand that held the -knife, and took it out of the boy's hand and threw it far from them. - -[Illustration: Whitey's solid fist landed on Injun's jaw] - -Seeing this, and knowing that any real danger was over, Bill and the -boys stopped. - -"Might as well let 'em have it out," said Bill. "They'll have to settle -who's boss, an' it may as well be now as any other time. That Whitey -person ain't no slouch! Did you see the slam he handed that kid?" - -Injun evidently didn't think that he was licked yet, for he made one -more rush, as he struggled to his feet--and only one. For as good a -boxer as Whitey, he offered too big a mark to miss; and as he came in, -head down, he was met by a fair and square left-hand upper-cut on the -nose; and when he straightened from this Whitey promptly knocked him -down with his right. - -Then he stood off, waiting for Injun to get up; but Injun was in no -hurry. He looked solemnly at Bill and the boys. When he rose slowly to -his feet, Whitey picked up the knife and the bow and arrows and walked -up to Injun and handed them to him. Injun took them wonderingly; he -couldn't understand such conduct in a victor, at all! Then Whitey held -out his hand. "I'm sorry I had to hit you," he said. "But you got mad!" -Injun looked at him for a long time; then he took the hand. "You boss!" -he said, as he leaped upon the pinto and was gone. - -Bill slapped Whitey on the back: "Son," he said, "I guess you'll do! I -reckon you kin take care of yerself most any time! An' you give that -Kid jes' what he deserved--a good lickin'! An' you fought fair--like a -white man!" - -"An' 'f I was you," said one of the boys, "I'd keep my eye on thet -coyote. He'll sneak up on ye some time an' see how far he kin run thet -knife o' his'n in yer back! I wouldn't trust them birds!" - -"Well," said Bill, "mebbe y' better watch him fer a spell; but I don't -figger him thet way. He's a game little rooster, an' gener'ly them -thet's game has got somethin' to 'em. Besides, he's different from the -gener'l run o' his tribe. He done said you was boss! An' I take it, -thet means he's surrendered, an' 'll walk turkey from now on. We'll -see." - -"What's all this about?" asked Mr. Sherwood, coming up just then. "You -look a little mussed up," he added, turning to Whitey. - -"Your boy jes' hed a slight argyment with the injun, an' he convinced -him," said Bill. "Thet's all." - -"And what was it he convinced the Indian of?" asked Mr. Sherwood, -smiling. - -"He convinced him of the sooperiority of the White race," said Bill. -"Convinced him good an' plenty--right on the nose--an' other parts!" - - - - - CHAPTER X - - A FRIEND IN NEED - - -The accuracy of Bill Jordan's estimate of Injun was clearly -demonstrated very soon afterward. Injun did not appear at the ranch -the day following his "argument" with Whitey; and it must be confessed -that the latter missed him sorely. The usual sports and occupations -had lost a good deal of their zest, and life wasn't quite the same to -Whitey. Injun, accustomed as he was to a solitary and independent life, -probably felt the separation less; but that he felt it, is certain. - -For on the following day, he appeared early, and made no pretense -that he had come on any other errand than to offer peace. He did not -bring a peace-pipe for Whitey to smoke with him, but he brought what -was equivalent to it--a fine lariat which he presented to Whitey at -the corral with no words and no ceremony, simply handing it to him -and letting it go at that. Like the rest of his race, Injun was not -demonstrative. - -Whitey accepted the gift in the spirit in which it was given and -thanked Injun for it; and at once proceeded to try it under the -tutelage of his companion who already had acquired considerable skill -in its use. - -Bill Jordan had been near at hand when the reconciliation between the -two boys had occurred, thinking that perhaps it was not best to trust -the red boy too far; but the latter's manner soon convinced Bill that -things were as they should be and that the lad was no "Injun-giver," -and that there was no sinister motive behind his seeming generosity. -Bill examined the lariat closely, and a smile came over his face as -he asked: "Where'd you grab off this here rope, Injun?" Injun looked -frankly at Bill and said, "Him Pedro leave him." - -Bill laughed: "He shore did, Injun!" And then he explained to Whitey: -"This here Pedro person was some complicated into more kinds of evil -deviltry an' wickedness, includin' cattle rustlin', than any six men -oughta be. He's a half-breed Canuck, bein' called 'Pedro', 'count o' -him havin' more'n ord'nary skill at playin' a card-game by thet name. -He had most pressin' reasons to go away from here right sudden, an' he -neglected to take some of his belongings--which he prob'ally stole in -the first place. You title is good, Injun--better'n Pedro's, anyhow!" - -"Where is he now?" asked Whitey. - -"Anybody who will tell me that," said Bill, "will get a vote o' thanks -all wrote out on paper an' tied with a pink ribbon! I'd travel some -consid'able distance afoot if I figgered I c'd meet up with thet pizen -hombrey. When he left, he didn't leave no forwardin' address--the' -was a lot o' things comin' to him thet he wasn't partic'lar 'bout -receivin'. If he's where I hope he is, an' where he oughta be, he don't -need no over-coat ner blanket! I reckon this here Injun mebbe'd like to -know where he is, too!" laughed Bill. "Injun had consider'ble to do -with showin' up that skunk, an' he's some sore on Injun--I'll tell yo' -'bout it sometime." - -The subject of Pedro apparently was not a very pleasant one to Bill, -and he changed the subject abruptly. "Lemme see what I kin do with thet -rope," he said, and Whitey handed it to him, delightedly. Bill took the -"rope," and proceeded to show the boys some stunts that opened Whitey's -eyes, especially the fancy ones. And as he performed each one, he told -the boys that "he was plumb outa practice." - -"I'd like to see you when you _are_ in practice!" said Whitey; "but I -want to know, Mr. Jordan, if those stunts are really any good?" - -"Well," said Bill, "o' course the main thing to do with a rope is to -ketch somethin' with it, an' I didn't ketch nuthin' but mebbe a little -applause; but yo' learn them things foolin' with the rope, an' the -more yo' fool with anythin', the more yo' learn about it, and the more -control yo' get over it. I wouldn't say thet the time spent in learnin' -them things was _all_ throwed away. Mebbe they ain't so useless as they -seem." Bill smiled--that rare, quiet, quizzical smile of his, as he -asked innocently, "Was yo' thinkin' o' puttin' in the whole mornin' an' -learnin' 'em?" - -Whitey laughed; he had tried the lariat and he knew how difficult it is -to do anything with it at all. "Not this morning!" he said. "I'm going -to wait until no one is looking. I think I'll get better acquainted -with my horse before I tackle a new job!" - -"One thing at a time is good dope," said Bill. "Hev yo' got so yo' kin -set on that ol' hobby-horse without holdin' onto his mane?" - -Whitey laughed; and for an answer, he vaulted onto Monty's back, and, -followed by Injun, he galloped away. - -As the boys rode away from the ranch-house across the prairie toward -the mountains, they came upon numerous small streams, some of them so -deep or so swift that they could not be readily forded. Here was a -new experience--"swimming a horse" across a stream. Injun, of course, -showed the way, and Whitey learned that, if the current is at all -swift, you must enter the water above the spot where you wish to land, -so that you will be carried down-stream to the proper place. And it was -here that Whitey had his first real adventure; though had it not been -for Injun, there is no telling but the story of Whitey would have to -come to an end right here. - -The boys had dismounted on the bank of one of these streams, and Whitey -had tied his horse in the way Injun showed him. Injun's pony did not -require tieing, for the reason that no dog ever followed his master -with more fidelity than did the pony follow Injun. - -As Whitey ran down the steep bank onto the rocks that bordered the -stream, he saw, not more than ten feet away from him, a rattlesnake -sunning himself on a flat rock. If Whitey had been a Western boy, he -never would have done what he did, and that was to stoop and pick up a -stone and take careful aim at the snake. In fact, he took too careful -aim! Rattlesnakes are born fighters, and naturally object to being -hit by rocks thrown by boys or anybody else. And at exactly the same -instant that Whitey threw the stone, the rattler jumped for him--and -a rattler is a considerable jumper. The rock and the snake probably -passed each other in the air! - -At any rate, the rock did not hit the snake, and it seemed that the -snake did not hit the boy; but for the next few seconds the air was -full of snake and boy--the boy doing a dance that would put to shame -any professional. Whitey hopped high and far and frequently, but he -couldn't get out of reach of the snake. But a rattler must coil to -strike effectively; and although this one did, very quickly, he was not -quite quick enough. - -Injun had come to the edge of the bank and had taken in the situation -at a glance, and he acted instantly. In an incredibly short time, he -had fitted an arrow to his bow, and when the snake coiled, it was the -last thing that Mr. Snake ever did! Injun's arrow hit him just below -his ugly, flat head, and pinned him to the ground for a moment, where -he writhed and twisted for a time and then lay still. Injun paid no -attention to the snake, but turned anxiously to Whitey. - -"Him bite you?" he asked earnestly. - -"No," answered Whitey, "guess not--I didn't feel anything. He made me -hop some, though," he added, going toward the dead snake as though to -examine it. - -But Injun was not satisfied; he stopped Whitey and made him take off -his shoes and stockings and roll up his trousers and examine his -legs critically for any evidences of a bite. In the calf of Whitey's -leg, there was an almost imperceptible scratch; Injun examined it, -and at once applied his lips to the wound and sucked the blood from -it and spat it out; and this he repeated several times, while Whitey -looked on, grinning and wondering what it was all about. Then Injun -took Whitey's handkerchief from about his neck and tieing it above -the wound--_nearer to the heart_--he knotted it, ran a short stick -through the knot, and twisted the stick until the handkerchief was very -tight. This is the first thing to be done in case of snake-bite, as it -prevents, in a measure, the poison from getting into the circulation. - -"Gee!" said Whitey, "my leg feels numb--I guess you got that thing too -tight!" - -Injun shook his head and insisted that Whitey get onto his horse and -ride back. Whitey agreed, though he had begun to feel a certain drowsy -numbness all over him, and Injun had to help him mount. - -It was plain to Injun that Whitey never would be able to stay on his -horse unassisted, and he mounted behind him and held him on, calling to -his own pony to follow. - -In this manner the two boys came to the ranch-house, where Whitey -was taken in hand by Bill and Mr. Sherwood and the usual remedies -administered, one of them being to pour whiskey into the victim. - -The poison of a rattlesnake has a tendency to stop the heart, and -whiskey is given to stimulate it--to make it beat faster--a primitive -remedy and one that doesn't always work. And then, too, it is a -question in the minds of many people as to which is the worse poison, -rattlesnake juice or whiskey! - -It was evident that Injun was not altogether satisfied with the -treatment that his pal was getting; and he leaped upon his pinto and -dashed away. After a time he returned with an old Indian Squaw, who -set up her tripod of sticks and hung her kettle over a small fire and -cooked some of the herbs that she had in a little bag. A couple of days -later Whitey woke up and proceeded to get well--thanks to the squaw and -to Injun! - -And it is quite certain that he never again set out to kill a six-foot -rattler with a rock! If a man hasn't a gun handy, it is just as well -to give the rattler his full half of the road--or the whole of it, for -that matter, if he seems to want it. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - THE CHINOOK WIND - - -During the days of Whitey's convalescence Injun and Bill Jordan were -unremitting in their attendance upon him and in their efforts to make -things pleasant. Whitey had had a very narrow escape, but thanks to -the squaw and to Injun, their quick and effective methods, and to his -own good constitution, it was only a few days before he felt almost -entirely recovered and the ill-effects had nearly disappeared. Whitey -realized that it takes some time to many to become a "real Westerner," -and that there are many "dont's" as well as "do's" in the program of -life in the foot-hills of the Rockies. - -As Bill Jordan sat by Whitey's chair on the piazza, he told the boy -many things--not as a teacher instructing a pupil--but as stories -that should suggest a course of conduct to be followed when certain -exigencies presented themselves. One of the cardinal principles that -Bill laid down was that a boy, or a man, must keep his eyes open at -all times. Bill maintained, and it is probably true, that any boy of -good, common sense is far safer on the ranch and its environs than he -would be on Broadway or the streets of any big city; but he must keep -his eyes open and learn to read the signs. Nature has signs that are -just as plain and legible as the signs that mark the traffic and guide -the citizen in his daily life. A careful person doesn't disregard these -signs and rules of conduct in the city; and the careful plainsman or -mountaineer should not disregard those that should guide and regulate -him in the Great Out-doors. - -"Ever hear of a Chinook wind?" asked Bill, as he and Injun and Whitey -sat on the broad piazza of the ranch-house, when Whitey was able to be -up. Injun said nothing, but his face showed that he knew all about the -Chinook wind. - -"Well," continued Bill, addressing Whitey, "it's a warm wind thet's -liable to come any time durin' the winter months; but it usually comes -along 'bout February er March. The snow all melts an' the sun shines -an' the grass begins to sprout an' the stock commences to feed an' -wander away from the home corrals. Now this here Mister Chinook Wind'd -be a wonderful thing if he was on the level--which he ain't. Not by no -means! He's a shore-enough villain, an' could play the villain's part -in any story an' live up to it! He come mighty near finishin' me an' -some others once!" And Bill stopped and rolled a cigarette, though it -was plain that the two boys were all eagerness to hear the story. - -"It was like this," said Bill, blowing out a big whiff of smoke; "Old -Man Holloway lived about eighty mile from Bismarck--had lived there -fer ten years er more, an' should hev knowed better--an' he had some -business that ought of bin did 'long in the winter; but the winter hed -bin a hard one an' he didn't hev a Chinaman's chance o' gettin' up to -town. 'Long towards spring, comes Mr. Chinook Wind an' got in his fine -work." - -Bill paused, and Whitey asked, "What did the wind do?" - -"Well," said Bill, slowly, "it's a funny thing 'bout a Chinook -wind--it's fooled the people in the West since the beginnin' of time, -an' 't seem 's though it's goin' right on an' fool 'em till the end o' -time! Must be it's his balmy, soft-soapy ways! You couldn't never ask -fer no nicer weather 'n we had fer some days, that spring, an' Old Man -Holloway concluded he'd strike out fer Bismarck--never give the weather -a thought 't all. He was so sure thet he didn't even hesitate 'bout -takin' his ten-year-old boy, Jim, 'long with him; an' y' kin gamble -thet if he'd sensed any danger he wouldn't of took Jim--'cause there -was just two things thet Jim's father loved--and Jim was both of 'em! - -"They set out with two saddle-horses and two pack-horses on the -eighty-mile trip, an' fer forty-five mile everything was fine as silk. -The night camp was made, an' the coyotes sung the'r little songs, as -per usual. An' next mornin', they put away a big breakfast o' beans an' -bacon, and started out on the last lap o' the trip. - -"Long late in th' afternoon things begun to happen. Mr. Chinook Wind -he'd got tired o' bein' nice; he'd gone courtin' all over thet part -o' the country, an' he'd let the sun shine on the hills, an' he'd -laughed--a nice, chucklin' little laugh--with all the rivers, an' -flirted with the trees an' lullabied 'most everybody to sleep. Then he -got tired er got a grouch an' didn't want t' play any more! He jes' -says, 'Good-by! I'm gone!' An' he let Winter take his place. An' though -it lacked three hours o' sun-down, the sun hid hisself an' it got dark, -an' then it got darker; an' the winter wind commenced to whistle--not -a nice, clean tune of a whistle, but an ugly, threatenin' sort of a -sound--like a fire-engine whistle in the night. It was pretty tol'able -dark, but it was light enough fer Jim t' see thet his dad's face was -white. Old Man Holloway wasn't sayin' much, but he was doin' a heap o' -thinkin'. An' pretty soon, things begun to fall through the air which -was snow, but nobody ever seen snow like it before ner since. The -flakes was as big as plates, an' they was fallin' so thick thet they -seemed like a solid wall!" - -Bill paused, reminiscently, and Whitey waited eagerly for the finish -of the story. Injun sat impassive--he knew pretty well what Bill was -talking about. - -"Bime by, Jim thought his father's horse hed bumped into him; but when -he looked up, he seen it was a strange man--it was me! An' the strange -man hed five other men with him--they was outriders lookin' fer stray -cattle, an' the fact thet they'd run into Jim an' his father was the -only thing thet saved both the'r lives. - -"By this time, the wind was blowin' great guns--y' couldn't hear -yerself think--an' what with the darkness an' snow, it didn't look -like much could be done." Bill paused. "A horse er a steer," he said, -digressing, "never tries to do anythin'; they jes' turn the'r head -away from the wind an' drop it down an' wait fer the finish! Humans is -different. God didn't give horses an' steers human intelligence, an' -humans hev to use the intelligence they hev to protect 'emselves." Bill -paused again, as though he disliked to say what he intended, but, after -a moment, he resumed. - -"It may seem mighty hard on the hosses--what happened--but it was the -only thing that could be done; an' if folks 'd think it over, mebbe -they'll realize thet it was the most merciful thing thet could be did -fer all hands,--I means fer the hosses too. They was led into a little -circle, head to tail, an' each ranch rider put his gun between his -horse's eyes an' fired!" - -It was very plain that Bill could not think of this act without pain, -although it had been a necessary one, and the saving of human lives -was made possible only by the sacrifice of the lives of the animals. -It is only as a last resort, that a plainsman will ever consent to the -destruction of his horse. In many great emergencies, in the desert, -the man will deny water to himself that his horse may drink; or, at -least, he will divide with the animal. - -At length, Bill went on: "When the hosses fell, they made a sort of -rampart er buffer against the storm; an' inside this little circle, -seven men an' a boy crouched fer two days, with the'r buffalo-robes -drawed over 'em an' the snow peltin' and driftin' over that. Fer two -days, the blizzard raged, an' the seven men an' thet boy stayed right -there! Then she broke--that is, she got so people could see. An' 'bout -the end o' the third day, the seven men an' the boy footed it into -Bismarck--an' each one o' the seven men hed some part of his body -frozen! They hed kep' the boy in the middle an' protected him!" - -Bill rose from his seat and started to go toward the corral, but -stopped for just another word. "I might mention," he said, as though -it were a matter of little moment, "to give yo' some idea of a Dakota -blizzard, thet when them seven men an' the boy limped into Bismarck at -the end o' the third day, the thermometer showed _fifty-two below_!" - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - MR. ROSS PAYS A CALL - - -The nearest ranch to that of Mr. Sherwood was the "Cross and Circle," -which lay some twelve or fifteen miles to the northwest, toward -and nearer the mountains, near the left bank of Elkhorn River, the -ranch-house itself being not more than about a hundred yards from the -water's edge. Being nearer the mountains, the ground upon which the -ranch-house stood was of rock formation, and was over-shadowed by a -high cliff. - -While it was a rather valuable property, it did not compare with -the Bar O, either in its extent, improvements, or in its grazing -facilities. It was occupied by Samuel Ross, who had obtained it from -its former owner about six months before the time this story opens. - -In many ways Ross had allowed the ranch to run down. The house needed -repair, the out-buildings and fences were not well kept, and there was -no semblance of the discipline or morale that prevailed at the Bar O. -It had perhaps somewhere between five hundred and a thousand head of -cattle, but they were notoriously ill-cared for and neglected. - -The ranch was not noted for its hospitality--in fact, exactly the -reverse was the case; and any attempt to establish anything like -neighborly intercourse was frowned upon or roughly declined. The men -kept to themselves in a surly, clannish way, even when excursions were -made into town and "festivities" were indulged in at the saloon and -dance-hall and gambling-joint. - -In one way, this was not resented. It is regarded as a man's right to -keep to himself. In many parts of the West, even to-day, it is not well -to start an investigation into a man's family and pedigree, or where he -comes from and what his business is. Young readers may not understand -why this is so. - -In the early days, the West was a haven or refuge for all sorts -of characters who, for reasons of their own, sought to lose their -identities. Some desired to escape punishments for crimes committed -elsewhere; some were ne'er-do-wells or failures who desired to start -life over again with a clean slate. In the vast confines of the West, -this was comparatively easy. In the case of criminals, the law had -difficulty in reaching into its remote corners and dragging a man back -to Justice. In the case of ne'er-do-wells and failures, they could -start again on an even basis with other men, unhandicapped by their -previous records. Thus it can be seen that all inquiry into a man's -past was resented. So general did this become, that even those who had -nothing whatever to hide grew to resent questions of this nature. - -And the mistake must not be made of thinking that the West was overrun -with people of shady records. Nothing could be further from the fact. -There never has been a higher standard of manhood established anywhere -in the world than that which prevailed, and does prevail, in the -West. And naturally so. Nowhere were, or are, such great opportunities -offered; but the taking advantage of these opportunities required -not only brains, but physical fitness, courage, and a moral fiber -of a high order as well. Nowhere in the world have people come to -themselves--weeded out the bad, separated the wheat from the chaff, -and purged themselves from uncleanness--in so short a time or in so -effective a way as did the people of the West. - -And another thing that the West has had to stand: any time a -penny-a-liner with an inflamed imagination thought out some lurid, -impossible tale of blood and thunder and crime and debauchery, he -staged it in the West. It is safe to say that _not one in a hundred_ -of these "penny-dreadfuls" was ever written by a man who had been -west of Hoboken, New Jersey! As said before, there is more gun-play -in New York City in one month than there is in all the states west of -the Mississippi in one year! And we'll throw in Alaska, too, for good -measure! Of course, there are "skunks" in every community, but if -there is one climate in the world where it is unhealthy for a "skunk" -it is the climate of the West. They can't "get by" out there! Not for -very long, they can't! - -With this matter settled we can get back to the story. - -Ross, himself, was a huge man, weighing in the neighborhood of two -hundred and fifty pounds, and was of most forbidding mien. His red, -bloated face was encircled by a closely cropped thatch of hair that -came down within an inch or so of his eyes, and the lower part of his -face was covered by a thick, rank growth of sandy whiskers. His whole -person gave the impression of untidiness and neglect, and probably -the impression did not belie the fact. He seemed to have a perpetual -grouch, and enforced his wishes by sheer brutality. And even in the -rough band about him he carried things with a high hand, and brooked no -crossing of his will. - -After he had taken possession of the ranch he had proceeded to carry on -the business in his own way. The men about him--the ranch-hands--were -a motley collection; many of them half-breeds, and all of a similar -stripe to the boss. There was no attempt to conceal the frequent sprees -and drunken brawls that occurred at the ranch, and there were rumors -that more than one "killing" had taken place within the walls of the -ranch-house. This, of course, was a difficult matter to prove; and as -the alleged victim had invariably been a man who was not especially an -ornament to the community, no thorough investigation of these rumors -had taken place. - -When a scorpion kills a tarantula, nobody feels very much like -punishing the scorpion--on that account, at least. - -But while the outfit at the Ross ranch had, in general, a bad name, -there was nothing that one could put his finger on as being contrary -to law. Ross paid his obligations--possibly reluctantly and late--but -he paid them; and however much suspicion of sharp practice might -be attached to him, suspicions are not evidence in a court of law. -And however much his neighbors may have disliked him, the dislike -had hardly gotten strong enough to warrant a visit from a Vigilance -Committee. - -One thing had caused considerable comment--no visitor had ever been -permitted to enter the ranch-house proper. Many people had, at one time -or another, come to the threshold; but that was as far as they ever -got. The bulky form of Ross, or of some one equally hospitable, blocked -further passage; and the conduct of any necessary business took place -out in the ranch-yard. While this may have caused comment and aroused -curiosity, the fact remained that "every man's house is his castle," -and unless he has put himself outside of the pale of the law, nobody is -justified in violating it. And thus, it will be seen that Ross, mean -and underhand, as he undoubtedly was, in many ways was well within his -rights. - -Ross made his shipments of cattle in the regular way, but over a -different branch of the railroad from that used by the Bar O, and -as far as any one could see these shipments were regular and not -disproportionate to the amount the ranch should make under proper -handling. It is doubtful if anybody had ever kept actual tabs on these -shipments; and as Ross was more than usually "reticent" about his -business as well as his personal affairs, little was really known. - -In view of the foregoing facts, it was somewhat surprising to see Mr. -Sam Ross and two of his men ride into the Bar O ranch-yard early one -afternoon. They were received civilly, if not with any very great -cordiality by Bill Jordan, and after he had made them known to Mr. -Sherwood, Ross opened up. - -"Hev yo' all been losin' stock?" he asked. Mr. Sherwood glanced at -Bill, putting the matter up to him. - -"Well, yes," said Bill Jordan, cautiously, answering for Sherwood, "I -reckon we hev had some losses--not nuthin' very much, but some, and -pretty continual. Hev you?" - -"We hev," said Ross, emphatically, "an' enough to speak 'bout, too! But -we can't find hide ner hair ner no trace of any rustlers, 'less'n it be -them Injuns thet's down toward the Fork. An' yet we can't find nuthin' -to fix it onto 'em." - -Bill pondered the matter for a time before he spoke. "Thet's 'bout -the same fix we're in," he said. "We been givin' them Redskins the -once-over right consider'ble frequent, but we're pretty well satisfied -it ain't them. An' none o' the boys has seen any strangers hangin' -'round. But," he added, shaking his head, in a mystified way, "them -steers don't evaporate! Somebody is puttin' somethin' over." - -"What are y' goin' to do--let 'em get away with it, clean?" asked Ross. - -"I dunno," said Bill, rolling a cigarette. "I thought I put the fear o' -God into the hearts o' them rustlers some time ago, but I guess I hev -bin kiddin' myself. What are _you_ goin' to do?" - -"It's got me guessin'," answered Ross. Then, after a moment, he said: -"How's all your men? Be they all right? Never had no suspicions on none -of 'em bein' in on the job?" - -"The men is as straight an outfit as ever was got together!" answered -Bill with a little asperity. "This here thing of our'n ain't no inside -job. How's yours--know their pedigrees an' all that?" - -"Same thing with me," said Ross, "I got a lot o' crackerjacks--honest -and straight as day--no chanct fer any leakage thataway. I'm inclined -to put it up to them Injuns. Don't see who else kin be at the bottom of -it." - -Bill was silent for a time; then he said, "Well, _if 't ain't nobody -else_, it _must be_ them," and Bill smiled, enigmatically. - -"My men says thet they's one on 'em--a boy--hangs 'round here a good -deal," said Ross, tentatively. - -"You needn't give him a second thought, Mr. Ross," said Sherwood, -quickly, in defense of Injun. "He is nothing but a boy, and he and my -son occupy themselves in a perfectly legitimate way. Besides, he has -very little to do with his own people and is seldom with the rest of -his tribe." - -"Well," said Ross, shaking his head, "I wouldn't put anything past an -Injun. He may be givin' 'em a lot o' useful information. If he comes -up my way, he'll get short shrift." - -"I'll answer for him," said Whitey, butting into the conversation with -indignation. "I'm with him most of the time, and he hasn't any more to -do with stealing cattle than I have!" - -Ross laughed. "Mebbe not, Son," he said. "Mebbe not. But I don't want -him 'round my place." Ross and his two men rose. "I guess we'll be -pullin' our freight," he said; "it's gittin' late. Let me know what yo' -all intends to do, an' I'm with yo'. In the meantime, I'm goin' to keep -my eye on them red devils--an' I advise yo' all to do the same." - -When Ross and his men had ridden out of the ranch-yard and were well -down the road, Bill Jordan looked quizzically at Mr. Sherwood, who gave -back an answering look of inquiry. - -"What do yo' make o' all this?" Bill asked. - -"I don't quite know," said Mr. Sherwood. "Have you got any solution? -I didn't know that there was any significance in the call other than -appeared on the surface--to warn us against the Indians." - -"Well," said Bill, slowly, "I dunno as the' is--'cept thet ol' -bird knows 't ain't them Injuns thet's gettin' away with his -stock--_pervidin' anybody is gettin' away with it_." - -"Do you mean that he's lying about it?" asked Mr. Sherwood in a -surprised way. - -"Well," said Bill, smiling, "I dunno 's I'd want t' say jest thet, but -I do say thet him an' Anannias is blood kin--proba'ly full brothers! -He was boostin' the men in his outfit jes' now, wasn't he? Well, I -know personal, thet the tall galoot he hed with him done time in San -Quentin. He's named an' denominated as 'One-Card' Tucker an' he's one -bad egg! The's some o' the rest of 'em thet wont assay up very good. -Our boys wont hev nuthin' to do with 'em--the's a few Greasers an' -half-breeds mixed in with 'em." - -"You couldn't be mistaken about the tall man being a jail-bird, could -you, Bill?" asked Mr. Sherwood. And then, smiling, he added, "How do -you know--were you there with him?" - -Bill laughed. "I was," he said. "I ain't mistaken--I brung him there -an' handed him over--when I was Dep'ty Shur'ff, out San Diego way. He -done got a lot o' somebody else's sheep mixed up with his'n. He was one -lucky guy to get off with four years in prison--'Judge Lynch' come near -settin' on the case. Oh, I know _him_, all right," said Bill, "an' I -reckon he must of knowed _me_! I noticed he wasn't exactly easy in his -mind when he set there jes' now. An' I think I know this Ross, too." - -"Humph!" said Sherwood, reflectively, "that kind of association doesn't -speak very well for Mr. Ross anyway. What do you think we better do? -I understand that our man Walker reports that he came across a place -where a bunch of our cattle had been stampeded. He followed the trail, -but lost it at the creek--couldn't pick it up anywhere. I don't suppose -it could have been a grizzly?" he asked. - -"Grizzly, nuthin'!" said Bill. "It had been rainin' shortly before the -cattle was drove off, an' the' was no sign of a grizzly's tracks--I -rode out there an' seen it myself," said Bill with positiveness. Then -he added: "But the' _was_ horses' hoofs! I ain't heard of no grizzlies -wearin' iron shoes--not this summer, I ain't! Besides, if they was -stampeded, they'd of scattered more. Them beeves kep' together--they -was drove!" - -"And you think----" Mr. Sherwood paused, and Bill nodded his head: - -"Jest a plain case o' rustlin'--nuthin' else to it!" and Bill spat -disgustedly. - -There was a silence for a moment or so while the two men pondered the -matter, and Whitey waited almost breathlessly for what would follow. -Here was a mystery--a vital ranch mystery--and he was in the thick of -it! He had tried to imagine the situation, many times, when he had read -of such things in books; and now he was face to face with it. Suddenly -the thought came to him that here was something for him to solve, and -he instantly determined that he would take a hand in the game--though -he was wise enough (or, perhaps foolish enough) to keep this -determination to himself. He knew that once he broached the subject -to his father, he would receive positive orders to keep his hands off; -but, in the absence of those orders, he intended to "mix in." In that -way, he was going to justify himself in his own mind! - -Finally Mr. Sherwood broke the silence: "Does the creek run near Ross's -ranch?" he asked. - -"No," said Jordan, "it's quite a ways from his line. His ranch is way -down on the Elkhorn--this is a branch thet empties into the Elkhorn a -few miles below where we lost the trail. It's too deep there fer cattle -to ford; besides, there wasn't no place on the opposite bank where -we found they'd come out--not fer two er three mile down--where she -empties into the Elkhorn. We went over the hull ground careful." - -"Do you think they could have been drowned?" asked Sherwood. "If they -went into the river and didn't come out, that would seem to be the only -alternative," he added. - -"Mebbe!" said Jordan, enigmatically. The two men rose and walked toward -the corral, much to Whitey's disgust. And though he tried to follow -and hear the rest, he was not able to do so. But strong in his bosom -the mystery burned, and more than ever he was determined to conduct an -independent investigation, taking Injun, of course, into partnership. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - THE LOST TRAIL - - -Whitey did not have long to wait for the opportunity to put the matter -up to Injun, for that individual rode into the ranch-yard within ten -minutes after the conversation that had awakened Whitey's curiosity. -It took five additional minutes for Whitey to retail to Injun what he -had heard, and, as usual, Injun thought gravely over the matter before -speaking. In fact, it was Whitey who again broke the silence. - -"Injun," he said, "do you think you could find the place where Bill -lost the trail of the cattle at the creek, and the place where it -looked as though they had stampeded?" - -Injun nodded confidently. It must not be imagined that because Injun -seldom spoke, or because of his broken English when he did speak, that -he could not understand what was said. He could understand any words in -ordinary usage, and there was very little in any conversation that "got -by" him. He not only comprehended the words, but he had a remarkably -well trained ear, and he could catch and distinguish sounds that would -have been inaudible to most people. There were times when his dinner, -or even his very life, depended on this faculty, and there is nothing -like Necessity to develop the faculties. - -The same Necessity that had developed Injun's hearing had also -developed his sight; and although Whitey supposed that he had as good -eyes as anybody, he found, after a time, that Injun could distinguish -objects that were all but invisible to him. What was a mere speck in -the distance to Whitey, Injun would declare to be a man on horse-back. -And by the time that Whitey could recognize this to be true, Injun -could tell who the man was. - -It is, after all, a matter of training. Probably Whitey's eyes were -just as good, in many ways, as Injun's; but they were not trained the -same way. For instance: when trailing a man or an animal, Whitey could -see the broken twig or the pressed down spear of grass that marked -the trail--_after Injun had pointed it out to him_. But he could not -detect it if he went over the ground first. Injun had trained his eyes -to observe the most minute things, for those minute things told him a -story that meant a great deal to him; and often very small things made -big sign-posts to guide or regulate his movements. Possibly Injun, had -he seen Whitey read rapidly the page of a book, would have thought -Whitey's eyes far more wonderful than his own--and that is only another -kind of eye-training. Nature was Injun's book, and, perhaps, just as -easy to read as Whitey's book--but it takes different eye-training. - -The two boys slipped away from the ranch without attracting notice. -This was not unusual, for by this time Whitey had become accustomed -to riding long distances, and he and Injun were permitted to go about -as they pleased. But up to the present time his wanderings had been -confined to the ranch limits. - -A mile or so from the ranch Injun broke away from the trail and struck -off to the northwest toward the mountains. The branch or creek that -Whitey had described lay some seven or eight miles further on, and in -the general direction of Ross' ranch; and at the steady clip set by -Injun, they made it without much exertion in something less than an -hour. The ride was without incident until they were a mile or two from -the creek, though still within the confines of the ranch, when the -quick eye of Injun detected two horsemen riding in a direction that -would bring them across their trail. - -"Who are they?" asked Whitey, when they were a long distance away. "Can -you make them out?" - -"Him Bar O," said Injun confidently. - -Whitey had not figured on meeting men from the ranch, who might -interfere with their plans, or, at least, carry back the news that -they had crossed the trail of the boys; and he suggested that they -make a detour that would carry them in such a way that the trails -would not meet. The boys turned their horses at almost right angles and -started toward a wooded and rocky region where they would not be so -conspicuous; but if they thought to escape in that way, they soon found -that they were mistaken. It was evident that the ranchmen were not to -be lost or thrown off the track, and that they proposed to find out -who was riding in that neighborhood. It was either a case of run for -it, or stand and deliver; and after some hesitation Whitey determined -that the former course, even if successful, would alarm the ranch, as -the supposition would be that they were rustlers, and would invite a -general pursuit. So the boys again turned their horses and continued in -the general direction that they had first taken, and it was not long -before the range riders came alongside of them. - -"What are yo' two scalawags doin' out here?" asked Walker, who was one -of the riders in that section. "Yo' liable to give us heart-disease--we -was plumb shore we hed ketched a pair o' rus'lers!" - -"We're just taking a ride," said Whitey, innocently. "It's a fine day, -isn't it?" he added. - -"Yes," said Walker, dryly, "it shore is a fine day--if it don't rain. -Does yo'r pa know yo' all is gallivantin' 'round out here? Where was -yo' all headin' for, anyhow--yo' an' Settin' Bull, here?" - -"I tell you, Mr. Walker," said Whitey, "we were just looking 'round to -see what we could see." - -"Oh, them kids is all right, Walker," said the other rider. "Let 'em -alone. Thet there little red devil knows this here range like I know my -boots. They won't git into nuthin'." - -"Mebbe," said Walker, undecidedly. "Mebbe they won't--an' mebbe they -will. 'Tain't none too healthy fer them 'babes in the wood' right -in these parts jes' now! Not to my way o' thinkin' it ain't. But, -howsumever, 'tain't really none o' my funeral. But lemme give yo' all a -tip--keep away from thet Cross an' Circle outfit an' stay on the range!" - -"Why?" asked Whitey, a little impatiently. "What harm will it do to go -off the range?" - -"Will y' listen to thet!" exclaimed Walker, laughing. "Ain't yer -own yard big enough fer yo' all to play in? Looks to me like 't -might be! Anyway, yo' jes' take my tip! An' as fer yo', young Mr. -Rain-in-the-Face, don't yo' let this here kid git into no mischief, er -Bill Jordan'll cut off them two ears o' your'n an' sic the coyotes onto -yo'!" - -With this parting injunction, the two riders turned their horses and -rode away; but it was plain that Walker was not altogether satisfied -with the situation; and more than once he looked back at the boys as -the distance between them increased. - -Whitey was not the kind of a boy to be turned from his purpose by any -such admonition as this. In fact, the scent of some possible danger -only added zest to the matter; and the two boys rode forward toward the -creek with an increased appetite for the business in hand. - -Within a few moments the boys came to the edge of the branch or creek -that marked the confines of the Bar O ranch. The banks were, except at -intervals, steep and high--some six or eight feet above the water--and -it was manifestly improbable that the cattle had taken to the water -from the top of the bank. Injun, therefore, followed the stream down; -and some half-mile below where they had come upon the creek, they found -a place where the bank sloped gradually down to the water's edge. - -Injun dismounted and examined the ground closely, Whitey following, but -not able to see anything more than that it had been somewhat trampled. -Injun, however, saw a good deal more than that. He pointed out the fact -that on the two outer edges there were marks of horses' hoofs; while -in the middle of the trampled course leading to the river, the cloven -hoofs of the cattle were visible--not plainly, but after Injun had -outlined several of them with his finger, Whitey could make them out. - -"Bill was right, then?" asked Whitey, excitedly; "the cattle were -driven and kept close together?" - -Injun nodded, and proceeded with his investigations. Leading his pinto -and looking closely at the ground and the surrounding grass and bushes, -he followed the trail back from the creek. Some distance from the -bank the boys came upon a place where the ground was bare and somewhat -softer than that near the water, and this spot Injun examined minutely, -crawling on his hands and knees and measuring the horses' hoof-prints -carefully with one of his arrows. At length he rose as though -apparently satisfied. - -Although Walker and Bill Jordan had ridden over the ground, their -horses had left no traces that confused the other marks; for by this -time the ground was hard and dry, while at the time of the stampede it -had been wet. Whitey looked at Injun inquiringly. "Four hoss," said -Injun, holding up four fingers. - -"And how many cattle?" asked Whitey, anxiously. - -Injun shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Dunno," he said, -frankly; "Mebbe 'lev'n ten." - -"And could you tell the horses if you saw their hoofs again?" asked -Whitey, the Sherlock Holmes instinct stirring within him. - -"Tell two," said Injun, holding up two fingers; and then, in response -to Whitey's inquiry as to how he could do this, Injun pointed out -certain slight peculiarities in the hoof-prints that were plainly -discernible on a minute examination. Whitey was delighted at this -exhibition, and he noted well the peculiarities for future reference. - -Injun even went a little further than that. Two of the hoof-prints were -very plainly marked; and taking some flat stones, he arranged them in -such a manner as to cover and preserve the impressions of the hoofs in -the ground and yet at the same time were not particularly noticeable. - -Not satisfied with this, Injun then proceeded to search for a marked -peculiarity among the cloven hoof-prints; and succeeded in finding one -in which there was an unmistakable dissimilarity. The right forefoot -of one of the cattle showed an unusual deformity, being so split as -to give the impression of toes. This print Injun covered in the same -manner. Injun had never heard of the Bertillon fingerprint system, but -he had common sense. - -Having followed the trail back to the point where the animals -were separated from the rest of the herd, nothing new in the way of -foot-prints was found, the nature of the soil and its thick carpet of -grass making any discovery difficult. In fact, most of the marks were -almost obliterated. - -But the keen eye of Injun detected another thing, seemingly slight, -but really of the utmost importance in the last analysis. On one of -the tough branches of a small, thorny bush, there hung several woolen -threads of variegated colors; threads not more than an inch or two in -length, that had apparently been torn from a piece of cloth by being -caught by the tough thorny branch. An examination of the ground near -the bush, which was fortunately soft, showed that the heel-mark of a -man's boot was plainly discernible, and also the four hoof-prints of -a horse. The heel of the boot had been pressed into the ground to a -more than ordinary depth, and the hoof-prints of the horse were on each -side of it. Injun pointed this out to Whitey with some evidence of -satisfaction, but it meant nothing to Whitey. - -[Illustration: The keen eye of Injun detected another thing.] - -"What about it?" he asked; "what happened here?" - -"Him loose _latigo_," said Injun. "Pull 'em tight," and Injun -illustrated how a man would dig his heel into the ground as he had -exerted a powerful pull at a saddle-cinch. Injun leaned back as he made -the imaginary pull, and the thorny branch of the bush swept his side -and caught slightly in his shirt. It was all plain to Whitey now. - -"Say!" he exclaimed, in undisguised admiration, "Sherlock Holmes has -nothing on you! He never doped out anything better 'n that!" - -Injun looked blankly at him, never having heard of Sherlock Holmes; but -Whitey's manner was unmistakably complimentary, and so Injun let it -go at that. Whitey was about to take the threads from the branch, but -Injun stopped him. He broke the branch that held the threads from the -bush, carefully peeling the bark for several inches down the stem, and -put it into his quiver. Then he marked the bush and the spot so that -he could easily recognize them again. Then the two boys mounted their -horses and rode back over the trail toward the creek, which was rocky -and shallow, and could be easily forded without swimming. - -When the boys arrived at the creek, having retraced the trail without -incident, although it was well past three o'clock in the afternoon, -Whitey and Injun had no thought of abandoning their quest. After a -consultation, they proceeded to cross to the other side of the creek -and to examine the other bank in the hope that Injun's keen vision -would be able to discern things that Bill and his men had missed. They -followed the course of the stream down to where it emptied into the -Elkhorn, a distance of perhaps a mile and a half; but, though Injun -dismounted several times and scrutinized the ground carefully, there -were no signs that cattle had landed anywhere along the route. - -Whitey was puzzled. Arguing on the principle that "what goes up must -come down," and "what goes in must come out, or stay there," Whitey -said: - -"If the cattle went into the creek, they must have come out -_somewhere_; or else," he added, after a moment, "they must be in it -yet." - -This admitted of no discussion, and Injun did not attempt to refute -it. It did not seem probable that the cattle were still in the creek, -and it seemed hardly possible that the cattle could have gone into the -creek, swum all the way down to the Elkhorn, and then continued down -the larger stream--but there appeared to be no other alternative; and -Whitey determined to investigate even such an improbable thing as that. - -In one way, Whitey was in command of the expedition, and Injun readily -complied with any plan of campaign that he suggested. The details of -the investigation and the deductions drawn from them were in Injun's -hands, and very capable hands they were, too. - -Accordingly it was agreed that Injun should swim to the left bank of -the Elkhorn and follow it down, while Whitey followed the right bank, -keeping as nearly parallel as possible. The Elkhorn was not more than a -hundred yards wide, and the two boys could call to each other easily -and communicate any finds that either made. This they proceeded to do. - -The investigation was greatly simplified, at least on Whitey's side, -by the fact that the bank of the Elkhorn offered very few possible -landing-places, being high and steep, and there were few places that -needed examination at all. On Injun's side, however, the ground -required more careful scrutiny; but on neither side did anything -develop. And before they were aware, they were almost at the Ross ranch. - -The ranch lay just around a bend in the Elkhorn, on the left bank, and -where the river was indented by a small bight, or pointed bay, that -extended for several yards into the ranch property. The left bank of -this bight was high above the water, and thickly covered by vines and -shrubs that grew down to the water's edge, and many of them overhung -the water, which was shallow at that point. - -Once the boys were in sight of the ranch, the cautiousness of Injun -manifested itself. He knew that the Ross outfit were none too partial -to him, and he also knew that it would be unwise, if not unsafe, -for him to be found so near to it. And riding down into the water, -where the high bank concealed him from view, he rode cautiously -around the bend of the bayou. Whitey, on the opposite bank, watched -Injun's movements closely; and finally, in response to a signal, swam -his horse across and landed under the high bank near Injun, whom he -found examining the narrow shore or beach of the bayou under the high -bank. The surface of the ground, which was sandy and covered with -pebbles, had been undoubtedly disturbed recently; but it was seemingly -impossible to tell by what. There were deep marks as though heavy -planks had been pushed against it, and the ground about showed the -hoof-marks of horses. These also were discernible in the mud under the -shallow water. On the small beach it looked as though an attempt had -been made to obliterate these marks, for the sand showed evidences of -having been recently turned over in places. - -Dismounting from his horse, Injun pulled aside the branches and bushes -but nothing was revealed save the flat, gray face of the rock of the -bank. Injun looked keenly at this for a moment; and then putting out -his hand, found that it yielded to his touch! The rock wasn't rock -at all! And going to one side, he found that what seemed to be rock -was nothing more nor less than a heavy canvas, painted a dark gray to -resemble rock, and smeared with mud and pieces of grass and leaves! So -skillfully was this done, that it required close scrutiny to reveal it; -and from a distance, even of ten or fifteen feet, it would never have -awakened the slightest suspicion! - -Lifting the edge of the canvas, Injun disclosed an opening in the face -of the cliff nearly six feet high and of about the same breadth, and -into this the two boys crept cautiously, leaving their horses on the -narrow strip of beach near the entrance. - -The interior of the cavern or tunnel was quite dark; but Whitey had -been in the West long enough to learn that one of the most necessary -things in a plainsman's equipment is matches. Injun, of course, had -his flint and steel and tinder, but they would have necessitated the -lighting of a torch, which would have been dangerous on account of the -chance of discovery. They proceeded slowly along the tunnel, Injun -examining it carefully, and a few yards from the entrance they found -a number of very heavy planks so fashioned that they could be linked -together to form a rude raft. The logs were wet and water-soaked. And -the mystery of how the cattle got out of the river was no longer a -mystery! - -Whitey's first idea was, that having discovered this much, and thus -definitely fixing the manner and means of the disappearance of the -cattle, it would be a good thing to make a get-away while there was -yet time, and report their discoveries to the Bar O outfit; and it -would have been well for him if he had followed this plan. But Whitey -was nothing if not courageous, and he was also impelled by an intense -curiosity to fathom the rest of the mystery. If he could locate and -identify the lost cattle, which would be easy on account of the brand, -and possibly the one with the deformed hoof would be among them, his -investigations would then be complete. But unfortunately for the -success of this plan, there were certain difficulties in the way which -neither Whitey nor Injun could foresee; and certain contingencies -happened which had their fortunate side as well as their unfortunate. - -The two horses had been left untied on the narrow strip of beach -outside the tunnel entrance. Left alone, Injun's cayuse would have -stood there for many hours. But Whitey's horse, Monty, was not, as yet, -so well trained; and after a time began to be restless. The spot was -not exactly an attractive one in which to stand for an indefinite time, -and Monty finally retraced his steps around the bend and out of the -bayou where there were grass and sunshine. With such an example, the -pinto slowly followed; but scarcely had Monty come around the bend when -a rattler that was sunning himself on the rocks sounded his warning, -and Monty gave a frightened snort and proceeded to "beat it" away from -there in a panic. - -When a horse is badly frightened and starts to run in a panic, the -first thought that comes into his head is to get home as fast as he -can; and Monty proceeded to put this idea into execution. He tore along -the bank, and at the proper place swam the stream, and was soon well on -his way back toward the Bar O ranch. - -By the time Injun's horse got around the bend the rattler had -disappeared, and therefore he was not thrown into any panic, as Monty -had been. Monty was not in sight either; and so, although he probably -wondered what had become of his pal, he climbed the bank and proceeded -to graze on the sweet grass, plainly visible from the windows of the -Ross ranch! - -Meanwhile, the two boys went cautiously along further into the tunnel, -which appeared to be of natural origin, as though a stream had eaten -its way through the porous rock in search of an outlet--a sort of -natural drain. The hole, originally small, had been enlarged by digging -up to its present size. There was a continual rise in the floor of the -tunnel as it receded from the water, and the floor of it was wet with -a very small stream trickling down toward the entrance. - -The boys had proceeded perhaps a hundred feet from the entrance, when -they came upon a sudden enlargement in the tunnel which took almost the -form of a large room. The top or ceiling was so high as to be invisible -to them, and the place itself was evidently a natural cavern. Whitey -lighted a match, and its flare disclosed the fact that the chamber was -some twenty-five or thirty feet across, and in it, among other things, -were several large barrels and packing-cases. - -As the boys started to cross the room, keeping a little to the side, -the match went out and they were again enveloped in darkness so thick -that they could feel it. Whitey was about to scratch another match, -but he felt Injun's hand clutch his arm and draw him still further -toward the side of the chamber. Whitey had heard nothing, and knew of -no reason for this; but he was quite willing to be guided by Injun's -superior senses. - -In a few seconds, however, he heard foot-steps coming toward them from -the upper end of the chamber, and caught a faint glimmer of light. -Injun hastily and noiselessly pulled Whitey toward one of the boxes -that were scattered about that side of the chamber, and behind this the -two boys crouched as the sound of the foot-steps indicated that some -one was coming in their direction. Whitey's heart was beating so loud -that he felt sure that any one who came near him must surely hear it. A -moment afterward this was probably true in Injun's case, also--and for -a good reason! - -Into the far end of the chamber came the light of a lantern, and as -it illuminated the space about the man who carried it, Whitey could -see that he was dark-haired and swarthy, though rather under-sized, -but very wiry. He was clad in a multi-colored Mackinaw jacket, with -the regulation cowman's trousers and boots, with his revolver in the -holster at his side. The man came directly toward the boys and Whitey -instinctively grasped the handle of the little pearl-handled .22 -that Atherton had given him and which he had always carried in the -hip-pocket of his trousers. True, he had his rifle with him; but he -felt that at close quarters the revolver would be more valuable. (Even -a .22 fired at close range can be annoying; besides, he might throw it -at the man and do more damage than if he shot him with it!) - -The man came directly to the box behind which the two boys were hidden -and it seemed as though discovery was inevitable; had he lifted the -lantern high, it could not have been avoided. But he placed it onto -the floor and reached down into the box and took out several objects -which the boys afterward saw to be bottles of liquor of some kind. He -was so close that either Injun or Whitey could have put out a hand -and touched him, and they could hear his heavy breathing, for plainly -he was partially drunk. Each of the boys held himself tense, and was -ready for a vigorous defense, and against the knife that Injun gripped -in his hand, to say nothing of the pop-gun that Whitey held, the man, -unprepared as he was, would probably have fared badly. - -But at length, when he had taken out several bottles, he picked up -the lantern from the floor and started to retrace his steps. Suddenly -he stopped and came back near to the box. Setting down the bottles, -he picked up one of the burned matches that Whitey had thrown on the -floor of the chamber and examined it carefully. Again the boys held -their breath, and Whitey upbraided himself for his carelessness. After -examining the match for a moment or two, the man took up the lantern -and looked about the chamber. He started as though to go out toward -the entrance, but thought better of it; and after another cursory look -about him, he went away as he had come. The sound of his foot-falls -became fainter and fainter; the light from the lantern grew dimmer and -dimmer; and at last, the foot-falls died away entirely, and complete -darkness enveloped them again. For a moment they crouched in silence; -then Whitey felt Injun's hand grasp his arm, and heard Injun whisper -into his ear: - -"Him Pedro!" he said. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - CROWLEY - - -In the living-room of the Ross ranch were congregated almost the entire -outfit. Around the centre-table a game of cards was in progress, and -the fortunes of the game had reduced the number engaged in it to four. -Some six or seven of the other men either looked on or were sprawled -about the place in various stages of intoxication; and the number of -empty bottles that littered the place gave evidence that it had been -quite a long session. - -Ross was at the table, and the big stack of chips in front of him -indicated that he was the big winner. His shirt was open half way down -to his waist and his broad, hairy chest was exposed. His sleeves were -rolled up to his elbows, and if anything, his hair and beard were more -unkempt than usual, which is saying a good deal. Altogether, with his -bloated face and bleary eyes, he did not make a very pleasant picture. - -Crowley, his foreman, the tall man whom Jordan had recognized as the -"jail-bird" that he had delivered at San Quentin, sat opposite to Ross, -and he, too, had considerable money in front of him. The other two men -in the game were about "down to the cloth," and were just "hanging -on the ragged edge of nothing." As Pedro entered the room with the -bottles, Crowley raked in a sizable pot, getting a call from one of the -losers. - -"Jes' like takin' candy from children," sneered Crowley, as he looked -at the two contemptuously. "Yo' pikers is 'bout six ounces lighter'n a -straw hat! Where 'd yo' all learn this game, anyway?" - -"I guess the school I learnt at," said one of the men, significantly, -"was some short o' knowin' some o' the sleight-o-hand work I done seen -yo' pull! Dealin' seconds wasn't on the bill-o'-fare!" - -For an answer, Crowley grabbed a bottle and was about to caress the man -with it when Ross reached over and seized his arm in a powerful grip. - -"Cut it out!" shouted Ross; "I'm short-handed now, an' besides I don't -want to hev to explain no more disappearances!" - -"Let the big stiff throw it, Ross! I'll give him a receipt fer it--I -got an ace in the hole myself this time," and he fingered the butt of -his revolver. - -Whether the affair would have stopped there or not is a question, -had not Pedro entered with the bottles; but, at any rate, the two -belligerents subsided, and confined themselves to growls and evil -glances at each other. In a few moments the game seemed about to break -up--and Ross had accumulated most of the money; and what he did not win -fell to the lot of Crowley, the foreman. One way to run a ranch is to -pay off the men and then win the money back at stud-poker! - -Ross rose from the table, after he had cashed in the checks of the -foreman and had pocketed his own winnings. As he stood up, his eyes -caught sight of Injun's pinto cropping the grass in the yard of the -ranch near to the river bank. Ross stared intently at the horse, and -several of the men followed his glance. - -"What hoss is that out there? Who let him out 'n the corral? Some -o' yo' rum-hounds go git him an' put him back. Don't seem to me I -recconnize that skate nohow." - -One of the men rose and went out to the pinto, and after some trouble -succeeded in catching him. The man examined the horse, and then started -toward the ranch-house with him. The man's manner indicated that -something was amiss, and Ross and Crowley went out to meet him. - -"This here ain't none of our hoss," said the man, looking at the animal -critically. "Looks to me like the one I seen that little red skunk -ridin' with thet there Sherwood kid. 'Spose them young hellions bin -snoopin' 'bout here?" - -Ross uttered an oath, and Crowley examined the horse: "The' ain't no -doubt in th' world thet's thet little red devil's hoss. But I don't -figger no cause t' git excited. He goes meanderin' 'round most any -place, though I never knowed him to stick his nose in 'round here -before. The' ain't no chanct of his gittin' into the ranch-house--not -in a thousand years; an' if he's 'round here, he's got a hell of a -walk back to where he belongs! Hey! You!" he called to the men in the -ranch-house; and they came out slowly and indifferently; "take a look -'round an' see if yo' kin find hide er hair o' thet little red varmint. -Thet's his hoss, an' he can't be far off. When yo' git him, bring him -to me--I'll make a 'good Injun' out'n him!" - -Several of the men went to the corral, and mounting their horses, rode -around the ranch property in different directions. Ross turned to -Crowley: - -"You may not think there's any cause to git excited, but I do! Jes' -now'd be an awkward time fer people t' come investigatin' 'round here. -We got t' git them steers branded and out o' this pronto. It's got to -be done to-night! Take some o' the boys an' go down an' git busy. I'll -be down in a minute. This ought 'a' bin done before!" - -Ross and his foreman turned and entered the house; and the foreman, -designating several of the hands to follow him, started for the stairs -that led to the cave below. