diff options
Diffstat (limited to '75952-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/75952-h.htm | 9552 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 613724 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/coversmall.jpg | bin | 0 -> 252590 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/i_f001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 128656 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/i_p128a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 146694 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/i_title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 46684 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75952-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28337 bytes |
7 files changed, 9552 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/75952-h/75952-h.htm b/75952-h/75952-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9a9579 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/75952-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9552 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The rival bicyclists | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} +.illowe44_25 {width: 44.25em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75952 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_f001"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_f001.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">JOE LOWERED HIS BICYCLE TOWARDS PAUL.</p> + +<p class="right">“Rival Bicyclists.”</p> + +</figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + + +<div class="titlepage"> +<h1>THE RIVAL BICYCLISTS;</h1> + +<p><small>OR,</small></p> + +<p><span class="large">FUN AND ADVENTURE ON THE WHEEL.</span></p> + +<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">By</span> CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL,</span><br> + +<i>Author of “Gun and Sled,” “The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview,”<br> +“Leo the Circus Boy,” etc., etc.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title_logo.jpg" alt="publisher's logo"></div> + +<p>CHICAGO:<br> +<span class="large"><span class="smcap">M. A. Donohue</span> & <span class="smcap">Co.</span></span></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1897.<br> +BY<br> +<span class="smcap">W. L. Allison Co.</span></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span> + +<p class="ph2">THE RIVAL BICYCLISTS.</p> +<hr class="tiny"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.<br> + +<small>OFF ON THE WHEEL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">What</span> do you say to a ride to Greenpoint and +back to-night, Dick?”</p> + +<p>“That suits me, Joe.”</p> + +<p>“It will be full moonlight, and the ride over the +valley road will be elegant.”</p> + +<p>“True enough. When shall we start?”</p> + +<p>“As soon as we have had supper.”</p> + +<p>The two speakers were Dick Burns and Joe +Johnson.</p> + +<p>Dick Burns was the only son of the leading +lawyer in Lockport. He was a bright fellow of +seventeen, and a bicycle rider of no mean ability.</p> + +<p>The other boy was Joe Johnson, the hero of the +present tale.</p> + +<p>At the time of which we write Joe was not quite +fifteen years of age. He had been born in a little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> +town in Ohio called Rayford’s Run, but ere he was +seven years old his parents moved to Lockport, +where Mr. Johnson obtained employment in a large +carpet works.</p> + +<p>Joe attended the village school and had a host of +friends. Every one liked the young fellow because +he was so straightforward and honest in all he did. +“You can trust Joe to do it,” was a common expression +among his schoolmates.</p> + +<p>Just three months before the opening of this +story Joe had become the proud possessor of a +bicycle. It had cost a neat little sum of money, +but he had earned every dollar of it himself by doing +odd jobs during off hours from school and home +duties.</p> + +<p>Joe was very proud of his wheel, and he soon +learned to ride exceedingly well.</p> + +<p>“Keep on, Joe, and you’ll become an expert,” +said Dick to him one day.</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t like anything better,” returned Joe +promptly.</p> + +<p>That evening, long before the sun went down, the +moon came up full and clear.</p> + +<p>Dick Burns ate his supper as soon as he could and +then hurried around to Joe’s house.</p> + +<p>“Joe!”</p> + +<p>“Coming!” was the reply from the woodshed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +“Just wait till I put this wood in the box behind +the kitchen stove.”</p> + +<p>Having finished his evening chores, Joe came out +with his wheel.</p> + +<p>He wore a neat suit his mother had made for him, +and cut a nice figure as he rode away by Dick Burns’ +side.</p> + +<p>As the two wheeled through the village they met +pretty Carrie Burns, Dick’s sister.</p> + +<p>Joe tipped his hat and stopped to chat with her +a few minutes.</p> + +<p>There was a tall, slim boy who saw this and +scowled deeply from behind a pile of boxes at the +corner grocery. This boy was Lemuel Akers, and +he was Joe’s one enemy.</p> + +<p>On one occasion Lemuel had given Joe the lie +direct in school, and, much to his astonishment, had +been knocked down for doing it.</p> + +<p>There had been a short fight, and Joe had shown +that he was clearly the stronger boy of the two, +even though he was much smaller than Lemuel.</p> + +<p>The tall boy hated Joe greatly, and was watching +his chances to “get square,” as he termed it.</p> + +<p>He did not attack Joe openly, but, instead, waited +to do some mean trick behind Joe’s back.</p> + +<p>“Going off for a ride, eh?” muttered Lemuel +Akers, as Joe and Dick proceeded on their way.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> +“I would like to make trouble for him while he is +gone! I wonder if I can’t think of something.”</p> + +<p>All unconscious of what was going on in Lemuel’s +mind, Joe pushed on his pedals and made a spurt.</p> + +<p>“Catch me, Dick!” he called, and a lively race +took place, and was kept up until the outskirts of +the place for which they were bound were reached.</p> + +<p>Greenpoint was a fine town on the edge of a +great lake, and here the two boys took a half-hour’s +rest, while Dick, who always had pocket money, +treated to soda water.</p> + +<p>The rest over, Dick proposed that they return +home by a different route.</p> + +<p>“Let us go up Bacon Hill,” he said. “We have +got lots of time, and coasting down the other side +will be simply immense.”</p> + +<p>“It’s pretty risky coasting on that hill in the +moonlight,” replied Joe.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s all right. I was over the road only two +days ago and it is in prime condition.”</p> + +<p>“All right, come on. I can’t bear to rest any +longer.”</p> + +<p>Off they went again, but this time not so fast, as +there was a long and rather steep hill to climb.</p> + +<p>The top reached, they stopped just a minute to +look over the surrounding landscape, bathed in the +white light of the full moon, and then started on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +the down grade leading to the Pentaco River, and +back to Lockport.</p> + +<p>A single push on the pedals was sufficient. The +grade was not great, but it was enough, and with +their feet up on the coasters they went flying down +the long stretch, gaining additional speed as they +advanced.</p> + +<p>“Fine, eh?” cried Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>“Immense!” yelled Joe, who was in the lead. +“Come on!”</p> + +<p>“I’m coming,” was his reply.</p> + +<p>But try his best, Dick could not quite reach Joe.</p> + +<p>Over a mile was passed without the least accident, +and then, far beyond, the two saw the river winding +along and sparkling in the pale light.</p> + +<p>On the other side of the stream there was another +hill, so the “fly” would have to end at the bridge.</p> + +<p>“Now for a grand finish!” called out Joe. +“Catch me, if you can, Dick!”</p> + +<p>“I’m coming!” sang out his companion again.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer they came to the river, Joe +still well in advance.</p> + +<p>Suddenly both boys saw something which made +their hearts fairly leap into their throats.</p> + +<p>The bridge was down!</p> + +<p>That very afternoon the workmen had torn down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +the wooden structure, to replace it soon with one of +iron.</p> + +<p>The boys had ridden along so fast that neither +had noticed the several notices posted up that the +river could not be crossed on this road.</p> + +<p>“The bridge is gone!” groaned Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>Joe said nothing.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for the bicyclists to stop on that +downward grade.</p> + +<p>Almost before they could think, they were within +twenty feet of the river.</p> + +<p>It was a rock-bound mountain torrent, not deep, +but highly dangerous.</p> + +<p>A fall from the road into it, at the speed at which +they were going, would certainly mean death.</p> + +<p>Could the two boys escape?</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II.<br> + +<small>OUT OF A PERILOUS SITUATION.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Joe</span> and Dick had to think and act quickly, for +they were going at such speed that another second +must decide their fate.</p> + +<p>“To the right!” yelled Joe.</p> + +<p>There was no time to say more.</p> + +<p>He switched off, and at the same time threw his +whole weight over.</p> + +<p>The wheels of his bicycle slid along the road +several yards, and it was only Joe’s skill that prevented +him from taking the nastiest kind of a +header.</p> + +<p>Then he ran upon some planking from the torn-away +bridge.</p> + +<p>Dick tried to follow his lead, but was not so +fortunate. He flew off his machine, and when Joe +stopped, Dick went sailing directly over his head.</p> + +<p>Both finally found themselves mixed up in a mass +of planks and beams.</p> + +<p>At first Joe could scarcely collect his thoughts.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> +His clothing was much torn, and his left arm had +been badly wrenched.</p> + +<p>Dick Burns was unconscious.</p> + +<p>Joe thought for the instant his friend was killed, +and in his horror forgot all about his own bruises.</p> + +<p>He picked Dick up and laid him down on the +near-by grass. Then Dick stirred slightly, and Joe +knew he was still alive.</p> + +<p>He ran down to a pool and got some water in his +cap, with which he bathed Dick’s face. He also +rubbed his chum’s wrists.</p> + +<p>Finally he had the satisfaction of seeing Dick +open his eyes with a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>“Dick, are you hurt?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. I hit my chest.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe you broke a rib or two?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>It was fully fifteen minutes before Dick felt like +sitting up.</p> + +<p>By that time he felt sure that no bones had been +broken. But he was so sore he could not think of +riding home.</p> + +<p>“We will have to go back to Greenpoint, and +I would give out inside of a mile,” he said.</p> + +<p>“If I could get a wagon we might drive home,” +said Joe.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>They talked the matter over, and finally our hero +started off to hunt up a wagon.</p> + +<p>He knew a number of farmers in the district, and +felt pretty certain he could get a turnout from one +or the other of them, especially when he made +known that he wanted to take home Lawyer Burns’ +son, who had been hurt.</p> + +<p>Joe’s wheel, strange to say, had sustained no +damage outside of a few bent spokes, and now he +went off on the machine, leaving Dick sitting on +the old bridge lumber.</p> + +<p>“Come back as soon as you can, Joe.”</p> + +<p>“Of course, Dick.”</p> + +<p>The river was soon left out of sight, and Joe +turned into a by-road, lined on either side with +heavy trees.</p> + +<p>Beneath, the trees formed an archway, which in +the heat of the day gave a grateful shade to +travelers.</p> + +<p>But now, in spite of the moonlight, it was very +dark here, and Joe had to slacken his speed for fear +of going into a hole or striking a stone.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want another trip-up,” he thought, as +he pedaled along. “One such in a month is +enough.”</p> + +<p>Our hero was very thankful that he had escaped +a plunge into the river.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>Halfway to the house he was bound for the lad +heard the sounds of voices coming from the roadside.</p> + +<p>“I’m dead hungry, Gimpy,” he heard in the +rough voice of a tramp. “Wot yer got fer supper?”</p> + +<p>“Dare ain’t nuthin’ but a couple o’ handouts, +Jimmie,” was the reply from a second tramp.</p> + +<p>“Dat won’t do fer me. Say! Dare’s a big henhouse +up at dat farm I just passed.”</p> + +<p>“I know it.”</p> + +<p>“Suppose we rake in a chicken or two? Da will +go fine after wot we’ve had.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s so.”</p> + +<p>“Dare ain’t nobuddy around der place but an old +man an’ an old woman, and da’ll be going ter bed +soon.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m wid yer.”</p> + +<p>Joe listened to this conversation with keen interest. +He had stopped behind a big tree and had +heard every word spoken.</p> + +<p>He knew the farmhouse to which the two tramps +referred. It was the very place for which he was +bound.</p> + +<p>The farmer’s name was Josiah Arkley, and he +lived on the place with Susan, his sister.</p> + +<p>They kept no hired help, and the farm was a good +quarter mile from any other.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>It would be an easy matter for the tramps to rob +Josiah Arkley’s henhouse, for the old man and his +sister always retired early.</p> + +<p>Besides, the old pair were both slightly deaf, and +it was not likely that they would hear the disturbance +among the fowls.</p> + +<p>As silently as a cat Joe left the vicinity. Once +out of earshot of the tramps, he sped along to the +Arkley farmhouse as fast as his wheel would carry +him.</p> + +<p>As he had surmised, the place was dark, for the +old couple had long before gone to bed.</p> + +<p>It took a deal of hammering on the front door to +arouse Josiah Arkley.</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” he demanded, as he popped his +head out of an upper window.</p> + +<p>“Joe Johnson, Mr. Arkley.”