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+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75395 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+                    THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+                                  Or
+
+                      The Treasure of Golden Peak
+
+                           BY CLARENCE YOUNG
+
+            AUTHOR OF "THE RACER BOYS," "THE RACER BOYS AT
+              BOARDING SCHOOL," "THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES,"
+                    "THE JACK RANGER SERIES," ETC.
+
+                               NEW YORK
+                        CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+                         Copyrighted 1913, by
+                        CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+                    THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+
+
+
+                               CONTENTS
+
+
+                         I. "WHAT IS HE AFRAID OF?"
+
+                        II. PLANNING THE HAZING
+
+                       III. A NEEDLESS ALARM
+
+                        IV. A MYSTERIOUS MAN
+
+                         V. A STRANGE ATTACK
+
+                        VI. BILLY TELLS SOMETHING
+
+                       VII. NEWS FROM THE WEST
+
+                      VIII. A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+                        IX. THE INVITATION
+
+                         X. OFF FOR THE WEST
+
+                        XI. A RAILROAD SMASH
+
+                       XII. THE MAN WHO LIMPED
+
+                      XIII. THE RELIEF TRAIN
+
+                       XIV. FORWARD AGAIN
+
+                        XV. ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+                       XVI. "WE ARE BEING FOLLOWED!"
+
+                      XVII. AT THE RANCH
+
+                     XVIII. MR. THORNTON IS WORRIED
+
+                       XIX. WARNED AWAY
+
+                        XX. THE BLACK CLOUD
+
+                       XXI. THE INJURED MAN
+
+                      XXII. THE MISSING PAPER
+
+                     XXIII. THE CHASE
+
+                      XXIV. OFF TO GOLDEN PEAK
+
+                       XXV. CAMPING OUT
+
+                      XXVI. THE CLOUDBURST
+
+                     XXVII. GETTING OUT THE GOLD
+
+                    XXVIII. THE RISING WATER
+
+                      XXIX. MAROONED
+
+                       XXX. THE END OF GOLDEN PEAK
+
+
+
+
+                    THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I
+
+                        "WHAT IS HE AFRAID OF?"
+
+
+"Say, there are the Racer boys back!"
+
+"That's great! Now the fun will start!"
+
+"It sure will. I was afraid they weren't coming here this term."
+
+"Say, Riverview Hall wouldn't know how to get along without 'em."
+
+"Guess you're right."
+
+"Hello, Andy!"
+
+"Hi, there, Frank!"
+
+A group of students who had been skylarking about the boarding school
+campus, made a rush for the two lads who were slowly advancing across
+the green stretch.
+
+It was early in the year, and the weather, which had been wet and
+rather cold, was now turning into balmy spring, with the feeling of
+baseball in the air. The Easter vacation was over, and the new term
+at Riverview Hall would open in a few days. Some of the students had
+already arrived, and more were coming. Among those who had made their
+appearance were Andy and Frank Racer, whose advent caused such delight
+to their chums.
+
+"Now we'll have some baseball!" exclaimed Ward Platt, who could not
+seem to get along without some form of athletics. "Andy and Frank will
+just make up enough so we can have two nines," he added.
+
+"And we'll do something else besides play ball," declared Jack
+Sanderson.
+
+"What?" asked John North.
+
+"We've got to turn in, and get up some new kind of hazing for the
+Freshmen. There'll be a lot of 'em here this term, I understand."
+
+"Good! The more the merrier!" exclaimed Duke Yardly.
+
+"Well, come on and see what news Andy and Frank have," suggested Donald
+Burgess. "They're always doing something different, and there's no
+telling what it will be this time."
+
+"That's right," agreed his chums, and they soon surrounded the two lads
+whose coming seemed to so liven up matters at Riverview Hall.
+
+"How about you, Frank?" asked Ward Platt, as he grasped the elder of
+the two brothers by the hand.
+
+"Fine," was the rather quiet answer. "And how about you and the other
+fellows?"
+
+"Slick as axle grease," was the jolly answer.
+
+"What have you been doing with yourself, Andy?" inquired Jack
+Sanderson, as he clapped the younger Racer lad on the back with such
+force that Andy gave forth a sound like a small bass drum.
+
+"Prac-practicing!" gasped Andy, as soon as he could get his breath.
+"Just--practicing, Jack."
+
+"Practicing what, you old mush-eater?" demanded the other. "Have you
+some new kind of baseball dope, or is it some place to go camping up at
+the North Pole?"
+
+"Just practicing," replied Andy, who seemed to be trying to get in a
+certain position in regard to Jack. "Practicing this, old man!" he
+suddenly exclaimed, and with a quick push, a motion of his foot, and a
+shove, he sent Jack sprawling backward in the grass.
+
+"That's one for you, Jack!" exclaimed Ward.
+
+"Now will you be good?" demanded Donald Burgess.
+
+"Did you say you wanted gravy on your eggs?" innocently inquired John
+North.
+
+There was a general laugh as Jack slowly arose, looking rather dazed,
+for his fall had been a sudden one. He glanced sharply at Andy Racer.
+
+"What did you say you had been doing?" he asked.
+
+"Practicing," replied Andy, with just the suspicion of a grin on his
+face, that was still tanned from much out-of-door life. "Practicing
+that trip-up. It's a form of Japanese wrestling, and a fellow back
+home showed it to me. I've been practicing up on it during the Easter
+vacation, and I wanted to see if I could work it."
+
+"Oh, you can work it all right!" exclaimed Jack, carefully feeling his
+elbow. "Let's see how it's done."
+
+"All right," agreed Andy with a readiness that was all too apparent.
+"Stand up just as you did before, and----"
+
+"Not on your life!" exclaimed Jack, backing away. "No you don't! Once
+in a day is enough. I meant just show me the motions."
+
+"It's impossible to demonstrate it without a subject to work on,"
+replied the younger Racer lad, while his brother and some of his chums
+were quietly laughing off to one side. "Come on; I won't throw you
+hard."
+
+"No, you don't!" went on Jack, still backing away. "Try it on someone
+else for a change."
+
+"All right," readily agreed Andy. "This is how it's done," and before
+John North was aware of what was about to happen, Andy turned on him
+suddenly, and, in an instant, though he tried to save himself by
+grappling with Andy, John, too, went down.
+
+"Say, that's a dandy trip, all right!" exclaimed Henry Walker. "Come
+on now, Andy, show us how it's done without sending us head over heels."
+
+"No, the price of admission is one fall!" insisted Andy, who was quite
+proud of his accomplishment.
+
+"Up to his old tricks; isn't he?" asked Jack of Frank, who was quietly
+regarding his younger brother.
+
+"Yes, I'm afraid he'll never get over 'em. Andy sees a joke in
+everything, or, if it isn't there, he'll make it."
+
+"Oh, that's all right. It's a good thing. What's the use of being
+gloomy? I'm going to get him to show me how it's done."
+
+"Why are you so anxious to learn?"
+
+"Oh, it'll come in mighty useful when we start hazing some of the
+Freshmen. There are some husky ones here this term, and we'll have our
+hands full making them walk the chalk line."
+
+"Many here yet?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes, quite a few, and more are coming."
+
+"Any nice fellows?"
+
+"Yes, lots; to judge by the looks. Since the school has been renovated,
+thanks to you and Andy, we get a better class of fellows. Yes, there
+are some nice chaps here, and one fellow who seems to have something of
+a mystery about him."
+
+"A mystery?" asked Frank, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes, he acts just as if he----"
+
+But Jack suddenly interrupted himself by exclaiming:
+
+"There, Andy's showing how he does that tripping act. I must get next
+to how it's done. Come on--though I suppose you know," and he started
+away from Frank.
+
+"No, I don't know the secret of it," admitted the elder Racer lad.
+"Andy fooled me with it once or twice until I invented a new way to
+stand him on his head, and then he quit."
+
+"I see!" laughed Jack. "But come on over," and he led the way toward
+where Andy stood, surrounded by a group of admiring lads.
+
+"But you started to say something about a mysterious Freshman,"
+suggested Frank, who liked to follow up matters.
+
+"Tell you about it later," promised Jack, and he pushed his way into
+the throng about Andy. "I want to see this first."
+
+Andy was demonstrating his famous
+"double-hammer-grip-half-Nelson-three-quarter-leg-lock-hold-trip," as
+it was afterward christened.
+
+"You just put up your right arm so," said Andy to John North, "and
+then you stick out your left foot, and then you take hold of the other
+fellow's left hand. Then you take a long breath, lean against him,
+draw back your other foot and--there you are!"
+
+As Andy spoke John was forced to execute a twist, and found himself
+sitting on the grass, looking at his companions with such a strange
+expression that they couldn't help laughing.
+
+"That's how it's done," said Andy, with just a trace of a laugh.
+
+"So--so I see," grunted John, as he arose.
+
+"Oh, rats!" exclaimed Jack. "I thought you were going to do it slow, so
+we could see the different motions."
+
+"That's the trouble with it," went on Andy. "It has to be done quickly,
+or it won't work, proving to you that I have nothing up my sleeves," he
+went on, in the tone of a professional magician; "and that the hand is
+quicker than the eye. Ahem!"
+
+"Oh, cut it out!" yelled several.
+
+"Yes, show us how it's done. We're all friends of yours," went on Jack.
+"We may need it in our business when it comes to hazing the Freshmen."
+
+"All right, I'll show you," and with that Andy proceeded to demonstrate
+slowly, and with much explanation, how the trick fall was brought
+about. It was really a knack of making the other lad trip himself, by
+pulling him forward, and then suddenly compelling him to change his
+center of gravity; and Andy had it down to perfection.
+
+"Say, that's all to the fried eggs!" exclaimed John North, admiringly,
+when the explanation was completed.
+
+"It sure is," agreed Jack. "I wonder if I can do it?"
+
+He tried, but was not very successful, and then some of the others
+began imitating it, with Andy standing by and giving words of advice.
+
+"Say, haven't you had enough of this?" asked Frank Racer after a while.
+"Come on, Andy; we've got to see about our room, and get our things in
+shape. I want the trunks brought up from the station."
+
+"All right, I'm coming," replied his brother. "No, that's not the way
+to put out your foot, Jack," and he started toward his chum.
+
+"No, you don't!" exclaimed the latter, backing away. As he did so
+he glanced across the campus, and at the sight of a solitary figure
+advancing toward one of the dormitories he uttered an exclamation. Then
+Jack glided to the side of Frank Racer and whispered to him:
+
+"There he is!"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"That strange Freshman I was telling you about. Just watch him, and see
+how queer he acts."
+
+The two watched while Andy once more went through his little wrestling
+lesson. The lad to whom Jack had pointed was about the build of Frank
+Racer, though slightly larger, and he seemed to be of athletic mould.
+Yet there was a curious air about him, and, as he walked on, he glanced
+over his shoulder from time to time, as though to make sure that he was
+not being followed.
+
+"That's queer," commented Frank.
+
+"It sure is," agreed Jack.
+
+"Does he do that often?"
+
+"All the while since he's been here."
+
+"And how long is that?"
+
+"Three days now. He arrived the day after I came. How does he strike
+you?"
+
+"Why, just as if he was looking for someone to come up behind him, and
+hit him with a brick," said Frank.
+
+"That's it, exactly."
+
+"And yet, what is he afraid of?" went on the elder Racer lad. "What's
+going to happen to him here, I'd like to know?"
+
+"And I don't know. That's the mystery of it. Ever since he's been here
+he's acted as though he was afraid of something going to happen, or as
+if someone was going to attack him. I've been watching him, trying to
+find out what it means, but I can't."
+
+"What sort of a fellow is he otherwise?"
+
+"Oh, good enough."
+
+"What's his name, and where does he come from?"
+
+"Chase--William Chase. I s'pose we'll call him Bill when we get to know
+him better. But at present it's William. And he comes from some place
+out west--I don't just know where--on the prairies, I fancy, from one
+or two remarks he's made."
+
+By this time the strange lad had reached the dormitory. As he entered
+the doorway he wheeled about quickly as if to make sure that no one was
+following him, and, even at that distance, Frank and Jack could see a
+look of fear on his face.
+
+"That _is_ mighty queer," murmured Frank. "What is he afraid of? We'll
+have to look into this."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II
+
+                          PLANNING THE HAZING
+
+
+"What's your object?" asked Jack, as he linked his arm in that of his
+chum, and the two strolled over the campus.
+
+"Object in what?" inquired Frank Racer.
+
+"In looking into the mystery that seems to be hanging about this
+William Chase."
+
+"Oh, I don't know as I have any particular object, except that I always
+like to solve a mystery--if I can. And again, I don't like to see any
+Riverview Hall lad act as this fellow does. It isn't a good sign. So,
+if it's all the same to you, Jack, we'll see what we can do toward
+getting at the bottom of this."
+
+"Sure, I'm with you. And Andy will be in it, of course."
+
+"He will if he can stop fooling long enough," rejoined Frank, glancing
+over to where his brother was still surrounded by a group of lads
+intent on learning the trick of the fall.
+
+"Oh, Andy can settle down when he wants to," remarked Jack. "But let's
+go up and see what sort of a room you're going to have. Ward and I
+picked out ours, and there's one next to us that----"
+
+"Say no more!" exclaimed Frank. "Andy and I will take that one. Hi,
+Andy!" he called in a tone of voice that his brother knew would allow
+of no further trifling.
+
+"Coming!" yelled Andy, and with a last push that sent a would-be
+masterer of the art of tripping sprawling to the grass, the younger
+Racer ran to join his brother and Jack.
+
+Frank looked toward the dormitory which the strange new lad had
+entered. He was no longer in sight, and as the elder Racer lad thought
+of his queer actions he wondered more and more.
+
+"Here's something that needs looking into the first day we get back to
+school," he mused, as, surrounded by his chums, all talking at once, he
+walked toward the dormitory where he had roomed with his brother during
+the last term.
+
+And now, if you will grant me a few minutes, I will tell you, as
+briefly as I can, something more about the Racer boys, and the affairs
+in which they have figured as set down in the previous books of this
+series.
+
+The first volume was called "The Racer Boys," and in that I detailed
+how the two were at their summer home in Harbor View, and how they
+solved the mystery of the identity of a lad in a wrecked motor boat.
+
+Andy and Frank Racer were the only sons of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Racer,
+of New York. Mr. Racer was a wealthy silk merchant. Andy was about a
+year younger than Frank, and of a fun-loving nature, always ready for a
+trick or a frolic, and generally so impetuous that he acted first and
+thought afterward. Frank was inclined to be the opposite, in that he
+was filled with determination, and he usually carefully thought out his
+plan of action before venturing to do an important thing.
+
+Still, Frank liked fun, and was not a second behind his brother when it
+came to having a good time. He was fond of athletics, as indeed they
+both were, and they had made good showings on track and field.
+
+How they had a battle with a whale, and how they brought the lad ashore
+from his wrecked boat; how they got on the track of the unscrupulous
+man who sought to harm him, and how they finally learned who "Paul
+Gale" was--all these are told in the first book.
+
+In the second volume, entitled "The Racer Boys at Boarding School,"
+our heroes found themselves in a different atmosphere. Their parents
+decided to send them to some institution of learning after their summer
+of activity at the shore, and for this purpose Riverview Hall was
+picked out. Almost at the start there was trouble. On the boat going to
+the school Frank and Andy defended a girl from the rude talk of a man
+who turned out to be Professor Thorndyke Callum, one of the teachers at
+Riverview Hall. Naturally Mr. Callum "had it in" for the two lads.
+
+"Oh, what a punk school!" Andy Racer had exclaimed on reaching
+Riverview Hall. And indeed, though his language might not have been
+polite, it was very descriptive.
+
+Riverview Hall was afflicted with "dry rot." It had fallen upon evil
+days, the trustees had no money to hire good instructors, and, indeed,
+there was hardly enough cash to keep the institution going. Dr. Wesley
+Doolittle, the head master, was doing his best, but he was more of a
+scholar than a financier.
+
+In consequence the buildings were almost in ruins, there was hardly a
+decent bed in any dormitory, the football gridiron and the baseball
+diamond were overgrown with weeds, the rowing shells were wrecks, and
+the few lads at the place were dispirited.
+
+Shortly after the advent of the Racer boys all this was changed.
+Frank and Andy were at first much discouraged at the poor condition
+of the school, but they agreed to "stick it out," and they did. They
+reorganized the football eleven, put the grounds into shape, fixed
+up a racing shell, got the baseball nine in running order, and soon
+Riverview Hall was again among the champions.
+
+Then a millionaire, seeing a great football game in which our two
+heroes played, and learning how much they had done for the school,
+invested a large sum in it. So that Riverview Hall came into its own
+again, and among the improvements was the withdrawal of Professor
+Callum.
+
+But before all the projected improvements could be made something else
+happened, as you will find related in detail in the third volume of
+this series, entitled "The Racer Boys to the Rescue."
+
+Because of the failure of the heating system of the school there came
+an enforced vacation in the winter. The school had to close for repairs
+and the students went to their several homes.
+
+Frank and Andy Racer took advantage of the unexpected vacation to go to
+the Maine woods on a hunting trip. Their uncle was a lumberman in that
+cold region, and the boys planned to go to one of his camps. They did
+go, taking Jack Sanderson and Ward Platt with them.
+
+But, before they left they heard bad news from Tom Crawford, a student
+at Waterside Hall, a rival school of that attended by our heroes. Tom's
+little brother, Len, who was an invalid, had been at a sanitarium in
+Maine, and had wandered off in the woods. Then he was captured by some
+unscrupulous lumbermen, who held him for a ransom until the Racer boys
+got on the trail, and went to the rescue.
+
+After their fun and adventures in camp the Racer boys and their chums
+returned to school, for the improvements were so far under way that it
+was more comfortable. The winter term passed, and the spring one came,
+with the Easter vacation. Then once more, the students went to their
+homes, and now, the start of the term that would end in the beginning
+of summer found our friends back again at Riverview Hall.
+
+The school had not formally opened as yet, though many of the boys,
+including our heroes, had arrived to take possession of their rooms and
+get their belongings in shape. When Frank and Andy got there they found
+many of their chums to greet them, and the manner of that greeting I
+have already indicated.
+
+"Well, fellows, what are we going to do?" asked Ward Platt, as he sat
+on Andy's bed, and tried to kick over a pile of clean clothes on the
+floor. Andy had taken them from his trunk and was about to put them in
+the bureau drawers. "Let's think of something flossy."
+
+"Yes, it'll be flossy all right if _you_ think of it," rejoined Andy.
+
+"Oh, it will, eh?" and with that Ward succeeded in reaching, with
+the toe of his foot, the pile of collars, cuffs and other things. In
+another second they were scattered about the room.
+
+"Here! what did you do that for?" yelled Andy.
+
+"To show you that I could do something flossy," was the answer, and,
+with a quick motion, Ward took a back somersault over the bed, landing
+between it and the wall, where Andy could not reach him.
+
+"I'll punch your nose!" went on Andy, as he saw his scattered garments.
+"I'll----"
+
+"You'll cool down," advised his brother, in a quiet voice. "If you
+don't you'll have Flopps in here to help Mrs. Stone keep order."
+
+"That's right," added Jack. "I saw Flopps just now spading up a flower
+bed, and he's right close."
+
+"Oh, get out!" rejoined Andy. "Look at my clean collars and----"
+
+"No business to call names," mocked Ward, from his place of vantage
+behind the bed. "Beg my pardon, and I'll call it square."
+
+"I will--like pie!" exclaimed Andy. "The next time I catch you
+alone----"
+
+"Now, now," came soothingly from Jack. "Go easy, boys. Don't get to
+scrapping so soon. We've got to stick together this term. There are
+lots of Freshmen--a big class--and they'll have it in for us, most
+likely. I was just wondering what we could do to 'em."
+
+"Haze 'em," suggested Frank. "They'll have to have it sooner or later."
+
+"Then the sooner the better," chimed in Andy. "Say, fellows, I've got
+a great scheme!" and in his eagerness to impart a joke he forgot his
+enmity against Ward, who ventured to come from behind the bed.
+
+"Out with it," commanded Jack.
+
+"Yes, we'll never have any peace until he does," commented Frank.
+
+"And maybe not much afterward," added Ward. "That's the worst of Andy's
+jokes--there's always a come-back to them."
+
+"Oh, you get out!" exclaimed the younger Racer lad. "I can think up
+just as good jokes as any of you fellows."
+
+"Yes, but the trouble is that you get caught at 'em," added Ward, who
+seemed bound to pick at Andy.
+
+"Let's hear what this one is," suggested Jack, who scented trouble
+between the two chums unless the dispute was quelled. "Go ahead, Andy.
+We'll all listen. Land knows we need something to wake us up. I've been
+here three days now, and not a thing has happened. We've been waiting
+for you two brothers to come and start something."
+
+"Oh, I'll start it all right," declared Andy. "Now I've just thought of
+something in regard to this hazing. It'll be great!"
+
+He went to the door, opened it softly and looked out; then closing and
+locking it, rejoined his companions. They had gathered in the room
+Frank and Andy had picked out--a room next to that occupied by Ward and
+Jack.
+
+"Why all this gum-shoe business?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Some of the Freshmen might be listening," replied his brother. "I saw
+one or two looking at us rather sharp as we came up here. We can't be
+too careful. Now for my plan."
+
+His voice dropped to a whisper, as his companions drew more closely to
+him, and in a low voice Andy imparted his plan, pausing now and then
+to listen at the door. But, as far as he could tell, no one tried to
+listen at the portal.
+
+"What do you think of it?" demanded Andy, at the conclusion of his talk.
+
+"Great!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"I'll take back all I said about you," added Ward.
+
+"If we can get the things it will be sport," declared Frank.
+
+"Oh, we can get 'em in town all right," asserted Andy. "And I've got
+the cash, too."
+
+"You ought to have--the first of the term," commented his brother, with
+a laugh.
+
+"And now let the black work begin!" hissed Jack, after the manner of a
+stage villain. "Them is hard words, Kate!"
+
+"You must give me them papers, villain!" exclaimed Frank, with mock
+heroics.
+
+"Aw, cut out the fooling and get down to business, fellows," pleaded
+Andy. "There's lots to be done if we want to go at this hazing proper."
+
+"All right, we're with you," assented Ward.
+
+A little later four figures were seen strolling across the campus in
+the direction of a trolley line that ran to the town of Riverview. The
+boys were gone for some time, and there were many whisperings among
+them, as they came back, almost late to supper, for which Mrs. Stone,
+the matron, cautioned them.
+
+A little later darkness covered Riverview Hall. That is the proper way
+to begin to tell this part of the story. Deep, dark, black darkness. In
+fact, as Andy remarked, you could easily tell that it was night.
+
+From their rooms stole four figures.
+
+"Are you all right, fellows?" whispered a voice.
+
+"Of course, Andy," answered Frank. "Don't ask so many questions.
+Someone will hear you."
+
+"Well, I don't want any slip-up," declared the younger Racer lad. "Is
+everything all right?"
+
+"These whiskers tickle my face," complained Ward.
+
+"A pity about you," snapped Andy. "Cheese it! Here comes someone!"
+
+The four lads, who had reached the basement of the dormitory, crouched
+behind some packing cases, and waited in tense silence for what was to
+come next.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III
+
+                           A NEEDLESS ALARM
+
+
+"It's only Flopps!" exclaimed Jack, after a pause--made painful from
+the fact that the conspirators had to assume uncomfortable attitudes
+because of the sudden alarm.
+
+"That's right, so it is," agreed Ward, looking over the top of a
+packing case, and seeing the gardener putting away some of the
+implements he had used that day. "He's all right."
+
+"Hold on!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper, as he saw the others about to
+leave their place of concealment, to proceed with the hazing operations
+that were under way.
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Frank.
+
+"If he sees the way we're togged up he'll raise a row sure," explained
+Andy. "He won't know us, and he'll think we're black-handers or
+something like that. He'll bring every professor and monitor out on the
+run. Lay low for another minute and he'll go out."
+
+"I guess that's right," admitted Frank. "Andy is getting sense in his
+old age."
+
+Once more the four crouched behind the cases, and watched the gardener
+in the dimly-lighted basement. Having put away the rake, spade and hoe,
+Flopps proceeded to put out the gas he had lighted, and left.
+
+"Clear coast," announced Andy, after an observation. "Now to make the
+Freshmen know what's what. You notified the other fellows, didn't you?"
+he inquired of his brother and chums.
+
+"Sure," asserted Frank. "They'll meet us outside."
+
+The four proceeded cautiously until they had emerged from the lower
+part of the dormitory. They found some of their friends waiting for
+them, they, too, having eluded the vigilance of monitors and suspicious
+professors.
+
+"Let's see," remarked Andy, in a low voice. "There are eight of us
+here."
+
+"Six are coming from the West dormitory," volunteered John North.
+
+"And ten from Bradley Hall," added Duke Yardly, referring to a new
+dormitory where some of the older students had rooms.
+
+"Then we'll have enough for a start," commented Andy. As he spoke he
+advanced into a stray beam of light from a school window.
+
+"For cats' sake, what have you on your face?" gasped Duke.
+
+"That's our disguise," explained the younger Racer lad. "We're going to
+treat the Freshies to a new kind of hazing--a surprise, and we want you
+fellows to join in. Now I'll explain," and he did, at some length.
+
+"Say! That's great!" exclaimed Donald Burgess. "How'd you think of
+that, Andy?"
+
+"Oh, Andy's think-tank is always working," asserted his brother--"at
+least it is when it comes to such things as this. Now if it was a
+geometry proposition, or a Latin construction----"
+
+"Oh, I'm as good at boning as you are," retorted Andy. "Here come the
+other fellows. Now I've got to tell them how to behave. You see the
+game is this," he went on. "You chaps will start in on the regular
+hazing stunts--making 'em eat salt, doing a dance, standing on their
+heads, and all that. Then in the midst of it we four will come bursting
+in, and--well, we'll see what will happen."
+
+"That's right!" cried Tom Bennett, admiringly. "This will make a
+sensation all right!"
+
+A number of luckless Freshmen had gathered for common communion and
+consolation in the large hall of the dormitory set aside for their
+special use. They were commiserating one with the other, wondering what
+sort of hazing would be meted out to them--for it had been rumored that
+the ordeal would start that night. Shortly after ten o'clock into the
+place burst a crowd of Sophomores and Juniors.
+
+"Up, boys, and at 'em!" came the cry, and then began the struggle
+between the two forces. The Freshmen were taken at a disadvantage, and
+were soon overpowered. Then, too, the first-term lads did not like to
+put up too much of a fight.
+
+For, be it known, hazing, as practiced at Riverview, was a sort of
+ancient and honorable institution, not very severe, and the lad who
+put up too much of a protest against "taking his medicine," had life
+made miserable for him the rest of his time at school. So there was
+more or less submission, though there were one or two rather strenuous
+encounters.
+
+The Freshmen were being put through their "stunts," and being made to
+do all sorts of ridiculous things, when the door of the room, that was
+being guarded by a committee of the hazers, suddenly flew open, and a
+quartette of masked and bewhiskered figures rushed in.
+
+"Hands up!" came the sharp command, and objects that glittered
+menacingly in the light were held forward. "Hands up!"
+
+Instantly there was confusion, the hazers uttering louder cries of
+amazement than did the Freshmen.
+
+"Go through 'em, boys!" came the command from the foremost figure, who
+seemed to be the leader. "See if they've got any coin. Take only gold
+watches, though; we can't use the dollar kind. Lively!"
+
+"Oh, they're burglars!" yelled one of the hazers.
+
+"That's what!" snapped one of the masked figures. "Hands up, and keep
+'em up!" came the sharp command.
+
+"What right have you in here?" demanded Duke Yardly, in threatening
+tones. "This is a private school, and----"
+
+"Nothing's private when we come in!" said the leader. "Go through 'em,
+boys. We two will keep 'em covered!"
+
+While two of the masked and bewhiskered individuals held the glittering
+objects pointed toward the crowd of startled students, the other two
+began a quick but systematic search of their pockets. Loose change and
+bills were abstracted, together with several gold watches.
+
+"Oh, please don't take that!" begged one Freshman, as a gold match box
+was brought to light. "My best--my mother gave me that."
+
+"Best girl, you mean!" snapped the taller of the masked figures. "Take
+it, boys."
+
+"This is a high-handed proceeding!" declared John North.
+
+"If you can get your hands any higher, lift 'em," said one of the
+hold-up individuals, sarcastically.
+
+"All present are accounted for," reported one of the searchers,
+as he advanced toward the two guards, holding a hat filled with a
+miscellaneous collection of treasures.
+
+"Very good. Back to the cave. And if you fellows have any regard
+for your own welfare you won't follow," the taller looter added
+significantly. "You'll stay here five minutes without giving the alarm
+or----" He did not finish, but looked suggestively at the object in his
+hand.
+
+Backing to the door, the four hold-up individuals slipped quickly out
+of it, and locked it after them, making the group of Freshmen and
+hazers prisoners. At once there burst out a riot of talk in the room,
+succeeded by chuckles of mirth from the quartette.
+
+"Say, it went off like apple pie," said one of the masked figures.
+
+"Couldn't have been better," added another.
+
+"Someone's coming!" was the sudden warning.
+
+All but one of the figures swung out of sight around the corner of
+the corridor. This figure, still holding the object that had cowed
+the students, was in full view of a hall light as someone advanced.
+Then, seeing that the newcomer was a pupil, the masked figure, making a
+threatening gesture, commanded:
+
+"Hands up!"
+
+The effect of the order was startling. The student with a quick motion
+fairly leaped at the masked figure, knocking the shining object to one
+side, at the same time exclaiming:
+
+"Ha! So you thought you'd catch me off my guard, eh? You thought you
+could sneak in here and get it? Well, I've fooled you. I've been
+looking for you the last three days. I expected you'd come East after
+me. But it won't do you any good. Now I'm going to give the alarm!"
+
+There was so much of menace and threat in the voice and action of the
+student that the masked figure gasped. There was a fierce struggle, and
+as the new student took a long breath in readiness to sound the cry of
+alarm, the masked one called out:
+
+"Hold on, old man! It's only a joke. We're doing a hazing stunt. No
+harm intended. Let go my shoulder. You're needlessly alarmed. It's only
+a joke, I tell you."
+
+For a moment the two stood confronting one another, locked in a fierce
+grip. Then, as the student seemed to believe the assurance given him,
+he asked:
+
+"Then you're not after--not after my----"
+
+"We're not after anything," was the answer. "It's a joke, I tell you,"
+and, tearing off his mask, the pretended hold-up man revealed himself
+as Frank Racer.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IV
+
+                           A MYSTERIOUS MAN
+
+
+"Say, it went off all right; didn't it?"
+
+"And we sure had 'em going!"
+
+"None of 'em suspected anything until after you fellows went out, and
+then we heard a laugh in the hall."
+
+"That gave the thing away."
+
+"Oh, but it was all right anyhow."
+
+"And I guess they can sort out their own stuff."
+
+"But what happened after you four left?"
+
+These questions, comments, surmises and exclamations of admiration
+followed swiftly, one on the heels of the other, as Frank and Andy
+Racer, and several of their chums, gathered in the room of our heroes
+after the hazing.
+
+Of course my readers know that the four "hold-up men" who entered while
+the hazing was in progress were Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward. They had
+disguised themselves with false beards and masks, and the game was to
+enter at the height of the hazing, pretending to be real burglars, and
+to take a few objects of value away from their own friends and many
+from the Freshmen.
+
+The plan worked well, and few of the Freshmen suspected anything but
+that some real criminals, taking advantage of the fun at the school,
+had selected that opportunity to make a "haul."
+
+"But what happened when you fellows went outside?" asked Donald
+Burgess. "There we were--Sophomores and Juniors--holding up our hands
+just like the Freshmen, and pretending to be more scared, all the while
+bemoaning the loss of our coin and jewelry. But something happened
+outside in the hall; didn't it?"
+
+"There did," admitted Frank, and he told of meeting the lone student,
+and pretending to hold him up.
+
+"I never saw a fellow act so queer," put in Andy. "We were keeping
+back, and letting Frank have his fun. Why, the fellow really thought he
+was up against a regular second-story man, I guess. He didn't show the
+white feather, though, and----"
+
+"Who was he?" interrupted John North.
+
+"Billy Chase," answered Frank. "I knew him the minute I saw him, and I
+thought I'd have some fun. But he didn't know me until I took off my
+mask."
+
+"Billy Chase," murmured Jack, and it might be worthy of note that the
+formal "William" was dropped, and the more comradely name of "Billy"
+adopted. It was Billy Chase from then on, I might explain.
+
+"Yes, Billy Chase," repeated Frank Racer. "The lad you spoke to me
+about--the lad who seems afraid of his own shadow."
+
+"He wasn't afraid of a shadow to-night," commented Ward Platt, with a
+chuckle. "He went right at you, Frank."
+
+"He sure did, and he's got a grip, too, let me tell you. Of course that
+was only a toy pistol I had, but he must have thought it was a real
+one. He got a hold on me and bent my arm back in regular Western style,
+so that, in case it had been a real gun, I couldn't have done anything.
+Oh, he's up to snuff all right, believe me!"
+
+"And yet he seemed afraid you'd get something from him," commented Andy.
+
+"Yes. That's the queer part of it. He must carry something valuable
+around with him, that he doesn't want someone to get."
+
+"What happened after you told him who you were?" asked Ward.
+
+"Oh, he seemed to wilt, and be sort of dazed. But I can't blame him.
+He had me 'buffaloed' for a while. It was a case of horse and horse.
+That Billy Chase is an all-right lad, I think, even if I did play
+a low-down trick on him. I think he'll make good, even if he is a
+Freshman."
+
+"But what happened after we got out of the room?" asked Andy, in whose
+fertile brain the whole hazing joke had originated.
+
+"Oh, we just stayed there, with our hands up in the air," explained
+John North. "Then some of the Freshmen began to get wise, and they soon
+saw some of us snickering. Then it was all up."
+
+"We left their stuff on the big table in the lower hall," explained
+Andy. "It's all piled up there."
+
+"And what about our stuff?" asked Duke Yardly quickly. "Did you mix it
+all up together there?"
+
+"Sure we did," said Jack. "We didn't have time to separate it. Besides,
+we couldn't show favors. We robbed Freshmen and all you fellows alike.
+You can sort it out."
+
+"Yes, we can!" exclaimed Duke in deep disgust. "It'll be just like
+those Freshman to hold on to our stuff, now that they're wise to the
+joke. Say, this didn't turn out the way I thought it would."
+
+"That's always the way with Andy's jokes," remarked Herbert Waldron.
+
+"Aw, let's see you get up a better one," challenged Andy, trying to get
+some of the glue from the false beard off his chin. "It was a peach, I
+think."
+
+"Oh, it wasn't so bad," admitted Jack. "But it sure is queer about
+Billy Chase. I wonder what he's got back of him, anyhow?"
+
+"Give it up," came from Andy. "Ouch! That pulled!" he exclaimed, as he
+removed a patch of the false hair.
+
+Frank Racer said nothing, but there was a determined look on his face
+that spoke more than words. He had been much puzzled by the strange
+actions of the Freshman, and he made up his mind that he would find out
+more about him.
+
+There came a knock on the door of the room where the chums were
+gathered. It produced instant silence.
+
+"Come--come----" began Andy.
+
+"Cheese it!" whispered Duke, hoarsely. "It's after hours and you've got
+lights!"
+
+Then came another voice saying:
+
+"Better cut for it, fellows; the proctor is on the job. Some of the
+Freshman have complained to him."
+
+Andy Racer never moved more quickly than he did a moment later when he
+"doused the glim," to use Jack Sanderson's expression for putting out
+the light. Then in silence and darkness the guests of the Racer boys
+filed out into the hall, and sought their own rooms. The fun of the
+night was over.
+
+"Well, how about you?" asked Andy of Frank, as they were about to turn
+in. The proctor had just knocked on their door to inquire if they were
+in bed. They had answered that they were--with their clothes on--but
+they did not mention the latter fact.
+
+"Oh, I guess we might as well go to bed," remarked Frank, as he
+stretched out on the mattress. "We've had a strenuous day, and there
+are more ahead of us."
+
+"Of course," assented Andy. "We didn't half finish with the hazing."
+
+"And I haven't half finished thinking about the queer way Billy Chase
+acted," went on his brother. "There's something strange going on here,
+Andy, and it's up to us to find it out."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"Why, I mean that this lad is evidently carrying something valuable
+about with him, and he's afraid of being robbed. That's what he thought
+I was after. He seems like a nice chap, and I want to help him, if I
+can."
+
+"So do--I," murmured Andy sleepily.
+
+"Get out!" exclaimed Frank. "You'll play a joke on him first chance you
+get."
+
+"Sure I will--why not? Goo' ni'----" and Andy was too sleepy to finish.
+
+The hazing and the subsequent advent of the masked figures, who were at
+first taken for thieves, was the talk of the school the next day. The
+joke was on the Freshmen, of course, and they were a long time hearing
+the last of it.
+
+But, in a measure, they succeeded in "getting back" at their
+traditional enemies, for, after Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward had left the
+money and watches in an indiscriminate heap, the Freshmen hid that part
+of the spoils belonging to the other students, and it was some time
+before each lad found his own.
+
+But the affair was taken in the right spirit, and Andy received proper
+credit for originating it. More new students arrived at Riverview, and
+several of the former friends of our heroes came back. The next few
+days were full of activity at the school.
+
+"We've just got to get out on the diamond!" exclaimed Ward, one warm
+afternoon. "Come on, fellows, let's get up two scrub nines and have a
+game."
+
+"I'm with you!" cried Andy.
+
+"Sure thing!" added Frank.
+
+"Let the Racer boys be the captains," came from Ward.
+
+"Sure!" was the general assent, and soon Frank and Andy were choosing
+sides.
+
+"Want to come in?" asked Frank, of Billy Chase, who sauntered up when
+almost the last player had been picked.
+
+"Well, I'm not very good at it, but I'd like to get in the game."
+
+"All right then. I'll put you out in the field. By the way, no hard
+feelings about the other night, I hope?"
+
+"Not at all," laughed Billy. "I sure did take you for a hold-up man,
+though. And as I'm carrying about with me some valuable----" He seemed
+to recollect himself suddenly, and stopped with a jerk. "Oh, no hard
+feelings at all," he said presently. "I can take a joke."
+
+"Glad of it," spoke Frank. "Well, let's play ball."
+
+The impromptu game began. The playing was rather ragged, for it was the
+first real contest of the season, and none of the lads was in form. But
+it was lots of fun for all that.
+
+Andy was at the bat, and Frank's side was in the field. Andy knocked
+what ought to have been a three-bagger, out in center field, seemingly
+away over the player's head, and beyond him. But, by a phenomenal run,
+and a quick jump, Billy Chase gathered in the ball, retiring the side.
+
+"Good catch!"
+
+"Pretty play, old man!"
+
+These and many other cries greeted his performance.
+
+"And he said he could only play a _little_," mused Frank. "I guess it's
+Billy for the main nine, all right."
+
+Frank's side came to bat. Quite a fringe of student spectators had
+gathered to watch the game, and there were also some town lads and men
+from Riverview, for the gates to the ball field were not closed, and
+anyone might come in.
+
+Billy Chase went to bat first. As he took his place the opposing
+catcher signalled that he wanted a few practice balls. Billy stepped
+away from the plate.
+
+A moment later he started violently, and Frank, who saw him, looked to
+note the cause.
+
+On the outer edge of the crowd of spectators Frank saw a man standing
+regarding Billy with an earnest gaze. He was a man of powerful build--a
+"Westerner" if such a description is permissible--a man with a very
+black beard. As Frank looked at him he thought of the false black
+beards he and his chums had worn the night of the hazing. This man's
+beard was exactly like them, and yet it was obviously not false.
+
+[Illustration: FRANK SAW A MAN REGARDING BILLY WITH AN EARNEST GAZE.]
+
+As the man gazed at Billy, the student suddenly threw down his bat and,
+approaching Frank said:
+
+"Put some one else in my place. I can't play."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Well, I don't want to. I--er--I've forgotten something I've got to do.
+Sorry, old man, but I can't play."
+
+"All right. It's too bad, but it's only for fun anyhow. I'll get a
+substitute. Come out to-morrow."
+
+"I will," promised Billy, and, as he mingled with the throng of
+spectators, Frank saw the man with the black beard edge up so as to get
+close to the student.
+
+Suddenly Billy turned and looked the man full in the face. The latter
+seemed taken by surprise, and shifted quickly to one side. A moment
+later he turned away, and as he walked off Frank saw that he was lame,
+walking with a slight limp.
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed the Racer boy. "That's strange. He's as mysterious
+as Billy himself. I wonder what all this means?"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V
+
+                           A STRANGE ATTACK
+
+
+Puzzled as to what the strange action of his team-mate might portend,
+Frank Racer looked over the other lads to select one to fill Billy's
+place.
+
+"Here, Jim," he called, "play ball here; will you?"
+
+"Sure," replied the invited one, "glad to. What's the matter with
+Chase; cold feet?"
+
+"Something like that, I guess. Go on, play ball. Line out a pretty one!"
+
+"Say, you can't do that," objected Andy, as he saw his brother making a
+change in his batting order.
+
+"Can't do what?"
+
+"Make a shift like that at this time."
+
+"Sure I can," insisted Frank. "We're not playing league rules, or even
+interscholastic ones. Don't make such a fuss. This is only for fun. Go
+on, Jim, swat it!"
+
+There was a dispute, but it ended in favor of Frank, the majority
+deciding that, under the circumstances, it was permissible. As the
+game went on Frank looked across the campus. He saw the mysterious man
+strolling along, without any special object as far as he could see,
+while Billy Chase hurried in the direction of the dormitory.
+
+"He's hustling just as if somebody was after him," mused Frank. "What
+could he have forgotten that wouldn't keep until after the game? I
+guess that was only an excuse. I'm going to keep on the lookout. That
+fellow with the limp will be easy to remember. I wonder if his beard is
+false? But no, it looked too real for that. Well, maybe, after all, it
+isn't any of my affair, but I'm going to get at the bottom of it if I
+can."
+
+Whack! That was the bat of Jim finding the ball, and a moment later
+Frank, in watching the flight of the horsehide, forgot all about the
+mystery that seemed to enshroud Billy Chase.
+
+"That's the stuff!"
+
+"Go it, old man!"
+
+"A three-bagger!"
+
+"Make it a home run!"
+
+"Come on! Come on, old man!" This last was yelled by Frank, who was
+hopping up and down at home plate, thus trying to encourage Jim Bland
+to greater speed as he rounded the bases following his fine hit. The
+other cries of delight and encouragement came from the members of
+Frank's nine.
+
+Jim reached third just as the center fielder, who had to run back some
+distance to get the ball, threw it in.
+
+"Come on home! Come on home!" cried John North, who was playing coach
+at third.
+
+"No, hold it!" ordered Frank, and it was well that Jim did, for the
+ball was accurately thrown and he would have been caught at home, if
+not nipped on the last bag, had he tried to leave it.
+
+But it was a good hit, and served to encourage Frank's team. To such
+advantage did they play that they won the game and the elder Racer lad
+had the satisfaction of crowing over his brother.
+
+"Well, you wouldn't have won if you hadn't slipped in a cracker-jack
+batter on me," complained Andy.
+
+"Get out! I would so. Why, Jim isn't any better than Billy Chase."
+
+"That shows how much you know about it. Jim is one of the best in the
+school, and it's a pity he wasn't on the main team last year. He will
+be this season. Billy is a good player, but he can't bat. What made him
+chase off that way?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Frank. "And did you see that lame man, with
+the black beard?"
+
+"I sure did. He looked like the villain in some Western drama. Did he
+speak to Billy?"
+
+"No, but Billy seemed to move off as soon as he laid eyes on the
+fellow."
+
+The two brothers conversed as they walked off the diamond, speculating
+as to what the mystery might be concerning the Freshman. Following the
+game the players went to the gymnasium for a shower bath. Neither Billy
+Chase nor the lame man were in sight when Frank and Andy came out.
+
+The Racer boys gave an impromptu spread in their room that night,
+and there was a gathering of happy lads who talked baseball from all
+standpoints. It was agreed that the chances for Riverview Hall to win
+the pennant that season were very good.
+
+"But we've got to have lots of practice," insisted Andy. "We ought to
+have the regular team about picked by this time."
+
+"There's a meeting next week," said Jack Sanderson. "I guess things
+will hum from then on."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Andy. "I say, let's do something. It's early yet.
+Let's go out and haze a couple of Freshmen."
+
+"Oh, cut that out!" advised Frank. "Haven't we hazed about all of 'em?"
+
+"There are some new fellows that came in the other day," went on the
+younger Racer lad. "They haven't had their share of the medicine yet."
+
+"I'm with you," agreed Jack, who was always ready for mischief.
+
+"I'll take a chance," said John North. "It'll be fun."
+
+"Better not," advised Frank. "You may get caught."
+
+"Oh, come on, you old croaker," exclaimed his brother, but Frank could
+not be persuaded, and remained behind. Some of the others, following
+the lead of the impetuous Andy, went looking for luckless Freshmen on
+whom to play their tricks.
+
+They found some, and for a time the excitement waxed high, but, as it
+happened, one of the professors, returning from a lecture in town,
+caught the group of students. He realized what was going on, and
+ordered the crowd back to their rooms, with instructions to report to
+the proctor in the morning. To insure compliance with this he took the
+names of all the lads.
+
+"Well, what did I tell you?" asked Frank, when his brother came in a
+little later, looking quite woebegone.
+
+"Oh, dry up!" commanded Andy, in no gentle voice. "Don't be an 'I told
+you so!'"
+
+"Well, you would go out," retorted Frank.
+
+"Yes, and we had a good time, even if we did get caught," said Andy.
+"Anyhow, it's too early in the term for the proc. to lay it on very
+heavy. Besides, we had to haze those Freshmen, and we did it good and
+proper."
+
+Andy was right in guessing that the proctor would not make the
+punishment heavy. A light sentence was passed on all the culprits save
+the first-year students, and, by virtue of their having been taken from
+their quarters against their wills, they were let off with a warning to
+be more watchful in the future.
+
+Thus the first weeks of the new term passed. Hazing became a thing of
+the past, and the cap-rush, which was won by the Freshmen, entitling
+them to wear the insignia of the school on their head-gear, ended
+hostilities between the class bodies for the time being.
+
+Frank's endeavor to fathom what seemed to be a mystery concerning Billy
+Chase and the bearded lame man amounted to nothing. The man seemed to
+have disappeared, and as Billy did not speak of him, Frank forbore to
+ask any questions.
+
+Billy became quite friendly with the Racer boys and their chums. He was
+a fine chap, fond of all sports, and modest in his accomplishments.
+He had the broad, free spirit of the boundless West, and easily made
+friends.
+
+"But he doesn't get over that peculiarity I noticed first," remarked
+Jack Sanderson. "He always seems to fear he is going to be attacked
+from behind."
+
+"Maybe it's nervousness," suggested Andy.
+
+"Nonsense! He hasn't an excess nerve in his make-up. It's something
+else, I tell you," insisted Jack. "Why, only to-day he----"
+
+But Jack was interrupted by a knock on the door of Frank and Andy's
+room, and the opening of the portal disclosed "Old" Wallace, the coach,
+who came in to talk baseball. He had been away for some time, and had
+recently returned. Then, for a time, Billy Chase and his affairs were
+forgotten.
+
+The regular baseball nine was being whipped into shape, and the time
+for the first match game of the season was approaching. The weather
+had come off warm quite suddenly, and the diamond was in fine shape.
+Practice was going well, and the Racer boys and their chums felt that
+they had a winning team.
+
+It was one or two nights before the game with Waterside Hall, the
+ancient enemy of Riverview, that Frank and Andy obtained permission
+to go into town. Frank wanted to get a new glove, and Andy had some
+shopping to do concerning baseball matters.
+
+"Well, let's take in a 'shiftin' picture show,' as the Scotchman called
+the movies," suggested Andy, when their errands were done.
+
+"Will we have time?" asked Frank, always more or less cautious.
+
+"Of course we will."
+
+So they went to the moving picture entertainment. As they entered
+several persons were coming out, having seen the first "round" of
+films, and, at the sight of one of the audience, Frank started.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Andy, who was walking next to him. "See a
+ghost?"
+
+"No, but I saw that lame man, who was hanging around the ball field the
+other day--the fellow Billy Chase seemed so afraid of."
+
+"Well, what of it? He isn't looking for us, and I guess he won't find
+Billy. I saw him boning away for further orders as we came out. Here
+are a couple of good seats. They're going to have illustrated songs,
+too. There's that pretty girl who was in here the other night."
+
+"Oh, you and your girls!" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"She isn't mine--wish she was," rejoined Andy. "She and the fellow who
+bangs the piano are chummy. No chance for me. Oh, for cats' sake! We've
+struck one of those western Indian dramas, acted over in Hoboken."
+
+But if the first picture was not to the liking of the Racer boys, the
+other films were, and they remained for the whole show. On their way
+toward school from the trolley they took a short cut through a rather
+dark lane, for, though they did not much mind getting in after the hour
+prescribed by the proctor, still they did not want to take too many
+chances.
+
+As Frank and Andy passed under one of the few lights that helped
+dispel the gloom of the seldom-used thoroughfare, they saw someone
+approaching. It was someone in a hurry, too, judging by the footsteps.
+
+A moment later a man fairly rushed by the boys, and, at the sight of
+him as he disappeared in the darkness behind them, Frank uttered a cry.
+
+"That fellow!" he exclaimed. "He's the lame man with the black
+beard--the one we saw in the show earlier to-night, and the one who was
+at the ball practice."
+
+"Well, what of it?" asked Andy. "You're getting him on the brain, I
+guess."
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed the younger lad.
+
+They came to a halt. Then, above the rustle of the wind through the
+tree branches, both heard a faint moaning sound.
+
+"Someone's hurt!" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"Over here!" cried Andy. "I can see something! Over here, Frank!"
+
+Andy sprang to the left, and struck a match. The glow disclosed a
+huddled-up body lying in the ditch of the lane. Andy bent over it.
+
+"It's a young fellow," he reported to Frank. "And he's been hit on the
+head. He's bleeding."
+
+"By Jove!" cried Frank, as he ran up. "It's Billy Chase!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VI
+
+                         BILLY TELLS SOMETHING
+
+
+Frank and Andy bent over the prostrate form of their fellow student,
+hardly knowing what to do. Then Andy uttered an exclamation, and the
+scene was in sudden darkness.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Frank.
+
+"The match burned my fingers. I forgot I was holding it."
+
+"Oh, forget it," advised his brother. "We've got other work cut out for
+us. I wonder if he's badly hurt?"
+
+"I saw a cut on his head," said Andy. "It's so dark----"
+
+"Light another match," advised Frank. "I can't find my box."
+
+In the darkness Billy moaned faintly, and stirred as he lay on the damp
+ground.
+
+"Lift him up," advised Andy, as he once more struck a match. "We've got
+to carry him to some place. A thief must have held him up, and, when he
+resisted, struck him. Say, this is fierce!"
+
+"What makes you think it was a thief?" asked Frank.
+
+"Because, who else would do it?"
+
+"I was thinking of the man we passed a minute ago. He----"
+
+"That's so!" exclaimed the impetuous Andy. "I believe it was that
+fellow! Say, that's a bad cut all right."
+
+Frank had raised Billy's head from the ground, and, as he did so, while
+Andy stood by, with a ready supply of matches, the injured lad opened
+his eyes, and tried to struggle to his feet.
+
+"Where is it?" he cried. "Did he get it? He attacked me, and then--I
+wonder if I have it safe? If it is gone my uncle will have to--Oh, if
+he has taken it----"
+
+He ceased talking and began feebly to search in an inner pocket,
+meanwhile struggling to get out of Frank's arms.
+
+"Let me go! Let me go!" he cried fiercely, but he was so weak, or dazed
+from the blow, that Frank easily held him, though Billy was no weakling
+in muscle.
+
+"Steady now, old man," said Frank, in a soothing voice. "It's all
+right. We're friends of yours. We'll take care of you. Don't you know
+me?" and he bent closer over the lad, looking into his face by the
+light of the match.
+
+"You must not take it--I won't let you have it! Oh--it's
+you--Frank--the Racer boys!" suddenly exclaimed Billy, and then the
+brothers knew that his mind had been wandering, but that now he was
+himself again.
+
+"Are you much hurt, old man?" asked Frank. "How did it happen? Who
+struck you? Have you been robbed?"
+
+Billy did not answer at once. His hand, that had been fumbling with
+the buttons of his vest, now opened that garment, and sought an inner
+pocket. His face, that had shown terror and despair, now reflected
+hope. A breath of relief came from his lips.
+
+"I--I'm all right," he faltered. "I guess I can stand up." He proved
+it by doing so, though Frank stood near to catch him in case he fell.
+Then the moon, which had been hidden behind clouds, came out, making
+it light enough to see, so that Andy had no further need of striking
+matches.
+
+"How did it happen?" asked Frank. "Who attacked you?"
+
+"I--I don't know," said Billy, in stronger tones. "I had been in town
+to mail an important letter, and I was hurrying back, for, though I had
+permission to be out, I didn't want to be too late in getting back. I
+took this short cut, and just as I got here someone jumped on me from
+behind, and tried to get----"
+
+"He was after your watch and money, I guess," interrupted Andy, for
+he had seen the valuable gold timepiece Billy carried, and it was well
+known that the western lad was wealthy, and usually had a fairly large
+sum with him.
+
+"No, it wasn't that," came the answer. "My watch and money are safe."
+
+"Then what did the rascal want?" asked Frank, as he thought of the man
+who had passed him and his brother a short time before they discovered
+Billy. "If it wasn't your valuables, what did the footpad want, Billy?"
+
+"He wasn't a footpad, and he--he----"
+
+Billy's voice trailed off weakly. The lad swayed on his feet, put his
+hands to his head, and with a moan sank back. He would have fallen to
+the ground, only that Frank, who had been expecting something like
+this, caught him just in time.
+
+"He's worse hurt than he thought," exclaimed Andy.
+
+"Guess you're right," admitted Frank. "We'll have to have help. If
+there was only some water near here----"
+
+"There is. I know where there's a spring," interrupted his brother.
+"I'll bring some."
+
+He dashed off, to return presently with his cap full. Some of the
+fluid was sprinkled on the pale face of the unconscious lad, on whose
+forehead there was a deep gash. Then Frank managed to get a few drops
+from his cupped hand between Billy's lips.
+
+"I--I guess I'll be all right now," murmured the injured one. "Did
+I--did I faint?"
+
+"That's what," answered Frank, as Billy struggled to a sitting
+position. "Now take it easy. We can get a carriage and take you to a
+doctor."
+
+"I don't need one. I feel much better now. That water did the business.
+So I fainted? That's queer. I never did such a girl's trick before.
+Guess he must have given me a harder whack than I thought at first." He
+put his hand to his head, bringing the palm away covered with blood.
+
+"It's only a cut, I guess," volunteered Frank. "We'll wash it for you,
+and then----"
+
+"If you give me a good drink of water I can walk back to the school,"
+said Billy. "I'm all right now."
+
+He was much stronger, as was proved by his voice, and the manner in
+which he stepped about. Andy got more water, and the cut was bathed.
+Then, after a copious drink, Billy announced that he was almost himself
+again.
+
+"All but for a bad headache," he added. "But I don't mind that, as long
+as the fellow didn't get anything."
+
+"And are you sure he wasn't a highwayman?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes, I am, though I didn't see him, as he came up back of me. He must
+have been following. I've been expecting this, but not so soon. If he
+had gotten it, he wouldn't have been much better off, for I've got to
+get the other signatures. I guess I'll----"
+
+Billy did not finish. He seemed to be talking to himself, and, as he
+did not offer to take the Racer boys into his confidence, they did not
+feel like asking questions. But Frank could not help mentioning one
+thing.
+
+As Billy stood there, his hand in the inner pocket of his vest, as if
+to make sure that something of value was not missing, the elder Racer
+lad said:
+
+"I believe we passed the man who attacked you."
+
+"You did?" cried Billy. "Who was he?"
+
+"The lame man with the black beard!"
+
+"I thought so! He hasn't given up yet! I must wire my uncle at once.
+Come on back to town with me."
+
+Billy turned, and would have started toward Riverview, but Frank caught
+his arm.
+
+"Look here!" exclaimed the elder Racer lad, "you're in no condition to
+go back to town. You'll faint on the way, or something. You need to see
+a doctor. We'll help you back to school."
+
+"But this is important!" insisted the Western youth. "I must warn my
+uncle that this plot against him is deeper than he thinks. I've got to
+telegraph to him."
+
+"Then do it from Riverview Hall," suggested Andy. "You can telephone
+the telegram in from there."
+
+"That's right," added Frank.
+
+"Then that's what I'll do," decided Billy, after a moment's thought.
+"Glad you mentioned it, for I must send a warning."
+
+"Hadn't we better chase after that man we passed?" asked Andy eagerly.
+"The scoundrel ought to be arrested. Come on! I believe we can catch
+him. He's lame, and can't go very fast," and he wheeled about as though
+to take up the pursuit.
+
+"No, don't!" cried Billy. "He's a dangerous man. Don't go near him if
+you can help it. He would as soon strike you down as look at you. Let
+him go. I can get on his trail later."
+
+"Yes, don't go," put in Frank. "You could never find him in the
+darkness, and, besides, it might not be safe. And we've got to help
+Billy back."
+
+"Oh, I might manage to go the distance," said the Western lad, with a
+wan smile; "but I'd rather have you with me. I can find that man later,
+if I want to. But I hope he leaves this neighborhood. I'm not safe
+while he's around."
+
+"Then why don't you complain to the police and have him locked up?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"It would do no good. That wouldn't stop their work. You don't
+understand, and I can't explain much, but I'll say this," and Billy,
+leaning heavily on Frank's arm, continued:
+
+"My uncle is a wealthy ranch owner out West, and he has many business
+ventures. Now one of them is likely to fall through because of the
+activities of certain men, of whom the fellow who attacked me to-night
+is one. But he failed. You see, I'm helping my uncle--negotiating the
+Eastern end of a big deal for him, while I'm here at school. That's one
+of the reasons why I came East. This is all I can tell you now.
+
+"I can't thank you enough for helping me, and, later, I may be able to
+tell you more details. It's a queer story, and there is quite a mystery
+to it. Some of it I don't even know myself. But it sure is lucky that
+you found me."
+
+"We're glad we did," put in Andy. "Now let's get on to school, or we'll
+be locked out."
+
+As they started off, one of the Racer boys on either side of Billy,
+Frank suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"Hark! I think someone is following us!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII
+
+                          NEWS FROM THE WEST
+
+
+The boys stiffened into attention, listening intently for the faintest
+sound. At first they could hear nothing more than the whisper of the
+wind in the trees, and then, so faintly as to be almost inaudible, they
+did catch a rustling in the grass, that told of the approach of someone.
+
+"That man--he's coming back!" said Frank softly.
+
+"Let me attend to him!" exclaimed Andy, and, before his brother could
+stop him, the younger lad had run back over the course they had come.
+
+"Stop!" called Frank aloud.
+
+A moment later there was the sound of someone running away, and it was
+not the footsteps of Andy that made the noise.
+
+"I see him! I see him!" cried the younger Racer lad. "It's the man with
+the limp!"
+
+"You come back here!" ordered Frank, and his voice was such that Andy
+did not think it wise to disobey. He came back panting from his run.
+
+"I could have caught him if you'd let me alone," he said, protestingly.
+
+"You never mind that," went on Frank. "There's been enough trouble
+to-night. Now come on, and don't delay. That fellow won't follow us
+again."
+
+"I guess not," declared Andy. "He was running hard when I saw him. I
+guess he thought he could sneak up and finish the mean work he began,
+but he didn't count on our being here."
+
+"That's right," agreed Billy. "When he attacked me we struggled and
+I rolled to one side of the lane. Then he must have hit me with a
+black-jack or a sand-bag, and made me unconscious."
+
+"It must have been some sharp instrument, to cut your head," declared
+Frank. "He probably heard us coming, and ran away. Then, thinking
+perhaps we hadn't seen you, he decided to come back for a second try."
+
+"Well, I guess he's gone for good--to-night, at least," remarked Andy;
+and a little later the boys reached Riverview Hall. The proctor was
+waiting for them, with anger in his eyes for their being out so late,
+but he calmed down when told of the cause.
+
+"Attacked, eh?" he exclaimed. "That is bad business, boys. Are you much
+hurt, Chase?"
+
+"No, not much."
+
+"Highwaymen, I expect. I did not dream they would be so bold. Footpads
+so near the school! The police must be notified at once," and the
+proctor proceeded to call up the authorities on the telephone. Billy,
+with a wink at his two chums not to say anything of that which he
+had told them, allowed the school official to think that an ordinary
+criminal had made the attack.
+
+After the alarm had been given, bringing an answer to the effect that
+policemen and detectives would be on the lookout for any desperate
+characters, Billy sent in his telegram.
+
+If Frank or Andy had hoped to gather, from overhearing the wording of
+the message, any intimation as to what it was the lame man had tried to
+get from the Western lad, they were disappointed, for the telegram was
+in code words, meaningless to all but to those holding the key. And, to
+do them credit, Andy and his brother were curious only from a desire to
+help Billy, whom they had grown to like very much.
+
+"My uncle and I always use a code, or cipher, in sending messages,"
+explained Billy, when he had finished telephoning. "It saves many a
+big cattle deal from falling through sometimes, for my uncle has many
+competitors who would do anything to learn his plans."
+
+"You had better let the doctor attend to that cut on your head,"
+suggested the proctor, and presently the school physician was called in
+to dress the wound.
+
+"A nasty cut, but that's all," was his opinion. "No bones broken.
+You'll probably have a worse headache in the morning than you have now."