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - THE CAVE GIVES EVIDENCE - - -For several moments after Pedro had gone out of sight and hearing, the -two boys remained crouched behind the box in the subterranean chamber; -it had been an alarming experience and they did not recover from it at -once and needed time to take a long breath and to get their disturbed -senses together. The situation was far more serious for Injun than -for Whitey, for there is no doubt that if Pedro had discovered their -whereabouts, Injun would have stood a small chance of escaping with his -life, unless the boys had taken the initiative and killed or disabled -Pedro before he got a chance to wreak his vengeance on the Indian boy. - -"Whew!" whispered Whitey. "That was a narrow escape! If he'd seen us, -I guess we'd have had to fight!" Injun nodded, but said nothing. He -knew full well the danger he had been in. - -Pedro would have killed Injun with as little compunction as he would -have stepped on a spider, and with far greater satisfaction. It had -been largely through Injun's efforts that Pedro had been exposed, and -Pedro was not the sort of man that forgot or forgave a debt of this -kind. And it is probable that Whitey would have been in a hazardous -situation, too. - -However, now that this immediate danger was passed, the next thing -was to determine what was the best thing to be done. The more Whitey -thought it over, the more determined he was to go on with the -adventure; he reasoned that if the finding of the burned match had -awakened Pedro's suspicions to any great extent, he would have made an -immediate search. Whitey knew also that it was getting toward night, -and, in all probability, the ranch-hands would be moving about the yard -for some time engaged on the evening chores; and that to come from -their concealment at this time and attempt to ride away would be more -dangerous than to remain until after dark and get away under the cover -of the darkness. - -"I guess we might as well go ahead and see what there is in here," said -Whitey, and Injun offered no objection. "It's more dangerous to go out -now than it is to stay," added Whitey. - -As long as it was best to stay in the chamber, they might as well -explore it and possibly make more definite discoveries. - -Accordingly, the boys came cautiously out of their concealment and -by the light of an occasional match made their way further into the -recesses of the cave under the ranch-house. They found the chamber far -more spacious than it had seemed at first, though it varied in width -considerably, and there were several angles and turnings. - -At one point there was a flight of wooden steps, evidently leading to -the ranch-house above, and Whitey knew from his observation of the -exterior location, that they must have proceeded under ground for more -than a hundred yards. Passing the steps, their noses told them that -they were near cattle, and there was also the unmistakable shuffling -sound that a number of cattle make when closely confined. Cautiously -they felt their way along the wall--the last match had disclosed that -they were approaching a turn--and came to a place where the chamber -perceptibly broadened again, and by sound and by smell the boys knew -that they were close upon the cattle. - -It was with a feeling of dismay that Whitey realized that he had but -three matches left! And though he had not been wasteful of them, he -felt that he had, perhaps, jeopardized their chances of discovery, and -even of escape, by a too lavish use of them. It would have been most -difficult to make their way back to the entrance. However, it was most -necessary to light one here, and Whitey scratched one, taking great -care to shield its flame against any draught. - -"Here goes!" said Whitey. "We've got to use our match here!" - -The flare of the match revealed an extensive underground corral, -fenced off with heavy timbers; and in this enclosure were some twelve -or fifteen cattle. As Whitey held the match higher, Injun slipped -forward and examined the beast that stood blinking at him only a few -feet away. - -"Look!" said Injun, as excited as he ever permitted himself to be, and -Whitey peered at the steer. - -The right forefoot of the animal was badly split, exactly corresponding -to the peculiar hoof-print that he had discovered near the creek; and -on the flank of this and other animals was the plainly distinguishable -brand of the Bar O! - -As the match flickered and went out, the boys heard the voices of -men as though coming from a door that had been suddenly opened, and -foot-steps were plainly audible coming down the stairs behind them. - -"Somebody's coming!" whispered Whitey as Injun clutched his arm. They -must seek a hiding place at once, for the coming of the men in their -rear cut off any retreat by way of the tunnel. - -At the side of the corral was a rude platform or rick, upon which was -piled a quantity of hay for the cattle, and with one accord the two -boys darted toward this, but the momentary glance that they had given -the spot, during the brief flicker of the match, had been insufficient -for Whitey, at least, to get his bearings with accuracy; and even -at the expense of the possibility of disclosing themselves, he was -compelled to light another of the precious matches. The men were as -yet some distance away, and around one of the turns, and he concluded -that the light of the match would not be perceptible to them. It was -not--neither was it perceptible to either Whitey or Injun! It was one -of the sort of matches that are made to sell, not to burn; and after a -brief and non-illuminating flame it went out! - -"What do you think of that luck?" whispered Whitey, angrily. "There's -nothing else to do but use the last one!" - -There was plenty of time to light another one, but in his excitement -Whitey dropped the last match he had upon the floor, and to search for -it would have been hopeless! Alone in the dark and no matches! - -Injun did the best he could by grabbing Whitey's hand and leading him -to the hay-rick, and into this, with as little noise as possible--it -seemed to Whitey that they made a fearful racket--the two boys climbed, -uncertain of their way and ignorant as to how much concealment the -place really afforded. "Any port in a storm," and there was certainly a -storm coming! - -Scarcely had the two boys arranged themselves in the hay, Whitey taking -care that he had a slight opening through which he could observe what -took place in the room, when Crowley and four of the ranch-hands -entered. Three of the men carried lanterns, and by their dim glow -Whitey could see that the chamber was of vast extent, and plainly of -natural origin. - -Crowley and the men lost little time in getting to work; and in a -moment a fire was going in the small furnace and the branding-irons -were heating. - -"Get a move on!" said Crowley, impatient at some small delay. "This -business ought 'a' bin done days ago! The Boss is sore--tho' he ain't -got no kick comin', really, as he's bin lushin', same as the rest of -us. Them cattle ought 'a' bin branded and on their way long ago." - -In a moment, the iron was hot, and three of the hands proceeded to drag -one of the steers out of the corral and it was thrown to the floor. -Crowley took the branding-iron, and applied it with extreme care. -Although Whitey could not make out just what was done, this is what -happened: The steer had been previously branded,-O. The branding-iron -that Crowley used was marked I.; and when it was applied exactly -over the previous brand, the result was +O. A very simple process, -therefore, changed the brand of "Bar O" into "Cross and Circle." - -One after another the cattle were dragged in and re-branded, until -twelve in all had been "counterfeited." In the midst of this process -Ross appeared, and examined critically each of the re-branded animals, -and expressed satisfaction at the completeness and perfection of the -job. - -"It'll bother them Bar O people consider'ble to claim them steers -now," he said. "But jes' the same, we better get 'em off 'long towards -mornin', with the others, an' ship 'em as soon as we kin. It's takin' -some risk, with them fresh brands, but I dunno 's anybody is goin' to -make a holler. The main thing is to get 'em away from here. I don't -jes' like thet Injun's hoss bein' out there; but I reckon 'f he's -'round, the boys'll round him up, an' no harm'll be did." - -[Illustration: "It'll bother them Bar O people consider'ble to claim -them steers now," he said.] - -"Hain't the boys seen nuthin' of him yet?" asked Crowley. - -"None of 'em 's come back," said Ross, with an oath; and it was -apparent that he was not at all comfortable. All this was plainly -audible to Whitey and Injun, and as may be imagined, their feelings -were not very comfortable, either; but they lay perfectly still, their -nerves tense, and awaited developments. - -Scarcely had Ross spoken, when some one was heard approaching through -the tunnel over the same route that the boys had taken to enter the -cave, and in a moment one of the ranch-hands that had gone in search of -Injun appeared. In answer to Ross's inquiry, he said, "I guess there -was only one o' them boys, for the' was only one hoss--the Injun's, but -we can't find hide ner hair o' that little red devil. Don't seem to be -'round no place, though we bin over every foot of the yard an' corrals. -I jes' come through the tunnel--somebody must 'a' forgot to close the -gate--an' on the way through I found these here burnt matches." And he -exhibited several of the matches that Whitey had thrown away. "Don't -look like the' 's the same kind we burn, an' besides, when any of us -comes down here we git lanterns. What do yo' make of 'em?" - -The men crowded about the fellow and looked at the match-ends. Crowley -was the first to speak: "It's a cinch them wasn't throwed there by none -of our boys. The' ain't a match like them in the place--them's safety -matches, an' we never had none o' them kind here!" - -Ross confirmed this statement and was furious that the gate in the -tunnel had been left open, but it was useless to rave about that now, -and he looked searchingly around the cave. "Ef that red devil has -managed to get into this place," he said, savagely, "you can lay a good -bet he'll never get out!" Then turning to the men, he gave the orders: -"Here, you! Never mind them steers. They're all branded anyhow. Shet -that tunnel gate and block up the entrance! Then go through an' search -every crack in this cave an' don't let that young skunk get away on yer -life!" - -The men at once began the search. Ross, himself, came directly toward -the hay-rick with the evident intention of investigating it, while the -other men began to look into and behind the various boxes and barrels -that littered the spacious floor. - -Realizing that escape was impossible, Whitey did a very brave thing; -and, indeed, the wisest thing he could have done. He knew that if -both he and Injun were captured, there would be little chance to get -word to the Bar O outfit, or to any other source of aid. He gathered -from the talk that Ross and his men suspected the presence of but one -intruder, as only Injun's horse had been found; and if one of them were -found, the ranchers would probably be satisfied with that and make -no further search for a second. And so, before Ross could reach the -hay-rick, Whitey squirmed out to the edge of the hay, and looked into -the astonished face of the rancher. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - WHITEY IS MISSING - - -Dusk had begun to settle upon the Bar O ranch when the riderless Monty -came into the ranch-yard and trotted up to the corral gate. The absence -of the boys had not been noticed, for it was no unusual thing for them -to remain out even long after dark. But when Bill Jordan saw Monty come -in alone, he at once sent for Mr. Sherwood, who came in haste, and the -other members of the outfit, among whom were Walker and his companion, -gathered about also. - -"This here Monty horse just come in without your boy!" said Bill, with -evident concern in his voice. "I reckon we better send out all hands -an' see what's happened. Mebbe the' ain't nuthin' happened--Injun was -with Whitey, but I don't like the looks o' this." - -"Did any of you men see the boys?" asked Mr. Sherwood, anxiously. - -"Me an' Hartley seen 'em," said Walker. "They was way off near the -branch an' was headed in the direction of the Cross an' Circle, tho' I -don't cal'clate they was goin' there. Me an' Hartley headed 'em off, -an' questioned 'em, an' they said they was just takin' a ride. I tol' -'em they better keep away from the Cross an' Circle an' not to git off -'n the ranch. It's a cinch they're off that way!" - -As Walker and one or two of the other men were about to start, Bill -Jordan called a halt. Turning to the men, he said-- - -"Let ever'body drop what they's a doin' an' come along. Better take yer -guns, fer the's no tellin' what kind o' mischief them two's got mixed -into. Spread out fan-shape, an' keep within' hailin' distance. Don't -over-look nuthin'." - -Within less time than it takes to tell it, every available man on -the Bar O ranch was in the saddle and headed in a north-westerly -direction. It would have been impossible to back-trail Monty, even in -daylight; but in the present light, it was out of the question; and the -only logical method was to go to where the boys had been last seen. -Naturally, Walker and Hartley led the searching party, Mr. Sherwood -keeping by the side of Bill Jordan, who was really in command. - -"What do you make of it, Jordan?" Mr. Sherwood asked, a shade of -anxiety coming over his face. - -"Why, Boss, it prob'ally ain't nuthin', much--horse might 'a' got -scared an' throwed him, tho' 'f thet was the case, 't looks as tho' -Injun might 'a' ketched him--but mebbe not. 'Tain't really much good -spec'latin', fer any one of a dozen things could 'a' happened. The's -one thing I bin studyin' 'bout an' I hope it ain't thet." - -"What do you mean?" asked Sherwood. - -"Well," said Bill, "you mebbe'll remember when yo' an' me was talkin' -'bout thet Cross an' Circle outfit, after Ross done paid us a visit, I -took notice thet Whitey was almighty interested in what we wuz sayin', -an' fer thet reason I took yo' off to one side where he couldn't hear. -'Taint altogether out 'n reason thet he an' thet Injun concluded to do -a little scoutin' aroun' on the'r own account. I wouldn't want 'em to -get tied up with no rus'lers." Bill obviously did not want to alarm -Mr. Sherwood unnecessarily, but there was no doubt that he thought the -situation serious. - -"You mean the Cross and Circle people?" asked Mr. Sherwood. - -"Well, I ain't quite sayin' thet," said Bill, "but I got idees!" - -"You think," said Mr. Sherwood, after a pause, "that if they really got -anything on the rustlers, or interfered with them in any way, that they -might--put the boys out of the way?" And he looked apprehensively at -Bill. - -"Mebbe not quite thet," said Bill, "but they might make it all-fired -uncomfortable fer them two kids." - -Mr. Sherwood did not reply, and for several miles the men rode over -the rolling prairie in a gradual ascent toward the foot-hills of the -mountains. Fortunately a bright moon gave sufficient light to make -their progress easy and rapid. At intervals the men fired shots into -the air and hallooed; but there was no answering shot or call. - -The party finally arrived at the branch where the trail of the -cattle had been lost, and Bill Jordan called the men together for a -consultation. Here it was obvious that there must be a division of -their forces; and although he had no logical reason that he could have -advanced, Bill felt that their course lay, in general, toward the Ross -ranch. Call it intuition, or a "hunch," or what you will, it was strong -within him, and he determined to follow it. Often a plainsman has -nothing else to guide him--he must rely upon intuition alone--and it is -surprising how often it proves to be true. And so it was decided that -part of the outfit should ride down the east bank of the river toward -the Cross and Circle ranch, and the others, under Bill, should approach -it along the left bank. - -If the Ross outfit offered nothing else, Bill made up his mind that -he would question the men and get any information in regard to the -boys that they might possess. Accordingly, six or seven of the men -under Walker, who had ridden herd in that section for many weeks and -was thoroughly familiar with every detail of it, took the east side of -the stream; and the others, under Bill, swam their horses to the other -side, and soon were under way toward the Cross and Circle. - -Bill gave orders that as the two parties got near the Ross ranch, they -were to preserve quiet, and look the situation over before making known -their presence. - - * * * * * - -At the first movement that Whitey made in the hay, Ross had drawn his -gun; but when he saw the boyish face as it looked into his, he let his -arm drop to his side; but as the boy started to scramble down from the -hay-rick, Ross grabbed him by the collar and held him securely, taking -his rifle from him roughly and jerking him to his feet. - -"It's only me, Mr. Ross," said Whitey, as he stood before the rancher. -"I was riding out by the river and discovered the cave and came in to -explore it. I didn't mean any harm, but when I heard the men coming, I -hid in the hay." - -"Oh, you did, did you!" sneered Ross, with rising anger, as Crowley and -the other men crowded around. "You're thet young Sherwood kid, ain't -ye?" - -"Yes," said Whitey, coolly, "my name is Sherwood." - -"Well," said Crowley, menacingly, as he faced Whitey and glared at him, -"I reckon your name is 'Mud' from now on! What business had you to come -snoopin' 'round here an' comin' into private tunnels an' things like -that?" - -"I didn't know anything about your tunnel being private, and I don't -see any harm in coming into it anyway. You often come over onto our -land. I've seen you, myself." - -"Where's that little Injun skunk thet travels 'round with you?" asked -Ross. "Wasn't he with yo'? Thet was his hoss we got in the ranch-yard." - -"Oh, Injun lets me ride his horse wherever I want to," said Whitey, and -this appeared to satisfy the men that Whitey was alone. - -It was evident that Whitey wasn't going to scare easily, and a problem -was presented to Ross and his men. They did not know how much Whitey -had seen or heard; to let him go would be hazardous, and to keep -him, they knew would be perhaps equally dangerous. Ross and Crowley -consulted together, a little apart from Whitey and the others, but -in a moment one or two of the men joined them. Whitey stood looking -innocently about and apparently unconcerned; but he was really much -disturbed. He did not fear for himself, for he felt that the gang would -scarcely dare kill him; but Injun's case was different. Pedro was -very much in evidence, and he was menacing enough even toward Whitey. -What his attitude would be if he got hold of Injun left little to -conjecture. And so Whitey determined to divert any suspicions the gang -might have as far from Injun as possible. - -Some of the men were for doing away with Whitey at once, on the theory -that "dead men--or boys either--tell no tales." But Ross and Crowley -were not inclined to do this, just yet, and Ross told the men to "go -slow." He determined to find out first how much Whitey knew. - -"Was yo' here when we was brandin' our cattle?" asked Ross, taking the -boy roughly by the shoulder. - -"I suppose you were branding some cattle," answered Whitey; "but I was -back in the hay. Let go of my shoulder! You haven't got any right to -hold me that way!" - -Whitey made a movement as though to draw his revolver from his -hip-pocket, but Ross seized his arm and wrenched the little -pearl-handled .22 away from him. "Gimme thet thing!" Ross yelled. "What -d'ye mean by tryin' to draw this here pop-gun on me? Hey? I'll hold -you a good deal tighter 'n that 'fore I git thro' with ye!" he snarled, -shaking Whitey violently. "Yo' shut yer trap an' give a civil answer -when y're spoke to, er I'll put ye where the dogs won't bite ye!" - -"Let me tend to him, Boss," said the tall man who had come with Ross -to the Bar O ranch; "I got a way of handlin' kids like him," and he -advanced as though to take hold of Whitey. - -Before Ross or Crowley could interfere, the tall man reached for Whitey -and the latter, not waiting for or relying upon their assistance, -parried the man's lead, and stepping in close to him, planted a severe -straight right-hand punch in the man's stomach that doubled that -gentleman up. - -"You let me alone, you big sheep-stealing jail-bird!" yelled Whitey. "I -know you, Mister 'One-Card' Tucker, and I tell you right now that if -you put your hand on me, Bill Jordan will tend to you, and tend to you -right--like he did before--at San Quentin!" - -This whole performance was a bomb-shell in the Ross camp. While they -were all astonished at the promptness and vigor and skill with which -Whitey had delivered the punch that doubled up Tucker, the fact that -the boy was familiar with the man's record, and that Jordan had -undoubtedly recognized him on the occasion of the visit to the Bar O, -created considerable consternation. The next few minutes, however, were -occupied in quelling the outraged Mr. "One-Card" Tucker. - -"Lemme git at him! I'll kill thet little pizen pup!" howled Tucker, -who, as soon as he got his breath, had made an effort to draw his -revolver; and there is no doubt that Whitey would have fared badly if -Ross and Crowley had not grabbed the man and taken the gun away from -him, after considerable difficulty. - -"Gimme that gun," yelled Ross as he grappled with the infuriated -Tucker. "Ain't you big enough to handle a boy without that? Any more o' -that stuff an' I'll wring your neck!" - -The laughter of several of the men over the fact that the big man had -been doubled up by a fourteen-year-old boy did not tend to soothe -Mr. Tucker's feelings. It was of course obvious that in a bout of -fisticuffs with Tucker, Whitey would have had no chance; but he was a -husky boy and had delivered the blow on _exactly_ the right spot--the -solar plexus--and it really doesn't take a very hard blow there to -cause a man considerable annoyance. - -But the affair brought up a new complication; there could be no doubt, -now, that the head of the Bar O outfit must have some suspicions about -the personnel of the Cross and Circle. Had this knowledge come to Ross -at any other time, he would probably have publicly discharged Tucker, -and disclaimed any knowledge of his character when he hired him. But -it was a trifle late to adopt this course now. Furthermore, it would -be most unwise to let any very great harm happen to Whitey; he must, -of course, be held a prisoner so that he could give no information to -the Bar O people, but to murder him in cold blood was taking too much -of a chance, even in a desperate situation like this. Ross knew, too, -that Whitey's continued absence from the Bar O ranch would cause an -immediate and exhaustive search to be made for the boy, and he was in -no position to stand anything like that. Quite a dilemma--he didn't -dare keep Whitey, and he didn't dare let him go! - -Of the two evils, the former seemed the lesser, and he and Crowley -determined to keep the boy until such time as they could get rid of the -"counterfeit" cattle, and, in a way, "put their house in order." - -In fact Ross had great confidence in the secrecy of the underground -chamber. There was very little chance that any one would discover it at -the river--not one in a thousand; and in the house above the entrance -to it was most cleverly concealed, so that even a careful examination -might take place without its existence being even suspected. The ranch -was apparently without a cellar, as could be seen from the outside. But -it was built almost against the high and rocky cliff on one side, and -it was at this point that the entrance to the subterranean chamber was -gained. - -In the living-room of the ranch there stood a large wardrobe in which -were hung various articles of clothing, as well as lariats and other -ranchmen's equipment. The wide doors of this wardrobe were usually open -and a full view of the interior afforded to any one who entered the -room. This very fact would have served to divert suspicion from that -direction even had the searcher been aware that there was a chamber -below. In the back of this wardrobe was a door, with invisible hinges, -that opened onto a stairway leading down to the chamber. - -The lock that operated the door was controlled by one of the hooks -that were apparently fastened onto the back of the wardrobe for the -purpose of hanging clothes upon it, but also answered the purpose of a -door-knob. - -When the hook was turned three times to the right, the catch of -the lock was released and the door, which was really the back of -the wardrobe, swung back and revealed the steps. The lock was a -spring-lock, and was opened from the cavern side by the ordinary knob -that operates such locks. The cavern was really not under the house at -all, but to one side of it; and thus sounding the floors would reveal -nothing hollow underneath. - -Though the house itself, as used by the former owner, was nothing out -of the ordinary and almost exactly like many of the other houses that -were plentiful in that section, yet under the Ross regime it had been -made into a veritable fortress, although this was not particularly -noticeable from the outside. The windows had been barred sufficiently -close to prevent a man from getting in or going out; and on the inside -were iron shutters with loop-holes in them. Through these holes a rifle -could be thrust and aimed, with little danger that the user of it would -be hit by a bullet from the exterior. - -The doors were of heavy planks, and were fitted with double bars which, -when in place, would make the forcing of the doors a difficult matter. -And, in case things got too warm, the cave offered a refuge, and the -tunnel to the river provided a means of escape. Altogether, it looked -like a pretty safe place to carry on such a business as the Cross and -Circle was engaged in. - -But in all these calculations, Ross was reckoning without Injun! That -young man was destined to prove quite a factor in the upsetting of some -very well-laid plans. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - HELD IN CAPTIVITY - - -"The only thing to do," said Ross to Crowley, as they talked apart from -the others, "is to tie up this here kid until we can make a get-away. -The whole shebang is blowed, now thet he knows as much as he does. Me -an' you can do a sneak with what the' is in the safe, an' let these -gazoots hold the bag." - -"I'm in favor of a get-away, all right, fer yo' an' me, but not yet! -The's altogether too much stuff to leave behind; an' there ain't no -use o' gittin' cold feet. What kin thet Bar O outfit do, anyhow? The' -ain't one chanct in a million thet they kin find anythin', an' while I -ain't in favor o' puttin' this here kid's light out, we kin keep him -here indefinit'--ef we want to. The' be an awful squawk when he turns -up missin', but kids has bin missin' afore, an' they ain't got no call -to lay nuthin' at our door. Ef they do, an' worst comes to worst, we'll -give 'em a battle!" - -It took some time for Crowley to convince Ross that this was the proper -course to pursue; but eventually Ross determined to stick it out, and -he and Crowley came back to the others, and Crowley gave the orders. - -"A couple of yo' men block up the tunnel so 't a snake can't get -through either way. Ross, let's yo' an' me hobble this here young Jim -Corbett so 't he'll stay with us a spell." Turning to Whitey, he said, -"Yo' are goin' t' be a guest o' the ranch fer a time, Jim. 'S long's -yo' don't make no fuss an' try to git away, er t' put somethin' over, -yer' goin' to be all right an' treated nice. But the first break yo' -make--well, Son, that'll be 'bout the last thing yo' 'll ever do!" - -Crowley and Ross grabbed Whitey, who resisted to the best of his -ability. "You've got no right to keep me here!" he protested. "I -haven't committed any crime and I don't propose to be made a prisoner! -If I am, you bet you'll pay for it!" - -"Mebbe not," said Crowley, "but jes' the same, we ain't goin' to -dispense with yo'r society for a spell. Yo' come without no invitation, -an' now I reckon yo' might as well tarry 'long with us. Ef we let yo' -go out at night mebbe one o' them ontamed Jack-rabbits might sneak up -an' bite yo'. Hol' on, yo' young scorpion!" - -The occasion of the last remark was a solid kick on the shins that -Whitey landed on the taunting Crowley as the latter reached for the boy -and tried to hold his arms so that Ross could tie them. Whitey did not -propose to stand still and be hobbled, and he left no doubt of it in -the minds of either Ross or Crowley. Of course, the boy stood no chance -in the hands of the two strong men; but for a few moments there was -considerable fuss; before they got Whitey "roped and thrown," he had -inflicted a number of painful bruises on each of the men. - -"Sufferin' cats!" said Crowley as he limped away from the bound and -prostrate form of Whitey. "Of all the varmints ever I tackled that's -the worst! I wish I'd let Tucker alone when he wanted to shoot him up!" - -Ross swore roundly and with great fervency as he tried to stop a -nose-bleed with his coat-sleeve. Whitey, in his wrath, threw all -discretion to the winds, as he struggled at his bonds, but could not -loose them. - -"You wait--you two cattle-thieves!" sputtered Whitey, as he lay on -the floor of the cavern. "You wait till the Bar O outfit gets done -with you. You and your counterfeit brands! Bill Jordan will hold a -necktie-party and don't you forget it!" - -"Put a gag onto him, Crowley," said Ross, as he wiped away some blood -from his nose. - -"Put it on yo'self," answered Crowley, "I got a belly-full o' monkeyin' -with him, right now!" And Crowley showed a severe bruise on his shin as -he rolled up the leg of his trousers. - -"I'll put it on," said Tucker, eagerly; and taking a handkerchief, he -bent over Whitey and started to insert the gag in no gentle manner. In -a moment Tucker let out a howl and jumped back, nursing a badly bitten -hand. With an oath he sprang back at Whitey and delivered a severe -downward blow at Whitey's face, but Whitey ducked to one side, and -Tucker's fist crashed against the rocky floor of the cavern. Before he -had time to deliver another, Crowley had pulled him off, and hurled him -aside. - -"Now, listen, you big stiff," said Crowley, menacingly. "If yo' pulls -any more o' that stuff, I'll tend to yo'--er mebbe I'll untie that kid -an' sic him onto yo'! I knowed yo' was pretty low-down, but I give yo' -more credit 'n to want to soak a _boy_--an' him with his hands an' feet -tied!" - -"Well, look what he done to me!" yelled Tucker, exhibiting his -hands--one badly bitten, and the other bruised and bleeding from its -contact with the rocky floor of the cavern. "Look what he done!" - -"Well, yo' wanted the job of gaggin' him, didn't yo'?" said Crowley. -"Yo' didn't s'pose thet rarin' catamount was gonna lie there an' let -yo' put yo'r finger into his mouth 'thout bitin' it, did yo'? An' as -fer thet other hand--I guess, mebbe, yo' ain't got no great kick comin' -'bout thet. I'd like t' seen yo' break yo'r arm!" - -If Mr. "One-Card" Tucker was looking for sympathy, he needed some -powerful glasses; for no matter how depraved and dishonest men are, -there usually remains in them a liking for fair play and a certain -sympathy for the under dog. And no matter how low their standard of -morals may be otherwise, there are very few Western men who will stand -by and see a man abuse either a woman or a boy or a dumb animal. It -isn't in the breed. - -Crowley turned to Ross, who, by this time, had managed to stop his -nose-bleed: "I don't reckon thet this here ragin' hyena needs no gag. -We'll stow him back in the cellar, an' he kin yell his head off, ef -he wants to; he can't raise no holler loud 'nuff fer anybody to hear. -A couple o' yo' men take an' tote him back into the angle back o' the -cattle. An' look out how you handle him! He's a ring-tail Looloo, with -a stinger on head an' tail!" - -Two of the men picked up the bound Whitey had started back with him, -but Crowley stopped them. Turning to all the men, he said, "An' right -here, I gives notice--partic'lar to yo', One-Card--thet ef any thin' -happens to thet kid, I'm gonna settle with you personal'. Thet makes -yo' his g'ardeen an' pertector. D' yo' understand? Rustlin' cattle is -bad enough, but murderin' babies is a heap worse, an' I ain't takin' no -chances facin' a jury on them partic'lar indictments." - -"He's a fine, healthy baby!" said Ross and Tucker, feeling of their -wounds. - -And all this time Injun lay still in the hay and waited for his -opportunity. - -The two men proceeded to carry Whitey around the pen in which the -cattle were coralled, to where the passage turned at a sharp angle. The -dim light of their lantern sufficed to illuminate only that portion of -the cavern in the immediate vicinity, but judging from the echoes that -reverberated from the recesses beyond, the cave ran for a considerable -distance into the mountain. The men deposited Whitey upon the rocky -floor with little ceremony, and retraced their steps; and soon he was -left in darkness and silence. The two men were joined at the stairs -leading to the house above by those who had been sent to block up the -entrance from the river, and the closing of the heavy door above left -the two boys alone in the cavern. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - INJUN TAKES A HAND - - -Injun lost little time in crawling noiselessly out of the hay, after -he had heard the foot-steps die away on the stairs and the door above -close; but he was cautious enough to lie still for a moment and listen, -for the darkness was such that he could see nothing. Climbing down to -the floor of the cavern, he produced his flint and steel; and in a -moment he had lighted a sliver of wood that he had chipped from one of -the planks with his hunting-knife. With this light he located a larger -piece of stick, and soon had a torch that lit up the space around him -for considerable distance. He glided swiftly around the cattle corral, -and in a few seconds he had loosed Whitey's bonds, and the latter -stretched his limbs that were even then beginning to feel the numbing -effects of the tight rope that had pinioned him. - -It was necessary to do something, and that something quickly, for the -boys did not know at what moment the men might return. Injun split a -number of long slivers from a plank to serve as torches, and then the -boys made their way back toward the entrance to the river. They found -that the tunnel had been effectually closed not more than fifty feet -from its mouth by a heavy door that had been barred and padlocked, and -which resisted all their efforts to open it. - -The fact that they had been able to enter the place at all had been -due to the carelessness of the last party of ranchers that had entered -and neglected to close and fasten it. Long immunity makes men careless -about the most important things. - -Finding that escape in this direction was impossible, the boys made -their way back to the other end, but found there was no exit there. -They then came back to the stairs that led to the room above. Here -they held a consultation, and decided to mount the stairs and see -what could be learned. Cautiously ascending the stairs, Injun listened -at the door; and, after a moment, reported to Whitey that there were -several men in the room playing cards and discussing the situation. -After examining the lock by the light of one of the splinters, Whitey -saw that it could be opened by simply turning the knob; and returning -to the floor of the cavern, he formulated a plan, which, although a -desperate one and probably likely to fail, seemed to be their only -chance. - -"It's dark by this time," said Whitey, "and probably the only light in -the room is a swinging one over the table, like all the ranch-houses -have." Injun nodded assent, and Whitey continued: "We'll both go to the -top of the stairs, and I'll open the door quickly and smash the lamp. -There'll be a big fuss and confusion, and maybe you can slip through -the room and out one of the windows without being caught. What do you -think of it?" - -Injun thought a while and finally nodded; he knew that the ranch-house -windows were barred, but he also knew that he could probably wiggle -through them, and he indicated that he was ready as soon as Whitey was. -Whitey selected a stout stick at the corral, and noiselessly the two -boys climbed the stairs, and Whitey cautiously turned the knob. The -door swung back toward them noiselessly, and by good luck the doors of -the wardrobe that concealed the door were partially closed. In another -second, Whitey and Injun stood in the wardrobe. - -From his position Whitey could see a part of the room, and he pointed -out to Injun that there was a window at the end of the room through -which the latter might climb without having to pass the table. Injun -was to remain behind one of the doors of the wardrobe until Whitey -had smashed the lamp, and then he was to make a run for it. The -conversation of the men was plainly audible. - -"I ain't none too stuck on the bet as she lays," said the heavy voice -of Ross, who had by this time imbibed considerable whiskey, "an' I -ain't shore but the best thing 'd be to choke thet kid an' chuck him -in the river. Ef he ever gits loose, it's good night!" - -There was a murmur of assent at this from some of the men, but Crowley -was plainly against it. "Yo' all is afraid o' yo'r own shadder! In -the first place, how's he goin' t' git loose? The' ain't no way fer -him t' git out 'n thet cellar 'cept through this room, even ef he got -shet of 'bout twenty-five foot o' rope thet was drawed some tight -'round his arms an' legs. An' 't looks like we all might stop him 'fore -he got very far ef he come this way!" and Crowley looked about him -contemptuously. "I'm a heap more 'fraid o' facin' a murder indictment -'n I am of anythin' thet kid er the hull, blame Bar O outfit kin do! I -tell yo' the' ain't no danger o' their findin' him 'n the' is o' thet -lamp explodin'!" - -Whitey had set himself for the spring, and he threw open the doors of -the wardrobe and reached the table in one bound. With a blow of the -stick he shattered the lamp, and then swung it about him vigorously. -Taken entirely unawares, and being totally ignorant of what had struck -them, there was indescribable pandemonium for a time. The room was in -almost utter darkness, and several of the men having received hearty -whacks over the head from the club in Whitey's hands, contributed -shouts and curses to the general uproar. - -"What the jumpin' tom-cuts has struck us?" shouted Crowley in -consternation as he received a whack across his face from the stick, -and a deep and fervent oath from Ross indicated that he, too, had "got -his." - -Each was afraid to shoot lest he hit one of his own gang, and, indeed, -the whole outfit was at a decided disadvantage. No one saw the sinuous -Injun as he glided out of the wardrobe and slipped along the wall to -the window. The bars were not very far apart, but it is probable that -Injun would have gone through any space that a rattlesnake could; and -in less time that it takes to tell it, Injun had squirmed his way -between the bars and dropped to the ground in the darkness outside. - -The solid thumps that Whitey bestowed on the various anatomical -parts of those at the table had the effect of scattering them in -all directions; and they were completely in the dark as to what kind -of a cyclone had struck the place. They could make no individual or -concerted resistance, and the result was that they simply tried to -get out of the way as best they could. The opening of a door by one -of the men, who was really trying to escape, let in a flood of light, -and several of the men recognized Whitey as the source of the trouble. -"Holy Mackerel!" yelled Crowley, "ef 't ain't thet ragin' catamount got -loose! Grab him, there, Ross, quick, afore he puts the whole dump on -th' bum!" - -With a yell of rage and amazement, four of the ranchers fell upon -Whitey in a sort of football formation, while that young man fought and -bit and clawed and kicked as long as he could move a muscle. - -As soon as the lanterns were brought in and the bruised and cursing -cowboys had disentangled themselves, Whitey was yanked to his feet in -no gentle manner; and while the irate Ross almost choked him to death, -Crowley bound him tight in a lariat much after the fashion that a -mummy is swathed in bandages. Finally, when this was thoroughly and -completely done, Ross relinquished his grip on Whitey's wind-pipe, and -stood back and wiped the perspiration from his red and bloated face. - -There was a large and rapidly swelling welt over one of Ross' eyes -where Whitey's club had landed in the whirlwind assault that he had -made upon the gang. In fact, there were few of the men who were not -"decorated" in some manner, for Whitey had played no favorites in -wielding his shillalah in the dark. Crowley's lip was swollen to -several times its natural size, and it was evident that he was having -hard work to control his temper; and he, as well as the others, glared -at the boy in a way that boded ill for him. - -But Whitey returned their black looks with interest; his fighting-blood -was up,--he had no regard for consequences; and had he been loose, -he would have charged all of them. One thing only was the salvation -of Whitey. Crowley caught sight of several of the men nursing their -various bruises--the welt above Ross' eye was assuming ludicrous -proportions--and Crowley laughed! - -"No danger, hey?" snarled Ross. "He couldn't git loose, er nuthin'! Oh, -no! He's jes' as harmless as a ton o' dynamite!" - -"No more chanct o' him gittin' loose 'n the' is o' the lamp explodin'!" -put in another, sarcastically. "Well, by Judas, 't looks t' me as tho' -the lamp done exploded!" - -"Yo' all said a mouthful!" admitted Crowley, feeling of his lip, and -speaking with some difficulty. "An' I reckon mebbe I was among them -present when she blew! I ain't got real bright yet after thet wallop he -giv' me!" - -"Yo're shore pretty bright, anyhow!" said Ross, making a painful -effort to sneer. "Seems to me it was yo' said he didn't need no gag -ner nuthin'! Mebbe he don't--but he's goin' to git one--one 'at 'll -shet him up fer 'bout five hundred years, an' then some! I'm tryin' to -decide whether t' bile 'im over a slow fire er t' pull 'im apart with -four hosses! I bin shin-kicked, thumb-bit, an' walloped across the -nose with a club, an' I reckon that'll be 'bout all this evenin'! The' -ain't no child-wonder goin' to put them things over onto me an' get -away with it--not while I got my health, he ain't." - -"Don't look as tho' none of us 'd have much health ef this here pizen -varmint ain't took in hand pronto!" said Tucker, who had received a -crack over his sore knuckles that put his hand out of business. "I -ain't got no more scruples 'bout shootin' him up 'n I'd hev 'bout -killin' a coyote!" and Tucker tried to draw his gun with his sore hand. - -"The' won't nuthin' like thet come off--not while I'm 'round!" said -Crowley, firmly. "Ef seven er twelve big, over-growed huskies like we -all is has t' call in the Sassiety fer the Pervention uv Cruelty by -Childern an' holler fer help ever' time this here half-portion shows up -in our midst, I reckon we all better make application fer admission to -the home fer crippled old wimmen an' set out onto the piazzy in rockin' -chairs, 'long with the rest on 'em!" - -And Crowley looked at the battered group and laughed. He knew that -the situation was a dangerous one for the boy, and that it had to be -handled with considerable tact; and he chose one of the strongest -weapons at his command--ridicule. Keeping his eye on "One-Card" Tucker -and Pedro--the latter had not come out of the fracas unscathed, and -although he had not said anything, was a dangerous customer,--Crowley -continued: "Fur 's I'm concerned, personal', bein' only a growed man -an' him a boy, I'm calc'latin' on climbin' a tree whenever I git his -scent; but 't looks t' me 's though we all might band together an' -pertect ourselfs agin ol' Calamity, here, without cuttin' his throat er -shootin' him up when his hands is tied! - -"Look here, Bud," he said, turning to Whitey, and tactfully trying to -change the subject, "how cum yo' to git loose, anyhow? I know I done -roped yo' myself, an' I ain't no amachoor--not at ropin', I ain't." - -"One of our Bar O cattle that you thieves 'counterfeited' was a friend -of mine and came up and ate the rope in two!" said Whitey, with a -laugh. "How else do you suppose I could get loose?" - -As Whitey said these indiscreet words Ross uttered an oath and started -to draw his gun. - -"That settles it!" he said. "He's wise to the whole game, an' I'm goin' -to cook his goose right now!" And this determination seemed to meet -with general approval. Tucker and Pedro drew nearer and backed Ross up. - -Crowley turned swiftly and faced them, his eyes narrowed to slits. -"Be yo' goin' to play a lone hand," asked Crowley, "er is this a -free-fer-all? I ain't noway pertic'lar, but I jes' want t' know whether -I'm foreman here er not." - -"Yo're foreman, all right," said Ross, boiling with rage, "but I'm the -Boss! An' _I_ say I'm goin' to croak the little skunk!" - -Crowley stood perfectly still between the three men and the boy, his -hands on his hips, and his jaw set tight. - -"Le' 's see yo' try it!" he said. "I'm standin' right here an' -waitin'!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - INJUN TO THE RESCUE - - -When Injun dropped to the ground from the barred window, he made off in -the darkness toward the corral, dodging behind such objects as seemed -likely to offer any concealment, although he figured that pursuit was -unlikely, as the men at the ranch-house had their hands full with -Whitey. He kept his eyes open for such of the outfit as might be -without the house, for he knew that capture would mean, not only his -own death, but would destroy the last chance of bringing aid to his -pal. Once he had arrived at the high bank of the river, he felt that -his chances to escape observation had materially increased, and he set -out on a dog-trot to cover the miles that lay between himself and the -Bar O ranch. - -Meanwhile, the two searching parties, one on either side of the river, -were sweeping toward the Cross and Circle ranch, leaving little of -the ground unobserved as they proceeded. Acting under Bill Jordan's -orders, the parties maintained silence as they drew nearer the Cross -and Circle. When they were not more than half a mile distant from it, -the party on the left bank of the river suddenly drew up their horses -in response to a call that sounded close by, and Injun scrambled over -the edge of the bank and ran to them. In a few words Injun told what -had happened, and Bill Jordan swung the boy up behind him, called the -men to cross from the opposite bank, and the whole party, some fifteen -or sixteen strong, was soon headed for the Cross and Circle at a gallop. - -Arrived at the ranch-yard, under the guidance of Injun, Jordan located -six men at the mouth of the tunnel in case an attempt should be made -to escape that way; and with the balance of the party he rode straight -for the house. Injun, once he had pointed out the tunnel, slipped away -unnoticed and made for the window through which he had escaped. - -Inside the house the situation was grave for Whitey. Crowley faced -the enraged Ross who was backed up by the more desperate members of -the gang. His cool nerve had a disconcerting effect upon the Boss, -and it is probable that had he dealt with him alone, he would have -been able to prevent him from carrying out his avowed purpose. But it -is a difficult thing to keep an eye on several men at once, and by a -stealthy and almost imperceptible movement "One-Card" Tucker drew his -revolver slowly from its holster. - -He stood with his side to the window, at which Injun had posted -himself, and there was no doubt as to what Tucker intended to do. But -before he had a chance to raise his gun an arrow from Injun's bow -pierced the muscles of the man's arm, pinning it to his side! - -Tucker dropped to the floor with a howl of agony, and it was a second -or two before the other men realized what had happened, for there had -been no sound; and until they saw the arrow, which had gone entirely -through Tucker's biceps and was imbedded deep in the muscles of his -back, they were ignorant of the presence of an unknown enemy. - -For a second the men stood dazed--as is always the case when something -of a more or less mysteriously disconcerting nature happens--and as -they turned hastily toward the windows to ascertain the source of the -attack, they saw the Winchesters of the Bar O boys glisten between the -bars, and heard the voice of Bill Jordan shout, "Hands up--an' keep 'em -up!" - -It was the work of but a few moments to complete the capture of the -gang. The seven outlaws were faced to the wall, and while they were -in this position, and under cover of the Winchesters, Injun squirmed -through the bars of the window, relieved the ranchers of their weapons, -loosed Whitey's bonds, and then unbarred the heavy door and admitted -the Bar O men. - -To tie the hands of the outlaws securely behind their backs was the -work of a few moments, and then they were faced about. - -"A fine gang of high-binders!" commented Bill Jordan, as he looked them -over. "I had your number, all right, Yancy, though sence yo' growed -them wriskers yo' bin castin' asparagus on the good name o' 'Ross!' I -reckon, mebbe, the folks down to Albuquerque 'll be right tickled t' -see thet there ugly mug o' your'n--'speci'ly the Sher'ff. An' here's my -ol' friend, 'One-Card' Tucker, all ornamented up 'ith arrers an' such! -I reckon yo' done drawed yo'r last card, ain't yo', Tucker?" - -"That's the meanest scoundrel in the whole outfit!" exclaimed Whitey. -"If he'd had his way, I wouldn't be here now! He got that hand by -swinging a punch at me when I lay on the floor with my hands tied! It -must have been Injun who made a pin-cushion out of him with that arrow!" - -"'Pin-cushion' is right!" said Jordan, looking at Tucker's arm; "but -I want to tell you, Son, the' ain't no such thing as 'the _meanest_ -skunk' in thet bunch--the's all the same kind o' pizen. One's 'bout -like t' other." - -"No," said Whitey, "you're mistaken about that; there's one man here, -Crowley, the foreman, who saved my life twice--once when Tucker wanted -to shoot me, and once when Ross tried it. He wouldn't have it, and he -stood off the whole gang." - -"Which is him?" asked Bill, in an incredulous tone. - -"Here he is," said Whitey, pointing to the foreman. - -"Step out here, yo' Crowley person, an' lemme have a slant at yo'." - -Crowley looked at Bill sullenly, but did not move. "I ain't askin' no -favors," he said. "I reckon I kin take my medicine with the rest." - -"Seems like yo' was some squeamish in this here matter," said Bill, -eyeing Crowley keenly. "I'm s'prised at yo'! Was yo' 'fraid?" - -"I reckon I wasn't 'fraid none. I done 'bout ever'thing in my time, but -I draw the line at murderin' kids an' wimmen. Thet ain't in my line o' -business!" Then adding, indifferently, "Go on with the proceedin's! -Don't let me hender yo' none!" - -Bill stepped closer to the man and looked intently into his face. "No," -he said after a moment, "I guess you wasn't 'fraid!" Then he asked, -"Was you ever in Juarez, Mister--er--Crowley?" - -"Yes," answered Crowley, "but not recent, I wasn't." - -"When?" - -"Several times," said Crowley. "Th' las' time was when the' was a right -smart o' trouble into Silver-Dollar Joe's place--consider'ble shootin' -and such. Havin' the luck to git out with mostly a hull skin, 'cept in -a few places, I never felt no call to go back." - -"I thought so," said Bill. "Name wasn't 'Crowley' then, was it?" -Crowley smiled and shook his head. - -Bill walked over to Crowley and turned the man around, and taking -out his knife, he cut the rope that bound his hands. Turning to Mr. -Sherwood and the rest of the Bar O outfit, he said, "Gents, what I'm -doin' is on my own responsibility. Ef the's any objections to it, I'm -agreeable to givin' my reasons." He looked about him, and no one seemed -to offer any objection. - -"Go as fur 's yo' like, Bill," said one or two of the men; and Sherwood -nodded. - -Bill turned again to Crowley. "Yo' don't b'long to no such outfit as -this here!" he said. "Yo' pick out yo'r gun an' Winchester out'n thet -pile, an' get onto yo'r pinto an' see how fur yo' kin ride away from -these vicinities 'fore sun-up." - -Then turning to Mr. Sherwood, Bill said, "Boss, jes' lemme have forty -dollars an' charge the same to me, ef you'll be so kind." Mr. Sherwood -handed the money to Jordan, who passed it over to Crowley without a -word. "Thanks," said the latter, "that's right, as I figger." "Yes," -said Jordan, "that's the way I figger it too. Good-by an' good luck." - -Crowley turned to go and then hesitated; he looked keenly at Bill, and -then he said, "I ain't s'posed to give no state's ev'dence, er nuthin' -like thet, be I? 'Cause ef I am, I reckon I'll stay an' play out the -string." - -"I didn't mention no conditions, did I?" said Bill, a little heatedly. - -Crowley turned, picked out his weapons from the pile and then turned -to Jordan. "Ef you value the lives o' them hombreys you got lined up -there," he said, "I'd advise you to tie up thet boy, too. He's liable -to be too rough with 'em." - -Then he turned and strode out of the room; and in a few moments the men -heard the hoof-beats of his horse as he galloped away. - -Bill offered no explanation of his leniency and none was asked; but -such was the confidence in Jordan's squareness, that it is improbable -that any one felt that an injustice had been done. Certainly Whitey was -glad and relieved to know that the man who had twice saved his life -had, in a measure, been repaid in his own coin. He also knew that there -was a story behind it all--a story of some previous relations that Bill -had had with the man--and he resolved to get it out of Jordan at the -first favorable opportunity. - -"I guess I may as well take my gun, too," said Whitey as he picked up -the pearl-handled .22 from the pile that had been taken from the Ross -gang, and thus was the gift of little Bobby restored to its rightful -owner. - -"I was wonderin' how thet puttey-blower come to be in thet outfit?" -said Bill, smiling. "You want to look out, Son! Ef yo' should happen -t' shoot a man with thet there thing an' he finds it out, he might be -vexed!" Whitey grinned, but pocketed the little gun, which turned out -to be better than it looked, long afterwards. - -The arrival of the Sheriff and a posse simplified matters as far as the -disposition of the outlaws was concerned. Jordan had taken the matter -in hand immediately after Ross's visit to the Bar O, and had dispatched -a messenger for the Sheriff, feeling that he had enough evidence -against the Cross and Circle outfit to warrant that proceeding. - -After the whole party had explored the place under the guidance of the -two boys, and the stolen cattle had been identified, they all came back -to the living-room of the ranch. The Sheriff took Jordan and Sherwood -aside and said, - -"There is another matter that mebbe this here Mr. Ross, as he calls -himself, can throw a little light onto, an' that is, how he cum to git -possession o' this here ranch. It's a cinch he didn't buy it off'n the -former owner, Bradley; and nobody seems to be able to locate where this -here Bradley's went to. I was calc'latin' to make some inquiries 'bout -it, it havin' bin called to my attention, when yo'r messenger cum. -The's some o' Bradley's folks 'd like to know 'bout the transaction." - -"Well," said Bill, "I dunno, but 't seems like ef I was Sher'ff an' I -got my hooks onto a bird like this here Yancy-Ross person, I dunno 's -it'd be necessary to ask the cuss to do any great 'mount of explainin'. -The's a powerful lot o' nice trees on the way to the Bar O!" - -"So the' is," said the Sheriff, "now 't I cum to think of it! They -ain't bore no 'fruit' fer a consider'ble spell, neither, hev they?" - -"Not sence them other rustlers was discouraged 'bout three or four -years back. Some o' my boys 'd be plumb tickled to death t' escort them -hombreys t' jail--_er some place_." - -"Hmm," said the Sheriff, meditatively. "I'll think it over." - -At this moment Whitey and Injun came up to Bill, all excitement. - -"Pedro isn't here!" said Whitey. "He was here just before you came, but -he's not among the prisoners." - -"Him Pedro gone!" said Injun laconically. - -Jordan was all attention in a second: "Here, Walker, Bob, an' the lot -o' yo'--the boys says thet our ol' friend Pedro was here jes' before -we cum! Take a gang an' go over this dump with a fine-tooth comb! -I'll give fifty dollars to the man thet brings him in, an' I ain't -pertic'lar what kind o' condition he's in, neither!" - -"Yes, an' I'll add another fifty to it!" put in the Sheriff. "An' the -deader he is, the better I'll like it!" he added, heartily. "Thet -coyote has cost the county 'bout enough as 't is!" - -A thorough search of the house, cellar, and the vicinity failed to -reveal any trace of Pedro, much to the chagrin of Bill Jordan, not to -mention that of those who were desirous of earning a hundred dollars. - -Injun shook his head. "Him Pedro gone!" he said, ruefully. It was a -matter of some consequence to Injun--as events turned out. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - THE TRUTH ABOUT CROWLEY - - -There remained little to do at the ranch which had formerly been the -home of the Cross and Circle outfit, and this little was soon done. -Several of the Bar O men were left to look after the stock and keep -guard. Injun's pinto was found tied in the corral; and both owner and -horse gave every evidence of delight at their reunion. Much to the -regret of the boys of the Bar O, the Sheriff decided to escort the -prisoners to the jail himself rather than have the ranchers escort them -to "_some place_;" and, therefore, the trees on the way to the Bar O -did not bear any "fruit" as the result of the contemplated "neck-tie -party." - -It was found that "One-Card" Tucker's wound was a severe one, and he -was given surgical attention by Bill Jordan, who allowed as how, "When -a pizen critter is shore destined to be hung, 'tain't right t' cheat -th' gallus an' let him croak natcheral!" - -On the way home Whitey, who had commandeered one of the horses of the -Cross and Circle, rode up beside Bill Jordan and Mr. Sherwood, followed -of course, by Injun. - -"Mr. Jordan," began Whitey, "won't you tell us why you let that man -Crowley go? I'm mighty glad you did, for he certainly saved my life!" - -Jordan smiled. "Mebbe," he said, "that was partly the reason." - -"That may have had something to do with it," said Whitey, "but I know -there was some other reason, too." - -"Well," said Bill, after a pause, "now 't we're here together, I'll -tell yo' all. 'Bout five six years ago I was down to Juarez, an' I gits -into more kinds o' trouble than Carter's got pills. I'd bin down into -Mexico, an' I was headed back fer God's country, an' I jes' drops -off'n the train t' watch them skates out t' the merry-go-round they -calls a 'race-track,' an' mebbe pick up a bet er two. 'Bout the fourth -race I cum t' the conclusion I wa'n't no jedge o' hoss-flesh--not them -kind o' hosses, anyhow--an' I lays out t' beat it away from there an' -get a train. 'Fore I c'd git off'n the track--they must 'a' seen I was -a hick--some dip lifted what was left o' the roll, not fergittin' t' -incude my watch an' railroad ticket in the deal!" Bill laughed as he -thought of it, and the others laughed with him. - -"Funny, ain't it?" said Bill, grinning. "But 't wa'n't so funny then! -They shore picked me cleaner 'n a col'-storage chicken, an' when I give -my jeans a frisk, I found I was exactly fourteen dollars shy o' havin' -a nickel! I bet I walked nine mile 'round thet town, thet evenin', an' -never seen a friendly face! An' me hungry 'nuff t' eat raw dog; but I -never run acrosst no dog--not no four-legged one, anyway, less'n yo' -call them hairless kind dogs--the kind thet looks like a rat on stilts. -Fin'ly I strays into this here Silver-Dollar Joe's place--so called on -account o' him havin' a bunch of 'em riveted into th' floor an' such. -The' was a bald-headed hombrey dealin' faro-bank, an' I stands around -watchin' the game, hopin' somebody 'd drop a quarter er somethin'--but -nobody done nuthin' like thet--not onto th' floor, 't least. I think -I'd of give 'em a battle fer it ef they had! Bimeby the' was a tall -guy gits up from the table an' hands out th' most artistic line o' -cussin' I'd heard in some time. When a gent kin manhandle language an' -discuss his luck like he done, it's a gift! He cum over towards me, an' -I reckon I must 'a' looked like a picture o' hard luck, too; an' he -says, stopping an' givin' me the once-over, 'Yo' don't look yo' had no -rabbit's foot workin' over-time fer yo', neither,' he says. - -"'Correct," I says. "As fur 's luck's concerned, it's a case o' -horse-an'-horse--only mebbe mine's a mite worse 'n your'n.' - -"'I kin lick any man thet says his luck is worse 'n mine!' he says. - -"'Commence!' I says, squarin' off. - -"He looked me over, an' 'n he says, 'Mebbe we better have somethin' -first?' he says. - -"'Yo' 're on!' I says, linkin' my arm into his'n so 't he couldn't git -away an' change his mind. - -"Well, we had one an' then another, him doin' the payin', me havin' -declared myself insolvent. We stood leanin' agin' th' bar, me havin' -visions that mebbe he'd say somethin' 'bout a san'wich. But seems he -had other idees. He fin'ly digs up a ten-dollar gold-piece an' twirls -it on the bar careless--an' me meditatin' robbery from the person when -I seen it. In a minute I was glad to kep' control o' my yearnin's. - -"'This here's the last o' th' Mohigans,' he says. It ain't no good t' -me,' he says, 'an' mebbe, ef you'd take it an' set into thet game, yo' -might make her run. The's them thet says thet two neg'tives makes a -affidavit, er somethin', an' combinin' yo'r luck an' mine mebbe 'll -start somethin'. Want t' take a chanct?' - -"Did I want t' take a chanct! I did so! Tho' I was some tempted t' buy -ten dollars wu'th o' ham an' eggs with th' hull of it. - -"Well, I set in, an' my friend went to sleep pronto. Pretty soon luck -begin t' cum my way an' I win a bet now an' then. After a spell I had -seventy dollars in silver in front o' me, an' my friend woke up. He -cum over back o' my chair an' he says, 'How much yo' got?' 'Seventy -dollars,' I says. 'Don't make no more bets,' he says, kinder loud, -'thet bald-headed pirate is dealin' seconds an' settin' up splits.' - -"Right there's where she started. I managed t' git the money into my -jeans before the worst cum, an' the' was considerable fire-works an' -breakage took place. I dunno jes' what happened, but I seen my friend -wa'n't no slouch an' took quite a hand in th' festivities, an' the' -wa'n't much left o' the place when the smoke cleared. I seen my friend -make a get-away, an' I follered as soon 's I could. But though I put in -all nex' day lookin' fer him to give him his forty dollars, I never saw -him agin till to-night!" - -Bill rode along in silence for a moment; then he said, reminiscently, -"His name wasn't Crowley, then--somethin' a heap more stylisher! Seems -t' me 't was some such name as Smith--er, mebbe, Jones. Whatever 't -was, I consider he had mebbe a little more'n forty dollars comin' to -him from me--after what he done to me thet night in Juarez." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - INJUN TACKLES CIVILIZATION - - -The happenings at the Cross and Circle ranch had served to knit closer -those bonds which held the white boy and the Indian together. Already -fast friends, the trials and dangers that they had been through still -further cemented the tie into something more than friendship. Injun -received his full share of credit in the affair, for it had been -through his wonderful sagacity and his remarkable powers of observation -that the various discoveries had been made that led to the tracing of -the cattle, the cleaning out of the gang, and the recovery of much -valuable property. In fact, it was finally revealed, after a long -investigation, that the former owner, Bradley, had been murdered by -Ross, or Yancy, and that deeds and other papers conveying the property -had been forged, and thus the rustler had come into possession of a -valuable property--far too valuable to have jeopardized it by the -nefarious practices in which he engaged. And when the property was -finally restored to the rightful heirs, each of the boys was remembered -in a substantial way by the Bradley heirs, as will be seen later. - -Whitey, too, was not forgotten when it came to apportioning the credit -for the clean-up. He, it must be remembered, had first undertaken -the investigation on his own hook; he had crawled out of the hay and -offered himself for capture that Injun might escape--a thing which -required very much more than ordinary nerve and unselfishness. And it -was largely on account of his aggressive action that the capture of the -band was effected without any bloodshed, except that which flowed from -"One-Card" Tucker's arm, and the bruises which Whitey inflicted on the -various members of the Ross gang. - -When the whole story was fully known, it is almost needless to say -that the two boys were heroes with the men of the Bar O and the other -nearby ranches; but they bore their honors modestly, and each made -little of the part that he, himself, had played in the affair, and gave -credit to the other for having enacted the principal rôle. - -The one "fly in the ointment" was the escape of Pedro. Not only did -this continue a very grave menace to Injun, for Pedro had sworn to get -even with the boy, but it was a keen disappointment to Bill Jordan, who -regarded Pedro in about the same light as a mad dog, only the man was -far more dangerous and resourceful than any dog could possibly be. - -And now, in view of the part that Whitey had played in the wiping out -of the gang, both Mr. Sherwood and Bill Jordan felt that the white boy, -also, would be added to Pedro's list of those upon whom he proposed -to visit his revenge. Pedro was known to be a most persistent and -consistent hater, and he had been known to cherish a trifling grievance -for years, and to go a long distance out of his way to avenge some -trivial injury, real or fancied. - -The entire outfit at the Bar O were, therefore, given strict orders -to keep a sharp eye out for the gentleman, and to "get" him on sight, -taking no chances whatever on his escape. There was a general feeling -that he would not leave the neighborhood until he had, in a measure, -repaid those who had been instrumental in balking his schemes, even -if it took a long time to do it; and Bill took the boys aside and -impressed this upon them. - -Altogether, it was a jolly party that rode into the ranch-yard a few -hours before daylight. As they neared the ranch, Injun, according to -his custom, had started to leave the party and go to his own haunts; -but Whitey, backed up by his father and Bill, put a veto on this, and -so it was finally decided that Injun should spend the night with Whitey -at the Bar O ranch. - -Injun faced the proposition with some misgivings; he was not accustomed -to the usages of civilization, being even more wild than the members -of his own tribe. He preferred the wilderness and the mountains even -to the primitive arrangements and comforts of the Indian village, and -his initiation into anything so civilized as a modern ranch-house was a -wide departure. - -When he was ushered into Whitey's room, after a plentiful -"breakfast"--both the boys were nearly famished, having had nothing to -eat since noon of the day previous--he looked around in positive awe. -The room did not exactly resemble a society belle's boudoir, but there -were many things in it that meant nothing in Injun's young life. - -He was introduced to himself, probably for the first time, by means -of a large mirror that surmounted the dresser, and he was greatly -surprised and pleased when Whitey showed him that, by tilting it, -he could get a full-view of himself as well as a "close-up." It -is doubtful if he would have gone to bed at all if Whitey had not -insisted, but would have spent the rest of the night seeing himself as -others saw him. - -The hair brush was also new to Injun; and after he had been instructed -in its use, he spent considerable time arranging his long hair in -various ways before the glass. Whitey watched him with a broad grin: -"Why don't you do it up in blue ribbons?" he asked, laughing. Injun -rejected this suggestion with a grunt and a shake of his head. "Ugh! -Red!" he said. He didn't object to the ribbons, but the color! (An -Indian likes any color--as long as it's red!) - -It took him a long time to decide to take off his clothes, and he -balked at the clean, white pyjamas that Whitey offered him. Nothing -doing! Fortunately Whitey had a pair of vivid pink pyjamas; and -these Injun could not resist. He arrayed himself in them with some -difficulty, and surveyed himself in the glass until Whitey threatened -to put out the light. And when it came to getting into the bed, he was -most dubious. He would have much preferred to lay himself on the floor -near the open window and _be comfortable_! - -After much persuasion, however, he consigned himself, with much -misgiving, to the soft bed. Injun was accustomed to selecting a spot -protected from the winds, first making a fire, if occasion demanded, -and then stretching out on the ground or some pine boughs that he -collected if they were available. - -He could adjust himself to the most cramped and uncomfortable positions -and get the repose he needed, even "keeping one eye open," as the -saying is, against the dangers that might beset him in the night. -However, notwithstanding all the "discomforts" of the civilization -that surrounded him, Injun was asleep inside of five minutes, though -Whitey lay awake for a long time, the exciting events of the past -twenty-four hours running through his mind in vivid review; until, at -last everything became a jumble of caverns and Crowleys and Rosses -and cattle and scrimmages, all crazy and indistinct, fantastic and -illusory, as things always are in the borderland of dreams. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - INJUN SHIES AT PINK PYJAMAS - - -The sun was high in the heavens when Whitey awoke. The first sight -that met his eyes was Injun, clad in the pink pyjamas, parading up and -down before the mirror, and evidently much pleased and impressed with -his appearance. Whitey watched him for a time, and then bounded out -of bed, and pouring out a basin of water, scrubbed his face and hands -vigorously. Injun watched him with some curiosity, but declined to -follow his example. The water part of it was all right, but the soap he -couldn't understand. - -It must not be imagined that Injun was not cleanly; he spent -considerable time in the water, but he preferred Nature's bath-tub -rather than a tin, or a crockery one. When Whitey was half-dressed, he -was somewhat astonished to notice that Injun had not yet started. - -"Hurry up, Injun!" he cried. "Get into your clothes and let's get some -breakfast! I'm starved!" - -Injun couldn't see it at all! The pink pyjamas looked pretty good to -him, and he had decided to adopt them for every-day wear! Whitey almost -laughed himself to death. "Why, you can't wear those things around the -ranch!" he said, when he got his breath. "Those are only to sleep in!" - -Injun didn't feel that way about it at all; he could not understand -why such comfortable, loose-fitting and becoming garments were not -appropriate for all occasions. And to give emphasis to the fact that he -intended to adopt them for business purposes, he proceeded to roll up -his shirt and trousers, and put on his moccasins, and tell Whitey that -it was _he_ who should do the hurrying, as he (Injun) was dressed and -ready. - -The joke was too good a one to spoil, and so Whitey let it go at that, -chuckling to himself at the thought of the sensation Injun would create -when he appeared on the ranch. - -Both Mr. Sherwood and Bill Jordan were at breakfast when the two boys -entered, and the men burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter at the -sight of Injun. - -"Sufferin' comets!" said Bill, when he could get his breath; "look -who's here! Well, if thet ain't a hot sketch, I never seen one!" And -Bill again went off into another peal of laughter. Injun was not at -all disturbed, but proceeded to take his seat at the table with solemn -dignity, and reach out for whatever he saw before him that he felt he -would like to eat. - -"Ain't yo' got a silk hat, Mr. Sherwood?" asked Bill, as well as he -could, between fits of laughing. "Ef this here bird-o'-Paradise jes' -had a plug-hat onto him now, he'd be the belle o' the ball fer fair! Ef -them boys out t' th' corral ever gits a flash at this here galliwumpus, -I couldn't git no work out 'n 'em fer a week! They'd fall down on their -face an' die a-laffin'! An' yet, I ain't got the heart t' deny 'em a -peek at it! He's got a peacock lookin' like a dirty deuce in a clean -deck, an' 't ain't ever' day the's a ontamed hero wanderin' 'round in -pink pants, makin' his début inta sassiety, an' givin' folks a treat!" - -Mr. Sherwood, convulsed as he was, signaled to Bill to let Injun go -through with it, and Bill nodded understandingly. He tried to finish -his coffee, but another look at Injun caused him to choke and swallow -it the wrong way, so he rose hurriedly from the table and made his way -out to the corral as well as he could. - -In due course Injun and Whitey made their appearance at the corral, -and any serious attempt to describe the scene would be idle. If it -had been any one but Injun, who had more than ever endeared himself -to the boys by his performances of the day before, it is doubtful if -they would have ever let up. Injun took it all in good part, being -supremely satisfied with himself. Mr. Sherwood, however, voiced this -apprehension: "I don't know as we ought to let the boy wear those -things out on the range--how do you think some of the cattle will -regard that flaming get-up?" - -"Well," said Bill, "outside o' them pore, dumb critters being plumb -scairt t' death an' mebbe stampedin', I reckon I wouldn't worry none. -Ef yo' was thinkin' 'bout thet Injun kid, from what I've saw of him, -I figger he kin take care of hisself in 'bout any fix he's li'ble -to git inta. It's them cattle as has a worry comin' to 'em! 'Tain't -playin' square t' spring no sech chromatic outrage on them innercent -an' do-cile animals an' git 'em all het up with runnin'!" Bill grinned, -and then added, after he had thought a moment, "Mebbe it'd sort o' -discourage this here aboriginal Aztec from sportin' them sartorial -embellishments 'f I was t' git him to lead out thet little black devil -of a bull inta the corral. We prob'bly might mebbe see some o' them -torreador stunts them Greasers pulls down't Mexico City! How 'bout it?" - -Mr. Sherwood promptly put a veto on this, although there is little -doubt that Injun would have tackled the job, well knowing the danger -that it entailed. The black bull was bad enough without anything to -irritate him, but being led by an Indian in pink pyjamas was more than -any self-respecting bull could be expected to stand. - -And so it came about that Injun wore the pink pyjamas until they were -reduced to rags and were on the point of falling off of him. The -flimsy material was not calculated to stand rough usage, and a few -days sufficed. Even then it was only with the utmost difficulty that -he was induced to relinquish them. Only the offer by Mr. Sherwood to -completely outfit the boy had any effect, and Injun even hesitated -about this, because the outfit didn't conform to his idea of a color -scheme. However, once the boy got into the new clothes and looked at -himself in the mirror, he felt more satisfied. - -Bill Jordan looked him over with undisguised approbation in his face; -but he made a suggestion. "Injun," he said, as he looked at the boy's -long and shaggy head of hair, "yo' ain't aimin' t' be an understudy fer -them Absolem er Sampson persons, be yo'? Ain't yo' bin playin' hookey -from the barber's fer quite a spell? Looks like the' might be mice in -thet there mane o' yo'r'n. Why don't yo' let Pete here operate on them -hirsute hairs an' git yo' all manicur'd up proper? I reckon yo' c'd -stand it 'thout takin' gas!" - -Injun was of an accommodating nature--the kind that will try anything -once; and as the process of civilizing him had gone as far as it had, -he concluded he might as well go ahead with it; and in a few moments -Pete, the ranch barber, was at work on him. Pete was not what is known -as "a tonsorial artist"; he was just a plain barber, whose standing -as an amateur was unquestioned. His ways were somewhat primitive, -if effective, and his equipment consisted of some sheep-shears, a -pair of horse-clippers, and a willing disposition; and with this -combination, Pete generally managed to get most of the hair off, in -spite of the fact that he had no "Union card." He worked rapidly and -was careful--frequently his "customers" escaped without the loss of -anything more than their tempers, together with small pieces of hide -and an insignificant clipping from an ear, which really amounted to -nothing when their otherwise improved appearance was considered. - -The "barber-shop" was a space in the ranch-yard, out near the corral, -and consisted of a soap-box, on which the victim sat, and the welkin. -There was always an "audience," or, rather, spectators, who stood -around and made more or less facetious comments; but after witnessing -the performance, it took considerable nerve to respond to the call of -"Next!" - -Injun received sundry digs and clips, but bore them stoically, probably -deeming them a regular and usual part of the thing; and it must be -admitted that his appearance was decidedly changed--whether for the -better or not was a matter of debate, as he stood up for inspection. - -"Well," said Bill Jordan, as he looked at the boy in perplexity, -"mebbe, Pete, 'f yo' was t' use a ax yo' could git more off'n thet -nigh ear'n what yo' done. Howsumever, I reckon yo' massacreed him -sufficient as 't is! D' y' s'pose ef yo' was to take a file yo' c'd -mebbe level off some o' them humps?" - -Then Walker circled the boy, eying him critically and making pitying -noises. - -"I thought I seen some fancy hair-cuts in my time," said Walker, "but -this here's got 'em all faded! Thet kid's nut looks like it cum through -a McCormick harvester! Thet redskin's shore got a fergivin' disposition -er he'd run this here Pete person clear to Omaha--an' justifiable, too!" - -"'F I was yo', Bill," said Charley Brackett, "after I sent fer th' -amb'lance and first-aid an' some court-plaster an' bandages, I'd notufy -congress--Indians has some rights!" - -"Is that so!" said Pete. "Mebbe you guys thinks yo' c'd do a heap -better--yes? I calls thet a pretty fair job--considerin'. Lemme tell -yo' thet kid's got hair like wire, an' a pair o' pliers 'd be better 'n -shears." - -"After looking him over," said Bill, "I reckon yo' must 'a' spoke the -truth! 'T's a pity his hide ain't sheet-iron, too." - -"Well," said Pete, laughing, "I don't see where yo' all got no call t' -criticize--the kid ain't sayin' nuthin'!" - -"He can't see hisself!" said Bill; "an' mebbe yo're lucky he can't. -Them Injuns is resentful!" - -At any rate, Injun survived the ordeal, and in his new outfit, made -quite a prepossessing figure, notwithstanding the hair-cut. He was -naturally a good-looking boy, and possessed qualities of mind and -character that merited attention and development; and Mr. Sherwood -determined that, if it were possible, he would, one day, see that Injun -had some of the advantages that white boys enjoy. - -Not the least of Whitey's enjoyments was getting letters from the boys -back East--scarcely a week passed that Bobby and George and Tom did -not collaborate in a letter with plenty of news about baseball and -the other things that Whitey used to be interested in. I say "used to -be"--he really was yet, but in a secondary way. So engrossing did he -find life on the ranch, that he had, in a measure, put many of those -things behind him. He found that riding a horse and throwing a lariat -and fishing and hunting were fully as interesting as watching The -Giants and The Cubs, or trying to curve a ball away from the plate and -fool the batter. He had a feeling--and in a sense, he was right--that -the former were _men's_ doings, and that he was fitting himself to be a -man among these men about him. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - WHITEY HIS OWN BOSS - - -As the days went by Whitey found that he had "increased in wisdom and -stature" to a considerable degree. Although he had been the strongest -boy at school, he knew that, after two months or so on the ranch, -he had not only gained remarkably in strength, but in agility and -suppleness the gain had been proportionately much greater. He had -developed muscles that he did not know he possessed, and his almost -continuous life in the open air had strengthened his lungs, and had -hardened and toughened him. He did not know what "a cold" meant, now; -or, in fact, illness of any kind; and he was impervious to any sort of -weather that had, as yet, presented itself. In short, he fitted into -ranch life like "a duck's foot in the mud," as Bill Jordan expressed -it. - -"Do you think, Son, you could manage to get along without me here for a -time?" asked Mr. Sherwood, as he and Jordan and the two boys sat on the -piazza at sunset, one evening. - -"Sure, I could get along," said Whitey, "but where are you going?" - -"I find my affairs in the East need some attention and I must go back, -at least for a time. Do you want to go back with me?" - -"I do not!" said Whitey, emphatically. "I think I won't ever want to go -East again!" Bill Jordan smiled behind his hand. - -"How about seeing your mother and sisters and the boys?" asked Mr. -Sherwood. - -"I want to see them, all right; but what is the matter with bringing -them out here? You said you would, if you found things here were fit -for them, and it seems to me that they are fit for anybody! I don't see -why any one should ask for anything better than this!" - -"I might bring your mother and sisters, but I don't exactly see how I -could bring your boy friends," answered his father. - -"I don't see why," said Whitey. "They'd all like it just as much as I -do. Don't you think their fathers would let them come?" - -"Perhaps, but there are other things to be considered," said Mr. -Sherwood. "However, we'll see about it. But before I go, I want to be -assured of one thing, and that is, you two boys must promise to keep -out of mischief. Bill has enough to do without having to go and rescue -you from a peck of trouble." - -"That doesn't mean that we have to stay cooped up on the ranch all the -time, does it?" asked Whitey ruefully. - -"Considering that the ranch contains something like sixty square miles, -that ought not to be a hardship, and I wouldn't exactly call it being -'cooped up'; but if you find that you have to go off it, go ahead--only -don't get mixed up with any more rustlers and caverns; and remember, -too, that our old friend Mr. Pedro is still at large. He'll skin the -pair of you alive if he gets the chance." - -"I don't know whether he would or not," said Whitey. "I think that in a -fair fight, Injun and I could give him about all he wanted to do, and -then some!" - -"That's jest the trouble, Son," said Bill Jordan, "thet skunk don't -know nuthin' 'bout fightin' fair. He'd sneak up an' bite a baby while -it was asleep ef he could! Ef either o' you two gets yo'r lamps onto -his pizen carcass, yo' both better empty yo'r Winchesters inta him an' -then ride away fer dear life. Thet's th' only way to do 'ith him!" - -"Injun hasn't any Winchester," said Whitey, who thought he saw an -opening whereby his pal might get one--and he was right. - -"Better see if you can't find one, Bill, and let the boy have it," -said Mr. Sherwood. "I think he has shown that he can be trusted with -anything in the way of equipment that any ranch-hand uses. He is -entitled to about anything that I can give him, for he has rendered -both Whitey and me most valuable service, and I want to show him that I -appreciate it." - -"I think thet's good jedgment, Mr. Sherwood. Them two boys is a whole -team an' a dog under the wagon, to boot, but the' 's a heap safer with -two guns 'n the' is with one--now 't they knows how to handle 'em." - -And so Injun got his Winchester, one from the rack at the ranch-house -and, if possible, he was more elated over its possession than he had -been over the pink pyjamas. With his naturally keen eye, developed -as it had been by continual use of the bow and arrow, he soon became -fairly expert in its use, an almost unlimited supply of cartridges -which Bill allowed the two boys contributing to this end. - -When Mr. Sherwood left for the station to take the train East, the two -boys on their horses accompanied the wagon as outriders. The long ride -of twenty-two miles was soon made, and at last the East-bound limited -came puffing into the station. Mr. Sherwood's baggage was lifted aboard. - -"Sure you don't want to go along?" asked Mr. Sherwood of Whitey, as he -stood on the observation-platform of the rear car. - -"Certain!" answered Whitey. "I am hungry to see the folks and the boys, -but I can wait until they come out here!" - -"I'll have 'em both ridin' herd by the time yo' gets back!" said Bill -as he looked at them proudly. "Thet is," he added, grinning, "unless -this here son o' yo'r'n has got me workin' fer him, an' him in my job!" - -"Not much danger of that!" said Whitey. "I guess it'll be some time -before I can do the stunts that you seem to think are so easy." - -Finally, after the good-bys had all been said, the train pulled out, -and Mr. Sherwood waved at them from the back platform until they could -no longer distinguish him, and the train dwindled to a speck in the -distance finally disappearing altogether. And Whitey felt a thrill--the -thrill that any strong, self-reliant boy feels when he realizes that he -is, to all intents and purposes, his own master. - -"Mr. Jordan," said Whitey, one morning, as he met the latter out at the -corral, "is it all right for Injun and me to go over to Moose Lake and -camp for a few days? He knows where he can get a canoe there, and he -says the fishing is fine." - -Bill thought the matter over for a moment and then said, smiling, - -"I a heap ruther yo' 'd bring the lake over here, where I c'd keep my -eye onto you'! Besides, I don't reckon I'd git dispepsy eatin' the fish -thet yo' all 'd bring back--Moose Lake's more 'n sixty mile from here! -Why don't yo' all go set on the bank o' one o' the branches an' try -yo'r luck?" - -"I've tried that," grinned Whitey, "and either there aren't any fish -worth speaking about, or else they're educated and too foxy to bite." - -"Mebbe yo'r worm wasn't tryin' his best," said Bill, solemnly. "The's -certain kinds o' worms thet jes' nacher'ly flirts with a fish--sort o' -coaxes 'em to cum up an'----" - -"Yes, I know all about that," laughed Whitey, "but we haven't time to -send our worms to school to teach 'em to flirt. Besides flirting isn't -proper, even for a worm. The main thing is--may I go?" - -"Well, Son," said Bill, "I reckon yo're yo'r own boss now, ain't yo'?" - -"Not entirely," said Whitey. "I'm willing to listen to your advice, -anyway." - -"Good!" said Bill. "Then I guess yo' don't need none. It's them thet -won't take it thet really needs advice. 'Bout how many days yo' call 'a -few'?" - -"Four or five," said Whitey. "I think that would be long enough." - -"Goin' to take a pack-hoss with grub an' stuff--mebbe them Moose Lake -fish is eddicated, too? A growin' boy's liable t' git up condider'ble -appetite ef he has t' go 'thout eatin' fer four five days! Ef yo' say -so, I'll pack up a tin o' biscuit an' mebbe a can o' beans, in case yo' -all gits tired of a fish diet." - -"That will be fine," said Whitey, "tho', maybe, you better make it two -cans of each," he added, laughing. "You know I have quite an appetite -at any time--I don't have to fast for four or five days to get one up!" - -"So I've noticed," said Bill. "An' now thet yo' 'lowed as how yo' 'd -take advice, I'm goin' to hand out some. Don' yo' two get separated -too fur in thet there wilderness, an' don't go messin' 'round with no -grizzlies er painters--the's both bad animals! I don't reckon yo'll see -none, fer the's pretty well cleaned out; but, ef yo' see a grizzly, -an' he don't see you, jes' nacherly put all the distance between you -an' him thet yo' kin. An' ef he does see yo', jes' drop whatever yo're -doin' an' climb a tree--don't waste no time a tall; an don't come down -fer an hour after he's left; they ain't always gone when they _seem_ to -be! As fur 's other things go, Injun knows 'nuff to pilot yo' through -all right." - -"I'll remember," said Whitey, "and I'll promise you that I won't take -any unnecessary chances." - -"Good," said Bill. "I'll have thet pack-hoss ready with them two cans -o' beans onto him whenever yo're ready to start. An' say, listen--don't -fergit to bring home somethin'!" - -Whitey promised that he would, and turned away to tell the good news to -Injun, who had just ridden into the ranch-yard. - -The boys decided that they would start as soon as the necessary -preparations could be made, and camp on the way for the night. This -would bring them to Moose Lake late in the afternoon of the following -day; and within an hour after his talk with Bill the boys rode out of -the ranch-yard, their Winchesters slung across their shoulders, and -leading a pack-horse that was piled high with what Bill called "a tin -o' biscuit an' a coupla cans o' beans," and were headed toward the -mountains that looked so near, and yet didn't seem to get any nearer as -the boys put mile after mile behind them. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - MOOSE LAKE - - -Nothing of any importance happened on the ride during the afternoon, -and the boys determined to get as far as possible that day so as to -arrive at the lake while it would be daylight on the day following. -The darkness had settled down before they pitched camp near one of the -numerous branches in a hollow that sheltered them from the wind. The -work of building a fire was attended to by Injun, while Whitey opened -the pack that contained the "biscuit and beans." It was not long before -they sat by the glowing fire and watched the tempting slices of bacon -as they frizzled in the pan, and sniffed the fragrant coffee. After a -hearty supper the boys lost little time in rolling themselves in their -blankets, and were soon in the land of dreams. - -It is doubtful if a man ever sleeps so well, or if sleep ever does him -so much good as when he takes it out in the open and upon the ground. -He seems to imbibe or absorb some of the life-giving elements in that -way, which refresh and restore the tissues far more than a sleep in any -other bed would. - -The two boys were awake, had breakfasted, and were on their way, almost -at sun-up the following morning. As the day advanced, the gradual rise -in the ground became more perceptible, and the mountains began to -come nearer. The trees and shrubs became thicker and the ground more -rocky and uneven; and long before dusk began to settle down they found -themselves on the shores of Moose Lake, and well into the foot-hills of -the Rockies. - -Moose Lake was a considerable body of water, being perhaps nine or ten -miles in length, though its greatest breadth was not more than a mile -and a half. Its shores were rocky and heavily wooded; in some places -they rose high and precipitous from the water's edge, while at other -points they sloped gradually down in sandy beaches. The water was -clear and very cold and in many places the bottom was visible at a -depth of twenty feet or more. - -Injun led the way around the southern end of the lake and toward the -West, for a couple of miles, though the horses found the going very -rough and they were obliged to pick their way carefully among the -stones that lay in masses upon the steep slope of the mountain. After -a time a small glade lay before them, and at one end of it was a -cabin that evidently was deserted, but in sufficiently good condition -to allow it to be inhabited, and to furnish some protection against -the weather and wild animals. Here the boys proceeded to establish -themselves, and after unpacking their belongings, they bestowed them in -proper and convenient places about the cabin. - -At the sides of the cabin were two sleeping-bunks--little else than -narrow shelves; but the boys, taking their hatchets, went out into the -thick growth of pine, and soon returned with armfuls of fragrant boughs -which they placed in the bunks to a depth of two feet, and made them -comfortable. Soon a fire was blazing on the primitive stone hearth, and -the water boiling in the camp-kettle suspended above it. The horses -were tethered so that they might graze freely, and everything made -ship-shape for the night, though there was an hour or more of daylight -remaining. - -"There!" said Whitey, with a look of satisfaction, "this may not be -quite so up-to-date as the ranch-house, but I'd rather be here than -there." - -Injun nodded and grinned his assent to this, but by the way he kept -moving, showed that he was not yet through. - -"Him get fish plenty supper," he said, as he got out some of the -tackle that Whitey had brought. Whitey needed no urging, and fitted -his jointed rod together and got out his book of flies. These Injun -regarded curiously; he had no intention of fishing himself--that wasn't -the way he fished--but he wanted to see how the thing worked. - -At the lake, the boys went along the edge, Injun showing the way -until, evidently locating a mark, he stopped and scrambled down to some -rocks that were over-grown with brush. Making his way into this, he -lifted out a canoe and two paddles, much to the delight of Whitey; and -a moment after, under the skillful strokes of Injun's paddle, they were -gliding over the glassy bosom of the waters, with scarcely a sound or a -ripple. - -Whitey, sitting in the bow of the canoe, put a leader and fly on his -line and made ready to cast; but Injun shook his head. He steered -softly near to where a huge tree bent over the lake, and stopped the -canoe, and Whitey cast the line so that the fly struck the water some -thirty feet away. - -Almost at the instant that the fly hit the water, it was snatched -under, and Whitey felt a tug at his line and started to play the fish. -He had learned something of the art when he had been in the Adirondacks -with his father, but he was not quite prepared for any such fight as -this fish put up. It darted this way and that, at times leaping out of -the water and shaking the hook like a dog shakes a rat. But finally, -all his fight availed the fish nothing; for he lay in the bottom of the -canoe, still making a few weak flops, but conquered. Injun took a piece -of string, and tying a stick to one end, he ran the other through the -gills of the fish and let him trail in the water in the wake of the -canoe. - -This whole performance was repeated many times, and although it was -not always successful, two or three of the fish managing to get away, -when Injun turned the bow of the canoe back toward the cabin, they had -enough lake-trout to satisfy the most voracious appetite. Injun stowed -away the canoe in its hiding-place, and both the boys threw off their -clothes and plunged into the water to wash. - -Injun cleaned the fish, and rolling them in some corn-meal that Bill -Jordan had placed in the kit for just this purpose, they were soon -frying over the fire. - -"Delmonico's chef has nothing on you, Injun," said Whitey, as well as -he could with his mouth full of trout; "you can't get fish like this -in any hotel that I ever was in! It was worth coming sixty miles to get -them!" - -Injun didn't know who or what "Delmonico's chef" was, but he knew that -Whitey intended to be complimentary, and grinning, let it go at that. - -For a long time, after supper, the two boys sat before the fire in -the cabin, listening to the night sounds and planning what they would -do on the morrow. But, at last, Whitey began to yawn--nobody thinks -of keeping late hours when camping in the mountains--and after the -door had been barred, the boys tumbled into their beds of pine boughs -and were asleep in less time than it takes to tell it, lulled by the -occasional hoot of an owl or the far-away voice of a lonesome coyote. - -Injun was awakened in the night by a sniffing at the door, and he heard -a slight commotion among the horses. He reached for his Winchester and -softly opened the door to reconnoiter. But whatever the animal was, -he had made off; probably not liking the human scent; and though the -red boy kept vigil for a time, nothing occurred to disturb the quiet -again, and he went back to his bed of pine boughs. Whitey slept through -it all; so soundly, in fact, that a regiment of soldiers might have -marched across the floor and he would not have wakened. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - THE ISLAND IN MOOSE LAKE - - -The fact that their evening meal had consisted largely of trout did not -deter the boys from having the same kind of a breakfast, especially as -the "breakfast" was even then swimming in the lake and just asking to -be caught and eaten. - -So, after a dip in the cool water, Injun again took the canoe from its -hiding-place and sent it out into the lake in the light of the early -morning. In a few moments, Whitey had a fine string of trout trailing -from the boat, and decided that one more would be sufficient. The "one -more," however, proved to be a Tartar, and such was the fight that he -put up that, in the excitement, the canoe was over-turned and both -boys were dumped into the water. This made no particular difference -to them, and they were inclined to regard the matter as a joke, until -suddenly Injun said, "Where him rifle?" Whitey remembered that the -rifle had been in the canoe, and must now be posing at the bottom of -the lake! Indeed, so clear was the water, that it could be seen resting -on the bottom, some twenty-five feet below. - -"That's a pretty good dive," said Whitey, "more than twenty feet, I -should say, though it looks much less. Do you think we can make it?" - -Injun's answer was to duck under the water and force himself down with -powerful strokes; but although he went down a long way, he could not -come within many feet of it. Every motion that he made could be clearly -seen, and Whitey watched him with considerable anxiety. At last he was -forced to return to the surface. Then Whitey went down, but he fared -no better; and after two or three more attempts, the boys came to the -conclusion that it would be impossible to recover the rifle in that -way. - -"I have a scheme!" said Whitey. "We'll mark the spot carefully, then -swim ashore with the boat, right it and come back and fish for it with -a hook and line." - -This sounded all right in theory, but although they "fished" for more -than half an hour, they did nothing more than move the rifle, as it -seemed impossible to get it hooked securely. It looked pretty dubious, -and the boys relaxed their efforts for a time and sat in the canoe -thinking. - -"I've read somewhere of a trick the pearl-divers have," said Whitey, -"and it is at least worth trying. Paddle back to the shore, Injun." - -Injun sent the canoe to the rocky shore with a few strokes of his -paddle, and Whitey landed. He selected a large, heavy stone and placed -it in the canoe, and Injun paddled back over the gun. Whitey let -himself over the side of the canoe and Injun handed him the stone. -Whitey took a long breath, and holding the stone in his arms, went -straight down to the gun. Seizing it, he let go his hold of the stone, -and rose rapidly to the top, but heard a terrific ringing in his ears, -and his heart beating like a trip-hammer. His chest seemed caving in -and he was completely exhausted and hardly able to hang onto the canoe. -Injun took the rifle, and paddled back to the shore; and for several -minutes, Whitey lay upon the bank until he had recovered his breath. -Injun saw that he was coming around all right, and then he carefully -wiped and cleaned the rifle. - -"Pearl-diving may be all right, for those that like it; but I never saw -a pearl I'd go down that far after!" said Whitey, as he rose to his -feet, a little unsteady at first, and made his way to the cabin. - -Injun cooked the breakfast, and Whitey was as good as ever, under the -influence of trout, bacon, and coffee, and eager to carry out the plans -they had made for the day. - -There was a large island at the other end of the lake that Injun said -abounded in berries and various water-fowl; and as either of these -would make a welcome addition to the menu, besides gratifying a taste -for exploration, the boys determined to visit it. - -Whitey tried his hand at paddling; and, under Injun's tutelage, he -quickly got "the hang of it"--at least, so that he could keep the canoe -in a fairly straight line. But to be able to send it swiftly through -the water without a sound and scarcely a ripple, requires long practice. - -After paddling for a couple of miles, it was evident, however, that it -would take about all day for them to arrive at the island, if Whitey -continued to furnish the motive power, and laughingly suggested that -he was perfectly willing to let Injun do the paddling and suggested -that they change seats. He rose in the canoe to effect this, but Injun -vetoed this emphatically. He reached for the paddle, which Whitey -handed to him, and Injun simply turned the canoe around, and thus sat -in the stern, the canoe being shaped similarly at both ends. Whitey -smiled: "There are more ways than one of skinning a cat!" he remarked, -chagrined at having failed to notice such a simple and evident thing. - -"I guess, Injun," he said, "I'm a good deal like the man who cut two -holes in the barn door--a big one for the big cat, and a little one for -the little cat! He and I would make a good team of managers!" - -Under the powerful and skillful strokes of Injun's paddle--Whitey took -the other paddle and tried to help, but finally put it away as he felt -that he wasn't of a great deal of assistance--the canoe soon scraped -on the gravelly beach of the island. Injun lifted the canoe out of the -water and placed it high and dry on the bank; and, taking their rifles, -the boys struck out into the dense woods that covered the island. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - THE MAN ON THE ISLAND - - -All that Injun had said or intimated about the island was more than -justified by the actuality. It rose to a peak at the center, but was -filled with gorges and small canyons, and there were two or three -little streams that splashed and rippled their way down to the lake. -There were no trails, and had Whitey been alone, he would have found -great difficulty in retracing his steps to the point where they had -landed, except by making his way to the lake and following the edge -until he came to the spot. - -For several hours they rambled over the island, ate their fill of -the luscious wild blueberries that grew in profusion, but failed to -bring down any of the wild ducks that swam about the bays and inlets, -although they fired at them several times. - -As they skirted the northern end of the island, high up on the rocky -and precipitous bank, they came upon a cabin. Whitey was for advancing -at once and investigating it, but Injun held him back--it was part of -Injun's policy never to rush blindly into a strange situation, and -never to take anything for granted. From the thick underbrush that -concealed them, Injun examined the place carefully for at least five -minutes before he ventured to come cautiously out of cover and approach -the cabin. Even then, he advanced with great caution and without making -a sound. - -It may seem that in exercising such extreme caution, Injun was, -perhaps, over-doing it; but as a matter of fact, the boy was right. -It will be remembered that he was a wild thing, and brought up in the -wilds, where a good deal depends upon caution and vigilance. It is the -way of wild animals, except possibly those which fear nothing, or those -that are notably stupid, to ponder a strange situation very carefully -before rushing into it. - -Many of them will assure themselves of a way to get out as well as to -get in; and if the matter is at all mysterious and not understandable, -will avoid it altogether unless driven by extreme hunger. Wild men -and wild animals are suspicious of everything--a strange noise, a -strange scent, or a strange circumstance, in the wilderness calls for -investigation. Frequently, this extreme caution is the price of life, -either to man or to beast, and both know this and proceed accordingly. - -A very slight thing had aroused Injun's suspicion. Whitey had not -noticed it, at all. Before the door of the cabin were two or three -small, freshly-cut chips. Freshly-cut chips indicated recent human -presence beyond any doubt. It would be better to know who the human was -and whether he was at home before making their own presence known. The -island was not a place for tourists, being far off the track that such -people usually take; nor was the person, whoever he might turn out to -be, a permanent resident. Injun had been over the island many times in -the past spring and for two or three years before, and was thoroughly -familiar with it; in fact, he had occupied the cabin on the occasion of -his last visit. He remembered exactly how he had left the place, and -could see, very plainly, that some one had succeeded him. He remembered -that he had left the door open, but it was now closed--animals or winds -seldom _close_ doors, especially doors that are hung on leather hinges -and have to be pushed along the floor. - -Injun circled the cabin, leaving Whitey still concealed in the -underbrush. At one point, Injun saw that fire-wood had been recently -gathered and there were foot-prints in the damp earth made by -high-heeled boots. This was proof positive--if any further proof was -needed than that which Injun already had. He glided noiselessly to the -wall of the cabin at the rear, and peeked through the chinks in the -wall. He could see that there was no one in the cabin, and he came -around to the side where Whitey was. He called to him, and both boys -entered. - -There had been a fire upon the hearth a few hours before, and the -sleeping bunk was filled with fir boughs. Nothing in the cabin -indicated the identity of the occupant, however, and he seemed to have -no extra clothes or the usual conveniences that a camper would be -likely to bring. - -"What's all this about?" asked Whitey, smiling rather tolerantly. "I -don't see anything so mysterious in finding that a man has been here. -Why shouldn't anybody come that wants to? We don't own the island!" - -Injun shrugged his shoulders, and kept his own counsel; but it was very -plain that he was not satisfied with things. He didn't like being on -the island with a strange man, and not know who the man was. He was -"from Missouri," so to speak. - -They left the cabin, Injun being careful to disturb nothing, and to -close the door; and took pains to leave no mark of their visit. - -The boys skirted the western side of the island on their way back, and -Injun set a rather fast pace. He was careful, too, to move with as -little noise as possible and to avoid leaving more of a trail than was -necessary. Those things are simply second-nature to an Indian when he -is in any doubt about his environment. - -At length, the boys arrived at the lake at the point where they had -left the canoe. They made their way cautiously through the thick brush, -but as they reached the water's edge, they could see that the canoe was -gone! A hurried but thorough search, failed to reveal it. The boys were -alone on the island, with a man who, perhaps, was not their friend! - -"Well, what do you know about that?" said Whitey, in dismay. "It must -be the man who lives in the cabin who has taken our canoe!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - A DANGEROUS SITUATION - - -It was a little more than half a mile to the mainland, although the -boys had left their horses at the camp some distance further up the -shore, and twilight was closing in fast, leaving little time for -deliberation. Whitey put it up to Injun: "What shall we do--stay here -or swim for it? It seems to me we better go back to the cabin at the -other end of the lake and make this fellow give up what he has taken," -said Whitey, tentatively. - -Injun shook his head. "Him gone," he said, positively. "Him -cow-puncher," he added, pointing to the heel-marks on the beach. The -marks had undoubtedly been made by boots such as cow-men wear; no -woodsman would ever think of wearing such things in the forest. - -"Well," said Whitey, "I guess that means we got to swim! I'm with -you whatever you decide." This would have been a most difficult and -hazardous undertaking, encumbered as they were by rifles and clothes, -and handicapped by the darkness. - -Motioning Whitey to follow him, Injun started along the water's edge -and collected several small logs, most of them half rotted and stripped -of their branches, and which, by their combined strength the two boys -were able to move. Then Injun went back into the woods and returned -with an armful of tough, pliant vines and bound the logs together in -the form of a rude raft. It was no easy job, and by the time the raft -was completed, it was pitch dark. - -"Not much of a boat," said Whitey, "but it beats swimming in the cold -water all hollow!" - -A couple of sticks, to which Injun bound some leafy branches, served as -paddles, and the boys prepared to start. - -One trial sufficed to demonstrate that the raft would not carry both -boys, and Injun quickly divested himself of his clothes and rolled -them into a bundle and handed them together with his rifle to Whitey, -who was having his own troubles trying to keep afloat. - -"Here," said Whitey, "I don't know why you should do all the hard work! -Maybe we both better swim back of the raft and put our clothes and -rifles on it?" - -Injun shook his head, and gently pushed the raft with Whitey on it into -deeper water. Whitey found some difficulty in using the paddle, as the -slightest tip sent the logs awash; but after a few moments, he got the -hang of it, and progress became easier, though by no means very rapid. - -"Say, Injun," said Whitey, after they had proceeded for some distance, -"you're headed in the wrong direction! We left the horses up that -way--toward the end of the lake. You're going to land way below." - -Injun nodded, as though he knew what he was doing, and made no change -in his course. This he laid by the silhouette of the trees on the -mainland, as the night was almost pitch dark, and only the faint -lighter tint of the sky was visible above the line of their tops. -The ever-cautious Injun seldom believed in going straight to his -objective, but preferred to come to it in a somewhat roundabout way, -and therefore, an unexpected way. If the enemy expects that you will -approach him from the south, and you actually come from the north, you -have just that much advantage. It is he who will be surprised, not you. - -Suddenly Injun stopped swimming and listened; but before he could give -a warning signal, a dark object ranged alongside of the raft, and a -light from a quickly uncovered lantern flashed in Whitey's face, and -the boy looked down the muzzle of a Colt forty-five less than six feet -away. - -"Poot up ze han's!" said a menacing voice, and Whitey complied without -any objection, though in doing so, the raft tilted alarmingly and -the water swept over it, first this way and then the other; and that -discomfiture might be complete, both the rifles and Injun's clothes -slid from the raft and settled into the depths below! Fortunately, the -clothes and the two rifles were at one side and a little behind Whitey -on the raft, and not in the range of Pedro's vision. If he had seen -them he would have known that he had to deal with two boys instead of -one. But Pedro did see the raft tilt, and he realized that Whitey was -helpless. - -A mocking laugh came from the canoe, and the voice continued: "Ah, zis -ees too much lucky! Again I meet my yo'ng frien' what geeve me such -keeck in ze belly an' rap on my haid wiz steek at ze Croix an' Cercl'! -I haf' not forget--no, no! How yo' lik' tak' nize bath wiz ze feesh in -lak'? Huh?" Straining his eyes and peering into the darkness back of -the lantern, Whitey saw the grinning face of Pedro. - -Whitey did some rapid thinking. It was evident that Pedro believed him -to be alone, as the latter kept his eyes on him and did not seek to -find his companion. Pedro had evidently found the canoe where Injun -had drawn it up on the bank and for some reason had gone back to his -cabin before starting for the mainland. The southern end of the lake -was somewhat bare of tall timber, and it was probable that Pedro's -attention had been attracted by the splashing of Whitey's improvised -paddle, and had been able to make out his figure against the lighter -background of the sky. At any rate, no matter how Pedro had discovered -the raft, the fact remained that he _had_ discovered it, and now had -both boys in a most precarious situation. - -Whitey's only hope lay in the probable overlooking of Injun, and he -felt that this circumstance might, in some way, turn the tables in -their favor, provided Pedro did not make an end of him immediately. -There was no doubt in Whitey's mind that Pedro meant, eventually to -kill him, but seemed to be in no hurry, preferring to taunt the boy -and to gloat over his apprehension, and thus make his revenge as -frightful as possible. He calculated his chances of throwing himself -from the raft, but knew that Pedro would fire before he could possibly -accomplish this. Nor could he make a jump at the menacing muzzle of the -revolver, for the raft afforded a most unstable and slippery take-off -for a leap of any kind. - -All these things ran through Whitey's mind with lightning rapidity, -and the boy came to the determination that the best thing he could do, -under all the circumstances, was to sit still and await developments. -He dared not look around for Injun, feeling that it might indicate to -the desperado the presence of a third party; and this would be fatal; -for Pedro would immediately finish him to reduce the odds against him. -He also felt that any parley might either throw Pedro off his guard and -give Injun time to act. - -"Hello, Pedro!" said Whitey, summoning all his self-control, and -grinning pleasantly; "I don't think I need any bath to-night, with the -fish! I had one this morning!" - -"Yo' go 'n haf nize, long bath, jes' ze sam'! Yo' go'n' mak' nize -dinner fo' ze feeshes--whan Pedro get fro' wiz yo'! Yo' haf planty fun -wiz Pedro, one time! Now Pedro's turn haf planty fun wiz yo'! Feeshes -haf planty fun, too! Yes! Yo' fodder come hunt an' don't nevaire fin' -yo' someplace nowhere! Zen mebbe Pedro get heem, too! Mebbe Mistaire -Beeg Beel Jordan--Pedro get heem, too! By gar! An' yo' nize, leetle -frien' Injun-boy--Pedro cut heem een leetle pieces--mebbe cook heem an' -roas' heem by fire! How yo' lik', huh?" - -"What'll they all be doing when you are pulling this off?" asked -Whitey, grinning, in respite of his desperate situation. - -"Nev' min'--zey do sam' lik' yo' go'n' do! Yo' lik' say yo' prayer? -Le's hear yo' say yo' prayer, 'fore yo' go down see feeshes!" taunted -Pedro. "Mebbe yo' lik' sen' som' message far'well to yo' fodder?" - -Whitey made no answer, but he kept up considerable thinking. There -did not seem to be any opportunity for him to make a move with the -slightest chance of success, and the horror of the thing was beginning -to get on his nerves. Whitey was a very brave boy, but it would try -any one's courage to face this sort of a situation. Pedro saw that his -taunts and frightful threats were having some effect, and he started -to apply himself to the torture with glee. - -"Ah Haaah!" he gloated, with a savage leer. "Mebbe yo' lik'----" - -Whatever it was that Pedro thought Whitey would like will never be -known, for a most surprising thing happened; probably more surprising -to Mr. Pedro than even to Whitey. His canoe gave a sudden and violent -turn, and Pedro, who was crouched in the bow in a half standing -position, holding the lantern in front of him with one hand, and the -revolver in the other, was pitched head-over-heels into the water, but -not before the pistol had been discharged. The bullet went wide, and -probably the firing of the revolver was involuntary and caused by the -sudden upsetting of the man when he had his finger on the trigger. - -"Good old Injun!" yelled Whitey, exultantly, and he leaped from the -raft at the spot where Pedro had gone down. - -The keen sense of hearing that Injun possessed had warned him of the -approach of the canoe in the darkness, but before he had a chance to -warn Whitey or to take any measures himself, the canoe was upon them; -and Injun loosed his hold of the raft and sank silently beneath the -surface of the water and swam a short distance away before coming to -the top toward the stern of the canoe. He kept his eyes and ears above -the surface by treading water, and heard the conversation; and aided -by the fact that Pedro prolonged it for the purpose of torturing his -victim, he was able to form his plan. - -Sinking again below the water, he swam to the left side of the canoe, -and at the moment he believed Pedro to be in the most unfavorable -position and off his guard, he clutched the side of the canoe and gave -it a violent tug. It is not much of a trick to upset a canoe--Whitey -always claimed that he had to part his hair in the middle to keep one -balanced--and the yank that Injun gave the canoe would have upset a -good sized yawl. - -Pedro, taken entirely unawares, let go of the lantern and revolver, -and both went to the bottom. He was a most indifferent swimmer, and -instead of swimming under water and trying to avoid the two boys, he -strove to come to the top as quickly as he could and get rid of a large -portion of the lake that he had involuntarily swallowed. But in this -he was not altogether successful. The moment he had gone over-board, -Injun had gone under after him, and Whitey's leap had landed the boy -directly on top of him just as he got his head partially out of the -water and before he had time to take a breath, and under he went, -spluttering and gasping and in a panic. Against two such swimmers as -Injun and Whitey, the man did not have a Chinaman's chance. Injun had -him by the legs, and Whitey had his arms about his neck, with a grip on -his wind-pipe; and the more he struggled and struck and kicked at the -boys, the more exhausted he became and the weaker was his resistance. -It is probable that he would have been glad to surrender, but was in no -position to say so. And it is doubtful if the boys would have listened -to any proposition in regard to an "armistice." They had him, and they -knew it! If anybody was going to furnish a "nize, leetle dinner for ze -feeshes," it would be Pedro! - -Soon, his struggles grew weaker and weaker, and, finally, relaxed -altogether; and it was a pretty thoroughly drowned Pedro that they held -up in the water at last. - -"See if you can find the canoe and the raft," said Whitey, when he had -got his breath. "I'll hold him up while you get them." - -"Whaffor?" asked Injun. "You swim, me swim, him swim! Him feed feeshes!" - -"Nothing doing!" said Whitey. "This is too good a chance--we'll bring -him back to the ranch!" - -Whitey was "the boss," as Injun had declared long ago; and Injun swam -about in widening circles until he came upon the raft. The canoe had -either sunk or had drifted away. - -Injun pushed the raft back to where Whitey held the unconscious man up -and between them, they managed to slide him onto it, although it was -considerable of a job, handicapped as they were by the darkness. But, -at last, it was accomplished, and although Pedro was plainly "all in," -Whitey took the precaution of tieing his hands with a belt which the -man wore. - -The weight of the fellow made the frail raft more unstable and -"unseaworthy" than ever, and it required a good deal of management to -keep him on it. - -"Look out!" said Whitey, as the raft tilted at a dangerous angle, "he's -sliding off!" And by a desperate effort, Whitey righted the logs and -kept Pedro on it. - -"Me should worry!" said Injun, who was becoming educated. In fact, -the whole proceeding was entirely foreign to Injun's ideas of how to -treat an enemy, and if it had been left to him, he would have tied -a rock around Pedro's neck to insure that he went straight down to -"Davey Jones' Locker." Injun could not see any reason for taking so -much trouble to save the life of a man who would inevitably be hung or -lynched. And, for the matter of that, other people than Injun have had -the same feeling! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - A PENITENT PRISONER - - -By the time the raft grated on the pebbles of the mainland the moon had -begun to show over the horizon, and its light dissipated some of the -difficulties that confronted the boys in their undertaking. They rolled -Pedro onto the beach with difficulty, and sat down beside him for a -moment to rest. - -The prisoner began to show some signs of coming to, and Injun was -for taking a huge rock and preventing any return to consciousness by -banging the man on the head with it. Whitey prevented this, however; -but he assured himself that Pedro was securely tied. By means of some -tough, but pliable vines that Injun got from the brush near at hand, he -not only bound Pedro's hands behind his back, but hobbled him so that -he could take a step of not more than a foot in length. In addition to -this, he put a slip-noose about the man's neck with a long leash; and -having Pedro thus trussed up, he awaited his returning consciousness -with some interest. - -The outlaw took several short, gasping breaths, each longer than the -other, and at last, his eye-lids trembled and then opened, and he -looked at the two boys beside him. It took him a moment to realize his -situation. When he did, it was evident that he did not enjoy it, and he -looked malevolently at the boys. Injun brandished a huge club that he -picked up nearby. - -"Had a 'nize, leetle' nap, didn't you, Pedro!" said Whitey, imitating -Pedro's taunting tone. "That dinner for 'ze feeshes' had to be -postponed, didn't it! Now, maybe you'd like to say a few prayers? How -about it?" - -Pedro decided upon other tactics: "Pedro jus' play jok' on nize, leetle -boys! Pedro not hurt nize boys!" - -"I know blame well you won't," said Whitey, "for the simple reason -that you can't! You're going to be 'ver' nize' from now on! Nice and -gentle! Come on," he said, rising, "you are due for a nice long walk -back to the ranch--it's only sixty miles and there's a hearty welcome -waiting for you there--your old friend Bill Jordan will be mighty glad -to see you!" - -Pedro studied Whitey's face with his black, evil eyes. "Sure!" he said, -"I go--be ver' nize! Yo' ontie Pedro's foots so he walk!" - -"Sure!" said Whitey, "I'm full of those tricks! I'll untie your -feet--when we get to the ranch! Get a move on!" - -Pedro rose to his feet and started off as well as the hobble would let -him, but made rather a poor job of walking over the rough ground in the -semi-darkness. He made another appeal to have the hobble removed, but -he abandoned any further effort in that direction when Whitey said, -"Injun, if he turns around again or makes any bluff at falling down or -not being able to walk, you just belt him one over the head with that -club and see if it doesn't help him to walk better!" - -"Me soak 'em!" said Injun, eagerly, and he gripped the club; he -evidently didn't see the use of waiting until Pedro did any of these -forbidden things, but was willing to hit him now and let him disobey -the rules afterward. - -"'Twon't do to muss him up too much," protested Whitey. "The boys at -the ranch will want to hang a whole man, not a half of one; and if you -ever land on him with that club, we'll have to bury him right here!" - -Injun indicated that such a proceeding wouldn't be any trouble at all -to him, but Whitey said it would take too long as they didn't have a -spade! What Pedro thought about it is not recorded. - -After a considerable time and in spite of numberless -difficulties--Injun, being without any clothes whatever, suffered -somewhat from the briars and rough vines and branches--the strange -procession arrived at the glade where the horses had been left, and -found that the animals were still there. And while it would have done -Pedro good to have been compelled to walk back to the Bar O ranch, yet -Whitey figured that it would delay them unnecessarily, and, therefore, -he decided to tie the gentleman on the pack-horse. To do this, it would -be necessary to untie the hobbles that limited Pedro's leg-action, and -the vine was accordingly cut, releasing his legs, while Injun stood -over him with the club, ready to "soak 'em" at the first move. Whitey -looked at the gleaming bronze skin of Injun and asked, "Aren't you -cold, Injun?" Injun disclaimed any such feeling contemptuously. - -"I thought," said Whitey, "that as long as we had his legs untied, you -might want a pair of pants?" - -Injun experienced a startling reversal of form: "Ugh! Injun heap -cold!" he said with a tremendous show of shivering. And accordingly -the transfer was made, although Pedro put up an awful fuss, which was -entirely futile. True, the trousers were not a perfect fit, and they -were very wet and soggy; but they were a pair of trousers, and Injun -was not particular. - -After drawing them on, he proceeded to investigate the pockets, and -took therefrom a very sizable roll of bills and several water-soaked -documents. There was not sufficient time or light to investigate the -character of the documents, but from the way Pedro took on, they were -evidently of some importance. He wheedled and whined and pleaded and -then cursed and threatened, but all that only confirmed the boys in -their determination to keep the stuff. - -Under the persuasion of Injun's club, Pedro was soon seated on the -pack-horse, his legs bound very tight beneath the horse's belly and the -cavalcade started on their sixty-mile trip. - -[Illustration: The cavalcade started on its sixty-mile trip] - -The moon had risen and shed a full, silver flood over the woods and -the prairie, and it was almost as light as day. It is said that -moonlight will make almost anything look romantic; but it is hard to -believe that Pedro, clad in a wet, bedraggled coat and red flannel -underwear, and with a leash around his neck and his hands tied behind -his back, could have inspired anything but laughter in anybody. He -was "mad clear through" and his language was distinctly not fit for -publication--he had abandoned all efforts to wheedle by this time, -having discovered that he was not dealing with children, as he had at -one time supposed--and he proceeded to exhaust a very comprehensive -vocabulary of profanity in what sounded like six different languages. -Whitey stood it for some time, and then he said, "Now look here, Pedro, -if you say another word before sunrise, I'm going to put a gag into -that foul mouth of your's that'll keep you quiet. I wouldn't let even -these horses hear such talk! You told me to say my prayers, and now, I -think, under the circumstances, you better follow your own advice!" - -And thus admonished, in addition to the fact that Whitey drew the -slip-noose a trifle tighter around Pedro's Adam's apple, that gentleman -proceeded to subside. - -It would be idle to follow the incidents of the long ride to the Bar O -ranch--in fact, there was no incident worth noting. Pedro made several -efforts to talk himself out of his plight, and once, he tried to get -his hands out of the bonds that held them and almost succeeded. But -what good it would have done if he had succeeded, is not plain. The -boys had a sharp eye on him at all times, and his legs were firmly -bound beneath the horse. Besides, Injun was right on hand and ready -with the club, which would have had a very salutary effect on anybody. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - BRINGING HOME THE CAPTIVE - - -Late in the afternoon, Bill Jordan and many of the cow-punchers stood -near the corral of the Bar O, watching Walker break one of the green -horses. Walker was having a more than ordinarily hard time with the -animal, which evinced an extraordinary viciousness. No one saw the -cavalcade until they were within the confines of the yard. - -"Sufferin' Jehosaphat!" said Basset, "will yo'all give a look at what's -here?" - -In two seconds, Walker and the horse performed without any spectators, -and the entire crowd made a rush for the trio. No one recognized Pedro -at first, one reason being that he had further misbehaved himself in -his use of lurid language, and he had been effectually gagged, and the -effect of the red flannel underwear was somewhat startling. - -Injun, too, presented a slightly ultra effect in Pedro's trousers -which hung down and completely concealed his feet, and gave him the -appearance of a boy with the legs of a very tall man; and the huge club -that he brandished threateningly at the dejected looking Pedro added -to the picturesqueness of the get-up. The entire party were worn out -and travel-stained, and presented a most "shot-to-pieces" aspect. But -notwithstanding his condition, Whitey was jubilant. - -As they drew near the group of cow-men, Whitey shouted: "You told us to -bring back _something_, and I guess we did!" - -Bill Jordan drew nearer, eyeing the group intently and convulsed with -laughter at their appearance. - -"I reckon yo' shore did," said Bill, who was plainly puzzled, "but what -is it?" - -"I don't believe you need any introduction to the gentleman," said -Whitey, "but if you do, I'll present you to him. He didn't want to -come, but Injun and I persuaded him to accept an invitation to spend -some time with us. Mr. Jordan and gentlemen of the Bar O, allow me -to present Mr. Pedro! He would like to shake hands with you all, but -circumstances prevent!" - -And with this, Whitey removed the handkerchief that acted as a gag and -obscured the lower part of the prisoner's face. - -A howl went up from Bill and the ranch men that must have scared the -cattle out on the range, and they crowded around the unhappy Pedro to -assure themselves that it was really he. Bill Jordan could scarcely -believe his eyes; he grabbed the pack-horse by the bridle and turned -him around several times, and viewed the dejected Pedro from all -angles; then he fixed his eyes on the outlaw and the latter quailed -under the glance. - -"I shore am plumb devastated with six kinds o' delight to meet yo', -Mister! An' I don't doubt none thet th' gen'lemen here'll over-look th' -onconventionality o' yo'r makin' yo'r début inta sassiety 'thout th' -formality of havin' no pants on to speak of. 