</p> + +<p>“And what brings you here, Joe?” asked the old +farmer in surprise.</p> + +<p>“Two things, sir. Come down as soon as you +can, please.”</p> + +<p>“I will.”</p> + +<p>The window was shut down and all became quiet +again.</p> + +<p>Soon a light appeared below, the door was thrown +open and Joe entered the farmhouse, taking his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +wheel with him. He found both of the old folks +had dressed and come down.</p> + +<p>“Now, what’s up, Joe?” asked the old man in a +trembling voice.</p> + +<p>“Well, in the first place, two tramps are on their +way here to rob your hen roost.”</p> + +<p>“Land sakes alive!” burst out Susan. “You +don’t mean it, Joe?”</p> + +<p>“Wait till I get my gun,” went on Josiah.</p> + +<p>He ran into the kitchen and returned with an old-fashioned +blunderbuss which was loaded and ready +for use.</p> + +<p>In a few words Joe told of the conversation he +had overheard, to which the farmer and his sister +listened with interest.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix ’em,” muttered Josiah.</p> + +<p>He turned out the light and led the way to the +shed built on the side of the kitchen.</p> + +<p>From here a good view of the chicken-house, not +a hundred feet away, could be obtained.</p> + +<p>Joe looked out of the window over the old man’s +shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Here they come!” he whispered, for the two +tramps had just leaped a side fence.</p> + +<p>The intruders separated, and while one remained +on guard, the other made a tour around the house.</p> + +<p>Apparently satisfied that they were not observed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +the two tramps sneaked back toward the chicken-house.</p> + +<p>In this building old Josiah Arkley kept about two +dozen prize fowls.</p> + +<p>He did not believe in owning many, but what he +did have were of the best, many of them being +worth three and four dollars apiece for breeding +purposes.</p> + +<p>The sight of the tramps excited the old man very +much, and it was with difficulty that Joe and old +Susan kept him from shooting down the would-be +offenders without warning.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you capture them and take them to +jail?” suggested Joe.</p> + +<p>“I can’t capture two men alone.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll help you,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>“So will I,” added Susan Arkley.</p> + +<p>The two latter at once armed themselves.</p> + +<p>Joe procured Josiah Arkley’s heaviest cane, which +was little short of being a club.</p> + +<p>Old Susan brought forth a broom—an old one +which was worn down to a hard stub at the end.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile one of the tramps had pried the +padlock from the chicken-house door.</p> + +<p>Now one of them stood by the open door while +the other went inside.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Come on!” whispered Josiah Arkley, and he +led the way out of the house.</p> + +<p>Silently the three sneaked along by the well and +dairy until within six yards of the fowl-house.</p> + +<p>“You villains, throw up your hands or I will +shoot!” suddenly cried Josiah Arkley.</p> + +<p>The tramps were dumfounded for the minute. +Then the one at the door began to yell.</p> + +<p>“Dere’s onto us, Gimpy!”</p> + +<p>“Stand still, do you hear?” cried old Josiah.</p> + +<p>“Not much!” howled the fellow called Jimmie. +“I ain’t doin’ time dis summer!” and he started to +run.</p> + +<p>Bang! went the blunderbuss, and the tramp received +a dose of shot in his leg and fell groaning +beside the dairy.</p> + +<p>Then out came the second tramp. Joe rushed at +him and struck him with the club.</p> + +<p>The tramp turned on our hero, and a second later +both were rolling over and over on the ground.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III.<br> + +<small>JOE IS ACCUSED OF A CRIME.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> tramp did not mean that he should be captured. +The summer was at its height, and during +this portion of the year tramps hate to be sent to +jail.</p> + +<p>In the winter they do not mind it so much, for +then they are assured of a warm place to stay and +enough to eat.</p> + +<p>But Joe had made up his mind to capture the +tramp.</p> + +<p>He held on with a great grip, and in vain the +vagabond tried to shake him off.</p> + +<p>“Let me git after him with the broom!” shrieked +Susan Arkley, dancing about.</p> + +<p>While Joe was struggling old Josiah Arkley +went after the tramp who had been shot.</p> + +<p>This fellow was full of rage, and now he threatened +to injure the farmer’s head with a rock.</p> + +<p>It promised to be a lively time all around.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>But Joe soon settled matters, so far as it concerned +the man with whom he was wrestling.</p> + +<p>He broke loose, and then the fellow received a +blow in the face that made him shriek with pain.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Josiah Arkley had struck the +other tramp with the end of the blunderbuss. Susan +had followed with half a dozen whacks from the +broom, and now the chap was pleading for mercy.</p> + +<p>“Give a feller a show ter live!” he groaned. +“Oh! me head! Don’t hit me agin!”</p> + +<p>“Now, Susan, stand guard over him till I git a +rope,” went on old Josiah.</p> + +<p>He disappeared into the barn and soon came out +with ropes and old bits of harness. With these the +tramp was secured, hands and feet.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Joe,” exclaimed the old farmer, +when he saw what our hero had accomplished.</p> + +<p>“Bind him, too, Mr. Arkley.”</p> + +<p>“Sure, Joe, sure,” was the reply, and soon the +second tramp was a prisoner.</p> + +<p>Both were dragged into the barn and there bound +fast to rings in separate stalls.</p> + +<p>The old farmer would take no chances of their +escaping while he went to notify the authorities.</p> + +<p>The tramps in custody, Joe told the farmer about +the accident at the bridge.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>Josiah Arkley at once agreed to let Joe have his +large farm wagon and a team.</p> + +<p>This would give the two boys plenty of room for +themselves and their bicycles.</p> + +<p>“You can put the team up in Mr. Burns’ barn, +and I’ll be over for it to-morrow,” said the farmer.</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and Joe drove off, taking +Josiah Arkley with him until the turn in the road +beyond the heavy trees was reached.</p> + +<p>Then the farmer left him to walk to the next +village for a constable, while Joe turned the team +toward the river.</p> + +<p>Our hero found Dick where he had left him.</p> + +<p>“You have been gone a long time, Joe,” cried +Dick. “I thought you were never coming back.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so; I had something happen that I didn’t +look for,” returned Joe.</p> + +<p>And as he helped Dick into the wagon on the top +of a number of blankets, he told his friend of what +had occurred. Dick was much astonished.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good job done to capture those tramps,” +he remarked. “Father says the law against them +isn’t half strong enough.”</p> + +<p>Joe piled the two bicycles on the back of the +wagon. Dick’s was sadly bent and would have to +be sent away for repairs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>“Never mind,” said the lawyer’s son. “I am +very thankful we both escaped with our lives.”</p> + +<p>“And so am I,” said Joe with a shudder, as he +started the team off.</p> + +<p>On they jogged slowly until the few lights of the +town appeared in sight. By this time Dick was +much fatigued, and Joe had to drive slower than +ever.</p> + +<p>When they turned into the Burns garden the +house door opened and the lawyer came out.</p> + +<p>“Hullo! I thought it was Dick returning,” he +called out.</p> + +<p>“It is I, father,” replied the son. “We’ve been +in a smash-up.”</p> + +<p>At once the lawyer came down, and soon his wife +and Carrie Burns followed.</p> + +<p>Dick was helped out of the wagon and almost +carried into the house, where he was made comfortable +on his bed.</p> + +<p>Dick told the lawyer about the team, and Mr. +Burns willingly consented to keep it over night.</p> + +<p>“And I’ll pay Mr. Arkley, too,” he said.</p> + +<p>Joe put the team up and was on the point of +leaving, when a man rushed up to the house.</p> + +<p>It was Simon Pepper, the village watchmaker. +He kept a small store on the main street, filled with +watches, clocks, and cheap jewelry.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>“Ha! I have you!” he cried, running up to Joe +and catching our hero by the arm.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Mr. Pepper?” asked Joe in +surprise.</p> + +<p>“You know well enough what’s the matter,” +fumed the watchmaker. He was a little man and +of a very excitable nature.</p> + +<p>“I must say I haven’t the slightest idea,” returned +Joe.</p> + +<p>“Indeed!” was the sneering return. “Maybe +you haven’t been around my shop.”</p> + +<p>“I was around there yesterday to get our clock.”</p> + +<p>“Exactly; and you asked me about my highest-priced +jewelry, too.”</p> + +<p>“I asked about the jewelry. I want to save up +and get my mother a pin for her birthday.”</p> + +<p>“Just so, just so. And you took that key, you +rascal!”</p> + +<p>“What key?”</p> + +<p>“You know well enough. Oh, you are a smart +boy, Joe Johnson, but you can’t play any such trick +on me.”</p> + +<p>And in his rage Simon Pepper shook his fist in +Joe’s face.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Pepper, won’t you explain yourself?” put in +Mr. Burns curiously.</p> + +<p>“Of course, of course, Mr. Burns, in a minute!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +But I can’t stand it to have this young rascal act so +cool about it! Just as if he didn’t know a word!”</p> + +<p>“And I don’t know a word,” added Joe promptly.</p> + +<p>“Well, maybe you’ll know more when you are +behind the bars! Do you hear? Behind the bars! +I came to see Mr. Burns about the case.”</p> + +<p>“A case against Joe?” asked the lawyer.</p> + +<p>“Precisely, Mr. Burns.”</p> + +<p>“What has he done?”</p> + +<p>“Done enough to send him to State’s prison for +ten years.”</p> + +<p>“Impossible!”</p> + +<p>“It is false!” burst from Joe’s lips. The lad +could scarcely believe his ears.</p> + +<p>“It ain’t false; it’s true. Yesterday he was in +my store and stole the key to the back door. To-night +he has been in there and robbed me of nigh +on to a hundred dollars’ worth of jewelry. I’m +going to have him arrested, and then I’m going to +get a warrant and search his home.”</p> + +<p>“I never stole a thing in my life!” ejaculated +Joe.</p> + +<p>“I can prove it, boy, I can prove it! Do you +know why? Because I found your knife back of the +very showcase that was robbed. You used that +knife to throw the catch back on the lock. Don’t +you dare to deny it, or attempt to run away!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV.<br> + +<small>JOE DECLARES HIS INNOCENCE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> a moment Joe could not speak. Here he +was accused of robbing Simon Pepper’s jewelry shop +that very night, when he had not been near the +place.</p> + +<p>He felt in his pocket. True enough, his pocket-knife +was gone.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’ve got the knife safe enough,” sneered +Simon Pepper. “You needn’t look for it.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps Joe dropped the knife yesterday, when +he came for the clock,” suggested the lawyer.</p> + +<p>“No, he didn’t. I swept up, and I would have +found it before.”</p> + +<p>“Joe has been out bicycling with my son.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t help that! He robbed the place, I feel +sure of it,” snapped Simon Pepper. “I’m going to +have him locked up, and then have his house +searched.”</p> + +<p>“You can search the house, and welcome,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +Joe promptly. “You will find nothing there belonging +to you.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe I will—unless you have taken the stuff +off to some other place,” retorted the unreasonable +jeweler.</p> + +<p>In vain Mr. Burns protested that Joe might be +innocent. The hot-headed jeweler would not +listen, and the upshot of the matter was that Joe +was marched to the justice’s house.</p> + +<p>Here, as late as it was, a hearing was had.</p> + +<p>The watchmaker told his story, and told of the +pocket-knife.</p> + +<p>Then he procured a search warrant, that he might +search Mr. Johnson’s home.</p> + +<p>Joe accompanied the crowd to the house. His +mother sat up waiting for him. She was very much +disturbed, as Joe was in the habit of returning home +much earlier than was now the time.</p> + +<p>“Oh, what is the matter!” she cried.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right, mother,” cried Joe. “Mr. Pepper +has got it into his head that I robbed his shop, but +I didn’t, and he can’t prove it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Joe!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson was called, and soon he learned the +particulars of the case on hand.</p> + +<p>He believed Joe’s story that he was innocent.</p> + +<p>Simon Pepper, with a constable, who had come<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +along, now searched the house from cellar to garret. +Of course, not a thing belonging to the watchmaker +was found.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you so!” cried Joe, and not without +a slight ring of triumph in his tones.</p> + +<p>After searching the house the party went to the +barn, and to the woodshed, but all to no purpose.</p> + +<p>“You can easily see that you have made a mistake, +Mr. Pepper,” said Joe’s father.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see. Maybe he has already sold the +stuff he took,” growled the watchmaker.</p> + +<p>He would not listen to Joe’s story of the accident +on the road, and of what had happened at old +Josiah Arkley’s house.</p> + +<p>He wanted Joe arrested, and the justice had to +take his complaint.</p> + +<p>But the official knew Mr. Burns very well, and at +once accepted bail from the lawyer for the boy.</p> + +<p>“And I’ll defend you when the trial comes off,” +he said to Joe. “We all believe you innocent.”</p> + +<p>Joe went home with his father rather downcast. +It was one thing to be innocent, but it was quite +another to prove it. He knew many in the village +would look at him as a thief.