+
+He proved a true prophet, and for three days Billy was laid up in bed,
+being delirious part of the time. Andy and Frank went in to see him,
+and during a lucid moment he begged them not to say anything about the
+lame man.
+
+"Let everybody think it was just an ordinary thief who attacked me,"
+said Billy. "I can best serve my uncle that way, and I have the papers
+he tried to get safely put away now. So don't say anything."
+
+They promised, though wondering much, and so the attack on the Freshman
+passed as a bold, though ordinary, case of a criminal trying to rob a
+lone traveler after dark. The police could get no trace of him, which
+did not greatly surprise the Racer boys and their new chum.
+
+Meanwhile the first ball game of the season was played and--lost by
+Riverview. The score was five to two.
+
+"It was because Billy Chase wasn't in center field," declared Frank
+after the game, for Billy had been unable to play on account of the
+injury to his head. "If he'd been there the flies that Reynolds muffed
+would have been caught, and we could have stopped their winning
+streak."
+
+"Well, we didn't play very hard ourselves, when it came to making
+runs," declared Jack Sanderson.
+
+"No, we've got to do better," added Ward Platt, and the next practice
+was sharp, and full of vim, under the watchful eyes of the coach and
+captain.
+
+It was about two days after Billy had gotten out of bed, following the
+attack on him, that he sought out Frank and Andy in their room.
+
+"I've got a message from my uncle," said the Western lad, as he held
+out a telegram. "It's in the code, and I've just translated it. By the
+way, I believe I forgot to mention that my uncle's name is Richfield
+Thornton, and that his place is near Sageville, Kansas."
+
+"We've never been very far West," volunteered Andy, "so we never heard
+of that place."
+
+"What does your uncle say?" asked Frank, for it was evident that Billy
+had come to tell some news.
+
+"Oh, he says he's sorry I was hurt, but he's glad that that man didn't
+get hold of the papers that I carried. He says he is having his own
+troubles out there, for the men opposed to him are making it hard to do
+business. It seems they have divided up their forces and attack. Some
+of them are in the East here, trying to get the best of me, and others
+are working the game from the Western end. I don't know what to do.
+The deal is far from being completed, and anything may happen at any
+time to spoil it. I wish my uncle would come on and tell me what to do."
+
+"Maybe we can help you," suggested Frank. "Our father is in business
+in New York, and I know he has had lots of law-suits about different
+matters. Maybe he could advise you----"
+
+"No, thank you," said Billy, with a shake of his head. "The trouble is,
+I can't give you the details of my uncle's business for two reasons.
+One is that I don't know all the ins and outs of it myself, and the
+other is that it has to be kept secret for a certain length of time.
+And to get intelligent advice I'd have to give all the details."
+
+"That's so," agreed Frank.
+
+"But I tell you what we can do," exclaimed Andy. "We can stick close to
+you, Billy, and if there are any more attacks there'll be three of us
+to dispose of instead of one."
+
+"That's right!" cried Frank. "Billy, we're with you from this on!" And
+he held out his hand, which the Western lad took in a hearty clasp.
+"You hang out with us, Billy," went on the elder Racer lad, "and we'll
+see what happens."
+
+"Fine!" cried Andy, who loved excitement. "Maybe they'll attack you
+again."
+
+"I hope not," murmured Billy, as he felt of the lump that was still on
+his head. "My uncle wants me to come back out West," he added; "but I
+don't want to unless I have to. I like it here. It's a great school."
+
+"You ought to have seen it when the Racer boys first came," spoke Jack
+Sanderson, entering in time to hear Billy's last remark. "It sure was
+fierce!"
+
+"That's right," agreed Frank.
+
+"And they did everything to get it in shape," went on Jack.
+
+"Oh, get out! Everyone helped!" declared Andy, who, like his brother,
+was modest under praise. Nothing more was said for the present about
+the news from the West, but later that day Billy remarked:
+
+"If I do have to go back to the ranch, I hope you fellows will come and
+visit me during vacation."
+
+"We'll be glad to!" exclaimed Frank, his eyes sparkling in anticipation
+of the delights of the prairies.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII
+
+                          A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+
+"Where are you going, Frank?"
+
+"Oh, out for a walk. Want to come along, Andy?"
+
+"Sure; there's no fun sitting here, and it's too hot to study. What do
+you say to a row on the river?"
+
+"I'm with you. Let's get some of the other fellows."
+
+"Most of our crowd have gone over to the golf game at Fuller Academy,"
+said Andy, for that amusement had suddenly come into vogue at one of
+the institutions of learning near Riverview, though the lads at the
+latter place had not taken it up.
+
+Still, many of them liked to see golf played, and as there was a match
+on at Fuller, a number of the closer chums of our heroes had gone to
+it. Frank and Andy had a late lecture which they could not "cut," and
+so could not attend. Now, however, their study period had arrived, and
+they were free to do as they liked.
+
+"Let's see if Billy Chase is in his room," suggested Andy, as they
+passed the dormitory where the Freshmen roomed. But Billy was out, as
+his fellow-lodger informed the callers.
+
+"Then we'll have to go rowing by ourselves," said Frank.
+
+"I wonder what we'll do this summer?" ventured Andy, when they had
+pulled some distance up stream. They generally did this, so they could
+come back with the current, which was strong in the Spring of the year.
+
+"Oh, I guess we'll have to wait and see what dad and mother plan," came
+from Frank. "They'll likely go to Harbor View again."
+
+"I'm a bit tired of the shore," remarked Andy. "I like clams and
+lobsters as well as anyone, but I'd prefer a change this summer. That
+time we spent in the Maine woods just suited me."
+
+"The same here, only we don't want to go to a lumber camp in the
+summer--in fact, I guess there isn't much doing there at that time of
+year."
+
+"No, I expect not; but still I vote we don't go to the shore."
+
+"We won't if we can help it. But at the same time we had good fun at
+Harbor View."
+
+"We sure did," chimed in Andy. "Do you remember when the whale rushed
+at us?"
+
+"Yes, and what a job we had, with Bob Trent, in getting it ashore."
+
+"And how those fishermen tried to claim it?"
+
+"Yes, and then the time we had finding out who Paul Gale was."
+
+"That was great," agreed the younger lad. "I was hoping we'd have some
+excitement here, after that mysterious man attacked Billy, but it seems
+to have died out."
+
+"Yes," agreed Frank. "I haven't seen anything more of him. Guess he's
+vamoosed."
+
+"Has Billy said anything more to you about his uncle's business?"
+
+"No. I reckon he told us all he could. He sure is a nice fellow--Billy,
+I mean. I like him better every day."
+
+"So do I," added the other brother, and for some time they rowed on,
+talking of their chums, and the various happenings at school and
+elsewhere.
+
+As they rounded a bend in the stream, Andy, casting a look over his
+shoulder to get the proper course, uttered an exclamation.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Frank. "Is the current too much for you? It
+is stronger than I've known it in some time."
+
+"No, it wasn't that, but there's a fellow sitting out on the dead limb
+of that old, rotten sycamore tree, fishing right over that swift eddy."
+
+"So he is," agreed Frank, looking toward the place where the school
+lads often went to catch fine fish.
+
+The fishing hole was generally a good spot to pull out the finny
+prizes, but now the river was swollen with the Spring rains and the
+water was deep, swirling about in a dangerous pool where the stream
+backed up around a cut in the bank to make an eddy.
+
+"That fellow'd better look out," went on Andy. "That limb is half
+cracked through. I know, for I went out on it for a dive last year, and
+it almost gave way with me. I told the fellows about it, and they've
+since kept off. He'd better look out."
+
+"Call to him, and warn him," suggested Frank.
+
+"I will," said his brother, and he was just about to raise his voice in
+a shout when he cried:
+
+"Why, it's Billy Chase!"
+
+"So it is," came from Frank. "He's got an old suit on, and I didn't
+recognize him. Hi, Billy!" he yelled. "You'd better get off that----"
+
+But that was as far as Frank got. For Billy, looking up, had recognized
+his friends in the boat. He waved a welcome to them, and the next
+instant the rotten limb, astride of which he sat over the deep eddy,
+gave way with a crack, letting him fall into the river with a mighty
+splash.
+
+"There he goes!" cried Frank.
+
+"Pull! Pull!" yelled Andy. "Maybe he can't swim, and if he gets tangled
+in the branches he'll drown!"
+
+"Oh, sure he can swim," declared Frank; "but we'll pull up to him, just
+the same."
+
+"We're coming!" shouted Andy, and he looked over his shoulder, but he
+could not see his friend. "He's gone under!" yelled the younger Racer
+lad.
+
+"By Jove! So he has!" gasped Frank. "But he'll come up again! Pull for
+all you're worth, Andy!"
+
+The brothers bent to the oars and soon they had swept from the current
+of the river into the quieter waters of the eddy. But even there,
+because of the swollen stream, it was no easy pulling.
+
+"There's the broken limb!" cried Andy, as it swirled up into view,
+having been sucked down under the surface.
+
+"And there are Billy's legs!" added Frank. "Look! his trousers are
+caught on a sharp, broken limb, and he's being held head down!"
+
+"Sure enough!" cried Andy.
+
+"Lively!" yelled his brother. "We've got to get him up quick, or he'll
+be drowned! You manage the boat, Andy, and I'll see what I can do."
+
+Frank unshipped his oars, and Andy bent his strength against that of
+the current, to hold the boat near the drifting branch, around which
+the luckless lad's legs were tangled.
+
+"Cut him loose! Cut him loose! Use your knife!" cried Andy, as he saw
+his brother vainly endeavoring to disentangle the hem of the trousers
+from the sharp projection.
+
+"Right, oh!" cried Frank, as he whipped out his keen-bladed knife. In
+another instant he had cut the cloth. Instantly Billy's feet and legs
+disappeared beneath the surface of the eddy.
+
+"He--he's gone!" faltered Andy.
+
+"He had to put his legs down to get his head up," said Frank. "Look out
+for him when----"
+
+He did not have time to say more, for, at that instant, the body of
+Billy shot up head foremost, floating clear of the entangling branch.
+
+"Grab him!" yelled Andy, but his brother did not need the advice.
+Leaning over, he caught the half-conscious form of the Western lad,
+just as Billy was sinking again.
+
+"Can you pull him in alone?" cried Andy, who was still laboring at the
+oars.
+
+"Yes, you keep the boat steady. I don't want an upset," responded his
+brother, and he got a firmer grip on his chum's wet clothing. Then with
+a mighty heave, pulling him over the bow of the craft, Frank got the
+half-drowned lad out of the water.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IX
+
+                            THE INVITATION
+
+
+"Is he dead, Frank? Is he breathing? Did we get him out in time?" cried
+Andy, highly excited, as he dropped the oars and began to make his way
+forward to where his brother was holding Billy. "Do you think we can
+bring him around?"
+
+"Say, don't ask so many questions," snapped Frank, not because he was
+cross, but because he realized that seconds counted and he wanted to
+do all he could for the half-drowned lad. "Get back to your oars," he
+added. "First thing you know we'll be stuck in the mud bank, or upset
+in the current. Hold the boat steady, and get over there where it's
+quieter. Then we'll see what we can do."
+
+Andy obeyed, and while Frank made the now unconscious lad more
+comfortable, the young Racer boy pulled with all his strength toward a
+quieter place in the eddy. Soon the boat was floating easily.
+
+"Lively now!" commanded Frank. "Help me turn him over to drain some
+of the water out of his lungs. Then we'll make a sort of pillow of our
+coats and rest him, face down, on that."
+
+Frank talked while he worked, and soon Billy's lungs were drained of
+the water that kept the air from entering them. Next he was placed with
+his stomach on an upraised roll of coats, across one of the seats, and
+a little later Frank began using artificial respiration, by working
+Billy's arms up and down over his head, while Andy pressed on the lower
+portion of his chest to compress it. The boys had studied first-aid
+work, and knew the method to be used in restoring half-drowned persons.
+
+Their success was soon apparent, for, after a few seconds, Billy opened
+his eyes, and looked up at his rescuers.
+
+"Wha--what happened?" he asked feebly.
+
+"You fell in," replied Frank. "But don't talk now. You must be too
+weak."
+
+"Oh, I'm all right," said Billy, in a stronger voice. "I remember it
+all now. The limb broke with me, just as I was waving to you fellows. I
+held my breath, as soon as I struck the water, but I couldn't seem to
+get to the top."
+
+"No wonder," put in Andy. "Your trousers were caught on a tree branch."
+
+"Oh, that's what it was," went on Billy. "Well, when I couldn't hold
+my breath any longer, and found that I couldn't get right side up, I
+thought I was a goner. How did you manage to get me loose?"
+
+Frank told how he had cut the trousers from the entangling limb, and
+how he had dragged Billy into the boat just in time. The Western boy
+was gaining strength every moment, and in a short while he had fully
+recovered from his impromptu bath, save that he was still wet.
+
+"Let's row ashore," proposed Andy, "and get some of the water out of
+your clothes. Then you won't be so likely to catch cold. What possessed
+you to go out on that limb?"
+
+"I thought it was a good place to fish," replied Billy. "I could easily
+throw my line in from the limb, and I never noticed that it was cracked
+half way through."
+
+"And it was rotten in the bargain," added Frank. "It ought to have been
+chopped off long ago, or a warning sign put up. Most of our fellows
+knew about it, though."
+
+"I wish I had," said Billy ruefully. "But I do now. I'm glad I had on
+an old suit."
+
+By this time Andy had the boat near shore, and a little later the two
+brothers were helping Billy wring the water from his heaviest garments.
+It was no easy task to get them on again, and Frank insisted that his
+own coat be used in place of the wet one of his chum.
+
+"You'll need it yourself," insisted Billy. "It's quite cool to-day."
+
+"No, I can keep warm rowing," declared Frank, passing over his garment.
+
+"Then if that's warming work, me for an oar!" exclaimed Billy, who was
+shivering in spite of the fact that it was late Spring.
+
+With Billy and Frank pulling at the oars, the craft shot down the river
+toward the boarding school, aided by the swift current. In a short time
+Riverview Hall loomed in sight and a crowd of students could be seen
+gathered on the dock near the boathouse.
+
+"Huh! Great rowers you fellows are!" cried Jack Sanderson, when he saw
+the water in the bottom of the craft, where it had dripped from Billy,
+and noticed the damp figure of the Freshman.
+
+"What did you do--upset?" asked Ward Platt.
+
+"No, they've been inventing a new kind of submarine," chimed in John
+North.
+
+But when the students learned what had happened they offered their
+congratulations to the rescued lad, and to the Racer boys who had so
+pluckily pulled him out in the nick of time.
+
+"Run up and get some dry duds on," suggested Frank. "Are you sure
+you're all right, and don't need a doctor to look you over?"
+
+"Oh, sure I'm all right," insisted Billy. "What do you think I am--a
+chronic doctor's patient? First I get a whack over the head that lays
+me out, and then I'm nearly drowned. I wonder when this 'hoodoo' is
+going to let up?"
+
+"That's right, you have had more than your share," admitted Andy, with
+a grin.
+
+Billy ran on toward his dormitory, while Andy and Frank remained behind
+to tell further details of the rescue. Later they joined their new
+chum in his room, where they found him drinking hot lemonade which the
+motherly matron, Mrs. Stone, had sent up to him when she heard about
+the accident.
+
+"Oh, say, that smells good!" exclaimed Frank, sniffing the air.
+
+"Have some," invited Billy, but when Andy tasted it he made a wry face,
+for the matron had not made it any too sweet, and she had put some
+ginger in it to further aid in warding off a possible cold.
+
+"Talk about your ice cream sodas!" exclaimed Andy. "Got anything to
+take the taste of that out of my mouth, Billy?"
+
+"There's a box of crackers on that shelf," replied the host. "They
+belong to Ray Bentley, my roommate, but go ahead and help yourself. He
+won't mind. We use each other's things anyhow. I've got some of his
+clothes on now. He took my best suit--gone to see some girl, I guess."
+
+"Very likely--at the golf match," remarked Frank, while Andy helped
+himself to the crackers. "But most of the fellows are back from there."
+
+"Oh, Ray'll stay until the last cow comes home when there's a girl in
+the offing," said Billy, as he took another glass of the hot lemonade.
+"There, I feel better," he said. "I'm warmed through. Say, I can't
+thank you fellows enough for pulling me out of the wetness, but----"
+
+"Oh, forget it!" exclaimed Frank. "It was just by luck that we happened
+to be there."
+
+"By the way, did you get any fish?" asked Andy.
+
+"Not a one," replied Billy. "I had had a few nibbles when you came
+along, and I was just thinking I was going to have great luck, when----"
+
+"When you had some _bad_ luck," interrupted Frank. "Well, never mind.
+We'll all go fishing some day, and----"
+
+There came a knock on the door, and the two visitors looked
+questioningly at Billy.
+
+"I guess it's all right," he said, in a whisper. "It isn't past
+visiting time, and we haven't broken any rules. Come in!" he called.
+
+The portal opened, disclosing one of the school messengers with a
+letter in his hand.
+
+"Special delivery for you," he announced to Billy, and the host, with
+a murmured apology for reading the missive, tore open the envelope.
+Rapidly he scanned the few lines. Then he uttered an exclamation of
+surprise and delight.
+
+"Say, fellows" he cried. "This is great! Listen to it. My uncle says
+his affairs are getting all tangled up, and he wants me to come back
+West at once and help him. He says to let things here slide for the
+present, and hustle right out to the ranch. It seems that his rivals
+are making all sorts of trouble for him."
+
+"And can you help him?" asked Frank.
+
+"Well, I'm going to try. You see I've done quite a lot of business for
+him, and I know something of the ins and outs of his affairs. I guess
+I'll have to go."
+
+"And leave school?" asked Andy, dubiously.
+
+"With the term only half over," added Frank, "and the best of the
+baseball games to come. Oh, that's too bad!"
+
+"Can't help it," replied Billy, still looking over the letter. "I won't
+have to go for a few weeks, though, as I'll have to close matters up
+here as best I can. But I've got to go, and--Oh say! here's something
+else. I didn't read down that far before. Say, this is the best ever!"
+
+"What?" asked Frank and Andy in a chorus.
+
+"My uncle says he wants you two fellows to come out West with me. Out
+on the ranch."
+
+"Wants _us_?" came in another chorus.
+
+"Yes, I wrote and told him how you helped me, and how you've been a
+sort of bodyguard since that attack, and he thinks that's great. You've
+got to come; will you? Come out on the prairies and I'll show you a
+life worth living. Can't you come?"
+
+He looked appealingly at Andy and Frank. They said nothing for a few
+seconds. Then Billy added:
+
+"You can help me, fellows. I'd rather have you with me than anyone I
+know of. Besides, maybe we three can find the treasure of Golden Peak!"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X
+
+                           OFF FOR THE WEST
+
+
+Frank looked quickly at his brother, and Andy, in turn, turned a rather
+startled gaze on Frank.
+
+"What's that you said?" asked the younger Racer lad.
+
+"The treasure of Golden Peak," murmured Frank. "Is that a joke, or just
+a pleasant little way you Westerners have of making conversation?"
+
+Billy laughed and said:
+
+"Well, boys, I'm afraid, after all, that it may be only a joke. But
+for all that there is a place out near my uncle's ranch on the Kansas
+prairies that is known as 'Golden Peak.' It's a sort of big hill."
+
+"And is there treasure in it?" asked Andy, eagerly. Frank, too, in
+spite of the fact that he was slower to enthuse than was his brother,
+looked much interested. "Is there gold out there, Billy?"
+
+"I don't know," was the frank answer. "I'll tell you all I can about
+it, and you can judge for yourselves. But first let me say that,
+treasure or no treasure, I hope both of you can come West with me, and
+help me and my uncle get ahead of the men who are trying to spoil his
+business. He says he thinks, from what I have told him about you, that
+you'd be just the kind of fellows to do it."
+
+"Many thanks!" exclaimed Frank, making an exaggerated bow.
+
+"Oh, but I mean it!" insisted Billy, quickly; "and I know my uncle
+does, too. As I told you before, his name is Richfield Thornton, and
+his place--which is a big one--is near Sageville, in Kansas. I have
+lived with my uncle nearly all my life--ever since my father and mother
+died when I was a small chap. I never had any brothers or sisters, and
+my uncle took care of me--he and his wife.
+
+"When I grew old enough I used to help him with his business, after
+he found out that he couldn't trust several men whom he had made his
+confidential secretaries. That's why he gave me this work to do for him
+in the East. I came on to school, but I'm afraid I'm more interested in
+my uncle's affairs than in lessons. Though after I clear this mystery
+up I'm going to buckle down to study."
+
+"But what is the mystery?" asked Frank.
+
+"It has to do with a big irrigation scheme my uncle wants to carry
+out," replied the Western lad. "You see, in addition to raising cattle
+my uncle has a big tract of grain and other crops, and he's in a region
+where it doesn't often rain. Not far from his place is a small stream,
+and a lake, and he figured that by building a dam across a valley he
+could make a larger lake, and have water stored for irrigation purposes
+whenever he wanted it. He would also have water to sell to other ranch
+owners.
+
+"He started to get possession of the necessary land, and I helped him.
+We found that a certain parcel, that was much needed, was owned by a
+small corporation out East, and I came to get their signatures to the
+papers, allowing us to buy and flood their property. I did get their
+consent, and then the trouble about Golden Peak cropped out. That's
+what we're up against now, and it looks as if we were going to have a
+hard time."
+
+"But what is Golden Peak?" asked Andy.
+
+"As I said, it's a big hill that would come about in the middle of the
+lake my uncle intends creating by the building of a dam. This hill is
+covered with a lot of yellowish rocks, and I think that's how it got
+its name. But there are certain men, or rather one man in particular,
+who seems to think that there is a real treasure of gold in the peak,
+and he's doing his best to prevent us from surrounding it with water."
+
+"Who is this man?" asked Frank.
+
+"His name is Sam Shackmiller, and he's the lame man who I believe
+attacked me," answered Billy, quietly.
+
+"What! the black-bearded man who was hanging around here a while ago?"
+cried Andy.
+
+"That's the one," admitted Billy. "I had been warned to be on the
+lookout for him, and it was well that I was. He is a dangerous man."
+
+"Was that why you acted so strangely?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Yes. I couldn't tell when he might sneak up on me."
+
+"What did he want?" came from Andy.
+
+"Certain valuable papers which I had secured from the corporation,
+giving us the right to flood their land. Among them was the final
+document we needed to allow us to go ahead with our work, and it
+included a court order. It is very valuable, for one of the signatures
+on it is that of a man who has since disappeared. If I lost the
+document, or if it was taken from me, we would have no authority for
+going ahead with the scheme until we could find the missing man to get
+him to sign a new paper. And he might not do it. So you see I have to
+be on my guard."
+
+"But what about this Sam Shackmiller?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"Well, while he and some others with him, whom I have not been able to
+locate, claim Golden Peak, they really have no right to it. But they
+have certain papers, which seem to prove their title to it, and the
+courts have recognized that right. My uncle claims that their documents
+are forged--at least the name of one man is--the same man who has
+disappeared, and if we can prove that his signature is not genuine it
+would invalidate their claim to Golden Peak."
+
+"Then you could go ahead with the irrigation scheme?" suggested Andy.
+
+"Yes, but I think my uncle is going ahead anyhow," said Billy. "He is
+relying on being able to prove later that Shackmiller and his crowd
+have no legal claim to Golden Peak, and so he is going to take a chance.
+
+"In fact the dam is almost built, and soon the waters of the stream
+will begin to back up, making the irrigation lake. Then Golden Peak
+will be under water."
+
+"Treasure and all?" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"Yes, if there _is_ a treasure there," laughed Billy. "I don't believe
+there is. Lots of people have had a try for it, but they never found
+anything.
+
+"It seems that some years ago an old prospector came into town, saying
+he had struck it rich. He said he had discovered a treasure on Golden
+Peak; but whether it was gold, silver, or precious stones, no one
+ever found out, for, before he could tell he went crazy. For years he
+wandered about trying to relocate the treasure, if there was any, but
+that was all, except for the queer stories he told. So you see the
+thing simmers down to this:
+
+"My uncle has a good title to every bit of land in the irrigation
+valley save Golden Peak. He owns all around it. The title to Golden
+Peak is in dispute and my uncle is sure that he has a moral if not
+a legal claim to that. If he can prove this one signature a forgery
+he will be all right. And he may be without that. But, at the same
+time, there is a certain document, of which, if the other fellows got
+possession, they could use against us, and stop the work."
+
+"And who's got this document?" asked Andy.
+
+"I have," said Billy quietly. "Here it is," and going to a tattered
+Latin dictionary he pulled from between the pages a folded paper.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank. "I shouldn't think that was a very safe
+place to keep it, with that dangerous man about."
+
+"The simplest place is the best," declared the Western lad. "I carried
+it about with me, and was nearly robbed of it. Then I decided to hide
+it here."
+
+"Good idea," said Andy. "Nobody would think of looking in a Latin
+dictionary unless he had to."
+
+"You wouldn't, anyhow," chimed in his brother.
+
+"Oh, I'm as fond of study as you are," came the quick retort.
+
+"But now the question is: Will you come West with me?" went on Billy.
+"If uncle is going to put the finishing touches on his dam, and flood
+the valley, he'll need my help. There may be a fight--or trouble--at
+the last minute. I do wish you'd come and help me. I want you--my uncle
+wants you. Come on!"
+
+"And have a try for the treasure!" exclaimed Andy. "Shall we go, Frank?"
+
+"Why, I'd like to--first rate," was the answer; "but I don't see how we
+are going to leave school before the term is ended. Dad and mother----"
+
+"Oh, they'll let us go, I'm sure of it!" broke in Andy. "I'm going
+to telegraph to them and find out. Think of it, Frank! Out on the
+prairies! At the ranch--helping build a big dam--keeping off fellows
+who may want to dynamite it--finding the treasure of Golden Peak!"
+
+"Oh, I know it would be great," admitted Frank. "But can we leave?"
+
+"There isn't much more to this term," said Billy. "You could easily,
+during vacation, make up the work you miss."
+
+"Perhaps," agreed Frank. "Go ahead, Andy, and wire the folks."
+
+So it came about a little later that Mr. and Mrs. Racer received a long
+and expensive telegram--for Andy sent it collect--explaining matters,
+and asking permission to go out West.
+
+"Those boys!" exclaimed their mother. "We never can allow it!"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Racer, thoughtfully. "I happen to know of
+this Mr. Thornton, and he's a fine man. I never met his nephew, but our
+boys seem to like him. I'm almost persuaded to let them go. It will be
+a good experience for them. And I have always wanted them to see the
+West."
+
+"Oh, but their schooling!"
+
+"Well, as they say, they can make it up. Besides, there is not much of
+the term left--hardly half--and all education isn't in books, you know."
+
+"Oh, I just know something will happen to them," sighed Mrs. Racer.
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed her husband. "I guess I'll wire them they can
+go." And just to get even with his sons in a joking way he sent a much
+longer message than was necessary, and he sent it _collect_.
+
+"They've got too much pocket money anyhow," he chuckled; "and they
+made me pay for the one they sent me."
+
+But Andy and Frank never grumbled when they had to pay the telegraph
+toll. The importance of the message drove everything else out of their
+minds.
+
+"Hurray!" they cried, bursting into Billy's room. "We can go!"
+
+"Good!" exclaimed the Western lad. "Off for the prairies! That's the
+only place to live!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XI
+
+                           A RAILROAD SMASH
+
+
+"Say, this is great; isn't it?"
+
+"All to the choo-choo!"
+
+"And we've got nearly fifteen hundred miles of it before we get to the
+western part of Kansas!"
+
+These were the comments and exclamations of Frank and Andy Racer, and
+their new chum Billy Chase, as they sat in a parlor car of a fast
+train, speeding westward. They were on their way to the Double X ranch,
+owned by Mr. Richfield Thornton, and they hoped not only to get the
+better of the men who were opposing Billy's uncle, but also to solve
+the mystery of Golden Peak. No wonder they were elated.
+
+"And to think that last week we were boning away at Latin and Greek at
+Riverview Hall!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"Precious little boning _you_ did," commented his brother, dryly.
+
+"Get out, you. I did as much as any of the fellows. Didn't Doctor
+Doolittle say I was well up in my studies when he wrote to dad, after
+we thought of coming away? And didn't he say I could get back at 'em in
+the fall without losing any ground? I guess that's good evidence that
+I'm not at the foot of the class, little one!"
+
+"Pooh! Doctor Doolittle would have said that about any one whom he
+wanted to have come back to school next term," rejoined Frank.
+
+"Particularly after what you fellows did for the institution," put in
+Billy. "But I guess you won't miss much by quitting before the end of
+the term."
+
+"No," assented Frank. "I'm glad we did decide to come, but I can hardly
+realize it yet."
+
+Indeed the change had come about so quickly that they could hardly
+comprehend it. Once they had asked their father's permission to depart
+for the prairie land, and had received his consent, matters had moved
+swiftly.
+
+They had arranged with Doctor Doolittle not to lose their places in
+class, and to be given the proper examinations later so as to gain
+their promotion in the Fall. Then they had begun to pack, and Billy had
+wired his uncle that he and his friends were coming.
+
+But there was despair in the hearts of the chums whom Frank and Andy
+left behind.
+
+"Oh, say, what do you want to desert for?" wailed Jack Sanderson.
+
+"Just when the baseball season is at its best, too," added Ward. "I
+know we'll funk in most of the big games we play now."
+
+"Nonsense!" laughed Frank. "You'll do all the better."
+
+"We will not!" insisted John North, but Frank and Andy had gone too far
+now to turn back, and their preparations went on apace.
+
+"Well, there's one thing about it," said Duke Yardly, a day or so
+before the time set for Frank and Andy to leave. "We'll have to give
+'em a bang-up farewell spread."
+
+"That's what!" agreed the others, and a "bang-up" spread it was, too,
+especially when some one insisted on setting off a "flower pot" of red
+fire without removing the cover. There was an explosion that brought
+every professor out on the run, but no damage was done, save that Jack
+Sanderson had his eyebrows singed.
+
+"But it only adds to your manly beauty," laughed Frank.
+
+And so the feast went on, and the Racer boys were toasted again and
+again in everything mild, from ginger ale to strawberry pop.
+
+"And you'll be sure to come back in the Fall, won't you, fellows?"
+asked Ward Platt, when the time came to say good-bye.
+
+"Sure," promised Andy. "We'll come back millionaires--maybe."
+
+"And maybe--not," added his brother, significantly.
+
+"Oh, well, we'll have a good time, and lots of excitement, anyhow,"
+declared the younger lad.
+
+Neither he nor his brother realized, however, what kind of excitement
+nor what manner of fun they were to have on the prairies.
+
+Then came a trip to New York, where the brothers further outfitted
+themselves for their trip. Billy Chase went with them, being their
+guest at the Racer mansion for several days.
+
+Mrs. Racer renewed her protest about the boys going off on what seemed
+such a dangerous mission, but they laughed at her fears, and said they
+could take care of themselves.
+
+"And I believe they can," Mr. Racer said. "They've got to see life, and
+I want them to see the good clean side of it, such as they will meet
+with out West. I like that young Chase, too. He's got a thinking head
+on his shoulders, even if he is only the age of our boys. He'll make
+his mark, some day."
+
+"But think of the danger they may be in," said Mrs. Racer.
+
+"Nothing unusual," insisted her husband. "Travel is very safe now. I
+almost wish I were going with them," and with a sigh he started for his
+office, where a tangle of affairs needed his attention; for, though
+he was a wealthy merchant, he devoted much personal attention to his
+business.
+
+And so it came about that Andy, Frank and Billy were in the parlor car,
+speeding westward. They would be several days on the journey, for they
+had elected to go by a route that would afford them a glimpse of some
+fine scenery.
+
+"Might as well have a good time while we're going," said Frank.
+
+"Especially as we're not in much of a hurry," added Andy.
+
+Billy said nothing, but when the train had pulled out of the station
+he had looked around apprehensively, and had breathed more freely when
+they were well started.
+
+"Do you think that lame man will try to follow you?" asked Frank.
+
+"I think he's equal to it," was the answer. "He and his crowd would do
+anything to prevent my uncle from carrying out his plan of making the
+irrigation lake. But I don't see anything of Shackmiller."
+
+"I think we've given him the slip," decided Frank.
+
+"Then let's enjoy ourselves," proposed Andy. "I've just thought of
+something."
+
+"A trick, I'll wager," spoke Frank.
+
+"Well, sort of," admitted the younger lad. "Do you see that fussy old
+gentleman over there?" and he pointed to one who had kept the porter
+busy waiting on him ever since the train started.
+
+"Sure we see him," admitted Frank. "We'd be blind if we didn't. Are you
+going to pull his chair out from under him, or merely toss him off the
+train?"
+
+"Neither one," declared Andy stoutly. "I guess you think I don't know
+how to work tricks."
+
+"I've seen you pull off one or two that you wished you hadn't tried,"
+commented his brother, dryly.
+
+"Not this time," said Andy. "What I'm going to do is this: Right across
+the aisle from the fussy man is an old maid. I'm going to change their
+valises, for they're just alike, and I'll put the man's where the
+lady's is, and _terra firma_."
+
+"_Terra firma?_" repeated Billy, much mystified.
+
+"Yes, that's Latin for opposite," said Andy, innocently.
+
+"Oh, you mean _vice versa_," laughed Frank. "You're going to switch
+their bags; eh?"
+
+"Sure thing. And when the fussy little old man opens the one he thinks
+is his, and finds a set of false curls and a box of face powder, he'll
+go up in the air; and as for the old maid, when she sees the man's
+things--Oh, well, she won't have a fit I guess! Oh, no!"
+
+"How are you going to do it?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, I'll work it somehow. You just watch me."
+
+Frank and Billy laughed and then proceeded to admire the scenery, while
+Andy began planning how he might carry out his trick.
+
+"I have it!" he finally announced. "I'll stroll past the old maid,
+and ask her if she doesn't want a drink of water. I've noticed her
+fidgeting for the last ten minutes, and I'm sure she's dry, and too
+bashful to ask the porter for a drink, or get it herself. Then I'll be
+near enough to switch the bags."
+
+"Go ahead. You'll get caught, sure," declared Frank.
+
+Andy only laughed recklessly, and started down the aisle of the swaying
+car intending to approach the maiden lady.
+
+"Would you like a drink?" he asked her politely.
+
+"Thank you, I would," she answered, with a smile. "I cannot walk in
+these swaying cars very well, and I'm afraid I don't know how to get
+water from those patent faucets."
+
+"I'll get you one," said Andy, with as innocent a face as if he had
+never played a practical joke in his life. He accepted a collapsible
+cup, which the elderly lady held out to him, and, as he took it, he
+winked at his companions, farther down the aisle, and with a sly motion
+of his foot put the valise where he could easily reach it. At the same
+time he swayed over toward the old gentleman, as though the lurch of
+the train had tossed him off his balance.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon!" gasped Andy. "I--er----"
+
+"All right," growled the crusty old man. "Be more careful next time."
+
+"I will," said Andy, and with another wink at his friends, he shoved
+the man's bag across the aisle so that it was beside that of the maiden
+lady.
+
+It did not take Andy long to return with the water. As he was about to
+hand it to the lady, he made another quick motion with his foot, and
+the transfer of the bags was accomplished.
+
+Andy was in the act of winking at his chums, to indicate that he had
+carried out his trick, when there was a sudden lurch of the train. The
+brakes went on with a quickness that almost made Andy turn a somersault.
+
+The cup of water flew out of his hand, straight for the old gentleman,
+who was showered.
+
+"What does that mean?" he fairly roared. "Some more of your
+carelessness. I'll report you to the conductor!"
+
+"I didn't mean----" began Andy. But that was as far as he got.
+
+The next instant the train stopped with a crash and a shock that threw
+nearly everyone from his or her seat, sliding them along the aisle of
+the car.
+
+Andy shot along, colliding with Frank and Billy. The old maid found
+herself under a chair, two seats away, and the old gentleman who wore a
+wig that slipped down over his face, was catapulted across the aisle.
+Then came a silence, while several voices cried:
+
+"It's a wreck! We've smashed into something!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII
+
+                          THE MAN WHO LIMPED
+
+
+Instantly the car was in confusion. Men and women, struggling to their
+feet from where they had been thrown by the impact of the blow, began
+rushing about hardly knowing what they were doing. One young lady
+raised a small hand bag, and was about to smash it through a window.
+
+"Don't do that!" yelled Frank, racing toward her.
+
+"But I must! I must!" she cried. "I want to get out! The place is on
+fire!"
+
+"There is no fire!" shouted Frank. "You are in no danger in this car,
+but if you smash the glass you'll cut yourself!"
+
+Even then the girl did not seem to comprehend. She looked at Frank with
+fear in her eyes, and once more raised the bag. Not until he grasped
+her wrist, and gently took the small satchel from her, did she seem to
+comprehend. Then he led her to a seat, for the chairs, strongly bolted
+to the floor of the car, had not torn loose.
+
+"This car is not damaged a bit," went on Frank, in as calm tones as
+were possible under the circumstances. "You can see that both doors are
+in place, and you can get out that way, if you wish."
+
+"Oh, indeed I do!" cried the girl. "Please take me out of here! Oh,
+what a wreck! But I'm glad you didn't let me break the glass."
+
+"You would have been hurt if you had," said Frank. "As it is, you do
+not seem to be injured."
+
+He looked her over critically. She was quite a pretty girl, aged about
+eighteen, and aside from a slight disorder of her hat and dress she was
+none the worse for the wreck.
+
+"No, I am not hurt," she admitted. "I don't know why I wanted to smash
+that glass. It seemed that I was in some burning building and must get
+out that way. Oh, I wonder if any one is hurt?"
+
+"I am afraid so," answered Frank gravely. "But all in this car seem to
+have escaped very luckily."
+
+His brother was picking himself up from under a seat, and Billy, who
+had been hurled toward a passage leading to a private compartment, came
+limping back.
+
+"Hurt?" asked Frank.
+
+"Not much. Just a twisted ankle. How about you?"
+
+"Oh, I'm fine. Let's go outside and see what happened."
+
+"Take me with you," pleaded the girl. "I can't bear to stay in here
+after that awful crash."
+
+Frank looked to see his brother approaching and then he helped the girl
+along the aisle, as she was trembling from fright.
+
+The maiden lady, for whom Andy had gotten the water, was getting up,
+and feeling of her curls as if to see if any were missing. They were
+all in place, and, after smoothing down her dress, she seemed more
+composed, though she was pale.
+
+The old gentleman across the aisle from her, however, seemed dazed. He
+still sat on the floor of the car, with the water from the cup Andy had
+carried trickling down his face, and in one hand held his wig, which
+had slid off his shiny, bald pate. He was contemplating the mass of
+hair as if wondering whose it was, and where he had seen it before.
+Then he caught sight of Andy and a flood of red surged into his face.
+
+"Here, you!" he called. "Help me up. You're responsible for this."
+
+"Me responsible?" queried Andy in surprise.
+
+"Yes. You were passing me with that cup of water when everything went
+to smash. Why did you do it? Answer me. I demand to know."
+
+"Well," said Andy slowly, "I did spill the water on you--but I couldn't
+help it. The train stopped too suddenly. But I can't see how you make
+it out that I caused the wreck."
+
+"Wreck? Is it a wreck? Oh, don't say that, young man!" pleaded the man,
+now taking a different tack. "I've always been in fear of a wreck. It
+can't be possible I'm in one now."
+
+"Well, you're in one now, all right," went on the younger Racer lad;
+"though how bad it is I can't tell. Certainly this car didn't sustain
+much damage. I'm glad we took a parlor coach," he added to Billy.
+"They're heavier, and stand shocks better."
+
+"That's right," agreed the Western lad.
+
+"Oh dear me! A wreck!" exclaimed the old man. "Oh, will no one help
+me up. I--er--Oh, I beg your pardon, madam!" he said hastily, as he
+saw the maiden lady looking at him. "I do beg your pardon. Just one
+moment," and then hastily turning his back toward her he adjusted his
+wig on his bald head, and tried to get to his feet.
+
+"We'll help you," said Andy, forgetting all about the changed valises.
+
+"A wreck! Bless my soul!" exclaimed the man. "And I forgot to take out
+an accident policy. How unfortunate! I've traveled all my life," he
+went on, speaking to the two boys; "and never before did I go without
+an accident policy. I never was in a wreck yet, and now the first one
+that happens to me I have no insurance."
+
+"But you don't need it," said Andy. "You're not hurt."
+
+"How do you know?" asked the man quickly. "I may have a fractured liver
+for all you can tell. But if I have, I'll sue the railroad, even if I
+did forget to take out a policy. Oh bless my heart!"
+
+Leaning heavily on Andy, he made his way out of the car. The old maid
+seemed capable of taking care of herself, but Billy went over to her
+and helped her to the door.
+
+The parlor car conductor came running in, seemingly much excited:
+
+"Any one here hurt?" he cried.
+
+"I--I may be!" exclaimed the fussy old man. "I'm not sure yet--I'm
+going to have a doctor look me over, and I'll let you know later,
+conductor. And if I am hurt, I'll sue----"
+
+"Oh, I guess you're not hurt much," murmured the conductor. "Any one
+else?"
+
+"I don't believe anyone was seriously hurt in this car," spoke Billy.
+"They're all out but us, anyhow."
+
+"I'm glad to hear it," was the rejoinder.
+
+"Was it much of a wreck?" asked the Western lad.
+
+"Yes, pretty bad. A switch was left open, and we ran onto a siding and
+into a train of box cars. They were not loaded, however, which made
+them easier for our engine to plow through."
+
+"Many killed?"
+
+"None, so far, though several are badly injured. Our engine climbed
+right on top of the freight cars."
+
+"That must be a great sight," said Billy.
+
+He helped the lady down the steps, and there she was taken in charge
+by a number of other ladies, who had gotten over their first fright,
+and had organized themselves into a sort of relief corps. Billy looked
+forward and saw a strange sight.
+
+The passenger train, going at high speed, had run head-on into a
+string of empty box cars. The first two had been split lengthwise, and
+the pieces tossed aside. But the passenger engine had fairly climbed
+the third one, and had come to a stop reared up in the air like some
+mechanical monster charging an enemy.
+
+"Some wreck, this!" exclaimed Billy. As he spoke he saw wreaths of
+smoke arising from the shattered cars.
+
+"The wreck's caught fire," he thought. "From the coals of the boiler. I
+hope every one is out of the coaches!"
+
+One or two of the passenger cars had been slightly smashed, and some
+were tossed from the rails. The parlor car, however, stayed on, as did
+the coaches back of it.
+
+The engineer and firemen had jumped when they saw the crash coming, the
+engineer having put on the emergency air brakes, however, which locked
+the wheels. But the train had been going too fast to stop in time.
+
+Billy saw Frank and Andy approaching, each of them having turned their
+charges over to others.
+
+"Well, we got out of that lucky," said Frank, with a shake of his head
+as he looked at the burning wreck.
+
+"I should say so," agreed Andy. "No more smash-ups for mine!"
+
+"I wonder if everyone is out?" mused Billy. "Let's take a look."
+
+As all about them was confusion, with half-frenzied men and women
+crying aloud, and with the injured ones moaning, the boys realized that
+no one might think of the helpless ones possibly imprisoned in the
+cars, that would soon be consumed by the flames.
+
+As they approached the fire they saw a man leap from one of the forward
+coaches. At the sight of him, Billy exclaimed:
+
+"There he is! I thought we'd left him behind!"
+
+"Who?" asked Frank.
+
+"That man--Shackmiller."
+
+"That isn't he--at least he isn't the one who attacked you," declared
+Andy. "That man had a beard, and this one is smooth shaven."
+
+"Yes, but look at his limp," said Billy in quiet tones. "He walks
+exactly like Shackmiller. He's followed me after all, and I've got to
+carry that paper with me. What shall I do?"
+
+The Racer boys did not know how to answer him, and, indeed at that
+moment there was no chance, for, a second later, there came a terrific
+explosion, and the body of the man who limped was hurled toward them
+through the air.
+
+[Illustration: A SECOND LATER THERE CAME A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.]
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII
+
+                           THE RELIEF TRAIN
+
+
+"Look out!" yelled Frank.
+
+"The boiler has blown up!" added Andy. "Run for cover!"
+
+But there was no need, even had there been time to do so--to race
+against the awful speed and power of steam--for the one explosion was
+followed by no others.
+
+For a moment the air was filled with flying debris, pieces of the
+locomotive boiler, and bits of the wrecked cars. But, fortunately,
+the mass scattered, and fell to one side, so that none of it hit the
+unfortunate survivors of the wreck.
+
+The man whom Billy had called Shackmiller--the man he so feared--had
+been hurled forward, rather than up, as though blown along, slightly
+above the surface of the ground by some mighty wind.
+
+"That's the end of him!" cried Frank. "He'll be killed sure!"
+
+"How did he happen to be near the boiler?" asked Andy, but there was no
+chance to answer him, had anyone been so inclined. For at that instant
+the crumpled-up body of the man fell on a pile of the car seat cushions
+that had been carried out to make beds for the wounded ones.
+
+"Let's see how badly he is hurt," suggested Billy. "Poor fellow. I hate
+to see him suffer, even if he is a plotter."
+
+They rushed toward where the man had landed. So did a number of
+others--nearly all save those who were looking after the injured
+passengers.
+
+"He's done for," murmured Billy. But even as he spoke the man moved.
+
+"Quick! Get the doctor here!" called the conductor of the train, and
+the much over-worked physician began to work on the man.
+
+"Say, that was a close call for us," remarked Andy, when the excitement
+had somewhat calmed down.
+
+"I should say yes," agreed his brother.
+
+"And on our first day out," added Billy. "I'm afraid you fellows will
+think I got you in bad, having a railroad smash to start off with."
+
+"That part's all right," said Andy. "We like the excitement, but----"
+
+"Well, if he hasn't nerve!" exclaimed Frank. "Is that all the sympathy
+you have for the ones who were hurt?"
+
+"Of course not!" snapped Andy. "I'm as sorry as you are that any one
+was injured, but as long as we're in for excitement we might as well
+have a railroad wreck as anything else."
+
+"You're the limit," said Frank. "Well, now that the boiler has gone
+up, and there's no danger from that, let's finish looking at what we
+started to see when the steam went off."
+
+But it was not easy to approach very close, as the splintered box cars,
+into which the locomotive had plowed, were now blazing fiercely. There
+was no means of extinguishing the fire, and it simply had to be allowed
+to burn itself out. The wounded had been carried to places of safety,
+and were now resting on the car seats. The man who had followed our
+heroes was the worst hurt of any, and the doctor did not have much hope
+for him.
+
+The trainmen were getting out the baggage of the passengers, and
+helping the express and mail clerks to save the contents of their cars
+before the fire should spread to them.
+
+In a great measure, however, the excitement caused by the wreck had
+calmed down, when it was found there was no loss of life.
+
+The accident had occurred while the train was passing through a farming
+section, and soon the countrymen, for miles around, flocked to the
+scene, coming in wagons and on foot. They offered to care for any who
+did not want to continue their journey, and some women, whose nerves
+were shattered, took advantage of the kind offers.
+
+Not so the little old lady on whom Andy had been playing the innocent
+trick when the smash came. She was as calm and collected as she had
+been at first. And the man whose wig had come off had somewhat regained
+his composure.
+
+"I should think you could get a relief train here before this!" the man
+snapped to the conductor.
+
+"It's coming--it's coming," said that much-harassed official. "They're
+coming as fast as they can get here."
+
+"Well, I'm going to sue your road for damages, whether I'm hurt or
+not," the man went on. "I'll be delayed, anyhow, and I'm going to have
+satisfaction."
+
+"I hope you get it," murmured the conductor, as he hurried off to see
+that the others of the train crew were getting the baggage and other
+stuff out of the way of the advancing flames.
+
+The three boys walked about, lending a hand whenever they could, and
+talking about the accident. They had a glimpse of the locomotive,
+almost turned over, where it had crashed into the cars, and had reared
+up.
+
+"That's what made the boiler explode," was Frank's opinion. "The water
+level was changed, and some part of the boiler had none in. The fire
+kept getting hotter and hotter and the steam got to such a pressure
+that it blew the steel apart."
+
+"If it had happened a minute later we'd have been in it," said Andy. "I
+wonder what Shackmiller was doing so near the engine--that is, if it
+was he?"
+
+"Oh, it was he, all right," was Billy's comment. "I'm sure I wasn't
+mistaken, even though he had shaved off his black beard. He was
+following me. Probably he was in some other car all the while, and when
+the crash came, fearing I might see him, he ran up ahead to hide. Then
+he got near the boiler just as the explosion came. Well, I don't wish
+him any bad luck, but I hope this ends his following me."
+
+"Have you the paper safe?" asked Andy.
+
+"Yes, it's all right--pinned to the inside of my vest pocket," was the
+answer.
+
+There was a shrill whistling down the track, and the sound of a
+fast-puffing locomotive that could be heard above the roar and crackle
+of the flames. A flagman came running up to the group of trainmen and
+others who surrounded the place where the injured ones lay.
+
+"The relief train!" he shouted, waving his red flag. "Here is the
+relief train!"
+
+"That's good," said the doctor with a sigh of satisfaction. "I need
+medicines and bandages for these injured. It didn't come any too soon
+for him," he added, and nodded toward Shackmiller.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV
+
+                             FORWARD AGAIN
+
+
+Getting the injured aboard the relief train was the first care of
+everyone, including the wrecking crew, that had come in response to the
+telegraphed appeal for aid. Tenderly the men and women, and one or two
+children, were carried into a car that had been temporarily converted
+into a hospital.
+
+Several physicians had come on the relief train, and a number of
+trained nurses, so that those with hurts were assured of every
+attention.
+
+"I'm afraid we'll have to operate on that man," Frank heard the
+physician who had been on the wrecked train say to one of the relief
+doctors.
+
+"Which man is that?"
+
+The first doctor pointed to Shackmiller, who was being carried into the
+hospital car.
+
+"He has a fractured skull," went on the doctor who had made the first
+examination. "He's the worst hurt of the lot. It was a mighty lucky
+accident otherwise."
+
+Two engines had come with the relief train, and also a big wrecking
+derrick. Now that the passengers--injured as well as those not
+hurt--were being looked after, the wrecking crew turned their attention
+to saving as much of the railroad property as possible.
+
+By means of a switch, the empty freight cars were pulled away, so that
+no more of them, save those entangled in the locomotive, would burn.
+Then the passenger coaches were pulled out of the way, some of them
+having to be put back on the rails. Others were lifted to one side, as
+so much junk, for in a railroad wreck, after the saving of life, next
+in importance comes the "clearing of the line," so that traffic may not
+be held up any longer than necessary.
+
+With as many of the cars cleared away as possible, the wrecking crew
+next attacked the fire. There was no water with which to fight it, but
+chemical extinguishers were used, and with long poles and axes the
+burning timbers were torn apart, so as to afford the flames less to
+feed on. In a remarkably short time, comparatively speaking, the scene
+of the wreck was much changed, and something like order was brought out
+of chaos.
+
+"Get aboard! Get aboard the relief train, those who wish to go on to
+their destinations!" called the conductor.
+
+"I guess that means us; doesn't it?" asked Andy.
+
+"Sure it does," asserted Frank.
+
+"Unless you're going to back out," added Billy.
+
+"Not much!" exclaimed Frank. "We've started and we're going to see this
+thing through. We said we'd help you, and we will; eh, Andy?"
+
+"That's what! We'll find out where the treasure of Golden Peak is, or
+know the reason why."
+
+This was just the spirit the Racer boys always showed. Andy might be
+quick and impulsive, but he had something of the quiet determination of
+Frank, and together they made a "team" that was hard to beat.
+
+All the injured having been made as comfortable as possible, the
+other passengers filed into the cars of the relief train, leaving the
+wrecking crew to do their work. By means of a freight switch the relief
+train could get back on the main track and pass around the wreck.
+
+"Well, our baggage is all right," announced Frank, as he saw their
+trunks, among a number of others, taken from the smashed car and put
+aboard the other. "Now we must send word to father and mother that we
+are safe, so they won't worry."
+
+"That's right," agreed Andy.
+
+"As my uncle doesn't know just what train I'm coming on he won't be
+alarmed," said Billy, "so there is no need to send him word. But you
+fellows ought to wire home, for there'll be all sorts of newspaper
+stories of this smash."
+
+The conductor readily undertook to forward any messages which
+passengers might wish to send, and the Racer boys filed theirs with
+him. Then the relief train left the sad scene, carrying many who had
+thankful hearts that it was no worse, for the escape of nearly all the
+passengers had been little short of miraculous.
+
+"Well, we're on our way again," remarked Andy, as they made themselves
+comfortable in the car.
+
+"And there is the little old lady, and the man whose valises you
+switched," said Frank. "But I guess the trick is spoiled, Andy, for
+neither of them seem to have any baggage."
+
+This was true, the satchels of the pair having been missed in the
+confusion. The owners were too excited to notice it. Andy's plans had
+come to naught.
+
+"Oh, well, I don't care," he said. "A joke would lose its flavor now,
+anyhow. I'll get a chance to play another before we reach the prairies,
+and if I don't, I can have some fun with the cowboys."
+
+"You want to be careful about that," warned Billy. "A cowboy is a bad
+customer to play a joke on, unless he takes it in the right way. He's
+very likely to get back at you worse than you expect."
+
+"Oh, I guess I can take care of myself," said Andy, airily.
+
+"That's just like him," murmured Frank. "He'll get his good and plenty
+some day, and it'll teach him a lesson."
+
+Little was talked of in the train save the recent accident. Some who
+had loved ones in the hospital car made frequent trips to it to learn
+how they were doing, and most of the reports were favorable.
+
+"How's the man who was hurt in the boiler explosion?" asked Billy, as
+the doctor who had first attended the wounded ones came through their
+car.
+
+"Not very well," was the grave answer. "We want to operate, but we
+can't risk it on the train. We are hoping for the best."
+
+Almost unconsciously Billy put his hand in his pocket where he carried
+the valuable paper, and there was a look of relief on his face as he
+felt its folds.
+
+The rescue train ran to the nearest station which, fortunately,
+happened to be in a city where there was a hospital. To this
+institution the worst of the injured were taken, others being sent to
+hotels. Those who wished to continue their journey were to be provided
+with accommodations on the next regular train, and our boys took
+advantage of this offer.
+
+They delayed long enough, however, to receive a congratulatory message
+from Mr. and Mrs. Racer, and there was added a caution to be very
+careful in the future.
+
+"Mother put that in, bless her heart!" said Andy, and though he spoke
+lightly there was a trace of tears in his voice.
+
+"I--I wish I had one to send me a message," said Billy; and there was
+longing in his tones.
+
+That night saw our heroes once more speeding to the West and in sleep
+they did their best to forget the harrowing experience through which
+they had passed that day.
+
+"And we're leaving Shackmiller behind," said Billy. "I won't worry so
+much now."
+
+"Well, we're making time," observed Frank, after breakfast the next
+morning. He looked out at the scenery speeding past. The rapid click of
+the rails told that indeed the engineer was sending his train ahead at
+high speed.
+
+"I hope we don't hit anything," remarked Andy.
+
+"Here! Drop that kind of talk!" exclaimed his brother, playfully
+punching him. "We've had enough of a hoodoo so far--don't mention it
+again."
+
+Owing to the fact that they had to change to another railroad, they
+were obliged to spend several hours, the next day, in a large city.
+They took advantage of the stop to stroll about, and even go to a
+theatrical matinee, which effectively broke up the weariness of waiting.
+
+"This beats boning away at Riverview Hall," said Andy, as they came out
+of the playhouse, and headed for the railroad station.
+
+"Oh, school wasn't so bad," declared Frank. "We had good times there;
+didn't we Billy?"
+
+"Sure we did. I'll never forget how you fellows threw a scare into me
+the night you had on the black beards. I sure did think Shackmiller and
+his gang had me cornered."
+
+"And that was what made you act so frightened all the while?" asked
+Frank. "Fear of losing that paper you carry?"
+
+"That was it. I'm not half as nervous as I was. By the way, I think
+I'll send my uncle a message."
+
+"What about?" asked Andy.
+
+"Oh, just to let him know we're on our way, and that Shackmiller has
+been left behind."
+
+They filed into the nearest telegraph office, and Billy soon had the
+message written out. As he was paying for it, the operator remarked:
+
+"Sageville, Kansas, eh? I don't often get messages for there. But this
+is the second one that has passed over the wires to-day for that
+place."
+
+"It is?" exclaimed Billy. "Was the other one to my uncle?"
+
+"I don't remember. I just remember the name Sageville. The message only
+passed through this office. It didn't originate here. It came from
+Northup, in Pennsylvania."
+
+"Northup--Pennsylvania!" exclaimed Billy. "Why, that was where the
+relief train brought us after the wreck--where the injured were left.
+And a message went from there to Sageville, you say?"
+
+"That's right," assented the operator. "Quite a coincidence."
+
+"Can you tell me who the message was to, and who sent it?" asked Billy
+eagerly.
+
+The agent shook his head.
+
+"I'm sorry," he said, "but I'm not allowed to give out any information
+like that."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XV
+
+                            ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+
+Billy Chase looked at the two Racer boys, and then back at the
+telegraph operator.
+
+"Is there any way in which I could get that information?" he asked. "It
+may be very important to me."
+
+"I'm afraid you can't get it," replied the agent. "In the first place,
+I only happened to hear the message as it went over my wires, and,
+though I caught it all, for I was not busy at the time, it would be as
+much as my job was worth to repeat it."
+
+"Why?" asked Frank.
+
+"Because a telegraph company regards a message entrusted to it just
+as sacred as Uncle Sam does the mail. No one but the persons directly
+interested are allowed to know of it."
+
+"Then there's no chance for me to find out about it?" remarked Billy.
+
+"I'm afraid not," answered the operator. "But why are you so anxious?"
+
+Then the Western lad told something of the trouble he and his uncle
+had been experiencing, and how he had been followed by a man who wanted
+to get possession of certain papers. Then he told of the wreck, and of
+this man being injured.
+
+"I think that message you overheard, as being sent to Sageville, was
+from him," said Billy. "Maybe he recovered enough to tell that he was
+laid up, and to put some of his confederates on my track. In that case
+I'd like to know about it."
+
+"Well, I don't blame you for wanting to know," commented the agent;
+"but, as I said, I can't tell you anything. The company forces me to
+remain quiet. I couldn't give out any information about _your_ message
+if some one should ask me," and he tapped the paper on which Billy had
+written his telegram.
+
+"No, I suppose not," agreed the western lad, "and yet if I knew whether
+that message was from Shackmiller, and to whom it went, I might save my
+uncle a lot of future trouble. But if I can't--I can't--that's all."
+
+"Sorry, but that's the way it is," concluded the agent, and the three
+boys went out.
+
+"I believe it was from Shackmiller!" declared Andy, who often drew
+impulsive conclusions.
+
+"What makes you think so?" asked Frank, who was slower in making his
+judgments.
+
+"Oh, well, I just feel so. I think that when he recovered
+consciousness, and realized that he was laid up, he started someone
+else on our trail."
+
+"Maybe," admitted Frank; "but it's pretty hard to decide. I wonder how
+he came to follow us in the first place? I thought we had given him the
+slip."
+
+"Oh, he's as sharp as a fox," declared Billy. "Lots of times I thought
+I had fooled him, but he'd always turn up when I least expected him. He
+kept track of me somehow, though I couldn't always trace him. He knew I
+had that paper, and he found out that I was coming West."
+
+"That last was easy enough," put in Andy. "It was talked of all over
+the school."
+
+"Yes, I suppose he didn't have much difficulty in finding out that
+part," went on Billy. "And now, if he has started someone else on my
+trail, I've got to look sharp."
+
+"We all will," said Frank. "We'll stand by you, Billy."
+
+"Surest thing you know," agreed Andy. "Well, let's get back to the
+station; it's almost train time. Oh! look at those bananas! I'm going
+to have some!" and he darted into a fruit store.
+
+"Andy isn't serious long at a time; is he?" asked Frank of his chum,
+with a smile.
+
+"No, and maybe it's a good thing. There's enough serious people in
+this world," and Billy's tone was a trifle depressed.
+
+"He's worrying about that message," thought Frank, and he was right.
+
+Andy came out with a big bag of bananas and passed the fruit around to
+his friends. The younger Racer lad was in a joking mood, and made funny
+comments of the street scenes, but, though Frank laughed, Billy hardly
+smiled.
+
+"Oh, I say, now; this won't do, old man!" expostulated Andy, after they
+had seen a fat pug dog, led by a fleshy lady, run between the legs of
+a tall, thin man, tripping him up. Frank and Andy went into roars of
+laughter, but Billy barely smiled. "This won't do at all," went on
+the younger Racer lad. "What's the matter, Billy? You're as glum as a
+burned cork."
+
+"Well, to tell the truth," was the answer, "I am worrying about
+what that telegraph operator told me. I more than half believe that
+Shackmiller is putting someone after me."
+
+"What if he is?" asked Andy. "We can get the best of him. Don't worry."
+
+"That's right," chimed in Frank. "It may have been only a coincidence
+after all. Don't cross a bridge until you hear footsteps approaching on
+horseback."
+
+"All right, I'll try," and Billy laughed for the first time since
+hearing the news that disturbed him. "Maybe I'm foolish, after all, to
+worry."
+
+"Of course you are," said Frank. "Brace up."
+
+After the next day's travel they reached the prairie country, and the
+boundless expanse of gently-rolling land was a delight to the Racer
+boys, who, though they had traveled much, had never been so far West.
+
+"Say, this is great!" cried Andy, as his eyes took in scenery that was
+strange to him.
+
+"It's immense!" added Frank.
+
+"It's immense, all right," agreed Billy, with a smile. "You haven't
+begun to see the prairies yet. It's like the ocean; you don't
+appreciate it until you've seen it a dozen times--or more. It takes a
+long while to get acquainted with the West."