'Tain't usual--not in no -drawin' rooms what I frequents, it ain't--but the' 's a 'Welcome' onto -the mat o' this here dump fer yo', pants er no pants!" - -"What kind of a galliwumpus er ring-tail giasticutus hev' we here?" -said Walker, who had "finished" the broncho, and had come to join the -group around the boys and Pedro. "Er is it jes' somethin' the cat -brought in?" - -"Give it another slant an' yo' won't need no interduction," said Bill, -as he pushed Walker nearer to the unfortunate Pedro. Walker started as -he looked keenly at the man's face. - -"Well, I'll be tee-totally jim-swizzled!" shouted Walker. "Dog-gone -ef it ain't our ol' frien' Pedro! Why, Pedro, ain't yo' 'shamed to be -gallivantin' 'round all ondressed up, like yo' be? But, never mind, -Ol' Top! We all is goin' to pervide yo' with a nice wooden over-coat -thet'll cover up them red-flannel laigs o' yo'r'n so 't they don't flag -the Overland Limited. - -"Ain't it a shame we ain't got no camera--an' this here thing settin' -on thet hoss in front of us! I reck'n Pedro's frien's 'd like a -pitcher of 'im in this here get-up so's they c'd 'member how he looked -jes' 'fore he kicked off!" - -"I've got a camera," said Whitey, and running into the ranch-house, he -returned with it in a moment. - -At the sight of the camera, Walker set up a howl of delight. "Now, Mr. -Photografter," he yelled to Whitey, "yo' git th' machine in kerflukus -an' I'll pose this flamingo-legged buzzard inta divers an' sundry -fascinatin' positions! Yo' jes' p'int that there box at 'im and I'll do -the rest!" - -"Hol' on!" said Charley Basset. "Thet there looks t'me like a perfec'ly -good camera--ain't yo' takin' an awful chanct, Kid, a-p'intin' 'er at -hunk o' dog-meat?" - -"I guess the camera'll stand it, Charley," said Whitey, "though it has -never had a severe test like this." - -"Shore!" said Walker; "Take a chanct, Kid! When I gits through drapin' -him 'round the scenery, I reckon he'll be some picture-squee!" Walker -grabbed the bridle of the horse on which Pedro was perched and swung it -around broadside to the camera. "Set up there, yo' owdacious varmint, -an' look happy an' take yo'r medicine! Look happy, I tell yo'! 'F yo' -don't look happy right pronto, I'll let Injun see 'f he kin bend thet -there fence-post he's carryin' over yo'r bean!" - -Injun moved up nearer and gripped the "fence-post" entirely ready to -carry out his part of the program. - -"Mebbe yo' better wait a minute, Injun," said Walker, "till we git -the pitcher; 't wont do to sp'ile him altogether--_yet_!" said Walker -significantly. - -"All set?" asked Walker. "Ef so, shoot!" - -Whitey pointed the camera at Pedro and got the proper focus. "Hol' thet -pose, yo' spavined coyote!" yelled Walker, at Pedro. "Hol' it, I tell -you!' 'F yo' move, an sp'ile this here negative, Injun is gonna bust -yo' one! Look right at the box, yo' bashful an' blushin debbytanty! -Look at th' box for mamma, an' see th' nice birdie come out!" - -Whitey snapped the trigger, and Basset was much relieved to learn that -the lens had not cracked. Under Walker's skilful and gentle posing, -two or three more pictures were taken, and then Bill Jordan called a -halt. - -"I guess thet's 'bout 'nuff," he said. "The' ain't no use imposin' on a -willin' an' good-natured pitcher-machine." - -"All right," said Walker, "when does th' festivities start?" he asked -of Jordan. "I claims th' honor of furnishin' th' rope!" - -"Well," said Jordan, hesitatingly, "ef we all 'd run 'cross this here -maverick's trail out in the open, I reckon the festivities 'd 'a' begun -an' finished, right there. An' I certainly has regrets an' apologies -'bout denyin' yo' all th' privilege of takin' a active part in the -obsequies touchin' on an' appertainin' to th' kickin' off o' this here -polluted skunk. But this here community is committed to the statoots o' -Law an' Order, in sech case made an' pervided, as The Good Book says; -an' I reckon, as long as them boys went out an' hog-tied this here -ulcer onto th' decency an' fair name o' the Sovereign State o' Montana, -he'll hev' to be tried by a jury o' his peers--jes' like a respectable -murderer would--tho' where they're going to git twelve peers o' this -here low-down insec', is more'n I kin onderstand! I guess thet part of -it's up to the Sher'ff." - -"Try him!" shouted Walker, dashing his hat onto the ground, in -amazement and rage; "try him! What in blazes does anybody want t' try -him fer? Don't ever'body in sixteen states know 't he'd oughta bin hung -ever sence he was two year old? Yo' an' yo'r statoots don't ondertake -to try no mad dog, do yo'? Yo' don't go out an' collect no twelve peers -to set on a jury 'fore yo're 'lowed to shoot the pizen head off'n him, -do yo'? An' ef this bird ain't worse'n a hull kennel o' mad dogs an' a -nest o' rattlers throwed in fer good measure, then I'm plumb locoed an' -b'long into a padded cell up to the nut-foundry!" - -"I admits all yo' says in regards to th' gen'leman's character--in -fac', I may say yo' ain't done justice to him, not in no way, yo' -ain't. But thet ain't the p'int--we got t' abide by th' law, no matter -what he done, an' personal inclinations don't cut no figger. Ef 't 'd -bin lef t' me, he'd 'a' bin 'requiescat in pieces,' a consider'ble -spell back. But th' law's th' law, an' I got t' hand him over to th' -a-thor'ties, jes' th' same's ef he was a white man. I'm plumb grieved, -but I got t' do it! Why didn't yo' bust him over th' bean 'ith thet -wand yo' got there, Injun?" asked Bill. "It 'd 'a' saved a lot o' -palaverin' an' hard feelin's an' expense to th' caounty!" - -"Him say bring 'im in!" said Injun, reproachfully, pointing to Whitey. -"Me bust 'im now!" and Injun lifted the ponderous club and was -prevented from braining Pedro, missing him by a narrow margin, as Bill -Jordan deflected the blow. - -"One strike!" said Walker. "Give th' kid a chanct--he's entitled to two -more! Go on, Kid, knock him fer a three-bagger!" - -"No more o' thet!" said Bill, with as much sternness as he could -muster. "I'll take charge o' this dose o' small-pox an' put him on -the ice till the Sher'ff gets here. Walker, go call up the Sher'ff's -office, an' tell him t' come an' get this here prize-package. Seems t' -me, now't I think of it, the's a reward comin' t' yo' two kids. 'F I -remember right, the' was quite some consider'ble sum put onto his head. -Seems like he was some valuable to the caounty." - -This, indeed, turned out to be true, and within a short time, the sum -of two thousand dollars was paid over to the representatives of the -boys. Bill Jordan was selected by Injun as his guardian, and Bill -accepted the responsibility gladly, but with some misgivings. - -"What is yo' purposin' to buy with all this here kale, Mister Ping Pong -Morgan?" asked Bill of the boy. "Would yo' ruther hev' a steam yacht er -a coupla railroads?" - -"Pink pajams!" said Injun, without any hesitation. - -"A thousand dollars worth of 'em?" asked Bill. - -"Sure!" said Injun. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX - - PEDRO'S HATRED - - -"What started the trouble between you and Pedro, Injun?" asked Whitey, -as they stood by the corral the next morning. Bill Jordan had just -delivered Pedro into the hands of the Sheriff, and the half-breed had -given vent to his opinion of Injun in the most lurid language that he -had at his command, seeming to blame the boy for all his woes. The -tirade had been interrupted by a blow in the mouth delivered by the -Sheriff's heavy hand; but Pedro was taken away, cursing Injun volubly, -and telling what he would do to him if he ever were able to get his -hands on him, and the vehemence of the man left no doubt as to the -amount of venom that was in his heart. - -Injun grinned in answer to Whitey's question. "Him tell," he said, -pointing to Bill Jordan. Making a lengthy narrative was not exactly -Injun's long suit, and he delegated the job to Bill. - -"Well," said the latter, "it came about this-away. Thet skunk hoboed it -in here, one day, 'bout a year an' a half ago--when ol' man Granville -was alive--an' he was 'bout the down-an'-outest proposition yo' -ever see. He'd bin shot in the shoulder an' the wound hadn't had no -attention an' th' cuss was 'bout all in. He didn't hev' no horse ner no -gun ner no clothes t' speak of--he didn't hev' nuthin' 'cept hunger an' -thirst an' mis'ry. Nobuddy 'd 'a' giv' five cents fer a car-load like -him, 'cept fer fertilizer, an' it shore did look like he was playin' -hookey from the graveyard with the ondertaker on his trail 'bout two -jumps behind him an' gainin' fast. If ever a guy stod 'ith one foot in -th' grave an' t'other on a banana-peel Pedro was it. - -"Well, sir, ol' man Granville took him in--th' ol' man jes' nacher'ly -couldn't see nuthin' suffer--an' started in t' renovate him; an' -take it from me, it was some consider'ble job. He set up nights an' -nu'sed thet low-down houn' back to life an' health, an' saw 't he had -ever'thing--jus' like a white man 'd oughta. Seems like this here Pedro -c'd talk French lingo an' so c'd ol' man Granville. When th' two of 'em -was at it, y'd a thought the' was a pack o' fire-crackers goin' off, -not t' mention th' activ'ties of their hands, which was consider'ble. -'Pears like a man 'tain't got no arms 'd be consider'ble handicapped -expressin' himself lucid. - -"Well, 't any rate," Bill went on, "in 'bout two months, Pedro was -able to set up an' take a little nourishment while they made his bed, -an' I c'd see 't he was a heap sight better 'n he let on t' be. An' -him an' th' ol' man 'd set onto th' porch an' play pedro by th' hour. -Th' ol' man liked th' game so well he lent Pedro money so's he c'd -win it back--only it didn't turn out thet way, an' Pedro was a steady -winner--so much so 't us boys giv' him thet name--'Pedro.' An' I will -say 't the cuss was some gifted when it come to turnin' a Jack off'n -th' bottom er shiftin' th' cut. I see him pull them stunts one day -when I was watchin' th' game, but I didn't say nuthin' to th' ol' man -'bout it, him bein' free, white, an' over twenty-one an' not relishin' -bein' told he were a sucker--not at no time he didn't! He always 'lowed -he c'd pertect himself, an' mos' gener'ly he could. - -"But while I didn't say nuthin', I thinks to myself 'what kind of a -hombrey's this thet 'll giv' the work to a gent as has did as much fer -him as th' ol' man done?' 'Peared t' me thet ef a guy yanked me back -out 'n th' grave an' put me on my feet, I would flip no Jack off 'n -th' bottom on _him_--not fer no money, I wouldn't! But 'twa'n't none -o' my business; besides, mebbe th' ol' man was jes' tryin' him out an' -gittin' a line on him. - -"An' 'nother thing--ever'body but th' ol' man c'd see thet Pedro was -soldierin' on him an' was plenty able to get up an' earn a livin'. -But thet wa'n't Pedro's gait--'s long's some-buddy take care o' him, -he didn't pear t' worry none 'bout takin' care of himself. An' he'd -four-flush round 'bout how sick he felt an' how his shoulder hurt, an' -thet whiskey was 'bout th' onlies' thing 't relieved him. An' he shore -licked up a lot o' th' relief! He was Alice-sit-by-th'-firewater, fer -fair! Lit up like a Chrismus tree at ten in th' mornin', an' oreide by -four in th' afternoon--reg'lar. - -"Bimeby, when he did get to goin' 'bout, he got a sudden ambition fer -work, an' th' ol' man giv' him a hoss an' outfit an' he rode fence. An' -'s far anybuddy c'd see he done pretty good. But after a spell, things -begun t' turn up missin'--not big things, but trifles--a little money, -now an' then, an' a saddle er two, an' a lariat occasional, an' sech. -Pedro managed to throw suspicion at Injun, here, an' we got t' thinkin' -thet mebbe th' boy was at the bottom of them petty-larceny goin's on, -an' fin'ly, I tells Injun he better keep off 'n th' ranch. Seems this -didn't exac'ly tickle Injun t' death--him not bein' no thief--an' he -done a little detectivin'. He trails Pedro an' locates his cache an' -leads me an' Walker to it an' shows us th' stuff, includin' some things -we knowed b'longed to Pedro. How thet bird got wind of it all I dunno, -but he did; a right at th' same time me an' Walker was at the cache, -an' most o' th' boys away from th' ranch-house, he snuk in a grabbed -quite a roll of bills out 'n th' safe 't happened t' be open, an' took -a shot at ol' man Granville, nickin' him in th' arm, an' gits away -clean! Yes, sir--after all ol' man Granville done fer him! - -"A spell afterwards, he meets up 'ith Injun--s'prises him, an' th' kid -ain't got a chanct t' git away. He starts in t' hev a little hangin' -bee--a necktie-party, like I tol' you' 'bout--but he made th' mistake -o' lettin' Injun set onto his own pinto an' he put the noose 'round -Injun's neck 'fore he throwed th' other end o' the lariat over th' limb -o' th' tree! Th' minute he throwed th' lariat over th' limb, Injun dug -his knees inta th' pinto--mind you', Injun's hands was tied behind -his back--an' th' pinto knowin' what Injun was thinkin' 'bout, like I -said, beats it away from there with th' lariat draggin' on th' ground! -O' course, Pedro took after him, but lucky fer Injun, after he'd rode -'bout a mile, he sights me an' Walker ridin' fence, an' Pedro sights -us, too. An' he beats it, an' we never seen him till yo' an' Injun -brung him in here t' git his pitcher took." - -Whitey took a long breath: "Gee!" he said, "That was a narrow escape!" - -"Correct!" said Bill. "An' ef you don't think it was some trick fer -thet kid t' set onta thet hoss, his hands tied behind him an' th' -lariat draggin', yo' try it sometime!" - -Bill put his hand on Injun's shoulder affectionately. "Thet's what I -call ridin' a hoss!" he said. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI - - PLANS FOR THE FUTURE - - -If Columbus, or the early Norsemen, or who ever it was that first -discovered America, had been satisfied to sail vessels within the -confines of the known seas in their immediate neighborhood, the -existence of this great continent would have remained unsuspected -by the people of the Old World. It is the spirit of adventure, of -dissatisfaction with things as they are, that is at the bottom of all -great discoveries and of all progress. And although the boys had gained -a wide-spread fame on account of their capture of the desperate Pedro, -who was even then in jail awaiting the day of his execution, they did -not like to rest on their laurels, but, like Alexander, sought for "new -worlds to conquer." - -After their excursion into the wilds, the life on the ranch, while by -no means dull, lacked the zest of adventure and discovery, of which -they or, rather, Whitey, at least, had had a taste. Injun had spent -all his life in adventure, and while it was nothing new to him, it -had become a sort of second nature, and made the limitations of even -semi-civilization irksome. - -And with this urge going on in Whitey's breast, it was natural that he -should inquire of Bill Jordan, as they sat on the piazza one evening, -"Mr. Jordan, what kind of a place is it in the mountains, over beyond -Moose Lake?" - -Bill took his pipe out of his mouth and looked intently at the boys -before replying. - -"Was yo' calc'latin' on goin' out an' grabbin' off some more rewards -an' sech, bringin' in some more hombreys like Pedro? Er mebbe, yo' -all'd be satisfied t' locate a coupla gold mines er somethin'? What was -yo' all studyin' 'bout doin'?" - -"I don't know as I had a definite plan," said Whitey, "I just asked -you what kind of a place it was over there." - -"Yes, I know--yo' all didn't have no intentions--that's why yo' all -wanted to know 'bout the place!" and Bill grinned, tolerantly. Then, -after thinking a moment, he said, "As fur's the place goes, I reckon -it's some wild an' on-cultivated. I ain't bin through it fer some -years, but I reckon 'tain't changed none t' speak of. Prospectors -give up tryin' there long ago, an' I reckon 'tain't good fer much -else--consider'ble amount o' rocks an' scenery--thet's 'bout all. - -"I wouldn't mind owning a gold mine," said Whitey. "That is, a good -one," he qualified. Bill uncrossed his legs suddenly and puffed -rapidly, as he shook all over with inward laughter. - -"The's them's had thet idee before, Son," he said, grinning. "A reel -good gold mine's a handy little thing t' hev 'bout the house! I dunno's -_I'd_ turn one down ef 't was offered t' me!" - -"Well," said Whitey, "I guess the only way to get one is to go out and -find it, isn't it? I don't believe anybody is going around offering 'em -to people." - -"Would yo' know a perfeckly good gold mine 'f yo' was t' meet it comin' -'long the road?" asked Bill. "Hev' yo' got a speakin' acquaintance with -gold mines, so 't yo' c'd walk right up to 'em an' bid 'em the time o' -day?" - -"Well," said Whitey, "gold is gold, isn't it? I've been seeing it all -my life--I ought to know it!" - -"Well," said Bill, "they don't dig it out 'n the ground in the form -o' twenty-dollar gold-pieces er watches an' chains an' rings--not -this season, they don't. Lemme show yo' all somethin'," and Bill rose -and went into the ranch-house. In a moment, he returned with a dirty -reddish looking piece of rock about the size of a hen's egg and handed -it to Whitey. "What 'd yo' calc'late thet thing is?" he asked, as he -resumed his seat. - -Whitey examined it, and Injun looked at it interestedly. "I should say, -if we had not been talking about gold, that it was a piece of iron -ore, but now I suppose it's gold." - -"Correct!" said Bill, "an' mighty near pure gold, too! Whenever yo' -come across a few tons o' stuff jes' like thet, jes' yo' put 'em in -yo'r pocket, an' ol' John D. won't hev nuthin' on yo'!" - -"Is there any of it over beyond Moose Lake?" asked Whitey. - -"Strange to say," said Bill, "thet there chunk come from over thet way. -But I guess thet was 'bout all of it the Lord put there, thet is, in -the way o' quartz--I reckon 'bout all the streams shows color, but they -don't never pay to work 'em." - -"Well, don't you think Injun and I----" - -"Yes," interrupted Bill. "I do. Ef yo' two galliwumpuses hes made -up yo'r minds t' go out an' get yo'rselfs a few gold mines, I ain't -th' man t' put the kibosh onto it--_only_, yo' ain't goin' there -_alone_--not ef I'm the lawful g'ardeen o' thet there person 'ith the -passion fer pink pants, yo' ain't! Yo' all kind o' got me excited 'bout -prospectin'--I ain't done none fer years; but onct it gits a holt onto -yo', it ain't easy shook--an' as this here ranch is a good deal of a -pianola proposition--plays itself--mebbe I c'd find time to go nosin' -'round with yo' all fer a spell. Air yo' all open fer a pardner?" - -Were they open for a partner! They were! Nothing could have delighted -the boys more than to have Bill accompany them; and the next few days -were spent in preparations. But, unfortunately, things do not always -turn out as planned. Plenty of things turned out--but not according to -Bill's schedule. All that will be known when Injun and Whitey strike -out for themselves. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS *** - -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 an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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Hart</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The golden west boys</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>"Injun" and "Whitey"</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: William S. Hart</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Morris H. Pancoast</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 11, 2022 [eBook #68969]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Mary Meehan and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive).</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <img src="images/illusc.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS<br /> -"INJUN" AND "WHITEY"</h1> - -<p><i>A Story of Adventure</i></p> - -<h2>BY WILLIAM S. HART</h2> - -<p>ILLUSTRATIONS BY MORRIS H. PANCOAST</p> - -<p>BOSTON AND NEW YORK<br /> -HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY<br /> -The Riverside Press Cambridge</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1919, by</span><br /> -WILLIAM S. HART</p> - -<p>MADE IN U. S. A.<br /> -<i>All Rights Reserved</i></p> - - -<p>TO MY BOY FRIENDS</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p>TO MY BOY FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD</p> - - -<p>The first fifteen years of my life were spent in the Dakota Territory. -The great West mothered me during the shaping of my boyhood ambitions -and ideals. Therefore, I know by personal experience much of the actual -life of our frontier days.</p> - -<p>Let me relate a few unusual stories of early environment which will -show why a man brought up in the West never forgets its history, -traditions and life.</p> - -<p>While boys of my age in the East were playing baseball, football and -the various school games, I was forced through environment to play the -more primitive games of the Indian. I lived on the frontier. White -settlers were scarce. Naturally, I had but a few boy companions of my -own race. A boy is a boy no matter what race or country; therefore, we -played with the Indian youths.</p> - -<p>In this way, I learned to ride Indian-style as well as with the saddle; -I learned to shoot accurately with rifle or six-gun; I learned to hunt -and track with the wisdom of my red friends; and I learned to play -the rugged, body-building games of the native Americans, which called -for the greatest endurance and best sportsmanship. In short, I was a -Western boy.</p> - -<p>For instance, we used to sail primitive Indian ice-boats on the upper -Missouri river. This sport was the chief joy of my winter days. With -our Indian boy friends we would construct the ice-boat in this fashion:</p> - -<p>Taking a suitable number of barrel-staves, we lashed them together -lengthwise with buck-skin thongs. Thus the staves were raised from the -surface both in the front and rear, making a canoe effect. Then a soap -box was placed in the middle of the craft. Next we placed a stout pole -upright in the front end of the box. To a crosspiece on the pole we -lashed a blanket. We were then all ready to go.</p> - -<p>When the winter winds hit those rude sails, we traveled so far and so -fast in one direction that it would take us all day to walk back home.</p> - -<p>During my Dakota boyhood I not only acquired the accomplishments -of the West, but I met some of the most famous characters of -frontier days—white and red men. In fact, my early days of intimate -relationship with the Sioux Indians enabled me to learn their tribal -traits and history nearly as well as I know our own. I speak the -"silent tongue"—the sign language of the Sioux which, by the way, is -understood by all Indian tribes.</p> - -<p>In those days the luxuries and even many of the necessities of -civilization were denied us in our frontier settlements. My mother -brought four children into this world, attended by Sioux squaws because -a doctor could not be procured. And, when a vicious rattler nearly -ended my career at the age of twelve years, a squaw officiated as the -doctor, the nearest physician being engaged in punching cows at a -ranch some sixty miles distant. That the Sioux squaw was a good doctor -is proven by the fact that I am alive to-day.</p> - -<p>I relate these incidents merely to acquaint the public with the West as -I knew it.</p> - -<p>When Western plays were first tried out on the American stage, I was an -actor of considerable experience. Previous to this time in theatrical -history I had played many diversified rôles, including those of -Shakespeare.</p> - -<p>As Cash Hawkins in "The Squaw Man," produced at Wallack's Theatre, -New York City, in 1905, it was my good fortune to be able to give -the American public a typical Western character. My success in this -character opened up a subsequent line of Western rôles for me, the -emphatic success of "The Squaw Man" causing the production of many -Western plays. Considerable comment was caused by my repeated successes -in these characters that I knew as a boy and loved so well. Many -persons who were interested in my work marveled at the realism of -the interpretations. Their enthusiasm persuaded me that the entire -American public loved the West and its traditions when presented with -truthfulness—and the boys most of all.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, other sections of the United States had long been -deluged with sensational "thrillers" of the West on the melodramatic -stage, in dime novels and later in the early motion pictures. Many -intelligent people had formed the most weird and distorted ideas of the -West from the history of frontier days to the present.</p> - -<p>In 1914 Western pictures were, to use the language of the -motion-picture producers, "a drug on the market."</p> - -<p>Now I loved the themes of these plays. It hurt me to know that what I -loved was not appreciated simply because the true West was sacrificed -on the altar of sensationalism. Realizing that because of my early -associations of the West and my training as an actor combined, I was -qualified to rectify many mistakes which were then being made in -the production of Western photoplays, I decided to try my luck. To -give the American public the benefit of all I knew of the West from -experience and training became my one ambition. In turn, I would enjoy -the gratification of doing something that I had longed to do all my -life. And, naturally, I hoped for increased fame and financial success. -My continued success in Western rôles on the stage revealed to me -that what the public desired most of motion pictures of the West was -consistent realism. Of this fact I was so thoroughly convinced that I -was ready to sacrifice my standing on the legitimate stage, purchased -by long years of toil and hard knocks, to take a chance with fate.</p> - -<p>So I declined a flattering and remunerative offer from a big theatrical -firm in New York City and paid my own railroad fare to California. -In May, 1914, I started my work in Western pictures as a star at the -salary of $75 a week, with no other financial interest of any nature. -Such was the status of Western photoplays at that time. Nearly five -years have passed since that eventful time in my career. That I have -devoted this lengthy period exclusively to the production of Western -pictures is the best proof that the American public possesses a love -for the West that will endure for all time.</p> - -<p>"The Golden West Boys" is my answer to the thousands of letters I have -received from the boys—most of them, of course, from America, but many -from all points of the compass. My story in verse, "Pinto Ben," and -my prose story "The Savage" have been translated and published in the -Swedish language. With the war over translations in other languages are -to follow.</p> - -<p>All Hail the Boys!—I shall never "go broke" as long as I hold their -esteem. My next story will continue the "Golden West" Series in which -"Injun and Whitey Strike out For Themselves."</p> - -<p>"So long, boys—take keer o' yerselves."</p> - -<p class="ph1">Faithfully yours, W. S. H.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="contents"> - -<tr><td>I</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">News from the West</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>II</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Preparations</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>III</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">Off for the Golden West</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>IV</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">On the Way</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>V</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">Injun</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>VI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Bill Jordan</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>VII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Western Air and Appetite</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>VIII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">Whitey Learns to Ride</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>IX</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">The Boys Settle a Question</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>X</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">A Friend in Need</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">The Chinook Wind</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">Mr. Ross Pays a Call</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XIII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">The Lost Trail</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XIV</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Crowley</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XV</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">The Cave Gives Evidence</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XVI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">Whitey is Missing</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XVII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Held in Captivity</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XVIII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Injun Takes a Hand</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XIX</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">Injun to the Rescue</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XX</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">The Truth About Crowley</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Injun Tackles Civilization</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">Injun Shies at Pink Pyjamas</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXIII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">Whitey His Own Boss</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXIV</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Moose Lake</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXV</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">The Island in Moose Lake</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXVI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">The Man on the Island</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXVII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">A Dangerous Situation</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXVIII</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">A Penitent Prisoner</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXIX</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">Bringing Home the Captive</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXX</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><span class="smcap">Pedro's Hatred</span></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>XXXI</td><td> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><span class="smcap">Plans for the Future</span></a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS</h2> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></h2> - -<h3>NEWS FROM THE WEST</h3> - - -<p>"Hooray! Hooray!" shouted Alan Sherwood,—better known as "Whitey" to -the boys in school. "Ooo-lu-lulu-loo-lulu!" he called, making the sound -by putting his hand over his mouth and rapidly pulling it away and -putting it back. He considered this a very good imitation of an Indian -war-whoop.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood, "Whitey's" father, had just finished reading aloud a -letter from a firm of lawyers in Montana which stated that Uncle Robert -Granville, who died some weeks before, had left a will bequeathing his -large ranch and everything on it to Mr. Sherwood; and that, as the -ranch was a profitable one, it would be necessary for him to come to -Montana and either carry on the business or see to its disposal.</p> - -<p>"Hooray! Hooray!" yelled "Whitey," executing a very wild dance, and -letting out a series of whoops that almost deafened the other members -of the family.</p> - -<p>"What are you 'hooraying' about?" asked Mr. Sherwood, while his wife -and his two small sisters held their hands over their ears. "I hope," -said Mr. Sherwood, with a quizzical smile, "it is not because your poor -uncle Robert is dead?"</p> - -<p>"Why, of course not, Father," said "Whitey," somewhat abashed; "I'm -very sorry that Uncle Robert is dead—but—I'm just glad that I'm going -out West and can go hunting and be a cowboy, and maybe shoot a few -grizzly bears and Indians!"</p> - -<p>"Who told you that <i>you</i> were going?" asked his father, pretending to -be very serious, but having hard work to keep back a smile.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'd just like to see myself staying here if we owned a ranch -out West!" said "Whitey," with fine scorn. "I've heard you say, lots of -times, that the West is the place for a young man!"</p> - -<p>Whitey had just attained the age of fourteen, and Mr. Sherwood had to -conceal a smile behind his hand, as he glanced at his wife, who was an -interested listener.</p> - -<p>"And what do you want to kill Indians for—they never did anything to -you, did they?" asked Mr. Sherwood.</p> - -<p>"No," said Whitey, hesitating about making such an admission, "I don't -know as they ever did anything to me—but everybody kills 'em, don't -they? In all the Western books I read, people always kill 'em—'wipe -'em out' is what the scouts call it in the books—make 'em 'bite the -dust!' I thought that was the proper thing to do," he said, in defense -of his position.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Mr. Sherwood, "I think I'd give the matter a little -consideration before I started the slaughter. It isn't open season for -Indians just now, and besides, if the Indians should happen to hear -that you were coming, they might all leave, while there is yet time to -escape the White Avenger! And as for the grizzlies—did you ever see a -grizzly bear, Son?"</p> - -<p>"Sure," said Whitey, disdainfully, "up at the Bronx Zoo. He was a -terribly moth-eaten looking affair—no life in him at all! He just went -sniffing around and all he cared about was to eat peanuts. And when the -keeper went into the cage, he ran like he was scared to death!"</p> - -<p>"Maybe he'd act a little different if he were in his native Rockies, -and you might not have any peanuts with you," said Mr. Sherwood, -shaking his head. "Would you believe it, if I told you that a grizzly -can run almost as fast as the fastest horse? And in the brush and over -the rough ground, a great deal faster?"</p> - -<p>"I'd believe it, if you say so; but it doesn't seem possible," said -Whitey, doubtfully. "If he can run that fast, it would make him mighty -hard to catch, wouldn't it?" he asked, after some thought.</p> - -<p>"It would," laughed Mr. Sherwood, "if he always ran the other way—but -he doesn't! Sometimes it's harder to <i>let him go</i> than it is to -catch him! Sometimes he runs after <i>you</i>—and then you'd have to 'go -some'—as you say."</p> - -<p>"If he ever came at me," said Whitey, belligerently, "I'd put a bullet -in his heart!"</p> - -<p>"Even that doesn't always stop a grizzly, right away," said Mr. -Sherwood. "They have very surprising vitality. I think that, for the -time being, I'd let the Indians and grizzlies alone—let the poor -things live! At any rate, you're not out West, yet, and it may be that -I shall decide not to go at all—though I suppose I shall," and Mr. -Sherwood proceeded to ponder over the matter. Nevertheless, it was -plain to be seen that he, too, felt the call of the mountain and the -prairie almost as much as did his son.</p> - -<p>Although a prosperous merchant in New York he had spent several years -of his early life in the great West; and once a man gets the lure of -the wilds in his blood, he is seldom able to shake it off altogether. -But he felt that there were too many things to be considered—his -business, his family and their welfare and the schooling of his -children—to make a hasty decision, pack up, bag and baggage, and leave -a comfortable home for a new and untried one.</p> - -<p>No one, not even grown-ups, can always do just as he likes. Everybody -has obligations to others; and there are many things that we all must -forego to fulfill those obligations—as a matter of duty. For duty is, -after all, nothing but fulfilling obligations, and the sooner a <i>boy</i> -learns this, the sooner he becomes a <i>man</i>!</p> - -<p>Alan Sherwood, although he was only fourteen years old, was getting to -be a good deal of a man. The nickname "Whitey" had been given him by -his companions at school on account of his light blonde hair. He had -resented it, at first; but after he found out that he couldn't "lick -the whole school,"—although he came pretty near doing it—he gradually -became resigned to it, and answered to it readily.</p> - -<p>Whitey was large for his age, and was far stronger than the average boy -of fifteen or sixteen. This had been brought about by the fact that he -had been a weakling up to the time he was seven or eight, and had been -humiliated and imposed upon by the other boys until he determined to -remedy his physical defects, if hard work and systematic exercise would -do it.</p> - -<p>He consulted his father and found out that the first thing for an -athlete to do was to breathe properly, for "wind" is a most important -thing in all contests of strength and endurance.</p> - -<p>"No matter how fast a boy can run," said Mr. Sherwood who had been a -famous college athlete in his day, "if he hasn't good wind, he won't -last in a long race; and even if he is far stronger than his opponent -in a boxing or a wrestling bout, he will be beaten by the boy who has -good wind."</p> - -<p>Whitey began by taking a long, deep breath, as soon as he came out of -doors in the morning, and holding it while he walked ten steps; and -this he repeated ten times. It made him a little dizzy, at first, but -he found that he could soon increase it to twenty and thirty times -without discomfort. He was careful to make the increase very gradually, -stopping the deep breathing as soon as he felt the slightest dizziness.</p> - -<p>Then he began to take up systematic and regular running, jogging around -the block at a slow pace, and slowing down to a walk as soon as he felt -his heart beating fast. He soon found that he could negotiate this -without breathing hard, and then he began to increase the distance. -He had been assured by his father that many boys, and men, too, who -<i>think</i> they are training are really hurting themselves by over-doing -it, and are surprised to find that they do not get into condition, -being ignorant of the fact that <i>moderation</i> is the basis of all -success.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood pointed out to Whitey that shrewd baseball managers do -not allow their men to exert themselves to the utmost in the early -days of spring training, but compel them to "lob 'em over" until their -arm-muscles become flexible. And they will not allow a player to run -bases at top speed for fear that he may strain a tendon in his leg and -impair his speed for a large part of the playing season.</p> - -<p>"It is a hard thing for a young and ambitious athlete to keep himself -in check when he is brimming over with health and strength and -enthusiasm," said Mr. Sherwood, "but it is the <i>real</i> way to train. -Many a young athlete ruins his chances for future success by going at -it too violently at first."</p> - -<p>Of course, there were many other things that Mr. Sherwood showed -Whitey, one of the most important being regular hours—regular hours -for sleep and for play; in short, to be systematic. And another thing -of great importance was cleanliness—both of mind and body—for no boy -or man can, or ever did, become a really great athlete without the aid -of both of these.</p> - -<p>And as for smoking—"Well," said Mr. Sherwood, "I can't say that -there is anything really wrong about a <i>man</i> smoking, but for a boy -to smoke means that he is willing to sacrifice almost everything to -that. It not only is apt to stunt his growth, but <i>one cigarette</i> may -destroy all the good effects of a week's training. And not only that, -it affects the eye and the nerves—takes away accuracy from the eye, -and makes the hand unsteady. I don't believe it pays—I don't believe -there is enough fun in smoking to make up for what it costs a boy in a -physical way, even if there were no other reasons."</p> - -<p>And so Whitey really went into training without seeming to have done -so—any boy can do it; he doesn't need any dumb-bells or gymnasium -apparatus—and the result was, that by the time he was thirteen, he was -the strongest boy in the school; and what is more important, he had -learned to control himself. He wasn't nearly so anxious to fight as he -had been, although, when he did get into a fight, he was able to render -a good account of himself. It is always found that the boy who really -<i>can</i> fight isn't nearly so quarrelsome as the one who is always ready -to <i>start</i> a fight—and let some other fellow <i>finish</i> it!</p> - -<p>Long after Whitey had gone to bed, and was dreaming of picking up a -grizzly bear by the hind leg and knocking down eleven Indians with -him, Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood sat debating the pros and cons of going -to Montana. And it was finally decided that before moving their home -to the West, Mr. Sherwood should go out to the ranch and learn what -the conditions were and whether it was a suitable place to bring his -family. And what is more interesting, it was finally agreed that Whitey -was to go with him, although this arrangement was not made without some -protest from Mrs. Sherwood, who had a mother's natural solicitude for -her boy. But Mr. Sherwood said, with a smile and a shake of the head, -that he was not at all fearful about Whitey—"It's the poor Indians and -grizzlies I'm sorry for!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></h2> - -<h3>PREPARATIONS</h3> - - -<p>The next few days were busy ones for Whitey and his friends. It was -vacation time, and as soon as Whitey had the "honest-to-goodness" -assurance that he was "really and truly" going out West, he lost no -time in communicating the news to all the boys. He found Tom Johnson -at breakfast; but after Tom had heard the news, he had no further -appetite, and went with Whitey over to the home of George and Bobby -Smith, and the four boys went out to talk over the matter. Whitey's -equipment was a matter for much consideration.</p> - -<p>"Gee!" said Tom, "you'll need a revolver—Colt's forty-five is what all -the cowboys use—an' the sheriffs, too. An' a Winchester rifle."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said George, "an' 'f I was you, I'd take a lot o' fishin'-tackle -and rods an' reels an' things. You bet there's fish out there in -Montana—I've heard the fish are so thick in some river out there that -you can walk in an' ketch 'em with your hands!"</p> - -<p>"I guess you're thinking of the Columbia River salmon—that ain't in -Montana," said Whitey, who was up in geography.</p> - -<p>"Well," said George, unconvinced, "it's right out there in the West, -some place—mebbe you could tramp over there some afternoon. I know <i>I</i> -would 'f <i>I</i> was out there!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll tell you what I'd do," chimed in Bobby, excitedly, "'f I -was you, the first thing I got would be a big felt hat an' some cowboy -clothes! If you don't they all call you a "tenderfoot," an' they'll -make you do a dance by shootin' at your feet! I've seen 'em do it in -the movies lots o' times." Bobby was aged six, but he had advanced -ideas and experience, too. "An' you're going to want a saddle an' a -lariat an' a good pair o' snow-shoes—it snows fierce out there in -Montana an' Alaska an' all those places—'tain't safe to go any place -without snow-shoes! A blizzard is liable to come up any old time!"</p> - -<p>The wisdom of all this was readily admitted; and after a list had -been carefully prepared, the four boys went to a big sporting-goods -store and submitted it, and asked to see the various articles. The -clerk looked the list over and got out the various things it called -for, which included everything from a baseball—which Tom said "might -come in handy"—to snow-shoes. Each of the boys handled and carefully -inspected each article and approved it. Whitey had looked at some -woodman's hatchets, but Bobby suggested that Whitey could take a -tomahawk away from the first Indian he killed and thus save expense.</p> - -<p>"How much would all that come to?" asked Whitey, a little -apprehensively.</p> - -<p>The clerk figured it up. "One hundred and sixty-eight dollars and forty -cents," he said cheerfully.</p> - -<p>A hurried audit of the finances of the party revealed the fact that -the cash capital on hand amounted to two thirty-six!</p> - -<p>"Just send them up to the house," said Whitey, loftily, and he gave the -name and the address. One of the proprietors stood near and listened -smilingly to the whole transaction; and when the boys had gone, he went -to the telephone.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood, in his office, picked up the receiver, and a familiar -voice came over the wire: "Hello, Sherwood! This is Robertson. Your -boy was just in here with some friends and bought out the store! He's -evidently going out West—with a vengeance!"</p> - -<p>"Is that so?" laughed Mr. Sherwood. "What did he buy?"</p> - -<p>"I can tell you what he <i>didn't</i> buy easier than what he <i>did</i>! The -bill amounts to one hundred and sixty-eight, forty. What do you want -me to do?—he said to send the stuff up to the house!" and Robertson -laughed the good-natured laugh of a man who appreciates boys.</p> - -<p>"Great Jehosaphat!" said Mr. Sherwood. "What kind of a selection did he -make?"</p> - -<p>"Well," answered Mr. Robertson, "it isn't altogether bad, but of -course, he's got a lot of things that he won't need at all. It's June, -and he has selected an elegant pair of snow-shoes!"</p> - -<p>"My, my!" exclaimed Mr. Sherwood. "Can you beat it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Mr. Robertson, "I think I can. He had expert advice -from the three youngsters who were with him and it was more or less a -consultation purchase. One of the kids assured him that it was the next -thing to suicide to go around Butte, Montana, without a compass! Said a -man might get into Butte and wander 'round and 'round in a circle and -never get anywhere, if he didn't have a compass! Ha, ha! I guess that -beats the snow-shoes, doesn't it?"</p> - -<p>"I'll have to admit that it does!" laughed Mr. Sherwood. "Any other -freak stuff?"</p> - -<p>"Well," laughed Mr. Robertson, "I wish you'd run over here and take a -look at it! Or, if you say so, I'll send it all up to the house and -you can return anything you don't want him to have. It is certainly -surprising how much those kids know about the West, at that. I suppose -they get it from the movies—the outfit wouldn't be bad for a man, but -I know you don't want that kid of yours to have some of the things. -There's a Colt forty-five and a 'scalping-knife', the boys called it, a -foot long, among other things."</p> - -<p>"I'm not really surprised," laughed Mr. Sherwood. "The minute Alan -heard the news about the ranch, he declared war on Indians and -grizzlies! Don't bother to send the stuff up to the house—I'll bring -the boy in and buy some stuff before I go. Thanks for calling me up! I -need a few things, myself, but they are strictly in the line of peace."</p> - -<p>That evening, after dinner, Mr. Sherwood said, good-naturedly, "Mr. -Robertson tells me that you made a few purchases to-day, Son?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Whitey, "but they haven't come. I've been looking for -them all afternoon—I guess something's the matter."</p> - -<p>"Have you got the list of the things you ordered?" asked his father. -"I'd like to look at it—maybe I can make some suggestions—possibly -you didn't get enough?" and Mr. Sherwood repressed a smile.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! I guess I got about everything I wanted. Tom and George and -Bobby were with me, and the things I didn't think of they did. It only -came to one hundred and sixty-eight dollars, and you know I've got more -than two hundred in the savings bank." And Whitey showed the list to -his father.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood examined it with a good deal of interest. "Well," he said, -"this shows that you have been thinking the matter over and getting -prepared—which is all right. But I don't believe I'd carry all these -things out there, if I were you. They can be bought there just as well, -and many of them are unnecessary. It's summer now, and I don't think -you'll need any snow-shoes just yet, and as for rifle and revolver, I'm -not sure that I ought to buy you anything in that line until you know -something more than you do about handling them. We'll see to that after -we get out there."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say that there are stores—regular stores—out there -in Montana?" asked Whitey, in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," smiled Mr. Sherwood, "some very fine ones—you can buy about -anything there that you can here. And as for those 'cowboy clothes,' I -think a couple of good suits of corduroy would be better—the big felt -hat is all right—after you get used to it. I'll get you everything you -need, though I'd like to have you suggest things for me to get and I'll -tell you whether you should have them. It is well for a boy to study -out those things for himself, and then take advice of some one who -knows as to the things he really needs.</p> - -<p>"On a man's first trip into the West, he almost always takes a lot of -stuff that is of no value to him, and might better be left at home. -But, there is such a thing as not taking enough, and we'll be careful -to avoid that."</p> - -<p>Then he added, "And another thing, Son—you won't find that there is -as much difference between New York and Montana as you think. You -mustn't get the idea that people out there are altogether savages, and -that Indians and 'bad men' go around shooting up people every day. -Of course, there is a little of that sort of thing, even now; but I -believe there are more people murdered in New York City every year than -in all the states west of the Mississippi put together. I may be wrong, -but I think not."</p> - -<p>Whitey looked much disappointed, and his father laughed as he saw his -rueful face. "You'll see plenty of adventure—don't worry about that! -But you'll find people a good deal the same as they are here."</p> - -<p>"Don't the Indians put on war-paint and feathers and have a war-dance -and scalp the pale-faces—and things like that?" asked Whitey, -reluctant to give up all his cherished traditions.</p> - -<p>"Well, not exactly," said Mr. Sherwood, smiling. "The sheriff won't let -'em. He just locks 'em up until they get sober, and then puts 'em to -work on the rock-pile."</p> - -<p>This seemed to take a good deal of enchantment out of things, and Mr. -Sherwood added, "I am speaking, of course, of where we are going. There -are many places where the Indians have to be watched and reckoned -with; but you won't be very likely to get into those places."</p> - -<p>Out on the front steps, later in the evening, Whitey and the boys held -a consultation, and the sad news about the gun and the revolver was -received with much apprehension and shaking of heads.</p> - -<p>"Gee!" said Tom, "I'd certainly hate to be out West among those bears -an' panthers an' cowboys an' Indians without a gun!"</p> - -<p>"We'll simply <i>haf'</i> to get Whitey one—somehow!" said George who was -much concerned. "'Tain't <i>safe</i> for a man out there 'thout he's heeled! -Mebbe," he continued, after some thought, "if Whitey ain't goin' till -next week we can manage it—<i>somehow</i>!"</p> - -<p>Bobby, the youngest boy of the lot, was as much alarmed about Whitey's -safety as anybody, but he said nothing. However, he gave the matter -deep and even prayerful thought. On his knees, that night, he concluded -his prayers—"And, Lord, <i>please</i> don't let Whitey go out West without -a revolver! You <i>know</i> it ain't safe! Amen!"</p> - -<p>And that was why Bobby's father never could find that little, -pearl-handled pistol that he kept in the automobile!</p> - -<p>Many of the boys in the neighborhood dropped in, and by bedtime Whitey -was the most envied as well as the most popular boy on the block. -He had promised a bear or a panther-skin to every one of his pals, -allowing each of them to make his own selection—some preferred bear, -some panther, with a slight demand for buffalo. It was all the same to -Whitey.</p> - -<p>There were requests for souvenir Indian scalps, but Whitey was doubtful -about supplying them. And they in return, had given him much sage -advice as to how he should conduct himself when he came in contact with -the desperate characters, both man and beast, that he must inevitably -encounter in the wilds of Montana. It was unanimously agreed that a -compass was necessary.</p> - -<p>"This goin' around Butte without a compass, is takin' a chance," said -Tom, with a warning shake of his head. "'Most as bad as bein' without -a gun! If a man ain't got a compass," warned Tom, for the sixth time, -"an' he gets lost, he goes 'round and 'round in a circle and doesn't -get anywhere!"</p> - -<p>It was agreed that this would be very bad in Butte!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></h2> - -<h3>OFF FOR THE GOLDEN WEST</h3> - - -<p>As the eventful day approached when Whitey and his father were to -start, it seemed to Whitey as though Old Father Time had lost his habit -of flying, and had subsided into a very slow walk. Whitey's entire -equipment was purchased at Mr. Robertson's store where he and the boys -had made their selection at first, and Tom and George and Bobby had -been allowed to come along and assist in the buying and selection.</p> - -<p>And, too, Mr. Sherwood made certain concessions. The apprehension of -the boys was so great at the thought of Whitey being in the wilds of -Montana without a gun, that, after some hesitation, Whitey's father -allowed a Winchester .22 calibre rifle, with a safety-lock, to be -added to the equipment. It was expressly agreed, however, that the -rifle must not be loaded until the boy had arrived at the ranch in -Montana.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood put Whitey through a sort of drill, instructing him in -the mechanical workings of the gun, and how to handle it under all -circumstances—walking, running, climbing a fence or a hill or a tree, -or on horse-back; and explaining that a different method must be used -when a companion is with you than if you are alone. Whitey was made to -understand that when not in use, the muzzle of a gun must point either -straight up into the air or straight down at the ground, <i>and never in -the direction of any other person nor in the direction of himself</i>. -"And," said Mr. Sherwood, "if you ever aim the gun at any one, I will -take it away from you and never let you have it again."</p> - -<p>"But," said Whitey, "if the gun isn't loaded, what harm can it do?"</p> - -<p>"That is exactly the trouble," said his father, impressively. "It -is the guns that '<i>are not loaded</i>' that kill somebody! Careless -boys—and men, too—often <i>think</i> the gun isn't loaded, when it <i>is</i>, -and that is the time when the damage is done! So, the only rule is, -don't <i>ever</i> point a gun at any one whether it is unloaded or not!"</p> - -<p>Whitey readily agreed to all these conditions, for he could see the -wisdom of them. The corduroy suits were purchased and the wide-brimmed -hat as well as two pairs of heavy shoes and a pair of water-proof boots -that came high up on Whitey's legs above the knee. The compass—a small -pocket one—was added to allay Tom's fear that Whitey might get lost in -the wilderness of Butte! Then Mr. Sherwood added two things which the -boys had not thought of—a big strong jack-knife and a camera.</p> - -<p>"You boys will find that hunting with a camera is just about as much -fun as hunting with a gun," said Mr. Sherwood. "It isn't necessary to -<i>kill</i> every animal you run across. It is just as interesting and far -less cruel to take his picture, and the animal likes it a great deal -better—and you've got something to show afterward. And as for the -jack-knife, you'll find that to be one of the most useful things you -can have when you are in the wilds."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the excited Bobby, "an' if Whitey kills an Indian, he can -take his picture first, with the camera, and scalp him afterwards with -the knife!"</p> - -<p>"You don't ever scalp an Indian—nobody does!" said Tom, reprovingly.</p> - -<p>"Father says it ain't open season for Indians now—the sheriff won't -let any one kill 'em," said Whitey, a little disgustedly. "They put 'em -to work on the rock-pile if they get gay, like they used to. Besides," -he added, with an air of superior wisdom, "the Indians are kind o' -dyin' out, anyway—just like buffaloes—and the ones that don't die go -to Carlisle College, or some place."</p> - -<p>"Gee!" said George, "I saw the Carlisle football team play over at the -Polo Grounds last fall! They didn't look as though <i>they</i> were 'dyin' -out!' They 'put it all over' some Eastern college! I wouldn't advise -Whitey to try to scalp one of those fellows!"</p> - -<p>"Of course not!" said Whitey. "They're educated and civilized—just -like other folks. The kind you kill—in all the books—are the ones -that get drunk on fire-water and put paint and feathers on 'emselves -and go 'round murdering the white settlers and burning folks at the -stake. The Carlisle boys don't do any of those things!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bobby, dubiously, reluctant to give up cherished -traditions, "I dunno. You can't tell—they might!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood ended the discussion by saying that they better get home -and finish packing; and the boys were much put out when Mr. Sherwood -had the big package sent to his house. It would have looked so much -more like business if they could have carried the gun through the -streets!</p> - -<p>It seemed to Whitey that the next morning would never come, but it did, -finally, and there was a large delegation at the Pennsylvania Station -to say good-by. While the farewells were being said, Bobby took Whitey -a little aside and with much secrecy slipped the little pearl-handled -.22 revolver into his hand and Whitey hastily transferred it to his -hip-pocket.</p> - -<p>"I got it out of our car!" Bobby whispered. "Mother was always afraid -of it an' tried to make Daddy get rid of it—so I just took it! You -oughta have it on the train—you know, for train-robbers, or somethin'! -Jack Harkaway says 'a man oughta go heeled!' Mebbe," he added, a -little apprehensively, "it'd be jes' as well not to say anythin' about -it—till you get out there."</p> - -<p>"Is she loaded?" asked Whitey, in an awed whisper.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" said Bobby.</p> - -<p>"I guess, mebbe, I better unload her," said Whitey, and he did.</p> - -<p>Whitey thanked his loyal little pal, and agreed that the matter should -be kept entirely secret. And it must be confessed that Whitey felt -very much safer—now that he was "heeled," though it made sitting down -awkward and slightly uncomfortable.</p> - -<p>Finally—it seemed an hour—the train pulled out, and, after kissing -his mother and sisters many times, and amid a hurrah from the boys and -a great waving of hands by everybody, Whitey was on his way into the -Boundless West.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> - -<h3>ON THE WAY</h3> - - -<p>The train carrying Whitey and his father sped across the continent -at an average speed of perhaps fifty miles an hour, but it seemed to -Whitey that it crawled along at a snail's pace after it had crossed the -Mississippi. The first day, and most of the second, were novelties; new -scenes presented themselves continually and Whitey kept his face glued -to the window. But after that the monotony of the thing became tiresome -even to so wide-awake a boy as Whitey.</p> - -<p>Of course, as they came into the great prairies and away from -"civilization," the chance of encountering train-robbers lent an added -zest to things; but as time went on and no train-robbers appeared, -Whitey gradually came to the conclusion that the train-robbing business -was not all it had been cracked up to be, and that maybe the Daltons -and the James Boys and the rest of the bandits had retired. Which, -perhaps, was fortunate for them, as it will be remembered that Whitey -had the pearl-handled .22 in his hip-pocket! He should worry about -train-robbers!</p> - -<p>Whitey was completely staggered at the size of his own country. -He had no idea it was so large; distances, on the map, had seemed -insignificant, but when traveled, became prodigious. And long before he -got to his destination Whitey had come to the conclusion that this is -the greatest country on earth—as indeed it is!</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood told him the story of the foreigner who started from New -York for San Francisco. When the train got to Chicago, the foreigner -asked of the porter, "Aren't we there yet?"</p> - -<p>"Nossah," said the porter, "not yet!"</p> - -<p>Every morning, for three mornings, he asked the same question, and -received the same answer.</p> - -<p>When they finally got to San Francisco, after about five days, the -foreigner said, "They make an awful fuss about Columbus having -discovered America—I don't see how he could have missed it!"</p> - -<p>In order to get to the ranch, it had been necessary to leave the main -line at a junction, and take a branch road up into the northern part of -Montana. Traveling in this train was slightly different from what they -had enjoyed in the luxurious Pullman, but Whitey felt that they were -now near their journey's end, and he didn't mind the inconvenience of -the combination baggage and passenger coach which was the only one on -the "train."</p> - -<p>Whitey and his father alighted on a small platform, in the early hours -of the morning, and the prospect seemed dismal enough. There were only -a few people in sight, and it was cold and raw. Even in summer, at a -high altitude, such as in the foot-hills of the Rockies, the early -morning is cold.</p> - -<p>As they looked about them, a tall, and very sunbrowned man approached -and said, "I reckon you must be Mr. Sherwood?" and on being assured -that such was the case, the tall man introduced himself: "I'm Bill -Jordan, the foreman of the Granville ranch. Your telegram was a mite -delayed, but I managed to get here with a wagon to meet the train. You -an' this youngster has a pretty long drive ahead, an' I'd suggest yo' -all better get a hot cup o' coffee an' some eggs over to the shack -'cross the road before yo' all starts." This was most agreeable to both -Whitey and his father, and they proceeded to the shack for breakfast.</p> - -<p>It must be acknowledged that what they called "breakfast," was not much -like what Whitey used to get at home. The room was low and dingy, and -the dishes were thick and cracked, and a big man who acted as waiter, -seemed to "deal" the plates from his arm. But "hunger is the best -sauce," and Whitey managed to consume everything that was set before -him, while his father and Jordan talked about the ranch.</p> - -<p>Whitey liked the big man the moment he saw him. He had a firm and -rather cold face, but a very kindly one when he smiled. His manner -toward every one was reserved. It was evident that the other men all -deferred to him. He did as little talking as possible, and his eyes -seemed to be taking in everything. He always thought for some time -before he expressed an opinion; but when he did venture one, it carried -conviction with it. And what meant more than anything else to Whitey, -was the fact that he took a good deal of notice of him, asking him one -or two questions about New York, and telling Whitey that there were -lots of horses on the ranch for him to ride.</p> - -<p>When they came out of the shack, Whitey got his first look at an -Indian, except those that he had seen in the Wild West shows. His -shoulders were covered with a very dirty blanket, his trousers were -much too long and were crumpled about his ankles and under his bare -feet at the heels. Altogether, he was not an impressive figure. He -stood near the wagon while their baggage was being loaded into it, and -watching his opportunity, approached Mr. Sherwood. But whatever the -Indian intended to do was nipped in the bud, for Bill Jordan came back -a little unexpectedly. "Beat it!" said Jordan, and the Indian ducked -away hastily, just in time to escape most of the kick that Jordan aimed -at him.