</p> + +<p>A shadow on one’s character is very depressing.</p> + +<p>On the following day Joe called on Dick Burns, +and found him much improved, but still unable to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +go out. It would be some time before Dick would +be able to ride his wheel again.</p> + +<p>“Pepper must be crazy!” declared Dick. “Never +mind, I’ll tell what I know of the matter. You +were with me nearly all the evening.”</p> + +<p>“One thing is certain,” said Joe. “His store +was robbed. I wonder who did it?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe tramps,” suggested Dick, and there the +question dropped.</p> + +<p>Joe was glad of one thing, and that was that Dick’s +sister also looked on him as being innocent.</p> + +<p>Several days went by, and Joe’s trial was set +down for the last Wednesday in the month.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the boys at Elmwood, four +miles from Lockport, got up an amateur bicycle +tournament.</p> + +<p>Joe entered the two-mile event, along with half +a dozen boys from Elmwood, and three lads from +Lockport.</p> + +<p>Among those from the latter place was Lemuel +Akers. The big boy was conceited enough to think +he would win the race, although there were a score +of boys in the district who could ride better than +he.</p> + +<p>Joe was not so certain of himself, but he told +Dick he would do his best.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>“And that’s all a chap can do, you know,” he +said.</p> + +<p>“Do your best, Joe, and you will win,” said his +chum confidently.</p> + +<p>The day for the races dawned bright and clear, +and among those who attended were Joe’s parents +and the entire Burns family.</p> + +<p>Joe cut a very trim figure as he rode on to the +track in the parade, which headed off the entertainment.</p> + +<p>Only one boy looked at our hero with disdain, +and that was Lemuel.</p> + +<p>As he passed Joe he muttered something about +“jailbird.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” demanded Joe sharply.</p> + +<p>“You heard me well enough,” sneered the big boy.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he spoken when Joe leaned from +his seat and struck Akers over the mouth with the +flat of his hand.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V.<br> + +<small>JOE’S FIRST RACE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Several</span> who were riding close by saw Joe strike +Akers.</p> + +<p>As for Lemuel himself, he was so astonished that +for the moment he could scarcely speak.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by that?” he managed to +gasp at last.</p> + +<p>He had half-leaped, half-tumbled from his +machine, and now he strode up to Joe, his face dark +with passion.</p> + +<p>“I mean a good deal,” retorted Joe, and he leaped +down in front of Akers.</p> + +<p>“What’s the row, Joe?”</p> + +<p>“What did you strike Akers for?”</p> + +<p>“It’s against the rules to scrap on the grounds.”</p> + +<p>“He called me a jailbird, boys, and I won’t take +that from any one, rules or no rules.”</p> + +<p>“For shame, Akers!”</p> + +<p>“Joe hasn’t been proved guilty yet.”</p> + +<p>“And he isn’t guilty, to my way of thinking.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>Nearly all of the boys sided with Joe.</p> + +<p>“Humph, evidently you are all with him, and +I’ve got no rights here,” growled Lemuel Akers.</p> + +<p>“You have certainly no right to call him a jailbird,” +returned the manager of the races warmly. +“I don’t blame Joe for slapping you in the mouth.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix him for it!” grumbled Lemuel, but instead +of advancing upon Joe, who stood on guard +and ready to administer a good thrashing to the +bully, he backed away, mounted his wheel, and rode +off to another part of the grounds.</p> + +<p>After that Akers was knowing enough to keep +out of Joe’s way until the two-mile race came off.</p> + +<p>There was that in Joe’s eye that warned him to +beware, and, as we have said before, he was a +coward at heart.</p> + +<p>The two-mile race was the last of all.</p> + +<p>A big crowd had assembled, for several valuable +prizes were to be given to the winners of the first +and second place.</p> + +<p>The boys lined up in good form.</p> + +<p>“All ready?”</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Off went the pistol, and off went the racers. It +was a splendid start.</p> + +<p>The track was a quarter of a mile around, so the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +boys had to cover eight laps in order to make the +two miles.</p> + +<p>At the first lap one of the Elmwood boys was in +the lead, with Lemuel Akers second, and another +boy third.</p> + +<p>The second lap was the same, excepting that +Lemuel was crowding the leader pretty closely.</p> + +<p>“Akers is going to win that race!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet on Donnelly!”</p> + +<p>On the third lap Joe dropped to fourth place.</p> + +<p>“Wake up, Joe!” shouted Dick Burns. “Wake +up!”</p> + +<p>Joe paid no attention to this remark, but kept +his eyes straight ahead.</p> + +<p>On the next lap there was a bunch up among +the three last riders, and two went down, with the +third over them.</p> + +<p>Friends helped the unfortunates off the track, just +in time to avoid a collision with the leaders on the +next lap.</p> + +<p>Around and around went the remaining riders +until the last lap was on.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers was leading, Donnelly second, +and Joe third.</p> + +<p>“Go it, Akers!”</p> + +<p>“Catch him, Donnelly!”</p> + +<p>“Go, Joe, go!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>The last cry was from Dick Burns’ sister, and it +seemed to put new life into our hero.</p> + +<p>Away he went like a flash. It was an extraordinary +spurt, and told only too well what was in +Joe’s make-up as a bicyclist.</p> + +<p>They were on the home stretch.</p> + +<p>Donnelly was also spurting.</p> + +<p>In vain Lemuel Akers tried to maintain his +lead.</p> + +<p>Donnelly crept up inch by inch and finally passed +him.</p> + +<p>“It’s Donnelly’s race!”</p> + +<p>“I told you he could beat Akers.”</p> + +<p>But now the crowd suddenly held its breath.</p> + +<p>Like a meteor Joe was coming up.</p> + +<p>Nothing could stop him.</p> + +<p>With flashing wheels he rushed by Akers.</p> + +<p>Donnelly was but a yard ahead.</p> + +<p>And the tape but ten yards distant.</p> + +<p>Donnelly did his best, but in vain.</p> + +<p>“Joe Johnson has won!”</p> + +<p>It was true, for our hero had come over the tape +just one foot ahead of Donnelly.</p> + +<p>The crowd went wild and shouted itself hoarse. +The Lockport boys rushed to Joe, hauled him from +his wheel, and marched around the track with their +hero on their shoulders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>It was a great day for Joe, and one that he never +forgot.</p> + +<p>Dick Burns was almost as much pleased as our +hero.</p> + +<p>“I knew you could do it, Joe,” he said. “One of +these days you will be a leading racer, mark my +words.”</p> + +<p>And Dick’s sister also praised Joe.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers was much taken down by Joe’s +victory. As soon as he could he left the race track +grounds and started off for a little village called +Bailey’s, two miles to the west.</p> + +<p>Here Akers spent a good two hours at the +tavern.</p> + +<p>He was not above drinking, and now he took just +enough to make him thoroughly ugly.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix him yet,” muttered Lemuel to himself. +“He shan’t ride it over me.”</p> + +<p>Lemuel felt doubly chagrined because Dick +Burns’ sister no longer noticed him.</p> + +<p>It was not until evening that Akers started to +return to Lockport.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Joe had returned home and +had supper.</p> + +<p>Our hero felt rather wakeful after his hard ride, +and thought a quiet spin on his wheel just before +going to bed would do him good.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>So he went off alone, a crowd of boys cheering +him as he passed out of sight.</p> + +<p>He was a hero, and for the time being, at least, +the fact that he was under suspicion was forgotten.</p> + +<p>Joe pedaled along for about a mile very slowly. +Then he came to a part of the road which was +fringed with blackberry bushes. The ripe fruit +looked so tempting that he dismounted, and, setting +his machine against a tree, began to gather some to +eat. While he was doing this Lemuel Akers came +along.</p> + +<p>“Hullo! what are you doing there?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>“None of your business,” replied Joe sharply. +He had not forgotten Lemuel’s insult at the race +track.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you know this is my uncle’s land?” went +on the big boy.</p> + +<p>“It’s not fenced in, and any one has a right to +pick these berries along the road,” responded our +hero.</p> + +<p>“You have no right, and I want you to skip!” +roared Akers savagely.</p> + +<p>And then, as he rode close to Joe, he struck our +hero with a stout stick he carried.</p> + +<p>“That’s for hitting me at the race track,” he +cried, and wheeled off at top speed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>Joe was somewhat stunned by the blow from the +stick. He staggered into the bushes, and in consequence +one hand was scratched in several +places.</p> + +<p>But he quickly recovered, and, mounting his +wheel, rode after Akers.</p> + +<p>Finding himself pursued, the bully pedaled along +at top speed down a side road. At first it looked +as if he would get away from Joe, but just as the +foot of a long hill was reached, our hero caught up +beside him.</p> + +<p>“Stop, Akers, or I’ll knock you off of your +machine!” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you dare to touch me!” screamed +Akers.</p> + +<p>He tried to go on, and, seeing this, Joe gave +him a shove, which hurled the rascal to the +ground.</p> + +<p>Lemuel went down on his bicycle, half a dozen +spokes of which were badly bent in the fall. When +he arose he found Joe also on the ground, but on +his feet.</p> + +<p>“Now, see what you have done, you jailbird,” he +cried.</p> + +<p>“Take back those words, Lemuel Akers!” exclaimed +Joe. “I warned you before, and I won’t +warn you again.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>“I won’t take ’em back,” howled the big boy. +“You are a jailbird and a thief, and every one——”</p> + +<p>Lemuel went no further.</p> + +<p>Joe’s right fist shot out like lightning. The big +boy was caught fairly on the chin, and over he went +flat on his back in the dirt of the road.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI.<br> + +<small>PAUL JOHNSON’S PERIL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lemuel Akers</span> was so dazed by the blow he had +received that it was fully a minute before he recovered +sufficiently to stand on his feet.</p> + +<p>“What did you hit me with that club for?” he +bellowed.</p> + +<p>“I hit with my fist, and I’ll do it again unless +you take back what you said,” replied Joe. “I’ll +fight you with one hand,” he added.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers was fearfully frightened. He had +never imagined that our hero was so strong. He +glared at Joe, but did not dare attack him just then.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix you one of these days,” he muttered, and +picked up his wheel.</p> + +<p>“I want you to take back what you said,” went +on Joe calmly, and he came a step closer to Lemuel.</p> + +<p>The big boy was now thoroughly scared. He +would have run away, but he understood that such +an attempt would be fruitless.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>“I—I—maybe I made a mistake,” he whined.</p> + +<p>“You are a low, despicable fellow, Lemuel Akers! +Now go; and beware how you speak of me in the +future.”</p> + +<p>So speaking, Joe turned on his heel, mounted his +wheel, and rode off. He was thoroughly disgusted +with Lemuel.</p> + +<p>The meeting had disturbed our hero not a little, +and it took an hour’s riding to make him easy in +mind once more.</p> + +<p>Lemuel’s words rang most unpleasantly in his +ears. Would they convict him when the trial came +off? Would they really send him to jail? The +thought was fearful. His fair name would be +blasted forever.</p> + +<p>“I must do something toward clearing myself,” +he thought. “If only I could find the real thief!”</p> + +<p>On the following day a heavy storm came up. It +rained for forty-eight hours, and, in consequence, +the river which flowed to the west of Lockport was +considerably swollen.</p> + +<p>Joe’s younger brother, Paul, owned a rowboat, +which was tied up on this stream. The rowboat +broke away, and on the day it cleared, Paul went +off in search of his property.</p> + +<p>Joe had some work to do about the house after +school hours, but about four o’clock in the afternoon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +he finished up, and then rode off on his wheel +to see what had become of Paul, and if his brother’s +boat had been found.</p> + +<p>The roads were heavy after the rain, and wheeling +was not very good. Joe went along slowly, and +in several places he had to dismount and walk.</p> + +<p>Just as he neared the stream he met three villainous-looking +tramps. They had been camping out in +an old shanty by the roadside. The tramps saw Joe +some distance off, and at once began to whisper +together.</p> + +<p>“Hi, there, young feller!” called one of the +tramps.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” asked Joe.</p> + +<p>“Give us a bit of terbacker, will yer?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t use it.”</p> + +<p>“Then give us the price o’ a paper, that’s a good +son.”</p> + +<p>“I have nothing for you.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t git imperdent, son.”</p> + +<p>And then the three tramps placed themselves +directly in Joe’s path.</p> + +<p>It was a lonely part of the road, and our hero +realized that the tramps intended to stop him and +go through his pockets. It was not the first time +such a hold-up had occurred in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>“Clear the way!” cried Joe sharply.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>“Just you step down and pony up,” returned the +leader of the trio.</p> + +<p>“I won’t. Look out!”</p> + +<p>As Joe spoke he turned back as if to retreat. At +once the three tramps made after him.</p> + +<p>Our hero waited until they were somewhat scattered, +and then he turned again.