+
+As the train passed on, the boys saw signs of the extensive way in
+which agricultural operations were carried on in that locality.
+Here were no small farms, of a few acres each, but a vast extent of
+territory.
+
+They passed great herds of cattle, and whizzed by long trains of the
+patient beasts which were being shipped East. They saw big fields,
+extending farther than their eyes could reach, under cultivation, or
+being prepared.
+
+Then there was plowing, which was being done in one or two places. Here
+were no horses hitched to the implement, with a man or boy following,
+with the lines about his waist. Instead, gang plows--a score or
+more--were pulled through the mellow soil at once by many teams or by a
+steam engine.
+
+"Some plowing, that!" commented Frank.
+
+"I should say yes," agreed Andy.
+
+"That's the only way we can get work done in the West," said Billy.
+"All the operations are on a large scale. Why, if a farmer or rancher
+tried to do as you folks do out East--work a farm with a team of horses
+and one hired man--the West wouldn't be half as developed as it is
+to-day. There'd be buffaloes and Indians here instead of wheat lands
+and cattle ranches. The West is big--as big as all outdoors, and it
+takes big men and big business to keep it going!"
+
+He grew enthusiastic as he proceeded, and the Racer boys saw that he
+meant what he said.
+
+"You must like the West and the prairies," commented Frank.
+
+"I do," was the answer. "There's no place like it, and when I get
+through with my uncle's Eastern business, maybe I'm not going back. Not
+that I didn't have a good time there, and that I don't like Riverview
+Hall," he hastened to add, "but--it isn't the West."
+
+"No, I should say not--not by a long shot!" exclaimed Andy, as he
+looked across the boundless expanse of the prairies.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI
+
+                       "WE ARE BEING FOLLOWED!"
+
+
+"Here we are, fellows!" exclaimed Billy Chase.
+
+"Here?" asked Frank Racer.
+
+"Where?" echoed his brother.
+
+"Pulling into Sageville," answered the Western lad. "We'll be there in
+a few minutes now. Better get your stuff in shape."
+
+"Say, if this is _some_ place, where's _no_ place?" asked Andy, for as
+he looked out of the car windows he saw nothing save the same prairies
+over which they had traveled for many hours.
+
+"Oh, Sageville isn't much of a place, compared to your Eastern cities,"
+answered Billy, with a laugh; "but it does very well for us. We think
+it quite a town. There it is," and, as the train swung around a curve,
+the Racer boys could see a small town just ahead.
+
+"Is that Sageville?" asked Frank, half doubting, and thinking perhaps
+his new chum was perpetrating some joke.
+
+"Sure it is," went on Billy, still laughing. "Can't you see the opera
+house? It's over a hardware store, that's true, but we have shows there
+once in a while, when some company gets stranded and has to work its
+way back to New York. And we've got a bank, that gets shot up every
+once in a while, so nobody keeps much money in it. The depot express
+safe is more sure, for there is generally a man on guard.
+
+"Then we've got a grocery, with a drug store attachment that works late
+Saturday nights, and there was some talk, when I came away, of starting
+a moving picture emporium, if that's what they're called. I wonder if
+it materialized?"
+
+He looked out of the open window, to get a better glimpse of the town,
+and added:
+
+"Yes, there's a new skyscraper going up. I guess that's it," and he
+pointed to a one-story wooden building on which some carpenters could
+be seen working.
+
+"Well, I'll be jig-swiggled!" exclaimed Andy. "I thought the town was
+larger than that," for truly it was but a small place.
+
+"Larger!" cried Billy. "What do you want, anyhow? This is the biggest
+town in this section. Big! Why, it's got more room to grow in than half
+a dozen of your Eastern cities. Take your New York. That can't grow
+any. It's reached its limit. It's hide-bound. It can't even stretch,
+and the people are so close that they step on each other's corns. But
+out here it's different. Why, we can swell Sageville up until it could
+take in New York and never know it."
+
+"Not this week, though," said Frank, with a laugh, and he felt a little
+nettled at the slight put on his home city.
+
+"Oh, no, it'll take a little time," admitted Billy. "But we've got the
+room, and you Eastern folks haven't--that's the difference."
+
+"Yes, it's big enough," admitted Andy, as he looked at the
+great expanse of prairie surrounding Sageville. "But it's awful
+lonesome-looking."
+
+"Well, maybe it is now," confessed Billy. "That's because all the men
+are out on the ranches. But it livens up at night."
+
+"I suppose they'll take us for tenderfeet," suggested Andy, with
+something like a sigh.
+
+"Don't let that worry you," said Billy quickly. "I'll teach you the
+ropes, and they won't bother you if you keep still and don't try to get
+funny."
+
+"Just remember that, Andy," said Frank, giving his brother a
+significant poke in the ribs.
+
+"Oh, I'm no worse than you," retorted the younger lad; but, at the same
+time, he decided to be careful.
+
+The train was slackening up now, ready for the stop. There were no
+other passengers preparing to get off the car where our friends were,
+save themselves.
+
+"Not much travel out this way," commented Frank.
+
+"No, this is rather the dull season. But I've seen as many as five
+persons get off a train at once," and Billy laughed to indicate that he
+was joking.
+
+With a squeaking of the brakes the cars came to a standstill. Billy
+went out on the platform, at the same time remarking:
+
+"There's Archie."
+
+"Who's Archie?" asked Frank.
+
+"One of Uncle Richfield's men. He's an old cattleman, a fine shot, and
+what he doesn't know about horses isn't worth losing any sleep over.
+His real name is Archibald Lynch, but we all call him Archie."
+
+"Sort of girlish name for a man; isn't it?" inquired Andy.
+
+"That's what Archie is always complaining about," said Billy. "He says
+he wonders why his folks ever saddled him with a name like that, but
+he can't get rid of it. Once he thought of adopting a new one, and he
+picked out 'Hank' as having the proper tone, but the boys only laughed
+at him, and kept right on calling him Archie. I guess he's used to it
+by this time."
+
+The Racer boys looked to see a tall, bronzed man, with a weather-beaten
+face, shoulders that slightly stooped, and legs that were bowed from
+much riding of horses. He was a typical Westerner, with clear eyes that
+seemed to look right through you, and plenty of reserve strength.
+
+He sat on the seat of a buckboard wagon, drawn by a team of small, wiry
+horses, and scanned the train narrowly.
+
+"He's looking for us," said Billy.
+
+"Is it far from here to the ranch?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, about ten miles. But we make it in good time. Those horses
+can travel, though they don't look very stylish. Oh, there's Uncle
+Richfield!" and Billy waved to a tall, well-built man who was walking
+down the depot platform. "I didn't think he'd come to meet us--he's so
+busy," he added. "Hi, Uncle Richfield!" he called, and the man, looking
+up suddenly, waved his hand to his nephew.
+
+"Hello, Billy!" he answered in a pleasant voice. "So you got here all
+right, did you? Boys with you?"
+
+"Sure," was the answer. "I wouldn't lose them," and with that Billy
+leaped from the steps and made a rush for his uncle. The manner in
+which the two clasped hands, and looked into each other's faces for a
+moment, showed how close was the bond of sympathy between them.
+
+"Hello, Archie!" called Billy a moment later, as he swung over to the
+old cattleman. "How are you?"
+
+"Oh, able to sit up and take nourishment," was the quiet answer. "So
+you got here safe?"
+
+"Yes, after the railroad company tried to smash us," was the answer.
+"Now, Uncle Richfield, let me introduce the Racer boys to you. Here you
+are, Frank and Andy, this is my uncle that I've been telling you so
+much about."
+
+"I hope he didn't give me a bad character," said Mr. Thornton, as he
+smiled and held out his hand to the two brothers.
+
+"Well, we're used to Billy by this time, and we know how to take what
+he says," said Frank, with a smile.
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed the ranchman. "I guess they've got you there, Billy,
+my boy."
+
+Then came introductions to the old cattleman, who sat in the buckboard
+waiting for the start to be made for the ranch. Frank and Andy liked
+him at once, as they did Mr. Thornton. There was a frank and hearty
+manner about the Westerners; an atmosphere that seemed to make friends
+at once, and the Racer boys felt that they were not among strangers.
+
+"Well, how are things going, Uncle?" asked Billy, as soon as the
+introductions were over. "I've told the boys as much as I knew
+myself," he added. "I thought you'd want them to know, as long as
+they're going to help us."
+
+"Of course," replied Mr. Thornton. "Well, I can't say that things are
+going any too well. I seem to strike a snag every now and then. Just as
+I think I've got a clear track I'm held up by some action on the part
+of this Shackmiller and his crowd. But you say he's laid up?"
+
+"Sure," replied Billy, and he told about the wreck.
+
+"Well, he's got someone acting for him here all right," went on the
+ranch owner. "He's started another suit against me, and, though I know
+it won't amount to anything, still it holds up operations for a while."
+
+"How is the dam coming on?" asked Billy.
+
+"Pretty well. It's nearly completed, all but a small stretch that goes
+across the land that leads to Golden Peak. It is this little piece
+that's in dispute, not because that strip on which the remainder of the
+dam will stand is of any value, but because it's the only entrance to
+Golden Peak, and that's why they don't want me to use it."
+
+"It's too bad," consoled Frank. "And is there really any treasure on
+the Peak?" he added eagerly.
+
+"Treasure!" laughed Mr. Thornton. "Not a bit of it! That is all
+bosh--moonshine--it's like a lot of other stories that originate out
+West and keep growing until a lot of people believe 'em. The only
+treasure of Golden Peak is the sunshine and fresh air. I wish I could
+bring those fellows to their senses. Then I could go ahead, finish the
+dam, and have water enough so I could get bumper crops, and raise some
+decent cattle. As it is, I'm held up, and so are a lot of my neighbors
+who are going to get water from my lake.
+
+"What we'll have to do, if this thing keeps up, is to organize, and
+drive these fellows out of the country. But never mind that now. How
+did you make out, Billy? Have you that paper safe? What kind of a trip
+did you have?"
+
+Then began rather a long series of questions and answers between Billy
+and his uncle, and, as they can have very little interest for my
+readers, I will omit them. Sufficient to say that Billy told of the
+attack on himself and of how the Racer boys came to his rescue, and how
+he was followed by Shackmiller even on the train.
+
+"But the wreck put him out of business," added Billy; "though he is
+still active, if that telegram was from him," and he related what the
+operator had said.
+
+"Humph!" mused Mr. Thornton. "Well, I don't know just what to think.
+If Shackmiller is out of the way, even for a little while, it may be a
+good thing for us. On the other hand, it may force matters. We'll just
+have to wait and see what happens. But I reckon you boys are tired, and
+you'd like to get out to the ranch, and rest up."
+
+"Oh, we're not so tired," said Frank; "but we would like to see the
+ranch."
+
+"Then hop on the buckboard and Archie will drive you out there," said
+the ranchman.
+
+"Aren't you coming, Uncle?" asked Billy.
+
+"No, I've got some business to attend to in town. I came out with
+Archie this morning, planning to meet you. I'll ride back with James
+Perdue some time this evening. Just make yourselves at home when you
+get there. I told the Chinaman to have a good supper for you."
+
+"Chinaman?" asked Andy.
+
+"Yes, he's the cook," explained Billy. Then he gave his uncle the paper
+that was of such value, and the three boys, piling their baggage on the
+buckboard, took seats.
+
+"Giddap!" called Archie to the horses, and they started off at a fast
+trot. Like everything else in the West, they were speedy--there seemed
+to be nothing slow there.
+
+"Is my pony all right, Archie?" asked Billy, when they had turned out
+of town to the road that led over the prairies.
+
+"Sure. He's as lively as ever. Needs some exercise, though."
+
+"I suppose so. How about mounts for Frank and Andy?"
+
+"Oh, I guess we can fix 'em up. Ride?" and he looked questioningly at
+the Racer boys.
+
+"Not much," said Andy.
+
+"A little," confessed Frank.
+
+"Oh, you'll soon learn," declared Billy. "Everyone rides out
+here,--nobody walks;" and Frank and his brother had noticed that, brief
+as had been their time in the West.
+
+They kept on, the sturdy little horses making good time, and the boys
+and the old cattleman talked of many things.
+
+"Much of a force working on the dam now?" asked Billy.
+
+"Not as many as there was," replied Archie. "There's only a small gap
+to fill now, to make the lake, but your uncle can't do anything until
+this dispute is settled. Them skunks is holdin' him back."
+
+"Well, maybe we can help settle it," laughed Billy. "What's the matter,
+Frank?" he asked a moment later. "I notice you looking back a lot."
+
+"I was trying to see who was in that wagon following us," replied the
+elder Racer lad.
+
+"Following us!" exclaimed Billy, and he and Archie exchanged quick
+glances. "I don't see anyone," said Billy, a moment later, as he
+glanced to the rear.
+
+"It's down in that hollow," replied Frank. "But it's a wagon, with two
+horses hitched to it, and three or four men in it."
+
+"Three or four?" mused Archie. "It can't be your uncle, Billy. He
+wouldn't be following us so soon, for he said he had to stay in
+Sageville a couple of hours longer. Besides, Jim's wagon only holds
+two. Several men, eh? I guess we'll just look into this."
+
+He slowed down the horses and looked back just in time to catch a
+glimpse of a vehicle behind them, almost hidden in a cloud of dust.
+
+"They're stopping!" cried Andy, as he saw the other vehicle pull up.
+A man got down from it and seemed to be looking at one of the horses'
+hoofs.
+
+"Humph! I don't know that outfit," said the old cattleman. "They must
+be on the wrong road. This one only goes to our ranch."
+
+"Maybe they want to see Mr. Thornton," suggested Frank.
+
+The cattleman shook his head.
+
+"If it was that they'd have seen him in town," he replied. "He's there
+yet, and, no matter who they inquired of, if they were strangers,
+anybody could have pointed out Mr. Thornton. This looks queer. Did
+anyone get off the train when you did, boys?"
+
+"No one besides ourselves," said Billy.
+
+All four were now watching the other outfit. The men in the wagon
+seemed to be having a consultation, and there was apparently a
+difference of opinion, for one was seen to point toward the ranch, and
+several others waved their hands in the opposite direction. Finally the
+one who had gotten out of the wagon to look at the horses, climbed back
+again, and the steeds were swung about.
+
+"Changed their minds," said Archie with a grunt. "I thought they were
+on the wrong road."
+
+He drove on again, and the conversation was resumed. But Billy seemed
+thoughtful. It was perhaps an hour later, when they were nearing the
+ranch, that Billy turned, as he had done several times before, to
+glance back. As he did so he uttered an exclamation.
+
+"We're being followed!" he cried. "There's the same wagon again!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVII
+
+                             AT THE RANCH
+
+
+"Followed!" exclaimed Archie Lynch, after the pause that greeted
+Billy's announcement. "What do you mean? Who would want to follow us?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Billy frankly. "Certainly it can't be
+Shackmiller, for he's in the hospital. But that's the same wagon we
+saw a while ago, and we thought it had turned back. Those fellows are
+certainly following us."
+
+There was no doubt about it, as all four of them could see a little
+later, for, as the vehicle in the rear topped a rise, it could be noted
+advancing slowly along the private road that led to the ranch.
+
+"They don't seem to want to catch up to us," observed Andy.
+
+"Maybe they're afraid we'll ask them some questions they don't want to
+answer," suggested Frank.
+
+"I don't like the looks of it," murmured Billy. "But I'm glad Uncle
+Richfield has that paper."
+
+"And he can look out for himself," observed the old cattleman, with a
+grin. "I guess there's nothing for us to do, Billy. We can't very well
+order the men off the road, for, though it's a private one, your uncle
+doesn't object to folks using it."
+
+"No, I guess we can't do anything," agreed the Western lad. "But we'll
+tell Uncle Richfield about it, and he can make some inquiries."
+
+"Look!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, and the eyes of all were once more
+turned on the wagon, which had been lost sight of for a moment in a
+cloud of dust. "They're turning off the road."
+
+"So they are," agreed Andy. "I didn't notice any other road there."
+
+"There isn't a regular road," said Archie Lynch. "But there's a sort of
+trail that leads to the river and the big dam that's almost completed.
+They've taken that road."
+
+"What for?" asked Billy suspiciously.
+
+"Say, I believe I have it!" exclaimed the old cattleman. "Your uncle
+was telling me the other day that he'd sent for a water-works expert,
+to report on the dam, and to see that everything was in good shape for
+the completion of it. He didn't quite trust the contractors, for they'd
+never tackled a job exactly like this before. That's who that party
+must be--the expert and his assistants. They're going to the dam."
+
+"Oh, then that puts a different face on it," said Billy, much relieved.
+"But I should think Uncle Richfield would like to be with 'em when they
+make the inspection."
+
+"He may come later," suggested Archie. "I guess it's all right.
+Giddap!" and his horses started off. The boys watched the other wagon.
+It was swinging away from them now, and a little later was lost to
+sight below some foothills, that marked the beginning of a rise of
+land, in which rose the river, that the ranch owner proposed curbing to
+make water his crops.
+
+"Well, we'll be there in five minutes more," said Billy, as he
+stretched out his arms, and playfully poked Andy in the ribs.
+
+"Ouch! Quit that!" yelled the younger Racer lad. "But I don't see any
+ranch."
+
+"You will as soon as we get up on the next rise," was the answer. "The
+hills hide the houses. There's some of our stock, though," and he waved
+toward a herd of cattle that was roaming over the prairie.
+
+"Golly! What a lot of 'em!" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"Oh, that's only a small bunch," replied Billy. "Wait until you see 'em
+all--but you can't--not at once, for they cover a big stretch."
+
+The Racer boys were beginning to realize the extent of the Thornton
+ranch, and to get some idea of the immensity of the prairies which
+stretched out for miles and miles in every direction.
+
+A little later, as the buckboard swung over the rise, there came into
+view a cluster of low buildings, and the cattle corrals that made up
+the Double X ranch.
+
+"Here we are!" yelled Billy, and the next minute he had leaped from the
+seat and was racing toward the stables, calling: "Matt! I say, Matt!
+Where are you? Where's Buffalo?"
+
+A short, squat figure of a man came out, a bridle dangling from his
+arm. At the sight of Billy he threw up his hands.
+
+"Glory be!" he ejaculated. "It's Billy himself! Well, but I'm glad t'
+see you! It's been a long time you were away among them tenderfeet. An'
+so you're back. Buffalo is it? Sure an' he's as lonesome for you as I
+am myself. I'll trot him out," and, having shaken hands with the lad,
+the man turned back into the stable, to come out presently leading a
+black horse that whinnied with delight when Billy approached.
+
+"That's Matt Boyle, the ranch foreman," explained Archie; "and that's
+Billy's horse--Buffalo, he calls him--and a finer piece of horse-flesh
+never was."
+
+"Jove, look at Billy ride!" cried Frank, for the Western lad had, with
+a bound, leaped to the back of his animal, and was speeding around the
+corral at a swift pace.
+
+"I never knew he could do that," spoke Andy.
+
+"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed Archie. "That's nothing. You wait until you see
+Billy do some _real_ ridin'. Then you can open your eyes."
+
+"I wonder if we'll ever be able to ride like that?" mused Andy.
+
+"Of course you will, if you stay here long enough," said the cattleman.
+"It only takes practice."
+
+"That's right, the same as it does for anything else--like being good,"
+added Frank, with a nudge at his brother's ribs, bringing forth a grunt
+of protest.
+
+Billy swept up to the buckboard, on the seat of which his chums still
+were, and pulling up his mount, suddenly cried out:
+
+"Say, I didn't mean to be so impolite, but I couldn't wait any longer
+to get on Buffalo's back. Come on down and I'll take you into the house
+and introduce you to Aunt Kittie."
+
+"That's all right--no apologies needed," said Frank. "We were just
+wishing we could ride like you."
+
+"I'll have some mounts for you in a jiffy," replied the Western lad.
+"Come on now."
+
+He slipped from the saddle, and, clapping his horse on the flank, said:
+
+"Stable, old boy. I can't ride you any more now. I'll see you later."
+
+But the beautiful animal turned and began nosing in Billy's pocket.
+
+"He thinks I've got some lumps of sugar," the lad explained with a
+laugh. "No, not now, Buffalo. I'll bring some out to you. Better come
+and get him, Matt," he called to the foreman, and, as the latter
+approached, Billy introduced the genial Irishman to his chums.
+
+"Well, Aunt Kittie, here we are!" cried Billy, a little later, as he
+led his chums to the residence of the ranch owner. The house was a low
+one, and all about it were various buildings, where horses were kept,
+the tools and implements for the ranch work stored, and quarters for
+the men provided.
+
+"Oh, land sakes!" cried a voice, and a little woman, in an apron that
+seemed larger than she herself, hurried out on the porch, her face all
+smiles. "Land sakes, I'd have known you were here, even if you hadn't
+told me!" she cried, as she kissed Billy. "Oh, I'm _so_ glad you're
+back," she went on. "It's been so lonesome without you. And these are
+the Racer boys, I expect," she went on, as she shook hands with them.
+
+"Guessed it the first time, Auntie!" exclaimed Billy. "And now what
+have you got to eat? We're starved."
+
+"I never saw you when you weren't!" she laughed. "But I guess the meal
+is ready. I told----"
+
+She was interrupted by the thrusting forth of a head from a window of
+a small house a little distance from the main building, and a voice
+exclaimed:
+
+"No hab got, Mlissie Tholnton. No hab got!"
+
+"Hello, Sing-Song!" yelled Billy, as he saw the Chinese cook. "Got
+plenty of grub?"
+
+"Me no Sing-Song--me Song Lee, Mlister Billy!" objected the Oriental.
+"Me Sing Lee!"
+
+"Well, Sing-Sing or Sing-Song or Lee Song, never mind about that,"
+laughed the Western lad. "Rustle up the grub and we'll call you
+anything you like."
+
+"Billy, Billy!" expostulated his aunt, "wait a moment. Sing Lee wants
+to tell me something. What is it, Sing?" she asked.
+
+"No hab got, Mlissie Tholnton," went on the Chinaman, making all his
+"r" sounds like an "l." Then, working his fingers into a complication
+of knots and twists, he continued: "No hab got pig glease for make
+twisty cakes."
+
+"Pig grease," murmured Billy wonderingly. "That's a new one on me. And
+twisty cakes? What in the world does he mean, Aunt Kittie?"
+
+"I expect he wants to tell me that he hasn't any lard to fry the
+crullers in, Billy," she answered, with a laugh.
+
+"That's light," assented the cook. "No hab got--what can do?"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII
+
+                        MR. THORNTON IS WORRIED
+
+
+Laughing heartily at the Chinese cook's queer talk, Billy and his chums
+followed Mrs. Thornton into the house.
+
+"Now, Billy," said his aunt, "you make the boys feel at home. Show them
+to their rooms--you know, the two near yours--and I'll see what I can
+do for Sing Lee. I told him to make some crullers when I knew you were
+coming, as I remembered how fond you used to be of them."
+
+"_Used_ to be!" exclaimed Billy, with the accent on the first word. "I
+am yet, Aunt Kittie, and I guess these fellows are too; aren't you?"
+
+"Well, I guess we can manage to eat a few," assented Frank.
+
+"Same here," came from Andy.
+
+"All right," went on Mrs. Thornton. "Now just make yourselves at home,
+Frank and Andy, and I'll see if I can find some 'pig grease' for my
+queer cook."
+
+"He certainly is a star," commented Frank. "'No hab got--what can do?'
+That's the limit in talk."
+
+"Oh, that isn't a marker to what he says sometimes," declared Billy.
+"But come on and I'll show you where you're going to bunk. You can
+unpack as soon as Archie brings in your trunks."
+
+The boys found pleasant rooms assigned to them. The house was like a
+large bungalow, all on one floor, for sometimes strong winds--cyclones
+in fact--blew over that portion of Kansas, making high buildings
+dangerous. The eating and sleeping quarters were in one building, and
+the cooking was done in another, a covered way connecting the two
+structures.
+
+"Say, where'd you get all this stuff?" asked Frank, admiringly, as
+he saw Billy's room hung about with guns, knives, revolvers, horns
+of steers and buffaloes, and Indian trophies, such as bows, arrows,
+tomahawks and other implements of the chase.
+
+"This is slick!" agreed Andy. "If we had this at Riverview we'd have
+the finest den going. Why didn't you bring it on?"
+
+"Too much trouble to cart," answered Billy, with a laugh. "I picked up
+some of this stuff myself, and some my uncle had when he was a young
+fellow, when there were Indians out here and a few buffalo. Then my
+friends gave me things once in a while."
+
+"It's swell, all right," said Frank admiringly, as he took down an
+Indian bow.
+
+"I'd like to have some of these," remarked Andy, as he reached for a
+sheaf of arrows.
+
+"Look out!" suddenly cried Billy.
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked the Racer lad.
+
+"Some of those points may be poisoned," explained Billy. "I cleaned
+them, as I got them, for fear of that, but I can't be sure that I got
+all the venom out at that. Better not scratch yourself with 'em. I
+ought to fasten them higher up."
+
+"How are they poisoned?" asked Andy wonderingly, as he backed away, and
+looked up at the weapons.
+
+"Of course I'm not sure that particular bunch is poisoned," went on the
+ranch boy; "but it's best to take no chances. Archie gave me those. He
+says the Indians used to get a big rattlesnake, and irritate him so
+he'd strike at anything. Then they'd fasten him in front of a cow liver
+and he'd bury his fangs in it until the liver reeked with poison. Then
+they'd rub their arrow tips in it, and there you are--or, rather, there
+you aren't, if you happen to be scratched by one.
+
+"Of course that may not be so, but it sounds plausible, anyhow,"
+concluded the Westerner, as he took down a handsome rifle, to show to
+his friends.
+
+"Crimps! I wish there were Indians here now," said Andy, wistfully.
+
+"Why, are you anxious to see how fast you can run--away from them?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"Huh! I guess I wouldn't run any more than you," retorted Andy.
+
+"The Indians are a back number," said Billy. "What few there are left
+are on reservations. But come on, I think I smell the ham and eggs,"
+and he led the way to the dining-room.
+
+It was not yet time for supper, but Mrs. Thornton, knowing the
+appetites of the boys, had prepared a meal for them, and they did ample
+justice to it.
+
+"Did Sing-Sing-Song-Song 'hab got'?" asked Billy, as the time for
+dessert approached.
+
+"Well, he has something, at any rate," answered Mrs. Thornton, and she
+placed on the table a pie ornamented with all sorts of devices made
+from sugar. The cook had drawn his patterns from the Orient.
+
+"Looks like a Chinese laundry ticket," commented Billy, and truly the
+icing on the pie was in the shape of the queer letters of the Flowery
+Kingdom.
+
+"I don't care how it looks, as long as it's got the taste," said Frank.
+
+"And it sure has," added Andy, as he sampled the pastry.
+
+The meal went on, with gaiety and laughter lending their aids to
+digestion, and when it was about over Mr. Thornton came in.
+
+"Well, boys!" he exclaimed, "I see that you got here all right."
+
+"Yes," replied Andy and Frank, while Billy asked:
+
+"Did you meet those engineers, Uncle Richfield?"
+
+"Engineers? No. What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, when we drove out we saw a wagon back of us. It seemed to be
+following us--I mean the men in it did--and then they turned off by the
+short cut that leads to the dam. Archie thought maybe they were the men
+you sent for to inspect the concrete work, to see if it was all right.
+Were they?"
+
+For a moment the ranch owner did not answer, and then he said slowly:
+
+"No, Billy, they weren't. And you say they went out to the dam?"
+
+"Well, they headed out on the cut-off road. But if you didn't see them,
+how do you know they weren't the expert and his men that you sent for?"
+
+"Because," replied Mr. Thornton--and there came over his face a worried
+look--"because I got a letter from this expert just as I was leaving
+town to-day, saying he could not come out until next week. That's why I
+know that couldn't be his party. Besides, he'd come here first, as he
+doesn't know the location of the dam. I wonder who those fellows can
+be?"
+
+There was something strange about it all, and the boys felt that Mr.
+Thornton was alarmed over the news.
+
+"Can't you imagine who they might be?" asked his wife.
+
+"No," he answered, with a shake of his head and a frown. "I don't like
+it, either. If I didn't know that this Shackmiller was laid up, as you
+told me, Billy, I'd say it was that rascal. And yet he would hardly
+come on my land, when he knows how I feel toward him."
+
+"But I thought he and his crowd owned--or claimed to own--some land in
+between your two ranches," said Billy.
+
+"He does claim to own it--a strip leading to Golden Peak--but he
+doesn't have to come on my land to get to it. I'm going to look into
+this," and Mr. Thornton got up to take down his hat and coat, which he
+had hung up on entering the house.
+
+"Oh, Richfield!" exclaimed his wife. "You'll be careful; won't you?"
+
+"Of course," he laughed. "But if any of that crowd is trespassing on
+my land they'd better go off in a hurry."
+
+There was determination in Mr. Thornton's face as he prepared to
+investigate the occurrence that had given him cause for alarm.
+
+"Get my horse ready, Archie," he called to the cattleman, who was out
+in the yard. "I'm going over to the dam."
+
+"May we go along, Uncle Richfield?" asked Billy, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, no!" exclaimed his aunt quickly. "If there's any danger----"
+
+"There won't be," spoke her husband. "Yes, I guess you boys can trail
+along if you want to. But can you ride?" he asked, looking at Frank and
+Andy.
+
+"Just a little," they confessed.
+
+"I'm going to teach 'em soon," volunteered Billy. "But they can do well
+enough on Max and Major."
+
+"Yes, I guess those animals are safe enough," admitted the ranchman,
+with a smile. "But they can't make very good time."
+
+"Never mind," said his nephew. "You can ride on ahead, and I'll come
+along with Frank and Andy."
+
+"Oh, we don't want to keep you back," protested the elder Racer lad.
+
+"That's all right," returned Billy. "Maybe when Max and Major see
+Buffalo galloping along they'll show some speed. It's all right; we'll
+get there sometime, anyhow. Come on to the stables."
+
+"Now you will be careful; won't you?" pleaded Mrs. Thornton, as the
+boys followed the ranchman out of the house.
+
+"Of course, Aunty," promised Billy.
+
+"Do you think there is any danger?" asked Andy, as he swung along
+beside the Western lad.
+
+"Danger? Why, no, I guess not," said Billy, thoughtfully.
+
+"Gee! I wish there was!" went on Andy, eagerly. "I'd like to see a good
+fight--not where anyone got hurt, of course," he hastened to add; "but
+just for some excitement."
+
+"Oh," laughed Billy. "That's how the wind blows; eh? Well, you may see
+some excitement if Uncle Richfield finds those fellows on his land,
+and there may be a fight, but it will be the good old-fashioned kind,
+with fists. We don't run to guns out here half as much as some writers
+of Western stories would have it appear. But come on, there are the
+horses."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX
+
+                              WARNED AWAY
+
+
+Archie Lynch was leading out two fairly good-looking steeds, which did
+not seem to have much speed, but for which the Racer boys were duly
+grateful, for fast riding was not one of their accomplishments.
+
+"Those are the ones you can take," said Billy, for his uncle, on
+reaching the stables in advance of the lads, had given orders to the
+old cattleman. "Here, Buffalo," he called, and his own steed, which
+Archie had saddled and bridled, came to his young master of his own
+accord.
+
+"Trail along, boys," called Mr. Thornton, as he leaped to the back of
+his horse, and galloped off. "I'll wait there for you, if I don't start
+back. This may not amount to anything," he added, "but it's best to be
+sure."
+
+Billy gave his two chums some brief advice about managing their mounts,
+and then the three rode off together, going much slower than Mr.
+Thornton. Andy and Frank found it to be no trouble at all to control
+their horses, for Max and Major were sedate old cow ponies that had
+long since gotten over any such childish tricks as shying or bucking.
+
+"Let's see if they'll get a move on when they see Buffalo leaving them
+behind," suggested Billy, as they rode out of the ranch yard, and
+started across the prairie.
+
+He spoke to his steed and the horse at once leaped forward, and to the
+delight of the two Racer boys, who did not care for the slow pace,
+their steeds also started to gallop. It was easier riding this way.
+
+"That's great!" complimented Billy, when he saw how well Andy and Frank
+sat their saddles. "We'll make cowboys of you yet."
+
+Once, while spending some time on a farm, the two brothers had learned
+the rudiments of riding, and this now stood them in good stead. Whether
+they were glad to be out in the open, away from the stable, or whether
+they wanted to show that they were good for something yet, did not
+develop, but certainly Max and Major kept up a fair gait, and, as Billy
+reined in his steed, the three boys rode along together, making better
+time than they had anticipated.
+
+"Is it far to the dam?" asked Frank.
+
+"About five miles," answered Billy. "We'll strike right across the
+plains for it, instead of going back down the road the way the wagon
+went."
+
+As they rode on they talked of many things, and Billy told something of
+the building of the dam, and the trouble his uncle had experienced from
+the men who claimed to own Golden Peak, and the approach to it.
+
+The way led through patches of purple sage, and over short buffalo
+grass. Now and then they would pass herds of grazing cattle, or skirt
+some great field where big crops had been raised, or would soon be
+sprouting up again.
+
+"What's that?" suddenly asked Frank, as something darted from beneath
+the feet of his horse, and scurried off in the grass.
+
+"Jack rabbit," answered Billy, with a grin. "Some day we'll come on a
+hunt for 'em. It's lots of fun."
+
+"Gosh! I thought it was something big," said Andy.
+
+"They are pretty big--for rabbits," explained the ranch lad. "And you
+ought to see 'em run!"
+
+They could see, by the waving grass, the course taken by the animal,
+and a little later they had a glimpse of him sitting on a hummock and
+staring at them with his long ears held up like signal flags.
+
+"If I had a gun," began Andy, "I'd take a----"
+
+He did not finish the sentence, for the next moment he went flying over
+the head of his horse, which went down in a heap. Andy sat down rather
+suddenly, a curious expression on his face.
+
+"Wha--what happened?" he asked in a daze, while his mount, after
+scrambling to his feet, and trotting off a short distance, came to a
+halt and began nibbling the grass. "Did someone hit me?"
+
+"Your horse put his foot in the burrow of a prairie dog," explained
+Billy. "Are you hurt?" and in an instant he was off his horse, slipping
+the reins over Buffalo's head, as a sign that he was to stand still.
+
+"No, only sort of shaken up," confessed Andy. "A prairie dog's burrow;
+eh? What's it like?"
+
+"Just a hole in the ground--that's all," said Billy. "I meant to tell
+you about them, but you can't see 'em, anyhow, until you're right on
+top of 'em, and then it's generally too late. Lucky you're not hurt.
+Can you ride?"
+
+"Sure I can, if my horse doesn't bolt," and Andy got to his feet. He
+had fallen in a thick bunch of grass that acted as a mat, and, beyond a
+shaking up, was not hurt.
+
+"Oh, Max won't run," said Billy, and he proved it by walking up and
+catching the steed. Soon the trio of lads were riding on again.
+
+"Well, you didn't get the rabbit after all," remarked Frank, with a
+smile at his brother.
+
+"No, and it was his fault that I stumbled," complained the younger
+Racer. "I'm going to watch for prairie dogs' holes after this."
+
+"You won't often see 'em, unless you get on a barren place," spoke
+Billy. "But let's see if we can hit up the pace any. We don't want to
+be out after dark."
+
+He spoke to Buffalo, who increased his speed, the other horses doing
+the same thing. In a little while the rancher's nephew said:
+
+"There it is!"
+
+"What?" asked Andy.
+
+"The dam. See those two low hills over there?" and Billy pointed to
+them. "It's between those hills, and the river is right there."
+
+"Oh, yes," answered Frank. "And what's that break in the middle of the
+concrete work?"
+
+"That's the strip of land that's in dispute. If Uncle Richfield could
+build over that the dam would be done. It would only take a short time,
+too, as all the material is on the ground. But the dispute will have to
+be settled first."
+
+"And where is Golden Peak?" asked Andy.
+
+"That other hill which you see just beyond the two bigger ones,"
+explained Billy. "When the dam is completed and the river backs up,
+Golden Peak will be under water."
+
+"And the treasure with it," added Frank grimly.
+
+"Yes, if there's any treasure there," assented the ranch lad, with a
+laugh.
+
+"We'll have to see if there is any," suggested Andy.
+
+"I don't know," and Billy shook his head. "It may be risky business,
+especially if those fellows and my uncle have a clash now. But if you
+fellows are game, I am."
+
+They soon came to the river which the ranch owner proposed damming. It
+was not a large stream, but once held in bounds would produce a good
+supply of water for irrigation purposes. The two hills, between which
+the stream flowed, formed a sort of gateway. All that was necessary
+to do was to connect them with a concrete wall, and the river would
+be dammed. But, as Billy pointed out, there was, right in the central
+space, a strip of land of which the ranchman could not get control. And
+this land formed the right of way to Golden Peak.
+
+Golden Peak was situated in what would be about the middle of the lake
+when the dam was completed and the waters backed up. And it would be
+entirely submerged. But until the strip in dispute could be acquired,
+and the dam completed, nothing more could be done. The work was at a
+standstill.
+
+And, as the Racer boys already knew, it was hard to get a title to
+this land--that is, a title that would stand in the courts. In fact,
+if Mr. Thornton lost possession of the paper which Billy had brought
+from the East with him, the enemies of the rancher might even claim
+another parcel of land, and might be bold enough to tear down part of
+the concrete work already built.
+
+As they came nearer to the dam the boys could see how well-made it was,
+and what a big piece of engineering it was to stop the flow of even a
+small river.
+
+"Say, this is immense!" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"I should say so," agreed Andy.
+
+"There'll be a dandy lake here when the dam is completed, all right,"
+said Billy.
+
+"Won't it take a long time for the river to back up and fill all that
+valley?" asked the elder Racer lad.
+
+"Oh, not so very long. If we get some good heavy rain, such as we
+sometimes have, or a cloudburst, it would almost fill up over night,
+providing the outlet gates were all closed."
+
+The boys went nearer the dam to inspect it. The workmen had left,
+for there was nothing for them to do as long as the dam could not be
+completed. The land in dispute, which led to Golden Peak, was only
+about ten feet wide at the dam--a mere road, though it widened out as
+it approached the third hill.
+
+There were several sluice-ways leading from the dam, with controlling
+gates, so that the water could be sent in many directions and to a
+number of ranches, as well as to almost every part of Mr. Thornton's
+land.
+
+While the boys were looking at the irrigation works, they heard someone
+approaching from the inner side of the dam, and presently a voice
+hailed them.
+
+"Oh, it's Uncle Richfield," said Billy, as he saw his relative
+approaching on his horse. "Did you see anything of them?" he asked.
+
+"Not a sign, though someone has been here lately in a wagon with thin
+tires, and that isn't the kind the construction men used. I shouldn't
+wonder but what those fellows you saw have been here."
+
+"But where did they go?" asked Billy.
+
+"I don't know. They must have moved off back there, though it's hard
+going for a wagon," and he waved his hand toward the region where the
+river had its rise, a stretch of scrub trees and low foothills.
+
+"Did they do anything?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"No, nothing seems to have been disturbed. I guess it was a false
+alarm. We'll get back home. It looks as if it might rain. I suppose I
+ought to have a watchman here, but nothing short of dynamite could harm
+the dam now, and I don't believe they'd venture on that," concluded the
+ranchman.
+
+He showed his nephew and the Racer boys how he proposed to use the
+water when it was imprisoned by the dam, and after a tour of the place,
+and a look at Golden Peak from a distance, the party started back.
+
+"We'll have to go at that hill soon," said Andy, in a low voice to his
+brother, as they rode back across the prairie.
+
+"That's what," agreed Frank.
+
+But for two weeks after that they were so occupied with having a
+good time that they hardly thought of their plan to see of what the
+"treasure" might consist.
+
+Their chief business was in learning to ride as Billy did--making
+himself almost a part of his horse. This took time, but the Racer boys
+were apt pupils. Then came lessons in throwing the lasso, and, though
+it took longer to acquire this knack, they managed to become fairly
+adept at it.
+
+They went on hunting trips, helped round up the cattle, watched the men
+at their crop work, and took long rides across the big stretches of
+prairie that always seemed to have something new to disclose.
+
+"Oh, it's a great country!" exclaimed Frank, as they came back one
+evening from a long gallop--on faster steeds than Max and Major.
+
+"It sure is," agreed his brother.
+
+"What do you say to a try for Golden Peak to-morrow?" suggested Billy.
+"There's nothing special to do, and if it's good weather we can take
+our dinner and stay there all day."
+
+"Just the cheese!" declared Frank, and Andy nodded enthusiastically.
+
+The day proved all that could be desired, and early in the morning
+saw the three chums galloping across the prairie, headed for the big
+unfinished dam, and the hill known as Golden Peak.
+
+The ride was without incident, save that they startled any number
+of jack rabbits, which they did not fire at, as the flesh was not
+considered prime at that time of year.
+
+As they approached the dam, Frank, who was slightly in the lead, called
+out:
+
+"Is your uncle over here, Billy?"
+
+"Why, no, I don't think so. He didn't say anything about coming. In
+fact I know he isn't, for I remember, now, he went into town. But why
+do you ask?"
+
+"Because there is someone moving around the dam," went on Frank. "I
+can see one, two, why there's half a dozen men there, Billy!"
+
+"There are?" and the ranch lad galloped up beside his chum. Quickly
+taking a pair of field glasses from the case at his side, he focused
+them on the concrete wall.
+
+"That's right," he said, in a low voice. "I wonder what this means? I
+don't like it, I wish Uncle Richfield was here."
+
+He called to his horse, and increased the animal's speed, and Frank and
+Andy did likewise. A few minutes later, as the boys galloped across the
+stretch of land that was in dispute, a man suddenly arose from where he
+had been sitting on a stone in the deep grass.
+
+"Hold on there!" he exclaimed, and he reached for his gun, which was
+standing near him. "I wouldn't come any farther if I were you. It might
+not be just altogether healthy."
+
+"Why--why, what do you mean?" asked Billy, "This is my uncle's land!"
+
+"Oh, is it? Well, I guess not--not here, anyhow!" the fellow jeered.
+"Now you clear out if you don't want to get hurt!" and he started
+menacingly toward the lads.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XX
+
+                            THE BLACK CLOUD
+
+
+Billy Chase wheeled his horse to bring the animal head on toward the
+fellow who had warned them away. The man halted, and seemed to be
+considering matters.
+
+"Well, are you going to leave?" he snarled, as he saw that his orders
+were not likely to be obeyed.
+
+"I don't see why we should," replied Billy, coolly. "We came out here
+to look at my uncle's property, and----"
+
+"Yes, but you're not on your uncle's land now!" fired back the man.
+"This strip is owned by me and my friends, and it will be many a day
+before Mr. Richfield Thornton gets control of it. Now you vamoose!"
+
+"Hold on!" suddenly called Billy, as he saw that the man was bringing
+his gun to bear.
+
+"Hold on for what?" growled the man.
+
+"Don't get rash--that's all," suggested Billy, still calmly.
+
+"No, that gun might go off," added Frank, taking a hint from the cool
+conduct of his chum.
+
+"And it might hurt somebody," added Andy.
+
+"Why--why--what do you mean?" snarled the man. "I tell you to get off
+this land! Your uncle don't own it and he never will, if I have my way.
+You haven't any right here, and in a little while this will be fenced
+off so no one can come on. Now you leave in a hurry."
+
+The boys looked at each other. Clearly they were "up against it," as
+Andy said afterward. They knew that the land was in dispute and, though
+they felt sure that Mr. Thornton had a good claim to it, they realized
+that, for the time being, possession was nine points of the law.
+
+"Supposing we don't go?" asked Billy, and Frank understood that his
+chum was seeking to gain time, though for what reason he could not
+fathom.
+
+"If you don't you may get hurt," was the menacing answer. "My friends
+won't stand for any nonsense."
+
+"And how do you know just where my uncle's land ends, and what you
+claim is yours begins?" went on Billy, and now the two Racer boys
+understood their chum's reason for questioning the man. He hoped to
+catch sight of the others who were with him. He wanted to see if he
+could recognize any of them.
+
+"How do I know?" asked the man with the gun. "Because it's all been
+staked out; see?" and he pointed to a row of wooden pegs that marked
+off a ten foot strip which led in through the open place in the dam.
+
+"So that's who those fellows were that followed us the day we got
+here," said Billy, in a low voice. "Surveyors--and they did their work
+in a hurry, marked out the strip in dispute, and went back to town by a
+different route."
+
+"I guess that's right," agreed Frank.
+
+"Well, are you going to vamoose?" asked the man, coming a pace nearer.
+
+"I suppose we'll have to," agreed Billy. "But I want to tell you that
+you fellows are making a big mistake. My uncle has a valid claim to
+this land, and he'll enforce it, too. Then it will be you who'll have
+to get out--not us."
+
+"All right. When the time comes--if it ever does--we'll slide," sneered
+the man.
+
+"What's the trouble?" inquired a voice, and turning, the boys saw a
+tall man, with a handsome, if evil face, leering at them.
+
+"Oh, these kids think they can go where they like," said the man with
+the gun. "I've warned 'em away, but they won't go."
+
+"They won't; eh?" snapped the newcomer, who bestrode a big black horse.
+"Well, I'll see about that."
+
+"Oh, we're going, Rick Morton," said Billy, calmly. "We just rode out
+here to see what was going on, and now we're going back. I'll tell my
+uncle."
+
+"Yes, and you can tell him if he comes out here I'll serve him as he
+once served me!" snapped the big man.
+
+"Oh, I suppose you mean horsewhipping," spoke Billy. "Well, I wouldn't
+advise you to try it!"
+
+"Now you march!" fairly yelled the big man, to whom the remembrance of
+the horsewhipping did not seem pleasant.
+
+"Come on, Buffalo," called Billy, to his horse. "I guess they don't
+want us here."
+
+"And we never will," added the man with the gun. "You can't dam up this
+river, and flood our property. The courts'll stop you, or, if they
+don't, we will ourselves. This dam will be torn down in another month."
+
+"I don't believe so," answered Billy. "Come on, boys," and he motioned
+with his head to Frank and Andy.
+
+"Can't we do anything?" asked the younger Racer lad, who did not like
+to thus easily give in.
+
+"I say let's go around some other way," suggested Frank, who felt much
+of the same spirit.
+
+"It's no use," counselled Billy. "They've got the upper hand now. But
+our time will come."
+
+"Why, there's only two of 'em," said Frank. "I guess we could manage
+'em if it came to a fight."
+
+"No, it wouldn't be wise," said Billy. "Besides, look over there,"
+and as they came opposite the opening in the dam where they could see
+through to Golden Peak, they beheld a number of men on horses riding
+about. "There are too many for us. They must have something big under
+way. The best thing to do is to hurry back and tell my uncle. He may be
+able to get ahead of 'em yet."
+
+"And to think that we were almost there and had to turn back," said
+Frank.
+
+"We might have found the treasure," added Andy. "I wonder what those
+fellows think it is, anyhow?"
+
+"Oh it must be a deposit of gold ore; at least, that is the rumor,"
+said Billy. "You see this section of the country is not far from
+Colorado, and you know there is gold there. Maybe in the ancient
+geological times, before this world was quite made, some gold ore got
+into this mountain. I know it's been called Golden Peak for a good many
+years. The Indians used to have that same name for it. But no one that
+I ever heard of, except that man who went crazy, ever got any gold out
+of it, though lots of prospectors have had a try for it.
+
+"Now these fellows imagine there's a fortune in it and they don't want
+my uncle to put it under water in his irrigation lake. But it's all
+bosh!"
+
+"It looks as if there'd be a fight over it," suggested Frank.
+
+"Yes, and it's too bad," went on Billy. "We need the water for the
+ranch, and so do the others who are depending on it. Yet, as long as
+this dispute keeps up, we can't do anything."
+
+They rode away in rather moody silence, followed by the searching gaze
+of the two men on guard. Then the big man on the horse galloped back
+through the opening in the dam to join his companions, leaving the
+fellow with the gun near the rock.
+
+"Is there any way we could get around and come to Golden Peak from the
+back?" asked Andy.
+
+"Yes, it could be done, but it's a long ride," said Billy. "Maybe we'll
+take it, if these fellows stay here. But we'll see what my uncle says."
+
+Much disappointed at the failure of their trip, the boys guided their
+horses out of the valley to the higher part of the prairie. They talked
+over what had happened, and Andy said he wished he had brought his gun
+along.
+
+"If we'd been armed," he said, "they wouldn't have been so ready to
+order us off."
+
+Billy shook his head.
+
+"Firearms are bad business," he said. "This will be settled without
+powder, I guess. But it sure is mean to have every thing held up, when
+you know those fellows are in the wrong."
+
+They rode on for several miles, and, when within a comparatively short
+distance of the ranch, Frank, looking up, asked:
+
+"What sort of a cloud is that over there, Billy?"
+
+The Western lad turned in his saddle, and at the first glimpse of the
+slate-colored mass, he cried:
+
+"Ride! Ride for your lives, boys! That's a cyclone cloud as sure as
+you're a foot high! And it's headed right this way! Ride for all you're
+worth!"
+
+[Illustration: "RIDE! RIDE FOR YOUR LIVES, BOYS!"]
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXI
+
+                            THE INJURED MAN
+
+
+Frank and Andy Racer did not need a second warning to urge their steeds
+to top speed. One look at the black and menacing cloud, now they knew
+what it portended, was enough for the lads. With Billy in the lead,
+they sped over the prairie, seeking to gain the shelter of the ranch
+houses ere the storm broke.
+
+"She's a'coming!" yelled Billy, as he snapped his quirt to urge his
+horse to do even better. "She's going to be a hummer, too! It's a good
+thing we saw it in time."
+
+"What'll it do?" asked Andy, galloping his animal alongside that of his
+Western chum.
+
+"Tear things loose generally, if it hits anything," was the grim answer.
+
+"Won't it be dangerous for the buildings at your home?" asked Frank,
+who had ranged up on the other side of his friend.
+
+"It sure will--if it hits 'em. But that's the way with a cyclone. You
+never can tell just where it's aiming. It may pass off and not come
+near us at all. But from the looks of that cloud it seems to be headed
+right this way."
+
+Billy turned in his saddle and looked back. The dark, low,
+funnel-shaped mass of vapor was undoubtedly nearer, and was coming
+on rapidly. The air had been quiet--too quiet in fact--and now the
+unnatural stillness was broken by a low, moaning sound, as if from some
+animal in pain. The horses started as they heard it, and quickened
+their pace.
+
+"Steady, old boy, steady!" called Billy, soothingly, to his beast. "It
+isn't going to hurt you, old fellow."
+
+The horse quieted down somewhat, but it was easy to see that he was
+alarmed. And his fear was conveyed to the horses ridden by Andy and
+Frank, for they cavorted about, and acted more like skittish young
+colts than staid cow ponies.
+
+"Keep a firm rein," advised Billy. "Don't let 'em bolt with you or you
+might lose your seat, and it would be a hard job to catch 'em again
+with this storm coming up behind us. They'd bolt for the stable at top
+speed. Hold 'em in!"
+
+"That's what," agreed Frank. It was rather curious to note how Billy
+took command of matters now, whereas, back East, and at the school, it
+had been the Racer boys who were in the van in every thing. But here
+they recognized that Billy knew more about what was best to be done
+than they did.
+
+"Is it getting any nearer?" asked Frank, as he noted Billy looking over
+his shoulder again.
+
+"I should say it was. This is going to be one of the worst storms we've
+had here. And we've had some ripping ones, too. Hark to that wind!"
+
+The moaning sound had now risen to a scream, as if the wounded animal
+was wild with rage, and about to break loose.
+
+"What does it do, blow straight ahead and lift things off the ground?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"No, it goes more in a circle," answered the ranch lad. "That's how it
+gets its name-cyclone--cycle--circle, you know."
+
+"Of course, I might have remembered," agreed Andy.
+
+"But what does it do?" asked Frank, who had never seen the effects of
+one of these curious wind storms.
+
+"Oh, it pulls things up by the roots when it gets a chance," answered
+Billy. "It just seems to twist everything off--a sort of corkscrew
+motion you know. I've seen whole houses twisted right around and set
+down some distance from where they stood, just facing the other way.
+That's the reason we build everything low, hoping the wind will pass
+over it."
+
+"Does it rain?" inquired Andy.
+
+"Sometimes. I think we're going to get some now. See if you can get any
+more speed out of those nags. We're almost at the ranch and we may make
+it in time."
+
+Frank and Andy called to their ponies, and, as Buffalo was able to make
+a little better time under Billy's urging, the other two animals forced
+themselves to do likewise, for they did not want to be left behind.
+
+"Won't it be more dangerous in a building than out in the open?" asked
+Frank, when they had ridden on about a mile, and had a glimpse of the
+ranch in the distance. "If the house is going to be lifted up and
+twisted around----"
+
+"Oh, we can go in the cyclone cellar," said Billy, almost yelling to
+be heard above the noise of the wind. "We've got a sort of underground
+cave where we sometimes take refuge if it gets blowing too bad. A
+cyclone has no effect on that."
+
+The wind, which had been blowing in fitful puffs, now swooped down on
+the three lads with terrific force. They could feel the tremendous
+pressure of it, and in a few minutes they saw little clouds of dust
+caught up from the dry fields and whirled about in funnel-shaped masses.
+
+"Whirlwinds!" yelled Andy.
+
+"Little cyclones," shouted Billy. "It's coming here all right!"
+
+The roaring and screaming of the wind now became louder, and, looking
+back, the lads saw the black cloud fairly rushing down on them.
+
+"Use your quirts!" called Billy, swinging the short whip about his
+head, and bringing it down lightly on his horse. "Make 'em know they've
+got to make better time."
+
+The horses, up to now, had not felt the lash, but even in the stress of
+speed the lads were merciful, and only swung the lashes lightly. But it
+was enough, along with the howling of the wind, and the curious hue of
+the atmosphere, for it had turned yellow, from the effect of so much
+dust in the air.
+
+Leaping forward, the frightened horses carried their riders in advance
+of the storm. There came a few drops of rain, and, just as the gale
+burst in all its fury, the three raced into the ranch yard.
+
+"Quick!" yelled Archie, who was on the lookout for them. "Into the
+cellar. It's going to be a screamer! I'll look after the horses!"
+
+The steeds were trembling with fright as Archie fairly shoved them into
+the low stable, built of heavy logs capable of withstanding a fierce
+blow.
+
+"Come on!" yelled Billy, as he led the way, through darkness almost as
+black as night now. The yellow glow had faded and the ink-hued cloud
+seemed to envelope everything. The rain was coming down in torrents,
+and Frank and Andy noticed that the wind had a circular motion, marking
+the true cyclone.
+
+"Here we are!" yelled the ranch boy, and grabbing hold of Frank and
+Andy, he pushed them through the entrance to what looked like an old
+fashioned root-cellar, or dugout. It was a shelter partly under ground
+and partly raised, with sod and earth built over a wooden roof.
+
+"My, boys! We were getting worried about you!" exclaimed a voice, and
+Frank, clearing his eyes from the dust that had blown into them, saw by
+a light of a lantern in the cyclone cellar that Mr. Thornton, his wife,
+and a number of the hands of the ranch had gathered in the place.
+
+"Oh, we're all right," answered Billy confidently.
+
+"This terrible storm!" cried Mrs. Thornton. "We were so worried about
+you, Billy! Where were you when it came up?"
+
+"On our way home. But say, Uncle Richfield, I've got great news for
+you."
+
+Before he could tell what it was there came a terrific crash, that
+sounded above the roar of the cyclone. Involuntarily everyone crouched
+low, though there could be no danger to them in the underground place.
+
+"Oh, what was that?" cried Mrs. Thornton, clinging to her husband.
+
+"I don't know," he answered, steadily. "But I hope it wasn't the house.
+See if you can get a glimpse of it, Matt."
+
+The foreman tried to open the door of the cellar, but something had
+evidently blown against it. Tug as he would, it did not budge.
+
+The gale was now howling so that ordinary talk in the improvised cave
+could scarcely be heard, and Sing Lee, the Celestial cook, was howling
+his Chinese prayers at the top of his voice.
+
+"Be quiet!" ordered Mr. Thornton, for the shrill tones of the Chinese
+were getting on Mrs. Thornton's nerves. "This will blow over in a
+minute more."
+
+Hardly had he spoken, when there came a perceptible lull in the storm.
+The howling of the wind died down as does the whine of an electric fan
+when the current is shut off. In about two minutes there could be heard
+only the patter of the rain on the ground, and, a little later, this
+ceased. In all, the actual blow had not lasted five minutes.
+
+"Well, see if you can get that door open now, Matt," ordered the
+ranchman. Once more the foreman tried, and with the help of one of the
+hands he managed to push the portal partly open.
+
+"There's a beam wedged against it," he reported, but by shoving out his
+foot he managed to kick it away, and the door swung wide.
+
+A flood of light streamed in, making the lantern grow pale and sickly.
+The dark cloud had passed, and the sun was out. It was a most wonderful
+transformation.
+
+"Are--are there any of our buildings standing?" gasped Mrs. Thornton.
+"I'm almost afraid to look."
+
+"Sure, they're all right," answered her husband, with a reassuring
+laugh. "I guess we only got the edge of the storm at that. The roof's
+off one of the pony sheds, but that's all. It was part of that which
+blew against the door. All hands out to take stock of damage," he
+ordered.
+
+They hurried from the cyclone cellar. The storm had passed, doing
+comparatively little damage, and, as Mr. Thornton had said, probably
+one edge only had hit the ranch.
+
+"Whew! That was a hot one!" cried Andy, as he looked off in the
+distance and saw the funnel-shaped cloud tearing away to do more damage
+elsewhere.
+
+"I should say so," agreed Frank. Billy said nothing. He was looking at
+a dark object huddled on the ground, not far from the entrance to the
+cyclone cellar. The ranch boy advanced toward it.
+
+"What's that?" called his uncle sharply, as he, too, saw it. "A dog?"
+
+"No, it's--why, it's a man!" cried Billy, as he stooped over the
+figure. "It's a man, and he's hurt!"
+
+Then, as Frank and Andy ran to join their chum, they uttered cries of
+astonishment.
+
+"Look! Look who it is!" said Frank.
+
+"It isn't he! It can't be possible!" added Andy.
+
+"But it is, by all that's wonderful!" ejaculated Billy. "How in the
+world did he get here, and how was he hurt?"
+
+"Something hit him on the head, evidently," said Frank.
+
+"Who is it? What's the matter?" cried Mr. Thornton, running up. "Who is
+it, boys?"
+
+"Sam Shackmiller, the man who tried to get that paper away from me!"
+answered Billy.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXII
+
+                           THE MISSING PAPER
+
+
+"Impossible!" cried Mr. Thornton, as he reached the group of lads
+standing near the wounded man. "How could he be here when you said he
+was hurt in the railroad accident and was in the hospital? It can't be,
+boys."
+
+"And yet there he is," said Billy, passing his hand over his forehead
+as if to ascertain whether or not he was awake. "I leave it to Frank
+and Andy."
+
+"It surely _is_ he," asserted the elder Racer lad. "But when we saw him
+last he had shaved off his black beard."
+
+"And it's had time to grow in the meanwhile," said Andy.
+
+"Yes," went on Billy, "and I suppose he's had time to recover from his
+injuries and leave the hospital, though it did not seem possible."
+
+"Well, whether it's he or not, and, even though he tried to rob you,
+Billy, I guess it's up to us to look after him, now that he's hurt,"
+said Mr. Thornton. "Lucky we've got some place to carry him to, for
+the storm didn't do much damage after all. Take him into the house,
+boys, and we'll see what ails him, and send for a doctor."
+
+The man was unconscious, and it was easy to guess what had happened to
+him. Near him, lying on the ground, was a billet of wood, evidently
+part of the roof of the shed that had blown off. This had struck the
+man on the head, making a long gash, though Billy, looking at it as
+well as he could, gave it as his opinion that it was only a scalp wound.
+
+As the three boys carried the limp form into the house, whither Mrs.
+Thornton had preceded them, they could not help being more and more
+sure in their minds that the man was Shackmiller. Every feature was
+there, but the beard was as fully grown as if it had never been shaved
+off. The clothing too, was such as the man had worn when hurt in the
+train wreck.
+
+"Put him on the couch," said Mrs. Thornton, as the injured one was
+carried into the living room. "Then we'll bathe his head. I guess you'd
+better telephone for the doctor, anyhow, Richfield. We may need him."
+
+"I will if the wires aren't down," replied the ranchman; "but I hardly
+expect that they stood that blow." They had not, as was proved when he
+tried to get Central, for his ranch, as well as that of several of his
+neighbors, was connected with the town by a telephone.
+
+"One of the men will have to ride in," he said, as he hung up the
+useless receiver. "Archie, I guess you'd better go. Tell the Doc. to
+come right out if he can. I don't want to be mean, or inhospitable,
+but I don't want this fellow at my place any longer than I can help.
+I don't like his kind, especially after what he's tried to do to me,
+and the sooner he can be moved the better I'll like it. So go get
+the medicine man, Archie. And tell Matt to see what he can do toward
+rigging a temporary roof on the shed. Now that we've had one cyclone
+there oughtn't to be any more right away."
+
+"Anything we can do?" asked Frank, anxious to help.
+
+"No, I guess not, except you boys might stay around here, and if
+Shackmiller comes to, sort of be on the watch. He may get delirious.
+I've got to see to things outside."
+
+By this time Mrs. Thornton, who was a good nurse, had bathed the
+injured man's head and bound it up. He was breathing heavily, and was
+still unconscious. Then, as household matters needed her attention, she
+went out, leaving the three boys in charge.
+
+"Well, say, things are certainly happening with a rush," remarked
+Frank, as he looked at the figure on the couch.
+
+"They generally do, once they start with us," commented Andy. "It's
+been this way ever since I can remember."