</p> - -<p>This was most astonishing to Whitey. The Indian did not conduct himself -in the way that might be expected from the books that Whitey had read, -and as "the proud Red Man of lofty mien and bearing," this Indian was -a most dismal failure. According to all the authorities, he should -have said to Jordan, drawing himself to his full height, "Dog of a -Paleface, an insult to Rain-in-the-Neck can be wiped out only in blood! -Let the White Man tremble before the vengeance of the Chief of The -Wallawalloos!"</p> - -<p>But nothing like that happened, at all. No full height; no dignity -of folded arms and proud and awful threat of terrible vengeance. The -Indian just "beat it!" And half way across the platform, he stopped -and scratched himself. It was all wrong! All wrong!</p> - -<p>In a few moments, everything was in readiness and they entered the -wagon, Jordan taking Whitey on the seat with him. They sped over -the ground at a fast and steady gait that put the miles behind -surprisingly. And Whitey had many questions to ask about the various -interesting things they saw, which Jordan answered cheerfully.</p> - -<p>Whitey could not get the Indian out of his mind. "Are all the Indians -out here like that one?" he asked, after a while.</p> - -<p>"Well, no," said Jordan, "not all of 'em. That feller evidently don't -b'long up here; he's prob'ly from the Southwest an' ain't nuthin' but -a sort of a hobo. He's jest a sample of the kind that hangs 'round -towns. An Indian h'aint no business in a town—he belongs in the open. -He h'aint no more business bein' in a town ner an eagle has bein' in -a cage—both on 'em is plumb ruint by it. Now, the's some Indians -up North fu'ther," Jordan went on, after a pause, "that's quite -consider'ble men—'twouldn't be safe exac'ly, to kick none of 'em, -'less you wanted a fight. But they keeps to theirselves—'way from -town." Whitey's fallen hopes in the noble Red Man revived a little at -this.</p> - -<p>"Do those fellows give you any trouble now?" asked Mr. Sherwood. "I -mean the Indians that gave Mr. Granville so much trouble some years -ago."</p> - -<p>"Not lately," said Jordan, and his grim face set hard. "We give 'em -quite consider'ble of a lesson, one time. They was a bunch o' Dakotas -wanderin' 'round, an' they sure played hob with the cattle, fer a -spell. The' was some Greasers among 'em, too; but we give a few -neck-tie parties an' they kind o' got discouraged."</p> - -<p>"What is a neck-tie party, Mr. Jordan?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Jordan, smiling, "the way o' playin' the game is like -this: you take a man—gener'ly a Greaser—an' tie his hands behind him -an' set him onto a horse. Then you make a slip-knot in a rope, or a -lariat, an' you put it 'round the Greaser's neck an' throw the other -end over the limb of a tree, an' two or three o' the boys takes a holt -of it. Then, if somebody happens to hit the horse a slap—well, most -gener'ly the neck-tie fits sort o' snug!"</p> - -<p>"Why, that's hanging a man!" exclaimed Whitey, all excitement.</p> - -<p>"Some calls it that," said Jordan, dryly. "I guess it 'mounts to 'bout -the same thing—fer the man! But, y' see, this way, it's gener'ly a -kind of a accident—somebody jes' happens to slap the horse, or mebbe -the horse is res'less an' moves hisself. Then th' ain't nobody to -blame!"</p> - -<p>"Gee!" said Whitey, "I'd like to see one of those parties!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I dunno," said Jordan, soberly, "they ain't altogether such -all-fired pleasant an' sociable affairs as y' might think. I hope I've -seen the last one—in these parts." And Jordan didn't speak again for -some time.</p> - -<p>Whitey figured that, after all, maybe all the Indians wouldn't stay -tame and dispirited, and that maybe there would be "something doing," -before the summer was over.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></h2> - -<h3>INJUN</h3> - - -<p>It was some twenty-two miles out to the ranch, but the wagon rolled -over the prairie at a fast clip, and well inside of two hours they were -inside the boundary of the ranch, and saw, here and there, herds of -cattle grazing. Jordan called their attention to both the boundary and -the cattle, and Whitey felt a sense of elation when he thought that all -of this belonged to his father. Also, he felt that, for once, he had a -yard big enough for him to play in without feeling crowded.</p> - -<p>In the distance, loomed the mountains, and Whitey promised himself -that he would explore them some afternoon—they didn't look very far -off. But when he spoke of it, Jordan laughed and said, "When you pick -out the day you're goin', it'll be jest as well to start kind o' -early—them mountains is more 'n fifty miles away."</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood explained to Whitey that the apparent nearness of the -mountains was on account of the clear and rarefied air. But to tell the -truth, Whitey was frankly incredulous; he had a good pair of eyes, and -if he could believe them at all, those mountains were certainly not -fifty miles away! He made up his mind that he would test it, sometime, -and he did. He came to the conclusion that instead of being fifty miles -away, the mountains were at least five times that distance!</p> - -<p>As the wagon neared the ranch-house, they came upon a strange figure -on a small, but very wiry pinto, moving almost directly across their -trail. It was an Indian boy, apparently about the same age as Whitey, -and picturesquely clad in a "hickory shirt," open at the neck and -leaving a good part of his breast exposed, "buck-skin" trousers, and -rudely made moccasins. A bow and a quiver containing a number of arrows -were slung over his shoulder. The boy had neither saddle nor bridle, -and seemed to be a part of his horse, guiding and controlling him -solely by the pressure of his knees.</p> - -<p>"Here's a card!" said Jordan, to Mr. Sherwood and Whitey. "Just look -this bird over for a minute. He's a queer duck!" Then raising his -voice, he shouted, "Hello, 'Injun!'"</p> - -<p>The boy stopped the pinto suddenly, without any perceptible movement, -and raised his hand in salutation, and waited for the wagon to come up.</p> - -<p>As they ranged alongside of him, Jordan pulled up the horses: -"'Injun,'" said Jordan, "this here is the new Boss," pointing to Mr. -Sherwood. "An' this here is his boy," and Jordan indicated Whitey. "You -come over to the ranch-house to-morrow; I've got somethin' fer you to -do."</p> - -<p>The boy looked calmly at them, but gave no sign that he understood. -His face was most intelligent and not at all unpleasant, though as far -as any change of expression is concerned, it might have been carved -out of stone. His eyes, however, were keen and restive, and he looked -from one to another of the party in a shrewd, appraising way. He seemed -slight, compared to Whitey, even a little scrawny, with very thin arms -and legs; but as keen an observer of physical condition as Whitey had -become by this time was not to be deceived thereby. A steel wire is -thin and attenuated, but it is very strong; and to Whitey's practiced -eye those arms and legs were simply bundles of wire.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Jordan, after he had allowed the boys to size each other -up for a time, "I guess that'll be about all, 'Injun.' So long!" and -Jordan clucked to the horses.</p> - -<p>The Indian boy raised his hand in a peculiar sort of salute as he -turned his horse slightly and galloped away. Whitey watched him with -admiration on every line of his face as far as he could distinguish his -movements; and Jordan watched Whitey, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Who is he?" asked Whitey, at last, turning to Jordan, and Mr. Sherwood -also looked an inquiry.</p> - -<p>"He's some kid!" laughed Jordan. "He don't belong to nobody, an' he -don't live nowhere! Wherever he builds his camp-fire is home! He's -took care of hisself ever sence he was big 'nuff to kick a duck in the -ankle, an' he don't ask no odds o' nobody! Him an' that pinto is jes' -one—they're part of each other. That there hoss knows what thet kid is -<i>thinkin'</i> 'bout! You talk 'bout yer Centaurs, er whatever they was, -they didn't have nuthin' on that pair!"</p> - -<p>"Did he understand what you said to him?" asked Whitey. "He didn't seem -to."</p> - -<p>Jordan laughed: "Oh, he understood, all right! He'll be there the first -thing in the mornin', with bells on!" Jordan looked smilingly at Whitey -for a moment, and then added, "I kind o' figured him an' you'd sort o' -team up, mebbe?"</p> - -<p>Whitey was plainly pleased, and he looked at his father inquiringly. -"If you are asking my permission, Son," said Mr. Sherwood, "I have no -hesitation in granting it. No doubt this Indian boy will teach you a -lot of useful things; and perhaps you can teach him something, too." -Then turning to Jordan, Mr. Sherwood said, "I suppose the boy is all -right, isn't he? By that I mean, he doesn't take too many chances and -get into trouble?"</p> - -<p>"I guess he takes chances a-plenty," said Jordan, slowly, "but what boy -won't—providin' he's a reg'lar boy? Er a man either? Y' can't keep a -squirrel on the ground, as the sayin' is. But I'll take a ticket on -that 'Injun' to git out 'n any fix he gits into. He's a pretty wise -fish, that kid," said Jordan; and then looking at Whitey, he added, -"An' this here youngster don't look like no mollycoddle, neither. Long -as they don't set out t' deevastate the grizzly crop an' they let -painters alone, I don't reckon nuthin' 's goin' to muss 'em up much. -Let 'em go to it!"</p> - -<p>This seemed to settle it, much to Whitey's relief; and Jordan did not -speak again until they drove into the ranch-yard.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> - -<h3>BILL JORDAN</h3> - - -<p>The ranch-house itself was a long, low building, with broad porches on -two sides of it built on the Arizona style; and nearby were several -other out-buildings and two or three large corrals. Some of the -ranch-hands lounged about the yard, and took charge of the horses and -wagon and carried the luggage into the house. The rooms were large and -airy, with many windows; and the coolness was a relief after the long -ride in the blazing sun.</p> - -<p>After a good dinner, prepared by Sing Wong, the Chinese cook, Jordan -showed Mr. Sherwood over the ranch, Whitey following, an interested -listener and spectator of all that was said and shown. Whitey had lost -no time in unpacking the trunk that contained his rifle, and carried -it with him on the tour of the ranch, handling it in a way that showed -that the drill given him by his father had not been wasted.</p> - -<p>Bill Jordan examined the rifle and pronounced it a good one. "The -question is," said Bill, banteringly, "kin you hit anythin' with it? -The gun's all right, but how good kin you pint it?" and he handed the -gun back to Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Whitey, "I don't think I'm a very good shot—I've only -shot a rifle a few times in a shooting-gallery—but if you'll pick out -a mark, I'll see what I can do."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Bill, "I'll do it." He took off his broad brimmed -Stetson and handled and brushed it fondly. "I think a heap o' this here -hat, Son, but I'm goin' to resk you havin' one chance at it, purvidin' -the distance is reasonable." And Bill walked about twenty yards away -and hung the hat on a post and rejoined them. Whitey prepared to aim, -and Mr. Sherwood was about to interfere, but at a sign from Bill, he -refrained.</p> - -<p>"What'll you bet you hit it?" asked Jordan, banteringly—"the first -time you pull the trigger, I mean?"</p> - -<p>"I don't bet," said Whitey, "but I think I can hit it."</p> - -<p>"I guess you're a pretty level-headed kid," said Bill, "that bettin' -thing ain't much good—I wisht I never'd made no bets," he added, -reminiscently. "But I don't think y' <i>kin</i> hit it—not under present -circumstances, I don't. I don't think that there Stetson is in no -danger whatsumever!"</p> - -<p>Whitey grinned and took careful aim and pulled the trigger. There was -only the snap of the hammer and no report. Whitey looked at the rifle -and then at the grinning Bill.</p> - -<p>"What did I tell you!" said the latter, exultantly.</p> - -<p>Whitey examined the rifle and then announced, disgustedly, "There -wasn't any cartridge in it!"</p> - -<p>"Jesso," said Bill, opening his big hand and showing Whitey the -cartridge that he had removed from the gun when he had taken it -into his hands for the ostensible purpose of examining it. "Jesso," -he repeated. "I played it sort o' low-down on yo' so's to show yo' -somethin'. There was jest two reasons why you wasn't goin' to let fly -no bullet at that hat—mebbe three."</p> - -<p>"What were they?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "unless you're in a big hurry, always examine your -gun 'fore yo' shoot, to see that everythin' is O. K. An' another an' -more important thing is, <i>always look where you're shootin'</i>. If yo'll -jest cast yer eye over and beyond that hat, you'll see there's two -cow-punchers a-leanin' agin that corral—not right in line—but in -that direction. I admit that a cow-puncher ain't worth much," said -Bill, grinning at one or two of the boys who stood near watching the -performance, "but 't ain't a good thing to shoot 'em up—'specially -with no twenty-two's! The third reason is that's a mighty good hat—I -paid eighteen bucks fer her!"</p> - -<p>Whitey readily admitted the first two propositions, and said he would -be careful anything like that did not occur again; but when Bill -started to get his hat, Whitey said, "Just a moment, Mr. Jordan," and -Bill stopped and looked at Whitey inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"You offered to make me a bet, didn't you?" Whitey asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I guess I did," said Bill, scratching his head. "What about it?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Whitey, "I always heard that if a fellow didn't have a -chance to <i>win</i>, then he didn't have a chance to <i>lose</i>. That's so, -isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, yes," admitted Bill, "I guess that's right 'nuff."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Whitey, resolutely and with conviction, "I think I'm -entitled to a real chance at that hat!"</p> - -<p>This was a bomb-shell in Bill Jordan's camp. The cow-punchers who -had gathered around heartily endorsed Whitey's argument. "The Kid's -right! Come on, Bill! Be game! Give him a chance!" came from all sides, -coupled with loud laughter and slaps on Bill's broad back.</p> - -<p>Bill scratched his head and grinned in great apparent apprehension. -"Looks like the majority was agin me," he said, finally, looking -ruefully at the Stetson and calling to the cow-punchers at the corral -to get out of the way. "An' that is a good hat, too! All right! Fire -away! I throws myself on the mercy o' the co't! But say, Son, have a -heart! You're shootin' at eighteen dollars wo'th o' hat!"</p> - -<p>Whitey took careful aim and fired, and the hat flew up into the air and -fell in the dust. A loud yell went up from the boys as several of them -ran and picked it up and brought it to Bill, who examined the hole in -it ruefully. "She's ventilated now, all right," he said, "an' I reckon -it'll be some lengths o' periods 'fore I tries to put anythin' over on -this here kid again! If I ever do so far fergit myself, I got this here -ventilator in my sky-piece to remind me!"</p> - -<p>It was plain, however, that Bill was tickled at the way Whitey had -handled the situation, and "making a hit" with Bill Jordan meant -something on the Granville ranch.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> - -<h3>WESTERN AIR AND APPETITE</h3> - - -<p>The following morning, Whitey was up almost with the sun, but he found -the ranch already astir. Mr. Sherwood was busy over the ranch accounts -when Whitey went in to breakfast. It needed very little persuasion on -the part of the shuffling, grinning Sing Wong to induce him to put away -a bigger breakfast than he had ever had before in his life. Twenty-four -hours in that mountain air would give an appetite to a mummy, and -Whitey was far from being a mummy. Bill Jordan watched him stow away -plate after plate of flap-jacks and honey in addition to bacon and eggs -and milk, and finally said with an anxious shake of his head, that the -ranch would have to do a bigger business than ever if Whitey intended -to make a long visit.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Jordan," said Whitey, pausing to get his breath, and accepting -with some hesitation "just one more plate" of flap-jacks, "I don't -believe I'll <i>ever</i> want to go back!"</p> - -<p>Bill threw up his hands in a gesture of despair, and "allowed as how, -if that was the case, he'd haf' to raise Sing Wong's wages, or else see -about getting him an assistant!"</p> - -<p>Whitey laughed and assured Bill that he hadn't been very hungry that -morning, but when he got down to business, he'd show him how a really -hungry boy <i>could</i> eat.</p> - -<p>"It's a pity you wasn't here 'bout a year or so ago," said Bill. "We -could o' made a clean-up with you!"</p> - -<p>"How is that?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "we had a feller here who was some strong as a -table-finisher an' bone-polisher, an' we issued a challenge to eat -him agin any man in the West. He et like nine starvin' Cubans, an' -then some! It looked like he could spot most anybody three er four -good-sized steaks an' then win pulled-up. But the' was a 'hayseed' -blowed in one day an' offered to eat him fer consider'ble change. They -set down to make the terms and specifications o' the eatin' contest, -an' our man says, 'What'll we begin with?' An' the other feller says, -'Well, suppose we start on hams?' 'All right,' says our champion, 'how -many slices?' 'Slices!' says the other guy, contemptuous like, 'slices! -I didn't say nuthin' 'bout slices! I said hams!'</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, that settled it! Our man give this feller one look an' -crawfished right there! He snuk out an' got on his pinto, an' we ain't -never saw him sence. Now, if yo'd a bin here——" and Bill shrugged his -shoulders and made a deprecatory gesture that indicated that a real -eater, like Whitey, never would have allowed "hams" to faze him.</p> - -<p>"Mebbe we better issue another challenge?" added Bill, tentatively. -"Yo' won't need much trainin'!"</p> - -<p>"I'm not very fond of hams," said Whitey, "but if he'll start on steers -I'll accommodate him!"</p> - -<p>Bill let out a laugh that shook the rafters. "I guess you'll do!" he -said as he reached for his hat, and regarded the hole in it with a grin.</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose 'Injun' will be here to-day, Mr. Jordan?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"He's bin here more'n an hour, a'ready!" said Jordan, "I seen him an' -that pinto of his when I come past the corral. I meant to tell you -'bout it, but disremembered to."</p> - -<p>"I hope he'll wait," said Whitey.</p> - -<p>Bill laughed: "He'll wait, all right. Patience is an Injun's middle -name! Time don't mean nuthin' to them."</p> - -<p>Whitey got his rifle and started out for the corral. He found 'Injun' -just where Bill had said he was, waiting patiently, and Bill Jordan -made it a point to be on hand a few moments afterward. Both of the boys -were diffident, although Injun did not display it.</p> - -<p>Whitey began the conversation: "Hello, Injun," he said, in a pleasant -way. Injun raised his hand in his peculiar way of salutation, but -made no other acknowledgment of the greeting, but eyed Whitey's rifle -interestedly.</p> - -<p>"Want to look at it?" asked Whitey, holding it out. "It's a dandy!"</p> - -<p>Injun took the gun and examined it carefully, and Whitey noticed that -he did not violate any of the rules of handling it and he evidently -knew all about the mechanism. After he had looked it over admiringly -and tried the sights, he handed it back to Whitey without comment, but -there was no doubt that he would have given his right leg to own it.</p> - -<p>Whitey, in turn, examined and admired Injun's bow and arrows, and -found that, although he was undoubtedly as strong as Injun, he had -considerable difficulty in pulling the bow back to its fullest extent.</p> - -<p>There is a certain knack in this which comes only from long practice; -just as there is in all branches of athletic sports or feats of skill; -and experience is not alone the <i>best</i> teacher, but may be said to be -the <i>only</i> teacher. In this particular thing, the Indian has the added -incentive of necessity—the ability to shoot an arrow far and straight -means his very livelihood; and the loss of an arrow is serious—not -only because he loses the animal or bird, but because it takes a long -time to make a really good arrow.</p> - -<p>A similar condition exists in many other branches of out-door craft, -and the novice has great difficulty in mastering something which looks -easy. The ability to ride a high-spirited horse, or to throw a lariat -accurately, or to send a canoe through the water swiftly without making -a ripple or any perceptible noise, or to run at high speed over the -snow and through the thick woods on snow-shoes without coming to grief, -cannot be learned in a day or a month. In fact, some people can never -learn to do these things properly. If a boy or man hasn't a good eye -and steady nerves, he can never arrive at any extraordinary proficiency.</p> - -<p>It is impossible for two red-blooded boys to be together any length of -time without engaging in some kind of a contest; and the examinations -of the rifle and the bow and arrows made a very good basis for it, and -Jordan acted the part of promoter.</p> - -<p>"Let's see who is the best shot," he suggested. "Whitey—(Jordan had -by this time learned what he termed Alan's "handle" or "monicker"), -you use the gun an' let Injun use the bow and arrows and shoot at a -mark—say 'bout twenty paces off. What d' y' say?"</p> - -<p>"Sure," said Whitey, agreeing readily. "We'll shoot at your hat!"</p> - -<p>"Not by no means, y' won't!" said Jordan, grinning. "I got some respect -fer that old hat yet! 'T was a new one, yestiddy—till yo' made an old -one out'n it!" he added, reproachfully.</p> - -<p>Jordan took a pine board, marked a circle and bull's eye on it, and -fixed it against a post of the corral about twenty paces away. He -elected that Whitey shoot first, and the latter took careful aim and -fired. The splinters flew from the board, but it was found to have only -chipped the edge, and was not within the circle; but it was not such a -bad shot, as the board was hardly more than a foot wide.</p> - -<p>Injun fitted an arrow to the bow and drew the string back to his ear. -The arrow went straight to the mark and sunk itself in the pine board -in the bull's eye. Injun had not used one of his sharp-pointed hunting -arrows, or it would probably have gone clear through the board. Whitey -was most enthusiastic in his admiration for such skill as this, and, -too, it stirred in him a determination to emulate it. But try as he -would, he could not send the bullets from his rifle with anything near -the accuracy that Injun shot his arrows.</p> - -<p>Whitey tried the bow and arrows several times, but succeeded in hitting -the board only once, and with nothing like the force that Injun had -communicated to the shaft. He urged Injun to try the rifle—he didn't -have to urge very hard, as the latter was dying to try it. And while he -obtained somewhat better results from it than Whitey got from the bow, -he proved that as far as getting his dinner in the woods or mountains -is concerned, he might better stick to his bow. However, there was -no doubt that the first competition between the boys had resulted in -Injun's favor.</p> - -<p>As Injun handed the rifle back to Whitey, he looked at Jordan, and for -the first time spoke.</p> - -<p>"Him shoot!" he said.</p> - -<p>"Who—me?" said Jordan, "I guess I'm a leetle mite out o' practice. -Tell yo' what I'll do, though, Whitey—yo' done put my lid on the bum, -an' I'll shoot if you'll let me have a crack at that new hat o' your'n! -Come on now, are yo' game?" said Jordan, taking his big Colt forty-five -from his holster.</p> - -<p>"Turn about is fair play," said Whitey, "so here goes!" and he fastened -his hat on the board, making a fair mark.</p> - -<p>Jordan laughed, and turning, he emptied his revolver in the direction -of the hat in less time than it takes to tell it. "By Crackey!" -exclaimed Jordan, in a disappointed way, "I don't believe I hit thet -air old sky-piece, after all! I'm shore gettin' outer practice!"</p> - -<p>The boys ran to the hat, and found that it was untouched. BUT—Jordan -had put a ring of bullets all around it, none of them being more than -half an inch from the brim!</p> - -<p>"I guess you don't need much practice!" gasped Whitey, as he came back -with the hat. "I wouldn't have thought it possible for any one to -shoot like that!" he added, in undisguised admiration.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Jordan, slowly, "mebbe if I'd bin a leetle more careful -an' took more time, I <i>might</i> have hit it. I reckon, now, I've done -throwed away my chance to get even with yo'!"</p> - -<p>"You'll never get another chance at <i>my</i> hat—not unless you let me put -it up a mile away—and even then I'd be afraid you'd hit it!"</p> - -<p>"I reckon the hat's some safe if thet's the case," said Bill.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> - -<h3>WHITEY LEARNS TO RIDE</h3> - - -<p>"Look here, Whitey," said Bill Jordan, one afternoon, "kin yo' ride a -hoss? If yo' an' this here Injun is goin' in cahoots, yo' gotta ride -some!"</p> - -<p>"I'm not what any one would call a good rider," said Whitey, "but I -guess I can manage to stay on. I used to ride the horses down at Coney -Island, and once or twice when we were in the country; but these horses -are different. They don't wait till you get your seat before they whirl -'round and beat it!"</p> - -<p>"Some of 'em is a mite hasty," admitted Bill, "but we got one or two -nice, ol' hobby-hosses in the corral thet'll be 'bout yo'r size. Buck," -he shouted to one of the cow-punchers nearby, "go bring thet ol' sorrel -out'n the corral—thet is, pervidin' he's able to walk. Yo'll probably -find him leanin' up agin the fence to keep from fallin' down. This here -Whitey person is goin' to set on him fer a spell an' take a nap."</p> - -<p>Buck took a halter and went into the corral, and soon returned leading -the sorrel, which did not seem to be in any danger of falling down -if he didn't have something to lean against. In fact, the sorrel was -a pretty lively animal, and Whitey had his misgivings; but he knew -that Bill Jordan would not allow him to mount a fractious or vicious -horse, inexperienced as he was, and he made up his mind that he would -"go through" with it. If he were to spend any length of time in the -West, he knew that the sooner he learned to ride, the better off he -would be, and the more he could enter into the work and play of the -ranch—and, indeed, the very life of the West with which the horse is -so inseparably associated. Then, too, he admired and marveled at the -way Injun rode his pony, and the spirit of rivalry within him made him -determine that he would not remain outclassed, for any long time, by a -boy of his own age in any department of out-door life.</p> - -<p>Bill watched Whitey narrowly, and it is probable that if he had seen -any exhibition of "the white feather," he would have stopped the -performance. For he knew that confidence is the main thing, and if the -boy were timid, he might come to grief. But Whitey evidently did not -have "cold feet."</p> - -<p>"Buck, you keep the ol' rack-o'-bones from fallin' apart, an' I'll give -the kid a hand," said Bill, offering to boost Whitey into the saddle.</p> - -<p>"Let me try to mount myself," said Whitey. "I may be out on the prairie -some time and it won't be convenient to come way back here to get you -to boost me up."</p> - -<p>"Correct," said Bill, tickled over the boy's refusal of his assistance. -"It's always well to play a lone hand—ef yo' got the cards to do it!" -And Whitey swung himself onto the horse in as near an imitation of the -way of the ranchmen as he could.</p> - -<p>Once he was mounted on the sorrel, after some elementary instructions -from Bill as to mounting and keeping his seat by the knee-grip, Buck, -who had stood at the horse's head, released his hold, and the sorrel -started off at a lively clip; and if Whitey had not remembered his -instructions and been prepared for just this thing, he would have been -unseated. As it was, he had a narrow escape, but managed to stick -on, to the great delight of Bill—and, incidentally, of himself! -Every added minute on the horse gave added confidence to Whitey, and -as he began to get the swing and rhythm of it, he already felt that -exhilaration which comes from riding. Injun, of course, accompanied -him, and the two boys rode around the big corral to which his first -essay was confined.</p> - -<p>Bill Jordan watched Whitey with considerable satisfaction; he had -taken a great interest in the boy because he recognized in him many -of the sterling qualities that go to make a man. He had not selected -a "rocking-horse" for his first ride largely to see if Whitey would -tackle what seemed to be a difficult undertaking without fear; and the -manner in which the boy had "gone to it" pleased him immensely. He -knew that there was really very little actual danger, for the sorrel -was steady and "honest" and had no vicious traits, and there is such a -thing as too much "babying."</p> - -<p>Whitey was strong and confident, and there are worse things than a -fall from a horse. Jordan knew, also, that if a rider starts on an -"easy-chair" sort of a horse, he will learn many things which he must -eventually un-learn. At any rate, the proof of the pudding is in -the eating, and the manner in which Whitey performed justified his -judgment. It would not do, of course, to start <i>every</i> boy in this way; -but Whitey was an unusual boy, and Bill felt that he took very few -chances.</p> - -<p>In the next few days Whitey picked up a surprising lot of horsemanship -and though he had a fall or two, when he attempted to do some of the -"fancy stuff" that Injun and the cow-punchers showed him, he had no -broken bones, and he felt that he was competent to ride almost anywhere -and keep up the pace. Confidence, after all, is the main thing, and -this Whitey had in large measure. And, what counts for much also, <i>he -was willing to be shown</i>. He did not "<i>know it all</i>." Any boy who -starts in a new game and thinks he knows it all will certainly come to -grief.</p> - -<p>The taking over of a new property like the big Bar O ranch and getting -the run of things is no small job; and Mr. Sherwood was kept too busy -to pay more than casual attention to Whitey. Thus the two boys were -left almost entirely to themselves, although Bill Jordan kept an eye on -them, as did many of the ranch-hands with whom they were favorites.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> - -<h3>THE BOYS SETTLE A QUESTION</h3> - - -<p>Not only is it impossible for two red-blooded boys to be together -for any length of time without engaging in some kind of competition, -but usually that competition takes the form of seeing "who is the -best man!" No boy likes to be out-done at any sport; and if he is, -he usually tries to improve in that sport, or casts about to find -something at which he is better than his victor. Whitey was compelled -to acknowledge that Injun was the better shot—how long he would -remain better, especially with the rifle, was a matter that was up to -Whitey—but the strongest and fleetest boy in the big Eastern school -was not going to acknowledge Injun's superiority in other branches of -sport until he was obliged to do so.</p> - -<p>As far as riding was concerned, there was no comparison at all; and -again Whitey was compelled to admit inferiority. But he knew that his -rival had by far the better horse, and had practically been brought -up on his back; and Whitey felt that, given an equal opportunity, he, -too, could ride as well as the next boy. If spending most of his waking -hours in the saddle would accomplish this, he determined to put them in -that way.</p> - -<p>It must not be understood that Whitey was a "poor loser"—such was far -from the truth. Defeat did not make him "sore" and engender hatred -in him; it only made him try the harder. He was always the first to -congratulate his successful rival, <i>and to make up his mind that he -would strive to equal or excel his rival's performance</i>. In this -instance, however, he realized that he was "playing Injun's own game"; -and maybe, if Injun played some of Whitey's games, he would not come -off any better than Whitey had at Injun's.</p> - -<p>It was several days before the stiffness from riding began to leave -Whitey's muscles and they assumed their usual elasticity; but he -had stuck to his saddle during that time, and gradually the soreness -began to wear away. He also had acquired confidence and a knowledge of -his horse, the sorrel, which he had named Monty, and Monty had begun -to know him. This is a necessity for really finished or satisfactory -riding; and, on the advice of Bill Jordan, Whitey assumed entire charge -of the horse, grooming and feeding and watering him, and ingratiating -himself into Monty's confidence and affection in every way that he -could until he had established an understanding between them.</p> - -<p>"Ef yo' an' that sorrel gets to be pals," said Bill, "Yo' hes gone a -long ways toward bein' a rider. Team-work counts for a heap in that -game!"</p> - -<p>And so, although it would be a long time before Whitey and Monty -could ever hope to rival Injun and his pinto, yet, for all practical -purposes, Whitey became a fair horseman, and the pair made a good -combination. He even had aspirations toward riding one of the bucking -bronchos that the boys broke in the corral; but Bill Jordan put a veto -on this, and said that there would be "plenty of time for thet stuff -when funeral expenses ain't so high!"</p> - -<p>On most of his excursions out into the prairie, Injun accompanied him, -and seldom did the two boys come back to the ranch without a race. At -first Injun won regularly; but as Whitey learned to ride, he gradually -shortened the distance by which he and Monty were the losers, until it -became nip and tuck, and finally Whitey and Monty had won two heats in -succession.</p> - -<p>On the third day, as they came in neck and neck, the two boys rode so -close together that they could touch each other; and before they knew -it, were indulging in that most hazardous and difficult game, wrestling -on horse-back. Injun, who was literally part of the horse, finally -succeeded in unseating Whitey, and the latter hit the ground with a -thump.</p> - -<p>Whitey picked himself up, and grinning, said, "Injun, you might throw -me when we're on our horses, but you couldn't do it on the ground!"</p> - -<p>Injun slipped from his pinto, laid aside his bow and arrows and his -hunting-knife, and accepted the challenge without hesitation: "Me -'rassle," he said, and began to slip around Whitey with a gliding and -panther-like motion, looking for a hold. Whitey faced him alertly, and -for a moment nothing else happened. Bill Jordan and several of the -boys watched the contest from the fence of the corral. Suddenly, Injun -darted in with the swiftness of a rattlesnake making a strike, and -secured a hold on Whitey's leg, coming within an ace of upsetting him. -But Whitey was not to be upset so easily; he seized Injun's arm with -one hand, and putting his forearm under Injun's chin, forced his head -back; and exerting his thigh-muscles, he broke Injun's hold on his leg. -Quickly shifting his hold from Injun's arm, and slipping his other arm -beneath Injun's, he secured what boys call "an under-hold"; and then, -half turning, he threw Injun over his hip to the ground, heavily.</p> - -<p>But Whitey came down, too, although he was on top; for Injun had locked -his arms about Whitey's neck and held on with a grip like a vise. -They were locked in this way for perhaps two minutes, but Whitey knew -that it was only a matter of time when he could break this hold, and -he was in no hurry. At the slightest relaxation of the pressure that -Injun was putting on, he could get one of his hands under Injun's arms, -or he could twist out. He felt, at first contact that he was stronger -than Injun and a good deal heavier, and these are two big assets in -wrestling, though the smaller boy was perhaps quicker. And then, too, -Whitey knew many wrestling holds, while Injun depended entirely upon -his natural instincts; this, also, was greatly to Whitey's advantage.</p> - -<p>But there was one thing Whitey had not reckoned on, and that was -Injun's nature—Injun was getting angry, and Whitey could feel that his -opponent was trying to strangle him, and meant to do him some injury if -he could.</p> - -<p>"What are you trying to do?" asked Whitey as Injun put on more -pressure. "This isn't a fight—we're not trying to kill each other!" -But Injun made no reply but continued to rough it.</p> - -<p>This put a new face on the matter, and Whitey quickly slid one hand -beneath Injun's arm, and prying it up, he wrenched his head from -Injun's strangle-hold in no very gentle manner. As he did this, Injun -slid out from under him and got to his hands and knees in a sort of -"dog-fall"; and this gave Whitey a chance to twist one of Injun's arms -around his back and force it upward between the shoulder-blades in what -is known as a "hammer-lock," and quickly turned Injun over on his back -and pinned his shoulders down. Once Injun was "down" and manifestly -helpless, Whitey jumped to his feet and held out his hand; but Injun -rose slowly and did not take it.</p> - -<p>"Look out fer that Injun," said one of the boys to Bill Jordan, "he's -bad medicine! He'll do that kid some dirt, first thing y' know!" But -the warning was unnecessary, for Bill was already on his way toward the -two boys.</p> - -<p>Quick as a flash Injun stooped and picked up his knife which he had -thrown beside his bow and arrows, and turned to Whitey; but the latter -was ready and proceeded to show Injun a game that Injun knew nothing -about whatever. The Indian, in the wilds, doesn't know anything about -using his fists—he fights only with a weapon. Boxing is confined, -almost entirely, to the Anglo-Saxon race, and when Whitey's solid -fist landed on Injun's jaw with all the force that Whitey could put -into a long swing, Injun was a very much astonished young man, and he -went down in a heap, his arms stretched out and his eyes blinking and -his mind dazed. Whitey stepped on the wrist of the hand that held the -knife, and took it out of the boy's hand and threw it far from them.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Whitey's solid fist landed on Injun's jaw.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Seeing this, and knowing that any real danger was over, Bill and the -boys stopped.</p> - -<p>"Might as well let 'em have it out," said Bill. "They'll have to settle -who's boss, an' it may as well be now as any other time. That Whitey -person ain't no slouch! Did you see the slam he handed that kid?"</p> - -<p>Injun evidently didn't think that he was licked yet, for he made one -more rush, as he struggled to his feet—and only one. For as good a -boxer as Whitey, he offered too big a mark to miss; and as he came in, -head down, he was met by a fair and square left-hand upper-cut on the -nose; and when he straightened from this Whitey promptly knocked him -down with his right.</p> - -<p>Then he stood off, waiting for Injun to get up; but Injun was in no -hurry. He looked solemnly at Bill and the boys. When he rose slowly to -his feet, Whitey picked up the knife and the bow and arrows and walked -up to Injun and handed them to him. Injun took them wonderingly; he -couldn't understand such conduct in a victor, at all! Then Whitey held -out his hand. "I'm sorry I had to hit you," he said. "But you got mad!" -Injun looked at him for a long time; then he took the hand. "You boss!" -he said, as he leaped upon the pinto and was gone.</p> - -<p>Bill slapped Whitey on the back: "Son," he said, "I guess you'll do! I -reckon you kin take care of yerself most any time! An' you give that -Kid jes' what he deserved—a good lickin'! An' you fought fair—like a -white man!"</p> - -<p>"An' 'f I was you," said one of the boys, "I'd keep my eye on thet -coyote. He'll sneak up on ye some time an' see how far he kin run thet -knife o' his'n in yer back! I wouldn't trust them birds!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "mebbe y' better watch him fer a spell; but I don't -figger him thet way. He's a game little rooster, an' gener'ly them -thet's game has got somethin' to 'em. Besides, he's different from the -gener'l run o' his tribe. He done said you was boss! An' I take it, -thet means he's surrendered, an' 'll walk turkey from now on. We'll -see."</p> - -<p>"What's all this about?" asked Mr. Sherwood, coming up just then. "You -look a little mussed up," he added, turning to Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Your boy jes' hed a slight argyment with the injun, an' he convinced -him," said Bill. "Thet's all."</p> - -<p>"And what was it he convinced the Indian of?" asked Mr. Sherwood, -smiling.</p> - -<p>"He convinced him of the sooperiority of the White race," said Bill. -"Convinced him good an' plenty—right on the nose—an' other parts!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a></h2> - -<h3>A FRIEND IN NEED</h3> - - -<p>The accuracy of Bill Jordan's estimate of Injun was clearly -demonstrated very soon afterward. Injun did not appear at the ranch -the day following his "argument" with Whitey; and it must be confessed -that the latter missed him sorely. The usual sports and occupations -had lost a good deal of their zest, and life wasn't quite the same to -Whitey. Injun, accustomed as he was to a solitary and independent life, -probably felt the separation less; but that he felt it, is certain.</p> - -<p>For on the following day, he appeared early, and made no pretense -that he had come on any other errand than to offer peace. He did not -bring a peace-pipe for Whitey to smoke with him, but he brought what -was equivalent to it—a fine lariat which he presented to Whitey at -the corral with no words and no ceremony, simply handing it to him -and letting it go at that. Like the rest of his race, Injun was not -demonstrative.</p> - -<p>Whitey accepted the gift in the spirit in which it was given and -thanked Injun for it; and at once proceeded to try it under the -tutelage of his companion who already had acquired considerable skill -in its use.</p> - -<p>Bill Jordan had been near at hand when the reconciliation between the -two boys had occurred, thinking that perhaps it was not best to trust -the red boy too far; but the latter's manner soon convinced Bill that -things were as they should be and that the lad was no "Injun-giver," -and that there was no sinister motive behind his seeming generosity. -Bill examined the lariat closely, and a smile came over his face as -he asked: "Where'd you grab off this here rope, Injun?" Injun looked -frankly at Bill and said, "Him Pedro leave him."</p> - -<p>Bill laughed: "He shore did, Injun!" And then he explained to Whitey: -"This here Pedro person was some complicated into more kinds of evil -deviltry an' wickedness, includin' cattle rustlin', than any six men -oughta be. He's a half-breed Canuck, bein' called 'Pedro', 'count o' -him havin' more'n ord'nary skill at playin' a card-game by thet name. -He had most pressin' reasons to go away from here right sudden, an' he -neglected to take some of his belongings—which he prob'ally stole in -the first place. You title is good, Injun—better'n Pedro's, anyhow!"</p> - -<p>"Where is he now?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Anybody who will tell me that," said Bill, "will get a vote o' thanks -all wrote out on paper an' tied with a pink ribbon! I'd travel some -consid'able distance afoot if I figgered I c'd meet up with thet pizen -hombrey. When he left, he didn't leave no forwardin' address—the' -was a lot o' things comin' to him thet he wasn't partic'lar 'bout -receivin'. If he's where I hope he is, an' where he oughta be, he don't -need no over-coat ner blanket! I reckon this here Injun mebbe'd like to -know where he is, too!" laughed Bill. "Injun had consider'ble to do -with showin' up that skunk, an' he's some sore on Injun—I'll tell yo' -'bout it sometime."</p> - -<p>The subject of Pedro apparently was not a very pleasant one to Bill, -and he changed the subject abruptly. "Lemme see what I kin do with thet -rope," he said, and Whitey handed it to him, delightedly. Bill took the -"rope," and proceeded to show the boys some stunts that opened Whitey's -eyes, especially the fancy ones. And as he performed each one, he told -the boys that "he was plumb outa practice."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to see you when you <i>are</i> in practice!" said Whitey; "but I -want to know, Mr. Jordan, if those stunts are really any good?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "o' course the main thing to do with a rope is to -ketch somethin' with it, an' I didn't ketch nuthin' but mebbe a little -applause; but yo' learn them things foolin' with the rope, an' the -more yo' fool with anythin', the more yo' learn about it, and the more -control yo' get over it. I wouldn't say thet the time spent in learnin' -them things was <i>all</i> throwed away. Mebbe they ain't so useless as they -seem." Bill smiled—that rare, quiet, quizzical smile of his, as he -asked innocently, "Was yo' thinkin' o' puttin' in the whole mornin' an' -learnin' 'em?"</p> - -<p>Whitey laughed; he had tried the lariat and he knew how difficult it is -to do anything with it at all. "Not this morning!" he said. "I'm going -to wait until no one is looking. I think I'll get better acquainted -with my horse before I tackle a new job!"</p> - -<p>"One thing at a time is good dope," said Bill. "Hev yo' got so yo' kin -set on that ol' hobby-horse without holdin' onto his mane?"</p> - -<p>Whitey laughed; and for an answer, he vaulted onto Monty's back, and, -followed by Injun, he galloped away.</p> - -<p>As the boys rode away from the ranch-house across the prairie toward -the mountains, they came upon numerous small streams, some of them so -deep or so swift that they could not be readily forded. Here was a -new experience—"swimming a horse" across a stream. Injun, of course, -showed the way, and Whitey learned that, if the current is at all -swift, you must enter the water above the spot where you wish to land, -so that you will be carried down-stream to the proper place. And it was -here that Whitey had his first real adventure; though had it not been -for Injun, there is no telling but the story of Whitey would have to -come to an end right here.</p> - -<p>The boys had dismounted on the bank of one of these streams, and Whitey -had tied his horse in the way Injun showed him. Injun's pony did not -require tieing, for the reason that no dog ever followed his master -with more fidelity than did the pony follow Injun.</p> - -<p>As Whitey ran down the steep bank onto the rocks that bordered the -stream, he saw, not more than ten feet away from him, a rattlesnake -sunning himself on a flat rock. If Whitey had been a Western boy, he -never would have done what he did, and that was to stoop and pick up a -stone and take careful aim at the snake. In fact, he took too careful -aim! Rattlesnakes are born fighters, and naturally object to being -hit by rocks thrown by boys or anybody else. And at exactly the same -instant that Whitey threw the stone, the rattler jumped for him—and -a rattler is a considerable jumper. The rock and the snake probably -passed each other in the air!</p> - -<p>At any rate, the rock did not hit the snake, and it seemed that the -snake did not hit the boy; but for the next few seconds the air was -full of snake and boy—the boy doing a dance that would put to shame -any professional. Whitey hopped high and far and frequently, but he -couldn't get out of reach of the snake. But a rattler must coil to -strike effectively; and although this one did, very quickly, he was not -quite quick enough.</p> - -<p>Injun had come to the edge of the bank and had taken in the situation -at a glance, and he acted instantly. In an incredibly short time, he -had fitted an arrow to his bow, and when the snake coiled, it was the -last thing that Mr. Snake ever did! Injun's arrow hit him just below -his ugly, flat head, and pinned him to the ground for a moment, where -he writhed and twisted for a time and then lay still. Injun paid no -attention to the snake, but turned anxiously to Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Him bite you?" he asked earnestly.</p> - -<p>"No," answered Whitey, "guess not—I didn't feel anything. He made me -hop some, though," he added, going toward the dead snake as though to -examine it.</p> - -<p>But Injun was not satisfied; he stopped Whitey and made him take off -his shoes and stockings and roll up his trousers and examine his -legs critically for any evidences of a bite. In the calf of Whitey's -leg, there was an almost imperceptible scratch; Injun examined it, -and at once applied his lips to the wound and sucked the blood from -it and spat it out; and this he repeated several times, while Whitey -looked on, grinning and wondering what it was all about. Then Injun -took Whitey's handkerchief from about his neck and tieing it above -the wound—<i>nearer to the heart</i>—he knotted it, ran a short stick -through the knot, and twisted the stick until the handkerchief was very -tight. This is the first thing to be done in case of snake-bite, as it -prevents, in a measure, the poison from getting into the circulation.</p> - -<p>"Gee!" said Whitey, "my leg feels numb—I guess you got that thing too -tight!"</p> - -<p>Injun shook his head and insisted that Whitey get onto his horse and -ride back. Whitey agreed, though he had begun to feel a certain drowsy -numbness all over him, and Injun had to help him mount.</p> - -<p>It was plain to Injun that Whitey never would be able to stay on his -horse unassisted, and he mounted behind him and held him on, calling to -his own pony to follow.</p> - -<p>In this manner the two boys came to the ranch-house, where Whitey -was taken in hand by Bill and Mr. Sherwood and the usual remedies -administered, one of them being to pour whiskey into the victim.</p> - -<p>The poison of a rattlesnake has a tendency to stop the heart, and -whiskey is given to stimulate it—to make it beat faster—a primitive -remedy and one that doesn't always work. And then, too, it is a -question in the minds of many people as to which is the worse poison, -rattlesnake juice or whiskey!</p> - -<p>It was evident that Injun was not altogether satisfied with the -treatment that his pal was getting; and he leaped upon his pinto and -dashed away. After a time he returned with an old Indian Squaw, who -set up her tripod of sticks and hung her kettle over a small fire and -cooked some of the herbs that she had in a little bag. A couple of days -later Whitey woke up and proceeded to get well—thanks to the squaw and -to Injun!</p> - -<p>And it is quite certain that he never again set out to kill a six-foot -rattler with a rock! If a man hasn't a gun handy, it is just as well -to give the rattler his full half of the road—or the whole of it, for -that matter, if he seems to want it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> - -<h3>THE CHINOOK WIND</h3> - - -<p>During the days of Whitey's convalescence Injun and Bill Jordan were -unremitting in their attendance upon him and in their efforts to make -things pleasant. Whitey had had a very narrow escape, but thanks to -the squaw and to Injun, their quick and effective methods, and to his -own good constitution, it was only a few days before he felt almost -entirely recovered and the ill-effects had nearly disappeared. Whitey -realized that it takes some time to many to become a "real Westerner," -and that there are many "dont's" as well as "do's" in the program of -life in the foot-hills of the Rockies.</p> - -<p>As Bill Jordan sat by Whitey's chair on the piazza, he told the boy -many things—not as a teacher instructing a pupil—but as stories -that should suggest a course of conduct to be followed when certain -exigencies presented themselves. One of the cardinal principles that -Bill laid down was that a boy, or a man, must keep his eyes open at -all times. Bill maintained, and it is probably true, that any boy of -good, common sense is far safer on the ranch and its environs than he -would be on Broadway or the streets of any big city; but he must keep -his eyes open and learn to read the signs. Nature has signs that are -just as plain and legible as the signs that mark the traffic and guide -the citizen in his daily life. A careful person doesn't disregard these -signs and rules of conduct in the city; and the careful plainsman or -mountaineer should not disregard those that should guide and regulate -him in the Great Out-doors.</p> - -<p>"Ever hear of a Chinook wind?" asked Bill, as he and Injun and Whitey -sat on the broad piazza of the ranch-house, when Whitey was able to be -up. Injun said nothing, but his face showed that he knew all about the -Chinook wind.</p> - -<p>"Well," continued Bill, addressing Whitey, "it's a warm wind thet's -liable to come any time durin' the winter months; but it usually comes -along 'bout February er March. The snow all melts an' the sun shines -an' the grass begins to sprout an' the stock commences to feed an' -wander away from the home corrals. Now this here Mister Chinook Wind'd -be a wonderful thing if he was on the level—which he ain't. Not by no -means! He's a shore-enough villain, an' could play the villain's part -in any story an' live up to it! He come mighty near finishin' me an' -some others once!" And Bill stopped and rolled a cigarette, though it -was plain that the two boys were all eagerness to hear the story.</p> - -<p>"It was like this," said Bill, blowing out a big whiff of smoke; "Old -Man Holloway lived about eighty mile from Bismarck—had lived there -fer ten years er more, an' should hev knowed better—an' he had some -business that ought of bin did 'long in the winter; but the winter hed -bin a hard one an' he didn't hev a Chinaman's chance o' gettin' up to -town. 'Long towards spring, comes Mr. Chinook Wind an' got in his fine -work."</p> - -<p>Bill paused, and Whitey asked, "What did the wind do?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, slowly, "it's a funny thing 'bout a Chinook -wind—it's fooled the people in the West since the beginnin' of time, -an' 't seem 's though it's goin' right on an' fool 'em till the end o' -time! Must be it's his balmy, soft-soapy ways! You couldn't never ask -fer no nicer weather 'n we had fer some days, that spring, an' Old Man -Holloway concluded he'd strike out fer Bismarck—never give the weather -a thought 't all. He was so sure thet he didn't even hesitate 'bout -takin' his ten-year-old boy, Jim, 'long with him; an' y' kin gamble -thet if he'd sensed any danger he wouldn't of took Jim—'cause there -was just two things thet Jim's father loved—and Jim was both of 'em!</p> - -<p>"They set out with two saddle-horses and two pack-horses on the -eighty-mile trip, an' fer forty-five mile everything was fine as silk. -The night camp was made, an' the coyotes sung the'r little songs, as -per usual. An' next mornin', they put away a big breakfast o' beans an' -bacon, and started out on the last lap o' the trip.</p> - -<p>"Long late in th' afternoon things begun to happen. Mr. Chinook Wind -he'd got tired o' bein' nice; he'd gone courtin' all over thet part -o' the country, an' he'd let the sun shine on the hills, an' he'd -laughed—a nice, chucklin' little laugh—with all the rivers, an' -flirted with the trees an' lullabied 'most everybody to sleep. Then he -got tired er got a grouch an' didn't want t' play any more! He jes' -says, 'Good-by! I'm gone!' An' he let Winter take his place. An' though -it lacked three hours o' sun-down, the sun hid hisself an' it got dark, -an' then it got darker; an' the winter wind commenced to whistle—not -a nice, clean tune of a whistle, but an ugly, threatenin' sort of a -sound—like a fire-engine whistle in the night. It was pretty tol'able -dark, but it was light enough fer Jim t' see thet his dad's face was -white. Old Man Holloway wasn't sayin' much, but he was doin' a heap o' -thinkin'. An' pretty soon, things begun to fall through the air which -was snow, but nobody ever seen snow like it before ner since. The -flakes was as big as plates, an' they was fallin' so thick thet they -seemed like a solid wall!"</p> - -<p>Bill paused, reminiscently, and Whitey waited eagerly for the finish -of the story. Injun sat impassive—he knew pretty well what Bill was -talking about.</p> - -<p>"Bime by, Jim thought his father's horse hed bumped into him; but when -he looked up, he seen it was a strange man—it was me! An' the strange -man hed five other men with him—they was outriders lookin' fer stray -cattle, an' the fact thet they'd run into Jim an' his father was the -only thing thet saved both the'r lives.</p> - -<p>"By this time, the wind was blowin' great guns—y' couldn't hear -yerself think—an' what with the darkness an' snow, it didn't look -like much could be done." Bill paused. "A horse er a steer," he said, -digressing, "never tries to do anythin'; they jes' turn the'r head -away from the wind an' drop it down an' wait fer the finish! Humans is -different. God didn't give horses an' steers human intelligence, an' -humans hev to use the intelligence they hev to protect 'emselves." Bill -paused again, as though he disliked to say what he intended, but, after -a moment, he resumed.</p> - -<p>"It may seem mighty hard on the hosses—what happened—but it was the -only thing that could be done; an' if folks 'd think it over, mebbe -they'll realize thet it was the most merciful thing thet could be did -fer all hands,—I means fer the hosses too. They was led into a little -circle, head to tail, an' each ranch rider put his gun between his -horse's eyes an' fired!"</p> - -<p>It was very plain that Bill could not think of this act without pain, -although it had been a necessary one, and the saving of human lives -was made possible only by the sacrifice of the lives of the animals. -It is only as a last resort, that a plainsman will ever consent to the -destruction of his horse. In many great emergencies, in the desert, -the man will deny water to himself that his horse may drink; or, at -least, he will divide with the animal.</p> - -<p>At length, Bill went on: "When the hosses fell, they made a sort of -rampart er buffer against the storm; an' inside this little circle, -seven men an' a boy crouched fer two days, with the'r buffalo-robes -drawed over 'em an' the snow peltin' and driftin' over that. Fer two -days, the blizzard raged, an' the seven men an' thet boy stayed right -there! Then she broke—that is, she got so people could see. An' 'bout -the end o' the third day, the seven men an' the boy footed it into -Bismarck—an' each one o' the seven men hed some part of his body -frozen! They hed kep' the boy in the middle an' protected him!"</p> - -<p>Bill rose from his seat and started to go toward the corral, but -stopped for just another word. "I might mention," he said, as though -it were a matter of little moment, "to give yo' some idea of a Dakota -blizzard, thet when them seven men an' the boy limped into Bismarck at -the end o' the third day, the thermometer showed <i>fifty-two below</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a></h2> - -<h3>MR. ROSS PAYS A CALL</h3> - - -<p>The nearest ranch to that of Mr. Sherwood was the "Cross and Circle," -which lay some twelve or fifteen miles to the northwest, toward -and nearer the mountains, near the left bank of Elkhorn River, the -ranch-house itself being not more than about a hundred yards from the -water's edge. Being nearer the mountains, the ground upon which the -ranch-house stood was of rock formation, and was over-shadowed by a -high cliff.</p> - -<p>While it was a rather valuable property, it did not compare with -the Bar O, either in its extent, improvements, or in its grazing -facilities. It was occupied by Samuel Ross, who had obtained it from -its former owner about six months before the time this story opens.</p> - -<p>In many ways Ross had allowed the ranch to run down. The house needed -repair, the out-buildings and fences were not well kept, and there was -no semblance of the discipline or morale that prevailed at the Bar O. -It had perhaps somewhere between five hundred and a thousand head of -cattle, but they were notoriously ill-cared for and neglected.</p> - -<p>The ranch was not noted for its hospitality—in fact, exactly the -reverse was the case; and any attempt to establish anything like -neighborly intercourse was frowned upon or roughly declined. The men -kept to themselves in a surly, clannish way, even when excursions were -made into town and "festivities" were indulged in at the saloon and -dance-hall and gambling-joint.</p> - -<p>In one way, this was not resented. It is regarded as a man's right to -keep to himself. In many parts of the West, even to-day, it is not well -to start an investigation into a man's family and pedigree, or where he -comes from and what his business is. Young readers may not understand -why this is so.</p> - -<p>In the early days, the West was a haven or refuge for all sorts -of characters who, for reasons of their own, sought to lose their -identities. Some desired to escape punishments for crimes committed -elsewhere; some were ne'er-do-wells or failures who desired to start -life over again with a clean slate. In the vast confines of the West, -this was comparatively easy. In the case of criminals, the law had -difficulty in reaching into its remote corners and dragging a man back -to Justice. In the case of ne'er-do-wells and failures, they could -start again on an even basis with other men, unhandicapped by their -previous records. Thus it can be seen that all inquiry into a man's -past was resented. So general did this become, that even those who had -nothing whatever to hide grew to resent questions of this nature.</p> - -<p>And the mistake must not be made of thinking that the West was overrun -with people of shady records. Nothing could be further from the fact. -There never has been a higher standard of manhood established anywhere -in the world than that which prevailed, and does prevail, in the -West. And naturally so. Nowhere were, or are, such great opportunities -offered; but the taking advantage of these opportunities required -not only brains, but physical fitness, courage, and a moral fiber -of a high order as well. Nowhere in the world have people come to -themselves—weeded out the bad, separated the wheat from the chaff, -and purged themselves from uncleanness—in so short a time or in so -effective a way as did the people of the West.</p> - -<p>And another thing that the West has had to stand: any time a -penny-a-liner with an inflamed imagination thought out some lurid, -impossible tale of blood and thunder and crime and debauchery, he -staged it in the West. It is safe to say that <i>not one in a hundred</i> -of these "penny-dreadfuls" was ever written by a man who had been -west of Hoboken, New Jersey! As said before, there is more gun-play -in New York City in one month than there is in all the states west of -the Mississippi in one year! And we'll throw in Alaska, too, for good -measure! Of course, there are "skunks" in every community, but if -there is one climate in the world where it is unhealthy for a "skunk" -it is the climate of the West. They can't "get by" out there! Not for -very long, they can't!</p> - -<p>With this matter settled we can get back to the story.</p> - -<p>Ross, himself, was a huge man, weighing in the neighborhood of two -hundred and fifty pounds, and was of most forbidding mien. His red, -bloated face was encircled by a closely cropped thatch of hair that -came down within an inch or so of his eyes, and the lower part of his -face was covered by a thick, rank growth of sandy whiskers. His whole -person gave the impression of untidiness and neglect, and probably -the impression did not belie the fact. He seemed to have a perpetual -grouch, and enforced his wishes by sheer brutality. And even in the -rough band about him he carried things with a high hand, and brooked no -crossing of his will.</p> - -<p>After he had taken possession of the ranch he had proceeded to carry on -the business in his own way. The men about him—the ranch-hands—were -a motley collection; many of them half-breeds, and all of a similar -stripe to the boss. There was no attempt to conceal the frequent sprees -and drunken brawls that occurred at the ranch, and there were rumors -that more than one "killing" had taken place within the walls of the -ranch-house. This, of course, was a difficult matter to prove; and as -the alleged victim had invariably been a man who was not especially an -ornament to the community, no thorough investigation of these rumors -had taken place.</p> - -<p>When a scorpion kills a tarantula, nobody feels very much like -punishing the scorpion—on that account, at least.