</p> + +<p>Like a flash he passed the two leading road ruffians.</p> + +<p>The third tramp, a slight-built fellow, was directly +in his way.</p> + +<p>Whack! Joe’s wheel hit him directly in the side, +and with a howl he went down in the mud.</p> + +<p>Joe was almost unseated, but he managed to right +his machine, and on he went.</p> + +<p>When he had covered a good fifty yards he looked +back. All three of the tramps were shaking their +fists after him.</p> + +<p>“That’s the time I got out of a tight pocket,” +said Joe to himself.</p> + +<p>The tramps did not remain long in the vicinity. +They were afraid Joe would return with help and +place them under arrest.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later brought our hero to the river. +He was surprised to see how greatly the recent +rains had swollen it. From a small creek it had +grown into a swiftly-flowing river.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>He looked up and down for Paul, but could see +nothing of his brother.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go below to Factory Falls,” he thought. +“Maybe the boat went over the falls and was +smashed to pieces.”</p> + +<p>There was a fair road along the river bank, and +along this our hero wheeled his way.</p> + +<p>Presently he came to an iron bridge which +spanned the river. Not fifty feet below were the +Factory Falls, where the waters dropped a distance +of twenty feet and more.</p> + +<p>Joe wheeled on the bridge, and as he did so he +noticed a rowboat away up the stream, with a +single occupant in it.</p> + +<p>As the rowboat came nearer, Joe saw that the +person in it was a boy. He was standing up and +waving his hands wildly.</p> + +<p>“By jinks! That fellow has no oars!” exclaimed +our hero suddenly.</p> + +<p>On came the rowboat. It was caught in the mad +current, and in a few minutes more would pass +under the bridge and be hurled over the roaring +falls.</p> + +<p>Then Joe made a discovery that caused his heart +to leap into his throat.</p> + +<p>The boat was Paul’s craft and the occupant was +his brother!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>“Save me! Save me!” screamed Paul Johnson.</p> + +<p>He saw Joe and held out his hands in despair.</p> + +<p>What was to be done?</p> + +<p>A thought flashed across Joe’s mind. There was +one way in which his brother might be saved—only +one.</p> + +<p>Catching hold of one end of his bicycle our hero +lowered the other end over the side of the bridge.</p> + +<p>He leaned down as far as he dared.</p> + +<p>“Catch hold of the wheel, Paul!” he yelled +hoarsely.</p> + +<p>Ten seconds more and it would be decided if Paul +Johnson would be saved or if he would be dashed +over the falls to his death.</p> + +<p>The rowboat was coming along swiftly. Already +it was in the shadow of the bridge.</p> + +<p>Joe bent down still further. One hand clutched +the wheel, the other a brace of the bridge.</p> + +<p>And now the rowboat was directly beneath. +Paul stretched out his hands, but could not reach +the wheel.</p> + +<p>“Jump! It’s your only chance!” shouted Joe.</p> + +<p>And leaping on a seat, Paul jumped as high as +he could.</p> + +<p>His fingers grasped the lower rim of the bicycle +wheel.</p> + +<p>From under him swept the frail rowboat, to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +dashed to pieces over the falls but a moment +later.</p> + +<p>The weight of his brother’s body was a great +strain on Joe, but he managed to keep himself on +the bridge.</p> + +<p>“Hold tight, Paul!” he cried encouragingly.</p> + +<p>“I will, but I can’t climb!” gasped the younger +boy.</p> + +<p>“I’ll pull you up!”</p> + +<p>And Joe did pull him up, until Paul was able to +step upon a bridge support and spring to the foot-planks.</p> + +<p>Paul Johnson was saved!</p> + +<p>He let out a sob and threw himself into his +brother’s arms.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Joe!”</p> + +<p>It was all he could say, but the way he uttered +the words was enough.</p> + +<p>Joe was scarcely less affected. To lose his +younger brother would have been a bitter blow to +him.</p> + +<p>For some time the two boys remained on the +bridge to catch their breath and to get over the intense +strain they had endured.</p> + +<p>“Your boat is gone, Paul,” said Joe, at length.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care. I wouldn’t want to go on the +river any more, anyhow,” shuddered Paul.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>“It always was a dangerous sport, Paul. Let us +both save up, and we’ll buy a wheel for you to +ride.”</p> + +<p>Paul was too much overcome to walk home, and +he rode behind Joe the greater part of the distance.</p> + +<p>Our hero wanted to say nothing about the rescue, +but Paul would not keep silent, and soon it was +related how Joe had played the part of a hero.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII.<br> + +<small>THE BULLY RECEIVES A LESSON.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning when Joe went to school he +was immediately surrounded by a crowd of the +boys.</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers says you intend to fight him with +one hand,” said half a dozen at once.</p> + +<p>“I said I would,” replied Joe. “I don’t want to +fight, but he must be more civil with his tongue.”</p> + +<p>Many of the boys shook their heads at this. +They believed Joe could whip the bully with two +hands, but when it came to one hand only they +were doubtful.</p> + +<p>Many of the boys expected an encounter between +the pair before school, but the bully was late and +school was called when he came along.</p> + +<p>There would be no chance to fight at noon, so it +was arranged that the encounter should occur after +school.</p> + +<p>But toward the middle of the afternoon the sky +grew black, and soon it began to rain.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>“That will spoil all,” said Larry Dare, one of the +boys. “They can’t fight in a howling rainstorm.”</p> + +<p>“True,” replied Sam Anderson, another of the +pupils. “They’ll have to wait until to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>When school let out it was raining as hard as +ever.</p> + +<p>The master was in a hurry to get off and called +one of the big boys to him.</p> + +<p>“Lathrop,” he said. “I am going off. If the +boys want to stay in the schoolroom until it clears +off let them. I will look to you to lock up.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“And, Lathrop, see to it that no skylarking +occurs,” added Mr. Chalmondey, as he left.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” replied Lathrop again, and grinned +from ear to ear.</p> + +<p>“Now is your chance, fellows!” he cried as soon +as the master was gone. “Have it out and done +with.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing,” said Joe quietly, but with determination.</p> + +<p>“So am I,” growled the bully, who felt sure that +he could give our hero a sound drubbing.</p> + +<p>A piece of rope was procured, and after Joe had +fixed up his clothing to suit himself, his left hand +was tied behind him. Then Lemuel Akers faced +him, and a ring was formed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>“All ready?” asked Larry Dare. “Very well, +now go in and wax him, Joe!”</p> + +<p>“It’s Lem will do the waxing!” retorted Jake +Foley, one of the bully’s toadies.</p> + +<p>Our hero and the bully watched each other like +two cats. For several seconds neither made any +effort to reach each other.</p> + +<p>Then Lemuel struck out, but Joe leaped to one +side.</p> + +<p>With only one hand it was useless to attempt to +parry a blow.</p> + +<p>Then out shot his fist, and the bully caught a +stinging blow that caused him to stagger back +against a desk.</p> + +<p>“Good for Joe!” cried a large part of the crowd.</p> + +<p>As quickly as he could Lemuel rushed up once +again. He struck out several times in quick +succession and at last his left hand reached Joe’s +neck.</p> + +<p>It left a long scratch behind it.</p> + +<p>Our hero immediately made an important discovery. +Lemuel, even with the advantage of two +hands against one, was not fighting him fair.</p> + +<p>The bully had something sharp concealed in the +palm of each closed hand.</p> + +<p>The moment that Joe made the discovery that +the bully was not fighting fair he called out time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>“Got enough, have you!” cried Jake Foley.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got enough of this sort of fighting,” replied +our hero calmly.</p> + +<p>“Why, what’s the matter, Joe?” questioned +Larry.</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers is not fighting me fair.”</p> + +<p>At this announcement nearly all the boys were +greatly astonished.</p> + +<p>“He is fighting fair,” blustered Jake Foley.</p> + +<p>“He is not—and you know it,” retorted Joe. +“He has something hard and sharp doubled up in +each hand.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a lie!” blustered the bully.</p> + +<p>“Make him open both of his hands!” suggested +several boys.</p> + +<p>“You mind your own business,” put in Jake +Foley.</p> + +<p>“It’s my business to see that Joe has a fair show,” +said Larry Dare.</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” added Sam Anderson.</p> + +<p>“See here, I am here to fight, not to talk,” +howled Lemuel.</p> + +<p>“But you must fight fair,” said Carl Lathrop. +“If you are honest, open both of your hands.”</p> + +<p>This the bully would not do.</p> + +<p>While he was hesitating Joe winked to Larry.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>He retired for an instant, then came forward and +caught the bully by both wrists.</p> + +<p>“Now open your fists,” he said sternly.</p> + +<p>“Let go my wrists.”</p> + +<p>In vain Lemuel tried to free himself.</p> + +<p>Jake Foley wanted to spring in at Joe, but Sam +and Larry held him back.</p> + +<p>Soon Lemuel began to squirm, for Joe was pressing +his wrists hard.</p> + +<p>“Don’t break my hands!” shrieked the bully at +last.</p> + +<p>“Then open your fists,” said our hero, and unable +to endure the pressure longer, the bully opened +both hands.</p> + +<p>Two sharp pieces of iron about half an inch in +diameter fell to the floor.</p> + +<p>A howl went up from the schoolboys.</p> + +<p>“Joe was right!”</p> + +<p>“Shame on you, Akers!”</p> + +<p>“Give him a big licking now, Joe!”</p> + +<p>Suddenly Joe let go his hold. Then he hauled +off and gave the bully a sharp poke right in the +nose.</p> + +<p>The blood spouted, and the bully fell with a +crash up against a desk. For fully a minute he lay +dazed, his eyes rolling wildly.</p> + +<p>Jake Foley assisted Lemuel to rise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>As the big boy got up a vivid streak of lightning +nearly blinded every one in the schoolroom.</p> + +<p>There followed a deafening peal of thunder, +which shook the building from top to bottom. Instead +of abating, the storm was increasing in +violence.</p> + +<p>The thunder and lightning drove all thoughts of +fighting out of the scholars’ minds. They huddled +together, Joe surrounded by his friends.</p> + +<p>Not far away stood Lemuel and Foley, both shaking +in their shoes.</p> + +<p>The rain came down in torrents, and Carl Lathrop +went around to shut up all the windows.</p> + +<p>“This is the worst yet,” he said. “I’m glad I +ain’t on the road.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it would be safer on the road than in +here,” observed Sam, as the roll of thunder sounded +out again.</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” replied Carl.</p> + +<p>A few minutes passed, and it looked as if the +rain was letting up.</p> + +<p>Akers and Foley moved toward the door, for they +wished to get away just as quick as they could.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix you another time,” growled the bully, +looking toward Joe.</p> + +<p>“I’ll be ready for you any time,” returned our +hero calmly. “But you’ll have to fight fair.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>At that instant a blinding flash of lightning +struck terror to nearly every one in the building.</p> + +<p>Amid the roar of thunder the lightning seemed +to enter the schoolroom by the open doorway.</p> + +<p>It ran along several desks, and, with a report like +that of a gun, disappeared up the chimney.</p> + +<p>Larry Dare was knocked flat, and several others +were partly stunned.</p> + +<p>A sulphurous odor filled the place, and a moment +later a fire blazed up near the chimneypiece.</p> + +<p>“Get out of here, boys!” cried Joe. “Quick!”</p> + +<p>Blinded and confused, the boys ran out of the +building into the pelting rain.</p> + +<p>Joe waited long enough to pick up Larry’s unconscious +form, and then he followed.</p> + +<p>There was a shed not far away, and here Larry +was placed on an old door. He was not seriously +hurt, and soon returned to consciousness.</p> + +<p>The boys were so bewildered they did not know +what to do. They stood around like a flock of +sheep.</p> + +<p>“The schoolhouse is on fire!” suddenly cried +Carl Lathrop. “See the smoke coming out of the +door!”</p> + +<p>But this report was not true, and presently the +boys went back to the building. The bully of the +school, however, had disappeared.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII.<br> + +<small>A GALLANT SWIM.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next day on account of the damage to the +chimney, which was almost completely demolished +by the lightning, there was no school and Joe and +Sam Anderson got together and went off for a +morning’s fishing.</p> + +<p>The mountain streams about the place were much +swollen because of the heavy rain, and they had +little hope of catching much, but they thought the +outing would be pleasant.</p> + +<p>They started out bright and early, their poles +over their shoulders and their tackle in a basket.</p> + +<p>They soon had their lines in readiness, each fixed +with a tempting bait.</p> + +<p>Joe was the first to cast in, and also the first to +draw out a fine fat fish, but Sam was not far behind.</p> + +<p>Then they went further up the stream, each with +a small string of fish at the end of his rod.</p> + +<p>Hardly a hundred feet had been covered when a +shrill scream startled both boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>“What was that?” cried Sam, coming to a +halt.</p> + +<p>“A woman’s voice,” responded our hero.</p> + +<p>Both listened intently.</p> + +<p>Again the shrill cry rang out, coming from some +distance up the stream.