+
+"Then I'm glad you came out here," spoke Billy. "Not that I want
+cyclones, and the appearance of our enemies, to happen every day of the
+week, but I like some excitement. I'm glad I tied up to you fellows."
+
+"Hush! He's coming to!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, as he saw the man's
+eyes open.
+
+As the boys watched they saw a look of returning consciousness come to
+the man's features. He gazed about wonderingly, glanced at the three
+lads, and then around at the room where he lay. In the minds of Frank,
+Andy and Billy several questions came at once.
+
+How had Shackmiller managed to get from the distant hospital to the
+ranch? What was he doing so near it in the storm? How had he come to be
+hurt?
+
+"Where--where am I?" asked the man, feebly.
+
+"You don't need to ask that; do you?" Billy inquired.
+
+"Why, yes--of course," and the voice was stronger. "I know I was near
+some ranch when the storm came up, and then it all got dark. I was
+going to ask for shelter when something hit me on the head, and that's
+the last I know."
+
+"But you know me; don't you?" asked Billy. "And you know my chums, the
+Racer boys. You saw us at the wreck, when the boiler exploded. You know
+me all right, Sam Shackmiller!"
+
+"Shackmiller!" fairly cried the man, as he struggled to a sitting
+position. "Then you know me! But I don't know you. The Racer boys? I
+never heard of them. And you--you----"
+
+"I'm Billy Chase--from whom you tried to get the land paper," said the
+ranch lad. "Only you didn't. But how does it come that you're out of
+the hospital, Sam Shackmiller?"
+
+"Sam Shackmiller--I'm not Sam Shackmiller!" cried the man.
+
+"Oh, come!" exclaimed Billy. "That's too thin. Why, we know you as
+well as you know us, even if you have grown your beard again. Come, if
+you're not Sam Shackmiller, who are you?"
+
+"I am Bruce Shackmiller, Sam's twin brother," was the quick answer, and
+the boys gasped in astonishment.
+
+"Bruce Shackmiller!" cried Billy.
+
+"His twin brother!" added Frank.
+
+"Yes," went on the man, "and if you know anything about him, for pity's
+sake tell me. I have been looking all over for him, ever since he went
+East. He wrote me that he was coming out West again, and then I lost
+trace of him. I was on my way to Sageville, to go and hunt him up, for
+he has friends there, when this storm overtook me. Oh, if you can tell
+me anything about him I wish you would!"
+
+The boys were too astonished to speak, at first. In fact, they doubted
+that the man spoke the truth, and, seeing this on their faces, he went
+on:
+
+"I can easily prove that I am not Sam. He was lame, wasn't he?"
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed Billy, eagerly.
+
+"Well, I am not. See!" and, in spite of his weakness, the man walked
+across the floor with never the semblance of a limp. "Sam and I are
+twins," he went on, "and we are so near alike, except that he is lame,
+that few can tell us apart. And yet there are several points where we
+do not resemble each other. His eyes are blue, and mine are brown."
+
+"That's right," said the puzzled Billy, after a look. "But I surely
+took you for Sam."
+
+"Nearly everyone does. Oh, but what has become of him?"
+
+Thereupon the ranch lad related briefly about the train accident, and
+how Sam had tried in vain to get the valuable paper.
+
+"That is what I have feared all along," said Bruce Shackmiller,
+gloomily. "I was afraid Sam had gotten in with bad companions. And so
+he and they are trying to defeat your uncle's irrigation project; eh?"
+
+"That's about the size of it," replied Billy. "Your brother followed me
+about at school, trying to get that valuable paper. But I was too much
+for him, and now my uncle has it safe."
+
+"Oh, your uncle has it?" asked the wounded man, quickly.
+
+"He sure has!" exclaimed Billy, answering in spite of the sudden nudge
+Frank gave him. Then the ranch boy looked at his chum, who frowned, and
+Billy understood. He wished he had not been so quick to reply. But it
+was too late now. However, there could be no danger, he thought.
+
+"Sam always was a little wild," went on the injured man. "He got in
+with some fast companions, and, though I did my best to reform him, it
+was useless. I think he was always a little bitter against the world
+because of his lameness, which afflicted him from the time he was a
+little boy. He was never like other lads, and, as he grew older, he
+became morose and vindictive. But I hoped he had reformed. Of late I
+lost track of him, but recently I had a telegram from him, saying he
+was ill, and was coming back West."
+
+"That was the one sent from the hospital I guess," said Billy. "But
+what about yourself? How do you feel now?"
+
+"Oh, much better. The blow made me unconscious for a time but I'm all
+right now. I must go on, and see if I can find my brother."
+
+"You had better wait until the doctor sees you," suggested Frank.
+"He'll be here soon, now."
+
+Mr. Thornton came in then, to see how the sufferer was getting along,
+and his surprise may well be imagined when he heard the story.
+
+"Well, I'm glad you're not the man who has been trying, with others of
+his gang, to make trouble for me," said the ranchman; "though if you
+had been we'd have done what was right by you. I wish you'd use your
+influence with your brother to have him drop this business. I'm willing
+to pay what's right for that land, though I have a valid claim to it.
+He'll lose out in the end, and the sooner he gives in the better for
+all of us."
+
+"I'll tell him," said Bruce Shackmiller. "I'm sure that after he has
+suffered so much, and uselessly, he will give up. I will seek him out
+as soon as I can."
+
+"Better rest up here for a day or so," suggested the owner of the
+Double X ranch. "The doctor will be here soon. He has an auto, and it
+doesn't take him long to get out from town."
+
+The physician arrived shortly after that, bringing Matt, the foreman,
+with him, the latter having left his horse in town.
+
+"Great blow we had," commented the doctor, as he came in to look at his
+patient. "Half a dozen of the skyscrapers in Sageville unroofed. Well,
+now, let's see what we have here."
+
+He made a rapid examination, and said that the wound was only a scalp
+affair, which would soon heal if no complications set in. He dressed
+and bandaged it, and prepared to take his departure.
+
+"Now we'll make you as comfortable as we can," said the ranch owner, to
+Shackmiller. "Stay a week if you like. On the whole it may be a good
+thing that we met you, for it may end all this trouble."
+
+"I hope it doesn't do us out of a chance to get the treasure of Golden
+Peak," said Frank, softly.
+
+"Oh, we'll have a try for that, anyhow," spoke Billy, and as he turned
+aside, Frank thought he detected a strange gleam in the eyes of Bruce
+Shackmiller.
+
+"I'll do my best to influence Sam," said the man in a low voice, and
+then he was taken to a room that had been prepared for him.
+
+"He'll be all right in a day or so," the doctor said, on leaving. "All
+he needs is rest and quietness. That blow must have been a glancing
+one."
+
+"Oh, by the way, Billy," said Mr. Thornton, at supper a little later;
+"what was it you started to tell me when that cyclone crash came?"
+
+"Great news, Uncle Richfield," replied the ranch lad. "Some of
+Shackmiller's crowd are on guard at Golden Peak, and they ordered us
+off when we went there to-day."
+
+"They did!" cried the ranch owner. "I've got to look into that. It may
+mean a big change in the situation. I've got to get busy. I must beat
+these fellows at their game, or it will spoil everything."
+
+The ranchman sat up late that night, going over various documents in
+his room. The boys, after talking over the events of the day, had gone
+to bed, rather tired. The effects of the big storm had fully passed
+away.
+
+"Well, what shall we do to-day?" asked Frank of Billy, as they got up
+the next morning.
+
+"Have another try for Golden Peak, I vote," came from Andy. "Maybe we
+can get the best of those fellows."
+
+"Not so soon after we've been there once," was the opinion of the
+Western youth. "Give 'em time to forget about us, and we'll have a
+better chance. But we can go hunting to-day if you like. One of the men
+said he saw a lot of jack rabbits over on the far range the other day.
+And maybe we might meet a stray wolf or so. It's always good work to
+pot them, as they pull down a calf occasionally."
+
+"Fine!" cried Frank. "We'll do it!"
+
+"Hello, there's your uncle," said Andy, looking out of the window, and
+seeing Mr. Thornton dressed for a trip to town. "He's off early."
+
+"Yes, I guess he's got a lot of business to attend to on account of the
+new move those fellows made," ventured Billy.
+
+The next moment his uncle called to him:
+
+"Billy, I say Billy! Did you take back that paper you brought from the
+Eastern lawyer--the title deed to the land in dispute?"
+
+"No, Uncle Richfield. I haven't seen it since I gave it to you. Why?"
+
+"Because it's gone!"
+
+"Gone?"
+
+"Yes. I had it last night, looking it over together with some other
+documents, and I put them all in my desk, intending to take them
+into town this morning. Now the most valuable document of the lot is
+missing!"
+
+"Missing!" cried Billy. "How can that be? Has anyone----"
+
+At that moment the Chinese cook appeared in the yard with a bowl of
+steaming coffee. Addressing Mr. Thornton he said:
+
+"Him no can do."
+
+"No can do what?" snapped the ranchman, not altogether pleased to be
+annoyed by household matters at such an important time.
+
+"No can dlink coffee."
+
+"Who can't? What are you talking about, Sing Lee?"
+
+"Man no can dlink. Man what hab chopee-chopee on head--he no can dlink.
+Him gone--vamoose!"
+
+"What?" cried the ranchman, a sudden suspicion coming into his mind.
+
+"Him no can do. Him gone," blandly repeated the Celestial. "Mlissie
+Thornton send me him for coffee to dlink--I go--he no there. He no can
+do!"
+
+"By Jove!" cried the ranchman. "That explains it! Boys, that twin
+brother is a sham! He's skipped with my papers! We've got to get right
+after him!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIII
+
+                               THE CHASE
+
+
+Instantly all was excitement at Double X ranch. The word quickly went
+round of what had happened, and a number of cowboys, and men that
+worked on the farm part of the land, gathered at the stables, anxious
+to mount their horses and begin the chase.
+
+"That paper stolen!" cried Billy. "That undoes all the work I
+accomplished in the East. Oh, if I could only lay hands on that slick
+twin brother of Sam Shackmiller!"
+
+"Do you think he told the truth when he said he was a twin brother?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"I don't know," replied the ranch boy. "But he surely looked enough
+like him to be Sam himself. Only the limp was different."
+
+"He wasn't much different from him in character," declared Frank, "not
+if he stole that paper."
+
+"And he did steal it as sure as guns!" exclaimed Billy. "We never
+should have trusted him. He was too slick for us."
+
+"But his story sounded reasonable," put in Andy.
+
+"Yes, so it did. Well, let's go down and talk to Uncle Richfield about
+it. I hope he'll let us join in the chase."
+
+"So do I," chorused the Racer boys.
+
+They found Mr. Thornton busily engaged in going over the papers in
+his desk, hoping against hope that he might have overlooked the most
+valuable one. But it was not there.
+
+"What time did he skip out?" asked Billy. "When did you miss him--I
+mean Shackmiller?"
+
+"Just now, when Sing Lee went to give him some coffee your aunt sent in
+to him," replied the ranchman. "He must have been waiting for just this
+opportunity. Maybe he was on his way to the ranch to do this very thing
+when the storm overtook him. Oh, why wasn't I more suspicious?"
+
+"Do you think you can catch him?" asked Frank.
+
+"I hope so. We're going to make a big try, anyhow. Do you boys want to
+come along?"
+
+"Do we?" chorused the three, and that was answer enough.
+
+"Now you will be careful; won't you?" pleaded Billy's aunt.
+
+"Of course," he promised. "Let's have breakfast in a jiffy, and get on
+the trail. Have you any idea what time he left, Uncle?"
+
+"It must have been after midnight, for I sat up until nearly twelve
+going over my papers."
+
+They made some inquiries, but no one had seen or heard anything of
+the missing man after he went to his room. Nor had there been any
+suspicious sounds during the night. Shackmiller, if that really was his
+name, had slipped out quietly, secured the valuable paper, and made off
+with it. At least that was the way all signs pointed.
+
+There was nothing in his room that would lead to any clue. His bed had
+been slept in--or at least the man had stretched out on it--for the
+clothes were tumbled. None of the locks on the outer doors were forced,
+showing that the man had either escaped by a window, or had used a
+false key, since the ones that locked the doors were always taken in
+charge by Mrs. Thornton each night.
+
+"Then he's got at least six hours start of us," said Billy, as he and
+the Racer boys ate a hurried breakfast. "It's going to be hard to
+capture him."
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said his uncle, thoughtfully. "He didn't have a
+horse."
+
+"How do you know?" his wife inquired.
+
+"Because none of ours is missing, and he had no horse when he came
+here."
+
+"Then if he's afoot it ought to be easy to run him down," declared Andy.
+
+"If we can pick up his trail," spoke Mr. Thornton. "Well, boys, are you
+ready?"
+
+"We sure are!" exclaimed Frank. He and his brother would have gone
+without breakfast for the sake of taking part in the chase.
+
+The cowboys and others had been saddling their horses, looking to
+girths, lariats and stirrups, and to their guns.
+
+"I'd like to get a chance to rope the fellow!" exclaimed Archie,
+vindictively. "He won't get away once I get my rope on him," and he
+swung the lariat around his head.
+
+"Scatter, boys, and look for signs," commanded the owner of Double X
+ranch. "He may have headed for town, or he may be going to cross the
+line and get into Colorado. If he gets among the mountains we might as
+well give up."
+
+The men, experienced at reading signs on the ground where a tenderfoot
+could see nothing, were soon looking to pick up the trail of the
+missing man. They scattered about, and, because of the fact of the
+rain, it was easier than otherwise to notice marks in the soil.
+
+Suddenly a cry from Matt Boyle called the others to him.
+
+"What is it?" asked Mr. Thornton.
+
+"Here's where a strange pony has been tethered," was the answer. "See,
+those shoes are none of ours," and he pointed to the hoof-marks in the
+soft ground.
+
+"That's right," admitted Mr. Thornton. "And here's where a man has come
+along and mounted him," he went on. "I see it now. That fellow rode up
+here, and picketed out his horse. Then the storm came and he was hurt.
+He thought he saw a chance to get that paper and he took it. He waited
+until we were all asleep and took it out of my desk. Then he sneaked
+out, got his horse, and rode off."
+
+"That's it!" cried Billy.
+
+"On the trail, boys!" shouted the ranchman. "I'll give a hundred
+dollars to the one who first sights that fellow!"
+
+"Whoop-ee!" yelled the cowboys, flinging their hats in the air. One or
+two fired off their big revolvers, and several swung their lariats.
+Then, amid shouts and yells, and with a clatter of hoofs, the cavalcade
+started off on the chase.
+
+"We'll stick together!" called Billy, to his two chums.
+
+"Oh! I hope we can get that fellow!" cried Frank.
+
+"If we don't find him in this direction I know where we ought to look
+for him," said Andy, for the trail was leading toward town.
+
+"Where?" asked Billy.
+
+"At Golden Peak," replied the younger Racer lad. "I believe he'll head
+for there, to join the others of his gang."
+
+"If he does," said Billy solemnly, "it's good-bye to Uncle Richfield's
+dam. Those fellows will have the upper hand!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIV
+
+                          OFF TO GOLDEN PEAK
+
+
+"Well, it's no use, boys, I guess we may as well go back."
+
+"And give up the chase?"
+
+It was Mr. Thornton who spoke first, and Billy who questioned him. They
+had been on the trail since early morning, seeking to find the man who
+had disappeared from their ranch at the same time as did the valuable
+document, and now, at sunset, they had come to a halt, unsuccessful.
+
+All day they had followed the trail of the fugitive--or rather, they
+had tried to follow it--for they lost it a short time after leaving the
+ranch, and not even the most skilful of the plainsmen or cow punchers
+could pick it up again.
+
+"Yes, Billy," resumed the ranchman, "that's the only thing to do, I
+guess. There's no use keeping on after a forlorn hope. We can't get
+that fellow to-night."
+
+"Then you're not going to give up altogether; are you?" asked Frank.
+
+"No, indeed, but I'll have to adopt other tactics now. They have
+forced my hand, so to speak, and I'll have to do something I have been
+contemplating for a long while, but which I hesitated to do because it
+might bring matters to a crisis. Now I shall have to go ahead whether I
+want to or not."
+
+Mr. Thornton did not say what it was he intended to do, and as he
+seemed so thoughtful and dispirited after the unsuccessful chase, the
+boys forebore to ask him.
+
+"We can hardly get back to Double X ranch to-night," observed Andy,
+as the men began to draw in from the big circle in which they had
+stretched out to try and pick up the trail.
+
+"No, we won't try it," decided the ranchman. "We'll camp in the open. I
+rather thought something like this would happen, so I told Archie and
+Matt to bring along some grub. You boys have your blankets, haven't
+you?"
+
+"Yes, we don't go far without 'em," answered Billy, and this was so,
+for strapped at the backs of the saddles were the means of making an
+improvised bed on the plains. Some of the cowboys had things to eat,
+while some carried materials for making coffee.
+
+"We'll just camp here," decided Mr. Thornton, as they came to a place
+where a little stream afforded water for man and beast, and where the
+grass offered good grazing for the horses.
+
+Saddles were thrown off, and after the steeds had been given a hasty
+rub-down with dried grass, the fire was made, and supper, such as it
+was, was soon under way.
+
+The meal, not elaborate by a good deal, was much enjoyed by all,
+especially by the Racer boys, to whom this sort of life was quite novel.
+
+Then, after supper, they sat about the fire, listening to the stories
+told by the cattlemen, or discussing the events of the day.
+
+The night passed without incident, though Frank and Andy found it
+rather hard to drop off to sleep as easily as did the others. The
+movements of the tethered horses, the occasional call of an owl, the
+howl of a wolf, or the barking of a distant colony of prairie dogs,
+were all new and strange to the Easterners. Yet ere long they found
+themselves in dreamland.
+
+"Well, there's only one thing to do," announced Mr. Thornton, at
+breakfast the next morning.
+
+"What's that?" asked Billy.
+
+"I'm going to finish that dam, and make the lake," the ranch owner
+said decidedly. "I'll beat those fellows at their own game. They have
+stolen my legal authority to proceed, but I'll go ahead and complete
+the dam, and fight it out in the courts anyhow. If possession is nine
+points of the law, then I'm going after those nine points. I'll flood
+the district and when they want what they claim is their property--but
+which isn't--they can look for it at the bottom of the lake. I'll
+finish the dam at once."
+
+"And cover Golden Peak?" asked Billy.
+
+His uncle laughed.
+
+"What harm will it do?" he asked. "All that's there are some worthless
+yellow rocks, and those fellows are crazy to think there'll ever be a
+treasure found there. Yes, I'm going to flood it."
+
+Billy and his chums looked at one another. There was the same thought
+in all their minds. They must go to Golden Peak before it was covered
+with water.
+
+"I'm going on in to Sageville," continued Mr. Thornton, when the
+saddling-up had been completed. "You boys had better go on to the ranch
+with the others. Tell your aunt," he said to Billy, "that I'll be home
+as soon as I can. And also tell her what I'm going to do. I'm going to
+hire the biggest gang of men I can find, and put them to work on the
+concrete dam. We can fill in the gap in a week, and back up the water.
+Then I'd like to know where Shackmiller and his gang will be?"
+
+He galloped off, and in due time the three boys and their escort
+of cowboys were at the ranch again. Mrs. Thornton was not a little
+surprised at the news they brought, and she had also been alarmed at
+their absence all night, but she had become somewhat used to the manner
+in which things were done in the breezy West.
+
+The boys planned to go on a trip to Golden Peak the next day, but
+decided to go hunting instead, and, as Billy pointed out, they had over
+a week before the waters would rise and cover the hill.
+
+Meanwhile Mr. Thornton carried out his plan. A big gang of men
+assembled at the dam, and soon began the work of finishing it. It was
+decided to build up the concrete work, and set the many water gates.
+Then, when the cement had set, all that would be necessary to do would
+be to close the gates against the river, the water would begin to back
+up, and the lake would form.
+
+A search had been made for the missing man, but he had not been found.
+The men who had been on guard at Golden Peak had also disappeared, and
+the place was in possession of the forces of the ranch owner.
+
+"I guess they're not going to trouble you," said Frank, one day.
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," replied Billy's uncle. "This may be the
+calm before the storm. I'm always suspicious when such men lay low and
+do nothing. They're preparing for a big move, I have no doubt; but
+I'll be ready for them. They've got one advantage on their side, in
+possessing that paper, but I'll have the dam built and the lake over
+their property before they can act, I hope."
+
+Men guarded the dam day and night. In fact the work went on at night,
+by means of the light of flaring gasoline torches.
+
+The gap was nearly closed. The gates were all in place, and only a few
+more yards of concrete and rubble needed to be dumped in.
+
+"If you fellows are going to get the treasure of Golden Peak you'd
+better get a move on," said Mr. Thornton, dryly, to Billy and his chums
+one night.
+
+"Why?" they asked. They had been so busy having a good time, hunting
+and riding over the prairie, that they had almost forgotten about it.
+
+"Because," answered the ranch owner. "I expect to close some of the
+gates to-morrow, and soon flood the region. Golden Peak will be out of
+sight in two days more."
+
+"Then we'll explore it to-morrow!" cried Billy. "Hurray, boys! Off for
+Golden Peak and the treasure--if it's there!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXV
+
+                              CAMPING OUT
+
+
+"Have you got the grub?"
+
+"What happened to that frying pan?"
+
+"Who saw the coffee pot? I'm sure I had it a minute ago."
+
+"Where are the tin cups?"
+
+"Yes, and the knives and forks."
+
+"I wonder if we've got plenty of matches."
+
+"Is this tent going to be big enough?"
+
+These were only a few of the questions, demands, exclamations and
+wonderings that came from the three lads, Frank, Andy and Billy, as
+they prepared to set off to explore Golden Peak.
+
+It was a fine day--a better one could not have been desired--and the
+sun shone warm over the prairies, while in the distance, as the trio
+stood in the ranch yard, could be seen the twin hills between which
+flowed the river that was soon to be harnessed, and made to irrigate
+the vast farms.
+
+Beyond the hills lay Golden Peak, showing yellow in the strong sun, and
+fully justifying its name. Surely it looked as if treasure were there,
+and if it was, the Racer boys and their chum were determined to find
+it. They had arranged to camp for several days on the mysterious hill,
+which many believed contained wealth in some form, but which others
+said only held worthless yellow rocks.
+
+In the ranch yard some burros, well laden with the camp stuff, stood
+patiently about, while Billy, Frank and Andy looked to their saddle
+horses, tightened girths, and saw to it that they had all they needed
+for a stay of some time.
+
+"Now boys," said Mr. Thornton, "I wouldn't waste too much time on this
+expedition. Don't be gone more than three days. Because I'll want to
+close the big gates and let the river rise, and I won't want to drown
+you out like rats in a hole. So don't stay too long," and the ranchman
+smiled broadly.
+
+"Well, we counted on a week," spoke Frank.
+
+"Well, then spend three days at Golden Peak, and the rest of the week
+camping somewhere else," suggested Mr. Thornton. "There are lots of
+good places around here, Billy knows 'em. Besides, it won't take you
+three days to find out that there is no treasure at Golden Peak," and
+he laughed.
+
+"I don't know about that," returned Billy. "But we could finish our
+camping expedition somewhere else, I suppose. We'll do it, and when we
+send you word, Uncle Richfield, that we've vamoosed off the Peak, you
+can turn on the water."
+
+"All right," agreed his uncle. "Now have you everything you need?"
+
+"If they haven't they never will have," said Mrs. Thornton, with a
+laugh. "They've been up since before daylight getting their traps
+together. Now boys, you will be careful; won't you?" and she put the
+question for about the tenth time.
+
+"Of course we will," said Billy, as he gave her a hug and kiss, for she
+had been almost like a mother to him.
+
+"Yes, I think we have everything," said Frank, as he looked over the
+packs on the backs of the burros, and saw to the things he and his
+brother and chum were to carry. The Racer boys had gone camping many
+times, and, though the method of procedure might be somewhat different
+on the prairies, still the general rules to be observed were the same.
+
+"Then good-bye and good luck to you," said the ranch owner. "Don't
+forget to let me know when you leave Golden Peak, as I'll then shut the
+big water gate and start the flood."
+
+"We will," promised Billy. "Though we may stay there four days instead
+of three, in case we come across the treasure."
+
+"In that case you may," laughed his uncle.
+
+"Forward then!" cried Andy, as he leaped to the back of his horse. Or,
+rather he tried to leap to the saddle, but his movement was unexpected,
+and his steed a trifle frisky, so, as a matter of course, Andy missed
+his mark and came down on the ground rather heavily.
+
+"If that's the way you're going to march I'm not with you!" exclaimed
+Billy, with a broad grin.
+
+"Come here and I'll pick you up," invited Frank, from the saddle of his
+own mount.
+
+"Huh! You fellows think it's funny," grumbled Andy, as he slowly arose.
+This time he was more careful, and successfully reached the leather.
+There was a chorus of good-byes, a shout of encouragement from a group
+of cowboys, who fired off their big revolvers, and a waving of Mrs.
+Thornton's apron in lieu of a handkerchief.
+
+"Vely much nice boys!" called Sing Lee, his yellow face all smiles.
+"Goo' luck!" and he threw after them one of his queer shoes, filled
+with rice.
+
+"Gosh!" exclaimed Andy. "He must think this is a wedding party instead
+of a treasure hunting expedition. But I hope the old custom holds good."
+
+They rode off over the prairie under the summer sun, their hearts
+filled with hope, and with no thought of the dangers they were soon to
+face. Probably if they had had intimations of them it would had made no
+difference.
+
+"We'll head for the dam first," said Billy, "and take a look at the
+work going on. Then I can arrange for one of the men to take back word
+for us when we leave Golden Peak, so uncle can turn on the water."
+
+"I rather think I'd like to see that operation," said Frank.
+
+"Oh, we can come down to it if we like," returned Billy. "That is, if
+we're not too busy getting out the treasure."
+
+"I wonder what the treasure will be, anyhow?" spoke Andy. "I should
+think gold ore."
+
+"Or maybe silver, or copper," suggested Frank. "You know we're not a
+great way from Colorado, and some of the rock strata of that State,
+where there is gold, and other minerals, may have outcropped in Golden
+Peak."
+
+The boys talked of the possibility of this as they rode on. Now and
+then they would flush some partridges, or sage hens, but they did not
+shoot any, as they wanted to wait about getting game until they were in
+camp.
+
+"Watch out for prairie dogs' burrows," warned Billy. "There are a lot
+of 'em around here." He spoke only just in time, for Frank managed to
+pull his steed aside from stepping in one, which might have given him a
+bad tumble.
+
+They reached the dam, where scores of men were at work, and the foreman
+greeted them pleasantly. He readily agreed to send back word for them
+when they left Golden Peak.
+
+"And if you find more gold than you need, just drop off a couple of
+bags here," he invited, with a laugh.
+
+"He's just like the rest of 'em," complained Billy, as they rode on.
+"He doesn't believe in the treasure."
+
+They saw that the dam was almost completed, and that a few more days'
+work would bring it to the point where the big gates could be closed
+and the river stopped from flowing, except as it was needed.
+
+Already the stream was partly confined, flowing through several
+openings in the big concrete wall, and this made the current much
+swifter, also deepening the water. It had backed up some behind the dam.
+
+"Another hour will bring us to Golden Peak," announced Billy, toward
+the close of the afternoon, when they had stopped for lunch and again
+taken the trail. "Then to get up the tent and camp out."
+
+"It doesn't seem as if that hill was so far away," remarked Frank.
+"Why, to look at it from the ranch I'd say we could walk to it in a
+little while."
+
+"That's because the air is so clear," explained Billy. "Distances look
+shorter than they are. It's a good way off yet, but we can make it
+before night."
+
+The shadows were just beginning to lengthen when they reached the foot
+of the curious little mountain where they expected to remain several
+days, and which they hoped would contain a treasure trove.
+
+"Make camp!" cried Billy, as he leaped from the saddle. His companions
+did likewise, bringing the burros to a halt. As they were about to
+unload the animals, looking the while for a good location for the tent,
+Andy, who had strayed off to one side, uttered an exclamation. At the
+same time there was a sound in the bushes as if somebody was forcing a
+way through them.
+
+"What is it?" cried Frank.
+
+"Someone's here!" replied Andy, and they could hear his rifle being
+brought up, ready for use.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVI
+
+                            THE CLOUDBURST
+
+
+Billy sprang to where he had leaned his weapon against a tree, and his
+example was followed by Frank. Then, fully armed, they looked to where
+Andy was gazing at a spot in the underbrush.
+
+"What is it?" called Billy, in a hoarse whisper.
+
+"I can't see," was the answer, "but it was some large body, and it made
+off as soon as I came near."
+
+"Be careful," advised the ranch lad, as he advanced nearer his chum.
+
+"Why, what do you think it might be?" asked Frank. "A bear?"
+
+"No bears around here," came in a whisper. "But it might be a wolf.
+We've been losing some cattle lately, and the beasts may have a den
+here."
+
+The boys remained on the alert for several seconds, but they heard no
+further sounds.
+
+"Guess it was a false alarm," spoke Andy, in a relieved voice. Frank
+did not answer, but, creeping cautiously forward, he bent low to
+the ground, and looked carefully for some tell-tale sign in the
+fast-disappearing light.
+
+"See anything?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes," replied Billy. "I see some marks."
+
+"Was it a wolf?"
+
+"No--a man!" came the unexpected reply.
+
+"A man?" chorused the Racer boys.
+
+"Yes. Fellows, we're not alone on Golden Peak, and we've got to be on
+our guard," and Billy's voice was a trifle solemn.
+
+"Who do you imagine it can be?" asked Frank. "Some of those same men
+who are making trouble for your uncle?"
+
+"I shouldn't be surprised," said Billy, as he laid aside his gun. "They
+can't help but see the work going on at the dam, and they know what it
+means--the burying of Golden Peak under many feet of water. So they may
+be making a final effort to get at the treasure."
+
+"And they may not like it that we are here," suggested Andy.
+
+"Very likely not. But we've got as good a right as they have, and
+better," spoke the ranch boy. "We'll stick it out, and if they try any
+of their funny business we'll do the same."
+
+"That's right!" exclaimed Frank, with a grim tightening of his lips.
+"We're with you from the word go."
+
+"Well, as long as that's settled, suppose we see about grub?" suggested
+Andy, and his companions laughed at his practical idea. But, none the
+less, they were willing to conform to it, and soon the campfire was
+going, and the meal being cooked. Then the tent was put up, the horses
+picketed, and the boys drew lots to decide the order of standing watch.
+Frank's turn came first.
+
+The night passed, however, without any alarm sounding, though each lad,
+in turn, was sure he heard suspicious noises, and with ready rifle
+stared off in the darkness. Nothing more, however, than the movement of
+some creature of the underbrush resulted.
+
+"Who's going to get breakfast?" demanded Billy, some hours later, when
+the sun coming up over the prairies made the yellow rocks about them
+gleam.
+
+"I got supper," came from Andy.
+
+"Well, I got the water," asserted Frank.
+
+"And I made the fire," laughed the ranch boy. "So as long as we all had
+a hand in that meal I guess we can do the same for breakfast."
+
+Soon the eggs and bacon were sizzling in the frying pan over the fire,
+and the appetizing odor of coffee filled the air.
+
+"My! but that certainly smells good!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"And it'll taste better," declared his brother, who was in charge of
+the actual cooking.
+
+"And after grub we'll start in and explore Golden Peak," said Billy.
+"It's queer, that, though I've lived near it a long time, I never have
+been all over it. It's only recently that the rumor of treasure got
+started anew, and since then I haven't had much chance. But we'll run
+this thing down now."
+
+"Unless those other fellows prevent us," suggested Frank.
+
+Golden Peak was rather a curious formation. It was the central and
+the lowest of three hills in what was otherwise quite a flat country,
+and, with the twin points between which the river flowed, marked the
+beginning of a gentle rise that culminated in mountains many miles
+away. It was as if some great force of nature had sliced off the plain,
+leaving the prairies almost like a barn floor, but with these three
+peaks sticking up.
+
+Golden Peak was of good height, and was several miles in circumference.
+It was well wooded, beginning at a point about half a mile up from the
+level, and there was much rocky formation.
+
+The boys started on their explorations soon after breakfast, leaving
+the pack animals tethered, but riding their own steeds and carrying
+their guns.
+
+"Suppose those fellows come upon our camp?" suggested Andy.
+
+"Well, we've got to take that chance," answered Frank. "We can't hide
+it where they couldn't find it. But if they wreck it we'll take our
+revenge, that's all."
+
+"I don't believe they'll bother us," said Billy. "They know this is the
+last round of the fight, and they're going to lose. If we come face to
+face with them they may act mean, but I don't believe they'd dare do
+anything."
+
+They rode on for several miles and saw no signs of any other persons
+than themselves on Golden Peak. Now and then a movement in the
+underbrush indicated the passage of someone or some animal, but they
+could glimpse nothing.
+
+They managed to shoot some sage hens and a partridge or two, insuring
+them a good dinner.
+
+"But I don't see any treasure," complained Andy.
+
+"There's where someone has been digging for it," remarked Billy,
+pointing to a hole in the ground. "But I guess he gave it up as a bad
+job."
+
+There was quite an excavation amid the dirt and yellow rocks, but it
+had been abandoned after having been sunk to a depth of about five
+feet, showing that the looked-for gold, or other precious minerals, had
+not been found.
+
+"I wonder what the treasure will be?" ventured Frank.
+
+"Gold, I hope," said Billy. "As soon as we get to a likely place we'll
+do a little digging ourselves, but there's no use trying where these
+fellows have, for they'd find it if it was in plain sight."
+
+"How will we know gold if we see it?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, I've got a prospector's testing outfit," replied the ranch lad. "I
+can manage to wash some of the dirt or gravel, and if I get some yellow
+particles that will stand the acid test I'll know we're on the right
+track."
+
+"These rocks look as if they contained some gold," suggested Andy, a
+little later, leaping from his horse to pick up several of the yellow
+stones.
+
+Billy laughed.
+
+"Lots of people are fooled by that," he said. "It is iron pyrites, a
+mixture of iron with lots of sulphur in it. The sulphur gives it the
+yellow color, and that's what makes Golden Peak show so yellow in the
+sun. Iron pyrites is often called 'fools' gold,' as it has fooled so
+many people. No, we've got to get a different yellow than that if we
+want to strike the treasure."
+
+"Just my luck!" exclaimed Andy, in disgust, as he tossed the rocks
+aside.
+
+All that day they roamed over Golden Peak, looking in vain for any
+signs of hidden wealth. The most that Billy hoped was that they would
+come to some out-cropping of precious metal that would tell of a hidden
+vein; but, though they did find several promising places, many of which
+had been prospected by the unknown men on the hill, the boys were not
+rewarded.
+
+"Well, let's hike back to camp," proposed Frank, as the afternoon began
+to wane. "We don't want to stay in the open."
+
+They found nothing disturbed when they got back to where they had left
+their burros and outfit, and supper was soon cooking.
+
+The next day was a repetition of the first, and the boys were beginning
+to get discouraged. Not that they had been too hopeful, but they
+expected to find something.
+
+"The treasure of Golden Peak is a myth!" exclaimed Frank, as they
+prepared to go back to camp on their third evening spent on the hill.
+"I say let's go somewhere else and camp."
+
+"One more day," pleaded Andy, who was more hopeful than either of his
+companions. "Let's have one more day of it."
+
+"All right," agreed Billy, "though I expect Uncle Richfield is getting
+impatient to close the gates of the dam and let the water rise. But
+he'll wait for us."
+
+"It would be inconvenient if he didn't, and tried to drown us out,"
+said Frank.
+
+"Well, let's go down," began Andy, "and see----"
+
+He did not finish the sentence, for he suddenly disappeared from sight,
+crashing through some bushes with a clatter of earth and stones.
+
+"Hello! What's the matter?" gasped Frank.
+
+"Andy, where are you?" yelled Billy.
+
+"Down in a hole!" was the answer, in muffled tones. "I fell half-way
+through to China, I guess. Look out, don't follow me here."
+
+Andy had been off his horse when the accident happened, or it might
+have been more serious. Frank now leaped from his animal and cautiously
+approached the place where his brother had fallen in. He saw an opening
+into some sort of cave, but, almost as he reached it, Andy came walking
+out, for the floor of the cavern, that had been concealed by the brush,
+was sloping.
+
+"Well, what are you trying to do?" asked Frank.
+
+"You can search me," answered Andy, grimly. "I didn't know that cave
+was there any more than you did. But it sure is a hole."
+
+"Let's have a look," suggested Billy, and with his two chums he began
+pulling aside the bushes. Soon a good-sized opening was revealed,
+leading into a cavern the depth or size of which it was impossible to
+determine in the fast-gathering darkness.
+
+"Let's go in!" cried impetuous Andy.
+
+"Let's wait until morning," said his more cautious brother.
+
+Billy stooped down and picked up something. It was a rusty knife, with
+a few specks of yellow stone.
+
+"What have you got?" asked Frank.
+
+"Someone has been in this cave--years ago I should judge by this rusty
+knife," said the ranch boy. "And, unless I'm very much mistaken, we've
+stumbled on the hiding place of the treasure."
+
+"The treasure!" gasped Andy. "What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean this is the most promising sign we've struck yet," went on
+Billy. "I think these are particles of gold. I can soon tell. Make a
+fire, so we can see."
+
+One was kindled, and by the light of it the test was applied.
+
+"Gold! It's gold all right!" fairly yelled Billy, as the biting acid
+did not tarnish the touchstone on which he rubbed the yellow particles.
+"There's gold in this cave, and this is probably where the old miner
+found his nuggets, just before he went crazy, and forgot the location
+of it. Since then the bushes have grown over the mouth of the cavern,
+and no one stumbled upon it until----"
+
+"Until I stumbled _in_ it!" interrupted Andy, with a laugh. "But if
+there's gold there let's go in and get it!"
+
+"No," said Billy, after a moment's thought, "it's too late to-night.
+But we'll come the first thing in the morning, and, if the cave is big
+enough, we'll camp here instead of in the tent."
+
+"But maybe those fellows will discover the cave in the night," objected
+Frank.
+
+"There's not much danger," was Billy's opinion. "In fact I think those
+fellows have skipped out. We haven't seen any signs of 'em lately.
+But we can put the bushes back and in the darkness I don't believe
+those fellows will notice anything if they do come this way. Come on,
+fellows, get busy."
+
+They soon had the entrance to the cave well concealed, and then, with
+their hearts filled with hope, they rode down to their camp, which they
+found undisturbed.
+
+"We're going to have a storm," was Billy's forecast, as they got supper
+by lantern light. "But it won't matter, as we can get in the cave
+to-morrow and be dry while we are digging for gold."
+
+"Just think of it!" cried Andy. "We have really found the treasure of
+Golden Peak!"
+
+"Not yet," said the more careful Frank. "That old prospector may have
+taken it all out."
+
+"But that's where it was, at any rate," declared Billy, looking at some
+of the shining yellow particles he had brought away with him.
+
+They could hardly sleep that night, but at length did drop off in a
+doze, Andy taking the first watch. It was almost at an end, and he was
+about to awaken Billy, who was to relieve him, when he became aware of
+a curious noise up the valley at the end of which Golden Peak stood.
+
+"I wonder what that is?" he mused. "It sounds like wind and rain."
+
+At that moment a gust shook the tent, and Billy called:
+
+"All right! I'm coming."
+
+He glided out to join Andy a little later, and when he heard the sounds
+he said:
+
+"It is rain. The storm's coming. No need to stand watch now. Let's make
+everything snug and stay in the tent."
+
+Hardly had they done so when the downpour began, and it was a hard one.
+Fortunately the tent was waterproof, but it was sorely tried, for the
+wind was strong.
+
+It was no fun getting breakfast the next morning, but they managed to
+boil coffee, and then, still in the downpour, they set out for the cave.
+
+"No one's been here!" cried Andy in delight, as they saw that the
+bushes were not disturbed. "Now for the gold!"
+
+They soon discovered that the cave was large enough to shelter them and
+their animals, and the patient beasts were glad enough to get in out of
+the wet.
+
+Hardly had they made all snug, and prepared with torches and lanterns
+to explore the cavern, when there came a terrifying sound outside. It
+was like a great clap of thunder, followed by a roaring of waters.
+Billy rushed to the mouth of the cave.
+
+"Fellows!" he cried, "we didn't get here a minute too soon. There's
+been a cloudburst, and the whole place below us will be flooded in
+another minute!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVII
+
+                         GETTING OUT THE GOLD
+
+
+With a rush and a roar the storm descended, increasing in intensity
+each minute. Well it was for the Racer boys and their chum that they
+had reached the cave in time, for they would have found it almost
+impossible to make their way up the side of the hill in that downpour.
+
+"A cloudburst; eh?" echoed Frank, as he came to the entrance of the
+cavern and stood beside Billy. "It's lucky we got in on time."
+
+"I should say so," agreed Andy. "Look at it rain!"
+
+The water was coming down in sheets, and they could see scarcely ten
+feet beyond the mouth of the cave. It seemed as if that terrific
+thunder clap had actually shattered a cloud, and the rain, instead of
+coming down in drops, was descending in torrents.
+
+"If those other fellows--Shackmiller's crowd--are out on Golden Peak
+now they'll need umbrellas," observed Andy, with grim wit.
+
+"That's right," agreed his brother. "Lucky if they don't slide down to
+the bottom."
+
+"And that's likely to happen," added Billy. "Look at those small rivers
+of mud and water."
+
+He pointed to big rivulets that were coursing down the side of the hill
+on either hand from the opening to the big cave. Horse or man would
+have found it difficult to make progress against them, for they washed
+the soil out from under foot.
+
+"Well, now that we're here, what shall we do?" asked Frank. "No use
+standing looking at the rain, even if it is a cloudburst."
+
+"That's right," agreed Andy. "Let's get at the gold."
+
+"I'm with you," came from Billy. "Say, we couldn't have found a better
+place to camp in a storm. This cave is as dry as a barn."
+
+"Oh, that's Racer luck," answered Andy, lightly.
+
+"I believe you," agreed his Western chum. "Well, as long as we have
+some lanterns, and can make torches from some of this dry wood in the
+cave, let's explore it a bit."
+
+The cavern was, as I have said, a large one, extending back under the
+brow of Golden Peak. As the boys could see, it also branched off in
+different directions, smaller caves opening from the large one.
+
+"And the question is, where is the gold?" came from Andy.
+
+They did not have to hunt long to find it. Hardly had they gone a
+hundred feet back into the cave when Frank uttered a cry of delight and
+wonder.
+
+"Here it is!" he shouted. "Gold! Lots of it! Sticking right out of the
+side of the cave!"
+
+His brother and chum hurried to his side. Frank, holding his lantern
+aloft, flashed it on a vein that glowed a golden yellow in the light.
+
+"Maybe it's only 'fools' gold," suggested Andy.
+
+"No, I think this is the real thing," came from Billy. "We can soon
+tell."
+
+Quickly he made the test, and gave a cry of delight.
+
+"It's gold, all right!" he yelled. "Boys, we've found the treasure of
+Golden Peak! Or, rather, Andy did, by falling into this cave!"
+
+"Oh, I'll whack up even," said the younger Racer boy, quickly.
+
+Now that they were sure they had come upon the gold they examined the
+precious vein more closely. It cropped out in the soft sand-like rock
+of the cavern wall, as though squeezed by some giant hand that had
+crushed the rocks into their present form. The gold was in the form of
+a soft ore, as if it had been mixed with clay or putty, and with their
+hatchets the boys had no difficulty in chopping out a considerable
+quantity.
+
+"But hold on!" exclaimed Billy, when they had made a precious pile in
+the middle of the cavern floor. "Now that we have located this lode
+let's look for others. This one isn't going to run away, and we may
+find a richer one to work."
+
+"That's a good idea," declared Frank. "This will keep, and we might as
+well go to the far end of the cave and see what's there. Maybe there's
+a bigger vein."
+
+They fed the horses, for it was now nearly noon, and then, eating
+something themselves, they started for the rear of the cavern.
+
+It was larger than they had imagined, but their plan of going to the
+end of it was quickly halted. For, proceeding cautiously along, on the
+lookout for pits or crevices, Frank suddenly uttered a cry of warning.
+
+"Hold on!" he called. "There's a big hole here! I nearly stepped into
+it! Bring the lights!"
+
+His companions hastened to his side. There they saw that, extending
+all the way across the floor of the cave, was a great crack, the other
+side of which they could not discern. Silently Andy picked up a stone
+and dropped it down. It was many seconds before, from the black depths,
+came floating up the echoes of the crash as the rock found bottom.
+
+"By Jove!" whispered Frank. "That must go all the way down to the foot
+of the hill--thousands of feet!"
+
+"And if you had fallen--" began his brother.
+
+"But he didn't," said Billy quickly, for he was in the habit of
+looking on the bright side. "Well, this ends the cave as far as we are
+concerned. We can't go any further, and all we can do is to go back to
+where we first found the gold and get out as much as we can."
+
+"That's right," agreed the Racer boys, and, after another glance into
+the black depths before them, they turned back. A look from the mouth
+of the cave showed them that the terrific storm was still keeping up.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+                           THE RISING WATER
+
+
+"Well, how much do you think we've got?" asked Andy Racer, as he sat
+down on a pile of dirt, and looked at a mass of dull, gleaming yellow
+near the side of the cavern.
+
+"Oh, we must have two or three thousand dollars' worth," declared Frank.
+
+"More than that," came from Billy, who was wielding a shovel, pausing
+at intervals for a rest. "Of course this isn't pure gold, as it's mixed
+with clay and earth, to say nothing of the rocks, but with all that we
+must have nearly five thousand dollars' worth."
+
+"As much as that?" cried Andy, eagerly.
+
+"I think so," replied the ranch boy. "Of course my test isn't very
+reliable, and about all I am able to do is to say that it really _is_
+gold that we're digging out. But I think we have struck it rich, all
+right."
+
+"And to think those fellows have been searching all the while for the
+treasure of Golden Peak and didn't find it!" commented Andy. "It was
+just our luck."
+
+Billy again resumed his digging, loosening the soft soil in which
+appeared the curious out-cropping of the gold vein. For it was curious.
+It defied all the known laws of mining. It seemed that, ages ago, there
+must have been some upheaval of nature that thrust into the interior of
+the hill a streak of rich metal, isolated, as it were, from everything
+else.
+
+Then the cave was formed, making a sort of envelope above the treasure,
+and it had been undiscovered for many years. Then came the unfortunate
+prospector, who, after finding the rich deposit, went crazy. Others had
+searched for it in vain.
+
+Suddenly Billy uttered a cry of dismay.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Frank.
+
+"It's gone!" was the answer.
+
+"What is?"
+
+"The gold streak! It's come to an end!"
+
+They flashed their lanterns and torches into the crevice where Billy
+was working. It was only too true. After digging out a considerable
+quantity of the valuable earth, filled with gold, the seam, or vein,
+had come to an abrupt end.
+
+"No more gold here," said Billy, digging his spade into the side of the
+cave.
+
+"Maybe it crops out somewhere else," suggested Frank.
+
+"In that case we'll have to have more tools, and help, to get at it,"
+said the boy from the ranch. "We've reached our limit now."
+
+"Let's try on the other side," suggested Andy. "There may be a vein
+there."
+
+They looked--going carefully over the opposite side of the cavern--but
+no yellow streaks showed. It was as if all the gold had been collected
+in one narrow space.
+
+"And we can't pass beyond the chasm in the floor of the cave," said
+Frank, referring to the big opening down which he had nearly fallen.
+
+"Not without a bridge," said Andy. "But we can go back to the ranch,
+and come here again to look for more gold."
+
+"Let's make sure of what we have, first," suggested Andy. "We ought to
+get this in shape to carry home."
+
+Looking carefully into the big crack they had dug in the wall of the
+cave, to make certain that it contained no more of the precious metal,
+the boys proceeded to put into bags the treasure they already had. It
+was heavy, but they did not mind that, and, as it was about half pure
+gold, they figured that they had a goodly sum.
+
+"I guess the burros can pack it back to the ranch," said Billy, as they
+made up bundle after bundle.
+
+"Especially since our grub is nearly gone, and they won't have to carry
+that," added Frank.
+
+"But it will be hard going through the rain," said Andy, for the big
+storm had still kept up, though not with such fury. The rain still
+descended, and the wind blew, but the cloudburst was a thing of the
+past.
+
+They made the gold into small packages, so that they could easily be
+put on the backs of the pack animals. Since they had taken up their
+camp in the cave they had not gone out, as there was no necessity. They
+had their food, they could cook it over fires made in the cavern, their
+horses were safely stabled, and all there was to do was to dig out the
+gold.
+
+The treasure of Golden Peak had not amounted to nearly as much as they
+had hoped it would, but it was still a good find, and they were very
+glad.
+
+"Well, I suppose we might as well move," suggested Frank, when they had
+put all the precious ore into bags. "We can come back later and make a
+bridge across the chasm to see if there is any of the yellow stuff on
+the other side."
+
+"Yes, I guess we've got all we can get at present," added Billy.
+"Besides, my uncle will be glad to get word that we are going to leave
+so he can close the dam, and----"
+
+"But if there is more gold here he won't do that!" interrupted Frank.
+"We ought to hurry and tell him that we have found the treasure, and
+to wait a while before flooding Golden Peak."
+
+"That's so," agreed the ranch boy. "We'll do it. Let's get back to the
+ranch as fast as we can."
+
+Little more preparation was required to put them in shape for travel.
+It was still raining, but they did not mind that, though they realized
+that they would have to make quite a circuit in order to pass the
+river, which would be much swollen.
+
+"Forward!" cried Frank, when the burros were laden with the remains of
+the food, and the precious sacks of gold. "Back to the ranch!"
+
+They emerged from the mouth of the cave. Riding their horses, holding
+them well in hand, lest they slip on the wet earth, and leading the
+burros, the lads began their homeward march with the treasure of Golden
+Peak.
+
+As Frank, who was in the lead, made a turn in the downward trail, he
+suddenly came to a halt. Then he uttered a cry of alarm.
+
+"What is it?" called Andy.
+
+"The water--the rising water!" answered his brother. "Look, there's a
+lake below us! We're surrounded by water!"
+
+[Illustration: "LOOK, THERE'S A LAKE BELOW US! WE'RE SURROUNDED BY
+WATER!"]
+
+It was even as he said. A quarter of a mile down from the top of Golden
+Peak there was a sea of turbid water, and it was still rising.
+
+"What has happened?" cried Andy.
+
+"The gates of the dam are closed!" shouted Billy. "There has been
+some mistake! Uncle Richfield has closed the dam, and the lake is
+being made! We're caught here on Golden Peak! Everything else is under
+water!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIX
+
+                               MAROONED
+
+
+Billy's announcement seemed to strike a chill of terror to the hearts
+of his chums. They stood there, at the mouth of the treasure cave, and
+looked at the water below them--a vast lake that was slowly growing in
+size, and increasing in depth as the river backed up against the dam,
+the gates of which had been, in some manner, closed.
+
+"It--it can't be possible!" gasped Andy.
+
+"But it is!" cried Frank. "Here's the lake, and here we are on Golden
+Peak, and there's no way of getting off!"
+
+"Unless we swim," put in Billy, "and that's no easy job, with the
+horses----"
+
+"And the gold," added Andy. "What are we going to do?"
+
+No one could answer him. Their situation was desperate, and yet, after
+the first feeling of fear and terror, the boys looked at the situation
+more calmly. They were not the sort of lads to give up easily.
+
+"We'll find a way out; or, rather, a way off," said Frank, after a
+bit. "It's queer that this should happen, and, I suppose, if we hadn't
+been so busy getting out the gold, and stayed in the cave, we would
+have noticed the water rising, and we could have gotten away in time."
+
+"That's right," agreed Billy. "There's been some mistake, I'm sure.
+Uncle Richfield must have thought we had left the Peak, and closed the
+gates. You know we did stay here longer than we said we would."
+
+"Yes, but he was not to close the dam until he got word from us,"
+declared Frank "And we didn't send any word. How----"
+
+"No, but someone must have!" cried Billy, now much excited. "I begin to
+see it now. Those fellows--Shackmiller's gang--they knew we were here.
+Probably they've been spying on us all the while, though we could see
+no trace of them. They could not find the treasure themselves, and they
+decided to leave, for they must have realized that the game was up.
+Then they had it in for us, and hit on this revenge. They sent word to
+Uncle Richfield that we had left, as we said we would, and he closed
+the gate."
+
+"But how could they have known we were going to send any word?" asked
+Andy.
+
+"We talked of it at the dam, where all the men were working," went on
+Billy; "and unless I'm mistaken Shackmiller must have had a spy or two
+among the construction men. It would have been easy enough to do that."
+
+"But would your uncle accept word that we had left from someone he did
+not know?" asked Frank.
+
+"Probably the man, whoever he was, never saw my uncle at all,"
+explained Billy. "He may have just ridden up to the dam and called to
+the foreman that we were off Golden Peak, and that the water could be
+backed up. We didn't say we would send word by any special messenger,
+you know."
+
+"That's right," agreed Andy. "It could have been done that way. Well,
+we're in for it now, all right. What a lot of water!"
+
+It was indeed a large lake that they were gazing over, and it was
+constantly growing larger. The river, augmented by the cloudburst, and
+by the continued heavy rains, had swollen greatly in size, and, in
+consequence, the water backed up much more rapidly than would otherwise
+have been the case.
+
+"Well, what's to be done?" asked Andy. "We can't stay here--that is,
+not much longer. The hill will be under water in a few hours more."
+
+"That's true," said Frank. "We've got to do something, and that soon."
+
+It was curious to see now how the Racer boys had, in a measure, taken
+charge of things. Now that an emergency had arisen--one that did
+not have to deal directly with range matters, with which Billy was
+familiar--his chums came to the fore, as they had often done in times
+past.
+
+"What can we do?" asked Billy, half gloomily. "I don't believe we can
+swim that distance. It must be miles to the nearest shore."
+
+"Fully three," said Frank. "Yes, it would be a pretty long swim, though
+we might do it. But I have a better plan than that."
+
+"What is it?" asked Billy, eagerly.
+
+"Well, there are two things we can do," went on the elder Racer lad.
+"In the first place we must go to the highest part of the Peak, the one
+that will be the longest out of water. Then I want to see just how fast
+the water is rising, and we'll know how much longer we have."
+
+"But that isn't getting us away from here," said Andy, impatiently.
+"We're marooned on Golden Peak. What is to be done?"
+
+"I'm coming to that," said his brother, calmly. "We can do two things.
+One is to make a signal fire on the highest point of the Peak. The
+smoke will be seen at the ranch, for they must be watching the forming
+of the lake. So get some wood from the cave and we'll climb to the top,
+and make the signal fire."
+
+"What's the other thing?" asked Billy, as Frank paused.
+
+"The other thing is to cut down some trees and make a little raft that
+we can float on until we're rescued, after this hill is under water."
+
+"But the horses and burros," spoke Billy. "What about them?"
+
+"They'll have to take their chances," replied Frank. "They may be able
+to swim to shore. We'll have to save ourselves."
+
+"And the gold," added Andy, quickly. "Don't forget the treasure of
+Golden Peak."
+
+"We're not likely to," answered Frank, in a low voice. "It came near
+being the end of us--and may yet," he added. "Come on," he cried, more
+cheerfully. "Get to the top, and start the fire. It ought to smoke well
+with all this rain."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXX
+
+                        THE END OF GOLDEN PEAK
+
+
+"Does it rise very fast, Frank?"
+
+"Yes, she's coming up at a pretty good speed. We haven't much time to
+spare. We want to get away before dark if we can."
+
+"Then come on up to the top where Billy is," and Andy began making his
+way up the side of Golden Peak.
+
+He and his brother had gone from the treasure cave to the edge of the
+fast-forming lake to note the rise of the water, and having ascertained
+that the rate was quite rapid they were ready to proceed with the work
+of making the raft, and sending up the smoke signal. Billy had gone up
+toward the summit, taking the horses and pack animals with him, and
+also the store of gold.
+
+"First we'll cut down as many trees as we think we'll need," suggested
+Frank, when the three were together again. "Then we can bind them
+tightly with these vines and our ropes. Andy and I will do that, and
+you can make the fire, Billy."
+
+"All right," agreed the ranch lad. "Only it's getting so hazy that our
+smoke isn't going to be seen a great distance."
+
+"All the more need of hurrying then," said Frank, as he gazed off
+across the lake. He could scarcely see the big dam, some miles away, on
+account of the haze that hung over the water. The ranch buildings were
+altogether out of sight.
+
+"But the smoke may rise above the mist," reasoned the elder Racer lad.
+"I hope so, at any rate."
+
+Rapidly he and Andy cut down small trees. They would not need many to
+make a raft capable of supporting themselves. As for the animals, they
+would have to take their chances.
+
+The rain still continued, and Billy knew the river, in dry times a
+small stream, must be greatly increased in volume. He soon had a fire
+going, and a thick cloud of smoke arose, swirling this way and that--an
+excellent signal of distress if it could be observed.
+
+"I wonder how they can rescue us?" asked Andy, as he made the last chop
+at a small tree, felling it.
+
+"In a boat, of course," said Frank.
+
+"Uncle has a boat," put in Billy. "He had it built for use on the lake.
+It's a big barge, and will hold several horses. In fact, it's a sort of
+ferry, for he calculated that he might want to send some of the ponies
+or farm machinery from one end of the lake to the other after the dam
+was built. Now, if he would only send that for us we'd be all right."
+
+"Maybe he will," suggested Frank, hopefully. "Anyhow, keep the fire
+going. Now, Andy, I think we've got enough trees down. Let's see what
+sort of a raft we can make."
+
+It was a crude affair that was soon in process of construction, but it
+would answer the purpose of saving the lads, though it would not hold
+the horses.
+
+"It isn't going to be very hard to launch," commented Andy, when it was
+almost completed. "All we'll have to do will be to get on it and wait
+for the water to float it."
+
+"And that won't be long, for she's rising fast," said Frank.
+
+It was indeed so, as they could tell by looking down the slope of the
+hill. Tree landmarks that had been wholly out of the water were now
+almost covered. It would not be long before the whole of Golden Peak
+was submerged.
+
+Several hours passed. The raft was completed, but there was no need to
+go to the laborious work of getting it down the side of the hill to the
+level of the lake. The lake itself would rise up soon enough to float
+it.
+
+"Another foot will do the business," said Frank, in a quiet voice, as
+he noted the water lapping the stones and bushes about twelve inches
+from where the raft rested.
+
+"Then we might as well get on and wait," suggested Andy. "We've got the
+gold as secure as we can make it."
+
+"All right," agreed Billy. "I guess I may as well let the fire go out.
+They don't seem to have seen our smoke." He tossed on a final armful of
+wet leaves to make a thicker smudge, and gazed off through the mist for
+a sign of rescue. But he saw none.
+
+The boys got on the frail raft. As they did so the horses and burros
+came closer to them. The animals seemed pitifully frightened.
+
+"Good-bye, Buffalo!" exclaimed Billy, as he patted the faithful steed.
+"I hate to leave you, old fellow, but it's got to be. Maybe you can
+swim ashore."
+
+Buffalo whinnied and stretched out his velvety nose for a caress.
+There were tears in Billy's eyes, and those of Frank and Andy were not
+altogether free from moisture, for they had grown to care very much for
+the animals they had ridden over the prairies.
+
+A half hour passed. Frank, who had been looking at the water from time
+to time, suddenly uttered an exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" asked his brother. "Do you see anything?"
+
+"Yes!" cried Frank. "I see that the water hasn't risen an inch in the
+last half hour. Before that it was going up at the rate of nearly a
+foot an hour."
+
+"Are you sure?" cried Andy.
+
+"I certainly am. I've been watching that yellow rock there, wondering
+when it would be covered, but the water has been lapping at the base of
+it more than thirty minutes."
+
+"What does that mean?" asked Andy, anxiously.
+
+"That the lake has stopped rising," said Frank quickly. "Either it has
+reached its limit, or they have suspected something wrong at the dam,
+and opened the gates."
+
+"It hasn't reached its limit," declared Billy, "for when it does this
+hill will be covered. It's away below the top of the dam."
+
+"Then they know we're here and they've opened the gates!" cried Frank.
+"Boys, I believe we're going to be rescued!"
+
+"And I know it!" yelled Andy, suddenly leaping to his feet. "We _are_
+rescued, fellows! There's the boat now!"
+
+His cry of joy was answered by a shout, and from out the mist on the
+lake, straight for Golden Peak, came a large barge or flat-bottom
+ferryboat, propelled by long sweeps in the hands of the lusty cowboys.
+In the middle of the craft stood Mr. Thornton.
+
+"Boys! Boys!" he cried in eager tones, "are you safe? Oh, what a narrow
+escape! Are you all right?"
+
+"Yes, Uncle!" cried Billy. "We were just going to launch our ship when
+you hove in sight. Did you see our smoke signal?"
+
+"We did, and that's why I had the gate opened. The waters are going
+down now. Oh, that scoundrel! To bring word that you had left the Peak!
+That's why I closed the openings in the dam. Oh! if I catch the rascals
+I'll fix them for this!"
+
+"Did they say we had gone?" asked Frank.
+
+"That's what they did--some days ago, or I never would have allowed the
+water to rise. But, thank Providence, you are safe. Get aboard now, and
+bring the horses, too. And so you were going to sail on the raft."
+
+"That's what we were," said Billy. "The Racer boys thought of that
+scheme."
+
+"Well, get aboard the barge," advised his uncle, as he gazed admiringly
+at the brave lads. "What have you in those bags?" and he pointed to the
+gold.
+
+"That," said Frank, and he could not keep a note of satisfaction from
+his voice; "that is the treasure of Golden Peak!"
+
+"The treasure of Golden Peak?" cried Mr. Thornton. "Are you joking? Was
+there a treasure?"