</p> - -<p>But while the outfit at the Ross ranch had, in general, a bad name, -there was nothing that one could put his finger on as being contrary -to law. Ross paid his obligations—possibly reluctantly and late—but -he paid them; and however much suspicion of sharp practice might -be attached to him, suspicions are not evidence in a court of law. -And however much his neighbors may have disliked him, the dislike -had hardly gotten strong enough to warrant a visit from a Vigilance -Committee.</p> - -<p>One thing had caused considerable comment—no visitor had ever been -permitted to enter the ranch-house proper. Many people had, at one time -or another, come to the threshold; but that was as far as they ever -got. The bulky form of Ross, or of some one equally hospitable, blocked -further passage; and the conduct of any necessary business took place -out in the ranch-yard. While this may have caused comment and aroused -curiosity, the fact remained that "every man's house is his castle," -and unless he has put himself outside of the pale of the law, nobody is -justified in violating it. And thus, it will be seen that Ross, mean -and underhand, as he undoubtedly was, in many ways was well within his -rights.</p> - -<p>Ross made his shipments of cattle in the regular way, but over a -different branch of the railroad from that used by the Bar O, and -as far as any one could see these shipments were regular and not -disproportionate to the amount the ranch should make under proper -handling. It is doubtful if anybody had ever kept actual tabs on these -shipments; and as Ross was more than usually "reticent" about his -business as well as his personal affairs, little was really known.</p> - -<p>In view of the foregoing facts, it was somewhat surprising to see Mr. -Sam Ross and two of his men ride into the Bar O ranch-yard early one -afternoon. They were received civilly, if not with any very great -cordiality by Bill Jordan, and after he had made them known to Mr. -Sherwood, Ross opened up.</p> - -<p>"Hev yo' all been losin' stock?" he asked. Mr. Sherwood glanced at -Bill, putting the matter up to him.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes," said Bill Jordan, cautiously, answering for Sherwood, "I -reckon we hev had some losses—not nuthin' very much, but some, and -pretty continual. Hev you?"</p> - -<p>"We hev," said Ross, emphatically, "an' enough to speak 'bout, too! But -we can't find hide ner hair ner no trace of any rustlers, 'less'n it be -them Injuns thet's down toward the Fork. An' yet we can't find nuthin' -to fix it onto 'em."</p> - -<p>Bill pondered the matter for a time before he spoke. "Thet's 'bout -the same fix we're in," he said. "We been givin' them Redskins the -once-over right consider'ble frequent, but we're pretty well satisfied -it ain't them. An' none o' the boys has seen any strangers hangin' -'round. But," he added, shaking his head, in a mystified way, "them -steers don't evaporate! Somebody is puttin' somethin' over."</p> - -<p>"What are y' goin' to do—let 'em get away with it, clean?" asked Ross.</p> - -<p>"I dunno," said Bill, rolling a cigarette. "I thought I put the fear o' -God into the hearts o' them rustlers some time ago, but I guess I hev -bin kiddin' myself. What are <i>you</i> goin' to do?"</p> - -<p>"It's got me guessin'," answered Ross. Then, after a moment, he said: -"How's all your men? Be they all right? Never had no suspicions on none -of 'em bein' in on the job?"</p> - -<p>"The men is as straight an outfit as ever was got together!" answered -Bill with a little asperity. "This here thing of our'n ain't no inside -job. How's yours—know their pedigrees an' all that?"</p> - -<p>"Same thing with me," said Ross, "I got a lot o' crackerjacks—honest -and straight as day—no chanct fer any leakage thataway. I'm inclined -to put it up to them Injuns. Don't see who else kin be at the bottom of -it."</p> - -<p>Bill was silent for a time; then he said, "Well, <i>if 't ain't nobody -else</i>, it <i>must be</i> them," and Bill smiled, enigmatically.</p> - -<p>"My men says thet they's one on 'em—a boy—hangs 'round here a good -deal," said Ross, tentatively.</p> - -<p>"You needn't give him a second thought, Mr. Ross," said Sherwood, -quickly, in defense of Injun. "He is nothing but a boy, and he and my -son occupy themselves in a perfectly legitimate way. Besides, he has -very little to do with his own people and is seldom with the rest of -his tribe."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ross, shaking his head, "I wouldn't put anything past an -Injun. He may be givin' 'em a lot o' useful information. If he comes -up my way, he'll get short shrift."</p> - -<p>"I'll answer for him," said Whitey, butting into the conversation with -indignation. "I'm with him most of the time, and he hasn't any more to -do with stealing cattle than I have!"</p> - -<p>Ross laughed. "Mebbe not, Son," he said. "Mebbe not. But I don't want -him 'round my place." Ross and his two men rose. "I guess we'll be -pullin' our freight," he said; "it's gittin' late. Let me know what yo' -all intends to do, an' I'm with yo'. In the meantime, I'm goin' to keep -my eye on them red devils—an' I advise yo' all to do the same."</p> - -<p>When Ross and his men had ridden out of the ranch-yard and were well -down the road, Bill Jordan looked quizzically at Mr. Sherwood, who gave -back an answering look of inquiry.</p> - -<p>"What do yo' make o' all this?" Bill asked.</p> - -<p>"I don't quite know," said Mr. Sherwood. "Have you got any solution? -I didn't know that there was any significance in the call other than -appeared on the surface—to warn us against the Indians."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, slowly, "I dunno as the' is—'cept thet ol' -bird knows 't ain't them Injuns thet's gettin' away with his -stock—<i>pervidin' anybody is gettin' away with it</i>."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean that he's lying about it?" asked Mr. Sherwood in a -surprised way.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, smiling, "I dunno 's I'd want t' say jest thet, but -I do say thet him an' Anannias is blood kin—proba'ly full brothers! -He was boostin' the men in his outfit jes' now, wasn't he? Well, I -know personal, thet the tall galoot he hed with him done time in San -Quentin. He's named an' denominated as 'One-Card' Tucker an' he's one -bad egg! The's some o' the rest of 'em thet wont assay up very good. -Our boys wont hev nuthin' to do with 'em—the's a few Greasers an' -half-breeds mixed in with 'em."</p> - -<p>"You couldn't be mistaken about the tall man being a jail-bird, could -you, Bill?" asked Mr. Sherwood. And then, smiling, he added, "How do -you know—were you there with him?"</p> - -<p>Bill laughed. "I was," he said. "I ain't mistaken—I brung him there -an' handed him over—when I was Dep'ty Shur'ff, out San Diego way. He -done got a lot o' somebody else's sheep mixed up with his'n. He was one -lucky guy to get off with four years in prison—'Judge Lynch' come near -settin' on the case. Oh, I know <i>him</i>, all right," said Bill, "an' I -reckon he must of knowed <i>me</i>! I noticed he wasn't exactly easy in his -mind when he set there jes' now. An' I think I know this Ross, too."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" said Sherwood, reflectively, "that kind of association doesn't -speak very well for Mr. Ross anyway. What do you think we better do? -I understand that our man Walker reports that he came across a place -where a bunch of our cattle had been stampeded. He followed the trail, -but lost it at the creek—couldn't pick it up anywhere. I don't suppose -it could have been a grizzly?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Grizzly, nuthin'!" said Bill. "It had been rainin' shortly before the -cattle was drove off, an' the' was no sign of a grizzly's tracks—I -rode out there an' seen it myself," said Bill with positiveness. Then -he added: "But the' <i>was</i> horses' hoofs! I ain't heard of no grizzlies -wearin' iron shoes—not this summer, I ain't! Besides, if they was -stampeded, they'd of scattered more. Them beeves kep' together—they -was drove!"</p> - -<p>"And you think——" Mr. Sherwood paused, and Bill nodded his head:</p> - -<p>"Jest a plain case o' rustlin'—nuthin' else to it!" and Bill spat -disgustedly.</p> - -<p>There was a silence for a moment or so while the two men pondered the -matter, and Whitey waited almost breathlessly for what would follow. -Here was a mystery—a vital ranch mystery—and he was in the thick of -it! He had tried to imagine the situation, many times, when he had read -of such things in books; and now he was face to face with it. Suddenly -the thought came to him that here was something for him to solve, and -he instantly determined that he would take a hand in the game—though -he was wise enough (or, perhaps foolish enough) to keep this -determination to himself. He knew that once he broached the subject -to his father, he would receive positive orders to keep his hands off; -but, in the absence of those orders, he intended to "mix in." In that -way, he was going to justify himself in his own mind!</p> - -<p>Finally Mr. Sherwood broke the silence: "Does the creek run near Ross's -ranch?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"No," said Jordan, "it's quite a ways from his line. His ranch is way -down on the Elkhorn—this is a branch thet empties into the Elkhorn a -few miles below where we lost the trail. It's too deep there fer cattle -to ford; besides, there wasn't no place on the opposite bank where -we found they'd come out—not fer two er three mile down—where she -empties into the Elkhorn. We went over the hull ground careful."</p> - -<p>"Do you think they could have been drowned?" asked Sherwood. "If they -went into the river and didn't come out, that would seem to be the only -alternative," he added.</p> - -<p>"Mebbe!" said Jordan, enigmatically. The two men rose and walked toward -the corral, much to Whitey's disgust. And though he tried to follow -and hear the rest, he was not able to do so. But strong in his bosom -the mystery burned, and more than ever he was determined to conduct an -independent investigation, taking Injun, of course, into partnership.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a></h2> - -<h3>THE LOST TRAIL</h3> - - -<p>Whitey did not have long to wait for the opportunity to put the matter -up to Injun, for that individual rode into the ranch-yard within ten -minutes after the conversation that had awakened Whitey's curiosity. -It took five additional minutes for Whitey to retail to Injun what he -had heard, and, as usual, Injun thought gravely over the matter before -speaking. In fact, it was Whitey who again broke the silence.</p> - -<p>"Injun," he said, "do you think you could find the place where Bill -lost the trail of the cattle at the creek, and the place where it -looked as though they had stampeded?"</p> - -<p>Injun nodded confidently. It must not be imagined that because Injun -seldom spoke, or because of his broken English when he did speak, that -he could not understand what was said. He could understand any words in -ordinary usage, and there was very little in any conversation that "got -by" him. He not only comprehended the words, but he had a remarkably -well trained ear, and he could catch and distinguish sounds that would -have been inaudible to most people. There were times when his dinner, -or even his very life, depended on this faculty, and there is nothing -like Necessity to develop the faculties.</p> - -<p>The same Necessity that had developed Injun's hearing had also -developed his sight; and although Whitey supposed that he had as good -eyes as anybody, he found, after a time, that Injun could distinguish -objects that were all but invisible to him. What was a mere speck in -the distance to Whitey, Injun would declare to be a man on horse-back. -And by the time that Whitey could recognize this to be true, Injun -could tell who the man was.</p> - -<p>It is, after all, a matter of training. Probably Whitey's eyes were -just as good, in many ways, as Injun's; but they were not trained the -same way. For instance: when trailing a man or an animal, Whitey could -see the broken twig or the pressed down spear of grass that marked -the trail—<i>after Injun had pointed it out to him</i>. But he could not -detect it if he went over the ground first. Injun had trained his eyes -to observe the most minute things, for those minute things told him a -story that meant a great deal to him; and often very small things made -big sign-posts to guide or regulate his movements. Possibly Injun, had -he seen Whitey read rapidly the page of a book, would have thought -Whitey's eyes far more wonderful than his own—and that is only another -kind of eye-training. Nature was Injun's book, and, perhaps, just as -easy to read as Whitey's book—but it takes different eye-training.</p> - -<p>The two boys slipped away from the ranch without attracting notice. -This was not unusual, for by this time Whitey had become accustomed -to riding long distances, and he and Injun were permitted to go about -as they pleased. But up to the present time his wanderings had been -confined to the ranch limits.</p> - -<p>A mile or so from the ranch Injun broke away from the trail and struck -off to the northwest toward the mountains. The branch or creek that -Whitey had described lay some seven or eight miles further on, and in -the general direction of Ross' ranch; and at the steady clip set by -Injun, they made it without much exertion in something less than an -hour. The ride was without incident until they were a mile or two from -the creek, though still within the confines of the ranch, when the -quick eye of Injun detected two horsemen riding in a direction that -would bring them across their trail.</p> - -<p>"Who are they?" asked Whitey, when they were a long distance away. "Can -you make them out?"</p> - -<p>"Him Bar O," said Injun confidently.</p> - -<p>Whitey had not figured on meeting men from the ranch, who might -interfere with their plans, or, at least, carry back the news that -they had crossed the trail of the boys; and he suggested that they -make a detour that would carry them in such a way that the trails -would not meet. The boys turned their horses at almost right angles and -started toward a wooded and rocky region where they would not be so -conspicuous; but if they thought to escape in that way, they soon found -that they were mistaken. It was evident that the ranchmen were not to -be lost or thrown off the track, and that they proposed to find out -who was riding in that neighborhood. It was either a case of run for -it, or stand and deliver; and after some hesitation Whitey determined -that the former course, even if successful, would alarm the ranch, as -the supposition would be that they were rustlers, and would invite a -general pursuit. So the boys again turned their horses and continued in -the general direction that they had first taken, and it was not long -before the range riders came alongside of them.</p> - -<p>"What are yo' two scalawags doin' out here?" asked Walker, who was one -of the riders in that section. "Yo' liable to give us heart-disease—we -was plumb shore we hed ketched a pair o' rus'lers!"</p> - -<p>"We're just taking a ride," said Whitey, innocently. "It's a fine day, -isn't it?" he added.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Walker, dryly, "it shore is a fine day—if it don't rain. -Does yo'r pa know yo' all is gallivantin' 'round out here? Where was -yo' all headin' for, anyhow—yo' an' Settin' Bull, here?"</p> - -<p>"I tell you, Mr. Walker," said Whitey, "we were just looking 'round to -see what we could see."</p> - -<p>"Oh, them kids is all right, Walker," said the other rider. "Let 'em -alone. Thet there little red devil knows this here range like I know my -boots. They won't git into nuthin'."</p> - -<p>"Mebbe," said Walker, undecidedly. "Mebbe they won't—an' mebbe they -will. 'Tain't none too healthy fer them 'babes in the wood' right -in these parts jes' now! Not to my way o' thinkin' it ain't. But, -howsumever, 'tain't really none o' my funeral. But lemme give yo' all a -tip—keep away from thet Cross an' Circle outfit an' stay on the range!"</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Whitey, a little impatiently. "What harm will it do to go -off the range?"</p> - -<p>"Will y' listen to thet!" exclaimed Walker, laughing. "Ain't yer -own yard big enough fer yo' all to play in? Looks to me like 't -might be! Anyway, yo' jes' take my tip! An' as fer yo', young Mr. -Rain-in-the-Face, don't yo' let this here kid git into no mischief, er -Bill Jordan'll cut off them two ears o' your'n an' sic the coyotes onto -yo'!"</p> - -<p>With this parting injunction, the two riders turned their horses and -rode away; but it was plain that Walker was not altogether satisfied -with the situation; and more than once he looked back at the boys as -the distance between them increased.</p> - -<p>Whitey was not the kind of a boy to be turned from his purpose by any -such admonition as this. In fact, the scent of some possible danger -only added zest to the matter; and the two boys rode forward toward the -creek with an increased appetite for the business in hand.</p> - -<p>Within a few moments the boys came to the edge of the branch or creek -that marked the confines of the Bar O ranch. The banks were, except at -intervals, steep and high—some six or eight feet above the water—and -it was manifestly improbable that the cattle had taken to the water -from the top of the bank. Injun, therefore, followed the stream down; -and some half-mile below where they had come upon the creek, they found -a place where the bank sloped gradually down to the water's edge.</p> - -<p>Injun dismounted and examined the ground closely, Whitey following, but -not able to see anything more than that it had been somewhat trampled. -Injun, however, saw a good deal more than that. He pointed out the fact -that on the two outer edges there were marks of horses' hoofs; while -in the middle of the trampled course leading to the river, the cloven -hoofs of the cattle were visible—not plainly, but after Injun had -outlined several of them with his finger, Whitey could make them out.</p> - -<p>"Bill was right, then?" asked Whitey, excitedly; "the cattle were -driven and kept close together?"</p> - -<p>Injun nodded, and proceeded with his investigations. Leading his pinto -and looking closely at the ground and the surrounding grass and bushes, -he followed the trail back from the creek. Some distance from the -bank the boys came upon a place where the ground was bare and somewhat -softer than that near the water, and this spot Injun examined minutely, -crawling on his hands and knees and measuring the horses' hoof-prints -carefully with one of his arrows. At length he rose as though -apparently satisfied.</p> - -<p>Although Walker and Bill Jordan had ridden over the ground, their -horses had left no traces that confused the other marks; for by this -time the ground was hard and dry, while at the time of the stampede it -had been wet. Whitey looked at Injun inquiringly. "Four hoss," said -Injun, holding up four fingers.</p> - -<p>"And how many cattle?" asked Whitey, anxiously.</p> - -<p>Injun shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Dunno," he said, -frankly; "Mebbe 'lev'n ten."</p> - -<p>"And could you tell the horses if you saw their hoofs again?" asked -Whitey, the Sherlock Holmes instinct stirring within him.</p> - -<p>"Tell two," said Injun, holding up two fingers; and then, in response -to Whitey's inquiry as to how he could do this, Injun pointed out -certain slight peculiarities in the hoof-prints that were plainly -discernible on a minute examination. Whitey was delighted at this -exhibition, and he noted well the peculiarities for future reference.</p> - -<p>Injun even went a little further than that. Two of the hoof-prints were -very plainly marked; and taking some flat stones, he arranged them in -such a manner as to cover and preserve the impressions of the hoofs in -the ground and yet at the same time were not particularly noticeable.</p> - -<p>Not satisfied with this, Injun then proceeded to search for a marked -peculiarity among the cloven hoof-prints; and succeeded in finding one -in which there was an unmistakable dissimilarity. The right forefoot -of one of the cattle showed an unusual deformity, being so split as -to give the impression of toes. This print Injun covered in the same -manner. Injun had never heard of the Bertillon fingerprint system, but -he had common sense.</p> - -<p>Having followed the trail back to the point where the animals -were separated from the rest of the herd, nothing new in the way of -foot-prints was found, the nature of the soil and its thick carpet of -grass making any discovery difficult. In fact, most of the marks were -almost obliterated.</p> - -<p>But the keen eye of Injun detected another thing, seemingly slight, -but really of the utmost importance in the last analysis. On one of -the tough branches of a small, thorny bush, there hung several woolen -threads of variegated colors; threads not more than an inch or two in -length, that had apparently been torn from a piece of cloth by being -caught by the tough thorny branch. An examination of the ground near -the bush, which was fortunately soft, showed that the heel-mark of a -man's boot was plainly discernible, and also the four hoof-prints of -a horse. The heel of the boot had been pressed into the ground to a -more than ordinary depth, and the hoof-prints of the horse were on each -side of it. Injun pointed this out to Whitey with some evidence of -satisfaction, but it meant nothing to Whitey.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The keen eye of Injun detected another thing.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"What about it?" he asked; "what happened here?"</p> - -<p>"Him loose <i>latigo</i>," said Injun. "Pull 'em tight," and Injun -illustrated how a man would dig his heel into the ground as he had -exerted a powerful pull at a saddle-cinch. Injun leaned back as he made -the imaginary pull, and the thorny branch of the bush swept his side -and caught slightly in his shirt. It was all plain to Whitey now.</p> - -<p>"Say!" he exclaimed, in undisguised admiration, "Sherlock Holmes has -nothing on you! He never doped out anything better 'n that!"</p> - -<p>Injun looked blankly at him, never having heard of Sherlock Holmes; but -Whitey's manner was unmistakably complimentary, and so Injun let it -go at that. Whitey was about to take the threads from the branch, but -Injun stopped him. He broke the branch that held the threads from the -bush, carefully peeling the bark for several inches down the stem, and -put it into his quiver. Then he marked the bush and the spot so that -he could easily recognize them again. Then the two boys mounted their -horses and rode back over the trail toward the creek, which was rocky -and shallow, and could be easily forded without swimming.</p> - -<p>When the boys arrived at the creek, having retraced the trail without -incident, although it was well past three o'clock in the afternoon, -Whitey and Injun had no thought of abandoning their quest. After a -consultation, they proceeded to cross to the other side of the creek -and to examine the other bank in the hope that Injun's keen vision -would be able to discern things that Bill and his men had missed. They -followed the course of the stream down to where it emptied into the -Elkhorn, a distance of perhaps a mile and a half; but, though Injun -dismounted several times and scrutinized the ground carefully, there -were no signs that cattle had landed anywhere along the route.</p> - -<p>Whitey was puzzled. Arguing on the principle that "what goes up must -come down," and "what goes in must come out, or stay there," Whitey -said:</p> - -<p>"If the cattle went into the creek, they must have come out -<i>somewhere</i>; or else," he added, after a moment, "they must be in it -yet."</p> - -<p>This admitted of no discussion, and Injun did not attempt to refute -it. It did not seem probable that the cattle were still in the creek, -and it seemed hardly possible that the cattle could have gone into the -creek, swum all the way down to the Elkhorn, and then continued down -the larger stream—but there appeared to be no other alternative; and -Whitey determined to investigate even such an improbable thing as that.</p> - -<p>In one way, Whitey was in command of the expedition, and Injun readily -complied with any plan of campaign that he suggested. The details of -the investigation and the deductions drawn from them were in Injun's -hands, and very capable hands they were, too.</p> - -<p>Accordingly it was agreed that Injun should swim to the left bank of -the Elkhorn and follow it down, while Whitey followed the right bank, -keeping as nearly parallel as possible. The Elkhorn was not more than a -hundred yards wide, and the two boys could call to each other easily -and communicate any finds that either made. This they proceeded to do.</p> - -<p>The investigation was greatly simplified, at least on Whitey's side, -by the fact that the bank of the Elkhorn offered very few possible -landing-places, being high and steep, and there were few places that -needed examination at all. On Injun's side, however, the ground -required more careful scrutiny; but on neither side did anything -develop. And before they were aware, they were almost at the Ross ranch.</p> - -<p>The ranch lay just around a bend in the Elkhorn, on the left bank, and -where the river was indented by a small bight, or pointed bay, that -extended for several yards into the ranch property. The left bank of -this bight was high above the water, and thickly covered by vines and -shrubs that grew down to the water's edge, and many of them overhung -the water, which was shallow at that point.</p> - -<p>Once the boys were in sight of the ranch, the cautiousness of Injun -manifested itself. He knew that the Ross outfit were none too partial -to him, and he also knew that it would be unwise, if not unsafe, -for him to be found so near to it. And riding down into the water, -where the high bank concealed him from view, he rode cautiously -around the bend of the bayou. Whitey, on the opposite bank, watched -Injun's movements closely; and finally, in response to a signal, swam -his horse across and landed under the high bank near Injun, whom he -found examining the narrow shore or beach of the bayou under the high -bank. The surface of the ground, which was sandy and covered with -pebbles, had been undoubtedly disturbed recently; but it was seemingly -impossible to tell by what. There were deep marks as though heavy -planks had been pushed against it, and the ground about showed the -hoof-marks of horses. These also were discernible in the mud under the -shallow water. On the small beach it looked as though an attempt had -been made to obliterate these marks, for the sand showed evidences of -having been recently turned over in places.</p> - -<p>Dismounting from his horse, Injun pulled aside the branches and bushes -but nothing was revealed save the flat, gray face of the rock of the -bank. Injun looked keenly at this for a moment; and then putting out -his hand, found that it yielded to his touch! The rock wasn't rock -at all! And going to one side, he found that what seemed to be rock -was nothing more nor less than a heavy canvas, painted a dark gray to -resemble rock, and smeared with mud and pieces of grass and leaves! So -skillfully was this done, that it required close scrutiny to reveal it; -and from a distance, even of ten or fifteen feet, it would never have -awakened the slightest suspicion!</p> - -<p>Lifting the edge of the canvas, Injun disclosed an opening in the face -of the cliff nearly six feet high and of about the same breadth, and -into this the two boys crept cautiously, leaving their horses on the -narrow strip of beach near the entrance.</p> - -<p>The interior of the cavern or tunnel was quite dark; but Whitey had -been in the West long enough to learn that one of the most necessary -things in a plainsman's equipment is matches. Injun, of course, had -his flint and steel and tinder, but they would have necessitated the -lighting of a torch, which would have been dangerous on account of the -chance of discovery. They proceeded slowly along the tunnel, Injun -examining it carefully, and a few yards from the entrance they found -a number of very heavy planks so fashioned that they could be linked -together to form a rude raft. The logs were wet and water-soaked. And -the mystery of how the cattle got out of the river was no longer a -mystery!</p> - -<p>Whitey's first idea was, that having discovered this much, and thus -definitely fixing the manner and means of the disappearance of the -cattle, it would be a good thing to make a get-away while there was -yet time, and report their discoveries to the Bar O outfit; and it -would have been well for him if he had followed this plan. But Whitey -was nothing if not courageous, and he was also impelled by an intense -curiosity to fathom the rest of the mystery. If he could locate and -identify the lost cattle, which would be easy on account of the brand, -and possibly the one with the deformed hoof would be among them, his -investigations would then be complete. But unfortunately for the -success of this plan, there were certain difficulties in the way which -neither Whitey nor Injun could foresee; and certain contingencies -happened which had their fortunate side as well as their unfortunate.</p> - -<p>The two horses had been left untied on the narrow strip of beach -outside the tunnel entrance. Left alone, Injun's cayuse would have -stood there for many hours. But Whitey's horse, Monty, was not, as yet, -so well trained; and after a time began to be restless. The spot was -not exactly an attractive one in which to stand for an indefinite time, -and Monty finally retraced his steps around the bend and out of the -bayou where there were grass and sunshine. With such an example, the -pinto slowly followed; but scarcely had Monty come around the bend when -a rattler that was sunning himself on the rocks sounded his warning, -and Monty gave a frightened snort and proceeded to "beat it" away from -there in a panic.</p> - -<p>When a horse is badly frightened and starts to run in a panic, the -first thought that comes into his head is to get home as fast as he -can; and Monty proceeded to put this idea into execution. He tore along -the bank, and at the proper place swam the stream, and was soon well on -his way back toward the Bar O ranch.</p> - -<p>By the time Injun's horse got around the bend the rattler had -disappeared, and therefore he was not thrown into any panic, as Monty -had been. Monty was not in sight either; and so, although he probably -wondered what had become of his pal, he climbed the bank and proceeded -to graze on the sweet grass, plainly visible from the windows of the -Ross ranch!</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the two boys went cautiously along further into the tunnel, -which appeared to be of natural origin, as though a stream had eaten -its way through the porous rock in search of an outlet—a sort of -natural drain. The hole, originally small, had been enlarged by digging -up to its present size. There was a continual rise in the floor of the -tunnel as it receded from the water, and the floor of it was wet with -a very small stream trickling down toward the entrance.</p> - -<p>The boys had proceeded perhaps a hundred feet from the entrance, when -they came upon a sudden enlargement in the tunnel which took almost the -form of a large room. The top or ceiling was so high as to be invisible -to them, and the place itself was evidently a natural cavern. Whitey -lighted a match, and its flare disclosed the fact that the chamber was -some twenty-five or thirty feet across, and in it, among other things, -were several large barrels and packing-cases.</p> - -<p>As the boys started to cross the room, keeping a little to the side, -the match went out and they were again enveloped in darkness so thick -that they could feel it. Whitey was about to scratch another match, -but he felt Injun's hand clutch his arm and draw him still further -toward the side of the chamber. Whitey had heard nothing, and knew of -no reason for this; but he was quite willing to be guided by Injun's -superior senses.</p> - -<p>In a few seconds, however, he heard foot-steps coming toward them from -the upper end of the chamber, and caught a faint glimmer of light. -Injun hastily and noiselessly pulled Whitey toward one of the boxes -that were scattered about that side of the chamber, and behind this the -two boys crouched as the sound of the foot-steps indicated that some -one was coming in their direction. Whitey's heart was beating so loud -that he felt sure that any one who came near him must surely hear it. A -moment afterward this was probably true in Injun's case, also—and for -a good reason!</p> - -<p>Into the far end of the chamber came the light of a lantern, and as -it illuminated the space about the man who carried it, Whitey could -see that he was dark-haired and swarthy, though rather under-sized, -but very wiry. He was clad in a multi-colored Mackinaw jacket, with -the regulation cowman's trousers and boots, with his revolver in the -holster at his side. The man came directly toward the boys and Whitey -instinctively grasped the handle of the little pearl-handled .22 -that Atherton had given him and which he had always carried in the -hip-pocket of his trousers. True, he had his rifle with him; but he -felt that at close quarters the revolver would be more valuable. (Even -a .22 fired at close range can be annoying; besides, he might throw it -at the man and do more damage than if he shot him with it!)</p> - -<p>The man came directly to the box behind which the two boys were hidden -and it seemed as though discovery was inevitable; had he lifted the -lantern high, it could not have been avoided. But he placed it onto -the floor and reached down into the box and took out several objects -which the boys afterward saw to be bottles of liquor of some kind. He -was so close that either Injun or Whitey could have put out a hand -and touched him, and they could hear his heavy breathing, for plainly -he was partially drunk. Each of the boys held himself tense, and was -ready for a vigorous defense, and against the knife that Injun gripped -in his hand, to say nothing of the pop-gun that Whitey held, the man, -unprepared as he was, would probably have fared badly.</p> - -<p>But at length, when he had taken out several bottles, he picked up -the lantern from the floor and started to retrace his steps. Suddenly -he stopped and came back near to the box. Setting down the bottles, -he picked up one of the burned matches that Whitey had thrown on the -floor of the chamber and examined it carefully. Again the boys held -their breath, and Whitey upbraided himself for his carelessness. After -examining the match for a moment or two, the man took up the lantern -and looked about the chamber. He started as though to go out toward -the entrance, but thought better of it; and after another cursory look -about him, he went away as he had come. The sound of his foot-falls -became fainter and fainter; the light from the lantern grew dimmer and -dimmer; and at last, the foot-falls died away entirely, and complete -darkness enveloped them again. For a moment they crouched in silence; -then Whitey felt Injun's hand grasp his arm, and heard Injun whisper -into his ear:</p> - -<p>"Him Pedro!" he said.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></h2> - -<h3>CROWLEY</h3> - - -<p>In the living-room of the Ross ranch were congregated almost the entire -outfit. Around the centre-table a game of cards was in progress, and -the fortunes of the game had reduced the number engaged in it to four. -Some six or seven of the other men either looked on or were sprawled -about the place in various stages of intoxication; and the number of -empty bottles that littered the place gave evidence that it had been -quite a long session.</p> - -<p>Ross was at the table, and the big stack of chips in front of him -indicated that he was the big winner. His shirt was open half way down -to his waist and his broad, hairy chest was exposed. His sleeves were -rolled up to his elbows, and if anything, his hair and beard were more -unkempt than usual, which is saying a good deal. Altogether, with his -bloated face and bleary eyes, he did not make a very pleasant picture.</p> - -<p>Crowley, his foreman, the tall man whom Jordan had recognized as the -"jail-bird" that he had delivered at San Quentin, sat opposite to Ross, -and he, too, had considerable money in front of him. The other two men -in the game were about "down to the cloth," and were just "hanging -on the ragged edge of nothing." As Pedro entered the room with the -bottles, Crowley raked in a sizable pot, getting a call from one of the -losers.</p> - -<p>"Jes' like takin' candy from children," sneered Crowley, as he looked -at the two contemptuously. "Yo' pikers is 'bout six ounces lighter'n a -straw hat! Where 'd yo' all learn this game, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"I guess the school I learnt at," said one of the men, significantly, -"was some short o' knowin' some o' the sleight-o-hand work I done seen -yo' pull! Dealin' seconds wasn't on the bill-o'-fare!"</p> - -<p>For an answer, Crowley grabbed a bottle and was about to caress the man -with it when Ross reached over and seized his arm in a powerful grip.</p> - -<p>"Cut it out!" shouted Ross; "I'm short-handed now, an' besides I don't -want to hev to explain no more disappearances!"</p> - -<p>"Let the big stiff throw it, Ross! I'll give him a receipt fer it—I -got an ace in the hole myself this time," and he fingered the butt of -his revolver.</p> - -<p>Whether the affair would have stopped there or not is a question, -had not Pedro entered with the bottles; but, at any rate, the two -belligerents subsided, and confined themselves to growls and evil -glances at each other. In a few moments the game seemed about to break -up—and Ross had accumulated most of the money; and what he did not win -fell to the lot of Crowley, the foreman. One way to run a ranch is to -pay off the men and then win the money back at stud-poker!</p> - -<p>Ross rose from the table, after he had cashed in the checks of the -foreman and had pocketed his own winnings. As he stood up, his eyes -caught sight of Injun's pinto cropping the grass in the yard of the -ranch near to the river bank. Ross stared intently at the horse, and -several of the men followed his glance.</p> - -<p>"What hoss is that out there? Who let him out 'n the corral? Some -o' yo' rum-hounds go git him an' put him back. Don't seem to me I -recconnize that skate nohow."</p> - -<p>One of the men rose and went out to the pinto, and after some trouble -succeeded in catching him. The man examined the horse, and then started -toward the ranch-house with him. The man's manner indicated that -something was amiss, and Ross and Crowley went out to meet him.</p> - -<p>"This here ain't none of our hoss," said the man, looking at the animal -critically. "Looks to me like the one I seen that little red skunk -ridin' with thet there Sherwood kid. 'Spose them young hellions bin -snoopin' 'bout here?"</p> - -<p>Ross uttered an oath, and Crowley examined the horse: "The' ain't no -doubt in th' world thet's thet little red devil's hoss. But I don't -figger no cause t' git excited. He goes meanderin' 'round most any -place, though I never knowed him to stick his nose in 'round here -before. The' ain't no chanct of his gittin' into the ranch-house—not -in a thousand years; an' if he's 'round here, he's got a hell of a -walk back to where he belongs! Hey! You!" he called to the men in the -ranch-house; and they came out slowly and indifferently; "take a look -'round an' see if yo' kin find hide er hair o' thet little red varmint. -Thet's his hoss, an' he can't be far off. When yo' git him, bring him -to me—I'll make a 'good Injun' out'n him!"</p> - -<p>Several of the men went to the corral, and mounting their horses, rode -around the ranch property in different directions. Ross turned to -Crowley:</p> - -<p>"You may not think there's any cause to git excited, but I do! Jes' -now'd be an awkward time fer people t' come investigatin' 'round here. -We got t' git them steers branded and out o' this pronto. It's got to -be done to-night! Take some o' the boys an' go down an' git busy. I'll -be down in a minute. This ought 'a' bin done before!"</p> - -<p>Ross and his foreman turned and entered the house; and the foreman, -designating several of the hands to follow him, started for the stairs -that led to the cave below.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a></h2> - -<h3>THE CAVE GIVES EVIDENCE</h3> - - -<p>For several moments after Pedro had gone out of sight and hearing, the -two boys remained crouched behind the box in the subterranean chamber; -it had been an alarming experience and they did not recover from it at -once and needed time to take a long breath and to get their disturbed -senses together. The situation was far more serious for Injun than -for Whitey, for there is no doubt that if Pedro had discovered their -whereabouts, Injun would have stood a small chance of escaping with his -life, unless the boys had taken the initiative and killed or disabled -Pedro before he got a chance to wreak his vengeance on the Indian boy.</p> - -<p>"Whew!" whispered Whitey. "That was a narrow escape! If he'd seen us, -I guess we'd have had to fight!" Injun nodded, but said nothing. He -knew full well the danger he had been in.</p> - -<p>Pedro would have killed Injun with as little compunction as he would -have stepped on a spider, and with far greater satisfaction. It had -been largely through Injun's efforts that Pedro had been exposed, and -Pedro was not the sort of man that forgot or forgave a debt of this -kind. And it is probable that Whitey would have been in a hazardous -situation, too.</p> - -<p>However, now that this immediate danger was passed, the next thing -was to determine what was the best thing to be done. The more Whitey -thought it over, the more determined he was to go on with the -adventure; he reasoned that if the finding of the burned match had -awakened Pedro's suspicions to any great extent, he would have made an -immediate search. Whitey knew also that it was getting toward night, -and, in all probability, the ranch-hands would be moving about the yard -for some time engaged on the evening chores; and that to come from -their concealment at this time and attempt to ride away would be more -dangerous than to remain until after dark and get away under the cover -of the darkness.</p> - -<p>"I guess we might as well go ahead and see what there is in here," said -Whitey, and Injun offered no objection. "It's more dangerous to go out -now than it is to stay," added Whitey.</p> - -<p>As long as it was best to stay in the chamber, they might as well -explore it and possibly make more definite discoveries.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the boys came cautiously out of their concealment and -by the light of an occasional match made their way further into the -recesses of the cave under the ranch-house. They found the chamber far -more spacious than it had seemed at first, though it varied in width -considerably, and there were several angles and turnings.</p> - -<p>At one point there was a flight of wooden steps, evidently leading to -the ranch-house above, and Whitey knew from his observation of the -exterior location, that they must have proceeded under ground for more -than a hundred yards. Passing the steps, their noses told them that -they were near cattle, and there was also the unmistakable shuffling -sound that a number of cattle make when closely confined. Cautiously -they felt their way along the wall—the last match had disclosed that -they were approaching a turn—and came to a place where the chamber -perceptibly broadened again, and by sound and by smell the boys knew -that they were close upon the cattle.</p> - -<p>It was with a feeling of dismay that Whitey realized that he had but -three matches left! And though he had not been wasteful of them, he -felt that he had, perhaps, jeopardized their chances of discovery, and -even of escape, by a too lavish use of them. It would have been most -difficult to make their way back to the entrance. However, it was most -necessary to light one here, and Whitey scratched one, taking great -care to shield its flame against any draught.</p> - -<p>"Here goes!" said Whitey. "We've got to use our match here!"</p> - -<p>The flare of the match revealed an extensive underground corral, -fenced off with heavy timbers; and in this enclosure were some twelve -or fifteen cattle. As Whitey held the match higher, Injun slipped -forward and examined the beast that stood blinking at him only a few -feet away.</p> - -<p>"Look!" said Injun, as excited as he ever permitted himself to be, and -Whitey peered at the steer.</p> - -<p>The right forefoot of the animal was badly split, exactly corresponding -to the peculiar hoof-print that he had discovered near the creek; and -on the flank of this and other animals was the plainly distinguishable -brand of the Bar O!</p> - -<p>As the match flickered and went out, the boys heard the voices of -men as though coming from a door that had been suddenly opened, and -foot-steps were plainly audible coming down the stairs behind them.</p> - -<p>"Somebody's coming!" whispered Whitey as Injun clutched his arm. They -must seek a hiding place at once, for the coming of the men in their -rear cut off any retreat by way of the tunnel.</p> - -<p>At the side of the corral was a rude platform or rick, upon which was -piled a quantity of hay for the cattle, and with one accord the two -boys darted toward this, but the momentary glance that they had given -the spot, during the brief flicker of the match, had been insufficient -for Whitey, at least, to get his bearings with accuracy; and even -at the expense of the possibility of disclosing themselves, he was -compelled to light another of the precious matches. The men were as -yet some distance away, and around one of the turns, and he concluded -that the light of the match would not be perceptible to them. It was -not—neither was it perceptible to either Whitey or Injun! It was one -of the sort of matches that are made to sell, not to burn; and after a -brief and non-illuminating flame it went out!</p> - -<p>"What do you think of that luck?" whispered Whitey, angrily. "There's -nothing else to do but use the last one!"</p> - -<p>There was plenty of time to light another one, but in his excitement -Whitey dropped the last match he had upon the floor, and to search for -it would have been hopeless! Alone in the dark and no matches!</p> - -<p>Injun did the best he could by grabbing Whitey's hand and leading him -to the hay-rick, and into this, with as little noise as possible—it -seemed to Whitey that they made a fearful racket—the two boys climbed, -uncertain of their way and ignorant as to how much concealment the -place really afforded. "Any port in a storm," and there was certainly a -storm coming!</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the two boys arranged themselves in the hay, Whitey taking -care that he had a slight opening through which he could observe what -took place in the room, when Crowley and four of the ranch-hands -entered. Three of the men carried lanterns, and by their dim glow -Whitey could see that the chamber was of vast extent, and plainly of -natural origin.</p> - -<p>Crowley and the men lost little time in getting to work; and in a -moment a fire was going in the small furnace and the branding-irons -were heating.</p> - -<p>"Get a move on!" said Crowley, impatient at some small delay. "This -business ought 'a' bin done days ago! The Boss is sore—tho' he ain't -got no kick comin', really, as he's bin lushin', same as the rest of -us. Them cattle ought 'a' bin branded and on their way long ago."</p> - -<p>In a moment, the iron was hot, and three of the hands proceeded to drag -one of the steers out of the corral and it was thrown to the floor. -Crowley took the branding-iron, and applied it with extreme care. -Although Whitey could not make out just what was done, this is what -happened: The steer had been previously branded,-O. The branding-iron -that Crowley used was marked I.; and when it was applied exactly -over the previous brand, the result was +O. A very simple process, -therefore, changed the brand of "Bar O" into "Cross and Circle."</p> - -<p>One after another the cattle were dragged in and re-branded, until -twelve in all had been "counterfeited." In the midst of this process -Ross appeared, and examined critically each of the re-branded animals, -and expressed satisfaction at the completeness and perfection of the -job.</p> - -<p>"It'll bother them Bar O people consider'ble to claim them steers -now," he said. "But jes' the same, we better get 'em off 'long towards -mornin', with the others, an' ship 'em as soon as we kin. It's takin' -some risk, with them fresh brands, but I dunno 's anybody is goin' to -make a holler. The main thing is to get 'em away from here. I don't -jes' like thet Injun's hoss bein' out there; but I reckon 'f he's -'round, the boys'll round him up, an' no harm'll be did."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"It'll bother them Bar O people consider'ble to claim them steers now," he said.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Hain't the boys seen nuthin' of him yet?" asked Crowley.</p> - -<p>"None of 'em 's come back," said Ross, with an oath; and it was -apparent that he was not at all comfortable. All this was plainly -audible to Whitey and Injun, and as may be imagined, their feelings -were not very comfortable, either; but they lay perfectly still, their -nerves tense, and awaited developments.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had Ross spoken, when some one was heard approaching through -the tunnel over the same route that the boys had taken to enter the -cave, and in a moment one of the ranch-hands that had gone in search of -Injun appeared. In answer to Ross's inquiry, he said, "I guess there -was only one o' them boys, for the' was only one hoss—the Injun's, but -we can't find hide ner hair o' that little red devil. Don't seem to be -'round no place, though we bin over every foot of the yard an' corrals. -I jes' come through the tunnel—somebody must 'a' forgot to close the -gate—an' on the way through I found these here burnt matches." And he -exhibited several of the matches that Whitey had thrown away. "Don't -look like the' 's the same kind we burn, an' besides, when any of us -comes down here we git lanterns. What do yo' make of 'em?"</p> - -<p>The men crowded about the fellow and looked at the match-ends. Crowley -was the first to speak: "It's a cinch them wasn't throwed there by none -of our boys. The' ain't a match like them in the place—them's safety -matches, an' we never had none o' them kind here!"</p> - -<p>Ross confirmed this statement and was furious that the gate in the -tunnel had been left open, but it was useless to rave about that now, -and he looked searchingly around the cave. "Ef that red devil has -managed to get into this place," he said, savagely, "you can lay a good -bet he'll never get out!" Then turning to the men, he gave the orders: -"Here, you! Never mind them steers. They're all branded anyhow. Shet -that tunnel gate and block up the entrance! Then go through an' search -every crack in this cave an' don't let that young skunk get away on yer -life!"</p> - -<p>The men at once began the search. Ross, himself, came directly toward -the hay-rick with the evident intention of investigating it, while the -other men began to look into and behind the various boxes and barrels -that littered the spacious floor.</p> - -<p>Realizing that escape was impossible, Whitey did a very brave thing; -and, indeed, the wisest thing he could have done. He knew that if -both he and Injun were captured, there would be little chance to get -word to the Bar O outfit, or to any other source of aid. He gathered -from the talk that Ross and his men suspected the presence of but one -intruder, as only Injun's horse had been found; and if one of them were -found, the ranchers would probably be satisfied with that and make -no further search for a second. And so, before Ross could reach the -hay-rick, Whitey squirmed out to the edge of the hay, and looked into -the astonished face of the rancher.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></h2> - -<h3>WHITEY IS MISSING</h3> - - -<p>Dusk had begun to settle upon the Bar O ranch when the riderless Monty -came into the ranch-yard and trotted up to the corral gate. The absence -of the boys had not been noticed, for it was no unusual thing for them -to remain out even long after dark. But when Bill Jordan saw Monty come -in alone, he at once sent for Mr. Sherwood, who came in haste, and the -other members of the outfit, among whom were Walker and his companion, -gathered about also.</p> - -<p>"This here Monty horse just come in without your boy!" said Bill, with -evident concern in his voice. "I reckon we better send out all hands -an' see what's happened. Mebbe the' ain't nuthin' happened—Injun was -with Whitey, but I don't like the looks o' this."</p> - -<p>"Did any of you men see the boys?" asked Mr. Sherwood, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Me an' Hartley seen 'em," said Walker. "They was way off near the -branch an' was headed in the direction of the Cross an' Circle, tho' I -don't cal'clate they was goin' there. Me an' Hartley headed 'em off, -an' questioned 'em, an' they said they was just takin' a ride. I tol' -'em they better keep away from the Cross an' Circle an' not to git off -'n the ranch. It's a cinch they're off that way!"</p> - -<p>As Walker and one or two of the other men were about to start, Bill -Jordan called a halt. Turning to the men, he said—</p> - -<p>"Let ever'body drop what they's a doin' an' come along. Better take yer -guns, fer the's no tellin' what kind o' mischief them two's got mixed -into. Spread out fan-shape, an' keep within' hailin' distance. Don't -over-look nuthin'."</p> - -<p>Within less time than it takes to tell it, every available man on -the Bar O ranch was in the saddle and headed in a north-westerly -direction. It would have been impossible to back-trail Monty, even in -daylight; but in the present light, it was out of the question; and the -only logical method was to go to where the boys had been last seen. -Naturally, Walker and Hartley led the searching party, Mr. Sherwood -keeping by the side of Bill Jordan, who was really in command.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of it, Jordan?" Mr. Sherwood asked, a shade of -anxiety coming over his face.</p> - -<p>"Why, Boss, it prob'ally ain't nuthin', much—horse might 'a' got -scared an' throwed him, tho' 'f thet was the case, 't looks as tho' -Injun might 'a' ketched him—but mebbe not. 'Tain't really much good -spec'latin', fer any one of a dozen things could 'a' happened. The's -one thing I bin studyin' 'bout an' I hope it ain't thet."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Sherwood.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "you mebbe'll remember when yo' an' me was talkin' -'bout thet Cross an' Circle outfit, after Ross done paid us a visit, I -took notice thet Whitey was almighty interested in what we wuz sayin', -an' fer thet reason I took yo' off to one side where he couldn't hear. -'Taint altogether out 'n reason thet he an' thet Injun concluded to do -a little scoutin' aroun' on the'r own account. I wouldn't want 'em to -get tied up with no rus'lers." Bill obviously did not want to alarm -Mr. Sherwood unnecessarily, but there was no doubt that he thought the -situation serious.</p> - -<p>"You mean the Cross and Circle people?" asked Mr. Sherwood.</p> - -<p>"Well, I ain't quite sayin' thet," said Bill, "but I got idees!"</p> - -<p>"You think," said Mr. Sherwood, after a pause, "that if they really got -anything on the rustlers, or interfered with them in any way, that they -might—put the boys out of the way?" And he looked apprehensively at -Bill.</p> - -<p>"Mebbe not quite thet," said Bill, "but they might make it all-fired -uncomfortable fer them two kids."</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood did not reply, and for several miles the men rode over -the rolling prairie in a gradual ascent toward the foot-hills of the -mountains. Fortunately a bright moon gave sufficient light to make -their progress easy and rapid. At intervals the men fired shots into -the air and hallooed; but there was no answering shot or call.</p> - -<p>The party finally arrived at the branch where the trail of the -cattle had been lost, and Bill Jordan called the men together for a -consultation. Here it was obvious that there must be a division of -their forces; and although he had no logical reason that he could have -advanced, Bill felt that their course lay, in general, toward the Ross -ranch. Call it intuition, or a "hunch," or what you will, it was strong -within him, and he determined to follow it. Often a plainsman has -nothing else to guide him—he must rely upon intuition alone—and it is -surprising how often it proves to be true. And so it was decided that -part of the outfit should ride down the east bank of the river toward -the Cross and Circle ranch, and the others, under Bill, should approach -it along the left bank.</p> - -<p>If the Ross outfit offered nothing else, Bill made up his mind that -he would question the men and get any information in regard to the -boys that they might possess. Accordingly, six or seven of the men -under Walker, who had ridden herd in that section for many weeks and -was thoroughly familiar with every detail of it, took the east side of -the stream; and the others, under Bill, swam their horses to the other -side, and soon were under way toward the Cross and Circle.</p> - -<p>Bill gave orders that as the two parties got near the Ross ranch, they -were to preserve quiet, and look the situation over before making known -their presence.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At the first movement that Whitey made in the hay, Ross had drawn his -gun; but when he saw the boyish face as it looked into his, he let his -arm drop to his side; but as the boy started to scramble down from the -hay-rick, Ross grabbed him by the collar and held him securely, taking -his rifle from him roughly and jerking him to his feet.</p> - -<p>"It's only me, Mr. Ross," said Whitey, as he stood before the rancher. -"I was riding out by the river and discovered the cave and came in to -explore it. I didn't mean any harm, but when I heard the men coming, I -hid in the hay."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you did, did you!" sneered Ross, with rising anger, as Crowley and -the other men crowded around. "You're thet young Sherwood kid, ain't -ye?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Whitey, coolly, "my name is Sherwood."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Crowley, menacingly, as he faced Whitey and glared at him, -"I reckon your name is 'Mud' from now on! What business had you to come -snoopin' 'round here an' comin' into private tunnels an' things like -that?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know anything about your tunnel being private, and I don't -see any harm in coming into it anyway. You often come over onto our -land. I've seen you, myself."</p> - -<p>"Where's that little Injun skunk thet travels 'round with you?" asked -Ross. "Wasn't he with yo'? Thet was his hoss we got in the ranch-yard."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Injun lets me ride his horse wherever I want to," said Whitey, and -this appeared to satisfy the men that Whitey was alone.</p> - -<p>It was evident that Whitey wasn't going to scare easily, and a problem -was presented to Ross and his men. They did not know how much Whitey -had seen or heard; to let him go would be hazardous, and to keep -him, they knew would be perhaps equally dangerous. Ross and Crowley -consulted together, a little apart from Whitey and the others, but -in a moment one or two of the men joined them. Whitey stood looking -innocently about and apparently unconcerned; but he was really much -disturbed. He did not fear for himself, for he felt that the gang would -scarcely dare kill him; but Injun's case was different. Pedro was -very much in evidence, and he was menacing enough even toward Whitey. -What his attitude would be if he got hold of Injun left little to -conjecture. And so Whitey determined to divert any suspicions the gang -might have as far from Injun as possible.</p> - -<p>Some of the men were for doing away with Whitey at once, on the theory -that "dead men—or boys either—tell no tales." But Ross and Crowley -were not inclined to do this, just yet, and Ross told the men to "go -slow." He determined to find out first how much Whitey knew.</p> - -<p>"Was yo' here when we was brandin' our cattle?" asked Ross, taking the -boy roughly by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you were branding some cattle," answered Whitey; "but I was -back in the hay. Let go of my shoulder! You haven't got any right to -hold me that way!"</p> - -<p>Whitey made a movement as though to draw his revolver from his -hip-pocket, but Ross seized his arm and wrenched the little -pearl-handled .22 away from him. "Gimme thet thing!" Ross yelled. "What -d'ye mean by tryin' to draw this here pop-gun on me? Hey? I'll hold -you a good deal tighter 'n that 'fore I git thro' with ye!" he snarled, -shaking Whitey violently. "Yo' shut yer trap an' give a civil answer -when y're spoke to, er I'll put ye where the dogs won't bite ye!"</p> - -<p>"Let me tend to him, Boss," said the tall man who had come with Ross -to the Bar O ranch; "I got a way of handlin' kids like him," and he -advanced as though to take hold of Whitey.</p> - -<p>Before Ross or Crowley could interfere, the tall man reached for Whitey -and the latter, not waiting for or relying upon their assistance, -parried the man's lead, and stepping in close to him, planted a severe -straight right-hand punch in the man's stomach that doubled that -gentleman up.</p> - -<p>"You let me alone, you big sheep-stealing jail-bird!" yelled Whitey. "I -know you, Mister 'One-Card' Tucker, and I tell you right now that if -you put your hand on me, Bill Jordan will tend to you, and tend to you -right—like he did before—at San Quentin!"</p> - -<p>This whole performance was a bomb-shell in the Ross camp. While they -were all astonished at the promptness and vigor and skill with which -Whitey had delivered the punch that doubled up Tucker, the fact that -the boy was familiar with the man's record, and that Jordan had -undoubtedly recognized him on the occasion of the visit to the Bar O, -created considerable consternation. The next few minutes, however, were -occupied in quelling the outraged Mr. "One-Card" Tucker.</p> - -<p>"Lemme git at him! I'll kill thet little pizen pup!" howled Tucker, -who, as soon as he got his breath, had made an effort to draw his -revolver; and there is no doubt that Whitey would have fared badly if -Ross and Crowley had not grabbed the man and taken the gun away from -him, after considerable difficulty.</p> - -<p>"Gimme that gun," yelled Ross as he grappled with the infuriated -Tucker. "Ain't you big enough to handle a boy without that? Any more o' -that stuff an' I'll wring your neck!"</p> - -<p>The laughter of several of the men over the fact that the big man had -been doubled up by a fourteen-year-old boy did not tend to soothe -Mr. Tucker's feelings. It was of course obvious that in a bout of -fisticuffs with Tucker, Whitey would have had no chance; but he was a -husky boy and had delivered the blow on <i>exactly</i> the right spot—the -solar plexus—and it really doesn't take a very hard blow there to -cause a man considerable annoyance.</p> - -<p>But the affair brought up a new complication; there could be no doubt, -now, that the head of the Bar O outfit must have some suspicions about -the personnel of the Cross and Circle. Had this knowledge come to Ross -at any other time, he would probably have publicly discharged Tucker, -and disclaimed any knowledge of his character when he hired him. But -it was a trifle late to adopt this course now. Furthermore, it would -be most unwise to let any very great harm happen to Whitey; he must, -of course, be held a prisoner so that he could give no information to -the Bar O people, but to murder him in cold blood was taking too much -of a chance, even in a desperate situation like this. Ross knew, too, -that Whitey's continued absence from the Bar O ranch would cause an -immediate and exhaustive search to be made for the boy, and he was in -no position to stand anything like that. Quite a dilemma—he didn't -dare keep Whitey, and he didn't dare let him go!</p> - -<p>Of the two evils, the former seemed the lesser, and he and Crowley -determined to keep the boy until such time as they could get rid of the -"counterfeit" cattle, and, in a way, "put their house in order."</p> - -<p>In fact Ross had great confidence in the secrecy of the underground -chamber. There was very little chance that any one would discover it at -the river—not one in a thousand; and in the house above the entrance -to it was most cleverly concealed, so that even a careful examination -might take place without its existence being even suspected. The ranch -was apparently without a cellar, as could be seen from the outside. But -it was built almost against the high and rocky cliff on one side, and -it was at this point that the entrance to the subterranean chamber was -gained.