</p> + +<p>“Come on!” called Joe, and set off on a run with +Sam beside him.</p> + +<p>A beautiful young girl was struggling wildly in the +middle of the swiftly-flowing stream.</p> + +<p>She had been in the act of crossing a cove when +the bridge gave way in the center.</p> + +<p>“She will be drowned,” ejaculated Sam Anderson.</p> + +<p>“It is Carrie Burns!” called out Joe, a second +later, and with a wildly beating heart.</p> + +<p>“What’s to do?” asked Sam, as he stood helpless.</p> + +<p>Our hero thought for a moment. To swim out +into midstream and save the girl was out of the +question. The water ran so swiftly no landing +could be made with any burden.</p> + +<p>“The fishlines!” cried Joe. “Be quick, Sam.”</p> + +<p>He brought out his own line and Sam’s and +twisted them together.</p> + +<p>Then fastening the end of this double line around +his waist he leaped boldly into the mountain torrent.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>The water bubbled and foamed all around him. +But he struck out undaunted.</p> + +<p>“Save me!” cried Carrie Burns, and then she +went under the surface, to reappear at a distance of +fifty feet down stream.</p> + +<p>When she came up Joe was but a few yards +away. He struck out with renewed energy and +soon managed to catch hold of her by the arm.</p> + +<p>“Cling to me, Carrie!” he said, “and I will save +you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Joe, do not let me drown!” gasped the poor, +frightened girl.</p> + +<p>She clung to our hero, and he called out to Sam +to haul in on the fishlines.</p> + +<p>“And be careful,” he added, “or the line——”</p> + +<p>He got no further.</p> + +<p>Crack! Both lines parted and down the stream +went Joe and the girl he was trying to save.</p> + +<p>The force of the mountain stream rolled our hero +and the girl over and over.</p> + +<p>The girl gasped with terror and consequently +swallowed a large quantity of water.</p> + +<p>This filled her with terror and she clutched at +Joe’s neck until he was almost strangled.</p> + +<p>But he managed finally to keep her at a distance +and in this manner they swept on and on.</p> + +<p>The boy knew that something must be done, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +that quickly. The girl could not endure the water +much longer.</p> + +<p>He looked ahead. Twenty yards further down +stream was a clump of willows. Some of the long +lashes hung within a foot or two of the surface of +the bubbling torrent.</p> + +<p>Could he grasp hold as they sped by? He resolved +to try.</p> + +<p>In a second more he was directly beneath the first +of the overhanging boughs.</p> + +<p>He sprang up as far as he could and caught hold +of a handful of the lashes.</p> + +<p>For a brief half-minute they held him, then one +after another parted and he and his fair burden +swept onward.</p> + +<p>But Joe was not dismayed by this failure.</p> + +<p>Another bough was reached, and again his hand +went up. This time he caught hold of a strong +bough, and although it bent far into the water, +it did not break.</p> + +<p>“Sam! Sam!” he called.</p> + +<p>“I’m coming!” was the reply, and Sam Anderson +appeared at the foot of the willow tree.</p> + +<p>“Can you crawl out on the limb and help me?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try it,” replied Sam Anderson.</p> + +<p>Throwing down his rods and lines Sam began the +ascent of the tree.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>Soon he was at a point directly over our hero’s +head.</p> + +<p>Holding on to the willow lashes with one hand, +Joe raised the limp form of the girl with the other.</p> + +<p>A lot of muscle was required to reach Sam, but +it was not wanting.</p> + +<p>As soon as Sam had Carrie Burns safe on the +upper branch Joe climbed into the tree without +trouble.</p> + +<p>Between them they managed to get the girl to +shore. Here they worked over her for ten minutes. +At the end of that time she opened her eyes and sat +up.</p> + +<p>“Where am I?” she asked faintly.</p> + +<p>“You are safe, Carrie, don’t worry,” replied Joe +gently.</p> + +<p>It was a full hour before Carrie Burns felt strong +enough to return to her home.</p> + +<p>Once again Joe was praised for his bravery. Mr. +and Mrs. Burns were particularly warm toward our +hero, while Dick fairly hugged him.</p> + +<p>On the following day school opened as usual.</p> + +<p>Jake Foley sneaked in without saying a word to +anybody.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers did not appear, nor did he show +up for a week. Then he pretended to ignore Joe +entirely.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>About a week later Carl Lathrop proposed a game +of hare and hounds.</p> + +<p>The others eagerly assented, and an afternoon +was set for the game.</p> + +<p>Joe and Carl were chosen as hares, and Larry +and Sam as captains of the hounds, or “whippers-in.”</p> + +<p>To those who have never played the game, we +would say that the hares are given a certain time to +get away in, leaving a trail of white bits of paper +behind them. Usually a game lasts half, or at +times a whole day.</p> + +<p>School let out early, and five minutes later our +hero and Carl Lathrop were ready to leave, each +with a big bag of white paper under his arm.</p> + +<p>“All ready!” asked Sam.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then away! Ten minutes for a start and no +more!”</p> + +<p>On the instant Joe and Carl were off.</p> + +<p>“Which way?” asked Carl.</p> + +<p>“Let us make for the Sand Cliffs.”</p> + +<p>“All right.”</p> + +<p>The Sand Cliffs were back of a long series of +hills, about four miles from the schoolhouse.</p> + +<p>As the two boys ran on they talked about the +others.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>“It’s funny Lemuel Akers wouldn’t join in,” said +Carl. “I suppose he is mad because he wasn’t +chosen a hare.”</p> + +<p>“Well, somebody must be a hound,” replied Joe. +“Never mind; let us forget the mean fellow.”</p> + +<p>An hour’s running brought them to the Sand +Cliffs.</p> + +<p>“We must be pretty well ahead,” said Carl. +“Let us rest for a few minutes in the shade.”</p> + +<p>“All right; I’m willing,” said our hero.</p> + +<p>The two threw themselves down at the foot of a +high cliff.</p> + +<p>As they did this a boy who had been taking it +easy behind some bushes came out at the top of the +cliff.</p> + +<p>The boy was Lemuel Akers. When he saw Joe +his face took on a hard, crafty look.</p> + +<p>“So now I have you at my mercy!” he muttered +to himself.</p> + +<p>Close to the edge of the cliff rested a big rock. +It lay in such a position that if rolled over +the edge it would land directly upon our hero’s +head.</p> + +<p>Lemuel sized up the rock, and then, stealing up +to it, shoved hard against it with his hands and his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>There was a scraping of loose pebbles, and then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +over the edge of the cliff rolled the rock, crashing +down in a direct line for Joe’s head!</p> + +<p>Had the big rock fallen as expected our hero +would have been crushed to death.</p> + +<p>But a single thing saved our hero. The falling +of several loose pebbles caused him to look up just +before the rock came down.</p> + +<p>“Jump back!” he yelled to Carl.</p> + +<p>And then he made one swift leap to the right.</p> + +<p>Boom! Down came the rock, burying itself +several inches in the sand. It had escaped Joe’s +head by a narrow six inches.</p> + +<p>The sand flew all over both boys.</p> + +<p>Carl grew pale as death and was unable to say a +word.</p> + +<p>“By Jove, but that was a narrow escape,” murmured +our hero as soon as he recovered from his +shock.</p> + +<p>When Akers realized how his plan had miscarried +he fled from the spot.</p> + +<p>“I—I wonder what made it come down?” gasped +Carl at last.</p> + +<p>“I suppose it was on the edge and we must have +disturbed it when we shied those stones up at the +birds,” replied Joe.</p> + +<p>Not for a moment did he imagine that it was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +work of his enemy. He was too good-hearted to +think so ill of any one.</p> + +<p>The boys were afraid the hounds would catch +them, and so after leaving a bunch of white paper +beside the big rock, they hurried on to finish the +game of hare and hounds.</p> + +<p>They ran along the Sand Cliffs for nearly a mile +and then turned their noses homeward.</p> + +<p>From a long distance behind came the toot of a +horn carried by Sam Anderson.</p> + +<p>“We are safe, unless we run into some pocket,” +said Joe.</p> + +<p>“We must be careful,” rejoined Carl.</p> + +<p>Naturally light-hearted, both lads soon forgot the +dire peril through which they had passed.</p> + +<p>They ran on and on, across a patch of woods and +then forded a brook, where they also stopped long +enough to bathe their faces and get a drink.</p> + +<p>“Run around that clump of bushes and across the +lot and back and put the paper everywhere,” said +Joe. “That will puzzle them to find the trail.”</p> + +<p>This was done by Carl, and then on they went, +almost as fresh as when they had started.</p> + +<p>The woods passed, they emerged into a large +sheep field. The flock of sheep was grazing at one +end and they stopped for a minute to look at the +animals.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>Then on they went again, but the adventure on +the Sand Cliffs had taken the sport out of Joe, and +ere they reached home the hares were caught.</p> + +<p>On the way to Lockport, Sam walked beside Joe +and talked over the game.</p> + +<p>“By the way,” said Sam. “Who do you suppose +I saw sneaking along the Sand Cliffs?”</p> + +<p>“Who?” asked our hero with much interest.</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers. As soon as I saw him he darted +out of sight.”</p> + +<p>Joe did not answer to this. But he did a good +bit of thinking.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX.<br> + +<small>IN AN OLD COAL MINE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> the failure of his plot at the Sand Cliffs +the bully of Lockport was more sour than ever +toward Joe.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get square, see if I don’t,” he said to Jake +Foley.</p> + +<p>Foley did not know how Lemuel had tried to +harm Joe at the Sand Cliffs, but he was willing to +do anything his chum desired.</p> + +<p>More especially was he willing to help Lemuel +when one day our hero pitched into him for beating +a little boy on the way to school. The little boy +was lame, and Joe became so angry he gave Jake a +most severe chastising.</p> + +<p>“You big brute,” he said when he was done. +“Next time tackle a lad of your size.”</p> + +<p>Jake sneaked off, with his heart full of bitterness.</p> + +<p>“I would like to fix Joe Johnson,” he said.</p> + +<p>“So would I,” said Lemuel.</p> + +<p>“Can’t we lead him into some sort of a trap?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>“Maybe, if we watch our chance,” returned the +bully.</p> + +<p>So they both watched Joe closely. But day after +day went and still no chance came to light.</p> + +<p>But in the meantime Lemuel fell in with Phil +Henderson, the tramp who had received such a +knock-down on the road from Joe, when he and his +cronies had wanted to rob the boy.</p> + +<p>Phil Henderson was also waiting for a chance to +“fix” Joe, and he readily agreed to help Lemuel +and Jake in any plan they projected.</p> + +<p>One day Jake came to the others with a wicked +smile on his face.</p> + +<p>“Now we can fix him,” he said.</p> + +<p>“How?” demanded Lemuel.</p> + +<p>“Joe has made a bet that he is not afraid to walk +through the old coal mine at midnight. Sam +Anderson dared him to do it, and he is going to +walk through the mine to-morrow night.”</p> + +<p>“And will he be alone?” asked Phil Henderson +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Of course. He is to take a pack of marked +cards, and drop them here and there as he walks +along, so the boys can see the next morning if he +really went into all the dark holes and corners.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” muttered Lemuel.</p> + +<p>“We’ll fix things,” said Henderson.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>Then he talked on for several minutes in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>“Is it a go?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied both boys.</p> + +<p>“Then that is settled. If Joe Johnson visits the +old mine to-morrow night he will never come out as +he went in.”</p> + +<p>What Jake Foley had said about our hero was +true.</p> + +<p>In a joke Sam Anderson had proposed the midnight +visit.</p> + +<p>The deserted coal mine was a very lonely place. +Some of the simple country folks thought it was +haunted by the ghost of a man who had been killed +there once by a premature blast, and few in the district +cared to go near the place at night.</p> + +<p>But Joe knew no such thing as fear.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet you a first-class pocket-knife you don’t +dare go,” said Sam.</p> + +<p>And then several other boys offered to bet.</p> + +<p>“All right, I take you all up,” declared Joe.</p> + +<p>The boys would not at first believe him.</p> + +<p>It was our hero who suggested the marked cards +for distribution, and the boys adopted the suggestion.</p> + +<p>The next day passed quickly.</p> + +<p>Our hero told his folks about what he was going<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +to do. They merely laughed, but in secret they +were proud to think he was not one to be easily +frightened.</p> + +<p>After supper Joe went over to Sam’s house.</p> + +<p>Soon Larry came along, and at eleven o’clock +quite a crowd of boys were assembled.</p> + +<p>The start was to be made from the blacksmith +shop, and promptly at half-past eleven Joe took the +cards Sam had prepared.</p> + +<p>“I’m off now, boys,” he said. “I don’t expect to +get back before one or half-past. Good night to +you.”</p> + +<p>At a swinging gait he set off for the old mine, +half a mile distant.</p> + +<p>Never once did he dream of the peril which there +awaited him.</p> + +<p>There would be no moon that night, and our hero +had only the stars to guide him on his lonely way +to the deserted quarries.</p> + +<p>“It won’t be a very pleasant walk,” he thought. +“But the boys dared me, and I won’t take a dare +from anybody.”</p> + +<p>Joe walked on briskly, and to keep his spirits up +began to whistle a merry tune.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour brought him to the entrance +of the largest of the mine openings.