+
+"There was!" cried his nephew, "and we got it," and then, when they had
+all boarded the barge, though it was no easy work to induce the animals
+to embark, the boys told their story, while the cowboys propelled the
+boat toward the lower end of the lake.
+
+"Well, you certainly are the luckiest chaps I ever saw," said Mr.
+Thornton. "And it all happened just as you guessed. There must
+have been a traitor among the construction gang, who informed the
+Shackmiller crowd of your plans. We thought you had gone camping
+somewhere else as you said you would.
+
+"Then, when you did not come home, after the rain kept up, your aunt
+got worried. I tried to tell her it was all right, but she insisted
+that we go out and hunt you up. We were just starting when one of
+my men saw the smoke on Golden Peak. Then I guessed the truth and I
+ordered the gates of the dam opened, so the waters would stop rising."
+
+"And only just in time, too," said Frank. "We were so busy in the cave,
+getting out the gold, that we never noticed the rising waters, or we
+might have escaped unaided."
+
+"But what about those men who made trouble for you?" asked Billy of his
+uncle.
+
+"Oh, they've cleared out," said Mr. Thornton. "I've got them just where
+I want them, now. Though I did go ahead without any legal authority
+and flood this region I was within my rights for, only yesterday, I
+succeeded--or rather, my lawyers did--in getting full title to the land
+in dispute. There is no doubt now that Golden Peak, and the approach to
+it, is mine beyond question. And it will soon be where no one can get
+at it, for I'm going to let the waters rise again as soon as we land,
+and Golden Peak will be no more--that is unless there is more gold
+there."
+
+"No, I think we got all there was," said Frank. "I'm glad we dug it out
+when we had the chance. This is the first treasure hunt I was ever on."
+
+"And very successful," added Andy. "Say, but things have been happening
+lately. I wonder what's next on the list?"
+
+What was, and what share the Racer boys had in some further adventures,
+will be told of in the next volume of this series, to be called "The
+Racer Boys on Guard, Or, The Rebellion at Riverview Hall."
+
+It did not take long to reach the dam, where the boat was moored, and
+then the Racer boys, and their chum, with Mr. Thornton and the cowboys,
+rode across the prairie to the ranch. The gates in the dam were closed,
+and that night Golden Peak disappeared forever under the waters of the
+irrigation lake.
+
+There is little more to tell. The treasure did not amount to as much as
+the boys had hoped it would, but still it was a substantial sum.
+
+"Besides, look at the fun we had!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"That's all you think of," complained his brother, with a laugh.
+
+"Well, haven't we a right to, after what we've gone through?" asked
+Andy.
+
+"I should say so," agreed Billy. "Oh, but I'm glad you boys came West
+with me! I've never had such a fine summer."
+
+"And we got the best of Shackmiller and his crowd," commented Frank.
+"You won't have anything to fear now, when you come back to Riverview
+Hall, Billy."
+
+"That's right, though I don't know whether I'll come back or not."
+
+As Frank had said, the Shackmillers were completely routed. The twin
+brothers disappeared after Sam had recovered from his injuries.
+Later it was learned that Bruce Shackmiller had played the part of
+the hypocrite while being taken care of at Double X ranch. It was he
+who had taken the valuable paper and escaped in the night, though
+the document did him no good. As for the others who had sought the
+treasure of Golden Peak, and claimed the land that was rightfully Mr.
+Thornton's, they, too, went their several ways, it not being thought
+worth while to seek to bring them to justice, even though they had
+tried their best to endanger the lives of our heroes.
+
+"And now for a good gallop!" cried Andy, one day, as he and his brother
+and chum leaped on the backs of their horses.
+
+"I'm glad we could save them," said Frank, as he called to his mount to
+leap ahead and get on even terms with his brother's. "I never knew I
+could like a horse so."
+
+"He's yours--to keep," said Billy quickly. "And so is Andy's. Uncle
+said I could give them to you."
+
+"He did?" cried the Racer boys. "Whoop! That's great!" and away they
+dashed over the sun-lit prairie, toward the big dam, behind which the
+waters of the lake sparkled bright. And there we will take leave of
+them.
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                        BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG
+
+
+                         THE RACER BOYS SERIES
+
+                          12mo. Illustrated.
+
+                 Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.
+
+                            THE RACER BOYS
+                   THE RACER BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL
+                     THE RACER BOYS TO THE RESCUE
+                    THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES
+
+                    (Other volumes in preparation.)
+
+
+                         THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES
+
+                          12mo. Illustrated.
+
+                 Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.
+
+                            THE MOTOR BOYS
+                        THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND
+                       THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO
+                   THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS
+                         THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT
+                    THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC
+                   THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS
+                     THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC
+                     THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS
+                    THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES
+                     THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN
+                      THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING
+                    THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE
+                     THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER
+
+
+                        THE JACK RANGER SERIES
+
+                       12mo. Finely illustrated.
+
+                  Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid.
+
+                       JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS
+                      JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP
+                    JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES
+                      JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE
+                        JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB
+                      JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX
+
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75395 ***
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75395 ***</div>
+
+<div class="titlepage">
+
+<h1>THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES</h1>
+
+<p>Or</p>
+
+<h2>The Treasure of Golden Peak</h2>
+
+<p class="ph1">BY CLARENCE YOUNG</p>
+
+<p>AUTHOR OF "THE RACER BOYS," "THE RACER BOYS AT<br>
+BOARDING SCHOOL," "THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES,"<br>
+"THE JACK RANGER SERIES," ETC.</p>
+
+<p>NEW YORK<br>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY</p>
+
+<p>Copyrighted 1913, by<br>
+<span class="smcap">Cupples &amp; Leon Company</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Racer Boys on the Prairies</span></p>
+
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<table>
+<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">"<span class="smcap">What Is He Afraid Of?</span>"</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Planning the Hazing</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">A Needless Alarm</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">A Mysterious Man</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">A Strange Attack</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Billy Tells Something</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">News from the West</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">A Thrilling Rescue</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">The Invitation</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">Off for the West</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">A Railroad Smash</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">The Man Who Limped</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">The Relief Train</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Forward Again</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">On the Prairies</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">"<span class="smcap">We Are Being Followed!</span>"</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">At the Ranch</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Mr. Thornton Is Worried</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">Warned Away</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">The Black Cloud</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">The Injured Man</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">The Missing Paper</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">The Chase</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Off to Golden Peak</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">Camping Out</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">The Cloudburst</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">Getting Out the Gold</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">The Rising Water</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">Marooned</span></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><span class="smcap">The End of Golden Peak</span></a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+
+<h2>THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">"WHAT IS HE AFRAID OF?"</p>
+
+
+<p>"Say, there are the Racer boys back!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's great! Now the fun will start!"</p>
+
+<p>"It sure will. I was afraid they weren't coming here this term."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Riverview Hall wouldn't know how to get along without 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"Guess you're right."</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Andy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, there, Frank!"</p>
+
+<p>A group of students who had been skylarking about the boarding school
+campus, made a rush for the two lads who were slowly advancing across
+the green stretch.</p>
+
+<p>It was early in the year, and the weather, which had been wet and
+rather cold, was now turning into balmy spring, with the feeling of
+baseball in the air. The Easter vacation was over, and the new term
+at Riverview Hall would open in a few days. Some of the students had
+already arrived, and more were coming. Among those who had made their
+appearance were Andy and Frank Racer, whose advent caused such delight
+to their chums.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll have some baseball!" exclaimed Ward Platt, who could not
+seem to get along without some form of athletics. "Andy and Frank will
+just make up enough so we can have two nines," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll do something else besides play ball," declared Jack
+Sanderson.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked John North.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to turn in, and get up some new kind of hazing for the
+Freshmen. There'll be a lot of 'em here this term, I understand."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! The more the merrier!" exclaimed Duke Yardly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, come on and see what news Andy and Frank have," suggested Donald
+Burgess. "They're always doing something different, and there's no
+telling what it will be this time."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed his chums, and they soon surrounded the two lads
+whose coming seemed to so liven up matters at Riverview Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"How about you, Frank?" asked Ward Platt, as he grasped the elder of
+the two brothers by the hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine," was the rather quiet answer. "And how about you and the other
+fellows?"</p>
+
+<p>"Slick as axle grease," was the jolly answer.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you been doing with yourself, Andy?" inquired Jack
+Sanderson, as he clapped the younger Racer lad on the back with such
+force that Andy gave forth a sound like a small bass drum.</p>
+
+<p>"Prac-practicing!" gasped Andy, as soon as he could get his breath.
+"Just—practicing, Jack."</p>
+
+<p>"Practicing what, you old mush-eater?" demanded the other. "Have you
+some new kind of baseball dope, or is it some place to go camping up at
+the North Pole?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just practicing," replied Andy, who seemed to be trying to get in a
+certain position in regard to Jack. "Practicing this, old man!" he
+suddenly exclaimed, and with a quick push, a motion of his foot, and a
+shove, he sent Jack sprawling backward in the grass.</p>
+
+<p>"That's one for you, Jack!" exclaimed Ward.</p>
+
+<p>"Now will you be good?" demanded Donald Burgess.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say you wanted gravy on your eggs?" innocently inquired John
+North.</p>
+
+<p>There was a general laugh as Jack slowly arose, looking rather dazed,
+for his fall had been a sudden one. He glanced sharply at Andy Racer.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say you had been doing?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Practicing," replied Andy, with just the suspicion of a grin on his
+face, that was still tanned from much out-of-door life. "Practicing
+that trip-up. It's a form of Japanese wrestling, and a fellow back
+home showed it to me. I've been practicing up on it during the Easter
+vacation, and I wanted to see if I could work it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you can work it all right!" exclaimed Jack, carefully feeling his
+elbow. "Let's see how it's done."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed Andy with a readiness that was all too apparent.
+"Stand up just as you did before, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Not on your life!" exclaimed Jack, backing away. "No you don't! Once
+in a day is enough. I meant just show me the motions."</p>
+
+<p>"It's impossible to demonstrate it without a subject to work on,"
+replied the younger Racer lad, while his brother and some of his chums
+were quietly laughing off to one side. "Come on; I won't throw you
+hard."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you don't!" went on Jack, still backing away. "Try it on someone
+else for a change."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," readily agreed Andy. "This is how it's done," and before
+John North was aware of what was about to happen, Andy turned on him
+suddenly, and, in an instant, though he tried to save himself by
+grappling with Andy, John, too, went down.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's a dandy trip, all right!" exclaimed Henry Walker. "Come
+on now, Andy, show us how it's done without sending us head over heels."</p>
+
+<p>"No, the price of admission is one fall!" insisted Andy, who was quite
+proud of his accomplishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Up to his old tricks; isn't he?" asked Jack of Frank, who was quietly
+regarding his younger brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'm afraid he'll never get over 'em. Andy sees a joke in
+everything, or, if it isn't there, he'll make it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's all right. It's a good thing. What's the use of being
+gloomy? I'm going to get him to show me how it's done."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you so anxious to learn?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it'll come in mighty useful when we start hazing some of the
+Freshmen. There are some husky ones here this term, and we'll have our
+hands full making them walk the chalk line."</p>
+
+<p>"Many here yet?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite a few, and more are coming."</p>
+
+<p>"Any nice fellows?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, lots; to judge by the looks. Since the school has been renovated,
+thanks to you and Andy, we get a better class of fellows. Yes, there
+are some nice chaps here, and one fellow who seems to have something of
+a mystery about him."</p>
+
+<p>"A mystery?" asked Frank, wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he acts just as if he——"</p>
+
+<p>But Jack suddenly interrupted himself by exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p>"There, Andy's showing how he does that tripping act. I must get next
+to how it's done. Come on—though I suppose you know," and he started
+away from Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't know the secret of it," admitted the elder Racer lad.
+"Andy fooled me with it once or twice until I invented a new way to
+stand him on his head, and then he quit."</p>
+
+<p>"I see!" laughed Jack. "But come on over," and he led the way toward
+where Andy stood, surrounded by a group of admiring lads.</p>
+
+<p>"But you started to say something about a mysterious Freshman,"
+suggested Frank, who liked to follow up matters.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell you about it later," promised Jack, and he pushed his way into
+the throng about Andy. "I want to see this first."</p>
+
+<p>Andy was demonstrating his famous
+"double-hammer-grip-half-Nelson-three-quarter-leg-lock-hold-trip," as
+it was afterward christened.</p>
+
+<p>"You just put up your right arm so," said Andy to John North, "and
+then you stick out your left foot, and then you take hold of the other
+fellow's left hand. Then you take a long breath, lean against him,
+draw back your other foot and—there you are!"</p>
+
+<p>As Andy spoke John was forced to execute a twist, and found himself
+sitting on the grass, looking at his companions with such a strange
+expression that they couldn't help laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"That's how it's done," said Andy, with just a trace of a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"So—so I see," grunted John, as he arose.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, rats!" exclaimed Jack. "I thought you were going to do it slow, so
+we could see the different motions."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the trouble with it," went on Andy. "It has to be done quickly,
+or it won't work, proving to you that I have nothing up my sleeves," he
+went on, in the tone of a professional magician; "and that the hand is
+quicker than the eye. Ahem!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, cut it out!" yelled several.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, show us how it's done. We're all friends of yours," went on Jack.
+"We may need it in our business when it comes to hazing the Freshmen."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll show you," and with that Andy proceeded to demonstrate
+slowly, and with much explanation, how the trick fall was brought
+about. It was really a knack of making the other lad trip himself, by
+pulling him forward, and then suddenly compelling him to change his
+center of gravity; and Andy had it down to perfection.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's all to the fried eggs!" exclaimed John North, admiringly,
+when the explanation was completed.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is," agreed Jack. "I wonder if I can do it?"</p>
+
+<p>He tried, but was not very successful, and then some of the others
+began imitating it, with Andy standing by and giving words of advice.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, haven't you had enough of this?" asked Frank Racer after a while.
+"Come on, Andy; we've got to see about our room, and get our things in
+shape. I want the trunks brought up from the station."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'm coming," replied his brother. "No, that's not the way
+to put out your foot, Jack," and he started toward his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"No, you don't!" exclaimed the latter, backing away. As he did so
+he glanced across the campus, and at the sight of a solitary figure
+advancing toward one of the dormitories he uttered an exclamation. Then
+Jack glided to the side of Frank Racer and whispered to him:</p>
+
+<p>"There he is!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who?"</p>
+
+<p>"That strange Freshman I was telling you about. Just watch him, and see
+how queer he acts."</p>
+
+<p>The two watched while Andy once more went through his little wrestling
+lesson. The lad to whom Jack had pointed was about the build of Frank
+Racer, though slightly larger, and he seemed to be of athletic mould.
+Yet there was a curious air about him, and, as he walked on, he glanced
+over his shoulder from time to time, as though to make sure that he was
+not being followed.</p>
+
+<p>"That's queer," commented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is," agreed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he do that often?"</p>
+
+<p>"All the while since he's been here."</p>
+
+<p>"And how long is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Three days now. He arrived the day after I came. How does he strike
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, just as if he was looking for someone to come up behind him, and
+hit him with a brick," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, exactly."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet, what is he afraid of?" went on the elder Racer lad. "What's
+going to happen to him here, I'd like to know?"</p>
+
+<p>"And I don't know. That's the mystery of it. Ever since he's been here
+he's acted as though he was afraid of something going to happen, or as
+if someone was going to attack him. I've been watching him, trying to
+find out what it means, but I can't."</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of a fellow is he otherwise?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good enough."</p>
+
+<p>"What's his name, and where does he come from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Chase—William Chase. I s'pose we'll call him Bill when we get to know
+him better. But at present it's William. And he comes from some place
+out west—I don't just know where—on the prairies, I fancy, from one
+or two remarks he's made."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the strange lad had reached the dormitory. As he entered
+the doorway he wheeled about quickly as if to make sure that no one was
+following him, and, even at that distance, Frank and Jack could see a
+look of fear on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"That <i>is</i> mighty queer," murmured Frank. "What is he afraid of? We'll
+have to look into this."</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">PLANNING THE HAZING</p>
+
+
+<p>"What's your object?" asked Jack, as he linked his arm in that of his
+chum, and the two strolled over the campus.</p>
+
+<p>"Object in what?" inquired Frank Racer.</p>
+
+<p>"In looking into the mystery that seems to be hanging about this
+William Chase."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know as I have any particular object, except that I always
+like to solve a mystery—if I can. And again, I don't like to see any
+Riverview Hall lad act as this fellow does. It isn't a good sign. So,
+if it's all the same to you, Jack, we'll see what we can do toward
+getting at the bottom of this."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, I'm with you. And Andy will be in it, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"He will if he can stop fooling long enough," rejoined Frank, glancing
+over to where his brother was still surrounded by a group of lads
+intent on learning the trick of the fall.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Andy can settle down when he wants to," remarked Jack. "But let's
+go up and see what sort of a room you're going to have. Ward and I
+picked out ours, and there's one next to us that——"</p>
+
+<p>"Say no more!" exclaimed Frank. "Andy and I will take that one. Hi,
+Andy!" he called in a tone of voice that his brother knew would allow
+of no further trifling.</p>
+
+<p>"Coming!" yelled Andy, and with a last push that sent a would-be
+masterer of the art of tripping sprawling to the grass, the younger
+Racer ran to join his brother and Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked toward the dormitory which the strange new lad had
+entered. He was no longer in sight, and as the elder Racer lad thought
+of his queer actions he wondered more and more.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's something that needs looking into the first day we get back to
+school," he mused, as, surrounded by his chums, all talking at once, he
+walked toward the dormitory where he had roomed with his brother during
+the last term.</p>
+
+<p>And now, if you will grant me a few minutes, I will tell you, as
+briefly as I can, something more about the Racer boys, and the affairs
+in which they have figured as set down in the previous books of this
+series.</p>
+
+<p>The first volume was called "The Racer Boys," and in that I detailed
+how the two were at their summer home in Harbor View, and how they
+solved the mystery of the identity of a lad in a wrecked motor boat.</p>
+
+<p>Andy and Frank Racer were the only sons of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Racer,
+of New York. Mr. Racer was a wealthy silk merchant. Andy was about a
+year younger than Frank, and of a fun-loving nature, always ready for a
+trick or a frolic, and generally so impetuous that he acted first and
+thought afterward. Frank was inclined to be the opposite, in that he
+was filled with determination, and he usually carefully thought out his
+plan of action before venturing to do an important thing.</p>
+
+<p>Still, Frank liked fun, and was not a second behind his brother when it
+came to having a good time. He was fond of athletics, as indeed they
+both were, and they had made good showings on track and field.</p>
+
+<p>How they had a battle with a whale, and how they brought the lad ashore
+from his wrecked boat; how they got on the track of the unscrupulous
+man who sought to harm him, and how they finally learned who "Paul
+Gale" was—all these are told in the first book.</p>
+
+<p>In the second volume, entitled "The Racer Boys at Boarding School,"
+our heroes found themselves in a different atmosphere. Their parents
+decided to send them to some institution of learning after their summer
+of activity at the shore, and for this purpose Riverview Hall was
+picked out. Almost at the start there was trouble. On the boat going to
+the school Frank and Andy defended a girl from the rude talk of a man
+who turned out to be Professor Thorndyke Callum, one of the teachers at
+Riverview Hall. Naturally Mr. Callum "had it in" for the two lads.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what a punk school!" Andy Racer had exclaimed on reaching
+Riverview Hall. And indeed, though his language might not have been
+polite, it was very descriptive.</p>
+
+<p>Riverview Hall was afflicted with "dry rot." It had fallen upon evil
+days, the trustees had no money to hire good instructors, and, indeed,
+there was hardly enough cash to keep the institution going. Dr. Wesley
+Doolittle, the head master, was doing his best, but he was more of a
+scholar than a financier.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence the buildings were almost in ruins, there was hardly a
+decent bed in any dormitory, the football gridiron and the baseball
+diamond were overgrown with weeds, the rowing shells were wrecks, and
+the few lads at the place were dispirited.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after the advent of the Racer boys all this was changed.
+Frank and Andy were at first much discouraged at the poor condition
+of the school, but they agreed to "stick it out," and they did. They
+reorganized the football eleven, put the grounds into shape, fixed
+up a racing shell, got the baseball nine in running order, and soon
+Riverview Hall was again among the champions.</p>
+
+<p>Then a millionaire, seeing a great football game in which our two
+heroes played, and learning how much they had done for the school,
+invested a large sum in it. So that Riverview Hall came into its own
+again, and among the improvements was the withdrawal of Professor
+Callum.</p>
+
+<p>But before all the projected improvements could be made something else
+happened, as you will find related in detail in the third volume of
+this series, entitled "The Racer Boys to the Rescue."</p>
+
+<p>Because of the failure of the heating system of the school there came
+an enforced vacation in the winter. The school had to close for repairs
+and the students went to their several homes.</p>
+
+<p>Frank and Andy Racer took advantage of the unexpected vacation to go to
+the Maine woods on a hunting trip. Their uncle was a lumberman in that
+cold region, and the boys planned to go to one of his camps. They did
+go, taking Jack Sanderson and Ward Platt with them.</p>
+
+<p>But, before they left they heard bad news from Tom Crawford, a student
+at Waterside Hall, a rival school of that attended by our heroes. Tom's
+little brother, Len, who was an invalid, had been at a sanitarium in
+Maine, and had wandered off in the woods. Then he was captured by some
+unscrupulous lumbermen, who held him for a ransom until the Racer boys
+got on the trail, and went to the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>After their fun and adventures in camp the Racer boys and their chums
+returned to school, for the improvements were so far under way that it
+was more comfortable. The winter term passed, and the spring one came,
+with the Easter vacation. Then once more, the students went to their
+homes, and now, the start of the term that would end in the beginning
+of summer found our friends back again at Riverview Hall.</p>
+
+<p>The school had not formally opened as yet, though many of the boys,
+including our heroes, had arrived to take possession of their rooms and
+get their belongings in shape. When Frank and Andy got there they found
+many of their chums to greet them, and the manner of that greeting I
+have already indicated.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, fellows, what are we going to do?" asked Ward Platt, as he sat
+on Andy's bed, and tried to kick over a pile of clean clothes on the
+floor. Andy had taken them from his trunk and was about to put them in
+the bureau drawers. "Let's think of something flossy."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it'll be flossy all right if <i>you</i> think of it," rejoined Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it will, eh?" and with that Ward succeeded in reaching, with
+the toe of his foot, the pile of collars, cuffs and other things. In
+another second they were scattered about the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Here! what did you do that for?" yelled Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"To show you that I could do something flossy," was the answer, and,
+with a quick motion, Ward took a back somersault over the bed, landing
+between it and the wall, where Andy could not reach him.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll punch your nose!" went on Andy, as he saw his scattered garments.
+"I'll——"</p>
+
+<p>"You'll cool down," advised his brother, in a quiet voice. "If you
+don't you'll have Flopps in here to help Mrs. Stone keep order."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," added Jack. "I saw Flopps just now spading up a flower
+bed, and he's right close."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, get out!" rejoined Andy. "Look at my clean collars and——"</p>
+
+<p>"No business to call names," mocked Ward, from his place of vantage
+behind the bed. "Beg my pardon, and I'll call it square."</p>
+
+<p>"I will—like pie!" exclaimed Andy. "The next time I catch you
+alone——"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, now," came soothingly from Jack. "Go easy, boys. Don't get to
+scrapping so soon. We've got to stick together this term. There are
+lots of Freshmen—a big class—and they'll have it in for us, most
+likely. I was just wondering what we could do to 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"Haze 'em," suggested Frank. "They'll have to have it sooner or later."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the sooner the better," chimed in Andy. "Say, fellows, I've got
+a great scheme!" and in his eagerness to impart a joke he forgot his
+enmity against Ward, who ventured to come from behind the bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Out with it," commanded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we'll never have any peace until he does," commented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And maybe not much afterward," added Ward. "That's the worst of Andy's
+jokes—there's always a come-back to them."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you get out!" exclaimed the younger Racer lad. "I can think up
+just as good jokes as any of you fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but the trouble is that you get caught at 'em," added Ward, who
+seemed bound to pick at Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's hear what this one is," suggested Jack, who scented trouble
+between the two chums unless the dispute was quelled. "Go ahead, Andy.
+We'll all listen. Land knows we need something to wake us up. I've been
+here three days now, and not a thing has happened. We've been waiting
+for you two brothers to come and start something."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll start it all right," declared Andy. "Now I've just thought of
+something in regard to this hazing. It'll be great!"</p>
+
+<p>He went to the door, opened it softly and looked out; then closing and
+locking it, rejoined his companions. They had gathered in the room
+Frank and Andy had picked out—a room next to that occupied by Ward and
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Why all this gum-shoe business?" inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of the Freshmen might be listening," replied his brother. "I saw
+one or two looking at us rather sharp as we came up here. We can't be
+too careful. Now for my plan."</p>
+
+<p>His voice dropped to a whisper, as his companions drew more closely to
+him, and in a low voice Andy imparted his plan, pausing now and then
+to listen at the door. But, as far as he could tell, no one tried to
+listen at the portal.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of it?" demanded Andy, at the conclusion of his talk.</p>
+
+<p>"Great!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take back all I said about you," added Ward.</p>
+
+<p>"If we can get the things it will be sport," declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we can get 'em in town all right," asserted Andy. "And I've got
+the cash, too."</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to have—the first of the term," commented his brother, with
+a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"And now let the black work begin!" hissed Jack, after the manner of a
+stage villain. "Them is hard words, Kate!"</p>
+
+<p>"You must give me them papers, villain!" exclaimed Frank, with mock
+heroics.</p>
+
+<p>"Aw, cut out the fooling and get down to business, fellows," pleaded
+Andy. "There's lots to be done if we want to go at this hazing proper."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, we're with you," assented Ward.</p>
+
+<p>A little later four figures were seen strolling across the campus in
+the direction of a trolley line that ran to the town of Riverview. The
+boys were gone for some time, and there were many whisperings among
+them, as they came back, almost late to supper, for which Mrs. Stone,
+the matron, cautioned them.</p>
+
+<p>A little later darkness covered Riverview Hall. That is the proper way
+to begin to tell this part of the story. Deep, dark, black darkness. In
+fact, as Andy remarked, you could easily tell that it was night.</p>
+
+<p>From their rooms stole four figures.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you all right, fellows?" whispered a voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, Andy," answered Frank. "Don't ask so many questions.
+Someone will hear you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't want any slip-up," declared the younger Racer lad. "Is
+everything all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"These whiskers tickle my face," complained Ward.</p>
+
+<p>"A pity about you," snapped Andy. "Cheese it! Here comes someone!"</p>
+
+<p>The four lads, who had reached the basement of the dormitory, crouched
+behind some packing cases, and waited in tense silence for what was to
+come next.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">A NEEDLESS ALARM</p>
+
+
+<p>"It's only Flopps!" exclaimed Jack, after a pause—made painful from
+the fact that the conspirators had to assume uncomfortable attitudes
+because of the sudden alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, so it is," agreed Ward, looking over the top of a
+packing case, and seeing the gardener putting away some of the
+implements he had used that day. "He's all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper, as he saw the others about to
+leave their place of concealment, to proceed with the hazing operations
+that were under way.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter now?" demanded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"If he sees the way we're togged up he'll raise a row sure," explained
+Andy. "He won't know us, and he'll think we're black-handers or
+something like that. He'll bring every professor and monitor out on the
+run. Lay low for another minute and he'll go out."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that's right," admitted Frank. "Andy is getting sense in his
+old age."</p>
+
+<p>Once more the four crouched behind the cases, and watched the gardener
+in the dimly-lighted basement. Having put away the rake, spade and hoe,
+Flopps proceeded to put out the gas he had lighted, and left.</p>
+
+<p>"Clear coast," announced Andy, after an observation. "Now to make the
+Freshmen know what's what. You notified the other fellows, didn't you?"
+he inquired of his brother and chums.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," asserted Frank. "They'll meet us outside."</p>
+
+<p>The four proceeded cautiously until they had emerged from the lower
+part of the dormitory. They found some of their friends waiting for
+them, they, too, having eluded the vigilance of monitors and suspicious
+professors.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see," remarked Andy, in a low voice. "There are eight of us
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Six are coming from the West dormitory," volunteered John North.</p>
+
+<p>"And ten from Bradley Hall," added Duke Yardly, referring to a new
+dormitory where some of the older students had rooms.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll have enough for a start," commented Andy. As he spoke he
+advanced into a stray beam of light from a school window.</p>
+
+<p>"For cats' sake, what have you on your face?" gasped Duke.</p>
+
+<p>"That's our disguise," explained the younger Racer lad. "We're going to
+treat the Freshies to a new kind of hazing—a surprise, and we want you
+fellows to join in. Now I'll explain," and he did, at some length.</p>
+
+<p>"Say! That's great!" exclaimed Donald Burgess. "How'd you think of
+that, Andy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Andy's think-tank is always working," asserted his brother—"at
+least it is when it comes to such things as this. Now if it was a
+geometry proposition, or a Latin construction——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm as good at boning as you are," retorted Andy. "Here come the
+other fellows. Now I've got to tell them how to behave. You see the
+game is this," he went on. "You chaps will start in on the regular
+hazing stunts—making 'em eat salt, doing a dance, standing on their
+heads, and all that. Then in the midst of it we four will come bursting
+in, and—well, we'll see what will happen."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right!" cried Tom Bennett, admiringly. "This will make a
+sensation all right!"</p>
+
+<p>A number of luckless Freshmen had gathered for common communion and
+consolation in the large hall of the dormitory set aside for their
+special use. They were commiserating one with the other, wondering what
+sort of hazing would be meted out to them—for it had been rumored that
+the ordeal would start that night. Shortly after ten o'clock into the
+place burst a crowd of Sophomores and Juniors.</p>
+
+<p>"Up, boys, and at 'em!" came the cry, and then began the struggle
+between the two forces. The Freshmen were taken at a disadvantage, and
+were soon overpowered. Then, too, the first-term lads did not like to
+put up too much of a fight.</p>
+
+<p>For, be it known, hazing, as practiced at Riverview, was a sort of
+ancient and honorable institution, not very severe, and the lad who
+put up too much of a protest against "taking his medicine," had life
+made miserable for him the rest of his time at school. So there was
+more or less submission, though there were one or two rather strenuous
+encounters.</p>
+
+<p>The Freshmen were being put through their "stunts," and being made to
+do all sorts of ridiculous things, when the door of the room, that was
+being guarded by a committee of the hazers, suddenly flew open, and a
+quartette of masked and bewhiskered figures rushed in.</p>
+
+<p>"Hands up!" came the sharp command, and objects that glittered
+menacingly in the light were held forward. "Hands up!"</p>
+
+<p>Instantly there was confusion, the hazers uttering louder cries of
+amazement than did the Freshmen.</p>
+
+<p>"Go through 'em, boys!" came the command from the foremost figure, who
+seemed to be the leader. "See if they've got any coin. Take only gold
+watches, though; we can't use the dollar kind. Lively!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they're burglars!" yelled one of the hazers.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what!" snapped one of the masked figures. "Hands up, and keep
+'em up!" came the sharp command.</p>
+
+<p>"What right have you in here?" demanded Duke Yardly, in threatening
+tones. "This is a private school, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing's private when we come in!" said the leader. "Go through 'em,
+boys. We two will keep 'em covered!"</p>
+
+<p>While two of the masked and bewhiskered individuals held the glittering
+objects pointed toward the crowd of startled students, the other two
+began a quick but systematic search of their pockets. Loose change and
+bills were abstracted, together with several gold watches.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, please don't take that!" begged one Freshman, as a gold match box
+was brought to light. "My best—my mother gave me that."</p>
+
+<p>"Best girl, you mean!" snapped the taller of the masked figures. "Take
+it, boys."</p>
+
+<p>"This is a high-handed proceeding!" declared John North.</p>
+
+<p>"If you can get your hands any higher, lift 'em," said one of the
+hold-up individuals, sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>"All present are accounted for," reported one of the searchers,
+as he advanced toward the two guards, holding a hat filled with a
+miscellaneous collection of treasures.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. Back to the cave. And if you fellows have any regard
+for your own welfare you won't follow," the taller looter added
+significantly. "You'll stay here five minutes without giving the alarm
+or——" He did not finish, but looked suggestively at the object in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Backing to the door, the four hold-up individuals slipped quickly out
+of it, and locked it after them, making the group of Freshmen and
+hazers prisoners. At once there burst out a riot of talk in the room,
+succeeded by chuckles of mirth from the quartette.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, it went off like apple pie," said one of the masked figures.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't have been better," added another.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone's coming!" was the sudden warning.</p>
+
+<p>All but one of the figures swung out of sight around the corner of
+the corridor. This figure, still holding the object that had cowed
+the students, was in full view of a hall light as someone advanced.
+Then, seeing that the newcomer was a pupil, the masked figure, making a
+threatening gesture, commanded:</p>
+
+<p>"Hands up!"</p>
+
+<p>The effect of the order was startling. The student with a quick motion
+fairly leaped at the masked figure, knocking the shining object to one
+side, at the same time exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! So you thought you'd catch me off my guard, eh? You thought you
+could sneak in here and get it? Well, I've fooled you. I've been
+looking for you the last three days. I expected you'd come East after
+me. But it won't do you any good. Now I'm going to give the alarm!"</p>
+
+<p>There was so much of menace and threat in the voice and action of the
+student that the masked figure gasped. There was a fierce struggle, and
+as the new student took a long breath in readiness to sound the cry of
+alarm, the masked one called out:</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, old man! It's only a joke. We're doing a hazing stunt. No
+harm intended. Let go my shoulder. You're needlessly alarmed. It's only
+a joke, I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the two stood confronting one another, locked in a fierce
+grip. Then, as the student seemed to believe the assurance given him,
+he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Then you're not after—not after my——"</p>
+
+<p>"We're not after anything," was the answer. "It's a joke, I tell you,"
+and, tearing off his mask, the pretended hold-up man revealed himself
+as Frank Racer.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">A MYSTERIOUS MAN</p>
+
+
+<p>"Say, it went off all right; didn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"And we sure had 'em going!"</p>
+
+<p>"None of 'em suspected anything until after you fellows went out, and
+then we heard a laugh in the hall."</p>
+
+<p>"That gave the thing away."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but it was all right anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"And I guess they can sort out their own stuff."</p>
+
+<p>"But what happened after you four left?"</p>
+
+<p>These questions, comments, surmises and exclamations of admiration
+followed swiftly, one on the heels of the other, as Frank and Andy
+Racer, and several of their chums, gathered in the room of our heroes
+after the hazing.</p>
+
+<p>Of course my readers know that the four "hold-up men" who entered while
+the hazing was in progress were Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward. They had
+disguised themselves with false beards and masks, and the game was to
+enter at the height of the hazing, pretending to be real burglars, and
+to take a few objects of value away from their own friends and many
+from the Freshmen.</p>
+
+<p>The plan worked well, and few of the Freshmen suspected anything but
+that some real criminals, taking advantage of the fun at the school,
+had selected that opportunity to make a "haul."</p>
+
+<p>"But what happened when you fellows went outside?" asked Donald
+Burgess. "There we were—Sophomores and Juniors—holding up our hands
+just like the Freshmen, and pretending to be more scared, all the while
+bemoaning the loss of our coin and jewelry. But something happened
+outside in the hall; didn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"There did," admitted Frank, and he told of meeting the lone student,
+and pretending to hold him up.</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw a fellow act so queer," put in Andy. "We were keeping
+back, and letting Frank have his fun. Why, the fellow really thought he
+was up against a regular second-story man, I guess. He didn't show the
+white feather, though, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Who was he?" interrupted John North.</p>
+
+<p>"Billy Chase," answered Frank. "I knew him the minute I saw him, and I
+thought I'd have some fun. But he didn't know me until I took off my
+mask."</p>
+
+<p>"Billy Chase," murmured Jack, and it might be worthy of note that the
+formal "William" was dropped, and the more comradely name of "Billy"
+adopted. It was Billy Chase from then on, I might explain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Billy Chase," repeated Frank Racer. "The lad you spoke to me
+about—the lad who seems afraid of his own shadow."</p>
+
+<p>"He wasn't afraid of a shadow to-night," commented Ward Platt, with a
+chuckle. "He went right at you, Frank."</p>
+
+<p>"He sure did, and he's got a grip, too, let me tell you. Of course that
+was only a toy pistol I had, but he must have thought it was a real
+one. He got a hold on me and bent my arm back in regular Western style,
+so that, in case it had been a real gun, I couldn't have done anything.
+Oh, he's up to snuff all right, believe me!"</p>
+
+<p>"And yet he seemed afraid you'd get something from him," commented Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. That's the queer part of it. He must carry something valuable
+around with him, that he doesn't want someone to get."</p>
+
+<p>"What happened after you told him who you were?" asked Ward.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he seemed to wilt, and be sort of dazed. But I can't blame him.
+He had me 'buffaloed' for a while. It was a case of horse and horse.
+That Billy Chase is an all-right lad, I think, even if I did play
+a low-down trick on him. I think he'll make good, even if he is a
+Freshman."</p>
+
+<p>"But what happened after we got out of the room?" asked Andy, in whose
+fertile brain the whole hazing joke had originated.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we just stayed there, with our hands up in the air," explained
+John North. "Then some of the Freshmen began to get wise, and they soon
+saw some of us snickering. Then it was all up."</p>
+
+<p>"We left their stuff on the big table in the lower hall," explained
+Andy. "It's all piled up there."</p>
+
+<p>"And what about our stuff?" asked Duke Yardly quickly. "Did you mix it
+all up together there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure we did," said Jack. "We didn't have time to separate it. Besides,
+we couldn't show favors. We robbed Freshmen and all you fellows alike.
+You can sort it out."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we can!" exclaimed Duke in deep disgust. "It'll be just like
+those Freshman to hold on to our stuff, now that they're wise to the
+joke. Say, this didn't turn out the way I thought it would."</p>
+
+<p>"That's always the way with Andy's jokes," remarked Herbert Waldron.</p>
+
+<p>"Aw, let's see you get up a better one," challenged Andy, trying to get
+some of the glue from the false beard off his chin. "It was a peach, I
+think."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it wasn't so bad," admitted Jack. "But it sure is queer about
+Billy Chase. I wonder what he's got back of him, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Give it up," came from Andy. "Ouch! That pulled!" he exclaimed, as he
+removed a patch of the false hair.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Racer said nothing, but there was a determined look on his face
+that spoke more than words. He had been much puzzled by the strange
+actions of the Freshman, and he made up his mind that he would find out
+more about him.</p>
+
+<p>There came a knock on the door of the room where the chums were
+gathered. It produced instant silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Come—come——" began Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Cheese it!" whispered Duke, hoarsely. "It's after hours and you've got
+lights!"</p>
+
+<p>Then came another voice saying:</p>
+
+<p>"Better cut for it, fellows; the proctor is on the job. Some of the
+Freshman have complained to him."</p>
+
+<p>Andy Racer never moved more quickly than he did a moment later when he
+"doused the glim," to use Jack Sanderson's expression for putting out
+the light. Then in silence and darkness the guests of the Racer boys
+filed out into the hall, and sought their own rooms. The fun of the
+night was over.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, how about you?" asked Andy of Frank, as they were about to turn
+in. The proctor had just knocked on their door to inquire if they were
+in bed. They had answered that they were—with their clothes on—but
+they did not mention the latter fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess we might as well go to bed," remarked Frank, as he
+stretched out on the mattress. "We've had a strenuous day, and there
+are more ahead of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," assented Andy. "We didn't half finish with the hazing."</p>
+
+<p>"And I haven't half finished thinking about the queer way Billy Chase
+acted," went on his brother. "There's something strange going on here,
+Andy, and it's up to us to find it out."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I mean that this lad is evidently carrying something valuable
+about with him, and he's afraid of being robbed. That's what he thought
+I was after. He seems like a nice chap, and I want to help him, if I
+can."</p>
+
+<p>"So do—I," murmured Andy sleepily.</p>
+
+<p>"Get out!" exclaimed Frank. "You'll play a joke on him first chance you
+get."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure I will—why not? Goo' ni'——" and Andy was too sleepy to finish.</p>
+
+<p>The hazing and the subsequent advent of the masked figures, who were at
+first taken for thieves, was the talk of the school the next day. The
+joke was on the Freshmen, of course, and they were a long time hearing
+the last of it.</p>
+
+<p>But, in a measure, they succeeded in "getting back" at their
+traditional enemies, for, after Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward had left the
+money and watches in an indiscriminate heap, the Freshmen hid that part
+of the spoils belonging to the other students, and it was some time
+before each lad found his own.</p>
+
+<p>But the affair was taken in the right spirit, and Andy received proper
+credit for originating it. More new students arrived at Riverview, and
+several of the former friends of our heroes came back. The next few
+days were full of activity at the school.</p>
+
+<p>"We've just got to get out on the diamond!" exclaimed Ward, one warm
+afternoon. "Come on, fellows, let's get up two scrub nines and have a
+game."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you!" cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure thing!" added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Let the Racer boys be the captains," came from Ward.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure!" was the general assent, and soon Frank and Andy were choosing
+sides.</p>
+
+<p>"Want to come in?" asked Frank, of Billy Chase, who sauntered up when
+almost the last player had been picked.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm not very good at it, but I'd like to get in the game."</p>
+
+<p>"All right then. I'll put you out in the field. By the way, no hard
+feelings about the other night, I hope?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all," laughed Billy. "I sure did take you for a hold-up man,
+though. And as I'm carrying about with me some valuable——" He seemed
+to recollect himself suddenly, and stopped with a jerk. "Oh, no hard
+feelings at all," he said presently. "I can take a joke."</p>
+
+<p>"Glad of it," spoke Frank. "Well, let's play ball."</p>
+
+<p>The impromptu game began. The playing was rather ragged, for it was the
+first real contest of the season, and none of the lads was in form. But
+it was lots of fun for all that.</p>
+
+<p>Andy was at the bat, and Frank's side was in the field. Andy knocked
+what ought to have been a three-bagger, out in center field, seemingly
+away over the player's head, and beyond him. But, by a phenomenal run,
+and a quick jump, Billy Chase gathered in the ball, retiring the side.</p>
+
+<p>"Good catch!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty play, old man!"</p>
+
+<p>These and many other cries greeted his performance.</p>
+
+<p>"And he said he could only play a <i>little</i>," mused Frank. "I guess it's
+Billy for the main nine, all right."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's side came to bat. Quite a fringe of student spectators had
+gathered to watch the game, and there were also some town lads and men
+from Riverview, for the gates to the ball field were not closed, and
+anyone might come in.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Chase went to bat first. As he took his place the opposing
+catcher signalled that he wanted a few practice balls. Billy stepped
+away from the plate.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later he started violently, and Frank, who saw him, looked to
+note the cause.</p>
+
+<p>On the outer edge of the crowd of spectators Frank saw a man standing
+regarding Billy with an earnest gaze. He was a man of powerful build—a
+"Westerner" if such a description is permissible—a man with a very
+black beard. As Frank looked at him he thought of the false black
+beards he and his chums had worn the night of the hazing. This man's
+beard was exactly like them, and yet it was obviously not false.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt="">
+  <div class="caption">
+    <p>FRANK SAW A MAN REGARDING BILLY WITH AN EARNEST GAZE.</p>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<p>As the man gazed at Billy, the student suddenly threw down his bat and,
+approaching Frank said:</p>
+
+<p>"Put some one else in my place. I can't play."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't want to. I—er—I've forgotten something I've got to do.
+Sorry, old man, but I can't play."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. It's too bad, but it's only for fun anyhow. I'll get a
+substitute. Come out to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," promised Billy, and, as he mingled with the throng of
+spectators, Frank saw the man with the black beard edge up so as to get
+close to the student.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Billy turned and looked the man full in the face. The latter
+seemed taken by surprise, and shifted quickly to one side. A moment
+later he turned away, and as he walked off Frank saw that he was lame,
+walking with a slight limp.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" exclaimed the Racer boy. "That's strange. He's as mysterious
+as Billy himself. I wonder what all this means?"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">A STRANGE ATTACK</p>
+
+
+<p>Puzzled as to what the strange action of his team-mate might portend,
+Frank Racer looked over the other lads to select one to fill Billy's
+place.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Jim," he called, "play ball here; will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," replied the invited one, "glad to. What's the matter with
+Chase; cold feet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Something like that, I guess. Go on, play ball. Line out a pretty one!"</p>
+
+<p>"Say, you can't do that," objected Andy, as he saw his brother making a
+change in his batting order.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't do what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Make a shift like that at this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure I can," insisted Frank. "We're not playing league rules, or even
+interscholastic ones. Don't make such a fuss. This is only for fun. Go
+on, Jim, swat it!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a dispute, but it ended in favor of Frank, the majority
+deciding that, under the circumstances, it was permissible. As the
+game went on Frank looked across the campus. He saw the mysterious man
+strolling along, without any special object as far as he could see,
+while Billy Chase hurried in the direction of the dormitory.</p>
+
+<p>"He's hustling just as if somebody was after him," mused Frank. "What
+could he have forgotten that wouldn't keep until after the game? I
+guess that was only an excuse. I'm going to keep on the lookout. That
+fellow with the limp will be easy to remember. I wonder if his beard is
+false? But no, it looked too real for that. Well, maybe, after all, it
+isn't any of my affair, but I'm going to get at the bottom of it if I
+can."</p>
+
+<p>Whack! That was the bat of Jim finding the ball, and a moment later
+Frank, in watching the flight of the horsehide, forgot all about the
+mystery that seemed to enshroud Billy Chase.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the stuff!"</p>
+
+<p>"Go it, old man!"</p>
+
+<p>"A three-bagger!"</p>
+
+<p>"Make it a home run!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come on! Come on, old man!" This last was yelled by Frank, who was
+hopping up and down at home plate, thus trying to encourage Jim Bland
+to greater speed as he rounded the bases following his fine hit. The
+other cries of delight and encouragement came from the members of
+Frank's nine.</p>
+
+<p>Jim reached third just as the center fielder, who had to run back some
+distance to get the ball, threw it in.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on home! Come on home!" cried John North, who was playing coach
+at third.</p>
+
+<p>"No, hold it!" ordered Frank, and it was well that Jim did, for the
+ball was accurately thrown and he would have been caught at home, if
+not nipped on the last bag, had he tried to leave it.</p>
+
+<p>But it was a good hit, and served to encourage Frank's team. To such
+advantage did they play that they won the game and the elder Racer lad
+had the satisfaction of crowing over his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you wouldn't have won if you hadn't slipped in a cracker-jack
+batter on me," complained Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Get out! I would so. Why, Jim isn't any better than Billy Chase."</p>
+
+<p>"That shows how much you know about it. Jim is one of the best in the
+school, and it's a pity he wasn't on the main team last year. He will
+be this season. Billy is a good player, but he can't bat. What made him
+chase off that way?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," answered Frank. "And did you see that lame man, with
+the black beard?"</p>
+
+<p>"I sure did. He looked like the villain in some Western drama. Did he
+speak to Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but Billy seemed to move off as soon as he laid eyes on the
+fellow."</p>
+
+<p>The two brothers conversed as they walked off the diamond, speculating
+as to what the mystery might be concerning the Freshman. Following the
+game the players went to the gymnasium for a shower bath. Neither Billy
+Chase nor the lame man were in sight when Frank and Andy came out.</p>
+
+<p>The Racer boys gave an impromptu spread in their room that night,
+and there was a gathering of happy lads who talked baseball from all
+standpoints. It was agreed that the chances for Riverview Hall to win
+the pennant that season were very good.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've got to have lots of practice," insisted Andy. "We ought to
+have the regular team about picked by this time."</p>
+
+<p>"There's a meeting next week," said Jack Sanderson. "I guess things
+will hum from then on."</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" exclaimed Andy. "I say, let's do something. It's early yet.
+Let's go out and haze a couple of Freshmen."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, cut that out!" advised Frank. "Haven't we hazed about all of 'em?"</p>
+
+<p>"There are some new fellows that came in the other day," went on the
+younger Racer lad. "They haven't had their share of the medicine yet."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you," agreed Jack, who was always ready for mischief.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take a chance," said John North. "It'll be fun."</p>
+
+<p>"Better not," advised Frank. "You may get caught."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come on, you old croaker," exclaimed his brother, but Frank could
+not be persuaded, and remained behind. Some of the others, following
+the lead of the impetuous Andy, went looking for luckless Freshmen on
+whom to play their tricks.</p>
+
+<p>They found some, and for a time the excitement waxed high, but, as it
+happened, one of the professors, returning from a lecture in town,
+caught the group of students. He realized what was going on, and
+ordered the crowd back to their rooms, with instructions to report to
+the proctor in the morning. To insure compliance with this he took the
+names of all the lads.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what did I tell you?" asked Frank, when his brother came in a
+little later, looking quite woebegone.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dry up!" commanded Andy, in no gentle voice. "Don't be an 'I told
+you so!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you would go out," retorted Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we had a good time, even if we did get caught," said Andy.
+"Anyhow, it's too early in the term for the proc. to lay it on very
+heavy. Besides, we had to haze those Freshmen, and we did it good and
+proper."</p>
+
+<p>Andy was right in guessing that the proctor would not make the
+punishment heavy. A light sentence was passed on all the culprits save
+the first-year students, and, by virtue of their having been taken from
+their quarters against their wills, they were let off with a warning to
+be more watchful in the future.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the first weeks of the new term passed. Hazing became a thing of
+the past, and the cap-rush, which was won by the Freshmen, entitling
+them to wear the insignia of the school on their head-gear, ended
+hostilities between the class bodies for the time being.</p>
+
+<p>Frank's endeavor to fathom what seemed to be a mystery concerning Billy
+Chase and the bearded lame man amounted to nothing. The man seemed to
+have disappeared, and as Billy did not speak of him, Frank forbore to
+ask any questions.</p>
+
+<p>Billy became quite friendly with the Racer boys and their chums. He was
+a fine chap, fond of all sports, and modest in his accomplishments.
+He had the broad, free spirit of the boundless West, and easily made
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>"But he doesn't get over that peculiarity I noticed first," remarked
+Jack Sanderson. "He always seems to fear he is going to be attacked
+from behind."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's nervousness," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! He hasn't an excess nerve in his make-up. It's something
+else, I tell you," insisted Jack. "Why, only to-day he——"</p>
+
+<p>But Jack was interrupted by a knock on the door of Frank and Andy's
+room, and the opening of the portal disclosed "Old" Wallace, the coach,
+who came in to talk baseball. He had been away for some time, and had
+recently returned. Then, for a time, Billy Chase and his affairs were
+forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>The regular baseball nine was being whipped into shape, and the time
+for the first match game of the season was approaching. The weather
+had come off warm quite suddenly, and the diamond was in fine shape.
+Practice was going well, and the Racer boys and their chums felt that
+they had a winning team.</p>
+
+<p>It was one or two nights before the game with Waterside Hall, the
+ancient enemy of Riverview, that Frank and Andy obtained permission
+to go into town. Frank wanted to get a new glove, and Andy had some
+shopping to do concerning baseball matters.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's take in a 'shiftin' picture show,' as the Scotchman called
+the movies," suggested Andy, when their errands were done.</p>
+
+<p>"Will we have time?" asked Frank, always more or less cautious.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we will."</p>
+
+<p>So they went to the moving picture entertainment. As they entered
+several persons were coming out, having seen the first "round" of
+films, and, at the sight of one of the audience, Frank started.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Andy, who was walking next to him. "See a
+ghost?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I saw that lame man, who was hanging around the ball field the
+other day—the fellow Billy Chase seemed so afraid of."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what of it? He isn't looking for us, and I guess he won't find
+Billy. I saw him boning away for further orders as we came out. Here
+are a couple of good seats. They're going to have illustrated songs,
+too. There's that pretty girl who was in here the other night."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you and your girls!" exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"She isn't mine—wish she was," rejoined Andy. "She and the fellow who
+bangs the piano are chummy. No chance for me. Oh, for cats' sake! We've
+struck one of those western Indian dramas, acted over in Hoboken."</p>
+
+<p>But if the first picture was not to the liking of the Racer boys, the
+other films were, and they remained for the whole show. On their way
+toward school from the trolley they took a short cut through a rather
+dark lane, for, though they did not much mind getting in after the hour
+prescribed by the proctor, still they did not want to take too many
+chances.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank and Andy passed under one of the few lights that helped
+dispel the gloom of the seldom-used thoroughfare, they saw someone
+approaching. It was someone in a hurry, too, judging by the footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later a man fairly rushed by the boys, and, at the sight of
+him as he disappeared in the darkness behind them, Frank uttered a cry.</p>
+
+<p>"That fellow!" he exclaimed. "He's the lame man with the black
+beard—the one we saw in the show earlier to-night, and the one who was
+at the ball practice."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what of it?" asked Andy. "You're getting him on the brain, I
+guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Hark!" exclaimed the younger lad.</p>
+
+<p>They came to a halt. Then, above the rustle of the wind through the
+tree branches, both heard a faint moaning sound.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone's hurt!" exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Over here!" cried Andy. "I can see something! Over here, Frank!"</p>
+
+<p>Andy sprang to the left, and struck a match. The glow disclosed a
+huddled-up body lying in the ditch of the lane. Andy bent over it.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a young fellow," he reported to Frank. "And he's been hit on the
+head. He's bleeding."</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" cried Frank, as he ran up. "It's Billy Chase!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">BILLY TELLS SOMETHING</p>
+
+
+<p>Frank and Andy bent over the prostrate form of their fellow student,
+hardly knowing what to do. Then Andy uttered an exclamation, and the
+scene was in sudden darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"The match burned my fingers. I forgot I was holding it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, forget it," advised his brother. "We've got other work cut out for
+us. I wonder if he's badly hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw a cut on his head," said Andy. "It's so dark——"</p>
+
+<p>"Light another match," advised Frank. "I can't find my box."</p>
+
+<p>In the darkness Billy moaned faintly, and stirred as he lay on the damp
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Lift him up," advised Andy, as he once more struck a match. "We've got
+to carry him to some place. A thief must have held him up, and, when he
+resisted, struck him. Say, this is fierce!"</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you think it was a thief?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Because, who else would do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking of the man we passed a minute ago. He——"</p>
+
+<p>"That's so!" exclaimed the impetuous Andy. "I believe it was that
+fellow! Say, that's a bad cut all right."</p>
+
+<p>Frank had raised Billy's head from the ground, and, as he did so, while
+Andy stood by, with a ready supply of matches, the injured lad opened
+his eyes, and tried to struggle to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is it?" he cried. "Did he get it? He attacked me, and then—I
+wonder if I have it safe? If it is gone my uncle will have to—Oh, if
+he has taken it——"</p>
+
+<p>He ceased talking and began feebly to search in an inner pocket,
+meanwhile struggling to get out of Frank's arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me go! Let me go!" he cried fiercely, but he was so weak, or dazed
+from the blow, that Frank easily held him, though Billy was no weakling
+in muscle.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady now, old man," said Frank, in a soothing voice. "It's all
+right. We're friends of yours. We'll take care of you. Don't you know
+me?" and he bent closer over the lad, looking into his face by the
+light of the match.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not take it—I won't let you have it! Oh—it's
+you—Frank—the Racer boys!" suddenly exclaimed Billy, and then the
+brothers knew that his mind had been wandering, but that now he was
+himself again.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you much hurt, old man?" asked Frank. "How did it happen? Who
+struck you? Have you been robbed?"</p>
+
+<p>Billy did not answer at once. His hand, that had been fumbling with
+the buttons of his vest, now opened that garment, and sought an inner
+pocket. His face, that had shown terror and despair, now reflected
+hope. A breath of relief came from his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I—I'm all right," he faltered. "I guess I can stand up." He proved
+it by doing so, though Frank stood near to catch him in case he fell.
+Then the moon, which had been hidden behind clouds, came out, making
+it light enough to see, so that Andy had no further need of striking
+matches.</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen?" asked Frank. "Who attacked you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I—I don't know," said Billy, in stronger tones. "I had been in town
+to mail an important letter, and I was hurrying back, for, though I had
+permission to be out, I didn't want to be too late in getting back. I
+took this short cut, and just as I got here someone jumped on me from
+behind, and tried to get——"</p>
+
+<p>"He was after your watch and money, I guess," interrupted Andy, for
+he had seen the valuable gold timepiece Billy carried, and it was well
+known that the western lad was wealthy, and usually had a fairly large
+sum with him.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it wasn't that," came the answer. "My watch and money are safe."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what did the rascal want?" asked Frank, as he thought of the man
+who had passed him and his brother a short time before they discovered
+Billy. "If it wasn't your valuables, what did the footpad want, Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"He wasn't a footpad, and he—he——"</p>
+
+<p>Billy's voice trailed off weakly. The lad swayed on his feet, put his
+hands to his head, and with a moan sank back. He would have fallen to
+the ground, only that Frank, who had been expecting something like
+this, caught him just in time.</p>
+
+<p>"He's worse hurt than he thought," exclaimed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Guess you're right," admitted Frank. "We'll have to have help. If
+there was only some water near here——"</p>
+
+<p>"There is. I know where there's a spring," interrupted his brother.
+"I'll bring some."</p>
+
+<p>He dashed off, to return presently with his cap full. Some of the
+fluid was sprinkled on the pale face of the unconscious lad, on whose
+forehead there was a deep gash. Then Frank managed to get a few drops
+from his cupped hand between Billy's lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I—I guess I'll be all right now," murmured the injured one. "Did
+I—did I faint?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what," answered Frank, as Billy struggled to a sitting
+position. "Now take it easy. We can get a carriage and take you to a
+doctor."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't need one. I feel much better now. That water did the business.
+So I fainted? That's queer. I never did such a girl's trick before.
+Guess he must have given me a harder whack than I thought at first." He
+put his hand to his head, bringing the palm away covered with blood.</p>
+
+<p>"It's only a cut, I guess," volunteered Frank. "We'll wash it for you,
+and then——"</p>
+
+<p>"If you give me a good drink of water I can walk back to the school,"
+said Billy. "I'm all right now."</p>
+
+<p>He was much stronger, as was proved by his voice, and the manner in
+which he stepped about. Andy got more water, and the cut was bathed.
+Then, after a copious drink, Billy announced that he was almost himself
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"All but for a bad headache," he added. "But I don't mind that, as long
+as the fellow didn't get anything."</p>
+
+<p>"And are you sure he wasn't a highwayman?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am, though I didn't see him, as he came up back of me. He must
+have been following. I've been expecting this, but not so soon. If he
+had gotten it, he wouldn't have been much better off, for I've got to
+get the other signatures. I guess I'll——"</p>
+
+<p>Billy did not finish. He seemed to be talking to himself, and, as he
+did not offer to take the Racer boys into his confidence, they did not
+feel like asking questions. But Frank could not help mentioning one
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>As Billy stood there, his hand in the inner pocket of his vest, as if
+to make sure that something of value was not missing, the elder Racer
+lad said:</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we passed the man who attacked you."</p>
+
+<p>"You did?" cried Billy. "Who was he?"</p>
+
+<p>"The lame man with the black beard!"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so! He hasn't given up yet! I must wire my uncle at once.
+Come on back to town with me."</p>
+
+<p>Billy turned, and would have started toward Riverview, but Frank caught
+his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here!" exclaimed the elder Racer lad, "you're in no condition to
+go back to town. You'll faint on the way, or something. You need to see
+a doctor. We'll help you back to school."</p>
+
+<p>"But this is important!" insisted the Western youth. "I must warn my
+uncle that this plot against him is deeper than he thinks. I've got to
+telegraph to him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then do it from Riverview Hall," suggested Andy. "You can telephone
+the telegram in from there."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Then that's what I'll do," decided Billy, after a moment's thought.
+"Glad you mentioned it, for I must send a warning."</p>
+
+<p>"Hadn't we better chase after that man we passed?" asked Andy eagerly.
+"The scoundrel ought to be arrested. Come on! I believe we can catch
+him. He's lame, and can't go very fast," and he wheeled about as though
+to take up the pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>"No, don't!" cried Billy. "He's a dangerous man. Don't go near him if
+you can help it. He would as soon strike you down as look at you. Let
+him go. I can get on his trail later."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, don't go," put in Frank. "You could never find him in the
+darkness, and, besides, it might not be safe. And we've got to help
+Billy back."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I might manage to go the distance," said the Western lad, with a
+wan smile; "but I'd rather have you with me. I can find that man later,
+if I want to. But I hope he leaves this neighborhood. I'm not safe
+while he's around."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why don't you complain to the police and have him locked up?"
+asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It would do no good. That wouldn't stop their work. You don't
+understand, and I can't explain much, but I'll say this," and Billy,
+leaning heavily on Frank's arm, continued:</p>
+
+<p>"My uncle is a wealthy ranch owner out West, and he has many business
+ventures. Now one of them is likely to fall through because of the
+activities of certain men, of whom the fellow who attacked me to-night
+is one. But he failed. You see, I'm helping my uncle—negotiating the
+Eastern end of a big deal for him, while I'm here at school. That's one
+of the reasons why I came East. This is all I can tell you now.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't thank you enough for helping me, and, later, I may be able to
+tell you more details. It's a queer story, and there is quite a mystery
+to it. Some of it I don't even know myself. But it sure is lucky that
+you found me."</p>
+
+<p>"We're glad we did," put in Andy. "Now let's get on to school, or we'll
+be locked out."</p>
+
+<p>As they started off, one of the Racer boys on either side of Billy,
+Frank suddenly exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Hark! I think someone is following us!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">NEWS FROM THE WEST</p>
+
+
+<p>The boys stiffened into attention, listening intently for the faintest
+sound. At first they could hear nothing more than the whisper of the
+wind in the trees, and then, so faintly as to be almost inaudible, they
+did catch a rustling in the grass, that told of the approach of someone.</p>
+
+<p>"That man—he's coming back!" said Frank softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me attend to him!" exclaimed Andy, and, before his brother could
+stop him, the younger lad had run back over the course they had come.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" called Frank aloud.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later there was the sound of someone running away, and it was
+not the footsteps of Andy that made the noise.</p>
+
+<p>"I see him! I see him!" cried the younger Racer lad. "It's the man with
+the limp!"</p>
+
+<p>"You come back here!" ordered Frank, and his voice was such that Andy
+did not think it wise to disobey. He came back panting from his run.</p>
+
+<p>"I could have caught him if you'd let me alone," he said, protestingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You never mind that," went on Frank. "There's been enough trouble
+to-night. Now come on, and don't delay. That fellow won't follow us
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess not," declared Andy. "He was running hard when I saw him. I
+guess he thought he could sneak up and finish the mean work he began,
+but he didn't count on our being here."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Billy. "When he attacked me we struggled and
+I rolled to one side of the lane. Then he must have hit me with a
+black-jack or a sand-bag, and made me unconscious."</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been some sharp instrument, to cut your head," declared
+Frank. "He probably heard us coming, and ran away. Then, thinking
+perhaps we hadn't seen you, he decided to come back for a second try."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess he's gone for good—to-night, at least," remarked Andy;
+and a little later the boys reached Riverview Hall. The proctor was
+waiting for them, with anger in his eyes for their being out so late,
+but he calmed down when told of the cause.</p>
+
+<p>"Attacked, eh?" he exclaimed. "That is bad business, boys. Are you much
+hurt, Chase?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not much."</p>
+
+<p>"Highwaymen, I expect. I did not dream they would be so bold. Footpads
+so near the school! The police must be notified at once," and the
+proctor proceeded to call up the authorities on the telephone. Billy,
+with a wink at his two chums not to say anything of that which he
+had told them, allowed the school official to think that an ordinary
+criminal had made the attack.</p>
+
+<p>After the alarm had been given, bringing an answer to the effect that
+policemen and detectives would be on the lookout for any desperate
+characters, Billy sent in his telegram.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank or Andy had hoped to gather, from overhearing the wording of
+the message, any intimation as to what it was the lame man had tried to
+get from the Western lad, they were disappointed, for the telegram was
+in code words, meaningless to all but to those holding the key. And, to
+do them credit, Andy and his brother were curious only from a desire to
+help Billy, whom they had grown to like very much.</p>
+
+<p>"My uncle and I always use a code, or cipher, in sending messages,"
+explained Billy, when he had finished telephoning. "It saves many a
+big cattle deal from falling through sometimes, for my uncle has many
+competitors who would do anything to learn his plans."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better let the doctor attend to that cut on your head,"
+suggested the proctor, and presently the school physician was called in
+to dress the wound.</p>
+
+<p>"A nasty cut, but that's all," was his opinion. "No bones broken.
+You'll probably have a worse headache in the morning than you have now."</p>
+
+<p>He proved a true prophet, and for three days Billy was laid up in bed,
+being delirious part of the time. Andy and Frank went in to see him,
+and during a lucid moment he begged them not to say anything about the
+lame man.</p>
+
+<p>"Let everybody think it was just an ordinary thief who attacked me,"
+said Billy. "I can best serve my uncle that way, and I have the papers
+he tried to get safely put away now. So don't say anything."</p>
+
+<p>They promised, though wondering much, and so the attack on the Freshman
+passed as a bold, though ordinary, case of a criminal trying to rob a
+lone traveler after dark. The police could get no trace of him, which
+did not greatly surprise the Racer boys and their new chum.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the first ball game of the season was played and—lost by
+Riverview. The score was five to two.</p>
+
+<p>"It was because Billy Chase wasn't in center field," declared Frank
+after the game, for Billy had been unable to play on account of the
+injury to his head. "If he'd been there the flies that Reynolds muffed
+would have been caught, and we could have stopped their winning
+streak."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we didn't play very hard ourselves, when it came to making
+runs," declared Jack Sanderson.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we've got to do better," added Ward Platt, and the next practice
+was sharp, and full of vim, under the watchful eyes of the coach and
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>It was about two days after Billy had gotten out of bed, following the
+attack on him, that he sought out Frank and Andy in their room.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a message from my uncle," said the Western lad, as he held
+out a telegram. "It's in the code, and I've just translated it. By the
+way, I believe I forgot to mention that my uncle's name is Richfield
+Thornton, and that his place is near Sageville, Kansas."</p>
+
+<p>"We've never been very far West," volunteered Andy, "so we never heard
+of that place."</p>
+
+<p>"What does your uncle say?" asked Frank, for it was evident that Billy
+had come to tell some news.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he says he's sorry I was hurt, but he's glad that that man didn't
+get hold of the papers that I carried. He says he is having his own
+troubles out there, for the men opposed to him are making it hard to do
+business. It seems they have divided up their forces and attack. Some
+of them are in the East here, trying to get the best of me, and others
+are working the game from the Western end. I don't know what to do.
+The deal is far from being completed, and anything may happen at any
+time to spoil it. I wish my uncle would come on and tell me what to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe we can help you," suggested Frank. "Our father is in business
+in New York, and I know he has had lots of law-suits about different
+matters. Maybe he could advise you——"</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you," said Billy, with a shake of his head. "The trouble is,
+I can't give you the details of my uncle's business for two reasons.
+One is that I don't know all the ins and outs of it myself, and the
+other is that it has to be kept secret for a certain length of time.
+And to get intelligent advice I'd have to give all the details."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," agreed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"But I tell you what we can do," exclaimed Andy. "We can stick close to
+you, Billy, and if there are any more attacks there'll be three of us
+to dispose of instead of one."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right!" cried Frank. "Billy, we're with you from this on!" And
+he held out his hand, which the Western lad took in a hearty clasp.
+"You hang out with us, Billy," went on the elder Racer lad, "and we'll
+see what happens."</p>
+
+<p>"Fine!" cried Andy, who loved excitement. "Maybe they'll attack you
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," murmured Billy, as he felt of the lump that was still on
+his head. "My uncle wants me to come back out West," he added; "but I
+don't want to unless I have to. I like it here. It's a great school."</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to have seen it when the Racer boys first came," spoke Jack
+Sanderson, entering in time to hear Billy's last remark. "It sure was
+fierce!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And they did everything to get it in shape," went on Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, get out! Everyone helped!" declared Andy, who, like his brother,
+was modest under praise. Nothing more was said for the present about
+the news from the West, but later that day Billy remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"If I do have to go back to the ranch, I hope you fellows will come and
+visit me during vacation."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll be glad to!" exclaimed Frank, his eyes sparkling in anticipation
+of the delights of the prairies.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">A THRILLING RESCUE</p>
+
+
+<p>"Where are you going, Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, out for a walk. Want to come along, Andy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure; there's no fun sitting here, and it's too hot to study. What do
+you say to a row on the river?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you. Let's get some of the other fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Most of our crowd have gone over to the golf game at Fuller Academy,"
+said Andy, for that amusement had suddenly come into vogue at one of
+the institutions of learning near Riverview, though the lads at the
+latter place had not taken it up.</p>
+
+<p>Still, many of them liked to see golf played, and as there was a match
+on at Fuller, a number of the closer chums of our heroes had gone to
+it. Frank and Andy had a late lecture which they could not "cut," and
+so could not attend. Now, however, their study period had arrived, and
+they were free to do as they liked.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see if Billy Chase is in his room," suggested Andy, as they
+passed the dormitory where the Freshmen roomed. But Billy was out, as
+his fellow-lodger informed the callers.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll have to go rowing by ourselves," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what we'll do this summer?" ventured Andy, when they had
+pulled some distance up stream. They generally did this, so they could
+come back with the current, which was strong in the Spring of the year.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess we'll have to wait and see what dad and mother plan," came
+from Frank. "They'll likely go to Harbor View again."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a bit tired of the shore," remarked Andy. "I like clams and
+lobsters as well as anyone, but I'd prefer a change this summer. That
+time we spent in the Maine woods just suited me."</p>
+
+<p>"The same here, only we don't want to go to a lumber camp in the
+summer—in fact, I guess there isn't much doing there at that time of
+year."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I expect not; but still I vote we don't go to the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"We won't if we can help it. But at the same time we had good fun at
+Harbor View."</p>
+
+<p>"We sure did," chimed in Andy. "Do you remember when the whale rushed
+at us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and what a job we had, with Bob Trent, in getting it ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"And how those fishermen tried to claim it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and then the time we had finding out who Paul Gale was."</p>
+
+<p>"That was great," agreed the younger lad. "I was hoping we'd have some
+excitement here, after that mysterious man attacked Billy, but it seems
+to have died out."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed Frank. "I haven't seen anything more of him. Guess he's
+vamoosed."</p>
+
+<p>"Has Billy said anything more to you about his uncle's business?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I reckon he told us all he could. He sure is a nice fellow—Billy,
+I mean. I like him better every day."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," added the other brother, and for some time they rowed on,
+talking of their chums, and the various happenings at school and
+elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>As they rounded a bend in the stream, Andy, casting a look over his
+shoulder to get the proper course, uttered an exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Frank. "Is the current too much for you? It
+is stronger than I've known it in some time."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it wasn't that, but there's a fellow sitting out on the dead limb
+of that old, rotten sycamore tree, fishing right over that swift eddy."</p>
+
+<p>"So he is," agreed Frank, looking toward the place where the school
+lads often went to catch fine fish.</p>
+
+<p>The fishing hole was generally a good spot to pull out the finny
+prizes, but now the river was swollen with the Spring rains and the
+water was deep, swirling about in a dangerous pool where the stream
+backed up around a cut in the bank to make an eddy.</p>
+
+<p>"That fellow'd better look out," went on Andy. "That limb is half
+cracked through. I know, for I went out on it for a dive last year, and
+it almost gave way with me. I told the fellows about it, and they've
+since kept off. He'd better look out."</p>
+
+<p>"Call to him, and warn him," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said his brother, and he was just about to raise his voice in
+a shout when he cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's Billy Chase!"</p>
+
+<p>"So it is," came from Frank. "He's got an old suit on, and I didn't
+recognize him. Hi, Billy!" he yelled. "You'd better get off that——"</p>
+
+<p>But that was as far as Frank got. For Billy, looking up, had recognized
+his friends in the boat. He waved a welcome to them, and the next
+instant the rotten limb, astride of which he sat over the deep eddy,
+gave way with a crack, letting him fall into the river with a mighty
+splash.</p>
+
+<p>"There he goes!" cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Pull! Pull!" yelled Andy. "Maybe he can't swim, and if he gets tangled
+in the branches he'll drown!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sure he can swim," declared Frank; "but we'll pull up to him, just
+the same."</p>
+
+<p>"We're coming!" shouted Andy, and he looked over his shoulder, but he
+could not see his friend. "He's gone under!" yelled the younger Racer
+lad.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove! So he has!" gasped Frank. "But he'll come up again! Pull for
+all you're worth, Andy!"</p>
+
+<p>The brothers bent to the oars and soon they had swept from the current
+of the river into the quieter waters of the eddy. But even there,
+because of the swollen stream, it was no easy pulling.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the broken limb!" cried Andy, as it swirled up into view,
+having been sucked down under the surface.</p>
+
+<p>"And there are Billy's legs!" added Frank. "Look! his trousers are
+caught on a sharp, broken limb, and he's being held head down!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure enough!" cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Lively!" yelled his brother. "We've got to get him up quick, or he'll
+be drowned! You manage the boat, Andy, and I'll see what I can do."</p>
+
+<p>Frank unshipped his oars, and Andy bent his strength against that of
+the current, to hold the boat near the drifting branch, around which
+the luckless lad's legs were tangled.</p>
+
+<p>"Cut him loose! Cut him loose! Use your knife!" cried Andy, as he saw
+his brother vainly endeavoring to disentangle the hem of the trousers
+from the sharp projection.</p>
+
+<p>"Right, oh!" cried Frank, as he whipped out his keen-bladed knife. In
+another instant he had cut the cloth. Instantly Billy's feet and legs
+disappeared beneath the surface of the eddy.</p>
+
+<p>"He—he's gone!" faltered Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"He had to put his legs down to get his head up," said Frank. "Look out
+for him when——"</p>
+
+<p>He did not have time to say more, for, at that instant, the body of
+Billy shot up head foremost, floating clear of the entangling branch.</p>
+
+<p>"Grab him!" yelled Andy, but his brother did not need the advice.
+Leaning over, he caught the half-conscious form of the Western lad,
+just as Billy was sinking again.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you pull him in alone?" cried Andy, who was still laboring at the
+oars.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you keep the boat steady. I don't want an upset," responded his
+brother, and he got a firmer grip on his chum's wet clothing. Then with
+a mighty heave, pulling him over the bow of the craft, Frank got the
+half-drowned lad out of the water.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE INVITATION</p>
+
+
+<p>"Is he dead, Frank? Is he breathing? Did we get him out in time?" cried
+Andy, highly excited, as he dropped the oars and began to make his way
+forward to where his brother was holding Billy. "Do you think we can
+bring him around?"</p>
+
+<p>"Say, don't ask so many questions," snapped Frank, not because he was
+cross, but because he realized that seconds counted and he wanted to
+do all he could for the half-drowned lad. "Get back to your oars," he
+added. "First thing you know we'll be stuck in the mud bank, or upset
+in the current. Hold the boat steady, and get over there where it's
+quieter. Then we'll see what we can do."</p>
+
+<p>Andy obeyed, and while Frank made the now unconscious lad more
+comfortable, the young Racer boy pulled with all his strength toward a
+quieter place in the eddy. Soon the boat was floating easily.</p>
+
+<p>"Lively now!" commanded Frank. "Help me turn him over to drain some
+of the water out of his lungs. Then we'll make a sort of pillow of our
+coats and rest him, face down, on that."</p>
+
+<p>Frank talked while he worked, and soon Billy's lungs were drained of
+the water that kept the air from entering them. Next he was placed with
+his stomach on an upraised roll of coats, across one of the seats, and
+a little later Frank began using artificial respiration, by working
+Billy's arms up and down over his head, while Andy pressed on the lower
+portion of his chest to compress it. The boys had studied first-aid
+work, and knew the method to be used in restoring half-drowned persons.</p>
+
+<p>Their success was soon apparent, for, after a few seconds, Billy opened
+his eyes, and looked up at his rescuers.</p>
+
+<p>"Wha—what happened?" he asked feebly.</p>
+
+<p>"You fell in," replied Frank. "But don't talk now. You must be too
+weak."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm all right," said Billy, in a stronger voice. "I remember it
+all now. The limb broke with me, just as I was waving to you fellows. I
+held my breath, as soon as I struck the water, but I couldn't seem to
+get to the top."</p>
+
+<p>"No wonder," put in Andy. "Your trousers were caught on a tree branch."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's what it was," went on Billy. "Well, when I couldn't hold
+my breath any longer, and found that I couldn't get right side up, I
+thought I was a goner. How did you manage to get me loose?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank told how he had cut the trousers from the entangling limb, and
+how he had dragged Billy into the boat just in time. The Western boy
+was gaining strength every moment, and in a short while he had fully
+recovered from his impromptu bath, save that he was still wet.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's row ashore," proposed Andy, "and get some of the water out of
+your clothes. Then you won't be so likely to catch cold. What possessed
+you to go out on that limb?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought it was a good place to fish," replied Billy. "I could easily
+throw my line in from the limb, and I never noticed that it was cracked
+half way through."</p>
+
+<p>"And it was rotten in the bargain," added Frank. "It ought to have been
+chopped off long ago, or a warning sign put up. Most of our fellows
+knew about it, though."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I had," said Billy ruefully. "But I do now. I'm glad I had on
+an old suit."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Andy had the boat near shore, and a little later the two
+brothers were helping Billy wring the water from his heaviest garments.
+It was no easy task to get them on again, and Frank insisted that his
+own coat be used in place of the wet one of his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll need it yourself," insisted Billy. "It's quite cool to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I can keep warm rowing," declared Frank, passing over his garment.</p>
+
+<p>"Then if that's warming work, me for an oar!" exclaimed Billy, who was
+shivering in spite of the fact that it was late Spring.</p>
+
+<p>With Billy and Frank pulling at the oars, the craft shot down the river
+toward the boarding school, aided by the swift current. In a short time
+Riverview Hall loomed in sight and a crowd of students could be seen
+gathered on the dock near the boathouse.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! Great rowers you fellows are!" cried Jack Sanderson, when he saw
+the water in the bottom of the craft, where it had dripped from Billy,
+and noticed the damp figure of the Freshman.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do—upset?" asked Ward Platt.</p>
+
+<p>"No, they've been inventing a new kind of submarine," chimed in John
+North.</p>
+
+<p>But when the students learned what had happened they offered their
+congratulations to the rescued lad, and to the Racer boys who had so
+pluckily pulled him out in the nick of time.</p>
+
+<p>"Run up and get some dry duds on," suggested Frank. "Are you sure
+you're all right, and don't need a doctor to look you over?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sure I'm all right," insisted Billy. "What do you think I am—a
+chronic doctor's patient? First I get a whack over the head that lays
+me out, and then I'm nearly drowned. I wonder when this 'hoodoo' is
+going to let up?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, you have had more than your share," admitted Andy, with
+a grin.</p>
+
+<p>Billy ran on toward his dormitory, while Andy and Frank remained behind
+to tell further details of the rescue. Later they joined their new
+chum in his room, where they found him drinking hot lemonade which the
+motherly matron, Mrs. Stone, had sent up to him when she heard about
+the accident.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, that smells good!" exclaimed Frank, sniffing the air.</p>
+
+<p>"Have some," invited Billy, but when Andy tasted it he made a wry face,
+for the matron had not made it any too sweet, and she had put some
+ginger in it to further aid in warding off a possible cold.</p>
+
+<p>"Talk about your ice cream sodas!" exclaimed Andy. "Got anything to
+take the taste of that out of my mouth, Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's a box of crackers on that shelf," replied the host. "They
+belong to Ray Bentley, my roommate, but go ahead and help yourself. He
+won't mind. We use each other's things anyhow. I've got some of his
+clothes on now. He took my best suit—gone to see some girl, I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely—at the golf match," remarked Frank, while Andy helped
+himself to the crackers. "But most of the fellows are back from there."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Ray'll stay until the last cow comes home when there's a girl in
+the offing," said Billy, as he took another glass of the hot lemonade.
+"There, I feel better," he said. "I'm warmed through. Say, I can't
+thank you fellows enough for pulling me out of the wetness, but——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, forget it!" exclaimed Frank. "It was just by luck that we happened
+to be there."</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, did you get any fish?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a one," replied Billy. "I had had a few nibbles when you came
+along, and I was just thinking I was going to have great luck, when——"</p>
+
+<p>"When you had some <i>bad</i> luck," interrupted Frank. "Well, never mind.
+We'll all go fishing some day, and——"</p>
+
+<p>There came a knock on the door, and the two visitors looked
+questioningly at Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess it's all right," he said, in a whisper. "It isn't past
+visiting time, and we haven't broken any rules. Come in!" he called.</p>
+
+<p>The portal opened, disclosing one of the school messengers with a
+letter in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Special delivery for you," he announced to Billy, and the host, with
+a murmured apology for reading the missive, tore open the envelope.
+Rapidly he scanned the few lines. Then he uttered an exclamation of
+surprise and delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, fellows" he cried. "This is great! Listen to it. My uncle says
+his affairs are getting all tangled up, and he wants me to come back
+West at once and help him. He says to let things here slide for the
+present, and hustle right out to the ranch. It seems that his rivals
+are making all sorts of trouble for him."</p>
+
+<p>"And can you help him?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm going to try. You see I've done quite a lot of business for
+him, and I know something of the ins and outs of his affairs. I guess
+I'll have to go."</p>
+
+<p>"And leave school?" asked Andy, dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"With the term only half over," added Frank, "and the best of the
+baseball games to come. Oh, that's too bad!"</p>
+
+<p>"Can't help it," replied Billy, still looking over the letter. "I won't
+have to go for a few weeks, though, as I'll have to close matters up
+here as best I can. But I've got to go, and—Oh say! here's something
+else. I didn't read down that far before. Say, this is the best ever!"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked Frank and Andy in a chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"My uncle says he wants you two fellows to come out West with me. Out
+on the ranch."</p>
+
+<p>"Wants <i>us</i>?" came in another chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I wrote and told him how you helped me, and how you've been a
+sort of bodyguard since that attack, and he thinks that's great. You've
+got to come; will you? Come out on the prairies and I'll show you a
+life worth living. Can't you come?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked appealingly at Andy and Frank. They said nothing for a few
+seconds. Then Billy added:</p>
+
+<p>"You can help me, fellows. I'd rather have you with me than anyone I
+know of. Besides, maybe we three can find the treasure of Golden Peak!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">OFF FOR THE WEST</p>
+
+
+<p>Frank looked quickly at his brother, and Andy, in turn, turned a rather
+startled gaze on Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that you said?" asked the younger Racer lad.</p>
+
+<p>"The treasure of Golden Peak," murmured Frank. "Is that a joke, or just
+a pleasant little way you Westerners have of making conversation?"</p>
+
+<p>Billy laughed and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys, I'm afraid, after all, that it may be only a joke. But
+for all that there is a place out near my uncle's ranch on the Kansas
+prairies that is known as 'Golden Peak.' It's a sort of big hill."</p>
+
+<p>"And is there treasure in it?" asked Andy, eagerly. Frank, too, in
+spite of the fact that he was slower to enthuse than was his brother,
+looked much interested. "Is there gold out there, Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," was the frank answer. "I'll tell you all I can about
+it, and you can judge for yourselves. But first let me say that,
+treasure or no treasure, I hope both of you can come West with me, and
+help me and my uncle get ahead of the men who are trying to spoil his
+business. He says he thinks, from what I have told him about you, that
+you'd be just the kind of fellows to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Many thanks!" exclaimed Frank, making an exaggerated bow.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but I mean it!" insisted Billy, quickly; "and I know my uncle
+does, too. As I told you before, his name is Richfield Thornton, and
+his place—which is a big one—is near Sageville, in Kansas. I have
+lived with my uncle nearly all my life—ever since my father and mother
+died when I was a small chap. I never had any brothers or sisters, and
+my uncle took care of me—he and his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"When I grew old enough I used to help him with his business, after
+he found out that he couldn't trust several men whom he had made his
+confidential secretaries. That's why he gave me this work to do for him
+in the East. I came on to school, but I'm afraid I'm more interested in
+my uncle's affairs than in lessons. Though after I clear this mystery
+up I'm going to buckle down to study."</p>
+
+<p>"But what is the mystery?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It has to do with a big irrigation scheme my uncle wants to carry
+out," replied the Western lad. "You see, in addition to raising cattle
+my uncle has a big tract of grain and other crops, and he's in a region
+where it doesn't often rain. Not far from his place is a small stream,
+and a lake, and he figured that by building a dam across a valley he
+could make a larger lake, and have water stored for irrigation purposes
+whenever he wanted it. He would also have water to sell to other ranch
+owners.</p>
+
+<p>"He started to get possession of the necessary land, and I helped him.
+We found that a certain parcel, that was much needed, was owned by a
+small corporation out East, and I came to get their signatures to the
+papers, allowing us to buy and flood their property. I did get their
+consent, and then the trouble about Golden Peak cropped out. That's
+what we're up against now, and it looks as if we were going to have a
+hard time."</p>
+
+<p>"But what is Golden Peak?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"As I said, it's a big hill that would come about in the middle of the
+lake my uncle intends creating by the building of a dam. This hill is
+covered with a lot of yellowish rocks, and I think that's how it got
+its name. But there are certain men, or rather one man in particular,
+who seems to think that there is a real treasure of gold in the peak,
+and he's doing his best to prevent us from surrounding it with water."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this man?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"His name is Sam Shackmiller, and he's the lame man who I believe
+attacked me," answered Billy, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"What! the black-bearded man who was hanging around here a while ago?"
+cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the one," admitted Billy. "I had been warned to be on the
+lookout for him, and it was well that I was. He is a dangerous man."</p>
+
+<p>"Was that why you acted so strangely?" inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I couldn't tell when he might sneak up on me."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he want?" came from Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Certain valuable papers which I had secured from the corporation,
+giving us the right to flood their land. Among them was the final
+document we needed to allow us to go ahead with our work, and it
+included a court order. It is very valuable, for one of the signatures
+on it is that of a man who has since disappeared. If I lost the
+document, or if it was taken from me, we would have no authority for
+going ahead with the scheme until we could find the missing man to get
+him to sign a new paper. And he might not do it. So you see I have to
+be on my guard."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about this Sam Shackmiller?" Frank wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, while he and some others with him, whom I have not been able to
+locate, claim Golden Peak, they really have no right to it. But they
+have certain papers, which seem to prove their title to it, and the
+courts have recognized that right. My uncle claims that their documents
+are forged—at least the name of one man is—the same man who has
+disappeared, and if we can prove that his signature is not genuine it
+would invalidate their claim to Golden Peak."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you could go ahead with the irrigation scheme?" suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I think my uncle is going ahead anyhow," said Billy. "He is
+relying on being able to prove later that Shackmiller and his crowd
+have no legal claim to Golden Peak, and so he is going to take a chance.</p>
+
+<p>"In fact the dam is almost built, and soon the waters of the stream
+will begin to back up, making the irrigation lake. Then Golden Peak
+will be under water."</p>
+
+<p>"Treasure and all?" exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if there <i>is</i> a treasure there," laughed Billy. "I don't believe
+there is. Lots of people have had a try for it, but they never found
+anything.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems that some years ago an old prospector came into town, saying
+he had struck it rich. He said he had discovered a treasure on Golden
+Peak; but whether it was gold, silver, or precious stones, no one
+ever found out, for, before he could tell he went crazy. For years he
+wandered about trying to relocate the treasure, if there was any, but
+that was all, except for the queer stories he told. So you see the
+thing simmers down to this:</p>
+
+<p>"My uncle has a good title to every bit of land in the irrigation
+valley save Golden Peak. He owns all around it. The title to Golden
+Peak is in dispute and my uncle is sure that he has a moral if not
+a legal claim to that. If he can prove this one signature a forgery
+he will be all right. And he may be without that. But, at the same
+time, there is a certain document, of which, if the other fellows got
+possession, they could use against us, and stop the work."</p>
+
+<p>"And who's got this document?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," said Billy quietly. "Here it is," and going to a tattered
+Latin dictionary he pulled from between the pages a folded paper.</p>
+
+<p>"Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank. "I shouldn't think that was a very safe
+place to keep it, with that dangerous man about."</p>
+
+<p>"The simplest place is the best," declared the Western lad. "I carried
+it about with me, and was nearly robbed of it. Then I decided to hide
+it here."</p>
+
+<p>"Good idea," said Andy. "Nobody would think of looking in a Latin
+dictionary unless he had to."</p>
+
+<p>"You wouldn't, anyhow," chimed in his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm as fond of study as you are," came the quick retort.</p>
+
+<p>"But now the question is: Will you come West with me?" went on Billy.
+"If uncle is going to put the finishing touches on his dam, and flood
+the valley, he'll need my help. There may be a fight—or trouble—at
+the last minute. I do wish you'd come and help me. I want you—my uncle
+wants you. Come on!"</p>
+
+<p>"And have a try for the treasure!" exclaimed Andy. "Shall we go, Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'd like to—first rate," was the answer; "but I don't see how we
+are going to leave school before the term is ended. Dad and mother——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they'll let us go, I'm sure of it!" broke in Andy. "I'm going
+to telegraph to them and find out. Think of it, Frank! Out on the
+prairies! At the ranch—helping build a big dam—keeping off fellows
+who may want to dynamite it—finding the treasure of Golden Peak!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I know it would be great," admitted Frank. "But can we leave?"</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't much more to this term," said Billy. "You could easily,
+during vacation, make up the work you miss."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," agreed Frank. "Go ahead, Andy, and wire the folks."</p>
+
+<p>So it came about a little later that Mr. and Mrs. Racer received a long
+and expensive telegram—for Andy sent it collect—explaining matters,
+and asking permission to go out West.</p>
+
+<p>"Those boys!" exclaimed their mother. "We never can allow it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Racer, thoughtfully. "I happen to know of
+this Mr. Thornton, and he's a fine man. I never met his nephew, but our
+boys seem to like him. I'm almost persuaded to let them go. It will be
+a good experience for them. And I have always wanted them to see the
+West."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but their schooling!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, as they say, they can make it up. Besides, there is not much of
+the term left—hardly half—and all education isn't in books, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I just know something will happen to them," sighed Mrs. Racer.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed her husband. "I guess I'll wire them they can
+go." And just to get even with his sons in a joking way he sent a much
+longer message than was necessary, and he sent it <i>collect</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"They've got too much pocket money anyhow," he chuckled; "and they
+made me pay for the one they sent me."</p>
+
+<p>But Andy and Frank never grumbled when they had to pay the telegraph
+toll. The importance of the message drove everything else out of their
+minds.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurray!" they cried, bursting into Billy's room. "We can go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" exclaimed the Western lad. "Off for the prairies! That's the
+only place to live!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">A RAILROAD SMASH</p>
+
+
+<p>"Say, this is great; isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"All to the choo-choo!"</p>
+
+<p>"And we've got nearly fifteen hundred miles of it before we get to the
+western part of Kansas!"</p>
+
+<p>These were the comments and exclamations of Frank and Andy Racer, and
+their new chum Billy Chase, as they sat in a parlor car of a fast
+train, speeding westward. They were on their way to the Double X ranch,
+owned by Mr. Richfield Thornton, and they hoped not only to get the
+better of the men who were opposing Billy's uncle, but also to solve
+the mystery of Golden Peak. No wonder they were elated.</p>
+
+<p>"And to think that last week we were boning away at Latin and Greek at
+Riverview Hall!" exclaimed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Precious little boning <i>you</i> did," commented his brother, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Get out, you. I did as much as any of the fellows. Didn't Doctor
+Doolittle say I was well up in my studies when he wrote to dad, after
+we thought of coming away? And didn't he say I could get back at 'em in
+the fall without losing any ground? I guess that's good evidence that
+I'm not at the foot of the class, little one!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! Doctor Doolittle would have said that about any one whom he
+wanted to have come back to school next term," rejoined Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Particularly after what you fellows did for the institution," put in
+Billy. "But I guess you won't miss much by quitting before the end of
+the term."</p>
+
+<p>"No," assented Frank. "I'm glad we did decide to come, but I can hardly
+realize it yet."</p>
+
+<p>Indeed the change had come about so quickly that they could hardly
+comprehend it. Once they had asked their father's permission to depart
+for the prairie land, and had received his consent, matters had moved
+swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>They had arranged with Doctor Doolittle not to lose their places in
+class, and to be given the proper examinations later so as to gain
+their promotion in the Fall. Then they had begun to pack, and Billy had
+wired his uncle that he and his friends were coming.</p>
+
+<p>But there was despair in the hearts of the chums whom Frank and Andy
+left behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, what do you want to desert for?" wailed Jack Sanderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Just when the baseball season is at its best, too," added Ward. "I
+know we'll funk in most of the big games we play now."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" laughed Frank. "You'll do all the better."</p>
+
+<p>"We will not!" insisted John North, but Frank and Andy had gone too far
+now to turn back, and their preparations went on apace.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there's one thing about it," said Duke Yardly, a day or so
+before the time set for Frank and Andy to leave. "We'll have to give
+'em a bang-up farewell spread."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what!" agreed the others, and a "bang-up" spread it was, too,
+especially when some one insisted on setting off a "flower pot" of red
+fire without removing the cover. There was an explosion that brought
+every professor out on the run, but no damage was done, save that Jack
+Sanderson had his eyebrows singed.</p>
+
+<p>"But it only adds to your manly beauty," laughed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>And so the feast went on, and the Racer boys were toasted again and
+again in everything mild, from ginger ale to strawberry pop.</p>
+
+<p>"And you'll be sure to come back in the Fall, won't you, fellows?"
+asked Ward Platt, when the time came to say good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," promised Andy. "We'll come back millionaires—maybe."</p>
+
+<p>"And maybe—not," added his brother, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, we'll have a good time, and lots of excitement, anyhow,"
+declared the younger lad.</p>
+
+<p>Neither he nor his brother realized, however, what kind of excitement
+nor what manner of fun they were to have on the prairies.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a trip to New York, where the brothers further outfitted
+themselves for their trip. Billy Chase went with them, being their
+guest at the Racer mansion for several days.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Racer renewed her protest about the boys going off on what seemed
+such a dangerous mission, but they laughed at her fears, and said they
+could take care of themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"And I believe they can," Mr. Racer said. "They've got to see life, and
+I want them to see the good clean side of it, such as they will meet
+with out West. I like that young Chase, too. He's got a thinking head
+on his shoulders, even if he is only the age of our boys. He'll make
+his mark, some day."</p>
+
+<p>"But think of the danger they may be in," said Mrs. Racer.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing unusual," insisted her husband. "Travel is very safe now. I
+almost wish I were going with them," and with a sigh he started for his
+office, where a tangle of affairs needed his attention; for, though
+he was a wealthy merchant, he devoted much personal attention to his
+business.</p>
+
+<p>And so it came about that Andy, Frank and Billy were in the parlor car,
+speeding westward. They would be several days on the journey, for they
+had elected to go by a route that would afford them a glimpse of some
+fine scenery.</p>
+
+<p>"Might as well have a good time while we're going," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Especially as we're not in much of a hurry," added Andy.</p>
+
+<p>Billy said nothing, but when the train had pulled out of the station
+he had looked around apprehensively, and had breathed more freely when
+they were well started.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think that lame man will try to follow you?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I think he's equal to it," was the answer. "He and his crowd would do
+anything to prevent my uncle from carrying out his plan of making the
+irrigation lake. But I don't see anything of Shackmiller."</p>
+
+<p>"I think we've given him the slip," decided Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Then let's enjoy ourselves," proposed Andy. "I've just thought of
+something."</p>
+
+<p>"A trick, I'll wager," spoke Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sort of," admitted the younger lad. "Do you see that fussy old
+gentleman over there?" and he pointed to one who had kept the porter
+busy waiting on him ever since the train started.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure we see him," admitted Frank. "We'd be blind if we didn't. Are you
+going to pull his chair out from under him, or merely toss him off the
+train?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither one," declared Andy stoutly. "I guess you think I don't know
+how to work tricks."</p>
+
+<p>"I've seen you pull off one or two that you wished you hadn't tried,"
+commented his brother, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not this time," said Andy. "What I'm going to do is this: Right across
+the aisle from the fussy man is an old maid. I'm going to change their
+valises, for they're just alike, and I'll put the man's where the
+lady's is, and <i>terra firma</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Terra firma?</i>" repeated Billy, much mystified.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's Latin for opposite," said Andy, innocently.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you mean <i>vice versa</i>," laughed Frank. "You're going to switch
+their bags; eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure thing. And when the fussy little old man opens the one he thinks
+is his, and finds a set of false curls and a box of face powder, he'll
+go up in the air; and as for the old maid, when she sees the man's
+things—Oh, well, she won't have a fit I guess! Oh, no!"</p>
+
+<p>"How are you going to do it?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll work it somehow. You just watch me."</p>
+
+<p>Frank and Billy laughed and then proceeded to admire the scenery, while
+Andy began planning how he might carry out his trick.</p>
+
+<p>"I have it!" he finally announced. "I'll stroll past the old maid,
+and ask her if she doesn't want a drink of water. I've noticed her
+fidgeting for the last ten minutes, and I'm sure she's dry, and too
+bashful to ask the porter for a drink, or get it herself. Then I'll be
+near enough to switch the bags."</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead. You'll get caught, sure," declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Andy only laughed recklessly, and started down the aisle of the swaying
+car intending to approach the maiden lady.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like a drink?" he asked her politely.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, I would," she answered, with a smile. "I cannot walk in
+these swaying cars very well, and I'm afraid I don't know how to get
+water from those patent faucets."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get you one," said Andy, with as innocent a face as if he had
+never played a practical joke in his life. He accepted a collapsible
+cup, which the elderly lady held out to him, and, as he took it, he
+winked at his companions, farther down the aisle, and with a sly motion
+of his foot put the valise where he could easily reach it. At the same
+time he swayed over toward the old gentleman, as though the lurch of
+the train had tossed him off his balance.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon!" gasped Andy. "I—er——"</p>
+
+<p>"All right," growled the crusty old man. "Be more careful next time."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Andy, and with another wink at his friends, he shoved
+the man's bag across the aisle so that it was beside that of the maiden
+lady.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take Andy long to return with the water. As he was about to
+hand it to the lady, he made another quick motion with his foot, and
+the transfer of the bags was accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>Andy was in the act of winking at his chums, to indicate that he had
+carried out his trick, when there was a sudden lurch of the train. The
+brakes went on with a quickness that almost made Andy turn a somersault.</p>
+
+<p>The cup of water flew out of his hand, straight for the old gentleman,
+who was showered.</p>
+
+<p>"What does that mean?" he fairly roared. "Some more of your
+carelessness. I'll report you to the conductor!"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mean——" began Andy. But that was as far as he got.</p>
+
+<p>The next instant the train stopped with a crash and a shock that threw
+nearly everyone from his or her seat, sliding them along the aisle of
+the car.</p>
+
+<p>Andy shot along, colliding with Frank and Billy. The old maid found
+herself under a chair, two seats away, and the old gentleman who wore a
+wig that slipped down over his face, was catapulted across the aisle.
+Then came a silence, while several voices cried:</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wreck! We've smashed into something!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE MAN WHO LIMPED</p>
+
+
+<p>Instantly the car was in confusion. Men and women, struggling to their
+feet from where they had been thrown by the impact of the blow, began
+rushing about hardly knowing what they were doing. One young lady
+raised a small hand bag, and was about to smash it through a window.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do that!" yelled Frank, racing toward her.</p>
+
+<p>"But I must! I must!" she cried. "I want to get out! The place is on
+fire!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is no fire!" shouted Frank. "You are in no danger in this car,
+but if you smash the glass you'll cut yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>Even then the girl did not seem to comprehend. She looked at Frank with
+fear in her eyes, and once more raised the bag. Not until he grasped
+her wrist, and gently took the small satchel from her, did she seem to
+comprehend. Then he led her to a seat, for the chairs, strongly bolted
+to the floor of the car, had not torn loose.</p>
+
+<p>"This car is not damaged a bit," went on Frank, in as calm tones as
+were possible under the circumstances. "You can see that both doors are
+in place, and you can get out that way, if you wish."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed I do!" cried the girl. "Please take me out of here! Oh,
+what a wreck! But I'm glad you didn't let me break the glass."</p>
+
+<p>"You would have been hurt if you had," said Frank. "As it is, you do
+not seem to be injured."</p>
+
+<p>He looked her over critically. She was quite a pretty girl, aged about
+eighteen, and aside from a slight disorder of her hat and dress she was
+none the worse for the wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not hurt," she admitted. "I don't know why I wanted to smash
+that glass. It seemed that I was in some burning building and must get
+out that way. Oh, I wonder if any one is hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid so," answered Frank gravely. "But all in this car seem to
+have escaped very luckily."</p>
+
+<p>His brother was picking himself up from under a seat, and Billy, who
+had been hurled toward a passage leading to a private compartment, came
+limping back.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurt?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much. Just a twisted ankle. How about you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm fine. Let's go outside and see what happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Take me with you," pleaded the girl. "I can't bear to stay in here
+after that awful crash."</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked to see his brother approaching and then he helped the girl
+along the aisle, as she was trembling from fright.</p>
+
+<p>The maiden lady, for whom Andy had gotten the water, was getting up,
+and feeling of her curls as if to see if any were missing. They were
+all in place, and, after smoothing down her dress, she seemed more
+composed, though she was pale.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman across the aisle from her, however, seemed dazed. He
+still sat on the floor of the car, with the water from the cup Andy had
+carried trickling down his face, and in one hand held his wig, which
+had slid off his shiny, bald pate. He was contemplating the mass of
+hair as if wondering whose it was, and where he had seen it before.
+Then he caught sight of Andy and a flood of red surged into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, you!" he called. "Help me up. You're responsible for this."</p>
+
+<p>"Me responsible?" queried Andy in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. You were passing me with that cup of water when everything went
+to smash. Why did you do it? Answer me. I demand to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Andy slowly, "I did spill the water on you—but I couldn't
+help it. The train stopped too suddenly. But I can't see how you make
+it out that I caused the wreck."</p>
+
+<p>"Wreck? Is it a wreck? Oh, don't say that, young man!" pleaded the man,
+now taking a different tack. "I've always been in fear of a wreck. It
+can't be possible I'm in one now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you're in one now, all right," went on the younger Racer lad;
+"though how bad it is I can't tell. Certainly this car didn't sustain
+much damage. I'm glad we took a parlor coach," he added to Billy.
+"They're heavier, and stand shocks better."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed the Western lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear me! A wreck!" exclaimed the old man. "Oh, will no one help
+me up. I—er—Oh, I beg your pardon, madam!" he said hastily, as he
+saw the maiden lady looking at him. "I do beg your pardon. Just one
+moment," and then hastily turning his back toward her he adjusted his
+wig on his bald head, and tried to get to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll help you," said Andy, forgetting all about the changed valises.</p>
+
+<p>"A wreck! Bless my soul!" exclaimed the man. "And I forgot to take out
+an accident policy. How unfortunate! I've traveled all my life," he
+went on, speaking to the two boys; "and never before did I go without
+an accident policy. I never was in a wreck yet, and now the first one
+that happens to me I have no insurance."</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't need it," said Andy. "You're not hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" asked the man quickly. "I may have a fractured liver
+for all you can tell. But if I have, I'll sue the railroad, even if I
+did forget to take out a policy. Oh bless my heart!"</p>
+
+<p>Leaning heavily on Andy, he made his way out of the car. The old maid
+seemed capable of taking care of herself, but Billy went over to her
+and helped her to the door.</p>
+
+<p>The parlor car conductor came running in, seemingly much excited:</p>
+
+<p>"Any one here hurt?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"I—I may be!" exclaimed the fussy old man. "I'm not sure yet—I'm
+going to have a doctor look me over, and I'll let you know later,
+conductor. And if I am hurt, I'll sue——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess you're not hurt much," murmured the conductor. "Any one
+else?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe anyone was seriously hurt in this car," spoke Billy.
+"They're all out but us, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to hear it," was the rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it much of a wreck?" asked the Western lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, pretty bad. A switch was left open, and we ran onto a siding and
+into a train of box cars. They were not loaded, however, which made
+them easier for our engine to plow through."</p>
+
+<p>"Many killed?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, so far, though several are badly injured. Our engine climbed
+right on top of the freight cars."</p>
+
+<p>"That must be a great sight," said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>He helped the lady down the steps, and there she was taken in charge
+by a number of other ladies, who had gotten over their first fright,
+and had organized themselves into a sort of relief corps. Billy looked
+forward and saw a strange sight.</p>
+
+<p>The passenger train, going at high speed, had run head-on into a
+string of empty box cars. The first two had been split lengthwise, and
+the pieces tossed aside. But the passenger engine had fairly climbed
+the third one, and had come to a stop reared up in the air like some
+mechanical monster charging an enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Some wreck, this!" exclaimed Billy. As he spoke he saw wreaths of
+smoke arising from the shattered cars.</p>
+
+<p>"The wreck's caught fire," he thought. "From the coals of the boiler. I
+hope every one is out of the coaches!"</p>
+
+<p>One or two of the passenger cars had been slightly smashed, and some
+were tossed from the rails. The parlor car, however, stayed on, as did
+the coaches back of it.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer and firemen had jumped when they saw the crash coming, the
+engineer having put on the emergency air brakes, however, which locked
+the wheels. But the train had been going too fast to stop in time.</p>
+
+<p>Billy saw Frank and Andy approaching, each of them having turned their
+charges over to others.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we got out of that lucky," said Frank, with a shake of his head
+as he looked at the burning wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," agreed Andy. "No more smash-ups for mine!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if everyone is out?" mused Billy. "Let's take a look."</p>
+
+<p>As all about them was confusion, with half-frenzied men and women
+crying aloud, and with the injured ones moaning, the boys realized that
+no one might think of the helpless ones possibly imprisoned in the
+cars, that would soon be consumed by the flames.</p>
+
+<p>As they approached the fire they saw a man leap from one of the forward
+coaches. At the sight of him, Billy exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"There he is! I thought we'd left him behind!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"That man—Shackmiller."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't he—at least he isn't the one who attacked you," declared
+Andy. "That man had a beard, and this one is smooth shaven."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but look at his limp," said Billy in quiet tones. "He walks
+exactly like Shackmiller. He's followed me after all, and I've got to
+carry that paper with me. What shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>The Racer boys did not know how to answer him, and, indeed at that
+moment there was no chance, for, a second later, there came a terrific
+explosion, and the body of the man who limped was hurled toward them
+through the air.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt="">
+  <div class="caption">
+    <p>A SECOND LATER THERE CAME A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.</p>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE RELIEF TRAIN</p>
+
+
+<p>"Look out!" yelled Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"The boiler has blown up!" added Andy. "Run for cover!"</p>
+
+<p>But there was no need, even had there been time to do so—to race
+against the awful speed and power of steam—for the one explosion was
+followed by no others.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the air was filled with flying debris, pieces of the
+locomotive boiler, and bits of the wrecked cars. But, fortunately,
+the mass scattered, and fell to one side, so that none of it hit the
+unfortunate survivors of the wreck.</p>
+
+<p>The man whom Billy had called Shackmiller—the man he so feared—had
+been hurled forward, rather than up, as though blown along, slightly
+above the surface of the ground by some mighty wind.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the end of him!" cried Frank. "He'll be killed sure!"</p>
+
+<p>"How did he happen to be near the boiler?" asked Andy, but there was no
+chance to answer him, had anyone been so inclined. For at that instant
+the crumpled-up body of the man fell on a pile of the car seat cushions
+that had been carried out to make beds for the wounded ones.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see how badly he is hurt," suggested Billy. "Poor fellow. I hate
+to see him suffer, even if he is a plotter."</p>
+
+<p>They rushed toward where the man had landed. So did a number of
+others—nearly all save those who were looking after the injured
+passengers.</p>
+
+<p>"He's done for," murmured Billy. But even as he spoke the man moved.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick! Get the doctor here!" called the conductor of the train, and
+the much over-worked physician began to work on the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that was a close call for us," remarked Andy, when the excitement
+had somewhat calmed down.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say yes," agreed his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"And on our first day out," added Billy. "I'm afraid you fellows will
+think I got you in bad, having a railroad smash to start off with."</p>
+
+<p>"That part's all right," said Andy. "We like the excitement, but——"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if he hasn't nerve!" exclaimed Frank. "Is that all the sympathy
+you have for the ones who were hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not!" snapped Andy. "I'm as sorry as you are that any one
+was injured, but as long as we're in for excitement we might as well
+have a railroad wreck as anything else."</p>
+
+<p>"You're the limit," said Frank. "Well, now that the boiler has gone
+up, and there's no danger from that, let's finish looking at what we
+started to see when the steam went off."</p>
+
+<p>But it was not easy to approach very close, as the splintered box cars,
+into which the locomotive had plowed, were now blazing fiercely. There
+was no means of extinguishing the fire, and it simply had to be allowed
+to burn itself out. The wounded had been carried to places of safety,
+and were now resting on the car seats. The man who had followed our
+heroes was the worst hurt of any, and the doctor did not have much hope
+for him.</p>
+
+<p>The trainmen were getting out the baggage of the passengers, and
+helping the express and mail clerks to save the contents of their cars
+before the fire should spread to them.</p>
+
+<p>In a great measure, however, the excitement caused by the wreck had
+calmed down, when it was found there was no loss of life.</p>
+
+<p>The accident had occurred while the train was passing through a farming
+section, and soon the countrymen, for miles around, flocked to the
+scene, coming in wagons and on foot. They offered to care for any who
+did not want to continue their journey, and some women, whose nerves
+were shattered, took advantage of the kind offers.</p>
+
+<p>Not so the little old lady on whom Andy had been playing the innocent
+trick when the smash came. She was as calm and collected as she had
+been at first. And the man whose wig had come off had somewhat regained
+his composure.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think you could get a relief train here before this!" the man
+snapped to the conductor.</p>
+
+<p>"It's coming—it's coming," said that much-harassed official. "They're
+coming as fast as they can get here."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm going to sue your road for damages, whether I'm hurt or
+not," the man went on. "I'll be delayed, anyhow, and I'm going to have
+satisfaction."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you get it," murmured the conductor, as he hurried off to see
+that the others of the train crew were getting the baggage and other
+stuff out of the way of the advancing flames.</p>
+
+<p>The three boys walked about, lending a hand whenever they could, and
+talking about the accident. They had a glimpse of the locomotive,
+almost turned over, where it had crashed into the cars, and had reared
+up.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what made the boiler explode," was Frank's opinion. "The water
+level was changed, and some part of the boiler had none in. The fire
+kept getting hotter and hotter and the steam got to such a pressure
+that it blew the steel apart."</p>
+
+<p>"If it had happened a minute later we'd have been in it," said Andy. "I
+wonder what Shackmiller was doing so near the engine—that is, if it
+was he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it was he, all right," was Billy's comment. "I'm sure I wasn't
+mistaken, even though he had shaved off his black beard. He was
+following me. Probably he was in some other car all the while, and when
+the crash came, fearing I might see him, he ran up ahead to hide. Then
+he got near the boiler just as the explosion came. Well, I don't wish
+him any bad luck, but I hope this ends his following me."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you the paper safe?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's all right—pinned to the inside of my vest pocket," was the
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>There was a shrill whistling down the track, and the sound of a
+fast-puffing locomotive that could be heard above the roar and crackle
+of the flames. A flagman came running up to the group of trainmen and
+others who surrounded the place where the injured ones lay.</p>
+
+<p>"The relief train!" he shouted, waving his red flag. "Here is the
+relief train!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's good," said the doctor with a sigh of satisfaction. "I need
+medicines and bandages for these injured. It didn't come any too soon
+for him," he added, and nodded toward Shackmiller.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">FORWARD AGAIN</p>
+
+
+<p>Getting the injured aboard the relief train was the first care of
+everyone, including the wrecking crew, that had come in response to the
+telegraphed appeal for aid. Tenderly the men and women, and one or two
+children, were carried into a car that had been temporarily converted
+into a hospital.</p>
+
+<p>Several physicians had come on the relief train, and a number of
+trained nurses, so that those with hurts were assured of every
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid we'll have to operate on that man," Frank heard the
+physician who had been on the wrecked train say to one of the relief
+doctors.</p>
+
+<p>"Which man is that?"</p>
+
+<p>The first doctor pointed to Shackmiller, who was being carried into the
+hospital car.</p>
+
+<p>"He has a fractured skull," went on the doctor who had made the first
+examination. "He's the worst hurt of the lot. It was a mighty lucky
+accident otherwise."</p>
+
+<p>Two engines had come with the relief train, and also a big wrecking
+derrick. Now that the passengers—injured as well as those not
+hurt—were being looked after, the wrecking crew turned their attention
+to saving as much of the railroad property as possible.</p>
+
+<p>By means of a switch, the empty freight cars were pulled away, so that
+no more of them, save those entangled in the locomotive, would burn.
+Then the passenger coaches were pulled out of the way, some of them
+having to be put back on the rails. Others were lifted to one side, as
+so much junk, for in a railroad wreck, after the saving of life, next
+in importance comes the "clearing of the line," so that traffic may not
+be held up any longer than necessary.</p>
+
+<p>With as many of the cars cleared away as possible, the wrecking crew
+next attacked the fire. There was no water with which to fight it, but
+chemical extinguishers were used, and with long poles and axes the
+burning timbers were torn apart, so as to afford the flames less to
+feed on. In a remarkably short time, comparatively speaking, the scene
+of the wreck was much changed, and something like order was brought out
+of chaos.</p>
+
+<p>"Get aboard! Get aboard the relief train, those who wish to go on to
+their destinations!" called the conductor.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that means us; doesn't it?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure it does," asserted Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Unless you're going to back out," added Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much!" exclaimed Frank. "We've started and we're going to see this
+thing through. We said we'd help you, and we will; eh, Andy?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what! We'll find out where the treasure of Golden Peak is, or
+know the reason why."</p>
+
+<p>This was just the spirit the Racer boys always showed. Andy might be
+quick and impulsive, but he had something of the quiet determination of
+Frank, and together they made a "team" that was hard to beat.</p>
+
+<p>All the injured having been made as comfortable as possible, the
+other passengers filed into the cars of the relief train, leaving the
+wrecking crew to do their work. By means of a freight switch the relief
+train could get back on the main track and pass around the wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, our baggage is all right," announced Frank, as he saw their
+trunks, among a number of others, taken from the smashed car and put
+aboard the other. "Now we must send word to father and mother that we
+are safe, so they won't worry."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"As my uncle doesn't know just what train I'm coming on he won't be
+alarmed," said Billy, "so there is no need to send him word. But you
+fellows ought to wire home, for there'll be all sorts of newspaper
+stories of this smash."</p>
+
+<p>The conductor readily undertook to forward any messages which
+passengers might wish to send, and the Racer boys filed theirs with
+him. Then the relief train left the sad scene, carrying many who had
+thankful hearts that it was no worse, for the escape of nearly all the
+passengers had been little short of miraculous.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're on our way again," remarked Andy, as they made themselves
+comfortable in the car.</p>
+
+<p>"And there is the little old lady, and the man whose valises you
+switched," said Frank. "But I guess the trick is spoiled, Andy, for
+neither of them seem to have any baggage."</p>
+
+<p>This was true, the satchels of the pair having been missed in the
+confusion. The owners were too excited to notice it. Andy's plans had
+come to naught.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I don't care," he said. "A joke would lose its flavor now,
+anyhow. I'll get a chance to play another before we reach the prairies,
+and if I don't, I can have some fun with the cowboys."</p>
+
+<p>"You want to be careful about that," warned Billy. "A cowboy is a bad
+customer to play a joke on, unless he takes it in the right way. He's
+very likely to get back at you worse than you expect."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess I can take care of myself," said Andy, airily.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just like him," murmured Frank. "He'll get his good and plenty
+some day, and it'll teach him a lesson."</p>
+
+<p>Little was talked of in the train save the recent accident. Some who
+had loved ones in the hospital car made frequent trips to it to learn
+how they were doing, and most of the reports were favorable.</p>
+
+<p>"How's the man who was hurt in the boiler explosion?" asked Billy, as
+the doctor who had first attended the wounded ones came through their
+car.</p>
+
+<p>"Not very well," was the grave answer. "We want to operate, but we
+can't risk it on the train. We are hoping for the best."</p>
+
+<p>Almost unconsciously Billy put his hand in his pocket where he carried
+the valuable paper, and there was a look of relief on his face as he
+felt its folds.</p>
+
+<p>The rescue train ran to the nearest station which, fortunately,
+happened to be in a city where there was a hospital. To this
+institution the worst of the injured were taken, others being sent to
+hotels. Those who wished to continue their journey were to be provided
+with accommodations on the next regular train, and our boys took
+advantage of this offer.</p>
+
+<p>They delayed long enough, however, to receive a congratulatory message
+from Mr. and Mrs. Racer, and there was added a caution to be very
+careful in the future.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother put that in, bless her heart!" said Andy, and though he spoke
+lightly there was a trace of tears in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I—I wish I had one to send me a message," said Billy; and there was
+longing in his tones.</p>
+
+<p>That night saw our heroes once more speeding to the West and in sleep
+they did their best to forget the harrowing experience through which
+they had passed that day.</p>
+
+<p>"And we're leaving Shackmiller behind," said Billy. "I won't worry so
+much now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're making time," observed Frank, after breakfast the next
+morning. He looked out at the scenery speeding past. The rapid click of
+the rails told that indeed the engineer was sending his train ahead at
+high speed.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope we don't hit anything," remarked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Here! Drop that kind of talk!" exclaimed his brother, playfully
+punching him. "We've had enough of a hoodoo so far—don't mention it
+again."</p>
+
+<p>Owing to the fact that they had to change to another railroad, they
+were obliged to spend several hours, the next day, in a large city.
+They took advantage of the stop to stroll about, and even go to a
+theatrical matinee, which effectively broke up the weariness of waiting.</p>
+
+<p>"This beats boning away at Riverview Hall," said Andy, as they came out
+of the playhouse, and headed for the railroad station.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, school wasn't so bad," declared Frank. "We had good times there;
+didn't we Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure we did. I'll never forget how you fellows threw a scare into me
+the night you had on the black beards. I sure did think Shackmiller and
+his gang had me cornered."</p>
+
+<p>"And that was what made you act so frightened all the while?" asked
+Frank. "Fear of losing that paper you carry?"</p>
+
+<p>"That was it. I'm not half as nervous as I was. By the way, I think
+I'll send my uncle a message."</p>
+
+<p>"What about?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, just to let him know we're on our way, and that Shackmiller has
+been left behind."</p>
+
+<p>They filed into the nearest telegraph office, and Billy soon had the
+message written out. As he was paying for it, the operator remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"Sageville, Kansas, eh? I don't often get messages for there. But this
+is the second one that has passed over the wires to-day for that
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"It is?" exclaimed Billy. "Was the other one to my uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember. I just remember the name Sageville. The message only
+passed through this office. It didn't originate here. It came from
+Northup, in Pennsylvania."</p>
+
+<p>"Northup—Pennsylvania!" exclaimed Billy. "Why, that was where the
+relief train brought us after the wreck—where the injured were left.
+And a message went from there to Sageville, you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," assented the operator. "Quite a coincidence."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me who the message was to, and who sent it?" asked Billy
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>The agent shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry," he said, "but I'm not allowed to give out any information
+like that."</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">ON THE PRAIRIES</p>
+
+
+<p>Billy Chase looked at the two Racer boys, and then back at the
+telegraph operator.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any way in which I could get that information?" he asked. "It
+may be very important to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid you can't get it," replied the agent. "In the first place,
+I only happened to hear the message as it went over my wires, and,
+though I caught it all, for I was not busy at the time, it would be as
+much as my job was worth to repeat it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Because a telegraph company regards a message entrusted to it just
+as sacred as Uncle Sam does the mail. No one but the persons directly
+interested are allowed to know of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then there's no chance for me to find out about it?" remarked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid not," answered the operator. "But why are you so anxious?"</p>
+
+<p>Then the Western lad told something of the trouble he and his uncle
+had been experiencing, and how he had been followed by a man who wanted
+to get possession of certain papers. Then he told of the wreck, and of
+this man being injured.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that message you overheard, as being sent to Sageville, was
+from him," said Billy. "Maybe he recovered enough to tell that he was
+laid up, and to put some of his confederates on my track. In that case
+I'd like to know about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't blame you for wanting to know," commented the agent;
+"but, as I said, I can't tell you anything. The company forces me to
+remain quiet. I couldn't give out any information about <i>your</i> message
+if some one should ask me," and he tapped the paper on which Billy had
+written his telegram.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I suppose not," agreed the western lad, "and yet if I knew whether
+that message was from Shackmiller, and to whom it went, I might save my
+uncle a lot of future trouble. But if I can't—I can't—that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry, but that's the way it is," concluded the agent, and the three
+boys went out.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it was from Shackmiller!" declared Andy, who often drew
+impulsive conclusions.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you think so?" asked Frank, who was slower in making his
+judgments.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I just feel so. I think that when he recovered
+consciousness, and realized that he was laid up, he started someone
+else on our trail."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," admitted Frank; "but it's pretty hard to decide. I wonder how
+he came to follow us in the first place? I thought we had given him the
+slip."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he's as sharp as a fox," declared Billy. "Lots of times I thought
+I had fooled him, but he'd always turn up when I least expected him. He
+kept track of me somehow, though I couldn't always trace him. He knew I
+had that paper, and he found out that I was coming West."</p>
+
+<p>"That last was easy enough," put in Andy. "It was talked of all over
+the school."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose he didn't have much difficulty in finding out that
+part," went on Billy. "And now, if he has started someone else on my
+trail, I've got to look sharp."</p>
+
+<p>"We all will," said Frank. "We'll stand by you, Billy."</p>
+
+<p>"Surest thing you know," agreed Andy. "Well, let's get back to the
+station; it's almost train time. Oh! look at those bananas! I'm going
+to have some!" and he darted into a fruit store.</p>
+
+<p>"Andy isn't serious long at a time; is he?" asked Frank of his chum,
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"No, and maybe it's a good thing. There's enough serious people in
+this world," and Billy's tone was a trifle depressed.</p>
+
+<p>"He's worrying about that message," thought Frank, and he was right.</p>
+
+<p>Andy came out with a big bag of bananas and passed the fruit around to
+his friends. The younger Racer lad was in a joking mood, and made funny
+comments of the street scenes, but, though Frank laughed, Billy hardly
+smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I say, now; this won't do, old man!" expostulated Andy, after they
+had seen a fat pug dog, led by a fleshy lady, run between the legs of
+a tall, thin man, tripping him up. Frank and Andy went into roars of
+laughter, but Billy barely smiled. "This won't do at all," went on
+the younger Racer lad. "What's the matter, Billy? You're as glum as a
+burned cork."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, to tell the truth," was the answer, "I am worrying about
+what that telegraph operator told me. I more than half believe that
+Shackmiller is putting someone after me."</p>
+
+<p>"What if he is?" asked Andy. "We can get the best of him. Don't worry."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," chimed in Frank. "It may have been only a coincidence
+after all. Don't cross a bridge until you hear footsteps approaching on
+horseback."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll try," and Billy laughed for the first time since
+hearing the news that disturbed him. "Maybe I'm foolish, after all, to
+worry."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you are," said Frank. "Brace up."</p>
+
+<p>After the next day's travel they reached the prairie country, and the
+boundless expanse of gently-rolling land was a delight to the Racer
+boys, who, though they had traveled much, had never been so far West.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is great!" cried Andy, as his eyes took in scenery that was
+strange to him.</p>
+
+<p>"It's immense!" added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It's immense, all right," agreed Billy, with a smile. "You haven't
+begun to see the prairies yet. It's like the ocean; you don't
+appreciate it until you've seen it a dozen times—or more. It takes a
+long while to get acquainted with the West."</p>
+
+<p>As the train passed on, the boys saw signs of the extensive way in
+which agricultural operations were carried on in that locality.