</p> - -<p>In the living-room of the ranch there stood a large wardrobe in which -were hung various articles of clothing, as well as lariats and other -ranchmen's equipment. The wide doors of this wardrobe were usually open -and a full view of the interior afforded to any one who entered the -room. This very fact would have served to divert suspicion from that -direction even had the searcher been aware that there was a chamber -below. In the back of this wardrobe was a door, with invisible hinges, -that opened onto a stairway leading down to the chamber.</p> - -<p>The lock that operated the door was controlled by one of the hooks -that were apparently fastened onto the back of the wardrobe for the -purpose of hanging clothes upon it, but also answered the purpose of a -door-knob.</p> - -<p>When the hook was turned three times to the right, the catch of -the lock was released and the door, which was really the back of -the wardrobe, swung back and revealed the steps. The lock was a -spring-lock, and was opened from the cavern side by the ordinary knob -that operates such locks. The cavern was really not under the house at -all, but to one side of it; and thus sounding the floors would reveal -nothing hollow underneath.</p> - -<p>Though the house itself, as used by the former owner, was nothing out -of the ordinary and almost exactly like many of the other houses that -were plentiful in that section, yet under the Ross regime it had been -made into a veritable fortress, although this was not particularly -noticeable from the outside. The windows had been barred sufficiently -close to prevent a man from getting in or going out; and on the inside -were iron shutters with loop-holes in them. Through these holes a rifle -could be thrust and aimed, with little danger that the user of it would -be hit by a bullet from the exterior.</p> - -<p>The doors were of heavy planks, and were fitted with double bars which, -when in place, would make the forcing of the doors a difficult matter. -And, in case things got too warm, the cave offered a refuge, and the -tunnel to the river provided a means of escape. Altogether, it looked -like a pretty safe place to carry on such a business as the Cross and -Circle was engaged in.</p> - -<p>But in all these calculations, Ross was reckoning without Injun! That -young man was destined to prove quite a factor in the upsetting of some -very well-laid plans.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></h2> - -<h3>HELD IN CAPTIVITY</h3> - - -<p>"The only thing to do," said Ross to Crowley, as they talked apart from -the others, "is to tie up this here kid until we can make a get-away. -The whole shebang is blowed, now thet he knows as much as he does. Me -an' you can do a sneak with what the' is in the safe, an' let these -gazoots hold the bag."</p> - -<p>"I'm in favor of a get-away, all right, fer yo' an' me, but not yet! -The's altogether too much stuff to leave behind; an' there ain't no -use o' gittin' cold feet. What kin thet Bar O outfit do, anyhow? The' -ain't one chanct in a million thet they kin find anythin', an' while I -ain't in favor o' puttin' this here kid's light out, we kin keep him -here indefinit'—ef we want to. The' be an awful squawk when he turns -up missin', but kids has bin missin' afore, an' they ain't got no call -to lay nuthin' at our door. Ef they do, an' worst comes to worst, we'll -give 'em a battle!"</p> - -<p>It took some time for Crowley to convince Ross that this was the proper -course to pursue; but eventually Ross determined to stick it out, and -he and Crowley came back to the others, and Crowley gave the orders.</p> - -<p>"A couple of yo' men block up the tunnel so 't a snake can't get -through either way. Ross, let's yo' an' me hobble this here young Jim -Corbett so 't he'll stay with us a spell." Turning to Whitey, he said, -"Yo' are goin' t' be a guest o' the ranch fer a time, Jim. 'S long's -yo' don't make no fuss an' try to git away, er t' put somethin' over, -yer' goin' to be all right an' treated nice. But the first break yo' -make—well, Son, that'll be 'bout the last thing yo' 'll ever do!"</p> - -<p>Crowley and Ross grabbed Whitey, who resisted to the best of his -ability. "You've got no right to keep me here!" he protested. "I -haven't committed any crime and I don't propose to be made a prisoner! -If I am, you bet you'll pay for it!"</p> - -<p>"Mebbe not," said Crowley, "but jes' the same, we ain't goin' to -dispense with yo'r society for a spell. Yo' come without no invitation, -an' now I reckon yo' might as well tarry 'long with us. Ef we let yo' -go out at night mebbe one o' them ontamed Jack-rabbits might sneak up -an' bite yo'. Hol' on, yo' young scorpion!"</p> - -<p>The occasion of the last remark was a solid kick on the shins that -Whitey landed on the taunting Crowley as the latter reached for the boy -and tried to hold his arms so that Ross could tie them. Whitey did not -propose to stand still and be hobbled, and he left no doubt of it in -the minds of either Ross or Crowley. Of course, the boy stood no chance -in the hands of the two strong men; but for a few moments there was -considerable fuss; before they got Whitey "roped and thrown," he had -inflicted a number of painful bruises on each of the men.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' cats!" said Crowley as he limped away from the bound and -prostrate form of Whitey. "Of all the varmints ever I tackled that's -the worst! I wish I'd let Tucker alone when he wanted to shoot him up!"</p> - -<p>Ross swore roundly and with great fervency as he tried to stop a -nose-bleed with his coat-sleeve. Whitey, in his wrath, threw all -discretion to the winds, as he struggled at his bonds, but could not -loose them.</p> - -<p>"You wait—you two cattle-thieves!" sputtered Whitey, as he lay on -the floor of the cavern. "You wait till the Bar O outfit gets done -with you. You and your counterfeit brands! Bill Jordan will hold a -necktie-party and don't you forget it!"</p> - -<p>"Put a gag onto him, Crowley," said Ross, as he wiped away some blood -from his nose.</p> - -<p>"Put it on yo'self," answered Crowley, "I got a belly-full o' monkeyin' -with him, right now!" And Crowley showed a severe bruise on his shin as -he rolled up the leg of his trousers.</p> - -<p>"I'll put it on," said Tucker, eagerly; and taking a handkerchief, he -bent over Whitey and started to insert the gag in no gentle manner. In -a moment Tucker let out a howl and jumped back, nursing a badly bitten -hand. With an oath he sprang back at Whitey and delivered a severe -downward blow at Whitey's face, but Whitey ducked to one side, and -Tucker's fist crashed against the rocky floor of the cavern. Before he -had time to deliver another, Crowley had pulled him off, and hurled him -aside.</p> - -<p>"Now, listen, you big stiff," said Crowley, menacingly. "If yo' pulls -any more o' that stuff, I'll tend to yo'—er mebbe I'll untie that kid -an' sic him onto yo'! I knowed yo' was pretty low-down, but I give yo' -more credit 'n to want to soak a <i>boy</i>—an' him with his hands an' feet -tied!"</p> - -<p>"Well, look what he done to me!" yelled Tucker, exhibiting his -hands—one badly bitten, and the other bruised and bleeding from its -contact with the rocky floor of the cavern. "Look what he done!"</p> - -<p>"Well, yo' wanted the job of gaggin' him, didn't yo'?" said Crowley. -"Yo' didn't s'pose thet rarin' catamount was gonna lie there an' let -yo' put yo'r finger into his mouth 'thout bitin' it, did yo'? An' as -fer thet other hand—I guess, mebbe, yo' ain't got no great kick comin' -'bout thet. I'd like t' seen yo' break yo'r arm!"</p> - -<p>If Mr. "One-Card" Tucker was looking for sympathy, he needed some -powerful glasses; for no matter how depraved and dishonest men are, -there usually remains in them a liking for fair play and a certain -sympathy for the under dog. And no matter how low their standard of -morals may be otherwise, there are very few Western men who will stand -by and see a man abuse either a woman or a boy or a dumb animal. It -isn't in the breed.</p> - -<p>Crowley turned to Ross, who, by this time, had managed to stop his -nose-bleed: "I don't reckon thet this here ragin' hyena needs no gag. -We'll stow him back in the cellar, an' he kin yell his head off, ef -he wants to; he can't raise no holler loud 'nuff fer anybody to hear. -A couple o' yo' men take an' tote him back into the angle back o' the -cattle. An' look out how you handle him! He's a ring-tail Looloo, with -a stinger on head an' tail!"</p> - -<p>Two of the men picked up the bound Whitey had started back with him, -but Crowley stopped them. Turning to all the men, he said, "An' right -here, I gives notice—partic'lar to yo', One-Card—thet ef any thin' -happens to thet kid, I'm gonna settle with you personal'. Thet makes -yo' his g'ardeen an' pertector. D' yo' understand? Rustlin' cattle is -bad enough, but murderin' babies is a heap worse, an' I ain't takin' no -chances facin' a jury on them partic'lar indictments."</p> - -<p>"He's a fine, healthy baby!" said Ross and Tucker, feeling of their -wounds.</p> - -<p>And all this time Injun lay still in the hay and waited for his -opportunity.</p> - -<p>The two men proceeded to carry Whitey around the pen in which the -cattle were coralled, to where the passage turned at a sharp angle. The -dim light of their lantern sufficed to illuminate only that portion of -the cavern in the immediate vicinity, but judging from the echoes that -reverberated from the recesses beyond, the cave ran for a considerable -distance into the mountain. The men deposited Whitey upon the rocky -floor with little ceremony, and retraced their steps; and soon he was -left in darkness and silence. The two men were joined at the stairs -leading to the house above by those who had been sent to block up the -entrance from the river, and the closing of the heavy door above left -the two boys alone in the cavern.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h2> - -<h3>INJUN TAKES A HAND</h3> - - -<p>Injun lost little time in crawling noiselessly out of the hay, after -he had heard the foot-steps die away on the stairs and the door above -close; but he was cautious enough to lie still for a moment and listen, -for the darkness was such that he could see nothing. Climbing down to -the floor of the cavern, he produced his flint and steel; and in a -moment he had lighted a sliver of wood that he had chipped from one of -the planks with his hunting-knife. With this light he located a larger -piece of stick, and soon had a torch that lit up the space around him -for considerable distance. He glided swiftly around the cattle corral, -and in a few seconds he had loosed Whitey's bonds, and the latter -stretched his limbs that were even then beginning to feel the numbing -effects of the tight rope that had pinioned him.</p> - -<p>It was necessary to do something, and that something quickly, for the -boys did not know at what moment the men might return. Injun split a -number of long slivers from a plank to serve as torches, and then the -boys made their way back toward the entrance to the river. They found -that the tunnel had been effectually closed not more than fifty feet -from its mouth by a heavy door that had been barred and padlocked, and -which resisted all their efforts to open it.</p> - -<p>The fact that they had been able to enter the place at all had been -due to the carelessness of the last party of ranchers that had entered -and neglected to close and fasten it. Long immunity makes men careless -about the most important things.</p> - -<p>Finding that escape in this direction was impossible, the boys made -their way back to the other end, but found there was no exit there. -They then came back to the stairs that led to the room above. Here -they held a consultation, and decided to mount the stairs and see -what could be learned. Cautiously ascending the stairs, Injun listened -at the door; and, after a moment, reported to Whitey that there were -several men in the room playing cards and discussing the situation. -After examining the lock by the light of one of the splinters, Whitey -saw that it could be opened by simply turning the knob; and returning -to the floor of the cavern, he formulated a plan, which, although a -desperate one and probably likely to fail, seemed to be their only -chance.</p> - -<p>"It's dark by this time," said Whitey, "and probably the only light in -the room is a swinging one over the table, like all the ranch-houses -have." Injun nodded assent, and Whitey continued: "We'll both go to the -top of the stairs, and I'll open the door quickly and smash the lamp. -There'll be a big fuss and confusion, and maybe you can slip through -the room and out one of the windows without being caught. What do you -think of it?"</p> - -<p>Injun thought a while and finally nodded; he knew that the ranch-house -windows were barred, but he also knew that he could probably wiggle -through them, and he indicated that he was ready as soon as Whitey was. -Whitey selected a stout stick at the corral, and noiselessly the two -boys climbed the stairs, and Whitey cautiously turned the knob. The -door swung back toward them noiselessly, and by good luck the doors of -the wardrobe that concealed the door were partially closed. In another -second, Whitey and Injun stood in the wardrobe.</p> - -<p>From his position Whitey could see a part of the room, and he pointed -out to Injun that there was a window at the end of the room through -which the latter might climb without having to pass the table. Injun -was to remain behind one of the doors of the wardrobe until Whitey -had smashed the lamp, and then he was to make a run for it. The -conversation of the men was plainly audible.</p> - -<p>"I ain't none too stuck on the bet as she lays," said the heavy voice -of Ross, who had by this time imbibed considerable whiskey, "an' I -ain't shore but the best thing 'd be to choke thet kid an' chuck him -in the river. Ef he ever gits loose, it's good night!"</p> - -<p>There was a murmur of assent at this from some of the men, but Crowley -was plainly against it. "Yo' all is afraid o' yo'r own shadder! In -the first place, how's he goin' t' git loose? The' ain't no way fer -him t' git out 'n thet cellar 'cept through this room, even ef he got -shet of 'bout twenty-five foot o' rope thet was drawed some tight -'round his arms an' legs. An' 't looks like we all might stop him 'fore -he got very far ef he come this way!" and Crowley looked about him -contemptuously. "I'm a heap more 'fraid o' facin' a murder indictment -'n I am of anythin' thet kid er the hull, blame Bar O outfit kin do! I -tell yo' the' ain't no danger o' their findin' him 'n the' is o' thet -lamp explodin'!"</p> - -<p>Whitey had set himself for the spring, and he threw open the doors of -the wardrobe and reached the table in one bound. With a blow of the -stick he shattered the lamp, and then swung it about him vigorously. -Taken entirely unawares, and being totally ignorant of what had struck -them, there was indescribable pandemonium for a time. The room was in -almost utter darkness, and several of the men having received hearty -whacks over the head from the club in Whitey's hands, contributed -shouts and curses to the general uproar.</p> - -<p>"What the jumpin' tom-cuts has struck us?" shouted Crowley in -consternation as he received a whack across his face from the stick, -and a deep and fervent oath from Ross indicated that he, too, had "got -his."</p> - -<p>Each was afraid to shoot lest he hit one of his own gang, and, indeed, -the whole outfit was at a decided disadvantage. No one saw the sinuous -Injun as he glided out of the wardrobe and slipped along the wall to -the window. The bars were not very far apart, but it is probable that -Injun would have gone through any space that a rattlesnake could; and -in less time that it takes to tell it, Injun had squirmed his way -between the bars and dropped to the ground in the darkness outside.</p> - -<p>The solid thumps that Whitey bestowed on the various anatomical -parts of those at the table had the effect of scattering them in -all directions; and they were completely in the dark as to what kind -of a cyclone had struck the place. They could make no individual or -concerted resistance, and the result was that they simply tried to -get out of the way as best they could. The opening of a door by one -of the men, who was really trying to escape, let in a flood of light, -and several of the men recognized Whitey as the source of the trouble. -"Holy Mackerel!" yelled Crowley, "ef 't ain't thet ragin' catamount got -loose! Grab him, there, Ross, quick, afore he puts the whole dump on -th' bum!"</p> - -<p>With a yell of rage and amazement, four of the ranchers fell upon -Whitey in a sort of football formation, while that young man fought and -bit and clawed and kicked as long as he could move a muscle.</p> - -<p>As soon as the lanterns were brought in and the bruised and cursing -cowboys had disentangled themselves, Whitey was yanked to his feet in -no gentle manner; and while the irate Ross almost choked him to death, -Crowley bound him tight in a lariat much after the fashion that a -mummy is swathed in bandages. Finally, when this was thoroughly and -completely done, Ross relinquished his grip on Whitey's wind-pipe, and -stood back and wiped the perspiration from his red and bloated face.</p> - -<p>There was a large and rapidly swelling welt over one of Ross' eyes -where Whitey's club had landed in the whirlwind assault that he had -made upon the gang. In fact, there were few of the men who were not -"decorated" in some manner, for Whitey had played no favorites in -wielding his shillalah in the dark. Crowley's lip was swollen to -several times its natural size, and it was evident that he was having -hard work to control his temper; and he, as well as the others, glared -at the boy in a way that boded ill for him.</p> - -<p>But Whitey returned their black looks with interest; his fighting-blood -was up,—he had no regard for consequences; and had he been loose, -he would have charged all of them. One thing only was the salvation -of Whitey. Crowley caught sight of several of the men nursing their -various bruises—the welt above Ross' eye was assuming ludicrous -proportions—and Crowley laughed!</p> - -<p>"No danger, hey?" snarled Ross. "He couldn't git loose, er nuthin'! Oh, -no! He's jes' as harmless as a ton o' dynamite!"</p> - -<p>"No more chanct o' him gittin' loose 'n the' is o' the lamp explodin'!" -put in another, sarcastically. "Well, by Judas, 't looks t' me as tho' -the lamp done exploded!"</p> - -<p>"Yo' all said a mouthful!" admitted Crowley, feeling of his lip, and -speaking with some difficulty. "An' I reckon mebbe I was among them -present when she blew! I ain't got real bright yet after thet wallop he -giv' me!"</p> - -<p>"Yo're shore pretty bright, anyhow!" said Ross, making a painful -effort to sneer. "Seems to me it was yo' said he didn't need no gag -ner nuthin'! Mebbe he don't—but he's goin' to git one—one 'at 'll -shet him up fer 'bout five hundred years, an' then some! I'm tryin' to -decide whether t' bile 'im over a slow fire er t' pull 'im apart with -four hosses! I bin shin-kicked, thumb-bit, an' walloped across the -nose with a club, an' I reckon that'll be 'bout all this evenin'! The' -ain't no child-wonder goin' to put them things over onto me an' get -away with it—not while I got my health, he ain't."</p> - -<p>"Don't look as tho' none of us 'd have much health ef this here pizen -varmint ain't took in hand pronto!" said Tucker, who had received a -crack over his sore knuckles that put his hand out of business. "I -ain't got no more scruples 'bout shootin' him up 'n I'd hev 'bout -killin' a coyote!" and Tucker tried to draw his gun with his sore hand.</p> - -<p>"The' won't nuthin' like thet come off—not while I'm 'round!" said -Crowley, firmly. "Ef seven er twelve big, over-growed huskies like we -all is has t' call in the Sassiety fer the Pervention uv Cruelty by -Childern an' holler fer help ever' time this here half-portion shows up -in our midst, I reckon we all better make application fer admission to -the home fer crippled old wimmen an' set out onto the piazzy in rockin' -chairs, 'long with the rest on 'em!"</p> - -<p>And Crowley looked at the battered group and laughed. He knew that -the situation was a dangerous one for the boy, and that it had to be -handled with considerable tact; and he chose one of the strongest -weapons at his command—ridicule. Keeping his eye on "One-Card" Tucker -and Pedro—the latter had not come out of the fracas unscathed, and -although he had not said anything, was a dangerous customer,—Crowley -continued: "Fur 's I'm concerned, personal', bein' only a growed man -an' him a boy, I'm calc'latin' on climbin' a tree whenever I git his -scent; but 't looks t' me 's though we all might band together an' -pertect ourselfs agin ol' Calamity, here, without cuttin' his throat er -shootin' him up when his hands is tied!</p> - -<p>"Look here, Bud," he said, turning to Whitey, and tactfully trying to -change the subject, "how cum yo' to git loose, anyhow? I know I done -roped yo' myself, an' I ain't no amachoor—not at ropin', I ain't."</p> - -<p>"One of our Bar O cattle that you thieves 'counterfeited' was a friend -of mine and came up and ate the rope in two!" said Whitey, with a -laugh. "How else do you suppose I could get loose?"</p> - -<p>As Whitey said these indiscreet words Ross uttered an oath and started -to draw his gun.</p> - -<p>"That settles it!" he said. "He's wise to the whole game, an' I'm goin' -to cook his goose right now!" And this determination seemed to meet -with general approval. Tucker and Pedro drew nearer and backed Ross up.</p> - -<p>Crowley turned swiftly and faced them, his eyes narrowed to slits. -"Be yo' goin' to play a lone hand," asked Crowley, "er is this a -free-fer-all? I ain't noway pertic'lar, but I jes' want t' know whether -I'm foreman here er not."</p> - -<p>"Yo're foreman, all right," said Ross, boiling with rage, "but I'm the -Boss! An' <i>I</i> say I'm goin' to croak the little skunk!"</p> - -<p>Crowley stood perfectly still between the three men and the boy, his -hands on his hips, and his jaw set tight.</p> - -<p>"Le' 's see yo' try it!" he said. "I'm standin' right here an' -waitin'!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></h2> - -<h3>INJUN TO THE RESCUE</h3> - - -<p>When Injun dropped to the ground from the barred window, he made off in -the darkness toward the corral, dodging behind such objects as seemed -likely to offer any concealment, although he figured that pursuit was -unlikely, as the men at the ranch-house had their hands full with -Whitey. He kept his eyes open for such of the outfit as might be -without the house, for he knew that capture would mean, not only his -own death, but would destroy the last chance of bringing aid to his -pal. Once he had arrived at the high bank of the river, he felt that -his chances to escape observation had materially increased, and he set -out on a dog-trot to cover the miles that lay between himself and the -Bar O ranch.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the two searching parties, one on either side of the river, -were sweeping toward the Cross and Circle ranch, leaving little of -the ground unobserved as they proceeded. Acting under Bill Jordan's -orders, the parties maintained silence as they drew nearer the Cross -and Circle. When they were not more than half a mile distant from it, -the party on the left bank of the river suddenly drew up their horses -in response to a call that sounded close by, and Injun scrambled over -the edge of the bank and ran to them. In a few words Injun told what -had happened, and Bill Jordan swung the boy up behind him, called the -men to cross from the opposite bank, and the whole party, some fifteen -or sixteen strong, was soon headed for the Cross and Circle at a gallop.</p> - -<p>Arrived at the ranch-yard, under the guidance of Injun, Jordan located -six men at the mouth of the tunnel in case an attempt should be made -to escape that way; and with the balance of the party he rode straight -for the house. Injun, once he had pointed out the tunnel, slipped away -unnoticed and made for the window through which he had escaped.</p> - -<p>Inside the house the situation was grave for Whitey. Crowley faced -the enraged Ross who was backed up by the more desperate members of -the gang. His cool nerve had a disconcerting effect upon the Boss, -and it is probable that had he dealt with him alone, he would have -been able to prevent him from carrying out his avowed purpose. But it -is a difficult thing to keep an eye on several men at once, and by a -stealthy and almost imperceptible movement "One-Card" Tucker drew his -revolver slowly from its holster.</p> - -<p>He stood with his side to the window, at which Injun had posted -himself, and there was no doubt as to what Tucker intended to do. But -before he had a chance to raise his gun an arrow from Injun's bow -pierced the muscles of the man's arm, pinning it to his side!</p> - -<p>Tucker dropped to the floor with a howl of agony, and it was a second -or two before the other men realized what had happened, for there had -been no sound; and until they saw the arrow, which had gone entirely -through Tucker's biceps and was imbedded deep in the muscles of his -back, they were ignorant of the presence of an unknown enemy.</p> - -<p>For a second the men stood dazed—as is always the case when something -of a more or less mysteriously disconcerting nature happens—and as -they turned hastily toward the windows to ascertain the source of the -attack, they saw the Winchesters of the Bar O boys glisten between the -bars, and heard the voice of Bill Jordan shout, "Hands up—an' keep 'em -up!"</p> - -<p>It was the work of but a few moments to complete the capture of the -gang. The seven outlaws were faced to the wall, and while they were -in this position, and under cover of the Winchesters, Injun squirmed -through the bars of the window, relieved the ranchers of their weapons, -loosed Whitey's bonds, and then unbarred the heavy door and admitted -the Bar O men.</p> - -<p>To tie the hands of the outlaws securely behind their backs was the -work of a few moments, and then they were faced about.</p> - -<p>"A fine gang of high-binders!" commented Bill Jordan, as he looked them -over. "I had your number, all right, Yancy, though sence yo' growed -them wriskers yo' bin castin' asparagus on the good name o' 'Ross!' I -reckon, mebbe, the folks down to Albuquerque 'll be right tickled t' -see thet there ugly mug o' your'n—'speci'ly the Sher'ff. An' here's my -ol' friend, 'One-Card' Tucker, all ornamented up 'ith arrers an' such! -I reckon yo' done drawed yo'r last card, ain't yo', Tucker?"</p> - -<p>"That's the meanest scoundrel in the whole outfit!" exclaimed Whitey. -"If he'd had his way, I wouldn't be here now! He got that hand by -swinging a punch at me when I lay on the floor with my hands tied! It -must have been Injun who made a pin-cushion out of him with that arrow!"</p> - -<p>"'Pin-cushion' is right!" said Jordan, looking at Tucker's arm; "but -I want to tell you, Son, the' ain't no such thing as 'the <i>meanest</i> -skunk' in thet bunch—the's all the same kind o' pizen. One's 'bout -like t' other."</p> - -<p>"No," said Whitey, "you're mistaken about that; there's one man here, -Crowley, the foreman, who saved my life twice—once when Tucker wanted -to shoot me, and once when Ross tried it. He wouldn't have it, and he -stood off the whole gang."</p> - -<p>"Which is him?" asked Bill, in an incredulous tone.</p> - -<p>"Here he is," said Whitey, pointing to the foreman.</p> - -<p>"Step out here, yo' Crowley person, an' lemme have a slant at yo'."</p> - -<p>Crowley looked at Bill sullenly, but did not move. "I ain't askin' no -favors," he said. "I reckon I kin take my medicine with the rest."</p> - -<p>"Seems like yo' was some squeamish in this here matter," said Bill, -eyeing Crowley keenly. "I'm s'prised at yo'! Was yo' 'fraid?"</p> - -<p>"I reckon I wasn't 'fraid none. I done 'bout ever'thing in my time, but -I draw the line at murderin' kids an' wimmen. Thet ain't in my line o' -business!" Then adding, indifferently, "Go on with the proceedin's! -Don't let me hender yo' none!"</p> - -<p>Bill stepped closer to the man and looked intently into his face. "No," -he said after a moment, "I guess you wasn't 'fraid!" Then he asked, -"Was you ever in Juarez, Mister—er—Crowley?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Crowley, "but not recent, I wasn't."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"Several times," said Crowley. "Th' las' time was when the' was a right -smart o' trouble into Silver-Dollar Joe's place—consider'ble shootin' -and such. Havin' the luck to git out with mostly a hull skin, 'cept in -a few places, I never felt no call to go back."</p> - -<p>"I thought so," said Bill. "Name wasn't 'Crowley' then, was it?" -Crowley smiled and shook his head.</p> - -<p>Bill walked over to Crowley and turned the man around, and taking -out his knife, he cut the rope that bound his hands. Turning to Mr. -Sherwood and the rest of the Bar O outfit, he said, "Gents, what I'm -doin' is on my own responsibility. Ef the's any objections to it, I'm -agreeable to givin' my reasons." He looked about him, and no one seemed -to offer any objection.</p> - -<p>"Go as fur 's yo' like, Bill," said one or two of the men; and Sherwood -nodded.</p> - -<p>Bill turned again to Crowley. "Yo' don't b'long to no such outfit as -this here!" he said. "Yo' pick out yo'r gun an' Winchester out'n thet -pile, an' get onto yo'r pinto an' see how fur yo' kin ride away from -these vicinities 'fore sun-up."</p> - -<p>Then turning to Mr. Sherwood, Bill said, "Boss, jes' lemme have forty -dollars an' charge the same to me, ef you'll be so kind." Mr. Sherwood -handed the money to Jordan, who passed it over to Crowley without a -word. "Thanks," said the latter, "that's right, as I figger." "Yes," -said Jordan, "that's the way I figger it too. Good-by an' good luck."</p> - -<p>Crowley turned to go and then hesitated; he looked keenly at Bill, and -then he said, "I ain't s'posed to give no state's ev'dence, er nuthin' -like thet, be I? 'Cause ef I am, I reckon I'll stay an' play out the -string."</p> - -<p>"I didn't mention no conditions, did I?" said Bill, a little heatedly.</p> - -<p>Crowley turned, picked out his weapons from the pile and then turned -to Jordan. "Ef you value the lives o' them hombreys you got lined up -there," he said, "I'd advise you to tie up thet boy, too. He's liable -to be too rough with 'em."</p> - -<p>Then he turned and strode out of the room; and in a few moments the men -heard the hoof-beats of his horse as he galloped away.</p> - -<p>Bill offered no explanation of his leniency and none was asked; but -such was the confidence in Jordan's squareness, that it is improbable -that any one felt that an injustice had been done. Certainly Whitey was -glad and relieved to know that the man who had twice saved his life -had, in a measure, been repaid in his own coin. He also knew that there -was a story behind it all—a story of some previous relations that Bill -had had with the man—and he resolved to get it out of Jordan at the -first favorable opportunity.</p> - -<p>"I guess I may as well take my gun, too," said Whitey as he picked up -the pearl-handled .22 from the pile that had been taken from the Ross -gang, and thus was the gift of little Bobby restored to its rightful -owner.</p> - -<p>"I was wonderin' how thet puttey-blower come to be in thet outfit?" -said Bill, smiling. "You want to look out, Son! Ef yo' should happen -t' shoot a man with thet there thing an' he finds it out, he might be -vexed!" Whitey grinned, but pocketed the little gun, which turned out -to be better than it looked, long afterwards.</p> - -<p>The arrival of the Sheriff and a posse simplified matters as far as the -disposition of the outlaws was concerned. Jordan had taken the matter -in hand immediately after Ross's visit to the Bar O, and had dispatched -a messenger for the Sheriff, feeling that he had enough evidence -against the Cross and Circle outfit to warrant that proceeding.</p> - -<p>After the whole party had explored the place under the guidance of the -two boys, and the stolen cattle had been identified, they all came back -to the living-room of the ranch. The Sheriff took Jordan and Sherwood -aside and said,</p> - -<p>"There is another matter that mebbe this here Mr. Ross, as he calls -himself, can throw a little light onto, an' that is, how he cum to git -possession o' this here ranch. It's a cinch he didn't buy it off'n the -former owner, Bradley; and nobody seems to be able to locate where this -here Bradley's went to. I was calc'latin' to make some inquiries 'bout -it, it havin' bin called to my attention, when yo'r messenger cum. -The's some o' Bradley's folks 'd like to know 'bout the transaction."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "I dunno, but 't seems like ef I was Sher'ff an' I -got my hooks onto a bird like this here Yancy-Ross person, I dunno 's -it'd be necessary to ask the cuss to do any great 'mount of explainin'. -The's a powerful lot o' nice trees on the way to the Bar O!"</p> - -<p>"So the' is," said the Sheriff, "now 't I cum to think of it! They -ain't bore no 'fruit' fer a consider'ble spell, neither, hev they?"</p> - -<p>"Not sence them other rustlers was discouraged 'bout three or four -years back. Some o' my boys 'd be plumb tickled to death t' escort them -hombreys t' jail—<i>er some place</i>."</p> - -<p>"Hmm," said the Sheriff, meditatively. "I'll think it over."</p> - -<p>At this moment Whitey and Injun came up to Bill, all excitement.</p> - -<p>"Pedro isn't here!" said Whitey. "He was here just before you came, but -he's not among the prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Him Pedro gone!" said Injun laconically.</p> - -<p>Jordan was all attention in a second: "Here, Walker, Bob, an' the lot -o' yo'—the boys says thet our ol' friend Pedro was here jes' before -we cum! Take a gang an' go over this dump with a fine-tooth comb! -I'll give fifty dollars to the man thet brings him in, an' I ain't -pertic'lar what kind o' condition he's in, neither!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, an' I'll add another fifty to it!" put in the Sheriff. "An' the -deader he is, the better I'll like it!" he added, heartily. "Thet -coyote has cost the county 'bout enough as 't is!"</p> - -<p>A thorough search of the house, cellar, and the vicinity failed to -reveal any trace of Pedro, much to the chagrin of Bill Jordan, not to -mention that of those who were desirous of earning a hundred dollars.</p> - -<p>Injun shook his head. "Him Pedro gone!" he said, ruefully. It was a -matter of some consequence to Injun—as events turned out.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a></h2> - -<h3>THE TRUTH ABOUT CROWLEY</h3> - - -<p>There remained little to do at the ranch which had formerly been the -home of the Cross and Circle outfit, and this little was soon done. -Several of the Bar O men were left to look after the stock and keep -guard. Injun's pinto was found tied in the corral; and both owner and -horse gave every evidence of delight at their reunion. Much to the -regret of the boys of the Bar O, the Sheriff decided to escort the -prisoners to the jail himself rather than have the ranchers escort them -to "<i>some place</i>;" and, therefore, the trees on the way to the Bar O -did not bear any "fruit" as the result of the contemplated "neck-tie -party."</p> - -<p>It was found that "One-Card" Tucker's wound was a severe one, and he -was given surgical attention by Bill Jordan, who allowed as how, "When -a pizen critter is shore destined to be hung, 'tain't right t' cheat -th' gallus an' let him croak natcheral!"</p> - -<p>On the way home Whitey, who had commandeered one of the horses of the -Cross and Circle, rode up beside Bill Jordan and Mr. Sherwood, followed -of course, by Injun.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Jordan," began Whitey, "won't you tell us why you let that man -Crowley go? I'm mighty glad you did, for he certainly saved my life!"</p> - -<p>Jordan smiled. "Mebbe," he said, "that was partly the reason."</p> - -<p>"That may have had something to do with it," said Whitey, "but I know -there was some other reason, too."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, after a pause, "now 't we're here together, I'll -tell yo' all. 'Bout five six years ago I was down to Juarez, an' I gits -into more kinds o' trouble than Carter's got pills. I'd bin down into -Mexico, an' I was headed back fer God's country, an' I jes' drops -off'n the train t' watch them skates out t' the merry-go-round they -calls a 'race-track,' an' mebbe pick up a bet er two. 'Bout the fourth -race I cum t' the conclusion I wa'n't no jedge o' hoss-flesh—not them -kind o' hosses, anyhow—an' I lays out t' beat it away from there an' -get a train. 'Fore I c'd git off'n the track—they must 'a' seen I was -a hick—some dip lifted what was left o' the roll, not fergittin' t' -incude my watch an' railroad ticket in the deal!" Bill laughed as he -thought of it, and the others laughed with him.</p> - -<p>"Funny, ain't it?" said Bill, grinning. "But 't wa'n't so funny then! -They shore picked me cleaner 'n a col'-storage chicken, an' when I give -my jeans a frisk, I found I was exactly fourteen dollars shy o' havin' -a nickel! I bet I walked nine mile 'round thet town, thet evenin', an' -never seen a friendly face! An' me hungry 'nuff t' eat raw dog; but I -never run acrosst no dog—not no four-legged one, anyway, less'n yo' -call them hairless kind dogs—the kind thet looks like a rat on stilts. -Fin'ly I strays into this here Silver-Dollar Joe's place—so called on -account o' him havin' a bunch of 'em riveted into th' floor an' such. -The' was a bald-headed hombrey dealin' faro-bank, an' I stands around -watchin' the game, hopin' somebody 'd drop a quarter er somethin'—but -nobody done nuthin' like thet—not onto th' floor, 't least. I think -I'd of give 'em a battle fer it ef they had! Bimeby the' was a tall -guy gits up from the table an' hands out th' most artistic line o' -cussin' I'd heard in some time. When a gent kin manhandle language an' -discuss his luck like he done, it's a gift! He cum over towards me, an' -I reckon I must 'a' looked like a picture o' hard luck, too; an' he -says, stopping an' givin' me the once-over, 'Yo' don't look yo' had no -rabbit's foot workin' over-time fer yo', neither,' he says.</p> - -<p>"'Correct," I says. "As fur 's luck's concerned, it's a case o' -horse-an'-horse—only mebbe mine's a mite worse 'n your'n.'</p> - -<p>"'I kin lick any man thet says his luck is worse 'n mine!' he says.</p> - -<p>"'Commence!' I says, squarin' off.</p> - -<p>"He looked me over, an' 'n he says, 'Mebbe we better have somethin' -first?' he says.</p> - -<p>"'Yo' 're on!' I says, linkin' my arm into his'n so 't he couldn't git -away an' change his mind.</p> - -<p>"Well, we had one an' then another, him doin' the payin', me havin' -declared myself insolvent. We stood leanin' agin' th' bar, me havin' -visions that mebbe he'd say somethin' 'bout a san'wich. But seems he -had other idees. He fin'ly digs up a ten-dollar gold-piece an' twirls -it on the bar careless—an' me meditatin' robbery from the person when -I seen it. In a minute I was glad to kep' control o' my yearnin's.</p> - -<p>"'This here's the last o' th' Mohigans,' he says. It ain't no good t' -me,' he says, 'an' mebbe, ef you'd take it an' set into thet game, yo' -might make her run. The's them thet says thet two neg'tives makes a -affidavit, er somethin', an' combinin' yo'r luck an' mine mebbe 'll -start somethin'. Want t' take a chanct?'</p> - -<p>"Did I want t' take a chanct! I did so! Tho' I was some tempted t' buy -ten dollars wu'th o' ham an' eggs with th' hull of it.</p> - -<p>"Well, I set in, an' my friend went to sleep pronto. Pretty soon luck -begin t' cum my way an' I win a bet now an' then. After a spell I had -seventy dollars in silver in front o' me, an' my friend woke up. He -cum over back o' my chair an' he says, 'How much yo' got?' 'Seventy -dollars,' I says. 'Don't make no more bets,' he says, kinder loud, -'thet bald-headed pirate is dealin' seconds an' settin' up splits.'</p> - -<p>"Right there's where she started. I managed t' git the money into my -jeans before the worst cum, an' the' was considerable fire-works an' -breakage took place. I dunno jes' what happened, but I seen my friend -wa'n't no slouch an' took quite a hand in th' festivities, an' the' -wa'n't much left o' the place when the smoke cleared. I seen my friend -make a get-away, an' I follered as soon 's I could. But though I put in -all nex' day lookin' fer him to give him his forty dollars, I never saw -him agin till to-night!"</p> - -<p>Bill rode along in silence for a moment; then he said, reminiscently, -"His name wasn't Crowley, then—somethin' a heap more stylisher! Seems -t' me 't was some such name as Smith—er, mebbe, Jones. Whatever 't -was, I consider he had mebbe a little more'n forty dollars comin' to -him from me—after what he done to me thet night in Juarez."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></h2> - -<h3>INJUN TACKLES CIVILIZATION</h3> - - -<p>The happenings at the Cross and Circle ranch had served to knit closer -those bonds which held the white boy and the Indian together. Already -fast friends, the trials and dangers that they had been through still -further cemented the tie into something more than friendship. Injun -received his full share of credit in the affair, for it had been -through his wonderful sagacity and his remarkable powers of observation -that the various discoveries had been made that led to the tracing of -the cattle, the cleaning out of the gang, and the recovery of much -valuable property. In fact, it was finally revealed, after a long -investigation, that the former owner, Bradley, had been murdered by -Ross, or Yancy, and that deeds and other papers conveying the property -had been forged, and thus the rustler had come into possession of a -valuable property—far too valuable to have jeopardized it by the -nefarious practices in which he engaged. And when the property was -finally restored to the rightful heirs, each of the boys was remembered -in a substantial way by the Bradley heirs, as will be seen later.</p> - -<p>Whitey, too, was not forgotten when it came to apportioning the credit -for the clean-up. He, it must be remembered, had first undertaken -the investigation on his own hook; he had crawled out of the hay and -offered himself for capture that Injun might escape—a thing which -required very much more than ordinary nerve and unselfishness. And it -was largely on account of his aggressive action that the capture of the -band was effected without any bloodshed, except that which flowed from -"One-Card" Tucker's arm, and the bruises which Whitey inflicted on the -various members of the Ross gang.</p> - -<p>When the whole story was fully known, it is almost needless to say -that the two boys were heroes with the men of the Bar O and the other -nearby ranches; but they bore their honors modestly, and each made -little of the part that he, himself, had played in the affair, and gave -credit to the other for having enacted the principal rôle.</p> - -<p>The one "fly in the ointment" was the escape of Pedro. Not only did -this continue a very grave menace to Injun, for Pedro had sworn to get -even with the boy, but it was a keen disappointment to Bill Jordan, who -regarded Pedro in about the same light as a mad dog, only the man was -far more dangerous and resourceful than any dog could possibly be.</p> - -<p>And now, in view of the part that Whitey had played in the wiping out -of the gang, both Mr. Sherwood and Bill Jordan felt that the white boy, -also, would be added to Pedro's list of those upon whom he proposed -to visit his revenge. Pedro was known to be a most persistent and -consistent hater, and he had been known to cherish a trifling grievance -for years, and to go a long distance out of his way to avenge some -trivial injury, real or fancied.</p> - -<p>The entire outfit at the Bar O were, therefore, given strict orders -to keep a sharp eye out for the gentleman, and to "get" him on sight, -taking no chances whatever on his escape. There was a general feeling -that he would not leave the neighborhood until he had, in a measure, -repaid those who had been instrumental in balking his schemes, even -if it took a long time to do it; and Bill took the boys aside and -impressed this upon them.</p> - -<p>Altogether, it was a jolly party that rode into the ranch-yard a few -hours before daylight. As they neared the ranch, Injun, according to -his custom, had started to leave the party and go to his own haunts; -but Whitey, backed up by his father and Bill, put a veto on this, and -so it was finally decided that Injun should spend the night with Whitey -at the Bar O ranch.</p> - -<p>Injun faced the proposition with some misgivings; he was not accustomed -to the usages of civilization, being even more wild than the members -of his own tribe. He preferred the wilderness and the mountains even -to the primitive arrangements and comforts of the Indian village, and -his initiation into anything so civilized as a modern ranch-house was a -wide departure.</p> - -<p>When he was ushered into Whitey's room, after a plentiful -"breakfast"—both the boys were nearly famished, having had nothing to -eat since noon of the day previous—he looked around in positive awe. -The room did not exactly resemble a society belle's boudoir, but there -were many things in it that meant nothing in Injun's young life.</p> - -<p>He was introduced to himself, probably for the first time, by means -of a large mirror that surmounted the dresser, and he was greatly -surprised and pleased when Whitey showed him that, by tilting it, -he could get a full-view of himself as well as a "close-up." It -is doubtful if he would have gone to bed at all if Whitey had not -insisted, but would have spent the rest of the night seeing himself as -others saw him.</p> - -<p>The hair brush was also new to Injun; and after he had been instructed -in its use, he spent considerable time arranging his long hair in -various ways before the glass. Whitey watched him with a broad grin: -"Why don't you do it up in blue ribbons?" he asked, laughing. Injun -rejected this suggestion with a grunt and a shake of his head. "Ugh! -Red!" he said. He didn't object to the ribbons, but the color! (An -Indian likes any color—as long as it's red!)</p> - -<p>It took him a long time to decide to take off his clothes, and he -balked at the clean, white pyjamas that Whitey offered him. Nothing -doing! Fortunately Whitey had a pair of vivid pink pyjamas; and -these Injun could not resist. He arrayed himself in them with some -difficulty, and surveyed himself in the glass until Whitey threatened -to put out the light. And when it came to getting into the bed, he was -most dubious. He would have much preferred to lay himself on the floor -near the open window and <i>be comfortable</i>!</p> - -<p>After much persuasion, however, he consigned himself, with much -misgiving, to the soft bed. Injun was accustomed to selecting a spot -protected from the winds, first making a fire, if occasion demanded, -and then stretching out on the ground or some pine boughs that he -collected if they were available.</p> - -<p>He could adjust himself to the most cramped and uncomfortable positions -and get the repose he needed, even "keeping one eye open," as the -saying is, against the dangers that might beset him in the night. -However, notwithstanding all the "discomforts" of the civilization -that surrounded him, Injun was asleep inside of five minutes, though -Whitey lay awake for a long time, the exciting events of the past -twenty-four hours running through his mind in vivid review; until, at -last everything became a jumble of caverns and Crowleys and Rosses -and cattle and scrimmages, all crazy and indistinct, fantastic and -illusory, as things always are in the borderland of dreams.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></h2> - -<h3>INJUN SHIES AT PINK PYJAMAS</h3> - - -<p>The sun was high in the heavens when Whitey awoke. The first sight -that met his eyes was Injun, clad in the pink pyjamas, parading up and -down before the mirror, and evidently much pleased and impressed with -his appearance. Whitey watched him for a time, and then bounded out -of bed, and pouring out a basin of water, scrubbed his face and hands -vigorously. Injun watched him with some curiosity, but declined to -follow his example. The water part of it was all right, but the soap he -couldn't understand.</p> - -<p>It must not be imagined that Injun was not cleanly; he spent -considerable time in the water, but he preferred Nature's bath-tub -rather than a tin, or a crockery one. When Whitey was half-dressed, he -was somewhat astonished to notice that Injun had not yet started.</p> - -<p>"Hurry up, Injun!" he cried. "Get into your clothes and let's get some -breakfast! I'm starved!"</p> - -<p>Injun couldn't see it at all! The pink pyjamas looked pretty good to -him, and he had decided to adopt them for every-day wear! Whitey almost -laughed himself to death. "Why, you can't wear those things around the -ranch!" he said, when he got his breath. "Those are only to sleep in!"</p> - -<p>Injun didn't feel that way about it at all; he could not understand -why such comfortable, loose-fitting and becoming garments were not -appropriate for all occasions. And to give emphasis to the fact that he -intended to adopt them for business purposes, he proceeded to roll up -his shirt and trousers, and put on his moccasins, and tell Whitey that -it was <i>he</i> who should do the hurrying, as he (Injun) was dressed and -ready.</p> - -<p>The joke was too good a one to spoil, and so Whitey let it go at that, -chuckling to himself at the thought of the sensation Injun would create -when he appeared on the ranch.</p> - -<p>Both Mr. Sherwood and Bill Jordan were at breakfast when the two boys -entered, and the men burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter at the -sight of Injun.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' comets!" said Bill, when he could get his breath; "look -who's here! Well, if thet ain't a hot sketch, I never seen one!" And -Bill again went off into another peal of laughter. Injun was not at -all disturbed, but proceeded to take his seat at the table with solemn -dignity, and reach out for whatever he saw before him that he felt he -would like to eat.</p> - -<p>"Ain't yo' got a silk hat, Mr. Sherwood?" asked Bill, as well as he -could, between fits of laughing. "Ef this here bird-o'-Paradise jes' -had a plug-hat onto him now, he'd be the belle o' the ball fer fair! Ef -them boys out t' th' corral ever gits a flash at this here galliwumpus, -I couldn't git no work out 'n 'em fer a week! They'd fall down on their -face an' die a-laffin'! An' yet, I ain't got the heart t' deny 'em a -peek at it! He's got a peacock lookin' like a dirty deuce in a clean -deck, an' 't ain't ever' day the's a ontamed hero wanderin' 'round in -pink pants, makin' his début inta sassiety, an' givin' folks a treat!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood, convulsed as he was, signaled to Bill to let Injun go -through with it, and Bill nodded understandingly. He tried to finish -his coffee, but another look at Injun caused him to choke and swallow -it the wrong way, so he rose hurriedly from the table and made his way -out to the corral as well as he could.</p> - -<p>In due course Injun and Whitey made their appearance at the corral, -and any serious attempt to describe the scene would be idle. If it -had been any one but Injun, who had more than ever endeared himself -to the boys by his performances of the day before, it is doubtful if -they would have ever let up. Injun took it all in good part, being -supremely satisfied with himself. Mr. Sherwood, however, voiced this -apprehension: "I don't know as we ought to let the boy wear those -things out on the range—how do you think some of the cattle will -regard that flaming get-up?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "outside o' them pore, dumb critters being plumb -scairt t' death an' mebbe stampedin', I reckon I wouldn't worry none. -Ef yo' was thinkin' 'bout thet Injun kid, from what I've saw of him, -I figger he kin take care of hisself in 'bout any fix he's li'ble -to git inta. It's them cattle as has a worry comin' to 'em! 'Tain't -playin' square t' spring no sech chromatic outrage on them innercent -an' do-cile animals an' git 'em all het up with runnin'!" Bill grinned, -and then added, after he had thought a moment, "Mebbe it'd sort o' -discourage this here aboriginal Aztec from sportin' them sartorial -embellishments 'f I was t' git him to lead out thet little black devil -of a bull inta the corral. We prob'bly might mebbe see some o' them -torreador stunts them Greasers pulls down't Mexico City! How 'bout it?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sherwood promptly put a veto on this, although there is little -doubt that Injun would have tackled the job, well knowing the danger -that it entailed. The black bull was bad enough without anything to -irritate him, but being led by an Indian in pink pyjamas was more than -any self-respecting bull could be expected to stand.</p> - -<p>And so it came about that Injun wore the pink pyjamas until they were -reduced to rags and were on the point of falling off of him. The -flimsy material was not calculated to stand rough usage, and a few -days sufficed. Even then it was only with the utmost difficulty that -he was induced to relinquish them. Only the offer by Mr. Sherwood to -completely outfit the boy had any effect, and Injun even hesitated -about this, because the outfit didn't conform to his idea of a color -scheme. However, once the boy got into the new clothes and looked at -himself in the mirror, he felt more satisfied.</p> - -<p>Bill Jordan looked him over with undisguised approbation in his face; -but he made a suggestion. "Injun," he said, as he looked at the boy's -long and shaggy head of hair, "yo' ain't aimin' t' be an understudy fer -them Absolem er Sampson persons, be yo'? Ain't yo' bin playin' hookey -from the barber's fer quite a spell? Looks like the' might be mice in -thet there mane o' yo'r'n. Why don't yo' let Pete here operate on them -hirsute hairs an' git yo' all manicur'd up proper? I reckon yo' c'd -stand it 'thout takin' gas!"</p> - -<p>Injun was of an accommodating nature—the kind that will try anything -once; and as the process of civilizing him had gone as far as it had, -he concluded he might as well go ahead with it; and in a few moments -Pete, the ranch barber, was at work on him. Pete was not what is known -as "a tonsorial artist"; he was just a plain barber, whose standing -as an amateur was unquestioned. His ways were somewhat primitive, -if effective, and his equipment consisted of some sheep-shears, a -pair of horse-clippers, and a willing disposition; and with this -combination, Pete generally managed to get most of the hair off, in -spite of the fact that he had no "Union card." He worked rapidly and -was careful—frequently his "customers" escaped without the loss of -anything more than their tempers, together with small pieces of hide -and an insignificant clipping from an ear, which really amounted to -nothing when their otherwise improved appearance was considered.</p> - -<p>The "barber-shop" was a space in the ranch-yard, out near the corral, -and consisted of a soap-box, on which the victim sat, and the welkin. -There was always an "audience," or, rather, spectators, who stood -around and made more or less facetious comments; but after witnessing -the performance, it took considerable nerve to respond to the call of -"Next!"</p> - -<p>Injun received sundry digs and clips, but bore them stoically, probably -deeming them a regular and usual part of the thing; and it must be -admitted that his appearance was decidedly changed—whether for the -better or not was a matter of debate, as he stood up for inspection.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill Jordan, as he looked at the boy in perplexity, -"mebbe, Pete, 'f yo' was t' use a ax yo' could git more off'n thet -nigh ear'n what yo' done. Howsumever, I reckon yo' massacreed him -sufficient as 't is! D' y' s'pose ef yo' was to take a file yo' c'd -mebbe level off some o' them humps?"</p> - -<p>Then Walker circled the boy, eying him critically and making pitying -noises.</p> - -<p>"I thought I seen some fancy hair-cuts in my time," said Walker, "but -this here's got 'em all faded! Thet kid's nut looks like it cum through -a McCormick harvester! Thet redskin's shore got a fergivin' disposition -er he'd run this here Pete person clear to Omaha—an' justifiable, too!"</p> - -<p>"'F I was yo', Bill," said Charley Brackett, "after I sent fer th' -amb'lance and first-aid an' some court-plaster an' bandages, I'd notufy -congress—Indians has some rights!"</p> - -<p>"Is that so!" said Pete. "Mebbe you guys thinks yo' c'd do a heap -better—yes? I calls thet a pretty fair job—considerin'. Lemme tell -yo' thet kid's got hair like wire, an' a pair o' pliers 'd be better 'n -shears."</p> - -<p>"After looking him over," said Bill, "I reckon yo' must 'a' spoke the -truth! 'T's a pity his hide ain't sheet-iron, too."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Pete, laughing, "I don't see where yo' all got no call t' -criticize—the kid ain't sayin' nuthin'!"</p> - -<p>"He can't see hisself!" said Bill; "an' mebbe yo're lucky he can't. -Them Injuns is resentful!"</p> - -<p>At any rate, Injun survived the ordeal, and in his new outfit, made -quite a prepossessing figure, notwithstanding the hair-cut. He was -naturally a good-looking boy, and possessed qualities of mind and -character that merited attention and development; and Mr. Sherwood -determined that, if it were possible, he would, one day, see that Injun -had some of the advantages that white boys enjoy.</p> - -<p>Not the least of Whitey's enjoyments was getting letters from the boys -back East—scarcely a week passed that Bobby and George and Tom did -not collaborate in a letter with plenty of news about baseball and -the other things that Whitey used to be interested in. I say "used to -be"—he really was yet, but in a secondary way. So engrossing did he -find life on the ranch, that he had, in a measure, put many of those -things behind him. He found that riding a horse and throwing a lariat -and fishing and hunting were fully as interesting as watching The -Giants and The Cubs, or trying to curve a ball away from the plate and -fool the batter. He had a feeling—and in a sense, he was right—that -the former were <i>men's</i> doings, and that he was fitting himself to be a -man among these men about him.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h2> - -<h3>WHITEY HIS OWN BOSS</h3> - - -<p>As the days went by Whitey found that he had "increased in wisdom and -stature" to a considerable degree. Although he had been the strongest -boy at school, he knew that, after two months or so on the ranch, -he had not only gained remarkably in strength, but in agility and -suppleness the gain had been proportionately much greater. He had -developed muscles that he did not know he possessed, and his almost -continuous life in the open air had strengthened his lungs, and had -hardened and toughened him. He did not know what "a cold" meant, now; -or, in fact, illness of any kind; and he was impervious to any sort of -weather that had, as yet, presented itself. In short, he fitted into -ranch life like "a duck's foot in the mud," as Bill Jordan expressed -it.</p> - -<p>"Do you think, Son, you could manage to get along without me here for a -time?" asked Mr. Sherwood, as he and Jordan and the two boys sat on the -piazza at sunset, one evening.</p> - -<p>"Sure, I could get along," said Whitey, "but where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"I find my affairs in the East need some attention and I must go back, -at least for a time. Do you want to go back with me?"</p> - -<p>"I do not!" said Whitey, emphatically. "I think I won't ever want to go -East again!" Bill Jordan smiled behind his hand.</p> - -<p>"How about seeing your mother and sisters and the boys?" asked Mr. -Sherwood.</p> - -<p>"I want to see them, all right; but what is the matter with bringing -them out here? You said you would, if you found things here were fit -for them, and it seems to me that they are fit for anybody! I don't see -why any one should ask for anything better than this!"</p> - -<p>"I might bring your mother and sisters, but I don't exactly see how I -could bring your boy friends," answered his father.</p> - -<p>"I don't see why," said Whitey. "They'd all like it just as much as I -do. Don't you think their fathers would let them come?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps, but there are other things to be considered," said Mr. -Sherwood. "However, we'll see about it. But before I go, I want to be -assured of one thing, and that is, you two boys must promise to keep -out of mischief. Bill has enough to do without having to go and rescue -you from a peck of trouble."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't mean that we have to stay cooped up on the ranch all the -time, does it?" asked Whitey ruefully.</p> - -<p>"Considering that the ranch contains something like sixty square miles, -that ought not to be a hardship, and I wouldn't exactly call it being -'cooped up'; but if you find that you have to go off it, go ahead—only -don't get mixed up with any more rustlers and caverns; and remember, -too, that our old friend Mr. Pedro is still at large. He'll skin the -pair of you alive if he gets the chance."</p> - -<p>"I don't know whether he would or not," said Whitey. "I think that in a -fair fight, Injun and I could give him about all he wanted to do, and -then some!"</p> - -<p>"That's jest the trouble, Son," said Bill Jordan, "thet skunk don't -know nuthin' 'bout fightin' fair. He'd sneak up an' bite a baby while -it was asleep ef he could! Ef either o' you two gets yo'r lamps onto -his pizen carcass, yo' both better empty yo'r Winchesters inta him an' -then ride away fer dear life. Thet's th' only way to do 'ith him!"</p> - -<p>"Injun hasn't any Winchester," said Whitey, who thought he saw an -opening whereby his pal might get one—and he was right.</p> - -<p>"Better see if you can't find one, Bill, and let the boy have it," -said Mr. Sherwood. "I think he has shown that he can be trusted with -anything in the way of equipment that any ranch-hand uses. He is -entitled to about anything that I can give him, for he has rendered -both Whitey and me most valuable service, and I want to show him that I -appreciate it."</p> - -<p>"I think thet's good jedgment, Mr. Sherwood. Them two boys is a whole -team an' a dog under the wagon, to boot, but the' 's a heap safer with -two guns 'n the' is with one—now 't they knows how to handle 'em."</p> - -<p>And so Injun got his Winchester, one from the rack at the ranch-house -and, if possible, he was more elated over its possession than he had -been over the pink pyjamas. With his naturally keen eye, developed -as it had been by continual use of the bow and arrow, he soon became -fairly expert in its use, an almost unlimited supply of cartridges -which Bill allowed the two boys contributing to this end.</p> - -<p>When Mr. Sherwood left for the station to take the train East, the two -boys on their horses accompanied the wagon as outriders. The long ride -of twenty-two miles was soon made, and at last the East-bound limited -came puffing into the station. Mr. Sherwood's baggage was lifted aboard.</p> - -<p>"Sure you don't want to go along?" asked Mr. Sherwood of Whitey, as he -stood on the observation-platform of the rear car.</p> - -<p>"Certain!" answered Whitey. "I am hungry to see the folks and the boys, -but I can wait until they come out here!"</p> - -<p>"I'll have 'em both ridin' herd by the time yo' gets back!" said Bill -as he looked at them proudly. "Thet is," he added, grinning, "unless -this here son o' yo'r'n has got me workin' fer him, an' him in my job!"</p> - -<p>"Not much danger of that!" said Whitey. "I guess it'll be some time -before I can do the stunts that you seem to think are so easy."</p> - -<p>Finally, after the good-bys had all been said, the train pulled out, -and Mr. Sherwood waved at them from the back platform until they could -no longer distinguish him, and the train dwindled to a speck in the -distance finally disappearing altogether. And Whitey felt a thrill—the -thrill that any strong, self-reliant boy feels when he realizes that he -is, to all intents and purposes, his own master.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Jordan," said Whitey, one morning, as he met the latter out at the -corral, "is it all right for Injun and me to go over to Moose Lake and -camp for a few days? He knows where he can get a canoe there, and he -says the fishing is fine."</p> - -<p>Bill thought the matter over for a moment and then said, smiling,</p> - -<p>"I a heap ruther yo' 'd bring the lake over here, where I c'd keep my -eye onto you'! Besides, I don't reckon I'd git dispepsy eatin' the fish -thet yo' all 'd bring back—Moose Lake's more 'n sixty mile from here! -Why don't yo' all go set on the bank o' one o' the branches an' try -yo'r luck?"