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>There was more than one pitfall here, but Joe +knew the way and went on without hesitation.</p> + +<p>He was not in the least afraid of ghosts, and had +one appeared it is more than likely it would have +received an unusually warm reception.</p> + +<p>Presently he passed a deserted cabin, which had +once been occupied by the coal-mine watchman.</p> + +<p>He had been cautioned to leave a card at the +cabin, and so threw one through a broken window.</p> + +<p>Was it imagination, or did he hear a low chuckle +from the inside?</p> + +<p>Instead of going on our hero halted.</p> + +<p>The average boy would have taken to his heels, +but Joe was made of different stuff.</p> + +<p>No, there was no mistake. The chuckle sounded +a second time, and going up to the door Joe kicked +it open.</p> + +<p>“You fellows in there, come out,” he cried. “I +heard you, and you can’t play any trick on me.”</p> + +<p>A deathlike silence followed.</p> + +<p>“If I had a match I would light up and hunt you +out,” went on Joe, “but I can do nothing in the +dark. So, either come out or stay there. I am not +a bit scared.”</p> + +<p>Still the silence continued. Then our hero threw +another card inside and went on.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>He thought some of his friends must be in the +cabin, but he was woefully mistaken.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he left the tumble-down building +when three figures stole forth as silently as so many +shadows.</p> + +<p>It is needless to say the trio were Akers, Jake +Foley and Henderson.</p> + +<p>They followed Joe several hundred feet.</p> + +<p>Presently our hero reached the edge of a deep +hole, from which tons and tons of coal had been +taken.</p> + +<p>It was part of his wager to go down to the bottom +of the hole. To prove he had been there he +must place a card on a flat rock and put another +rock on top of it. The rock on top would show the +card had not merely been thrown into the hole.</p> + +<p>A series of huge steps led downward. Joe had +just reached the first of the steps when the three +behind him rushed up.</p> + +<p>“Now, all together!” cried Henderson, in a thick +disguised voice.</p> + +<p>The three leaped on Joe and gave him a violent +shove.</p> + +<p>Our hero tried in vain to save himself. He +dropped down and clutched at the rocks.</p> + +<p>Then he rolled over and went down the stony +steps, bump, bump, bump, to the bottom.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>He lay unconscious, the blood pouring from a +dozen wounds.</p> + +<p>Evidently his assailants had done their work well.</p> + +<p>Henderson lit a lantern and cast the rays downward.</p> + +<p>“He’s done for,” he whispered. “Come and get +him out of sight.”</p> + +<p>“Le—let us run!” stammered Jake Foley, who +was as pale as death itself.</p> + +<p>“No, do as Henderson says,” put in Lemuel +Akers.</p> + +<p>He was almost as cool as the older villain.</p> + +<p>Thus addressed, Foley followed the pair down the +steps, keeping well in the rear.</p> + +<p>“There is a sort of cave but a short distance +away,” said Henderson. “I have bunked in it more +than once. Let us put him in that.”</p> + +<p>But Jake Foley could not be induced to touch +the body.</p> + +<p>So Akers and Henderson took up the heavy +burden and stumbled with it to the cave which the +older rascal had mentioned.</p> + +<p>Then the body was placed on the rocks, and by +the light of the lantern Henderson went through +our hero’s pockets.</p> + +<p>He found but little, and was greatly displeased +over his ill luck.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>“Do hurry!” cried Foley, at least a dozen times. +He would have given all he was worth to be safe +at home.</p> + +<p>“You’re a softy!” cried Henderson.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Jake, do have a little nerve!” put in +Lemuel.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he spoken when an unearthly sound +echoed through the air.</p> + +<p>The bully’s hair stood on ends, and Jake Foley +ran a dozen steps before Henderson could stop him.</p> + +<p>“A ghost!”</p> + +<p>“Let us get out!”</p> + +<p>“A ghost nothing,” growled Henderson. “It’s +only a tramp cat. There are several of them +around the old coal mine. It’s their meowing makes +folks believe there are ghosts here.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t stay any longer,” insisted Jake Foley. +He was ready to drop from fear.</p> + +<p>The trio took up their lantern and walked to the +entrance of the cave.</p> + +<p>A number of large rocks were handy, and soon +the opening to the cave was tightly closed.</p> + +<p>They did their work well, and removed all traces +as far as lay in their power.</p> + +<p>Lemuel had secured the cards Joe had left, and +now he quitted the mine by a back way, dropping +them as he went.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>This would put any who came to hunt for poor +Joe off the track.</p> + +<p>An hour later the trio separated, Foley and Akers +going home and Henderson making his way to a +crossroads tavern a couple of miles away.</p> + +<p>“We are rid of Joe Johnson,” said the bully to +himself. “I said I would get square with him, and +I kept my word.”</p> + +<p>Yet it must be confessed that Lemuel did not feel +as happy as he thought he would be.</p> + +<p>All night long he tossed on his bed, and in +imagination saw Joe’s cold white face turned up to +his own.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X.<br> + +<small>THE MISSING BOY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Only</span> a few of the boys hung around after Joe +started for the old coal mine. They did not dare +to remain out too long, and so went home.</p> + +<p>Sam and Larry were the last to leave, and then +it was with the understanding that they were to +meet at our hero’s house before five o’clock in the +morning.</p> + +<p>Five o’clock found them on hand. A few minutes +later Carl Lathrop came up.</p> + +<p>It was then the lads received the astonishing bit +of information that Joe had not yet come home.</p> + +<p>His folks were much worried about him, and all +wondered where he was.</p> + +<p>Half an hour passed, and then Sam, Larry and +Carl struck out to hunt their chum up.</p> + +<p>It took them about the same time to reach the +mine as it had taken our hero.</p> + +<p>“There is a marked card,” said Sam, pointing to +the card at the entrance, “That shows he entered.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>“I knew something would happen,” said Larry. +“The ghosts——”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” cried Carl. “It’s more likely he +slipped and fell. It was foolish anyway to come in +such darkness.”</p> + +<p>The boys walked on and found several other +cards, including those left in the deserted cabin.</p> + +<p>When they came to the pit and the stone steps +leading to it they went down with great care.</p> + +<p>“No card here,” said Larry. “I guess he found +the pit too much for him.”</p> + +<p>“Hullo! Look here!” suddenly ejaculated Carl.</p> + +<p>He pointed to a number of bright red stains on a +flat rock at their feet.</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“Blood, boys!”</p> + +<p>They all gathered around and surveyed the spots +with sober faces.</p> + +<p>What did it mean?</p> + +<p>No solution of the mystery offered itself.</p> + +<p>They walked past the rocks which concealed the +entrance to the cave several times, but never dreamed +of what was behind them.</p> + +<p>At last they left the pit and walked on.</p> + +<p>Soon they came upon the cards Lemuel had so +cunningly dropped.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“He came this way and left the mine,” cried +Sam.</p> + +<p>When the lads saw the cards strung out clear to +the fields beyond they felt much relieved.</p> + +<p>“That settles it,” said Sam. “He certainly left +the mine and didn’t tumble down those awful steps.”</p> + +<p>“But where did he go?” asked Carl.</p> + +<p>Ah, that was another question. In vain they +sought for a solution.</p> + +<p>Later on several other boys joined in the search, +and then came a number of men.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, the entire district was +alarmed.</p> + +<p>Not to appear in any way guilty, Lemuel joined +in the search, making sure, however, to keep away +from the pit in the quarry.</p> + +<p>Jake Foley was too sick to do anything. Miserable +beyond description, he remained around home, +out of sight of every one.</p> + +<p>And in the meanwhile what of poor Joe? Had +that cruel shove into the pit really killed him?</p> + +<p>Not quite. It was true he was fearfully bruised, +and that when he finally struck the bottom all became +a terrible blank.</p> + +<p>How long he remained unconscious he could +never afterward tell.</p> + +<p>When he came to all was pitch dark around him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>His head ached as it never had before, and with +his mind in a whirl he climbed out of the cave into +which he had been placed and started for home.</p> + +<p>But he could not go far, and soon sank beneath a +clump of bushes and became unconscious once more.</p> + +<p>At last, after many hours had passed, as we know, +he went on again, more dead than alive.</p> + +<p>He was almost home when he ran plump into +Sam and Larry. The boys gave a shout and clasped +him warmly by the hand.</p> + +<p>“My, but I’m glad you are safe!” cried Sam, and +Larry uttered words to the same effect.</p> + +<p>Of course, the lads were anxious to hear Joe’s +story, but he felt too tired to tell it just then. They +walked home with him, and listened to all he had +to say after he had had some hot coffee to drink +and some dinner.</p> + +<p>“Those rascals meant to kill me, I think,” said +Joe, when his story was finished. “I only escaped +by a miracle.”</p> + +<p>“Who were they?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll never tell. There seemed to be a man and +two boys, but I am not sure.”</p> + +<p>“You didn’t see their faces?”</p> + +<p>“No, it was too dark for that.”</p> + +<p>“Did they rob you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>Our hero had not thought of that. He felt in his +pockets.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>This put a new phase on the case, to the others’ +way of thinking.</p> + +<p>All hands talked it over and came to the conclusion +that Joe had been followed by three villainous +tramps. No doubt the tramps had thought him +well to do, and imagined they would make a rich +haul by robbing him.</p> + +<p>A search was organized by the people of the +villages around, and that night six tramps were +brought in. But they all proved their innocence +and were let go the next day on promise to quit the +neighborhood immediately.</p> + +<p>When Lemuel and Jake heard Joe was safe they +could scarcely believe their ears. For a whole day +they were in mortal terror for fear that our hero +would mention them as two of the gang who had +assaulted him.</p> + +<p>It was nearly a week before Joe felt like himself +again. He went to school, but did not help much +at home.</p> + +<p>When he again met Jake Foley that boy did not +dare to look him in the face. Joe did not say anything, +but went to thinking. Did Jake know anything +of the assault? Time would tell.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>With Lemuel it was different. He was too brazen-faced +and stony-hearted to be ashamed at anything. +He passed our hero staringly, and even spread a +report that Joe had got up the tale of the assault +just to make folks talk about him.</p> + +<p>This story our hero did not like, and one day he +cornered the bully in the schoolyard and the two +came to blows in double-quick order, and Lemuel +went home with two black eyes and a nose that was +swollen to twice its natural size.</p> + +<p>This put the bully in a fearful temper.</p> + +<p>“I’ll do him yet, see if I don’t,” he growled to +Jake Foley.</p> + +<p>“Better let him alone,” said Jake, who was not +yet over his scare. “You can’t do anything with +him, I’m convinced of that.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you always were chicken-hearted,” retorted +Lemuel, and then and there he and Jake Foley fell +out and were friends no more.</p> + +<p>It was a good thing for Jake, for he was not +naturally a bad lad, and he at once became better +in a hundred ways until a number of the schoolboys +got to quite like him. He never tried to harm Joe +again.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI.<br> + +<small>A STIRRING FOOT RACE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">About</span> a week after the events narrated in the +previous chapter Joe was on his way from Lockport +to a little village several miles up the river.</p> + +<p>Instead of riding on his bicycle he was on foot, +his machine being slightly in need of repairs which +could not be made until several days later.</p> + +<p>Joe had proceeded but a short distance when he +was joined by Billy Smith, a school chum, and a +cousin to Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>“Where bound, Joe?” called out Billy.</p> + +<p>“To Haverley’s.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going there myself.”</p> + +<p>“All right; come along.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s your wheel?” asked Billy as he came +up.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got to fix it a bit,” Joe told him. “I don’t +mind walking for a change,” he added.</p> + +<p>“I don’t think I would care much for wheeling,” +said Billy. “I prefer baseball.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“I know that,” laughed Joe. “You would rather +play ball than eat, wouldn’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Almost. But, by the way, Joe, are you going +to play on our nine this season?”</p> + +<p>“I will if you wish me to, Billy.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly we want you. Charley Osborne spoke +of it only yesterday. I know you can catch beautifully +if you will only try.”</p> + +<p>Joe smiled at this. He had caught on the team +during the previous summer and acquitted himself +quite creditably.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we’ve been reorganizing the Rushers,” said +Billy. “Charley Osborne is to be pitcher and we +want you to catch.”</p> + +<p>“And what of yourself?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’ll take my old position at first base.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I can catch,” remarked Joe reflectively. +“But I don’t know about running. I’m all +out of practice, I’ve wheeled so much lately.