+Here were no small farms, of a few acres each, but a vast extent of
+territory.</p>
+
+<p>They passed great herds of cattle, and whizzed by long trains of the
+patient beasts which were being shipped East. They saw big fields,
+extending farther than their eyes could reach, under cultivation, or
+being prepared.</p>
+
+<p>Then there was plowing, which was being done in one or two places. Here
+were no horses hitched to the implement, with a man or boy following,
+with the lines about his waist. Instead, gang plows—a score or
+more—were pulled through the mellow soil at once by many teams or by a
+steam engine.</p>
+
+<p>"Some plowing, that!" commented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say yes," agreed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the only way we can get work done in the West," said Billy.
+"All the operations are on a large scale. Why, if a farmer or rancher
+tried to do as you folks do out East—work a farm with a team of horses
+and one hired man—the West wouldn't be half as developed as it is
+to-day. There'd be buffaloes and Indians here instead of wheat lands
+and cattle ranches. The West is big—as big as all outdoors, and it
+takes big men and big business to keep it going!"</p>
+
+<p>He grew enthusiastic as he proceeded, and the Racer boys saw that he
+meant what he said.</p>
+
+<p>"You must like the West and the prairies," commented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," was the answer. "There's no place like it, and when I get
+through with my uncle's Eastern business, maybe I'm not going back. Not
+that I didn't have a good time there, and that I don't like Riverview
+Hall," he hastened to add, "but—it isn't the West."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I should say not—not by a long shot!" exclaimed Andy, as he
+looked across the boundless expanse of the prairies.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">"WE ARE BEING FOLLOWED!"</p>
+
+
+<p>"Here we are, fellows!" exclaimed Billy Chase.</p>
+
+<p>"Here?" asked Frank Racer.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?" echoed his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Pulling into Sageville," answered the Western lad. "We'll be there in
+a few minutes now. Better get your stuff in shape."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, if this is <i>some</i> place, where's <i>no</i> place?" asked Andy, for as
+he looked out of the car windows he saw nothing save the same prairies
+over which they had traveled for many hours.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Sageville isn't much of a place, compared to your Eastern cities,"
+answered Billy, with a laugh; "but it does very well for us. We think
+it quite a town. There it is," and, as the train swung around a curve,
+the Racer boys could see a small town just ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that Sageville?" asked Frank, half doubting, and thinking perhaps
+his new chum was perpetrating some joke.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure it is," went on Billy, still laughing. "Can't you see the opera
+house? It's over a hardware store, that's true, but we have shows there
+once in a while, when some company gets stranded and has to work its
+way back to New York. And we've got a bank, that gets shot up every
+once in a while, so nobody keeps much money in it. The depot express
+safe is more sure, for there is generally a man on guard.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we've got a grocery, with a drug store attachment that works late
+Saturday nights, and there was some talk, when I came away, of starting
+a moving picture emporium, if that's what they're called. I wonder if
+it materialized?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked out of the open window, to get a better glimpse of the town,
+and added:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there's a new skyscraper going up. I guess that's it," and he
+pointed to a one-story wooden building on which some carpenters could
+be seen working.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll be jig-swiggled!" exclaimed Andy. "I thought the town was
+larger than that," for truly it was but a small place.</p>
+
+<p>"Larger!" cried Billy. "What do you want, anyhow? This is the biggest
+town in this section. Big! Why, it's got more room to grow in than half
+a dozen of your Eastern cities. Take your New York. That can't grow
+any. It's reached its limit. It's hide-bound. It can't even stretch,
+and the people are so close that they step on each other's corns. But
+out here it's different. Why, we can swell Sageville up until it could
+take in New York and never know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Not this week, though," said Frank, with a laugh, and he felt a little
+nettled at the slight put on his home city.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, it'll take a little time," admitted Billy. "But we've got the
+room, and you Eastern folks haven't—that's the difference."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's big enough," admitted Andy, as he looked at the
+great expanse of prairie surrounding Sageville. "But it's awful
+lonesome-looking."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, maybe it is now," confessed Billy. "That's because all the men
+are out on the ranches. But it livens up at night."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose they'll take us for tenderfeet," suggested Andy, with
+something like a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let that worry you," said Billy quickly. "I'll teach you the
+ropes, and they won't bother you if you keep still and don't try to get
+funny."</p>
+
+<p>"Just remember that, Andy," said Frank, giving his brother a
+significant poke in the ribs.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm no worse than you," retorted the younger lad; but, at the same
+time, he decided to be careful.</p>
+
+<p>The train was slackening up now, ready for the stop. There were no
+other passengers preparing to get off the car where our friends were,
+save themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much travel out this way," commented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"No, this is rather the dull season. But I've seen as many as five
+persons get off a train at once," and Billy laughed to indicate that he
+was joking.</p>
+
+<p>With a squeaking of the brakes the cars came to a standstill. Billy
+went out on the platform, at the same time remarking:</p>
+
+<p>"There's Archie."</p>
+
+<p>"Who's Archie?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"One of Uncle Richfield's men. He's an old cattleman, a fine shot, and
+what he doesn't know about horses isn't worth losing any sleep over.
+His real name is Archibald Lynch, but we all call him Archie."</p>
+
+<p>"Sort of girlish name for a man; isn't it?" inquired Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what Archie is always complaining about," said Billy. "He says
+he wonders why his folks ever saddled him with a name like that, but
+he can't get rid of it. Once he thought of adopting a new one, and he
+picked out 'Hank' as having the proper tone, but the boys only laughed
+at him, and kept right on calling him Archie. I guess he's used to it
+by this time."</p>
+
+<p>The Racer boys looked to see a tall, bronzed man, with a weather-beaten
+face, shoulders that slightly stooped, and legs that were bowed from
+much riding of horses. He was a typical Westerner, with clear eyes that
+seemed to look right through you, and plenty of reserve strength.</p>
+
+<p>He sat on the seat of a buckboard wagon, drawn by a team of small, wiry
+horses, and scanned the train narrowly.</p>
+
+<p>"He's looking for us," said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it far from here to the ranch?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, about ten miles. But we make it in good time. Those horses
+can travel, though they don't look very stylish. Oh, there's Uncle
+Richfield!" and Billy waved to a tall, well-built man who was walking
+down the depot platform. "I didn't think he'd come to meet us—he's so
+busy," he added. "Hi, Uncle Richfield!" he called, and the man, looking
+up suddenly, waved his hand to his nephew.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Billy!" he answered in a pleasant voice. "So you got here all
+right, did you? Boys with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," was the answer. "I wouldn't lose them," and with that Billy
+leaped from the steps and made a rush for his uncle. The manner in
+which the two clasped hands, and looked into each other's faces for a
+moment, showed how close was the bond of sympathy between them.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Archie!" called Billy a moment later, as he swung over to the
+old cattleman. "How are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, able to sit up and take nourishment," was the quiet answer. "So
+you got here safe?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, after the railroad company tried to smash us," was the answer.
+"Now, Uncle Richfield, let me introduce the Racer boys to you. Here you
+are, Frank and Andy, this is my uncle that I've been telling you so
+much about."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he didn't give me a bad character," said Mr. Thornton, as he
+smiled and held out his hand to the two brothers.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're used to Billy by this time, and we know how to take what
+he says," said Frank, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the ranchman. "I guess they've got you there, Billy,
+my boy."</p>
+
+<p>Then came introductions to the old cattleman, who sat in the buckboard
+waiting for the start to be made for the ranch. Frank and Andy liked
+him at once, as they did Mr. Thornton. There was a frank and hearty
+manner about the Westerners; an atmosphere that seemed to make friends
+at once, and the Racer boys felt that they were not among strangers.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, how are things going, Uncle?" asked Billy, as soon as the
+introductions were over. "I've told the boys as much as I knew
+myself," he added. "I thought you'd want them to know, as long as
+they're going to help us."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," replied Mr. Thornton. "Well, I can't say that things are
+going any too well. I seem to strike a snag every now and then. Just as
+I think I've got a clear track I'm held up by some action on the part
+of this Shackmiller and his crowd. But you say he's laid up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," replied Billy, and he told about the wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he's got someone acting for him here all right," went on the
+ranch owner. "He's started another suit against me, and, though I know
+it won't amount to anything, still it holds up operations for a while."</p>
+
+<p>"How is the dam coming on?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty well. It's nearly completed, all but a small stretch that goes
+across the land that leads to Golden Peak. It is this little piece
+that's in dispute, not because that strip on which the remainder of the
+dam will stand is of any value, but because it's the only entrance to
+Golden Peak, and that's why they don't want me to use it."</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad," consoled Frank. "And is there really any treasure on
+the Peak?" he added eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Treasure!" laughed Mr. Thornton. "Not a bit of it! That is all
+bosh—moonshine—it's like a lot of other stories that originate out
+West and keep growing until a lot of people believe 'em. The only
+treasure of Golden Peak is the sunshine and fresh air. I wish I could
+bring those fellows to their senses. Then I could go ahead, finish the
+dam, and have water enough so I could get bumper crops, and raise some
+decent cattle. As it is, I'm held up, and so are a lot of my neighbors
+who are going to get water from my lake.</p>
+
+<p>"What we'll have to do, if this thing keeps up, is to organize, and
+drive these fellows out of the country. But never mind that now. How
+did you make out, Billy? Have you that paper safe? What kind of a trip
+did you have?"</p>
+
+<p>Then began rather a long series of questions and answers between Billy
+and his uncle, and, as they can have very little interest for my
+readers, I will omit them. Sufficient to say that Billy told of the
+attack on himself and of how the Racer boys came to his rescue, and how
+he was followed by Shackmiller even on the train.</p>
+
+<p>"But the wreck put him out of business," added Billy; "though he is
+still active, if that telegram was from him," and he related what the
+operator had said.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" mused Mr. Thornton. "Well, I don't know just what to think.
+If Shackmiller is out of the way, even for a little while, it may be a
+good thing for us. On the other hand, it may force matters. We'll just
+have to wait and see what happens. But I reckon you boys are tired, and
+you'd like to get out to the ranch, and rest up."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we're not so tired," said Frank; "but we would like to see the
+ranch."</p>
+
+<p>"Then hop on the buckboard and Archie will drive you out there," said
+the ranchman.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't you coming, Uncle?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I've got some business to attend to in town. I came out with
+Archie this morning, planning to meet you. I'll ride back with James
+Perdue some time this evening. Just make yourselves at home when you
+get there. I told the Chinaman to have a good supper for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Chinaman?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he's the cook," explained Billy. Then he gave his uncle the paper
+that was of such value, and the three boys, piling their baggage on the
+buckboard, took seats.</p>
+
+<p>"Giddap!" called Archie to the horses, and they started off at a fast
+trot. Like everything else in the West, they were speedy—there seemed
+to be nothing slow there.</p>
+
+<p>"Is my pony all right, Archie?" asked Billy, when they had turned out
+of town to the road that led over the prairies.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure. He's as lively as ever. Needs some exercise, though."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. How about mounts for Frank and Andy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess we can fix 'em up. Ride?" and he looked questioningly at
+the Racer boys.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," said Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"A little," confessed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll soon learn," declared Billy. "Everyone rides out
+here,—nobody walks;" and Frank and his brother had noticed that, brief
+as had been their time in the West.</p>
+
+<p>They kept on, the sturdy little horses making good time, and the boys
+and the old cattleman talked of many things.</p>
+
+<p>"Much of a force working on the dam now?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not as many as there was," replied Archie. "There's only a small gap
+to fill now, to make the lake, but your uncle can't do anything until
+this dispute is settled. Them skunks is holdin' him back."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, maybe we can help settle it," laughed Billy. "What's the matter,
+Frank?" he asked a moment later. "I notice you looking back a lot."</p>
+
+<p>"I was trying to see who was in that wagon following us," replied the
+elder Racer lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Following us!" exclaimed Billy, and he and Archie exchanged quick
+glances. "I don't see anyone," said Billy, a moment later, as he
+glanced to the rear.</p>
+
+<p>"It's down in that hollow," replied Frank. "But it's a wagon, with two
+horses hitched to it, and three or four men in it."</p>
+
+<p>"Three or four?" mused Archie. "It can't be your uncle, Billy. He
+wouldn't be following us so soon, for he said he had to stay in
+Sageville a couple of hours longer. Besides, Jim's wagon only holds
+two. Several men, eh? I guess we'll just look into this."</p>
+
+<p>He slowed down the horses and looked back just in time to catch a
+glimpse of a vehicle behind them, almost hidden in a cloud of dust.</p>
+
+<p>"They're stopping!" cried Andy, as he saw the other vehicle pull up.
+A man got down from it and seemed to be looking at one of the horses'
+hoofs.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! I don't know that outfit," said the old cattleman. "They must
+be on the wrong road. This one only goes to our ranch."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they want to see Mr. Thornton," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The cattleman shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"If it was that they'd have seen him in town," he replied. "He's there
+yet, and, no matter who they inquired of, if they were strangers,
+anybody could have pointed out Mr. Thornton. This looks queer. Did
+anyone get off the train when you did, boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"No one besides ourselves," said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>All four were now watching the other outfit. The men in the wagon
+seemed to be having a consultation, and there was apparently a
+difference of opinion, for one was seen to point toward the ranch, and
+several others waved their hands in the opposite direction. Finally the
+one who had gotten out of the wagon to look at the horses, climbed back
+again, and the steeds were swung about.</p>
+
+<p>"Changed their minds," said Archie with a grunt. "I thought they were
+on the wrong road."</p>
+
+<p>He drove on again, and the conversation was resumed. But Billy seemed
+thoughtful. It was perhaps an hour later, when they were nearing the
+ranch, that Billy turned, as he had done several times before, to
+glance back. As he did so he uttered an exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"We're being followed!" he cried. "There's the same wagon again!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">AT THE RANCH</p>
+
+
+<p>"Followed!" exclaimed Archie Lynch, after the pause that greeted
+Billy's announcement. "What do you mean? Who would want to follow us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," replied Billy frankly. "Certainly it can't be
+Shackmiller, for he's in the hospital. But that's the same wagon we
+saw a while ago, and we thought it had turned back. Those fellows are
+certainly following us."</p>
+
+<p>There was no doubt about it, as all four of them could see a little
+later, for, as the vehicle in the rear topped a rise, it could be noted
+advancing slowly along the private road that led to the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>"They don't seem to want to catch up to us," observed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they're afraid we'll ask them some questions they don't want to
+answer," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like the looks of it," murmured Billy. "But I'm glad Uncle
+Richfield has that paper."</p>
+
+<p>"And he can look out for himself," observed the old cattleman, with a
+grin. "I guess there's nothing for us to do, Billy. We can't very well
+order the men off the road, for, though it's a private one, your uncle
+doesn't object to folks using it."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I guess we can't do anything," agreed the Western lad. "But we'll
+tell Uncle Richfield about it, and he can make some inquiries."</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, and the eyes of all were once more
+turned on the wagon, which had been lost sight of for a moment in a
+cloud of dust. "They're turning off the road."</p>
+
+<p>"So they are," agreed Andy. "I didn't notice any other road there."</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't a regular road," said Archie Lynch. "But there's a sort of
+trail that leads to the river and the big dam that's almost completed.
+They've taken that road."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?" asked Billy suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I believe I have it!" exclaimed the old cattleman. "Your uncle
+was telling me the other day that he'd sent for a water-works expert,
+to report on the dam, and to see that everything was in good shape for
+the completion of it. He didn't quite trust the contractors, for they'd
+never tackled a job exactly like this before. That's who that party
+must be—the expert and his assistants. They're going to the dam."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then that puts a different face on it," said Billy, much relieved.
+"But I should think Uncle Richfield would like to be with 'em when they
+make the inspection."</p>
+
+<p>"He may come later," suggested Archie. "I guess it's all right.
+Giddap!" and his horses started off. The boys watched the other wagon.
+It was swinging away from them now, and a little later was lost to
+sight below some foothills, that marked the beginning of a rise of
+land, in which rose the river, that the ranch owner proposed curbing to
+make water his crops.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll be there in five minutes more," said Billy, as he
+stretched out his arms, and playfully poked Andy in the ribs.</p>
+
+<p>"Ouch! Quit that!" yelled the younger Racer lad. "But I don't see any
+ranch."</p>
+
+<p>"You will as soon as we get up on the next rise," was the answer. "The
+hills hide the houses. There's some of our stock, though," and he waved
+toward a herd of cattle that was roaming over the prairie.</p>
+
+<p>"Golly! What a lot of 'em!" exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's only a small bunch," replied Billy. "Wait until you see 'em
+all—but you can't—not at once, for they cover a big stretch."</p>
+
+<p>The Racer boys were beginning to realize the extent of the Thornton
+ranch, and to get some idea of the immensity of the prairies which
+stretched out for miles and miles in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>A little later, as the buckboard swung over the rise, there came into
+view a cluster of low buildings, and the cattle corrals that made up
+the Double X ranch.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are!" yelled Billy, and the next minute he had leaped from the
+seat and was racing toward the stables, calling: "Matt! I say, Matt!
+Where are you? Where's Buffalo?"</p>
+
+<p>A short, squat figure of a man came out, a bridle dangling from his
+arm. At the sight of Billy he threw up his hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Glory be!" he ejaculated. "It's Billy himself! Well, but I'm glad t'
+see you! It's been a long time you were away among them tenderfeet. An'
+so you're back. Buffalo is it? Sure an' he's as lonesome for you as I
+am myself. I'll trot him out," and, having shaken hands with the lad,
+the man turned back into the stable, to come out presently leading a
+black horse that whinnied with delight when Billy approached.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Matt Boyle, the ranch foreman," explained Archie; "and that's
+Billy's horse—Buffalo, he calls him—and a finer piece of horse-flesh
+never was."</p>
+
+<p>"Jove, look at Billy ride!" cried Frank, for the Western lad had, with
+a bound, leaped to the back of his animal, and was speeding around the
+corral at a swift pace.</p>
+
+<p>"I never knew he could do that," spoke Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed Archie. "That's nothing. You wait until you see
+Billy do some <i>real</i> ridin'. Then you can open your eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if we'll ever be able to ride like that?" mused Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will, if you stay here long enough," said the cattleman.
+"It only takes practice."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, the same as it does for anything else—like being good,"
+added Frank, with a nudge at his brother's ribs, bringing forth a grunt
+of protest.</p>
+
+<p>Billy swept up to the buckboard, on the seat of which his chums still
+were, and pulling up his mount, suddenly cried out:</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I didn't mean to be so impolite, but I couldn't wait any longer
+to get on Buffalo's back. Come on down and I'll take you into the house
+and introduce you to Aunt Kittie."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right—no apologies needed," said Frank. "We were just
+wishing we could ride like you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have some mounts for you in a jiffy," replied the Western lad.
+"Come on now."</p>
+
+<p>He slipped from the saddle, and, clapping his horse on the flank, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Stable, old boy. I can't ride you any more now. I'll see you later."</p>
+
+<p>But the beautiful animal turned and began nosing in Billy's pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"He thinks I've got some lumps of sugar," the lad explained with a
+laugh. "No, not now, Buffalo. I'll bring some out to you. Better come
+and get him, Matt," he called to the foreman, and, as the latter
+approached, Billy introduced the genial Irishman to his chums.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Aunt Kittie, here we are!" cried Billy, a little later, as he
+led his chums to the residence of the ranch owner. The house was a low
+one, and all about it were various buildings, where horses were kept,
+the tools and implements for the ranch work stored, and quarters for
+the men provided.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, land sakes!" cried a voice, and a little woman, in an apron that
+seemed larger than she herself, hurried out on the porch, her face all
+smiles. "Land sakes, I'd have known you were here, even if you hadn't
+told me!" she cried, as she kissed Billy. "Oh, I'm <i>so</i> glad you're
+back," she went on. "It's been so lonesome without you. And these are
+the Racer boys, I expect," she went on, as she shook hands with them.</p>
+
+<p>"Guessed it the first time, Auntie!" exclaimed Billy. "And now what
+have you got to eat? We're starved."</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw you when you weren't!" she laughed. "But I guess the meal
+is ready. I told——"</p>
+
+<p>She was interrupted by the thrusting forth of a head from a window of
+a small house a little distance from the main building, and a voice
+exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"No hab got, Mlissie Tholnton. No hab got!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Sing-Song!" yelled Billy, as he saw the Chinese cook. "Got
+plenty of grub?"</p>
+
+<p>"Me no Sing-Song—me Song Lee, Mlister Billy!" objected the Oriental.
+"Me Sing Lee!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Sing-Sing or Sing-Song or Lee Song, never mind about that,"
+laughed the Western lad. "Rustle up the grub and we'll call you
+anything you like."</p>
+
+<p>"Billy, Billy!" expostulated his aunt, "wait a moment. Sing Lee wants
+to tell me something. What is it, Sing?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No hab got, Mlissie Tholnton," went on the Chinaman, making all his
+"r" sounds like an "l." Then, working his fingers into a complication
+of knots and twists, he continued: "No hab got pig glease for make
+twisty cakes."</p>
+
+<p>"Pig grease," murmured Billy wonderingly. "That's a new one on me. And
+twisty cakes? What in the world does he mean, Aunt Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I expect he wants to tell me that he hasn't any lard to fry the
+crullers in, Billy," she answered, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"That's light," assented the cook. "No hab got—what can do?"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">MR. THORNTON IS WORRIED</p>
+
+
+<p>Laughing heartily at the Chinese cook's queer talk, Billy and his chums
+followed Mrs. Thornton into the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Billy," said his aunt, "you make the boys feel at home. Show them
+to their rooms—you know, the two near yours—and I'll see what I can
+do for Sing Lee. I told him to make some crullers when I knew you were
+coming, as I remembered how fond you used to be of them."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Used</i> to be!" exclaimed Billy, with the accent on the first word. "I
+am yet, Aunt Kittie, and I guess these fellows are too; aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess we can manage to eat a few," assented Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Same here," came from Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," went on Mrs. Thornton. "Now just make yourselves at home,
+Frank and Andy, and I'll see if I can find some 'pig grease' for my
+queer cook."</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly is a star," commented Frank. "'No hab got—what can do?'
+That's the limit in talk."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that isn't a marker to what he says sometimes," declared Billy.
+"But come on and I'll show you where you're going to bunk. You can
+unpack as soon as Archie brings in your trunks."</p>
+
+<p>The boys found pleasant rooms assigned to them. The house was like a
+large bungalow, all on one floor, for sometimes strong winds—cyclones
+in fact—blew over that portion of Kansas, making high buildings
+dangerous. The eating and sleeping quarters were in one building, and
+the cooking was done in another, a covered way connecting the two
+structures.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, where'd you get all this stuff?" asked Frank, admiringly, as
+he saw Billy's room hung about with guns, knives, revolvers, horns
+of steers and buffaloes, and Indian trophies, such as bows, arrows,
+tomahawks and other implements of the chase.</p>
+
+<p>"This is slick!" agreed Andy. "If we had this at Riverview we'd have
+the finest den going. Why didn't you bring it on?"</p>
+
+<p>"Too much trouble to cart," answered Billy, with a laugh. "I picked up
+some of this stuff myself, and some my uncle had when he was a young
+fellow, when there were Indians out here and a few buffalo. Then my
+friends gave me things once in a while."</p>
+
+<p>"It's swell, all right," said Frank admiringly, as he took down an
+Indian bow.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to have some of these," remarked Andy, as he reached for a
+sheaf of arrows.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out!" suddenly cried Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what's the matter?" asked the Racer lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of those points may be poisoned," explained Billy. "I cleaned
+them, as I got them, for fear of that, but I can't be sure that I got
+all the venom out at that. Better not scratch yourself with 'em. I
+ought to fasten them higher up."</p>
+
+<p>"How are they poisoned?" asked Andy wonderingly, as he backed away, and
+looked up at the weapons.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I'm not sure that particular bunch is poisoned," went on the
+ranch boy; "but it's best to take no chances. Archie gave me those. He
+says the Indians used to get a big rattlesnake, and irritate him so
+he'd strike at anything. Then they'd fasten him in front of a cow liver
+and he'd bury his fangs in it until the liver reeked with poison. Then
+they'd rub their arrow tips in it, and there you are—or, rather, there
+you aren't, if you happen to be scratched by one.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course that may not be so, but it sounds plausible, anyhow,"
+concluded the Westerner, as he took down a handsome rifle, to show to
+his friends.</p>
+
+<p>"Crimps! I wish there were Indians here now," said Andy, wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, are you anxious to see how fast you can run—away from them?"
+asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! I guess I wouldn't run any more than you," retorted Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians are a back number," said Billy. "What few there are left
+are on reservations. But come on, I think I smell the ham and eggs,"
+and he led the way to the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>It was not yet time for supper, but Mrs. Thornton, knowing the
+appetites of the boys, had prepared a meal for them, and they did ample
+justice to it.</p>
+
+<p>"Did Sing-Sing-Song-Song 'hab got'?" asked Billy, as the time for
+dessert approached.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he has something, at any rate," answered Mrs. Thornton, and she
+placed on the table a pie ornamented with all sorts of devices made
+from sugar. The cook had drawn his patterns from the Orient.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like a Chinese laundry ticket," commented Billy, and truly the
+icing on the pie was in the shape of the queer letters of the Flowery
+Kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care how it looks, as long as it's got the taste," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And it sure has," added Andy, as he sampled the pastry.</p>
+
+<p>The meal went on, with gaiety and laughter lending their aids to
+digestion, and when it was about over Mr. Thornton came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys!" he exclaimed, "I see that you got here all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Andy and Frank, while Billy asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Did you meet those engineers, Uncle Richfield?"</p>
+
+<p>"Engineers? No. What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, when we drove out we saw a wagon back of us. It seemed to be
+following us—I mean the men in it did—and then they turned off by the
+short cut that leads to the dam. Archie thought maybe they were the men
+you sent for to inspect the concrete work, to see if it was all right.
+Were they?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the ranch owner did not answer, and then he said slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"No, Billy, they weren't. And you say they went out to the dam?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they headed out on the cut-off road. But if you didn't see them,
+how do you know they weren't the expert and his men that you sent for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because," replied Mr. Thornton—and there came over his face a worried
+look—"because I got a letter from this expert just as I was leaving
+town to-day, saying he could not come out until next week. That's why I
+know that couldn't be his party. Besides, he'd come here first, as he
+doesn't know the location of the dam. I wonder who those fellows can
+be?"</p>
+
+<p>There was something strange about it all, and the boys felt that Mr.
+Thornton was alarmed over the news.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you imagine who they might be?" asked his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he answered, with a shake of his head and a frown. "I don't like
+it, either. If I didn't know that this Shackmiller was laid up, as you
+told me, Billy, I'd say it was that rascal. And yet he would hardly
+come on my land, when he knows how I feel toward him."</p>
+
+<p>"But I thought he and his crowd owned—or claimed to own—some land in
+between your two ranches," said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"He does claim to own it—a strip leading to Golden Peak—but he
+doesn't have to come on my land to get to it. I'm going to look into
+this," and Mr. Thornton got up to take down his hat and coat, which he
+had hung up on entering the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Richfield!" exclaimed his wife. "You'll be careful; won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," he laughed. "But if any of that crowd is trespassing on
+my land they'd better go off in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>There was determination in Mr. Thornton's face as he prepared to
+investigate the occurrence that had given him cause for alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Get my horse ready, Archie," he called to the cattleman, who was out
+in the yard. "I'm going over to the dam."</p>
+
+<p>"May we go along, Uncle Richfield?" asked Billy, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no!" exclaimed his aunt quickly. "If there's any danger——"</p>
+
+<p>"There won't be," spoke her husband. "Yes, I guess you boys can trail
+along if you want to. But can you ride?" he asked, looking at Frank and
+Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a little," they confessed.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to teach 'em soon," volunteered Billy. "But they can do well
+enough on Max and Major."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I guess those animals are safe enough," admitted the ranchman,
+with a smile. "But they can't make very good time."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind," said his nephew. "You can ride on ahead, and I'll come
+along with Frank and Andy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we don't want to keep you back," protested the elder Racer lad.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," returned Billy. "Maybe when Max and Major see
+Buffalo galloping along they'll show some speed. It's all right; we'll
+get there sometime, anyhow. Come on to the stables."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you will be careful; won't you?" pleaded Mrs. Thornton, as the
+boys followed the ranchman out of the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, Aunty," promised Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think there is any danger?" asked Andy, as he swung along
+beside the Western lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Danger? Why, no, I guess not," said Billy, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! I wish there was!" went on Andy, eagerly. "I'd like to see a good
+fight—not where anyone got hurt, of course," he hastened to add; "but
+just for some excitement."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," laughed Billy. "That's how the wind blows; eh? Well, you may see
+some excitement if Uncle Richfield finds those fellows on his land,
+and there may be a fight, but it will be the good old-fashioned kind,
+with fists. We don't run to guns out here half as much as some writers
+of Western stories would have it appear. But come on, there are the
+horses."</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">WARNED AWAY</p>
+
+
+<p>Archie Lynch was leading out two fairly good-looking steeds, which did
+not seem to have much speed, but for which the Racer boys were duly
+grateful, for fast riding was not one of their accomplishments.</p>
+
+<p>"Those are the ones you can take," said Billy, for his uncle, on
+reaching the stables in advance of the lads, had given orders to the
+old cattleman. "Here, Buffalo," he called, and his own steed, which
+Archie had saddled and bridled, came to his young master of his own
+accord.</p>
+
+<p>"Trail along, boys," called Mr. Thornton, as he leaped to the back of
+his horse, and galloped off. "I'll wait there for you, if I don't start
+back. This may not amount to anything," he added, "but it's best to be
+sure."</p>
+
+<p>Billy gave his two chums some brief advice about managing their mounts,
+and then the three rode off together, going much slower than Mr.
+Thornton. Andy and Frank found it to be no trouble at all to control
+their horses, for Max and Major were sedate old cow ponies that had
+long since gotten over any such childish tricks as shying or bucking.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see if they'll get a move on when they see Buffalo leaving them
+behind," suggested Billy, as they rode out of the ranch yard, and
+started across the prairie.</p>
+
+<p>He spoke to his steed and the horse at once leaped forward, and to the
+delight of the two Racer boys, who did not care for the slow pace,
+their steeds also started to gallop. It was easier riding this way.</p>
+
+<p>"That's great!" complimented Billy, when he saw how well Andy and Frank
+sat their saddles. "We'll make cowboys of you yet."</p>
+
+<p>Once, while spending some time on a farm, the two brothers had learned
+the rudiments of riding, and this now stood them in good stead. Whether
+they were glad to be out in the open, away from the stable, or whether
+they wanted to show that they were good for something yet, did not
+develop, but certainly Max and Major kept up a fair gait, and, as Billy
+reined in his steed, the three boys rode along together, making better
+time than they had anticipated.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it far to the dam?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"About five miles," answered Billy. "We'll strike right across the
+plains for it, instead of going back down the road the way the wagon
+went."</p>
+
+<p>As they rode on they talked of many things, and Billy told something of
+the building of the dam, and the trouble his uncle had experienced from
+the men who claimed to own Golden Peak, and the approach to it.</p>
+
+<p>The way led through patches of purple sage, and over short buffalo
+grass. Now and then they would pass herds of grazing cattle, or skirt
+some great field where big crops had been raised, or would soon be
+sprouting up again.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" suddenly asked Frank, as something darted from beneath
+the feet of his horse, and scurried off in the grass.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack rabbit," answered Billy, with a grin. "Some day we'll come on a
+hunt for 'em. It's lots of fun."</p>
+
+<p>"Gosh! I thought it was something big," said Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"They are pretty big—for rabbits," explained the ranch lad. "And you
+ought to see 'em run!"</p>
+
+<p>They could see, by the waving grass, the course taken by the animal,
+and a little later they had a glimpse of him sitting on a hummock and
+staring at them with his long ears held up like signal flags.</p>
+
+<p>"If I had a gun," began Andy, "I'd take a——"</p>
+
+<p>He did not finish the sentence, for the next moment he went flying over
+the head of his horse, which went down in a heap. Andy sat down rather
+suddenly, a curious expression on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Wha—what happened?" he asked in a daze, while his mount, after
+scrambling to his feet, and trotting off a short distance, came to a
+halt and began nibbling the grass. "Did someone hit me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your horse put his foot in the burrow of a prairie dog," explained
+Billy. "Are you hurt?" and in an instant he was off his horse, slipping
+the reins over Buffalo's head, as a sign that he was to stand still.</p>
+
+<p>"No, only sort of shaken up," confessed Andy. "A prairie dog's burrow;
+eh? What's it like?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just a hole in the ground—that's all," said Billy. "I meant to tell
+you about them, but you can't see 'em, anyhow, until you're right on
+top of 'em, and then it's generally too late. Lucky you're not hurt.
+Can you ride?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure I can, if my horse doesn't bolt," and Andy got to his feet. He
+had fallen in a thick bunch of grass that acted as a mat, and, beyond a
+shaking up, was not hurt.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Max won't run," said Billy, and he proved it by walking up and
+catching the steed. Soon the trio of lads were riding on again.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you didn't get the rabbit after all," remarked Frank, with a
+smile at his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"No, and it was his fault that I stumbled," complained the younger
+Racer. "I'm going to watch for prairie dogs' holes after this."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't often see 'em, unless you get on a barren place," spoke
+Billy. "But let's see if we can hit up the pace any. We don't want to
+be out after dark."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke to Buffalo, who increased his speed, the other horses doing
+the same thing. In a little while the rancher's nephew said:</p>
+
+<p>"There it is!"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"The dam. See those two low hills over there?" and Billy pointed to
+them. "It's between those hills, and the river is right there."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," answered Frank. "And what's that break in the middle of the
+concrete work?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the strip of land that's in dispute. If Uncle Richfield could
+build over that the dam would be done. It would only take a short time,
+too, as all the material is on the ground. But the dispute will have to
+be settled first."</p>
+
+<p>"And where is Golden Peak?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That other hill which you see just beyond the two bigger ones,"
+explained Billy. "When the dam is completed and the river backs up,
+Golden Peak will be under water."</p>
+
+<p>"And the treasure with it," added Frank grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if there's any treasure there," assented the ranch lad, with a
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to see if there is any," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," and Billy shook his head. "It may be risky business,
+especially if those fellows and my uncle have a clash now. But if you
+fellows are game, I am."</p>
+
+<p>They soon came to the river which the ranch owner proposed damming. It
+was not a large stream, but once held in bounds would produce a good
+supply of water for irrigation purposes. The two hills, between which
+the stream flowed, formed a sort of gateway. All that was necessary
+to do was to connect them with a concrete wall, and the river would
+be dammed. But, as Billy pointed out, there was, right in the central
+space, a strip of land of which the ranchman could not get control. And
+this land formed the right of way to Golden Peak.</p>
+
+<p>Golden Peak was situated in what would be about the middle of the lake
+when the dam was completed and the waters backed up. And it would be
+entirely submerged. But until the strip in dispute could be acquired,
+and the dam completed, nothing more could be done. The work was at a
+standstill.</p>
+
+<p>And, as the Racer boys already knew, it was hard to get a title to
+this land—that is, a title that would stand in the courts. In fact,
+if Mr. Thornton lost possession of the paper which Billy had brought
+from the East with him, the enemies of the rancher might even claim
+another parcel of land, and might be bold enough to tear down part of
+the concrete work already built.</p>
+
+<p>As they came nearer to the dam the boys could see how well-made it was,
+and what a big piece of engineering it was to stop the flow of even a
+small river.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is immense!" exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," agreed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be a dandy lake here when the dam is completed, all right,"
+said Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't it take a long time for the river to back up and fill all that
+valley?" asked the elder Racer lad.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, not so very long. If we get some good heavy rain, such as we
+sometimes have, or a cloudburst, it would almost fill up over night,
+providing the outlet gates were all closed."</p>
+
+<p>The boys went nearer the dam to inspect it. The workmen had left,
+for there was nothing for them to do as long as the dam could not be
+completed. The land in dispute, which led to Golden Peak, was only
+about ten feet wide at the dam—a mere road, though it widened out as
+it approached the third hill.</p>
+
+<p>There were several sluice-ways leading from the dam, with controlling
+gates, so that the water could be sent in many directions and to a
+number of ranches, as well as to almost every part of Mr. Thornton's
+land.</p>
+
+<p>While the boys were looking at the irrigation works, they heard someone
+approaching from the inner side of the dam, and presently a voice
+hailed them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's Uncle Richfield," said Billy, as he saw his relative
+approaching on his horse. "Did you see anything of them?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a sign, though someone has been here lately in a wagon with thin
+tires, and that isn't the kind the construction men used. I shouldn't
+wonder but what those fellows you saw have been here."</p>
+
+<p>"But where did they go?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. They must have moved off back there, though it's hard
+going for a wagon," and he waved his hand toward the region where the
+river had its rise, a stretch of scrub trees and low foothills.</p>
+
+<p>"Did they do anything?" Frank wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>"No, nothing seems to have been disturbed. I guess it was a false
+alarm. We'll get back home. It looks as if it might rain. I suppose I
+ought to have a watchman here, but nothing short of dynamite could harm
+the dam now, and I don't believe they'd venture on that," concluded the
+ranchman.</p>
+
+<p>He showed his nephew and the Racer boys how he proposed to use the
+water when it was imprisoned by the dam, and after a tour of the place,
+and a look at Golden Peak from a distance, the party started back.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to go at that hill soon," said Andy, in a low voice to his
+brother, as they rode back across the prairie.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what," agreed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>But for two weeks after that they were so occupied with having a
+good time that they hardly thought of their plan to see of what the
+"treasure" might consist.</p>
+
+<p>Their chief business was in learning to ride as Billy did—making
+himself almost a part of his horse. This took time, but the Racer boys
+were apt pupils. Then came lessons in throwing the lasso, and, though
+it took longer to acquire this knack, they managed to become fairly
+adept at it.</p>
+
+<p>They went on hunting trips, helped round up the cattle, watched the men
+at their crop work, and took long rides across the big stretches of
+prairie that always seemed to have something new to disclose.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's a great country!" exclaimed Frank, as they came back one
+evening from a long gallop—on faster steeds than Max and Major.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is," agreed his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say to a try for Golden Peak to-morrow?" suggested Billy.
+"There's nothing special to do, and if it's good weather we can take
+our dinner and stay there all day."</p>
+
+<p>"Just the cheese!" declared Frank, and Andy nodded enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p>The day proved all that could be desired, and early in the morning
+saw the three chums galloping across the prairie, headed for the big
+unfinished dam, and the hill known as Golden Peak.</p>
+
+<p>The ride was without incident, save that they startled any number
+of jack rabbits, which they did not fire at, as the flesh was not
+considered prime at that time of year.</p>
+
+<p>As they approached the dam, Frank, who was slightly in the lead, called
+out:</p>
+
+<p>"Is your uncle over here, Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no, I don't think so. He didn't say anything about coming. In
+fact I know he isn't, for I remember, now, he went into town. But why
+do you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because there is someone moving around the dam," went on Frank. "I
+can see one, two, why there's half a dozen men there, Billy!"</p>
+
+<p>"There are?" and the ranch lad galloped up beside his chum. Quickly
+taking a pair of field glasses from the case at his side, he focused
+them on the concrete wall.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," he said, in a low voice. "I wonder what this means? I
+don't like it, I wish Uncle Richfield was here."</p>
+
+<p>He called to his horse, and increased the animal's speed, and Frank and
+Andy did likewise. A few minutes later, as the boys galloped across the
+stretch of land that was in dispute, a man suddenly arose from where he
+had been sitting on a stone in the deep grass.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on there!" he exclaimed, and he reached for his gun, which was
+standing near him. "I wouldn't come any farther if I were you. It might
+not be just altogether healthy."</p>
+
+<p>"Why—why, what do you mean?" asked Billy, "This is my uncle's land!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, is it? Well, I guess not—not here, anyhow!" the fellow jeered.
+"Now you clear out if you don't want to get hurt!" and he started
+menacingly toward the lads.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE BLACK CLOUD</p>
+
+
+<p>Billy Chase wheeled his horse to bring the animal head on toward the
+fellow who had warned them away. The man halted, and seemed to be
+considering matters.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, are you going to leave?" he snarled, as he saw that his orders
+were not likely to be obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why we should," replied Billy, coolly. "We came out here
+to look at my uncle's property, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but you're not on your uncle's land now!" fired back the man.
+"This strip is owned by me and my friends, and it will be many a day
+before Mr. Richfield Thornton gets control of it. Now you vamoose!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" suddenly called Billy, as he saw that the man was bringing
+his gun to bear.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on for what?" growled the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't get rash—that's all," suggested Billy, still calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, that gun might go off," added Frank, taking a hint from the cool
+conduct of his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"And it might hurt somebody," added Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why—why—what do you mean?" snarled the man. "I tell you to get off
+this land! Your uncle don't own it and he never will, if I have my way.
+You haven't any right here, and in a little while this will be fenced
+off so no one can come on. Now you leave in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked at each other. Clearly they were "up against it," as
+Andy said afterward. They knew that the land was in dispute and, though
+they felt sure that Mr. Thornton had a good claim to it, they realized
+that, for the time being, possession was nine points of the law.</p>
+
+<p>"Supposing we don't go?" asked Billy, and Frank understood that his
+chum was seeking to gain time, though for what reason he could not
+fathom.</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't you may get hurt," was the menacing answer. "My friends
+won't stand for any nonsense."</p>
+
+<p>"And how do you know just where my uncle's land ends, and what you
+claim is yours begins?" went on Billy, and now the two Racer boys
+understood their chum's reason for questioning the man. He hoped to
+catch sight of the others who were with him. He wanted to see if he
+could recognize any of them.</p>
+
+<p>"How do I know?" asked the man with the gun. "Because it's all been
+staked out; see?" and he pointed to a row of wooden pegs that marked
+off a ten foot strip which led in through the open place in the dam.</p>
+
+<p>"So that's who those fellows were that followed us the day we got
+here," said Billy, in a low voice. "Surveyors—and they did their work
+in a hurry, marked out the strip in dispute, and went back to town by a
+different route."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that's right," agreed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, are you going to vamoose?" asked the man, coming a pace nearer.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we'll have to," agreed Billy. "But I want to tell you that
+you fellows are making a big mistake. My uncle has a valid claim to
+this land, and he'll enforce it, too. Then it will be you who'll have
+to get out—not us."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. When the time comes—if it ever does—we'll slide," sneered
+the man.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the trouble?" inquired a voice, and turning, the boys saw a
+tall man, with a handsome, if evil face, leering at them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, these kids think they can go where they like," said the man with
+the gun. "I've warned 'em away, but they won't go."</p>
+
+<p>"They won't; eh?" snapped the newcomer, who bestrode a big black horse.
+"Well, I'll see about that."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we're going, Rick Morton," said Billy, calmly. "We just rode out
+here to see what was going on, and now we're going back. I'll tell my
+uncle."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and you can tell him if he comes out here I'll serve him as he
+once served me!" snapped the big man.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I suppose you mean horsewhipping," spoke Billy. "Well, I wouldn't
+advise you to try it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now you march!" fairly yelled the big man, to whom the remembrance of
+the horsewhipping did not seem pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Buffalo," called Billy, to his horse. "I guess they don't
+want us here."</p>
+
+<p>"And we never will," added the man with the gun. "You can't dam up this
+river, and flood our property. The courts'll stop you, or, if they
+don't, we will ourselves. This dam will be torn down in another month."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe so," answered Billy. "Come on, boys," and he motioned
+with his head to Frank and Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we do anything?" asked the younger Racer lad, who did not like
+to thus easily give in.</p>
+
+<p>"I say let's go around some other way," suggested Frank, who felt much
+of the same spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"It's no use," counselled Billy. "They've got the upper hand now. But
+our time will come."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, there's only two of 'em," said Frank. "I guess we could manage
+'em if it came to a fight."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it wouldn't be wise," said Billy. "Besides, look over there,"
+and as they came opposite the opening in the dam where they could see
+through to Golden Peak, they beheld a number of men on horses riding
+about. "There are too many for us. They must have something big under
+way. The best thing to do is to hurry back and tell my uncle. He may be
+able to get ahead of 'em yet."</p>
+
+<p>"And to think that we were almost there and had to turn back," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"We might have found the treasure," added Andy. "I wonder what those
+fellows think it is, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh it must be a deposit of gold ore; at least, that is the rumor,"
+said Billy. "You see this section of the country is not far from
+Colorado, and you know there is gold there. Maybe in the ancient
+geological times, before this world was quite made, some gold ore got
+into this mountain. I know it's been called Golden Peak for a good many
+years. The Indians used to have that same name for it. But no one that
+I ever heard of, except that man who went crazy, ever got any gold out
+of it, though lots of prospectors have had a try for it.</p>
+
+<p>"Now these fellows imagine there's a fortune in it and they don't want
+my uncle to put it under water in his irrigation lake. But it's all
+bosh!"</p>
+
+<p>"It looks as if there'd be a fight over it," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and it's too bad," went on Billy. "We need the water for the
+ranch, and so do the others who are depending on it. Yet, as long as
+this dispute keeps up, we can't do anything."</p>
+
+<p>They rode away in rather moody silence, followed by the searching gaze
+of the two men on guard. Then the big man on the horse galloped back
+through the opening in the dam to join his companions, leaving the
+fellow with the gun near the rock.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any way we could get around and come to Golden Peak from the
+back?" asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it could be done, but it's a long ride," said Billy. "Maybe we'll
+take it, if these fellows stay here. But we'll see what my uncle says."</p>
+
+<p>Much disappointed at the failure of their trip, the boys guided their
+horses out of the valley to the higher part of the prairie. They talked
+over what had happened, and Andy said he wished he had brought his gun
+along.</p>
+
+<p>"If we'd been armed," he said, "they wouldn't have been so ready to
+order us off."</p>
+
+<p>Billy shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Firearms are bad business," he said. "This will be settled without
+powder, I guess. But it sure is mean to have every thing held up, when
+you know those fellows are in the wrong."</p>
+
+<p>They rode on for several miles, and, when within a comparatively short
+distance of the ranch, Frank, looking up, asked:</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of a cloud is that over there, Billy?"</p>
+
+<p>The Western lad turned in his saddle, and at the first glimpse of the
+slate-colored mass, he cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Ride! Ride for your lives, boys! That's a cyclone cloud as sure as
+you're a foot high! And it's headed right this way! Ride for all you're
+worth!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt="">
+  <div class="caption">
+    <p>"RIDE! RIDE FOR YOUR LIVES, BOYS!"</p>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE INJURED MAN</p>
+
+
+<p>Frank and Andy Racer did not need a second warning to urge their steeds
+to top speed. One look at the black and menacing cloud, now they knew
+what it portended, was enough for the lads. With Billy in the lead,
+they sped over the prairie, seeking to gain the shelter of the ranch
+houses ere the storm broke.</p>
+
+<p>"She's a'coming!" yelled Billy, as he snapped his quirt to urge his
+horse to do even better. "She's going to be a hummer, too! It's a good
+thing we saw it in time."</p>
+
+<p>"What'll it do?" asked Andy, galloping his animal alongside that of his
+Western chum.</p>
+
+<p>"Tear things loose generally, if it hits anything," was the grim answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't it be dangerous for the buildings at your home?" asked Frank,
+who had ranged up on the other side of his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure will—if it hits 'em. But that's the way with a cyclone. You
+never can tell just where it's aiming. It may pass off and not come
+near us at all. But from the looks of that cloud it seems to be headed
+right this way."</p>
+
+<p>Billy turned in his saddle and looked back. The dark, low,
+funnel-shaped mass of vapor was undoubtedly nearer, and was coming
+on rapidly. The air had been quiet—too quiet in fact—and now the
+unnatural stillness was broken by a low, moaning sound, as if from some
+animal in pain. The horses started as they heard it, and quickened
+their pace.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, old boy, steady!" called Billy, soothingly, to his beast. "It
+isn't going to hurt you, old fellow."</p>
+
+<p>The horse quieted down somewhat, but it was easy to see that he was
+alarmed. And his fear was conveyed to the horses ridden by Andy and
+Frank, for they cavorted about, and acted more like skittish young
+colts than staid cow ponies.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep a firm rein," advised Billy. "Don't let 'em bolt with you or you
+might lose your seat, and it would be a hard job to catch 'em again
+with this storm coming up behind us. They'd bolt for the stable at top
+speed. Hold 'em in!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what," agreed Frank. It was rather curious to note how Billy
+took command of matters now, whereas, back East, and at the school, it
+had been the Racer boys who were in the van in every thing. But here
+they recognized that Billy knew more about what was best to be done
+than they did.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it getting any nearer?" asked Frank, as he noted Billy looking over
+his shoulder again.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say it was. This is going to be one of the worst storms we've
+had here. And we've had some ripping ones, too. Hark to that wind!"</p>
+
+<p>The moaning sound had now risen to a scream, as if the wounded animal
+was wild with rage, and about to break loose.</p>
+
+<p>"What does it do, blow straight ahead and lift things off the ground?"
+asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it goes more in a circle," answered the ranch lad. "That's how it
+gets its name-cyclone—cycle—circle, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, I might have remembered," agreed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"But what does it do?" asked Frank, who had never seen the effects of
+one of these curious wind storms.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it pulls things up by the roots when it gets a chance," answered
+Billy. "It just seems to twist everything off—a sort of corkscrew
+motion you know. I've seen whole houses twisted right around and set
+down some distance from where they stood, just facing the other way.
+That's the reason we build everything low, hoping the wind will pass
+over it."</p>
+
+<p>"Does it rain?" inquired Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes. I think we're going to get some now. See if you can get any
+more speed out of those nags. We're almost at the ranch and we may make
+it in time."</p>
+
+<p>Frank and Andy called to their ponies, and, as Buffalo was able to make
+a little better time under Billy's urging, the other two animals forced
+themselves to do likewise, for they did not want to be left behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't it be more dangerous in a building than out in the open?" asked
+Frank, when they had ridden on about a mile, and had a glimpse of the
+ranch in the distance. "If the house is going to be lifted up and
+twisted around——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we can go in the cyclone cellar," said Billy, almost yelling to
+be heard above the noise of the wind. "We've got a sort of underground
+cave where we sometimes take refuge if it gets blowing too bad. A
+cyclone has no effect on that."</p>
+
+<p>The wind, which had been blowing in fitful puffs, now swooped down on
+the three lads with terrific force. They could feel the tremendous
+pressure of it, and in a few minutes they saw little clouds of dust
+caught up from the dry fields and whirled about in funnel-shaped masses.</p>
+
+<p>"Whirlwinds!" yelled Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Little cyclones," shouted Billy. "It's coming here all right!"</p>
+
+<p>The roaring and screaming of the wind now became louder, and, looking
+back, the lads saw the black cloud fairly rushing down on them.</p>
+
+<p>"Use your quirts!" called Billy, swinging the short whip about his
+head, and bringing it down lightly on his horse. "Make 'em know they've
+got to make better time."</p>
+
+<p>The horses, up to now, had not felt the lash, but even in the stress of
+speed the lads were merciful, and only swung the lashes lightly. But it
+was enough, along with the howling of the wind, and the curious hue of
+the atmosphere, for it had turned yellow, from the effect of so much
+dust in the air.</p>
+
+<p>Leaping forward, the frightened horses carried their riders in advance
+of the storm. There came a few drops of rain, and, just as the gale
+burst in all its fury, the three raced into the ranch yard.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick!" yelled Archie, who was on the lookout for them. "Into the
+cellar. It's going to be a screamer! I'll look after the horses!"</p>
+
+<p>The steeds were trembling with fright as Archie fairly shoved them into
+the low stable, built of heavy logs capable of withstanding a fierce
+blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" yelled Billy, as he led the way, through darkness almost as
+black as night now. The yellow glow had faded and the ink-hued cloud
+seemed to envelope everything. The rain was coming down in torrents,
+and Frank and Andy noticed that the wind had a circular motion, marking
+the true cyclone.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are!" yelled the ranch boy, and grabbing hold of Frank and
+Andy, he pushed them through the entrance to what looked like an old
+fashioned root-cellar, or dugout. It was a shelter partly under ground
+and partly raised, with sod and earth built over a wooden roof.</p>
+
+<p>"My, boys! We were getting worried about you!" exclaimed a voice, and
+Frank, clearing his eyes from the dust that had blown into them, saw by
+a light of a lantern in the cyclone cellar that Mr. Thornton, his wife,
+and a number of the hands of the ranch had gathered in the place.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we're all right," answered Billy confidently.</p>
+
+<p>"This terrible storm!" cried Mrs. Thornton. "We were so worried about
+you, Billy! Where were you when it came up?"</p>
+
+<p>"On our way home. But say, Uncle Richfield, I've got great news for
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Before he could tell what it was there came a terrific crash, that
+sounded above the roar of the cyclone. Involuntarily everyone crouched
+low, though there could be no danger to them in the underground place.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what was that?" cried Mrs. Thornton, clinging to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," he answered, steadily. "But I hope it wasn't the house.
+See if you can get a glimpse of it, Matt."</p>
+
+<p>The foreman tried to open the door of the cellar, but something had
+evidently blown against it. Tug as he would, it did not budge.</p>
+
+<p>The gale was now howling so that ordinary talk in the improvised cave
+could scarcely be heard, and Sing Lee, the Celestial cook, was howling
+his Chinese prayers at the top of his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Be quiet!" ordered Mr. Thornton, for the shrill tones of the Chinese
+were getting on Mrs. Thornton's nerves. "This will blow over in a
+minute more."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he spoken, when there came a perceptible lull in the storm.
+The howling of the wind died down as does the whine of an electric fan
+when the current is shut off. In about two minutes there could be heard
+only the patter of the rain on the ground, and, a little later, this
+ceased. In all, the actual blow had not lasted five minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, see if you can get that door open now, Matt," ordered the
+ranchman. Once more the foreman tried, and with the help of one of the
+hands he managed to push the portal partly open.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a beam wedged against it," he reported, but by shoving out his
+foot he managed to kick it away, and the door swung wide.</p>
+
+<p>A flood of light streamed in, making the lantern grow pale and sickly.
+The dark cloud had passed, and the sun was out. It was a most wonderful
+transformation.</p>
+
+<p>"Are—are there any of our buildings standing?" gasped Mrs. Thornton.
+"I'm almost afraid to look."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, they're all right," answered her husband, with a reassuring
+laugh. "I guess we only got the edge of the storm at that. The roof's
+off one of the pony sheds, but that's all. It was part of that which
+blew against the door. All hands out to take stock of damage," he
+ordered.</p>
+
+<p>They hurried from the cyclone cellar. The storm had passed, doing
+comparatively little damage, and, as Mr. Thornton had said, probably
+one edge only had hit the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! That was a hot one!" cried Andy, as he looked off in the
+distance and saw the funnel-shaped cloud tearing away to do more damage
+elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," agreed Frank. Billy said nothing. He was looking at
+a dark object huddled on the ground, not far from the entrance to the
+cyclone cellar. The ranch boy advanced toward it.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" called his uncle sharply, as he, too, saw it. "A dog?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, it's—why, it's a man!" cried Billy, as he stooped over the
+figure. "It's a man, and he's hurt!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, as Frank and Andy ran to join their chum, they uttered cries of
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Look! Look who it is!" said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't he! It can't be possible!" added Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"But it is, by all that's wonderful!" ejaculated Billy. "How in the
+world did he get here, and how was he hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"Something hit him on the head, evidently," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it? What's the matter?" cried Mr. Thornton, running up. "Who is
+it, boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sam Shackmiller, the man who tried to get that paper away from me!"
+answered Billy.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE MISSING PAPER</p>
+
+
+<p>"Impossible!" cried Mr. Thornton, as he reached the group of lads
+standing near the wounded man. "How could he be here when you said he
+was hurt in the railroad accident and was in the hospital? It can't be,
+boys."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet there he is," said Billy, passing his hand over his forehead
+as if to ascertain whether or not he was awake. "I leave it to Frank
+and Andy."</p>
+
+<p>"It surely <i>is</i> he," asserted the elder Racer lad. "But when we saw him
+last he had shaved off his black beard."</p>
+
+<p>"And it's had time to grow in the meanwhile," said Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," went on Billy, "and I suppose he's had time to recover from his
+injuries and leave the hospital, though it did not seem possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, whether it's he or not, and, even though he tried to rob you,
+Billy, I guess it's up to us to look after him, now that he's hurt,"
+said Mr. Thornton. "Lucky we've got some place to carry him to, for
+the storm didn't do much damage after all. Take him into the house,
+boys, and we'll see what ails him, and send for a doctor."</p>
+
+<p>The man was unconscious, and it was easy to guess what had happened to
+him. Near him, lying on the ground, was a billet of wood, evidently
+part of the roof of the shed that had blown off. This had struck the
+man on the head, making a long gash, though Billy, looking at it as
+well as he could, gave it as his opinion that it was only a scalp wound.</p>
+
+<p>As the three boys carried the limp form into the house, whither Mrs.
+Thornton had preceded them, they could not help being more and more
+sure in their minds that the man was Shackmiller. Every feature was
+there, but the beard was as fully grown as if it had never been shaved
+off. The clothing too, was such as the man had worn when hurt in the
+train wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"Put him on the couch," said Mrs. Thornton, as the injured one was
+carried into the living room. "Then we'll bathe his head. I guess you'd
+better telephone for the doctor, anyhow, Richfield. We may need him."</p>
+
+<p>"I will if the wires aren't down," replied the ranchman; "but I hardly
+expect that they stood that blow." They had not, as was proved when he
+tried to get Central, for his ranch, as well as that of several of his
+neighbors, was connected with the town by a telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the men will have to ride in," he said, as he hung up the
+useless receiver. "Archie, I guess you'd better go. Tell the Doc. to
+come right out if he can. I don't want to be mean, or inhospitable,
+but I don't want this fellow at my place any longer than I can help.
+I don't like his kind, especially after what he's tried to do to me,
+and the sooner he can be moved the better I'll like it. So go get
+the medicine man, Archie. And tell Matt to see what he can do toward
+rigging a temporary roof on the shed. Now that we've had one cyclone
+there oughtn't to be any more right away."</p>
+
+<p>"Anything we can do?" asked Frank, anxious to help.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I guess not, except you boys might stay around here, and if
+Shackmiller comes to, sort of be on the watch. He may get delirious.
+I've got to see to things outside."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Mrs. Thornton, who was a good nurse, had bathed the
+injured man's head and bound it up. He was breathing heavily, and was
+still unconscious. Then, as household matters needed her attention, she
+went out, leaving the three boys in charge.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, say, things are certainly happening with a rush," remarked
+Frank, as he looked at the figure on the couch.</p>
+
+<p>"They generally do, once they start with us," commented Andy. "It's
+been this way ever since I can remember."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm glad you came out here," spoke Billy. "Not that I want
+cyclones, and the appearance of our enemies, to happen every day of the
+week, but I like some excitement. I'm glad I tied up to you fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Hush! He's coming to!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, as he saw the man's
+eyes open.</p>
+
+<p>As the boys watched they saw a look of returning consciousness come to
+the man's features. He gazed about wonderingly, glanced at the three
+lads, and then around at the room where he lay. In the minds of Frank,
+Andy and Billy several questions came at once.</p>
+
+<p>How had Shackmiller managed to get from the distant hospital to the
+ranch? What was he doing so near it in the storm? How had he come to be
+hurt?</p>
+
+<p>"Where—where am I?" asked the man, feebly.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't need to ask that; do you?" Billy inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes—of course," and the voice was stronger. "I know I was near
+some ranch when the storm came up, and then it all got dark. I was
+going to ask for shelter when something hit me on the head, and that's
+the last I know."</p>
+
+<p>"But you know me; don't you?" asked Billy. "And you know my chums, the
+Racer boys. You saw us at the wreck, when the boiler exploded. You know
+me all right, Sam Shackmiller!"</p>
+
+<p>"Shackmiller!" fairly cried the man, as he struggled to a sitting
+position. "Then you know me! But I don't know you. The Racer boys? I
+never heard of them. And you—you——"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Billy Chase—from whom you tried to get the land paper," said the
+ranch lad. "Only you didn't. But how does it come that you're out of
+the hospital, Sam Shackmiller?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sam Shackmiller—I'm not Sam Shackmiller!" cried the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come!" exclaimed Billy. "That's too thin. Why, we know you as
+well as you know us, even if you have grown your beard again. Come, if
+you're not Sam Shackmiller, who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am Bruce Shackmiller, Sam's twin brother," was the quick answer, and
+the boys gasped in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Bruce Shackmiller!" cried Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"His twin brother!" added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," went on the man, "and if you know anything about him, for pity's
+sake tell me. I have been looking all over for him, ever since he went
+East. He wrote me that he was coming out West again, and then I lost
+trace of him. I was on my way to Sageville, to go and hunt him up, for
+he has friends there, when this storm overtook me. Oh, if you can tell
+me anything about him I wish you would!"</p>
+
+<p>The boys were too astonished to speak, at first. In fact, they doubted
+that the man spoke the truth, and, seeing this on their faces, he went
+on:</p>
+
+<p>"I can easily prove that I am not Sam. He was lame, wasn't he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" exclaimed Billy, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am not. See!" and, in spite of his weakness, the man walked
+across the floor with never the semblance of a limp. "Sam and I are
+twins," he went on, "and we are so near alike, except that he is lame,
+that few can tell us apart. And yet there are several points where we
+do not resemble each other. His eyes are blue, and mine are brown."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," said the puzzled Billy, after a look. "But I surely
+took you for Sam."</p>
+
+<p>"Nearly everyone does. Oh, but what has become of him?"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the ranch lad related briefly about the train accident, and
+how Sam had tried in vain to get the valuable paper.</p>
+
+<p>"That is what I have feared all along," said Bruce Shackmiller,
+gloomily. "I was afraid Sam had gotten in with bad companions. And so
+he and they are trying to defeat your uncle's irrigation project; eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's about the size of it," replied Billy. "Your brother followed me
+about at school, trying to get that valuable paper. But I was too much
+for him, and now my uncle has it safe."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, your uncle has it?" asked the wounded man, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"He sure has!" exclaimed Billy, answering in spite of the sudden nudge
+Frank gave him. Then the ranch boy looked at his chum, who frowned, and
+Billy understood. He wished he had not been so quick to reply. But it
+was too late now. However, there could be no danger, he thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Sam always was a little wild," went on the injured man. "He got in
+with some fast companions, and, though I did my best to reform him, it
+was useless. I think he was always a little bitter against the world
+because of his lameness, which afflicted him from the time he was a
+little boy. He was never like other lads, and, as he grew older, he
+became morose and vindictive. But I hoped he had reformed. Of late I
+lost track of him, but recently I had a telegram from him, saying he
+was ill, and was coming back West."</p>
+
+<p>"That was the one sent from the hospital I guess," said Billy. "But
+what about yourself? How do you feel now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, much better. The blow made me unconscious for a time but I'm all
+right now. I must go on, and see if I can find my brother."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better wait until the doctor sees you," suggested Frank.