</p> - -<p>"I've tried that," grinned Whitey, "and either there aren't any fish -worth speaking about, or else they're educated and too foxy to bite."</p> - -<p>"Mebbe yo'r worm wasn't tryin' his best," said Bill, solemnly. "The's -certain kinds o' worms thet jes' nacher'ly flirts with a fish—sort o' -coaxes 'em to cum up an'——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know all about that," laughed Whitey, "but we haven't time to -send our worms to school to teach 'em to flirt. Besides flirting isn't -proper, even for a worm. The main thing is—may I go?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Son," said Bill, "I reckon yo're yo'r own boss now, ain't yo'?"</p> - -<p>"Not entirely," said Whitey. "I'm willing to listen to your advice, -anyway."</p> - -<p>"Good!" said Bill. "Then I guess yo' don't need none. It's them thet -won't take it thet really needs advice. 'Bout how many days yo' call 'a -few'?"</p> - -<p>"Four or five," said Whitey. "I think that would be long enough."</p> - -<p>"Goin' to take a pack-hoss with grub an' stuff—mebbe them Moose Lake -fish is eddicated, too? A growin' boy's liable t' git up condider'ble -appetite ef he has t' go 'thout eatin' fer four five days! Ef yo' say -so, I'll pack up a tin o' biscuit an' mebbe a can o' beans, in case yo' -all gits tired of a fish diet."</p> - -<p>"That will be fine," said Whitey, "tho', maybe, you better make it two -cans of each," he added, laughing. "You know I have quite an appetite -at any time—I don't have to fast for four or five days to get one up!"</p> - -<p>"So I've noticed," said Bill. "An' now thet yo' 'lowed as how yo' 'd -take advice, I'm goin' to hand out some. Don' yo' two get separated -too fur in thet there wilderness, an' don't go messin' 'round with no -grizzlies er painters—the's both bad animals! I don't reckon yo'll see -none, fer the's pretty well cleaned out; but, ef yo' see a grizzly, -an' he don't see you, jes' nacherly put all the distance between you -an' him thet yo' kin. An' ef he does see yo', jes' drop whatever yo're -doin' an' climb a tree—don't waste no time a tall; an don't come down -fer an hour after he's left; they ain't always gone when they <i>seem</i> to -be! As fur 's other things go, Injun knows 'nuff to pilot yo' through -all right."</p> - -<p>"I'll remember," said Whitey, "and I'll promise you that I won't take -any unnecessary chances."</p> - -<p>"Good," said Bill. "I'll have thet pack-hoss ready with them two cans -o' beans onto him whenever yo're ready to start. An' say, listen—don't -fergit to bring home somethin'!"</p> - -<p>Whitey promised that he would, and turned away to tell the good news to -Injun, who had just ridden into the ranch-yard.</p> - -<p>The boys decided that they would start as soon as the necessary -preparations could be made, and camp on the way for the night. This -would bring them to Moose Lake late in the afternoon of the following -day; and within an hour after his talk with Bill the boys rode out of -the ranch-yard, their Winchesters slung across their shoulders, and -leading a pack-horse that was piled high with what Bill called "a tin -o' biscuit an' a coupla cans o' beans," and were headed toward the -mountains that looked so near, and yet didn't seem to get any nearer as -the boys put mile after mile behind them.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h2> - -<h3>MOOSE LAKE</h3> - - -<p>Nothing of any importance happened on the ride during the afternoon, -and the boys determined to get as far as possible that day so as to -arrive at the lake while it would be daylight on the day following. -The darkness had settled down before they pitched camp near one of the -numerous branches in a hollow that sheltered them from the wind. The -work of building a fire was attended to by Injun, while Whitey opened -the pack that contained the "biscuit and beans." It was not long before -they sat by the glowing fire and watched the tempting slices of bacon -as they frizzled in the pan, and sniffed the fragrant coffee. After a -hearty supper the boys lost little time in rolling themselves in their -blankets, and were soon in the land of dreams.</p> - -<p>It is doubtful if a man ever sleeps so well, or if sleep ever does him -so much good as when he takes it out in the open and upon the ground. -He seems to imbibe or absorb some of the life-giving elements in that -way, which refresh and restore the tissues far more than a sleep in any -other bed would.</p> - -<p>The two boys were awake, had breakfasted, and were on their way, almost -at sun-up the following morning. As the day advanced, the gradual rise -in the ground became more perceptible, and the mountains began to -come nearer. The trees and shrubs became thicker and the ground more -rocky and uneven; and long before dusk began to settle down they found -themselves on the shores of Moose Lake, and well into the foot-hills of -the Rockies.</p> - -<p>Moose Lake was a considerable body of water, being perhaps nine or ten -miles in length, though its greatest breadth was not more than a mile -and a half. Its shores were rocky and heavily wooded; in some places -they rose high and precipitous from the water's edge, while at other -points they sloped gradually down in sandy beaches. The water was -clear and very cold and in many places the bottom was visible at a -depth of twenty feet or more.</p> - -<p>Injun led the way around the southern end of the lake and toward the -West, for a couple of miles, though the horses found the going very -rough and they were obliged to pick their way carefully among the -stones that lay in masses upon the steep slope of the mountain. After -a time a small glade lay before them, and at one end of it was a -cabin that evidently was deserted, but in sufficiently good condition -to allow it to be inhabited, and to furnish some protection against -the weather and wild animals. Here the boys proceeded to establish -themselves, and after unpacking their belongings, they bestowed them in -proper and convenient places about the cabin.</p> - -<p>At the sides of the cabin were two sleeping-bunks—little else than -narrow shelves; but the boys, taking their hatchets, went out into the -thick growth of pine, and soon returned with armfuls of fragrant boughs -which they placed in the bunks to a depth of two feet, and made them -comfortable. Soon a fire was blazing on the primitive stone hearth, and -the water boiling in the camp-kettle suspended above it. The horses -were tethered so that they might graze freely, and everything made -ship-shape for the night, though there was an hour or more of daylight -remaining.</p> - -<p>"There!" said Whitey, with a look of satisfaction, "this may not be -quite so up-to-date as the ranch-house, but I'd rather be here than -there."</p> - -<p>Injun nodded and grinned his assent to this, but by the way he kept -moving, showed that he was not yet through.</p> - -<p>"Him get fish plenty supper," he said, as he got out some of the -tackle that Whitey had brought. Whitey needed no urging, and fitted -his jointed rod together and got out his book of flies. These Injun -regarded curiously; he had no intention of fishing himself—that wasn't -the way he fished—but he wanted to see how the thing worked.</p> - -<p>At the lake, the boys went along the edge, Injun showing the way -until, evidently locating a mark, he stopped and scrambled down to some -rocks that were over-grown with brush. Making his way into this, he -lifted out a canoe and two paddles, much to the delight of Whitey; and -a moment after, under the skillful strokes of Injun's paddle, they were -gliding over the glassy bosom of the waters, with scarcely a sound or a -ripple.</p> - -<p>Whitey, sitting in the bow of the canoe, put a leader and fly on his -line and made ready to cast; but Injun shook his head. He steered -softly near to where a huge tree bent over the lake, and stopped the -canoe, and Whitey cast the line so that the fly struck the water some -thirty feet away.</p> - -<p>Almost at the instant that the fly hit the water, it was snatched -under, and Whitey felt a tug at his line and started to play the fish. -He had learned something of the art when he had been in the Adirondacks -with his father, but he was not quite prepared for any such fight as -this fish put up. It darted this way and that, at times leaping out of -the water and shaking the hook like a dog shakes a rat. But finally, -all his fight availed the fish nothing; for he lay in the bottom of the -canoe, still making a few weak flops, but conquered. Injun took a piece -of string, and tying a stick to one end, he ran the other through the -gills of the fish and let him trail in the water in the wake of the -canoe.</p> - -<p>This whole performance was repeated many times, and although it was -not always successful, two or three of the fish managing to get away, -when Injun turned the bow of the canoe back toward the cabin, they had -enough lake-trout to satisfy the most voracious appetite. Injun stowed -away the canoe in its hiding-place, and both the boys threw off their -clothes and plunged into the water to wash.</p> - -<p>Injun cleaned the fish, and rolling them in some corn-meal that Bill -Jordan had placed in the kit for just this purpose, they were soon -frying over the fire.</p> - -<p>"Delmonico's chef has nothing on you, Injun," said Whitey, as well as -he could with his mouth full of trout; "you can't get fish like this -in any hotel that I ever was in! It was worth coming sixty miles to get -them!"</p> - -<p>Injun didn't know who or what "Delmonico's chef" was, but he knew that -Whitey intended to be complimentary, and grinning, let it go at that.</p> - -<p>For a long time, after supper, the two boys sat before the fire in -the cabin, listening to the night sounds and planning what they would -do on the morrow. But, at last, Whitey began to yawn—nobody thinks -of keeping late hours when camping in the mountains—and after the -door had been barred, the boys tumbled into their beds of pine boughs -and were asleep in less time than it takes to tell it, lulled by the -occasional hoot of an owl or the far-away voice of a lonesome coyote.</p> - -<p>Injun was awakened in the night by a sniffing at the door, and he heard -a slight commotion among the horses. He reached for his Winchester and -softly opened the door to reconnoiter. But whatever the animal was, -he had made off; probably not liking the human scent; and though the -red boy kept vigil for a time, nothing occurred to disturb the quiet -again, and he went back to his bed of pine boughs. Whitey slept through -it all; so soundly, in fact, that a regiment of soldiers might have -marched across the floor and he would not have wakened.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a></h2> - -<h3>THE ISLAND IN MOOSE LAKE</h3> - - -<p>The fact that their evening meal had consisted largely of trout did not -deter the boys from having the same kind of a breakfast, especially as -the "breakfast" was even then swimming in the lake and just asking to -be caught and eaten.</p> - -<p>So, after a dip in the cool water, Injun again took the canoe from its -hiding-place and sent it out into the lake in the light of the early -morning. In a few moments, Whitey had a fine string of trout trailing -from the boat, and decided that one more would be sufficient. The "one -more," however, proved to be a Tartar, and such was the fight that he -put up that, in the excitement, the canoe was over-turned and both -boys were dumped into the water. This made no particular difference -to them, and they were inclined to regard the matter as a joke, until -suddenly Injun said, "Where him rifle?" Whitey remembered that the -rifle had been in the canoe, and must now be posing at the bottom of -the lake! Indeed, so clear was the water, that it could be seen resting -on the bottom, some twenty-five feet below.</p> - -<p>"That's a pretty good dive," said Whitey, "more than twenty feet, I -should say, though it looks much less. Do you think we can make it?"</p> - -<p>Injun's answer was to duck under the water and force himself down with -powerful strokes; but although he went down a long way, he could not -come within many feet of it. Every motion that he made could be clearly -seen, and Whitey watched him with considerable anxiety. At last he was -forced to return to the surface. Then Whitey went down, but he fared -no better; and after two or three more attempts, the boys came to the -conclusion that it would be impossible to recover the rifle in that -way.</p> - -<p>"I have a scheme!" said Whitey. "We'll mark the spot carefully, then -swim ashore with the boat, right it and come back and fish for it with -a hook and line."</p> - -<p>This sounded all right in theory, but although they "fished" for more -than half an hour, they did nothing more than move the rifle, as it -seemed impossible to get it hooked securely. It looked pretty dubious, -and the boys relaxed their efforts for a time and sat in the canoe -thinking.</p> - -<p>"I've read somewhere of a trick the pearl-divers have," said Whitey, -"and it is at least worth trying. Paddle back to the shore, Injun."</p> - -<p>Injun sent the canoe to the rocky shore with a few strokes of his -paddle, and Whitey landed. He selected a large, heavy stone and placed -it in the canoe, and Injun paddled back over the gun. Whitey let -himself over the side of the canoe and Injun handed him the stone. -Whitey took a long breath, and holding the stone in his arms, went -straight down to the gun. Seizing it, he let go his hold of the stone, -and rose rapidly to the top, but heard a terrific ringing in his ears, -and his heart beating like a trip-hammer. His chest seemed caving in -and he was completely exhausted and hardly able to hang onto the canoe. -Injun took the rifle, and paddled back to the shore; and for several -minutes, Whitey lay upon the bank until he had recovered his breath. -Injun saw that he was coming around all right, and then he carefully -wiped and cleaned the rifle.</p> - -<p>"Pearl-diving may be all right, for those that like it; but I never saw -a pearl I'd go down that far after!" said Whitey, as he rose to his -feet, a little unsteady at first, and made his way to the cabin.</p> - -<p>Injun cooked the breakfast, and Whitey was as good as ever, under the -influence of trout, bacon, and coffee, and eager to carry out the plans -they had made for the day.</p> - -<p>There was a large island at the other end of the lake that Injun said -abounded in berries and various water-fowl; and as either of these -would make a welcome addition to the menu, besides gratifying a taste -for exploration, the boys determined to visit it.</p> - -<p>Whitey tried his hand at paddling; and, under Injun's tutelage, he -quickly got "the hang of it"—at least, so that he could keep the canoe -in a fairly straight line. But to be able to send it swiftly through -the water without a sound and scarcely a ripple, requires long practice.</p> - -<p>After paddling for a couple of miles, it was evident, however, that it -would take about all day for them to arrive at the island, if Whitey -continued to furnish the motive power, and laughingly suggested that -he was perfectly willing to let Injun do the paddling and suggested -that they change seats. He rose in the canoe to effect this, but Injun -vetoed this emphatically. He reached for the paddle, which Whitey -handed to him, and Injun simply turned the canoe around, and thus sat -in the stern, the canoe being shaped similarly at both ends. Whitey -smiled: "There are more ways than one of skinning a cat!" he remarked, -chagrined at having failed to notice such a simple and evident thing.</p> - -<p>"I guess, Injun," he said, "I'm a good deal like the man who cut two -holes in the barn door—a big one for the big cat, and a little one for -the little cat! He and I would make a good team of managers!"</p> - -<p>Under the powerful and skillful strokes of Injun's paddle—Whitey took -the other paddle and tried to help, but finally put it away as he felt -that he wasn't of a great deal of assistance—the canoe soon scraped -on the gravelly beach of the island. Injun lifted the canoe out of the -water and placed it high and dry on the bank; and, taking their rifles, -the boys struck out into the dense woods that covered the island.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a></h2> - -<h3>THE MAN ON THE ISLAND</h3> - - -<p>All that Injun had said or intimated about the island was more than -justified by the actuality. It rose to a peak at the center, but was -filled with gorges and small canyons, and there were two or three -little streams that splashed and rippled their way down to the lake. -There were no trails, and had Whitey been alone, he would have found -great difficulty in retracing his steps to the point where they had -landed, except by making his way to the lake and following the edge -until he came to the spot.</p> - -<p>For several hours they rambled over the island, ate their fill of -the luscious wild blueberries that grew in profusion, but failed to -bring down any of the wild ducks that swam about the bays and inlets, -although they fired at them several times.</p> - -<p>As they skirted the northern end of the island, high up on the rocky -and precipitous bank, they came upon a cabin. Whitey was for advancing -at once and investigating it, but Injun held him back—it was part of -Injun's policy never to rush blindly into a strange situation, and -never to take anything for granted. From the thick underbrush that -concealed them, Injun examined the place carefully for at least five -minutes before he ventured to come cautiously out of cover and approach -the cabin. Even then, he advanced with great caution and without making -a sound.</p> - -<p>It may seem that in exercising such extreme caution, Injun was, -perhaps, over-doing it; but as a matter of fact, the boy was right. -It will be remembered that he was a wild thing, and brought up in the -wilds, where a good deal depends upon caution and vigilance. It is the -way of wild animals, except possibly those which fear nothing, or those -that are notably stupid, to ponder a strange situation very carefully -before rushing into it.</p> - -<p>Many of them will assure themselves of a way to get out as well as to -get in; and if the matter is at all mysterious and not understandable, -will avoid it altogether unless driven by extreme hunger. Wild men -and wild animals are suspicious of everything—a strange noise, a -strange scent, or a strange circumstance, in the wilderness calls for -investigation. Frequently, this extreme caution is the price of life, -either to man or to beast, and both know this and proceed accordingly.</p> - -<p>A very slight thing had aroused Injun's suspicion. Whitey had not -noticed it, at all. Before the door of the cabin were two or three -small, freshly-cut chips. Freshly-cut chips indicated recent human -presence beyond any doubt. It would be better to know who the human was -and whether he was at home before making their own presence known. The -island was not a place for tourists, being far off the track that such -people usually take; nor was the person, whoever he might turn out to -be, a permanent resident. Injun had been over the island many times in -the past spring and for two or three years before, and was thoroughly -familiar with it; in fact, he had occupied the cabin on the occasion of -his last visit. He remembered exactly how he had left the place, and -could see, very plainly, that some one had succeeded him. He remembered -that he had left the door open, but it was now closed—animals or winds -seldom <i>close</i> doors, especially doors that are hung on leather hinges -and have to be pushed along the floor.</p> - -<p>Injun circled the cabin, leaving Whitey still concealed in the -underbrush. At one point, Injun saw that fire-wood had been recently -gathered and there were foot-prints in the damp earth made by -high-heeled boots. This was proof positive—if any further proof was -needed than that which Injun already had. He glided noiselessly to the -wall of the cabin at the rear, and peeked through the chinks in the -wall. He could see that there was no one in the cabin, and he came -around to the side where Whitey was. He called to him, and both boys -entered.</p> - -<p>There had been a fire upon the hearth a few hours before, and the -sleeping bunk was filled with fir boughs. Nothing in the cabin -indicated the identity of the occupant, however, and he seemed to have -no extra clothes or the usual conveniences that a camper would be -likely to bring.</p> - -<p>"What's all this about?" asked Whitey, smiling rather tolerantly. "I -don't see anything so mysterious in finding that a man has been here. -Why shouldn't anybody come that wants to? We don't own the island!"</p> - -<p>Injun shrugged his shoulders, and kept his own counsel; but it was very -plain that he was not satisfied with things. He didn't like being on -the island with a strange man, and not know who the man was. He was -"from Missouri," so to speak.</p> - -<p>They left the cabin, Injun being careful to disturb nothing, and to -close the door; and took pains to leave no mark of their visit.</p> - -<p>The boys skirted the western side of the island on their way back, and -Injun set a rather fast pace. He was careful, too, to move with as -little noise as possible and to avoid leaving more of a trail than was -necessary. Those things are simply second-nature to an Indian when he -is in any doubt about his environment.</p> - -<p>At length, the boys arrived at the lake at the point where they had -left the canoe. They made their way cautiously through the thick brush, -but as they reached the water's edge, they could see that the canoe was -gone! A hurried but thorough search, failed to reveal it. The boys were -alone on the island, with a man who, perhaps, was not their friend!</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you know about that?" said Whitey, in dismay. "It must -be the man who lives in the cabin who has taken our canoe!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a></h2> - -<h3>A DANGEROUS SITUATION</h3> - - -<p>It was a little more than half a mile to the mainland, although the -boys had left their horses at the camp some distance further up the -shore, and twilight was closing in fast, leaving little time for -deliberation. Whitey put it up to Injun: "What shall we do—stay here -or swim for it? It seems to me we better go back to the cabin at the -other end of the lake and make this fellow give up what he has taken," -said Whitey, tentatively.</p> - -<p>Injun shook his head. "Him gone," he said, positively. "Him -cow-puncher," he added, pointing to the heel-marks on the beach. The -marks had undoubtedly been made by boots such as cow-men wear; no -woodsman would ever think of wearing such things in the forest.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Whitey, "I guess that means we got to swim! I'm with -you whatever you decide." This would have been a most difficult and -hazardous undertaking, encumbered as they were by rifles and clothes, -and handicapped by the darkness.</p> - -<p>Motioning Whitey to follow him, Injun started along the water's edge -and collected several small logs, most of them half rotted and stripped -of their branches, and which, by their combined strength the two boys -were able to move. Then Injun went back into the woods and returned -with an armful of tough, pliant vines and bound the logs together in -the form of a rude raft. It was no easy job, and by the time the raft -was completed, it was pitch dark.</p> - -<p>"Not much of a boat," said Whitey, "but it beats swimming in the cold -water all hollow!"</p> - -<p>A couple of sticks, to which Injun bound some leafy branches, served as -paddles, and the boys prepared to start.</p> - -<p>One trial sufficed to demonstrate that the raft would not carry both -boys, and Injun quickly divested himself of his clothes and rolled -them into a bundle and handed them together with his rifle to Whitey, -who was having his own troubles trying to keep afloat.</p> - -<p>"Here," said Whitey, "I don't know why you should do all the hard work! -Maybe we both better swim back of the raft and put our clothes and -rifles on it?"</p> - -<p>Injun shook his head, and gently pushed the raft with Whitey on it into -deeper water. Whitey found some difficulty in using the paddle, as the -slightest tip sent the logs awash; but after a few moments, he got the -hang of it, and progress became easier, though by no means very rapid.</p> - -<p>"Say, Injun," said Whitey, after they had proceeded for some distance, -"you're headed in the wrong direction! We left the horses up that -way—toward the end of the lake. You're going to land way below."</p> - -<p>Injun nodded, as though he knew what he was doing, and made no change -in his course. This he laid by the silhouette of the trees on the -mainland, as the night was almost pitch dark, and only the faint -lighter tint of the sky was visible above the line of their tops. -The ever-cautious Injun seldom believed in going straight to his -objective, but preferred to come to it in a somewhat roundabout way, -and therefore, an unexpected way. If the enemy expects that you will -approach him from the south, and you actually come from the north, you -have just that much advantage. It is he who will be surprised, not you.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Injun stopped swimming and listened; but before he could give -a warning signal, a dark object ranged alongside of the raft, and a -light from a quickly uncovered lantern flashed in Whitey's face, and -the boy looked down the muzzle of a Colt forty-five less than six feet -away.</p> - -<p>"Poot up ze han's!" said a menacing voice, and Whitey complied without -any objection, though in doing so, the raft tilted alarmingly and -the water swept over it, first this way and then the other; and that -discomfiture might be complete, both the rifles and Injun's clothes -slid from the raft and settled into the depths below! Fortunately, the -clothes and the two rifles were at one side and a little behind Whitey -on the raft, and not in the range of Pedro's vision. If he had seen -them he would have known that he had to deal with two boys instead of -one. But Pedro did see the raft tilt, and he realized that Whitey was -helpless.</p> - -<p>A mocking laugh came from the canoe, and the voice continued: "Ah, zis -ees too much lucky! Again I meet my yo'ng frien' what geeve me such -keeck in ze belly an' rap on my haid wiz steek at ze Croix an' Cercl'! -I haf' not forget—no, no! How yo' lik' tak' nize bath wiz ze feesh in -lak'? Huh?" Straining his eyes and peering into the darkness back of -the lantern, Whitey saw the grinning face of Pedro.</p> - -<p>Whitey did some rapid thinking. It was evident that Pedro believed him -to be alone, as the latter kept his eyes on him and did not seek to -find his companion. Pedro had evidently found the canoe where Injun -had drawn it up on the bank and for some reason had gone back to his -cabin before starting for the mainland. The southern end of the lake -was somewhat bare of tall timber, and it was probable that Pedro's -attention had been attracted by the splashing of Whitey's improvised -paddle, and had been able to make out his figure against the lighter -background of the sky. At any rate, no matter how Pedro had discovered -the raft, the fact remained that he <i>had</i> discovered it, and now had -both boys in a most precarious situation.</p> - -<p>Whitey's only hope lay in the probable overlooking of Injun, and he -felt that this circumstance might, in some way, turn the tables in -their favor, provided Pedro did not make an end of him immediately. -There was no doubt in Whitey's mind that Pedro meant, eventually to -kill him, but seemed to be in no hurry, preferring to taunt the boy -and to gloat over his apprehension, and thus make his revenge as -frightful as possible. He calculated his chances of throwing himself -from the raft, but knew that Pedro would fire before he could possibly -accomplish this. Nor could he make a jump at the menacing muzzle of the -revolver, for the raft afforded a most unstable and slippery take-off -for a leap of any kind.</p> - -<p>All these things ran through Whitey's mind with lightning rapidity, -and the boy came to the determination that the best thing he could do, -under all the circumstances, was to sit still and await developments. -He dared not look around for Injun, feeling that it might indicate to -the desperado the presence of a third party; and this would be fatal; -for Pedro would immediately finish him to reduce the odds against him. -He also felt that any parley might either throw Pedro off his guard and -give Injun time to act.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Pedro!" said Whitey, summoning all his self-control, and -grinning pleasantly; "I don't think I need any bath to-night, with the -fish! I had one this morning!"</p> - -<p>"Yo' go 'n haf nize, long bath, jes' ze sam'! Yo' go'n' mak' nize -dinner fo' ze feeshes—whan Pedro get fro' wiz yo'! Yo' haf planty fun -wiz Pedro, one time! Now Pedro's turn haf planty fun wiz yo'! Feeshes -haf planty fun, too! Yes! Yo' fodder come hunt an' don't nevaire fin' -yo' someplace nowhere! Zen mebbe Pedro get heem, too! Mebbe Mistaire -Beeg Beel Jordan—Pedro get heem, too! By gar! An' yo' nize, leetle -frien' Injun-boy—Pedro cut heem een leetle pieces—mebbe cook heem an' -roas' heem by fire! How yo' lik', huh?"</p> - -<p>"What'll they all be doing when you are pulling this off?" asked -Whitey, grinning, in respite of his desperate situation.</p> - -<p>"Nev' min'—zey do sam' lik' yo' go'n' do! Yo' lik' say yo' prayer? -Le's hear yo' say yo' prayer, 'fore yo' go down see feeshes!" taunted -Pedro. "Mebbe yo' lik' sen' som' message far'well to yo' fodder?"</p> - -<p>Whitey made no answer, but he kept up considerable thinking. There -did not seem to be any opportunity for him to make a move with the -slightest chance of success, and the horror of the thing was beginning -to get on his nerves. Whitey was a very brave boy, but it would try -any one's courage to face this sort of a situation. Pedro saw that his -taunts and frightful threats were having some effect, and he started -to apply himself to the torture with glee.</p> - -<p>"Ah Haaah!" he gloated, with a savage leer. "Mebbe yo' lik'——"</p> - -<p>Whatever it was that Pedro thought Whitey would like will never be -known, for a most surprising thing happened; probably more surprising -to Mr. Pedro than even to Whitey. His canoe gave a sudden and violent -turn, and Pedro, who was crouched in the bow in a half standing -position, holding the lantern in front of him with one hand, and the -revolver in the other, was pitched head-over-heels into the water, but -not before the pistol had been discharged. The bullet went wide, and -probably the firing of the revolver was involuntary and caused by the -sudden upsetting of the man when he had his finger on the trigger.</p> - -<p>"Good old Injun!" yelled Whitey, exultantly, and he leaped from the -raft at the spot where Pedro had gone down.</p> - -<p>The keen sense of hearing that Injun possessed had warned him of the -approach of the canoe in the darkness, but before he had a chance to -warn Whitey or to take any measures himself, the canoe was upon them; -and Injun loosed his hold of the raft and sank silently beneath the -surface of the water and swam a short distance away before coming to -the top toward the stern of the canoe. He kept his eyes and ears above -the surface by treading water, and heard the conversation; and aided -by the fact that Pedro prolonged it for the purpose of torturing his -victim, he was able to form his plan.</p> - -<p>Sinking again below the water, he swam to the left side of the canoe, -and at the moment he believed Pedro to be in the most unfavorable -position and off his guard, he clutched the side of the canoe and gave -it a violent tug. It is not much of a trick to upset a canoe—Whitey -always claimed that he had to part his hair in the middle to keep one -balanced—and the yank that Injun gave the canoe would have upset a -good sized yawl.</p> - -<p>Pedro, taken entirely unawares, let go of the lantern and revolver, -and both went to the bottom. He was a most indifferent swimmer, and -instead of swimming under water and trying to avoid the two boys, he -strove to come to the top as quickly as he could and get rid of a large -portion of the lake that he had involuntarily swallowed. But in this -he was not altogether successful. The moment he had gone over-board, -Injun had gone under after him, and Whitey's leap had landed the boy -directly on top of him just as he got his head partially out of the -water and before he had time to take a breath, and under he went, -spluttering and gasping and in a panic. Against two such swimmers as -Injun and Whitey, the man did not have a Chinaman's chance. Injun had -him by the legs, and Whitey had his arms about his neck, with a grip on -his wind-pipe; and the more he struggled and struck and kicked at the -boys, the more exhausted he became and the weaker was his resistance. -It is probable that he would have been glad to surrender, but was in no -position to say so. And it is doubtful if the boys would have listened -to any proposition in regard to an "armistice." They had him, and they -knew it! If anybody was going to furnish a "nize, leetle dinner for ze -feeshes," it would be Pedro!</p> - -<p>Soon, his struggles grew weaker and weaker, and, finally, relaxed -altogether; and it was a pretty thoroughly drowned Pedro that they held -up in the water at last.</p> - -<p>"See if you can find the canoe and the raft," said Whitey, when he had -got his breath. "I'll hold him up while you get them."</p> - -<p>"Whaffor?" asked Injun. "You swim, me swim, him swim! Him feed feeshes!"</p> - -<p>"Nothing doing!" said Whitey. "This is too good a chance—we'll bring -him back to the ranch!"</p> - -<p>Whitey was "the boss," as Injun had declared long ago; and Injun swam -about in widening circles until he came upon the raft. The canoe had -either sunk or had drifted away.</p> - -<p>Injun pushed the raft back to where Whitey held the unconscious man up -and between them, they managed to slide him onto it, although it was -considerable of a job, handicapped as they were by the darkness. But, -at last, it was accomplished, and although Pedro was plainly "all in," -Whitey took the precaution of tieing his hands with a belt which the -man wore.</p> - -<p>The weight of the fellow made the frail raft more unstable and -"unseaworthy" than ever, and it required a good deal of management to -keep him on it.</p> - -<p>"Look out!" said Whitey, as the raft tilted at a dangerous angle, "he's -sliding off!" And by a desperate effort, Whitey righted the logs and -kept Pedro on it.</p> - -<p>"Me should worry!" said Injun, who was becoming educated. In fact, -the whole proceeding was entirely foreign to Injun's ideas of how to -treat an enemy, and if it had been left to him, he would have tied -a rock around Pedro's neck to insure that he went straight down to -"Davey Jones' Locker." Injun could not see any reason for taking so -much trouble to save the life of a man who would inevitably be hung or -lynched. And, for the matter of that, other people than Injun have had -the same feeling!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></h2> - -<h3>A PENITENT PRISONER</h3> - - -<p>By the time the raft grated on the pebbles of the mainland the moon had -begun to show over the horizon, and its light dissipated some of the -difficulties that confronted the boys in their undertaking. They rolled -Pedro onto the beach with difficulty, and sat down beside him for a -moment to rest.</p> - -<p>The prisoner began to show some signs of coming to, and Injun was -for taking a huge rock and preventing any return to consciousness by -banging the man on the head with it. Whitey prevented this, however; -but he assured himself that Pedro was securely tied. By means of some -tough, but pliable vines that Injun got from the brush near at hand, he -not only bound Pedro's hands behind his back, but hobbled him so that -he could take a step of not more than a foot in length. In addition to -this, he put a slip-noose about the man's neck with a long leash; and -having Pedro thus trussed up, he awaited his returning consciousness -with some interest.</p> - -<p>The outlaw took several short, gasping breaths, each longer than the -other, and at last, his eye-lids trembled and then opened, and he -looked at the two boys beside him. It took him a moment to realize his -situation. When he did, it was evident that he did not enjoy it, and he -looked malevolently at the boys. Injun brandished a huge club that he -picked up nearby.</p> - -<p>"Had a 'nize, leetle' nap, didn't you, Pedro!" said Whitey, imitating -Pedro's taunting tone. "That dinner for 'ze feeshes' had to be -postponed, didn't it! Now, maybe you'd like to say a few prayers? How -about it?"</p> - -<p>Pedro decided upon other tactics: "Pedro jus' play jok' on nize, leetle -boys! Pedro not hurt nize boys!"</p> - -<p>"I know blame well you won't," said Whitey, "for the simple reason -that you can't! You're going to be 'ver' nize' from now on! Nice and -gentle! Come on," he said, rising, "you are due for a nice long walk -back to the ranch—it's only sixty miles and there's a hearty welcome -waiting for you there—your old friend Bill Jordan will be mighty glad -to see you!"</p> - -<p>Pedro studied Whitey's face with his black, evil eyes. "Sure!" he said, -"I go—be ver' nize! Yo' ontie Pedro's foots so he walk!"</p> - -<p>"Sure!" said Whitey, "I'm full of those tricks! I'll untie your -feet—when we get to the ranch! Get a move on!"</p> - -<p>Pedro rose to his feet and started off as well as the hobble would let -him, but made rather a poor job of walking over the rough ground in the -semi-darkness. He made another appeal to have the hobble removed, but -he abandoned any further effort in that direction when Whitey said, -"Injun, if he turns around again or makes any bluff at falling down or -not being able to walk, you just belt him one over the head with that -club and see if it doesn't help him to walk better!"</p> - -<p>"Me soak 'em!" said Injun, eagerly, and he gripped the club; he -evidently didn't see the use of waiting until Pedro did any of these -forbidden things, but was willing to hit him now and let him disobey -the rules afterward.</p> - -<p>"'Twon't do to muss him up too much," protested Whitey. "The boys at -the ranch will want to hang a whole man, not a half of one; and if you -ever land on him with that club, we'll have to bury him right here!"</p> - -<p>Injun indicated that such a proceeding wouldn't be any trouble at all -to him, but Whitey said it would take too long as they didn't have a -spade! What Pedro thought about it is not recorded.</p> - -<p>After a considerable time and in spite of numberless -difficulties—Injun, being without any clothes whatever, suffered -somewhat from the briars and rough vines and branches—the strange -procession arrived at the glade where the horses had been left, and -found that the animals were still there. And while it would have done -Pedro good to have been compelled to walk back to the Bar O ranch, yet -Whitey figured that it would delay them unnecessarily, and, therefore, -he decided to tie the gentleman on the pack-horse. To do this, it would -be necessary to untie the hobbles that limited Pedro's leg-action, and -the vine was accordingly cut, releasing his legs, while Injun stood -over him with the club, ready to "soak 'em" at the first move. Whitey -looked at the gleaming bronze skin of Injun and asked, "Aren't you -cold, Injun?" Injun disclaimed any such feeling contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"I thought," said Whitey, "that as long as we had his legs untied, you -might want a pair of pants?"</p> - -<p>Injun experienced a startling reversal of form: "Ugh! Injun heap -cold!" he said with a tremendous show of shivering. And accordingly -the transfer was made, although Pedro put up an awful fuss, which was -entirely futile. True, the trousers were not a perfect fit, and they -were very wet and soggy; but they were a pair of trousers, and Injun -was not particular.</p> - -<p>After drawing them on, he proceeded to investigate the pockets, and -took therefrom a very sizable roll of bills and several water-soaked -documents. There was not sufficient time or light to investigate the -character of the documents, but from the way Pedro took on, they were -evidently of some importance. He wheedled and whined and pleaded and -then cursed and threatened, but all that only confirmed the boys in -their determination to keep the stuff.</p> - -<p>Under the persuasion of Injun's club, Pedro was soon seated on the -pack-horse, his legs bound very tight beneath the horse's belly and the -cavalcade started on their sixty-mile trip.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>The cavalcade started on its sixty-mile trip.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The moon had risen and shed a full, silver flood over the woods and -the prairie, and it was almost as light as day. It is said that -moonlight will make almost anything look romantic; but it is hard to -believe that Pedro, clad in a wet, bedraggled coat and red flannel -underwear, and with a leash around his neck and his hands tied behind -his back, could have inspired anything but laughter in anybody. He -was "mad clear through" and his language was distinctly not fit for -publication—he had abandoned all efforts to wheedle by this time, -having discovered that he was not dealing with children, as he had at -one time supposed—and he proceeded to exhaust a very comprehensive -vocabulary of profanity in what sounded like six different languages. -Whitey stood it for some time, and then he said, "Now look here, Pedro, -if you say another word before sunrise, I'm going to put a gag into -that foul mouth of your's that'll keep you quiet. I wouldn't let even -these horses hear such talk! You told me to say my prayers, and now, I -think, under the circumstances, you better follow your own advice!"</p> - -<p>And thus admonished, in addition to the fact that Whitey drew the -slip-noose a trifle tighter around Pedro's Adam's apple, that gentleman -proceeded to subside.</p> - -<p>It would be idle to follow the incidents of the long ride to the Bar O -ranch—in fact, there was no incident worth noting. Pedro made several -efforts to talk himself out of his plight, and once, he tried to get -his hands out of the bonds that held them and almost succeeded. But -what good it would have done if he had succeeded, is not plain. The -boys had a sharp eye on him at all times, and his legs were firmly -bound beneath the horse. Besides, Injun was right on hand and ready -with the club, which would have had a very salutary effect on anybody.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a></h2> - -<h3>BRINGING HOME THE CAPTIVE</h3> - - -<p>Late in the afternoon, Bill Jordan and many of the cow-punchers stood -near the corral of the Bar O, watching Walker break one of the green -horses. Walker was having a more than ordinarily hard time with the -animal, which evinced an extraordinary viciousness. No one saw the -cavalcade until they were within the confines of the yard.</p> - -<p>"Sufferin' Jehosaphat!" said Basset, "will yo'all give a look at what's -here?"</p> - -<p>In two seconds, Walker and the horse performed without any spectators, -and the entire crowd made a rush for the trio. No one recognized Pedro -at first, one reason being that he had further misbehaved himself in -his use of lurid language, and he had been effectually gagged, and the -effect of the red flannel underwear was somewhat startling.</p> - -<p>Injun, too, presented a slightly ultra effect in Pedro's trousers -which hung down and completely concealed his feet, and gave him the -appearance of a boy with the legs of a very tall man; and the huge club -that he brandished threateningly at the dejected looking Pedro added -to the picturesqueness of the get-up. The entire party were worn out -and travel-stained, and presented a most "shot-to-pieces" aspect. But -notwithstanding his condition, Whitey was jubilant.</p> - -<p>As they drew near the group of cow-men, Whitey shouted: "You told us to -bring back <i>something</i>, and I guess we did!"</p> - -<p>Bill Jordan drew nearer, eyeing the group intently and convulsed with -laughter at their appearance.</p> - -<p>"I reckon yo' shore did," said Bill, who was plainly puzzled, "but what -is it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't believe you need any introduction to the gentleman," said -Whitey, "but if you do, I'll present you to him. He didn't want to -come, but Injun and I persuaded him to accept an invitation to spend -some time with us. Mr. Jordan and gentlemen of the Bar O, allow me -to present Mr. Pedro! He would like to shake hands with you all, but -circumstances prevent!"</p> - -<p>And with this, Whitey removed the handkerchief that acted as a gag and -obscured the lower part of the prisoner's face.</p> - -<p>A howl went up from Bill and the ranch men that must have scared the -cattle out on the range, and they crowded around the unhappy Pedro to -assure themselves that it was really he. Bill Jordan could scarcely -believe his eyes; he grabbed the pack-horse by the bridle and turned -him around several times, and viewed the dejected Pedro from all -angles; then he fixed his eyes on the outlaw and the latter quailed -under the glance.</p> - -<p>"I shore am plumb devastated with six kinds o' delight to meet yo', -Mister! An' I don't doubt none thet th' gen'lemen here'll over-look th' -onconventionality o' yo'r makin' yo'r début inta sassiety 'thout th' -formality of havin' no pants on to speak of. 'Tain't usual—not in no -drawin' rooms what I frequents, it ain't—but the' 's a 'Welcome' onto -the mat o' this here dump fer yo', pants er no pants!"</p> - -<p>"What kind of a galliwumpus er ring-tail giasticutus hev' we here?" -said Walker, who had "finished" the broncho, and had come to join the -group around the boys and Pedro. "Er is it jes' somethin' the cat -brought in?"</p> - -<p>"Give it another slant an' yo' won't need no interduction," said Bill, -as he pushed Walker nearer to the unfortunate Pedro. Walker started as -he looked keenly at the man's face.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll be tee-totally jim-swizzled!" shouted Walker. "Dog-gone -ef it ain't our ol' frien' Pedro! Why, Pedro, ain't yo' 'shamed to be -gallivantin' 'round all ondressed up, like yo' be? But, never mind, -Ol' Top! We all is goin' to pervide yo' with a nice wooden over-coat -thet'll cover up them red-flannel laigs o' yo'r'n so 't they don't flag -the Overland Limited.</p> - -<p>"Ain't it a shame we ain't got no camera—an' this here thing settin' -on thet hoss in front of us! I reck'n Pedro's frien's 'd like a -pitcher of 'im in this here get-up so's they c'd 'member how he looked -jes' 'fore he kicked off!"</p> - -<p>"I've got a camera," said Whitey, and running into the ranch-house, he -returned with it in a moment.</p> - -<p>At the sight of the camera, Walker set up a howl of delight. "Now, Mr. -Photografter," he yelled to Whitey, "yo' git th' machine in kerflukus -an' I'll pose this flamingo-legged buzzard inta divers an' sundry -fascinatin' positions! Yo' jes' p'int that there box at 'im and I'll do -the rest!"</p> - -<p>"Hol' on!" said Charley Basset. "Thet there looks t'me like a perfec'ly -good camera—ain't yo' takin' an awful chanct, Kid, a-p'intin' 'er at -hunk o' dog-meat?"</p> - -<p>"I guess the camera'll stand it, Charley," said Whitey, "though it has -never had a severe test like this."</p> - -<p>"Shore!" said Walker; "Take a chanct, Kid! When I gits through drapin' -him 'round the scenery, I reckon he'll be some picture-squee!" Walker -grabbed the bridle of the horse on which Pedro was perched and swung it -around broadside to the camera. "Set up there, yo' owdacious varmint, -an' look happy an' take yo'r medicine! Look happy, I tell yo'! 'F yo' -don't look happy right pronto, I'll let Injun see 'f he kin bend thet -there fence-post he's carryin' over yo'r bean!"</p> - -<p>Injun moved up nearer and gripped the "fence-post" entirely ready to -carry out his part of the program.</p> - -<p>"Mebbe yo' better wait a minute, Injun," said Walker, "till we git -the pitcher; 't wont do to sp'ile him altogether—<i>yet</i>!" said Walker -significantly.</p> - -<p>"All set?" asked Walker. "Ef so, shoot!"</p> - -<p>Whitey pointed the camera at Pedro and got the proper focus. "Hol' thet -pose, yo' spavined coyote!" yelled Walker, at Pedro. "Hol' it, I tell -you!' 'F yo' move, an sp'ile this here negative, Injun is gonna bust -yo' one! Look right at the box, yo' bashful an' blushin debbytanty! -Look at th' box for mamma, an' see th' nice birdie come out!"</p> - -<p>Whitey snapped the trigger, and Basset was much relieved to learn that -the lens had not cracked. Under Walker's skilful and gentle posing, -two or three more pictures were taken, and then Bill Jordan called a -halt.</p> - -<p>"I guess thet's 'bout 'nuff," he said. "The' ain't no use imposin' on a -willin' an' good-natured pitcher-machine."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Walker, "when does th' festivities start?" he asked -of Jordan. "I claims th' honor of furnishin' th' rope!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Jordan, hesitatingly, "ef we all 'd run 'cross this here -maverick's trail out in the open, I reckon the festivities 'd 'a' begun -an' finished, right there. An' I certainly has regrets an' apologies -'bout denyin' yo' all th' privilege of takin' a active part in the -obsequies touchin' on an' appertainin' to th' kickin' off o' this here -polluted skunk. But this here community is committed to the statoots o' -Law an' Order, in sech case made an' pervided, as The Good Book says; -an' I reckon, as long as them boys went out an' hog-tied this here -ulcer onto th' decency an' fair name o' the Sovereign State o' Montana, -he'll hev' to be tried by a jury o' his peers—jes' like a respectable -murderer would—tho' where they're going to git twelve peers o' this -here low-down insec', is more'n I kin onderstand! I guess thet part of -it's up to the Sher'ff."</p> - -<p>"Try him!" shouted Walker, dashing his hat onto the ground, in -amazement and rage; "try him! What in blazes does anybody want t' try -him fer? Don't ever'body in sixteen states know 't he'd oughta bin hung -ever sence he was two year old? Yo' an' yo'r statoots don't ondertake -to try no mad dog, do yo'? Yo' don't go out an' collect no twelve peers -to set on a jury 'fore yo're 'lowed to shoot the pizen head off'n him, -do yo'? An' ef this bird ain't worse'n a hull kennel o' mad dogs an' a -nest o' rattlers throwed in fer good measure, then I'm plumb locoed an' -b'long into a padded cell up to the nut-foundry!"</p> - -<p>"I admits all yo' says in regards to th' gen'leman's character—in -fac', I may say yo' ain't done justice to him, not in no way, yo' -ain't. But thet ain't the p'int—we got t' abide by th' law, no matter -what he done, an' personal inclinations don't cut no figger. Ef 't 'd -bin lef t' me, he'd 'a' bin 'requiescat in pieces,' a consider'ble -spell back. But th' law's th' law, an' I got t' hand him over to th' -a-thor'ties, jes' th' same's ef he was a white man. I'm plumb grieved, -but I got t' do it! Why didn't yo' bust him over th' bean 'ith thet -wand yo' got there, Injun?" asked Bill. "It 'd 'a' saved a lot o' -palaverin' an' hard feelin's an' expense to th' caounty!"</p> - -<p>"Him say bring 'im in!" said Injun, reproachfully, pointing to Whitey. -"Me bust 'im now!" and Injun lifted the ponderous club and was -prevented from braining Pedro, missing him by a narrow margin, as Bill -Jordan deflected the blow.</p> - -<p>"One strike!" said Walker. "Give th' kid a chanct—he's entitled to two -more! Go on, Kid, knock him fer a three-bagger!"</p> - -<p>"No more o' thet!" said Bill, with as much sternness as he could -muster. "I'll take charge o' this dose o' small-pox an' put him on -the ice till the Sher'ff gets here. Walker, go call up the Sher'ff's -office, an' tell him t' come an' get this here prize-package. Seems t' -me, now't I think of it, the's a reward comin' t' yo' two kids. 'F I -remember right, the' was quite some consider'ble sum put onto his head. -Seems like he was some valuable to the caounty."</p> - -<p>This, indeed, turned out to be true, and within a short time, the sum -of two thousand dollars was paid over to the representatives of the -boys. Bill Jordan was selected by Injun as his guardian, and Bill -accepted the responsibility gladly, but with some misgivings.</p> - -<p>"What is yo' purposin' to buy with all this here kale, Mister Ping Pong -Morgan?" asked Bill of the boy. "Would yo' ruther hev' a steam yacht er -a coupla railroads?"</p> - -<p>"Pink pajams!" said Injun, without any hesitation.</p> - -<p>"A thousand dollars worth of 'em?" asked Bill.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" said Injun.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</a></h2> - -<h3>PEDRO'S HATRED</h3> - - -<p>"What started the trouble between you and Pedro, Injun?" asked Whitey, -as they stood by the corral the next morning. Bill Jordan had just -delivered Pedro into the hands of the Sheriff, and the half-breed had -given vent to his opinion of Injun in the most lurid language that he -had at his command, seeming to blame the boy for all his woes. The -tirade had been interrupted by a blow in the mouth delivered by the -Sheriff's heavy hand; but Pedro was taken away, cursing Injun volubly, -and telling what he would do to him if he ever were able to get his -hands on him, and the vehemence of the man left no doubt as to the -amount of venom that was in his heart.</p> - -<p>Injun grinned in answer to Whitey's question. "Him tell," he said, -pointing to Bill Jordan. Making a lengthy narrative was not exactly -Injun's long suit, and he delegated the job to Bill.</p> - -<p>"Well," said the latter, "it came about this-away. Thet skunk hoboed it -in here, one day, 'bout a year an' a half ago—when ol' man Granville -was alive—an' he was 'bout the down-an'-outest proposition yo' -ever see. He'd bin shot in the shoulder an' the wound hadn't had no -attention an' th' cuss was 'bout all in. He didn't hev' no horse ner no -gun ner no clothes t' speak of—he didn't hev' nuthin' 'cept hunger an' -thirst an' mis'ry. Nobuddy 'd 'a' giv' five cents fer a car-load like -him, 'cept fer fertilizer, an' it shore did look like he was playin' -hookey from the graveyard with the ondertaker on his trail 'bout two -jumps behind him an' gainin' fast. If ever a guy stod 'ith one foot in -th' grave an' t'other on a banana-peel Pedro was it.</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, ol' man Granville took him in—th' ol' man jes' nacher'ly -couldn't see nuthin' suffer—an' started in t' renovate him; an' -take it from me, it was some consider'ble job. He set up nights an' -nu'sed thet low-down houn' back to life an' health, an' saw 't he had -ever'thing—jus' like a white man 'd oughta. Seems like this here Pedro -c'd talk French lingo an' so c'd ol' man Granville. When th' two of 'em -was at it, y'd a thought the' was a pack o' fire-crackers goin' off, -not t' mention th' activ'ties of their hands, which was consider'ble. -'Pears like a man 'tain't got no arms 'd be consider'ble handicapped -expressin' himself lucid.</p> - -<p>"Well, 't any rate," Bill went on, "in 'bout two months, Pedro was -able to set up an' take a little nourishment while they made his bed, -an' I c'd see 't he was a heap sight better 'n he let on t' be. An' -him an' th' ol' man 'd set onto th' porch an' play pedro by th' hour. -Th' ol' man liked th' game so well he lent Pedro money so's he c'd -win it back—only it didn't turn out thet way, an' Pedro was a steady -winner—so much so 't us boys giv' him thet name—'Pedro.' An' I will -say 't the cuss was some gifted when it come to turnin' a Jack off'n -th' bottom er shiftin' th' cut. I see him pull them stunts one day -when I was watchin' th' game, but I didn't say nuthin' to th' ol' man -'bout it, him bein' free, white, an' over twenty-one an' not relishin' -bein' told he were a sucker—not at no time he didn't! He always 'lowed -he c'd pertect himself, an' mos' gener'ly he could.</p> - -<p>"But while I didn't say nuthin', I thinks to myself 'what kind of a -hombrey's this thet 'll giv' the work to a gent as has did as much fer -him as th' ol' man done?' 'Peared t' me thet ef a guy yanked me back -out 'n th' grave an' put me on my feet, I would flip no Jack off 'n -th' bottom on <i>him</i>—not fer no money, I wouldn't! But 'twa'n't none -o' my business; besides, mebbe th' ol' man was jes' tryin' him out an' -gittin' a line on him.</p> - -<p>"An' 'nother thing—ever'body but th' ol' man c'd see thet Pedro was -soldierin' on him an' was plenty able to get up an' earn a livin'. -But thet wa'n't Pedro's gait—'s long's some-buddy take care o' him, -he didn't pear t' worry none 'bout takin' care of himself. An' he'd -four-flush round 'bout how sick he felt an' how his shoulder hurt, an' -thet whiskey was 'bout th' onlies' thing 't relieved him. An' he shore -licked up a lot o' th' relief! He was Alice-sit-by-th'-firewater, fer -fair! Lit up like a Chrismus tree at ten in th' mornin', an' oreide by -four in th' afternoon—reg'lar.</p> - -<p>"Bimeby, when he did get to goin' 'bout, he got a sudden ambition fer -work, an' th' ol' man giv' him a hoss an' outfit an' he rode fence. An' -'s far anybuddy c'd see he done pretty good. But after a spell, things -begun t' turn up missin'—not big things, but trifles—a little money, -now an' then, an' a saddle er two, an' a lariat occasional, an' sech. -Pedro managed to throw suspicion at Injun, here, an' we got t' thinkin' -thet mebbe th' boy was at the bottom of them petty-larceny goin's on, -an' fin'ly, I tells Injun he better keep off 'n th' ranch. Seems this -didn't exac'ly tickle Injun t' death—him not bein' no thief—an' he -done a little detectivin'. He trails Pedro an' locates his cache an' -leads me an' Walker to it an' shows us th' stuff, includin' some things -we knowed b'longed to Pedro. How thet bird got wind of it all I dunno, -but he did; a right at th' same time me an' Walker was at the cache, -an' most o' th' boys away from th' ranch-house, he snuk in a grabbed -quite a roll of bills out 'n th' safe 't happened t' be open, an' took -a shot at ol' man Granville, nickin' him in th' arm, an' gits away -clean! Yes, sir—after all ol' man Granville done fer him!</p> - -<p>"A spell afterwards, he meets up 'ith Injun—s'prises him, an' th' kid -ain't got a chanct t' git away. He starts in t' hev a little hangin' -bee—a necktie-party, like I tol' you' 'bout—but he made th' mistake -o' lettin' Injun set onto his own pinto an' he put the noose 'round -Injun's neck 'fore he throwed th' other end o' the lariat over th' limb -o' th' tree! Th' minute he throwed th' lariat over th' limb, Injun dug -his knees inta th' pinto—mind you', Injun's hands was tied behind -his back—an' th' pinto knowin' what Injun was thinkin' 'bout, like I -said, beats it away from there with th' lariat draggin' on th' ground! -O' course, Pedro took after him, but lucky fer Injun, after he'd rode -'bout a mile, he sights me an' Walker ridin' fence, an' Pedro sights -us, too. An' he beats it, an' we never seen him till yo' an' Injun -brung him in here t' git his pitcher took."</p> - -<p>Whitey took a long breath: "Gee!" he said, "That was a narrow escape!"</p> - -<p>"Correct!" said Bill. "An' ef you don't think it was some trick fer -thet kid t' set onta thet hoss, his hands tied behind him an' th' -lariat draggin', yo' try it sometime!"</p> - -<p>Bill put his hand on Injun's shoulder affectionately. "Thet's what I -call ridin' a hoss!" he said.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</a></h2> - -<h3>PLANS FOR THE FUTURE</h3> - - -<p>If Columbus, or the early Norsemen, or who ever it was that first -discovered America, had been satisfied to sail vessels within the -confines of the known seas in their immediate neighborhood, the -existence of this great continent would have remained unsuspected -by the people of the Old World. It is the spirit of adventure, of -dissatisfaction with things as they are, that is at the bottom of all -great discoveries and of all progress. And although the boys had gained -a wide-spread fame on account of their capture of the desperate Pedro, -who was even then in jail awaiting the day of his execution, they did -not like to rest on their laurels, but, like Alexander, sought for "new -worlds to conquer."</p> - -<p>After their excursion into the wilds, the life on the ranch, while by -no means dull, lacked the zest of adventure and discovery, of which -they or, rather, Whitey, at least, had had a taste. Injun had spent -all his life in adventure, and while it was nothing new to him, it -had become a sort of second nature, and made the limitations of even -semi-civilization irksome.</p> - -<p>And with this urge going on in Whitey's breast, it was natural that he -should inquire of Bill Jordan, as they sat on the piazza one evening, -"Mr. Jordan, what kind of a place is it in the mountains, over beyond -Moose Lake?"</p> - -<p>Bill took his pipe out of his mouth and looked intently at the boys -before replying.</p> - -<p>"Was yo' calc'latin' on goin' out an' grabbin' off some more rewards -an' sech, bringin' in some more hombreys like Pedro? Er mebbe, yo' -all'd be satisfied t' locate a coupla gold mines er somethin'? What was -yo' all studyin' 'bout doin'?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know as I had a definite plan," said Whitey, "I just asked -you what kind of a place it was over there."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know—yo' all didn't have no intentions—that's why yo' all -wanted to know 'bout the place!" and Bill grinned, tolerantly. Then, -after thinking a moment, he said, "As fur's the place goes, I reckon -it's some wild an' on-cultivated. I ain't bin through it fer some -years, but I reckon 'tain't changed none t' speak of. Prospectors -give up tryin' there long ago, an' I reckon 'tain't good fer much -else—consider'ble amount o' rocks an' scenery—thet's 'bout all.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't mind owning a gold mine," said Whitey. "That is, a good -one," he qualified. Bill uncrossed his legs suddenly and puffed -rapidly, as he shook all over with inward laughter.</p> - -<p>"The's them's had thet idee before, Son," he said, grinning. "A reel -good gold mine's a handy little thing t' hev 'bout the house! I dunno's -<i>I'd</i> turn one down ef 't was offered t' me!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Whitey, "I guess the only way to get one is to go out and -find it, isn't it? I don't believe anybody is going around offering 'em -to people."</p> - -<p>"Would yo' know a perfeckly good gold mine 'f yo' was t' meet it comin' -'long the road?" asked Bill. "Hev' yo' got a speakin' acquaintance with -gold mines, so 't yo' c'd walk right up to 'em an' bid 'em the time o' -day?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Whitey, "gold is gold, isn't it? I've been seeing it all -my life—I ought to know it!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Bill, "they don't dig it out 'n the ground in the form -o' twenty-dollar gold-pieces er watches an' chains an' rings—not -this season, they don't. Lemme show yo' all somethin'," and Bill rose -and went into the ranch-house. In a moment, he returned with a dirty -reddish looking piece of rock about the size of a hen's egg and handed -it to Whitey. "What 'd yo' calc'late thet thing is?" he asked, as he -resumed his seat.</p> - -<p>Whitey examined it, and Injun looked at it interestedly. "I should say, -if we had not been talking about gold, that it was a piece of iron -ore, but now I suppose it's gold."</p> - -<p>"Correct!" said Bill, "an' mighty near pure gold, too! Whenever yo' -come across a few tons o' stuff jes' like thet, jes' yo' put 'em in -yo'r pocket, an' ol' John D. won't hev nuthin' on yo'!"</p> - -<p>"Is there any of it over beyond Moose Lake?" asked Whitey.</p> - -<p>"Strange to say," said Bill, "thet there chunk come from over thet way. -But I guess thet was 'bout all of it the Lord put there, thet is, in -the way o' quartz—I reckon 'bout all the streams shows color, but they -don't never pay to work 'em."</p> - -<p>"Well, don't you think Injun and I——"</p> - -<p>"Yes," interrupted Bill. "I do. Ef yo' two galliwumpuses hes made -up yo'r minds t' go out an' get yo'rselfs a few gold mines, I ain't -th' man t' put the kibosh onto it—<i>only</i>, yo' ain't goin' there -<i>alone</i>—not ef I'm the lawful g'ardeen o' thet there person 'ith the -passion fer pink pants, yo' ain't! Yo' all kind o' got me excited 'bout -prospectin'—I ain't done none fer years; but onct it gits a holt onto -yo', it ain't easy shook—an' as this here ranch is a good deal of a -pianola proposition—plays itself—mebbe I c'd find time to go nosin' -'round with yo' all fer a spell. Air yo' all open fer a pardner?"</p> - -<p>Were they open for a partner! They were! Nothing could have delighted -the boys more than to have Bill accompany them; and the next few days -were spent in preparations. But, unfortunately, things do not always -turn out as planned. Plenty of things turned out—but not according to -Bill's schedule. All that will be known when Injun and Whitey strike -out for themselves.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN WEST BOYS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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