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s try a race, just for fun,” cried Billy Smith. +“That will be a good test.”</p> + +<p>“All right. I’ll race you to old Crosby’s well.”</p> + +<p>“Done, Joe. Are you ready?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then toe this mark. One, two, three, go!”</p> + +<p>And away the two boys went at top speed down +the road.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>The well toward which they set their pace was +situated at the back end of a lot which faced the +highway.</p> + +<p>The distance to it and back again was over five +hundred feet.</p> + +<p>The well was in something of a hollow, and down +the hill tore the two boys at a breakneck speed.</p> + +<p>They kept side by side for more than half the +distance to the well.</p> + +<p>But then Joe forged ahead, and, try his best, +Billy Smith could not catch up.</p> + +<p>“It’s no use, you’ve won,” he said, and dropped +into a walk.</p> + +<p>“Never mind, Billy, you’ll have a chance to tie +me going back,” said Joe encouragingly.</p> + +<p>Of course the boys intended to stop at the well +for a drink. The opening had no buckets to it, and +the boys had to dip down with an old tin can to get +water.</p> + +<p>But oh! how cool and refreshing it was! And +as they were so hot it actually tasted sweet to +them.</p> + +<p>Soon the two boys had their fill of water, and +they prepared to return to the road when a strange +rattle sounded in the bushes back of the well.</p> + +<p>“Listen! What is that?” exclaimed Billy Smith.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>“It sounded like a rattlesnake!” cried Joe. “Let +us go and see if it is a snake,” he added fearlessly.</p> + +<p>Arming themselves with sticks and stones, the +two lads circled about the bushes in question.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Billy Smith gave a loud laugh.</p> + +<p>“Here is your rattler!” he exclaimed. “Nothing +but a drunken tramp, sleeping off the effects of the +bad whisky he’s been drinking.”</p> + +<p>Joe looked troubled.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how he could make that noise,” he +returned slowly. “He is snoring, but that is all. +Perhaps—oh! Billy, look!”</p> + +<p>Joe stopped short and pointed to a low tree that +overhung the spot where the sleeping tramp lay.</p> + +<p>There, wound around one of the lower branches, +was a big rattlesnake. His eyes were as bright as +diamonds and he was on the point of dropping down +and striking at the unconscious man with his deadly +fangs!</p> + +<p>It would be useless to deny that the two boys +were much startled by what they saw. They realized +that the drunken tramp was in mortal danger +of his life. Should the rattlesnake really strike him +it would be doubtful if he could ever come to his +senses.</p> + +<p>“Oh! what shall we do?” gasped Billy Smith as +he fell back a couple of paces.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>There was no time to answer. A moment of +hesitation and it might be too late to act.</p> + +<p>In his hand Joe carried a large and sharp-sided +stone. Taking careful aim with this, he let drive +at the snake’s head.</p> + +<p>His aim was true. The stone struck the reptile +directly in one eye, inflicting a severe wound.</p> + +<p>At once they heard an angry rattle, and the +reptile wound and unwound itself about the tree +with lighting-like rapidity. It was suffering intense +pain and was now more furious than ever.</p> + +<p>As it curved about, Joe rushed forward and +pulled the tramp several yards off in the direction +of the well.</p> + +<p>“Wake up! Snakes!” he yelled.</p> + +<p>“Lemme—hic—alone,” muttered the tramp. “I +ain’t got no—hic—snakes. Only overcome by the—hic—sunshine.”</p> + +<p>“There are real snakes here! Look out!” put in +Billy Smith.</p> + +<p>At this the tramp staggered to his feet. He saw +the writhing rattler, and, letting out one long +scream of deadly terror, he fled toward the road, +his ragged coat-tails streaming out behind him.</p> + +<p>During this time Joe had again advanced upon +the snake. With his stick he struck half a dozen +blows. Billy Smith jumped in to help him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>The rattlesnake fought desperately, but with one +eye gone he was at a disadvantage, and inside of five +minutes Billy gave him a final whack that stretched +him out lifeless.</p> + +<p>“By jinks! but that was a stirring fight,” cried +Billy when all was over.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want another such in a hurry,” replied +Joe, and he shuddered as he viewed the shining +reptile.</p> + +<p>“You saved that tramp’s life.”</p> + +<p>They measured the snake and found it was nearly +five feet long and had nine rattles.</p> + +<p>“If he wasn’t so bruised I would take him home +and have him stuffed,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>“Never mind; let us take him along anyway,” +said Billy. “We can show him to the other boys. +Maybe they won’t believe such a snake story unless +they see the snake.”</p> + +<p>While they were tying the snake to a long stick +old Farmer Crosby came along from another field.</p> + +<p>“By gum! Got a rattler, hev yeou!” he said, as +he stared at their victim. “Ye must hev had a +lively fight, boys.”</p> + +<p>“We did have.”</p> + +<p>“I seed thet rattler last week, over in the cornfield. +But I didn’t tackle him, I can tell ye thet!”</p> + +<p>Farmer Crosby was glad the snake was dead.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +He told the boys they could come to the farm and +hunt snakes any time they pleased.</p> + +<p>“No, thanks; we are not in that business,” +laughed Billy.</p> + +<p>The fight with the snake had driven all thoughts +of the footrace out of the two boys’ heads. They +walked back to the road slowly, carrying the dead +snake between them.</p> + +<p>The first person they met was Charley Osborne, +the young baseball player Billy had mentioned.</p> + +<p>Charley was greatly surprised.</p> + +<p>“Took him in the eye, eh,” he said. “Joe, if you +can throw so straight as that you had better take +my place on the nine as pitcher.”</p> + +<p>“No, I’ll stay behind the bat and put men out +when they try to steal bases,” laughed our hero.</p> + +<p>The snake was showed to all the boys, and then +Billy took it home.</p> + +<p>Later on it was stuffed and hung up in the club-room +the Rushers had hired and furnished.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII.<br> + +<small>JOE AND THE OLD APPLEWOMAN.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> evening Charley Osborne and Billy Smith +called a special meeting of the baseball club, at +which Joe was present.</p> + +<p>“The Stars want to play us next Saturday,” +Charley said, as he held up a communication. +“Shall we accept or put off the match?”</p> + +<p>“Let us accept,” said Billy. “We can practice +every afternoon and get into good shape, to my way +of thinking.”</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over and finally the other +boys decided to follow this advice.</p> + +<p>A communication accepting the challenge was +written by Charley and sent to the Stars on the +following Monday.</p> + +<p>Then the Rushers settled down to steady, hard +practice with Joe as their catcher.</p> + +<p>A few evenings later Joe spent two hours at Billy +Smith’s house helping his friend fix up and paint a +rowboat to be used on the lake.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>When he left Billy’s house he found the sky overcast. +In the west the thunder rumbled, telling +that a storm was not far off.</p> + +<p>Not wishing to be caught out without an umbrella, +our hero started for his home on a swift +walk.</p> + +<p>He had gone about two blocks when, on turning +a street corner, a sight met his gaze that caused his +blood to boil.</p> + +<p>An old woman known as Apple Mary, who sold +fruit and candy throughout the district, was in the +hands of two cowardly footpads, who were trying +to rob her of her hard-earned savings.</p> + +<p>One of the footpads was behind the old woman, +and had his hands over her mouth so she could not +scream. The other footpad was in front, trying to +find the pocket in Apple Mary’s dress.</p> + +<p>“Got it, Henderson?” asked the footpad in the +rear.</p> + +<p>“No, hang the luck, I can’t find the pocket!” +growled his companion.</p> + +<p>“Den cut der dress!”</p> + +<p>To follow this advice the other footpad brought +out a big pocket-knife.</p> + +<p>He was in the act of cutting the garment mentioned +when Joe came up on a run.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“Leave that old lady alone!” he cried indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Mind yer own business!” howled both footpads.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had they spoken when Joe’s arm shot +out.</p> + +<p>The footpad who was holding Apple Mary received +a blow in the neck that almost bowled him +over.</p> + +<p>Seeing this the other footpad leaped toward our +hero, but the lad was not to be caught. He dodged +off and began to cry for the police.</p> + +<p>“Shut up!” howled one of the footpads.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Apple Mary, finding herself +free, pulled something from under her skirt. It was +an old Irish hawthorn stick.</p> + +<p>“Bad cess to ye, ye villains!” she cried, and then +she went at one of the footpads, tooth and nail.</p> + +<p>She was thoroughly aroused, and before the rascal +could retreat she gave him a whack over the head +that almost paralyzed him.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Mary!” shouted Joe. “He +deserves it.”</p> + +<p>But now the footpads thought it time to clear out, +and both ran up the street, and a moment later +vanished in the darkness.</p> + +<p>By the time the constable who did duty as a +policeman at night in Lockport arrived, it was too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +late to attempt to hunt them up, although the officer +made a great show of doing so.</p> + +<p>“I owe ye wan for that, Joe Johnson,” said Apple +Mary. “’Tis yerself that has a stout heart under +yer coat, so ye have!”</p> + +<p>And she gave his hand a warm shake.</p> + +<p>“Did they know you had money with you?” +asked the youth.</p> + +<p>“Most likely, the villains! Oi got a hundred +dollars from the bank to-day, to pay on me little +home. Oi have it in a bag here,” and Apple Mary +tapped her skirt.</p> + +<p>“Maybe I had better see you safe home then,” +said Joe, and he accompanied the old Irish woman +to the humble cottage she occupied on one of the +side streets of the town.</p> + +<p>Before he left her she thanked him again.</p> + +<p>“You’ll be a great man some day,” she said. +“You will have thousands of friends, mark my +wurrud.”</p> + +<p>Joe walked home in a thoughtful mood.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if Apple Mary is right,” he asked +himself. “Will I have thousands of friends? I +surely hope so.”</p> + +<p>Two days passed and the Rushers kept steady at +work on the diamond.</p> + +<p>Charley Osborne was getting his new curve down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +fine, and Joe managed to catch nearly everything +that came over the plate untouched.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what I would do without Joe behind +the plate,” Charley said more than once. +“He is so reliable that he gives me great confidence.”</p> + +<p>On Friday Sam Anderson, who was also on the +nine, came to the meeting place looking very much +excited.</p> + +<p>“Boys, I have a bit of news,” he said.</p> + +<p>“All right, Sam; let us have it.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got word in a roundabout way from the +Stars.”</p> + +<p>“What of them?”</p> + +<p>“They intend to beat us.”</p> + +<p>“Chestnuts!”</p> + +<p>“They can’t do it.”</p> + +<p>“Hear me out, boys. They intend to beat us. +If they can’t do it by fair means, they intend to do +it by foul.”</p> + +<p>Instantly every one of the Rushers was more +than interested. They crowded about Sam waiting +for him to explain.</p> + +<p>But the explanation was not forthcoming.</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell you how it is to be done,” said Sam. +“All I know is what my father told me. He said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +we must be careful and not get into any trouble +with the Independence boys.”</p> + +<p>“But what does he know?” asked Joe with much +interest.</p> + +<p>“He was over to Independence to-day, and while +he was waiting at a store for a man three boys +came along. He knew them to be players on the +Stars, although he doesn’t know their names. He +heard them talking about the game Saturday and +about what they intended to do. He said they +talked as if they had some trick arranged.”</p> + +<p>At this the members of the local club grew +serious.</p> + +<p>It would not have been so bad had they known +what the Stars were up to.</p> + +<p>It was the dread of the unknown that haunted +them. They talked the matter over.</p> + +<p>“Every one must be on guard,” said Joe. “They +must not be allowed to tamper with the balls or +bats.”</p> + +<p>“Nor the drinking water,” put in Larry Dare, +the shortstop. “I believe the time they won they +put something in the water. I never had such a +headache in my life.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I!” cried Carl Lathrop, who was one of +the fielders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>“I believe the water was tampered with beyond +a doubt,” said Charley Osborne.</p> + +<p>“We’ll all keep wide awake. Don’t touch +water or anything else unless you are certain it is +O. K.”</p> + +<p>That was Joe’s advice, and they resolved to +follow it.</p> + +<p>After this the boys went out to practice.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII.<br> + +<small>THE BASEBALL GAME.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">While</span> the Rushers were out on the common, an +old professor from the Greenpoint college came +along.</p> + +<p>His name was Stizik, and he was a very gruff, +unsociable man.</p> + +<p>He stood and watched Charley Osborne pitch for +a few minutes.</p> + +<p>Then he heard Billy mention the out and the in +curves, and smiled sarcastically to himself.</p> + +<p>“No such things as out and in and up curves,” he +sniffed. “Utter impossibility—contrary to all the +laws of gravitation.”</p> + +<p>“Charley curves the ball—or rather the ball +follows a curving line,” said Joe stoutly. “I can +see it.”</p> + +<p>“Only an optical delusion,” snorted Stizik. +“Couldn’t possibly curve in any direction but downward.”