+"He'll be here soon, now."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Thornton came in then, to see how the sufferer was getting along,
+and his surprise may well be imagined when he heard the story.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm glad you're not the man who has been trying, with others of
+his gang, to make trouble for me," said the ranchman; "though if you
+had been we'd have done what was right by you. I wish you'd use your
+influence with your brother to have him drop this business. I'm willing
+to pay what's right for that land, though I have a valid claim to it.
+He'll lose out in the end, and the sooner he gives in the better for
+all of us."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell him," said Bruce Shackmiller. "I'm sure that after he has
+suffered so much, and uselessly, he will give up. I will seek him out
+as soon as I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Better rest up here for a day or so," suggested the owner of the
+Double X ranch. "The doctor will be here soon. He has an auto, and it
+doesn't take him long to get out from town."</p>
+
+<p>The physician arrived shortly after that, bringing Matt, the foreman,
+with him, the latter having left his horse in town.</p>
+
+<p>"Great blow we had," commented the doctor, as he came in to look at his
+patient. "Half a dozen of the skyscrapers in Sageville unroofed. Well,
+now, let's see what we have here."</p>
+
+<p>He made a rapid examination, and said that the wound was only a scalp
+affair, which would soon heal if no complications set in. He dressed
+and bandaged it, and prepared to take his departure.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll make you as comfortable as we can," said the ranch owner, to
+Shackmiller. "Stay a week if you like. On the whole it may be a good
+thing that we met you, for it may end all this trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it doesn't do us out of a chance to get the treasure of Golden
+Peak," said Frank, softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll have a try for that, anyhow," spoke Billy, and as he turned
+aside, Frank thought he detected a strange gleam in the eyes of Bruce
+Shackmiller.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do my best to influence Sam," said the man in a low voice, and
+then he was taken to a room that had been prepared for him.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll be all right in a day or so," the doctor said, on leaving. "All
+he needs is rest and quietness. That blow must have been a glancing
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, by the way, Billy," said Mr. Thornton, at supper a little later;
+"what was it you started to tell me when that cyclone crash came?"</p>
+
+<p>"Great news, Uncle Richfield," replied the ranch lad. "Some of
+Shackmiller's crowd are on guard at Golden Peak, and they ordered us
+off when we went there to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"They did!" cried the ranch owner. "I've got to look into that. It may
+mean a big change in the situation. I've got to get busy. I must beat
+these fellows at their game, or it will spoil everything."</p>
+
+<p>The ranchman sat up late that night, going over various documents in
+his room. The boys, after talking over the events of the day, had gone
+to bed, rather tired. The effects of the big storm had fully passed
+away.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what shall we do to-day?" asked Frank of Billy, as they got up
+the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Have another try for Golden Peak, I vote," came from Andy. "Maybe we
+can get the best of those fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so soon after we've been there once," was the opinion of the
+Western youth. "Give 'em time to forget about us, and we'll have a
+better chance. But we can go hunting to-day if you like. One of the men
+said he saw a lot of jack rabbits over on the far range the other day.
+And maybe we might meet a stray wolf or so. It's always good work to
+pot them, as they pull down a calf occasionally."</p>
+
+<p>"Fine!" cried Frank. "We'll do it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, there's your uncle," said Andy, looking out of the window, and
+seeing Mr. Thornton dressed for a trip to town. "He's off early."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I guess he's got a lot of business to attend to on account of the
+new move those fellows made," ventured Billy.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment his uncle called to him:</p>
+
+<p>"Billy, I say Billy! Did you take back that paper you brought from the
+Eastern lawyer—the title deed to the land in dispute?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Uncle Richfield. I haven't seen it since I gave it to you. Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I had it last night, looking it over together with some other
+documents, and I put them all in my desk, intending to take them
+into town this morning. Now the most valuable document of the lot is
+missing!"</p>
+
+<p>"Missing!" cried Billy. "How can that be? Has anyone——"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the Chinese cook appeared in the yard with a bowl of
+steaming coffee. Addressing Mr. Thornton he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Him no can do."</p>
+
+<p>"No can do what?" snapped the ranchman, not altogether pleased to be
+annoyed by household matters at such an important time.</p>
+
+<p>"No can dlink coffee."</p>
+
+<p>"Who can't? What are you talking about, Sing Lee?"</p>
+
+<p>"Man no can dlink. Man what hab chopee-chopee on head—he no can dlink.
+Him gone—vamoose!"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" cried the ranchman, a sudden suspicion coming into his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Him no can do. Him gone," blandly repeated the Celestial. "Mlissie
+Thornton send me him for coffee to dlink—I go—he no there. He no can
+do!"</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" cried the ranchman. "That explains it! Boys, that twin
+brother is a sham! He's skipped with my papers! We've got to get right
+after him!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE CHASE</p>
+
+
+<p>Instantly all was excitement at Double X ranch. The word quickly went
+round of what had happened, and a number of cowboys, and men that
+worked on the farm part of the land, gathered at the stables, anxious
+to mount their horses and begin the chase.</p>
+
+<p>"That paper stolen!" cried Billy. "That undoes all the work I
+accomplished in the East. Oh, if I could only lay hands on that slick
+twin brother of Sam Shackmiller!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he told the truth when he said he was a twin brother?"
+asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," replied the ranch boy. "But he surely looked enough
+like him to be Sam himself. Only the limp was different."</p>
+
+<p>"He wasn't much different from him in character," declared Frank, "not
+if he stole that paper."</p>
+
+<p>"And he did steal it as sure as guns!" exclaimed Billy. "We never
+should have trusted him. He was too slick for us."</p>
+
+<p>"But his story sounded reasonable," put in Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so it did. Well, let's go down and talk to Uncle Richfield about
+it. I hope he'll let us join in the chase."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," chorused the Racer boys.</p>
+
+<p>They found Mr. Thornton busily engaged in going over the papers in
+his desk, hoping against hope that he might have overlooked the most
+valuable one. But it was not there.</p>
+
+<p>"What time did he skip out?" asked Billy. "When did you miss him—I
+mean Shackmiller?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just now, when Sing Lee went to give him some coffee your aunt sent in
+to him," replied the ranchman. "He must have been waiting for just this
+opportunity. Maybe he was on his way to the ranch to do this very thing
+when the storm overtook him. Oh, why wasn't I more suspicious?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you can catch him?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so. We're going to make a big try, anyhow. Do you boys want to
+come along?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do we?" chorused the three, and that was answer enough.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you will be careful; won't you?" pleaded Billy's aunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," he promised. "Let's have breakfast in a jiffy, and get on
+the trail. Have you any idea what time he left, Uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been after midnight, for I sat up until nearly twelve
+going over my papers."</p>
+
+<p>They made some inquiries, but no one had seen or heard anything of
+the missing man after he went to his room. Nor had there been any
+suspicious sounds during the night. Shackmiller, if that really was his
+name, had slipped out quietly, secured the valuable paper, and made off
+with it. At least that was the way all signs pointed.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing in his room that would lead to any clue. His bed had
+been slept in—or at least the man had stretched out on it—for the
+clothes were tumbled. None of the locks on the outer doors were forced,
+showing that the man had either escaped by a window, or had used a
+false key, since the ones that locked the doors were always taken in
+charge by Mrs. Thornton each night.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he's got at least six hours start of us," said Billy, as he and
+the Racer boys ate a hurried breakfast. "It's going to be hard to
+capture him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," said his uncle, thoughtfully. "He didn't have a
+horse."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" his wife inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Because none of ours is missing, and he had no horse when he came
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if he's afoot it ought to be easy to run him down," declared Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"If we can pick up his trail," spoke Mr. Thornton. "Well, boys, are you
+ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"We sure are!" exclaimed Frank. He and his brother would have gone
+without breakfast for the sake of taking part in the chase.</p>
+
+<p>The cowboys and others had been saddling their horses, looking to
+girths, lariats and stirrups, and to their guns.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to get a chance to rope the fellow!" exclaimed Archie,
+vindictively. "He won't get away once I get my rope on him," and he
+swung the lariat around his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Scatter, boys, and look for signs," commanded the owner of Double X
+ranch. "He may have headed for town, or he may be going to cross the
+line and get into Colorado. If he gets among the mountains we might as
+well give up."</p>
+
+<p>The men, experienced at reading signs on the ground where a tenderfoot
+could see nothing, were soon looking to pick up the trail of the
+missing man. They scattered about, and, because of the fact of the
+rain, it was easier than otherwise to notice marks in the soil.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a cry from Matt Boyle called the others to him.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Mr. Thornton.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's where a strange pony has been tethered," was the answer. "See,
+those shoes are none of ours," and he pointed to the hoof-marks in the
+soft ground.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," admitted Mr. Thornton. "And here's where a man has come
+along and mounted him," he went on. "I see it now. That fellow rode up
+here, and picketed out his horse. Then the storm came and he was hurt.
+He thought he saw a chance to get that paper and he took it. He waited
+until we were all asleep and took it out of my desk. Then he sneaked
+out, got his horse, and rode off."</p>
+
+<p>"That's it!" cried Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"On the trail, boys!" shouted the ranchman. "I'll give a hundred
+dollars to the one who first sights that fellow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Whoop-ee!" yelled the cowboys, flinging their hats in the air. One or
+two fired off their big revolvers, and several swung their lariats.
+Then, amid shouts and yells, and with a clatter of hoofs, the cavalcade
+started off on the chase.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll stick together!" called Billy, to his two chums.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I hope we can get that fellow!" cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"If we don't find him in this direction I know where we ought to look
+for him," said Andy, for the trail was leading toward town.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"At Golden Peak," replied the younger Racer lad. "I believe he'll head
+for there, to join the others of his gang."</p>
+
+<p>"If he does," said Billy solemnly, "it's good-bye to Uncle Richfield's
+dam. Those fellows will have the upper hand!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">OFF TO GOLDEN PEAK</p>
+
+
+<p>"Well, it's no use, boys, I guess we may as well go back."</p>
+
+<p>"And give up the chase?"</p>
+
+<p>It was Mr. Thornton who spoke first, and Billy who questioned him. They
+had been on the trail since early morning, seeking to find the man who
+had disappeared from their ranch at the same time as did the valuable
+document, and now, at sunset, they had come to a halt, unsuccessful.</p>
+
+<p>All day they had followed the trail of the fugitive—or rather, they
+had tried to follow it—for they lost it a short time after leaving the
+ranch, and not even the most skilful of the plainsmen or cow punchers
+could pick it up again.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Billy," resumed the ranchman, "that's the only thing to do, I
+guess. There's no use keeping on after a forlorn hope. We can't get
+that fellow to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you're not going to give up altogether; are you?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, but I'll have to adopt other tactics now. They have
+forced my hand, so to speak, and I'll have to do something I have been
+contemplating for a long while, but which I hesitated to do because it
+might bring matters to a crisis. Now I shall have to go ahead whether I
+want to or not."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Thornton did not say what it was he intended to do, and as he
+seemed so thoughtful and dispirited after the unsuccessful chase, the
+boys forebore to ask him.</p>
+
+<p>"We can hardly get back to Double X ranch to-night," observed Andy,
+as the men began to draw in from the big circle in which they had
+stretched out to try and pick up the trail.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we won't try it," decided the ranchman. "We'll camp in the open. I
+rather thought something like this would happen, so I told Archie and
+Matt to bring along some grub. You boys have your blankets, haven't
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we don't go far without 'em," answered Billy, and this was so,
+for strapped at the backs of the saddles were the means of making an
+improvised bed on the plains. Some of the cowboys had things to eat,
+while some carried materials for making coffee.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll just camp here," decided Mr. Thornton, as they came to a place
+where a little stream afforded water for man and beast, and where the
+grass offered good grazing for the horses.</p>
+
+<p>Saddles were thrown off, and after the steeds had been given a hasty
+rub-down with dried grass, the fire was made, and supper, such as it
+was, was soon under way.</p>
+
+<p>The meal, not elaborate by a good deal, was much enjoyed by all,
+especially by the Racer boys, to whom this sort of life was quite novel.</p>
+
+<p>Then, after supper, they sat about the fire, listening to the stories
+told by the cattlemen, or discussing the events of the day.</p>
+
+<p>The night passed without incident, though Frank and Andy found it
+rather hard to drop off to sleep as easily as did the others. The
+movements of the tethered horses, the occasional call of an owl, the
+howl of a wolf, or the barking of a distant colony of prairie dogs,
+were all new and strange to the Easterners. Yet ere long they found
+themselves in dreamland.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there's only one thing to do," announced Mr. Thornton, at
+breakfast the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to finish that dam, and make the lake," the ranch owner
+said decidedly. "I'll beat those fellows at their own game. They have
+stolen my legal authority to proceed, but I'll go ahead and complete
+the dam, and fight it out in the courts anyhow. If possession is nine
+points of the law, then I'm going after those nine points. I'll flood
+the district and when they want what they claim is their property—but
+which isn't—they can look for it at the bottom of the lake. I'll
+finish the dam at once."</p>
+
+<p>"And cover Golden Peak?" asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>His uncle laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"What harm will it do?" he asked. "All that's there are some worthless
+yellow rocks, and those fellows are crazy to think there'll ever be a
+treasure found there. Yes, I'm going to flood it."</p>
+
+<p>Billy and his chums looked at one another. There was the same thought
+in all their minds. They must go to Golden Peak before it was covered
+with water.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going on in to Sageville," continued Mr. Thornton, when the
+saddling-up had been completed. "You boys had better go on to the ranch
+with the others. Tell your aunt," he said to Billy, "that I'll be home
+as soon as I can. And also tell her what I'm going to do. I'm going to
+hire the biggest gang of men I can find, and put them to work on the
+concrete dam. We can fill in the gap in a week, and back up the water.
+Then I'd like to know where Shackmiller and his gang will be?"</p>
+
+<p>He galloped off, and in due time the three boys and their escort
+of cowboys were at the ranch again. Mrs. Thornton was not a little
+surprised at the news they brought, and she had also been alarmed at
+their absence all night, but she had become somewhat used to the manner
+in which things were done in the breezy West.</p>
+
+<p>The boys planned to go on a trip to Golden Peak the next day, but
+decided to go hunting instead, and, as Billy pointed out, they had over
+a week before the waters would rise and cover the hill.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Mr. Thornton carried out his plan. A big gang of men
+assembled at the dam, and soon began the work of finishing it. It was
+decided to build up the concrete work, and set the many water gates.
+Then, when the cement had set, all that would be necessary to do would
+be to close the gates against the river, the water would begin to back
+up, and the lake would form.</p>
+
+<p>A search had been made for the missing man, but he had not been found.
+The men who had been on guard at Golden Peak had also disappeared, and
+the place was in possession of the forces of the ranch owner.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess they're not going to trouble you," said Frank, one day.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not so sure of that," replied Billy's uncle. "This may be the
+calm before the storm. I'm always suspicious when such men lay low and
+do nothing. They're preparing for a big move, I have no doubt; but
+I'll be ready for them. They've got one advantage on their side, in
+possessing that paper, but I'll have the dam built and the lake over
+their property before they can act, I hope."</p>
+
+<p>Men guarded the dam day and night. In fact the work went on at night,
+by means of the light of flaring gasoline torches.</p>
+
+<p>The gap was nearly closed. The gates were all in place, and only a few
+more yards of concrete and rubble needed to be dumped in.</p>
+
+<p>"If you fellows are going to get the treasure of Golden Peak you'd
+better get a move on," said Mr. Thornton, dryly, to Billy and his chums
+one night.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" they asked. They had been so busy having a good time, hunting
+and riding over the prairie, that they had almost forgotten about it.</p>
+
+<p>"Because," answered the ranch owner. "I expect to close some of the
+gates to-morrow, and soon flood the region. Golden Peak will be out of
+sight in two days more."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll explore it to-morrow!" cried Billy. "Hurray, boys! Off for
+Golden Peak and the treasure—if it's there!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">CAMPING OUT</p>
+
+
+<p>"Have you got the grub?"</p>
+
+<p>"What happened to that frying pan?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who saw the coffee pot? I'm sure I had it a minute ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are the tin cups?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and the knives and forks."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if we've got plenty of matches."</p>
+
+<p>"Is this tent going to be big enough?"</p>
+
+<p>These were only a few of the questions, demands, exclamations and
+wonderings that came from the three lads, Frank, Andy and Billy, as
+they prepared to set off to explore Golden Peak.</p>
+
+<p>It was a fine day—a better one could not have been desired—and the
+sun shone warm over the prairies, while in the distance, as the trio
+stood in the ranch yard, could be seen the twin hills between which
+flowed the river that was soon to be harnessed, and made to irrigate
+the vast farms.</p>
+
+<p>Beyond the hills lay Golden Peak, showing yellow in the strong sun, and
+fully justifying its name. Surely it looked as if treasure were there,
+and if it was, the Racer boys and their chum were determined to find
+it. They had arranged to camp for several days on the mysterious hill,
+which many believed contained wealth in some form, but which others
+said only held worthless yellow rocks.</p>
+
+<p>In the ranch yard some burros, well laden with the camp stuff, stood
+patiently about, while Billy, Frank and Andy looked to their saddle
+horses, tightened girths, and saw to it that they had all they needed
+for a stay of some time.</p>
+
+<p>"Now boys," said Mr. Thornton, "I wouldn't waste too much time on this
+expedition. Don't be gone more than three days. Because I'll want to
+close the big gates and let the river rise, and I won't want to drown
+you out like rats in a hole. So don't stay too long," and the ranchman
+smiled broadly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we counted on a week," spoke Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then spend three days at Golden Peak, and the rest of the week
+camping somewhere else," suggested Mr. Thornton. "There are lots of
+good places around here, Billy knows 'em. Besides, it won't take you
+three days to find out that there is no treasure at Golden Peak," and
+he laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that," returned Billy. "But we could finish our
+camping expedition somewhere else, I suppose. We'll do it, and when we
+send you word, Uncle Richfield, that we've vamoosed off the Peak, you
+can turn on the water."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed his uncle. "Now have you everything you need?"</p>
+
+<p>"If they haven't they never will have," said Mrs. Thornton, with a
+laugh. "They've been up since before daylight getting their traps
+together. Now boys, you will be careful; won't you?" and she put the
+question for about the tenth time.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we will," said Billy, as he gave her a hug and kiss, for she
+had been almost like a mother to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think we have everything," said Frank, as he looked over the
+packs on the backs of the burros, and saw to the things he and his
+brother and chum were to carry. The Racer boys had gone camping many
+times, and, though the method of procedure might be somewhat different
+on the prairies, still the general rules to be observed were the same.</p>
+
+<p>"Then good-bye and good luck to you," said the ranch owner. "Don't
+forget to let me know when you leave Golden Peak, as I'll then shut the
+big water gate and start the flood."</p>
+
+<p>"We will," promised Billy. "Though we may stay there four days instead
+of three, in case we come across the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>"In that case you may," laughed his uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"Forward then!" cried Andy, as he leaped to the back of his horse. Or,
+rather he tried to leap to the saddle, but his movement was unexpected,
+and his steed a trifle frisky, so, as a matter of course, Andy missed
+his mark and came down on the ground rather heavily.</p>
+
+<p>"If that's the way you're going to march I'm not with you!" exclaimed
+Billy, with a broad grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Come here and I'll pick you up," invited Frank, from the saddle of his
+own mount.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! You fellows think it's funny," grumbled Andy, as he slowly arose.
+This time he was more careful, and successfully reached the leather.
+There was a chorus of good-byes, a shout of encouragement from a group
+of cowboys, who fired off their big revolvers, and a waving of Mrs.
+Thornton's apron in lieu of a handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p>"Vely much nice boys!" called Sing Lee, his yellow face all smiles.
+"Goo' luck!" and he threw after them one of his queer shoes, filled
+with rice.</p>
+
+<p>"Gosh!" exclaimed Andy. "He must think this is a wedding party instead
+of a treasure hunting expedition. But I hope the old custom holds good."</p>
+
+<p>They rode off over the prairie under the summer sun, their hearts
+filled with hope, and with no thought of the dangers they were soon to
+face. Probably if they had had intimations of them it would had made no
+difference.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll head for the dam first," said Billy, "and take a look at the
+work going on. Then I can arrange for one of the men to take back word
+for us when we leave Golden Peak, so uncle can turn on the water."</p>
+
+<p>"I rather think I'd like to see that operation," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we can come down to it if we like," returned Billy. "That is, if
+we're not too busy getting out the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what the treasure will be, anyhow?" spoke Andy. "I should
+think gold ore."</p>
+
+<p>"Or maybe silver, or copper," suggested Frank. "You know we're not a
+great way from Colorado, and some of the rock strata of that State,
+where there is gold, and other minerals, may have outcropped in Golden
+Peak."</p>
+
+<p>The boys talked of the possibility of this as they rode on. Now and
+then they would flush some partridges, or sage hens, but they did not
+shoot any, as they wanted to wait about getting game until they were in
+camp.</p>
+
+<p>"Watch out for prairie dogs' burrows," warned Billy. "There are a lot
+of 'em around here." He spoke only just in time, for Frank managed to
+pull his steed aside from stepping in one, which might have given him a
+bad tumble.</p>
+
+<p>They reached the dam, where scores of men were at work, and the foreman
+greeted them pleasantly. He readily agreed to send back word for them
+when they left Golden Peak.</p>
+
+<p>"And if you find more gold than you need, just drop off a couple of
+bags here," he invited, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"He's just like the rest of 'em," complained Billy, as they rode on.
+"He doesn't believe in the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>They saw that the dam was almost completed, and that a few more days'
+work would bring it to the point where the big gates could be closed
+and the river stopped from flowing, except as it was needed.</p>
+
+<p>Already the stream was partly confined, flowing through several
+openings in the big concrete wall, and this made the current much
+swifter, also deepening the water. It had backed up some behind the dam.</p>
+
+<p>"Another hour will bring us to Golden Peak," announced Billy, toward
+the close of the afternoon, when they had stopped for lunch and again
+taken the trail. "Then to get up the tent and camp out."</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't seem as if that hill was so far away," remarked Frank.
+"Why, to look at it from the ranch I'd say we could walk to it in a
+little while."</p>
+
+<p>"That's because the air is so clear," explained Billy. "Distances look
+shorter than they are. It's a good way off yet, but we can make it
+before night."</p>
+
+<p>The shadows were just beginning to lengthen when they reached the foot
+of the curious little mountain where they expected to remain several
+days, and which they hoped would contain a treasure trove.</p>
+
+<p>"Make camp!" cried Billy, as he leaped from the saddle. His companions
+did likewise, bringing the burros to a halt. As they were about to
+unload the animals, looking the while for a good location for the tent,
+Andy, who had strayed off to one side, uttered an exclamation. At the
+same time there was a sound in the bushes as if somebody was forcing a
+way through them.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone's here!" replied Andy, and they could hear his rifle being
+brought up, ready for use.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE CLOUDBURST</p>
+
+
+<p>Billy sprang to where he had leaned his weapon against a tree, and his
+example was followed by Frank. Then, fully armed, they looked to where
+Andy was gazing at a spot in the underbrush.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" called Billy, in a hoarse whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see," was the answer, "but it was some large body, and it made
+off as soon as I came near."</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful," advised the ranch lad, as he advanced nearer his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what do you think it might be?" asked Frank. "A bear?"</p>
+
+<p>"No bears around here," came in a whisper. "But it might be a wolf.
+We've been losing some cattle lately, and the beasts may have a den
+here."</p>
+
+<p>The boys remained on the alert for several seconds, but they heard no
+further sounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Guess it was a false alarm," spoke Andy, in a relieved voice. Frank
+did not answer, but, creeping cautiously forward, he bent low to
+the ground, and looked carefully for some tell-tale sign in the
+fast-disappearing light.</p>
+
+<p>"See anything?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Billy. "I see some marks."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it a wolf?"</p>
+
+<p>"No—a man!" came the unexpected reply.</p>
+
+<p>"A man?" chorused the Racer boys.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Fellows, we're not alone on Golden Peak, and we've got to be on
+our guard," and Billy's voice was a trifle solemn.</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you imagine it can be?" asked Frank. "Some of those same men
+who are making trouble for your uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't be surprised," said Billy, as he laid aside his gun. "They
+can't help but see the work going on at the dam, and they know what it
+means—the burying of Golden Peak under many feet of water. So they may
+be making a final effort to get at the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>"And they may not like it that we are here," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely not. But we've got as good a right as they have, and
+better," spoke the ranch boy. "We'll stick it out, and if they try any
+of their funny business we'll do the same."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right!" exclaimed Frank, with a grim tightening of his lips.
+"We're with you from the word go."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, as long as that's settled, suppose we see about grub?" suggested
+Andy, and his companions laughed at his practical idea. But, none the
+less, they were willing to conform to it, and soon the campfire was
+going, and the meal being cooked. Then the tent was put up, the horses
+picketed, and the boys drew lots to decide the order of standing watch.
+Frank's turn came first.</p>
+
+<p>The night passed, however, without any alarm sounding, though each lad,
+in turn, was sure he heard suspicious noises, and with ready rifle
+stared off in the darkness. Nothing more, however, than the movement of
+some creature of the underbrush resulted.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's going to get breakfast?" demanded Billy, some hours later, when
+the sun coming up over the prairies made the yellow rocks about them
+gleam.</p>
+
+<p>"I got supper," came from Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I got the water," asserted Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And I made the fire," laughed the ranch boy. "So as long as we all had
+a hand in that meal I guess we can do the same for breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the eggs and bacon were sizzling in the frying pan over the fire,
+and the appetizing odor of coffee filled the air.</p>
+
+<p>"My! but that certainly smells good!" exclaimed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"And it'll taste better," declared his brother, who was in charge of
+the actual cooking.</p>
+
+<p>"And after grub we'll start in and explore Golden Peak," said Billy.
+"It's queer, that, though I've lived near it a long time, I never have
+been all over it. It's only recently that the rumor of treasure got
+started anew, and since then I haven't had much chance. But we'll run
+this thing down now."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless those other fellows prevent us," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Golden Peak was rather a curious formation. It was the central and
+the lowest of three hills in what was otherwise quite a flat country,
+and, with the twin points between which the river flowed, marked the
+beginning of a gentle rise that culminated in mountains many miles
+away. It was as if some great force of nature had sliced off the plain,
+leaving the prairies almost like a barn floor, but with these three
+peaks sticking up.</p>
+
+<p>Golden Peak was of good height, and was several miles in circumference.
+It was well wooded, beginning at a point about half a mile up from the
+level, and there was much rocky formation.</p>
+
+<p>The boys started on their explorations soon after breakfast, leaving
+the pack animals tethered, but riding their own steeds and carrying
+their guns.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose those fellows come upon our camp?" suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we've got to take that chance," answered Frank. "We can't hide
+it where they couldn't find it. But if they wreck it we'll take our
+revenge, that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe they'll bother us," said Billy. "They know this is the
+last round of the fight, and they're going to lose. If we come face to
+face with them they may act mean, but I don't believe they'd dare do
+anything."</p>
+
+<p>They rode on for several miles and saw no signs of any other persons
+than themselves on Golden Peak. Now and then a movement in the
+underbrush indicated the passage of someone or some animal, but they
+could glimpse nothing.</p>
+
+<p>They managed to shoot some sage hens and a partridge or two, insuring
+them a good dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't see any treasure," complained Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"There's where someone has been digging for it," remarked Billy,
+pointing to a hole in the ground. "But I guess he gave it up as a bad
+job."</p>
+
+<p>There was quite an excavation amid the dirt and yellow rocks, but it
+had been abandoned after having been sunk to a depth of about five
+feet, showing that the looked-for gold, or other precious minerals, had
+not been found.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what the treasure will be?" ventured Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Gold, I hope," said Billy. "As soon as we get to a likely place we'll
+do a little digging ourselves, but there's no use trying where these
+fellows have, for they'd find it if it was in plain sight."</p>
+
+<p>"How will we know gold if we see it?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I've got a prospector's testing outfit," replied the ranch lad. "I
+can manage to wash some of the dirt or gravel, and if I get some yellow
+particles that will stand the acid test I'll know we're on the right
+track."</p>
+
+<p>"These rocks look as if they contained some gold," suggested Andy, a
+little later, leaping from his horse to pick up several of the yellow
+stones.</p>
+
+<p>Billy laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Lots of people are fooled by that," he said. "It is iron pyrites, a
+mixture of iron with lots of sulphur in it. The sulphur gives it the
+yellow color, and that's what makes Golden Peak show so yellow in the
+sun. Iron pyrites is often called 'fools' gold,' as it has fooled so
+many people. No, we've got to get a different yellow than that if we
+want to strike the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Just my luck!" exclaimed Andy, in disgust, as he tossed the rocks
+aside.</p>
+
+<p>All that day they roamed over Golden Peak, looking in vain for any
+signs of hidden wealth. The most that Billy hoped was that they would
+come to some out-cropping of precious metal that would tell of a hidden
+vein; but, though they did find several promising places, many of which
+had been prospected by the unknown men on the hill, the boys were not
+rewarded.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's hike back to camp," proposed Frank, as the afternoon began
+to wane. "We don't want to stay in the open."</p>
+
+<p>They found nothing disturbed when they got back to where they had left
+their burros and outfit, and supper was soon cooking.</p>
+
+<p>The next day was a repetition of the first, and the boys were beginning
+to get discouraged. Not that they had been too hopeful, but they
+expected to find something.</p>
+
+<p>"The treasure of Golden Peak is a myth!" exclaimed Frank, as they
+prepared to go back to camp on their third evening spent on the hill.
+"I say let's go somewhere else and camp."</p>
+
+<p>"One more day," pleaded Andy, who was more hopeful than either of his
+companions. "Let's have one more day of it."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed Billy, "though I expect Uncle Richfield is getting
+impatient to close the gates of the dam and let the water rise. But
+he'll wait for us."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be inconvenient if he didn't, and tried to drown us out,"
+said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's go down," began Andy, "and see——"</p>
+
+<p>He did not finish the sentence, for he suddenly disappeared from sight,
+crashing through some bushes with a clatter of earth and stones.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! What's the matter?" gasped Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Andy, where are you?" yelled Billy.</p>
+
+<p>"Down in a hole!" was the answer, in muffled tones. "I fell half-way
+through to China, I guess. Look out, don't follow me here."</p>
+
+<p>Andy had been off his horse when the accident happened, or it might
+have been more serious. Frank now leaped from his animal and cautiously
+approached the place where his brother had fallen in. He saw an opening
+into some sort of cave, but, almost as he reached it, Andy came walking
+out, for the floor of the cavern, that had been concealed by the brush,
+was sloping.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what are you trying to do?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"You can search me," answered Andy, grimly. "I didn't know that cave
+was there any more than you did. But it sure is a hole."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's have a look," suggested Billy, and with his two chums he began
+pulling aside the bushes. Soon a good-sized opening was revealed,
+leading into a cavern the depth or size of which it was impossible to
+determine in the fast-gathering darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go in!" cried impetuous Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's wait until morning," said his more cautious brother.</p>
+
+<p>Billy stooped down and picked up something. It was a rusty knife, with
+a few specks of yellow stone.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you got?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone has been in this cave—years ago I should judge by this rusty
+knife," said the ranch boy. "And, unless I'm very much mistaken, we've
+stumbled on the hiding place of the treasure."</p>
+
+<p>"The treasure!" gasped Andy. "What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean this is the most promising sign we've struck yet," went on
+Billy. "I think these are particles of gold. I can soon tell. Make a
+fire, so we can see."</p>
+
+<p>One was kindled, and by the light of it the test was applied.</p>
+
+<p>"Gold! It's gold all right!" fairly yelled Billy, as the biting acid
+did not tarnish the touchstone on which he rubbed the yellow particles.
+"There's gold in this cave, and this is probably where the old miner
+found his nuggets, just before he went crazy, and forgot the location
+of it. Since then the bushes have grown over the mouth of the cavern,
+and no one stumbled upon it until——"</p>
+
+<p>"Until I stumbled <i>in</i> it!" interrupted Andy, with a laugh. "But if
+there's gold there let's go in and get it!"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Billy, after a moment's thought, "it's too late to-night.
+But we'll come the first thing in the morning, and, if the cave is big
+enough, we'll camp here instead of in the tent."</p>
+
+<p>"But maybe those fellows will discover the cave in the night," objected
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"There's not much danger," was Billy's opinion. "In fact I think those
+fellows have skipped out. We haven't seen any signs of 'em lately.
+But we can put the bushes back and in the darkness I don't believe
+those fellows will notice anything if they do come this way. Come on,
+fellows, get busy."</p>
+
+<p>They soon had the entrance to the cave well concealed, and then, with
+their hearts filled with hope, they rode down to their camp, which they
+found undisturbed.</p>
+
+<p>"We're going to have a storm," was Billy's forecast, as they got supper
+by lantern light. "But it won't matter, as we can get in the cave
+to-morrow and be dry while we are digging for gold."</p>
+
+<p>"Just think of it!" cried Andy. "We have really found the treasure of
+Golden Peak!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," said the more careful Frank. "That old prospector may have
+taken it all out."</p>
+
+<p>"But that's where it was, at any rate," declared Billy, looking at some
+of the shining yellow particles he had brought away with him.</p>
+
+<p>They could hardly sleep that night, but at length did drop off in a
+doze, Andy taking the first watch. It was almost at an end, and he was
+about to awaken Billy, who was to relieve him, when he became aware of
+a curious noise up the valley at the end of which Golden Peak stood.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what that is?" he mused. "It sounds like wind and rain."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a gust shook the tent, and Billy called:</p>
+
+<p>"All right! I'm coming."</p>
+
+<p>He glided out to join Andy a little later, and when he heard the sounds
+he said:</p>
+
+<p>"It is rain. The storm's coming. No need to stand watch now. Let's make
+everything snug and stay in the tent."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had they done so when the downpour began, and it was a hard one.
+Fortunately the tent was waterproof, but it was sorely tried, for the
+wind was strong.</p>
+
+<p>It was no fun getting breakfast the next morning, but they managed to
+boil coffee, and then, still in the downpour, they set out for the cave.</p>
+
+<p>"No one's been here!" cried Andy in delight, as they saw that the
+bushes were not disturbed. "Now for the gold!"</p>
+
+<p>They soon discovered that the cave was large enough to shelter them and
+their animals, and the patient beasts were glad enough to get in out of
+the wet.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had they made all snug, and prepared with torches and lanterns
+to explore the cavern, when there came a terrifying sound outside. It
+was like a great clap of thunder, followed by a roaring of waters.
+Billy rushed to the mouth of the cave.</p>
+
+<p>"Fellows!" he cried, "we didn't get here a minute too soon. There's
+been a cloudburst, and the whole place below us will be flooded in
+another minute!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">GETTING OUT THE GOLD</p>
+
+
+<p>With a rush and a roar the storm descended, increasing in intensity
+each minute. Well it was for the Racer boys and their chum that they
+had reached the cave in time, for they would have found it almost
+impossible to make their way up the side of the hill in that downpour.</p>
+
+<p>"A cloudburst; eh?" echoed Frank, as he came to the entrance of the
+cavern and stood beside Billy. "It's lucky we got in on time."</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," agreed Andy. "Look at it rain!"</p>
+
+<p>The water was coming down in sheets, and they could see scarcely ten
+feet beyond the mouth of the cave. It seemed as if that terrific
+thunder clap had actually shattered a cloud, and the rain, instead of
+coming down in drops, was descending in torrents.</p>
+
+<p>"If those other fellows—Shackmiller's crowd—are out on Golden Peak
+now they'll need umbrellas," observed Andy, with grim wit.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed his brother. "Lucky if they don't slide down to
+the bottom."</p>
+
+<p>"And that's likely to happen," added Billy. "Look at those small rivers
+of mud and water."</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to big rivulets that were coursing down the side of the hill
+on either hand from the opening to the big cave. Horse or man would
+have found it difficult to make progress against them, for they washed
+the soil out from under foot.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now that we're here, what shall we do?" asked Frank. "No use
+standing looking at the rain, even if it is a cloudburst."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Andy. "Let's get at the gold."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you," came from Billy. "Say, we couldn't have found a better
+place to camp in a storm. This cave is as dry as a barn."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's Racer luck," answered Andy, lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you," agreed his Western chum. "Well, as long as we have
+some lanterns, and can make torches from some of this dry wood in the
+cave, let's explore it a bit."</p>
+
+<p>The cavern was, as I have said, a large one, extending back under the
+brow of Golden Peak. As the boys could see, it also branched off in
+different directions, smaller caves opening from the large one.</p>
+
+<p>"And the question is, where is the gold?" came from Andy.</p>
+
+<p>They did not have to hunt long to find it. Hardly had they gone a
+hundred feet back into the cave when Frank uttered a cry of delight and
+wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is!" he shouted. "Gold! Lots of it! Sticking right out of the
+side of the cave!"</p>
+
+<p>His brother and chum hurried to his side. Frank, holding his lantern
+aloft, flashed it on a vein that glowed a golden yellow in the light.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's only 'fools' gold," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think this is the real thing," came from Billy. "We can soon
+tell."</p>
+
+<p>Quickly he made the test, and gave a cry of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"It's gold, all right!" he yelled. "Boys, we've found the treasure of
+Golden Peak! Or, rather, Andy did, by falling into this cave!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll whack up even," said the younger Racer boy, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Now that they were sure they had come upon the gold they examined the
+precious vein more closely. It cropped out in the soft sand-like rock
+of the cavern wall, as though squeezed by some giant hand that had
+crushed the rocks into their present form. The gold was in the form of
+a soft ore, as if it had been mixed with clay or putty, and with their
+hatchets the boys had no difficulty in chopping out a considerable
+quantity.</p>
+
+<p>"But hold on!" exclaimed Billy, when they had made a precious pile in
+the middle of the cavern floor. "Now that we have located this lode
+let's look for others. This one isn't going to run away, and we may
+find a richer one to work."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a good idea," declared Frank. "This will keep, and we might as
+well go to the far end of the cave and see what's there. Maybe there's
+a bigger vein."</p>
+
+<p>They fed the horses, for it was now nearly noon, and then, eating
+something themselves, they started for the rear of the cavern.</p>
+
+<p>It was larger than they had imagined, but their plan of going to the
+end of it was quickly halted. For, proceeding cautiously along, on the
+lookout for pits or crevices, Frank suddenly uttered a cry of warning.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" he called. "There's a big hole here! I nearly stepped into
+it! Bring the lights!"</p>
+
+<p>His companions hastened to his side. There they saw that, extending
+all the way across the floor of the cave, was a great crack, the other
+side of which they could not discern. Silently Andy picked up a stone
+and dropped it down. It was many seconds before, from the black depths,
+came floating up the echoes of the crash as the rock found bottom.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" whispered Frank. "That must go all the way down to the foot
+of the hill—thousands of feet!"</p>
+
+<p>"And if you had fallen—" began his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"But he didn't," said Billy quickly, for he was in the habit of
+looking on the bright side. "Well, this ends the cave as far as we are
+concerned. We can't go any further, and all we can do is to go back to
+where we first found the gold and get out as much as we can."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed the Racer boys, and, after another glance into
+the black depths before them, they turned back. A look from the mouth
+of the cave showed them that the terrific storm was still keeping up.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE RISING WATER</p>
+
+
+<p>"Well, how much do you think we've got?" asked Andy Racer, as he sat
+down on a pile of dirt, and looked at a mass of dull, gleaming yellow
+near the side of the cavern.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we must have two or three thousand dollars' worth," declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"More than that," came from Billy, who was wielding a shovel, pausing
+at intervals for a rest. "Of course this isn't pure gold, as it's mixed
+with clay and earth, to say nothing of the rocks, but with all that we
+must have nearly five thousand dollars' worth."</p>
+
+<p>"As much as that?" cried Andy, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," replied the ranch boy. "Of course my test isn't very
+reliable, and about all I am able to do is to say that it really <i>is</i>
+gold that we're digging out. But I think we have struck it rich, all
+right."</p>
+
+<p>"And to think those fellows have been searching all the while for the
+treasure of Golden Peak and didn't find it!" commented Andy. "It was
+just our luck."</p>
+
+<p>Billy again resumed his digging, loosening the soft soil in which
+appeared the curious out-cropping of the gold vein. For it was curious.
+It defied all the known laws of mining. It seemed that, ages ago, there
+must have been some upheaval of nature that thrust into the interior of
+the hill a streak of rich metal, isolated, as it were, from everything
+else.</p>
+
+<p>Then the cave was formed, making a sort of envelope above the treasure,
+and it had been undiscovered for many years. Then came the unfortunate
+prospector, who, after finding the rich deposit, went crazy. Others had
+searched for it in vain.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Billy uttered a cry of dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"It's gone!" was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"What is?"</p>
+
+<p>"The gold streak! It's come to an end!"</p>
+
+<p>They flashed their lanterns and torches into the crevice where Billy
+was working. It was only too true. After digging out a considerable
+quantity of the valuable earth, filled with gold, the seam, or vein,
+had come to an abrupt end.</p>
+
+<p>"No more gold here," said Billy, digging his spade into the side of the
+cave.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it crops out somewhere else," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"In that case we'll have to have more tools, and help, to get at it,"
+said the boy from the ranch. "We've reached our limit now."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's try on the other side," suggested Andy. "There may be a vein
+there."</p>
+
+<p>They looked—going carefully over the opposite side of the cavern—but
+no yellow streaks showed. It was as if all the gold had been collected
+in one narrow space.</p>
+
+<p>"And we can't pass beyond the chasm in the floor of the cave," said
+Frank, referring to the big opening down which he had nearly fallen.</p>
+
+<p>"Not without a bridge," said Andy. "But we can go back to the ranch,
+and come here again to look for more gold."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's make sure of what we have, first," suggested Andy. "We ought to
+get this in shape to carry home."</p>
+
+<p>Looking carefully into the big crack they had dug in the wall of the
+cave, to make certain that it contained no more of the precious metal,
+the boys proceeded to put into bags the treasure they already had. It
+was heavy, but they did not mind that, and, as it was about half pure
+gold, they figured that they had a goodly sum.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess the burros can pack it back to the ranch," said Billy, as they
+made up bundle after bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"Especially since our grub is nearly gone, and they won't have to carry
+that," added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"But it will be hard going through the rain," said Andy, for the big
+storm had still kept up, though not with such fury. The rain still
+descended, and the wind blew, but the cloudburst was a thing of the
+past.</p>
+
+<p>They made the gold into small packages, so that they could easily be
+put on the backs of the pack animals. Since they had taken up their
+camp in the cave they had not gone out, as there was no necessity. They
+had their food, they could cook it over fires made in the cavern, their
+horses were safely stabled, and all there was to do was to dig out the
+gold.</p>
+
+<p>The treasure of Golden Peak had not amounted to nearly as much as they
+had hoped it would, but it was still a good find, and they were very
+glad.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose we might as well move," suggested Frank, when they had
+put all the precious ore into bags. "We can come back later and make a
+bridge across the chasm to see if there is any of the yellow stuff on
+the other side."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I guess we've got all we can get at present," added Billy.
+"Besides, my uncle will be glad to get word that we are going to leave
+so he can close the dam, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"But if there is more gold here he won't do that!" interrupted Frank.
+"We ought to hurry and tell him that we have found the treasure, and
+to wait a while before flooding Golden Peak."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," agreed the ranch boy. "We'll do it. Let's get back to the
+ranch as fast as we can."</p>
+
+<p>Little more preparation was required to put them in shape for travel.
+It was still raining, but they did not mind that, though they realized
+that they would have to make quite a circuit in order to pass the
+river, which would be much swollen.</p>
+
+<p>"Forward!" cried Frank, when the burros were laden with the remains of
+the food, and the precious sacks of gold. "Back to the ranch!"</p>
+
+<p>They emerged from the mouth of the cave. Riding their horses, holding
+them well in hand, lest they slip on the wet earth, and leading the
+burros, the lads began their homeward march with the treasure of Golden
+Peak.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank, who was in the lead, made a turn in the downward trail, he
+suddenly came to a halt. Then he uttered a cry of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" called Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"The water—the rising water!" answered his brother. "Look, there's a
+lake below us! We're surrounded by water!"</p>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt="">
+  <div class="caption">
+    <p>"LOOK, THERE'S A LAKE BELOW US! WE'RE SURROUNDED BY WATER!"</p>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap">
+
+<p>It was even as he said. A quarter of a mile down from the top of Golden
+Peak there was a sea of turbid water, and it was still rising.</p>
+
+<p>"What has happened?" cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"The gates of the dam are closed!" shouted Billy. "There has been
+some mistake! Uncle Richfield has closed the dam, and the lake is
+being made! We're caught here on Golden Peak! Everything else is under
+water!"</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">MAROONED</p>
+
+
+<p>Billy's announcement seemed to strike a chill of terror to the hearts
+of his chums. They stood there, at the mouth of the treasure cave, and
+looked at the water below them—a vast lake that was slowly growing in
+size, and increasing in depth as the river backed up against the dam,
+the gates of which had been, in some manner, closed.</p>
+
+<p>"It—it can't be possible!" gasped Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"But it is!" cried Frank. "Here's the lake, and here we are on Golden
+Peak, and there's no way of getting off!"</p>
+
+<p>"Unless we swim," put in Billy, "and that's no easy job, with the
+horses——"</p>
+
+<p>"And the gold," added Andy. "What are we going to do?"</p>
+
+<p>No one could answer him. Their situation was desperate, and yet, after
+the first feeling of fear and terror, the boys looked at the situation
+more calmly. They were not the sort of lads to give up easily.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll find a way out; or, rather, a way off," said Frank, after a
+bit. "It's queer that this should happen, and, I suppose, if we hadn't
+been so busy getting out the gold, and stayed in the cave, we would
+have noticed the water rising, and we could have gotten away in time."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Billy. "There's been some mistake, I'm sure.
+Uncle Richfield must have thought we had left the Peak, and closed the
+gates. You know we did stay here longer than we said we would."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but he was not to close the dam until he got word from us,"
+declared Frank "And we didn't send any word. How——"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but someone must have!" cried Billy, now much excited. "I begin to
+see it now. Those fellows—Shackmiller's gang—they knew we were here.
+Probably they've been spying on us all the while, though we could see
+no trace of them. They could not find the treasure themselves, and they
+decided to leave, for they must have realized that the game was up.
+Then they had it in for us, and hit on this revenge. They sent word to
+Uncle Richfield that we had left, as we said we would, and he closed
+the gate."</p>
+
+<p>"But how could they have known we were going to send any word?" asked
+Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"We talked of it at the dam, where all the men were working," went on
+Billy; "and unless I'm mistaken Shackmiller must have had a spy or two
+among the construction men. It would have been easy enough to do that."</p>
+
+<p>"But would your uncle accept word that we had left from someone he did
+not know?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably the man, whoever he was, never saw my uncle at all,"
+explained Billy. "He may have just ridden up to the dam and called to
+the foreman that we were off Golden Peak, and that the water could be
+backed up. We didn't say we would send word by any special messenger,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Andy. "It could have been done that way. Well,
+we're in for it now, all right. What a lot of water!"</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed a large lake that they were gazing over, and it was
+constantly growing larger. The river, augmented by the cloudburst, and
+by the continued heavy rains, had swollen greatly in size, and, in
+consequence, the water backed up much more rapidly than would otherwise
+have been the case.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's to be done?" asked Andy. "We can't stay here—that is,
+not much longer. The hill will be under water in a few hours more."</p>
+
+<p>"That's true," said Frank. "We've got to do something, and that soon."</p>
+
+<p>It was curious to see now how the Racer boys had, in a measure, taken
+charge of things. Now that an emergency had arisen—one that did
+not have to deal directly with range matters, with which Billy was
+familiar—his chums came to the fore, as they had often done in times
+past.</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do?" asked Billy, half gloomily. "I don't believe we can
+swim that distance. It must be miles to the nearest shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Fully three," said Frank. "Yes, it would be a pretty long swim, though
+we might do it. But I have a better plan than that."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Billy, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there are two things we can do," went on the elder Racer lad.
+"In the first place we must go to the highest part of the Peak, the one
+that will be the longest out of water. Then I want to see just how fast
+the water is rising, and we'll know how much longer we have."</p>
+
+<p>"But that isn't getting us away from here," said Andy, impatiently.
+"We're marooned on Golden Peak. What is to be done?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm coming to that," said his brother, calmly. "We can do two things.
+One is to make a signal fire on the highest point of the Peak. The
+smoke will be seen at the ranch, for they must be watching the forming
+of the lake. So get some wood from the cave and we'll climb to the top,
+and make the signal fire."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the other thing?" asked Billy, as Frank paused.</p>
+
+<p>"The other thing is to cut down some trees and make a little raft that
+we can float on until we're rescued, after this hill is under water."</p>
+
+<p>"But the horses and burros," spoke Billy. "What about them?"</p>
+
+<p>"They'll have to take their chances," replied Frank. "They may be able
+to swim to shore. We'll have to save ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"And the gold," added Andy, quickly. "Don't forget the treasure of
+Golden Peak."</p>
+
+<p>"We're not likely to," answered Frank, in a low voice. "It came near
+being the end of us—and may yet," he added. "Come on," he cried, more
+cheerfully. "Get to the top, and start the fire. It ought to smoke well
+with all this rain."</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE END OF GOLDEN PEAK</p>
+
+
+<p>"Does it rise very fast, Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she's coming up at a pretty good speed. We haven't much time to
+spare. We want to get away before dark if we can."</p>
+
+<p>"Then come on up to the top where Billy is," and Andy began making his
+way up the side of Golden Peak.</p>
+
+<p>He and his brother had gone from the treasure cave to the edge of the
+fast-forming lake to note the rise of the water, and having ascertained
+that the rate was quite rapid they were ready to proceed with the work
+of making the raft, and sending up the smoke signal. Billy had gone up
+toward the summit, taking the horses and pack animals with him, and
+also the store of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"First we'll cut down as many trees as we think we'll need," suggested
+Frank, when the three were together again. "Then we can bind them
+tightly with these vines and our ropes. Andy and I will do that, and
+you can make the fire, Billy."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed the ranch lad. "Only it's getting so hazy that our
+smoke isn't going to be seen a great distance."</p>
+
+<p>"All the more need of hurrying then," said Frank, as he gazed off
+across the lake. He could scarcely see the big dam, some miles away, on
+account of the haze that hung over the water. The ranch buildings were
+altogether out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"But the smoke may rise above the mist," reasoned the elder Racer lad.
+"I hope so, at any rate."</p>
+
+<p>Rapidly he and Andy cut down small trees. They would not need many to
+make a raft capable of supporting themselves. As for the animals, they
+would have to take their chances.</p>
+
+<p>The rain still continued, and Billy knew the river, in dry times a
+small stream, must be greatly increased in volume. He soon had a fire
+going, and a thick cloud of smoke arose, swirling this way and that—an
+excellent signal of distress if it could be observed.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder how they can rescue us?" asked Andy, as he made the last chop
+at a small tree, felling it.</p>
+
+<p>"In a boat, of course," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle has a boat," put in Billy. "He had it built for use on the lake.
+It's a big barge, and will hold several horses. In fact, it's a sort of
+ferry, for he calculated that he might want to send some of the ponies
+or farm machinery from one end of the lake to the other after the dam
+was built. Now, if he would only send that for us we'd be all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he will," suggested Frank, hopefully. "Anyhow, keep the fire
+going. Now, Andy, I think we've got enough trees down. Let's see what
+sort of a raft we can make."</p>
+
+<p>It was a crude affair that was soon in process of construction, but it
+would answer the purpose of saving the lads, though it would not hold
+the horses.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't going to be very hard to launch," commented Andy, when it was
+almost completed. "All we'll have to do will be to get on it and wait
+for the water to float it."</p>
+
+<p>"And that won't be long, for she's rising fast," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed so, as they could tell by looking down the slope of the
+hill. Tree landmarks that had been wholly out of the water were now
+almost covered. It would not be long before the whole of Golden Peak
+was submerged.</p>
+
+<p>Several hours passed. The raft was completed, but there was no need to
+go to the laborious work of getting it down the side of the hill to the
+level of the lake. The lake itself would rise up soon enough to float
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"Another foot will do the business," said Frank, in a quiet voice, as
+he noted the water lapping the stones and bushes about twelve inches
+from where the raft rested.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we might as well get on and wait," suggested Andy. "We've got the
+gold as secure as we can make it."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," agreed Billy. "I guess I may as well let the fire go out.
+They don't seem to have seen our smoke." He tossed on a final armful of
+wet leaves to make a thicker smudge, and gazed off through the mist for
+a sign of rescue. But he saw none.</p>
+
+<p>The boys got on the frail raft. As they did so the horses and burros
+came closer to them. The animals seemed pitifully frightened.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, Buffalo!" exclaimed Billy, as he patted the faithful steed.
+"I hate to leave you, old fellow, but it's got to be. Maybe you can
+swim ashore."</p>
+
+<p>Buffalo whinnied and stretched out his velvety nose for a caress.
+There were tears in Billy's eyes, and those of Frank and Andy were not
+altogether free from moisture, for they had grown to care very much for
+the animals they had ridden over the prairies.</p>
+
+<p>A half hour passed. Frank, who had been looking at the water from time
+to time, suddenly uttered an exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked his brother. "Do you see anything?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!" cried Frank. "I see that the water hasn't risen an inch in the
+last half hour. Before that it was going up at the rate of nearly a
+foot an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure?" cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly am. I've been watching that yellow rock there, wondering
+when it would be covered, but the water has been lapping at the base of
+it more than thirty minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"What does that mean?" asked Andy, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"That the lake has stopped rising," said Frank quickly. "Either it has
+reached its limit, or they have suspected something wrong at the dam,
+and opened the gates."</p>
+
+<p>"It hasn't reached its limit," declared Billy, "for when it does this
+hill will be covered. It's away below the top of the dam."</p>
+
+<p>"Then they know we're here and they've opened the gates!" cried Frank.
+"Boys, I believe we're going to be rescued!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I know it!" yelled Andy, suddenly leaping to his feet. "We <i>are</i>
+rescued, fellows! There's the boat now!"</p>
+
+<p>His cry of joy was answered by a shout, and from out the mist on the
+lake, straight for Golden Peak, came a large barge or flat-bottom
+ferryboat, propelled by long sweeps in the hands of the lusty cowboys.
+In the middle of the craft stood Mr. Thornton.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys! Boys!" he cried in eager tones, "are you safe? Oh, what a narrow
+escape! Are you all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Uncle!" cried Billy. "We were just going to launch our ship when
+you hove in sight. Did you see our smoke signal?"</p>
+
+<p>"We did, and that's why I had the gate opened. The waters are going
+down now. Oh, that scoundrel! To bring word that you had left the Peak!
+That's why I closed the openings in the dam. Oh! if I catch the rascals
+I'll fix them for this!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did they say we had gone?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what they did—some days ago, or I never would have allowed the
+water to rise. But, thank Providence, you are safe. Get aboard now, and
+bring the horses, too. And so you were going to sail on the raft."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what we were," said Billy. "The Racer boys thought of that
+scheme."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, get aboard the barge," advised his uncle, as he gazed admiringly
+at the brave lads. "What have you in those bags?" and he pointed to the
+gold.</p>
+
+<p>"That," said Frank, and he could not keep a note of satisfaction from
+his voice; "that is the treasure of Golden Peak!"</p>
+
+<p>"The treasure of Golden Peak?" cried Mr. Thornton. "Are you joking? Was
+there a treasure?"</p>
+
+<p>"There was!" cried his nephew, "and we got it," and then, when they had
+all boarded the barge, though it was no easy work to induce the animals
+to embark, the boys told their story, while the cowboys propelled the
+boat toward the lower end of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you certainly are the luckiest chaps I ever saw," said Mr.
+Thornton. "And it all happened just as you guessed. There must
+have been a traitor among the construction gang, who informed the
+Shackmiller crowd of your plans. We thought you had gone camping
+somewhere else as you said you would.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, when you did not come home, after the rain kept up, your aunt
+got worried. I tried to tell her it was all right, but she insisted
+that we go out and hunt you up. We were just starting when one of
+my men saw the smoke on Golden Peak. Then I guessed the truth and I
+ordered the gates of the dam opened, so the waters would stop rising."</p>
+
+<p>"And only just in time, too," said Frank. "We were so busy in the cave,
+getting out the gold, that we never noticed the rising waters, or we
+might have escaped unaided."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about those men who made trouble for you?" asked Billy of his
+uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they've cleared out," said Mr. Thornton. "I've got them just where
+I want them, now. Though I did go ahead without any legal authority
+and flood this region I was within my rights for, only yesterday, I
+succeeded—or rather, my lawyers did—in getting full title to the land
+in dispute. There is no doubt now that Golden Peak, and the approach to
+it, is mine beyond question. And it will soon be where no one can get
+at it, for I'm going to let the waters rise again as soon as we land,
+and Golden Peak will be no more—that is unless there is more gold
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think we got all there was," said Frank. "I'm glad we dug it out
+when we had the chance. This is the first treasure hunt I was ever on."</p>
+
+<p>"And very successful," added Andy. "Say, but things have been happening
+lately. I wonder what's next on the list?"</p>
+
+<p>What was, and what share the Racer boys had in some further adventures,
+will be told of in the next volume of this series, to be called "The
+Racer Boys on Guard, Or, The Rebellion at Riverview Hall."</p>
+
+<p>It did not take long to reach the dam, where the boat was moored, and
+then the Racer boys, and their chum, with Mr. Thornton and the cowboys,
+rode across the prairie to the ranch. The gates in the dam were closed,
+and that night Golden Peak disappeared forever under the waters of the
+irrigation lake.</p>
+
+<p>There is little more to tell. The treasure did not amount to as much as
+the boys had hoped it would, but still it was a substantial sum.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides, look at the fun we had!" exclaimed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all you think of," complained his brother, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, haven't we a right to, after what we've gone through?" asked
+Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so," agreed Billy. "Oh, but I'm glad you boys came West
+with me! I've never had such a fine summer."</p>
+
+<p>"And we got the best of Shackmiller and his crowd," commented Frank.
+"You won't have anything to fear now, when you come back to Riverview
+Hall, Billy."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, though I don't know whether I'll come back or not."</p>
+
+<p>As Frank had said, the Shackmillers were completely routed. The twin
+brothers disappeared after Sam had recovered from his injuries.
+Later it was learned that Bruce Shackmiller had played the part of
+the hypocrite while being taken care of at Double X ranch. It was he
+who had taken the valuable paper and escaped in the night, though
+the document did him no good. As for the others who had sought the
+treasure of Golden Peak, and claimed the land that was rightfully Mr.
+Thornton's, they, too, went their several ways, it not being thought
+worth while to seek to bring them to justice, even though they had
+tried their best to endanger the lives of our heroes.</p>
+
+<p>"And now for a good gallop!" cried Andy, one day, as he and his brother
+and chum leaped on the backs of their horses.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad we could save them," said Frank, as he called to his mount to
+leap ahead and get on even terms with his brother's. "I never knew I
+could like a horse so."</p>
+
+<p>"He's yours—to keep," said Billy quickly. "And so is Andy's. Uncle
+said I could give them to you."</p>
+
+<p>"He did?" cried the Racer boys. "Whoop! That's great!" and away they
+dashed over the sun-lit prairie, toward the big dam, behind which the
+waters of the lake sparkled bright. And there we will take leave of
+them.</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">THE END</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p class="ph3">BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">THE RACER BOYS SERIES</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">12mo. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">THE RACER BOYS<br>
+THE RACER BOYS AT BOARDING SCHOOL<br>
+THE RACER BOYS TO THE RESCUE<br>
+THE RACER BOYS ON THE PRAIRIES</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">(Other volumes in preparation.)</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p class="ph3">THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">12mo. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">THE MOTOR BOYS
+THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE<br>
+THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p class="ph3">THE JACK RANGER SERIES</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">12mo. Finely illustrated.</p>
+
+<p class="ph3">Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid.</p>
+
+
+<p class="ph3">JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS<br>
+JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP<br>
+JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES<br>
+JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE<br>
+JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB<br>
+JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX</p>
+
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75395 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #75395 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75395)