</p> + +<p>Joe knew that many people contended the same<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +thing—to this day some will not believe that a so-called +“curved” ball can be pitched—but he stuck +to what he thought true.</p> + +<p>An argument arose, and then the professor himself +made a novel proposition.</p> + +<p>“We will make a number of square frames and +cover them with tissue paper. Then he can pitch +one of the so styled curved balls through the line of +frames. The holes through the tissue paper—we +will make the paper damp—will tell if the ball +curved or not.”</p> + +<p>At once the boys took up the idea. Some long +laths were procured, and soon the frames were +ready.</p> + +<p>One was set up over the home plate and four +others at equal distances between that point and the +pitcher’s box.</p> + +<p>“Now, if you can pitch the ball in a curved line, +I’ll make the club a present of new caps,” said Professor +Stizik.</p> + +<p>He felt certain Charley could pitch nothing but a +straight ball.</p> + +<p>“All right! Here goes!” cried Charley.</p> + +<p>His arm went back, and through the wet paper +went the baseball at a fair degree of rapidity.</p> + +<p>“Now you’ll see how much you are mistaken!”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +cried Professor Stizik, as the frames were brought +together.</p> + +<p>But in less than half a minute his face wore a +glum look.</p> + +<p>Between the first and the last frames the wet +paper showed that the ball had curved outwardly +nearly ten inches.</p> + +<p>“I said he could do it!” cried Joe. “I have been +behind the bat too long to be mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“You boys didn’t hold the frames straight,” +growled Professor Stizik, and off he walked as fast +as he could.</p> + +<p>He never bought the boys the caps he had promised, +but neither did he ever attempt to dispute with +them again.</p> + +<p>The match with the Stars was to be held on a big +lot on the outskirts of Lockport. Here a grand +stand capable of holding three hundred people was +erected. Admission to the stand was ten cents—the +money to go, one-quarter to the losing team and +three-quarters to the club that won.</p> + +<p>The Rushers were on the field bright and early. +They wore neat suits they had just purchased, and +made such a fine appearance that they elicited a +round of applause.</p> + +<p>When the Stars appeared they brought with them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +over half a hundred boys from Independence, many +of them tough-looking customers.</p> + +<p>An umpire named Valley had already been +decided upon.</p> + +<p>The Stars won the toss, and sent the Rushers to +the bat first.</p> + +<p>“Now, nothing like making a good beginning,” +said Joe, as Charley took up the stick.</p> + +<p>But Charley was destined to fan the air. He +could not connect with the really swift balls the +Stars’ pitcher sent in, and he went out on strikes.</p> + +<p>A cheer went up from the rooters from Independence.</p> + +<p>“That’s the way to serve ’em, Jake!” they yelled +to their pitcher.</p> + +<p>“Don’t give ’em a single hit!”</p> + +<p>Billy was next at the bat. He missed two balls +and then went out on a fly to second base.</p> + +<p>The third boy at the bat was Sam Anderson. He +knocked a foul into the catcher’s hands, and the +first half of the innings was over.</p> + +<p>How the Independence boys did yell! They +thought they had a sure victory from the start.</p> + +<p>“Don’t give ’em any leeway, Charley,” whispered +Joe to Osborne, as they walked from the bench. +“We must shut them out also.”</p> + +<p>“All right.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>The first player up was put out easily. Charley +pitched one wild ball, but our hero made a leap into +the air and secured it quickly. The Rushers’ friends +applauded this.</p> + +<p>The second player of the Stars knocked a weak +one between first and second bases. The ball +was fumbled and he got his base on a close decision.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for the Stars!”</p> + +<p>“Now bring it in, Terry!”</p> + +<p>The next man up knocked a safe hit to right +field. He got first and the other runner managed +to get around to third.</p> + +<p>The next player went out on strikes.</p> + +<p>Then came a safe hit to center. The batter got +down and the man on third came home.</p> + +<p>The Independence boys were wild with joy. +They had scored the first run.</p> + +<p>Joe walked down to Charley.</p> + +<p>“Keep cool, old man,” he said, “the game is still +young.”</p> + +<p>This advice had its effect. Charley pitched +superbly, and the Stars went down with only one +run to their credit.</p> + +<p>The second inning was short. On both sides the +players went out in one, two, three order. Billy +made a big hit to center, but the fly was caught and +went for nothing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>In the third inning the Rushers tied the score.</p> + +<p>Then the Lockport boys took their turn at yelling.</p> + +<p>One to one remained on the score board until the +seventh inning, when Joe called the boys together.</p> + +<p>“We must do something this time, fellows,” he +said. “O’Donnell, start her up lively.”</p> + +<p>And O’Donnell did, making a safe two-bagger.</p> + +<p>Several more safe hits followed. Then another +Rusher sent out a red-hot liner that brought him +three bases.</p> + +<p>End of the seventh inning: Stars, one; Rushers, +five.</p> + +<p>The boys from Independence began to look as +blue as indigo. The Lockport lads could hardly +contain themselves.</p> + +<p>“Now keep ’em down,” said Charley.</p> + +<p>“Yes, you keep ’em down,” put in Carl.</p> + +<p>In the eighth inning the Stars began to grow +desperate. They did their best and brought in two +runs, making the score: Stars, three; Rushers, +five.</p> + +<p>In the ninth inning Joe was the first man at the +bat. Two strikes were called on him, and then he +knocked a safe one over in left field. He tore down +to first, over to second, up to third—and hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Run, run, you are all right!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>It was Charley who called to him, and once more +he started. But something was under his shoe, and +he slipped and fell headlong.</p> + +<p>As quick as a wink the third baseman stooped, +and picking up something, put it in his pocket.</p> + +<p>It was now useless to try to reach the home plate, +and our hero went back to the base.</p> + +<p>“You tripped me with something,” he said to +the baseman sharply.</p> + +<p>“Wot yer givin’ me?” growled the fellow.</p> + +<p>Joe said no more, but he set to thinking. This +was evidently the trick the Stars intended to play.</p> + +<p>The other players now came up, but were put out +on strikes and a foul.</p> + +<p>The Rushers had had their innings, and their total +number of runs was still five.</p> + +<p>To beat them the Stars must make three runs in +their last half of the ninth.</p> + +<p>The Stars’ heavy batters were up.</p> + +<p>Charley Osborne grew just a bit nervous, and, as a +consequence, before they knew it two men were on +bases.</p> + +<p>Then a batter knocked a safe two-base hit, and +one of the runners came home.</p> + +<p>This made the score: Stars, four; Rushers, five</p> + +<p>“Go it, Stars!”</p> + +<p>“Shut ’em out, Rushers!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>The next boy went out on strikes, and the player +to follow did the same.</p> + +<p>“Now, one more out and the game is ours,” +thought Joe.</p> + +<p>But the next batter, by accident, struck a little +one to second and reached first on a wild throw, +while the other runner went to third.</p> + +<p>Two out, two men on bases, and two runs to win +the game; that was the way the Stars sized it up.</p> + +<p>Then the Stars’ heaviest batter came up to the +plate, and a cheer arose, for he was a great favorite.</p> + +<p>“Knock a homer, Pete!”</p> + +<p>“You can do it, old fellow.”</p> + +<p>Charley Osborne was pale and his teeth were set.</p> + +<p>He felt that to a great extent the game depended +on him.</p> + +<p>He sent in one of his outer curves.</p> + +<p>The Stars’ crack batter hit out and missed it.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Charley!”</p> + +<p>Again Charley took his position. A pause, a look +at the men on bases, and once more the ball came +rushing over the plate.</p> + +<p>Crack! The batter had hit out hard. But instead +of driving into the diamond, the ball went +sailing up into the air over Joe’s head.</p> + +<p>“Run for it!”</p> + +<p>“You must get it!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>“He can’t reach it!”</p> + +<p>Back and still further back went Joe with the +speed of the wind.</p> + +<p>The foul tip was just over the backstop board.</p> + +<p>With a mighty spring the boy leaped up on the +fence and reached out his hand.</p> + +<p>To the Rushers it seemed as if the fate of the +club hung in Joe’s hands.</p> + +<p>Should he muff that foul, the chances were that +the heavy hitter of the Stars would line out at +least a two-bagger and bring in the runs to win the +game.</p> + +<p>The ball was now nearing the ground, our hero +strained over still further, until it looked as if he +must lose his balance and topple over on the other +side of the fence.</p> + +<p>“You’ll break your neck!”</p> + +<p>“The ball is out of his reach.”</p> + +<p>A pause.</p> + +<p>“He has it!”</p> + +<p>“Bannon is out!”</p> + +<p>“The Rushers have won!”</p> + +<p>It was true.</p> + +<p>The ball just touched the tips of our hero’s fingers, +but he clung to it like grim death, and thus brought +the game to a conclusion.</p> + +<p>Score—Rushers, five; Stars, four.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>Maybe the Lockport lads did not yell themselves +hoarse.</p> + +<p>The Independence boys had nothing to say. +They rushed for their dressing place and sneaked +off as quickly as they could.</p> + +<p>All of the Lockport boys praised Joe. They said +he had saved the game beyond a doubt.</p> + +<p>And all agreed that his was the greatest catch +ever witnessed on the grounds.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV.<br> + +<small>FUN ON THE GREEN.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> the great game with the Independence +Club the Lockport boys practiced harder than ever.</p> + +<p>Joe took a particular interest in long-distance +throwing. He tried his arm constantly and was +soon able to throw fifteen feet further than any +other member of the club.</p> + +<p>“But you can’t throw as accurately as I can,” +said Will Gibson, one of the outfielders.</p> + +<p>“I’ll match you and see,” said our hero.</p> + +<p>The novel contest took place one Saturday afternoon +before the boys started in to play a practice +game with a scrub nine.</p> + +<p>Joe and Gibson walked down in deep center and +took positions side by side.</p> + +<p>Then Dick Burns, who was out for the first time +since the accident, placed a bushel basket directly +on the home plate.</p> + +<p>Each boy was to throw a ball three times at +given signals. The one who threw the most times +into the basket was to be the winner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>Joe and Gibson were both provided with balls.</p> + +<p>“Ready?” shouted Billy.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>There was a pause.</p> + +<p>“Throw!”</p> + +<p>Whiz!</p> + +<p>Along came both of the balls, thrown at exactly +the same time.</p> + +<p>Gibson’s struck the rim of the basket and bounced +inside.</p> + +<p>Joe’s bounced a dozen feet away.</p> + +<p>“One for Gibson!”</p> + +<p>“That was hardly a fair trial!”</p> + +<p>The balls were sent back to our hero and Gibson, +and again they got ready.</p> + +<p>“Throw!” shouted Billy Smith once more.</p> + +<p>The spheres flew through the air.</p> + +<p>Gibson’s went high up, but Joe’s cut only a graceful +curve.</p> + +<p>Plump!</p> + +<p>Our hero’s struck the basket squarely in the +center.</p> + +<p>Gibson’s shot over the mark several feet.</p> + +<p>“A tie!”</p> + +<p>“The ball slipped!” growled Will Gibson.</p> + +<p>Now came the decisive throw. Both boys +handled the balls carefully, and looked well to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +spots in which they were standing. The crowd +held its breath.</p> + +<p>“Throw!” shouted Billy for the third and last +time.</p> + +<p>Again the two balls came along.</p> + +<p>Plump!</p> + +<p>Joe’s hit the center of the basket again.</p> + +<p>Gibson’s struck the rim, knocking the basket +over.</p> + +<p>“Joe Johnson has won!”</p> + +<p>“My! what clever throwing!”</p> + +<p>Will Gibson was put out over his failure to win.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you what I can do,” he said after the +practice game was over. “I can throw higher +than you.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you can, Will,” replied Joe. “There +is no advantage in that, though—I mean in ball +playing.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, I’ll bet I can do it.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet you can’t!” cried Charley. “Joe can +throw over the church steeple.”</p> + +<p>“So can I, and I’ll put the ball over the weather +vane in the bargain.”</p> + +<p>“You can’t do it!”</p> + +<p>“I can!”</p> + +<p>One word brought on another, and finally our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +hero was persuaded to throw over the church +steeple against Gibson.</p> + +<p>Fifteen or twenty fellows went along to see the +contest.</p> + +<p>The church was on the outskirts, and had a +steeple of wood and iron. In the steeple were +several windows, and on the top was a gilded +weather vane, reaching six or eight feet into the +air.</p> + +<p>Instead of throwing at the same time, the boys +drew lots as to who should try first. Gibson won, +and chose to throw last.</p> + +<p>A standing spot was chosen, and carefully measuring +the distance, Joe let fly the ball.</p> + +<p>Up and up it went into the air, for our hero had +thrown it with incredible power.</p> + +<p>It continued to go up until the top of the steeple +was reached.</p> + +<p>And now it was on a level with the weather vane.</p> + +<p>Up over that fully a yard it curved, and then it +began to fall on the other side of the church.</p> + +<p>The crowd set up a cheer, and Will Gibson’s face +fell. He could not hope to do better than that, if +as well.</p> + +<p>“Never mind, Will, tie him!” shouted his friends</p> + +<p>The ball was brought back and Gibson took it.</p> + +<p>He leaned far back and hurled the sphere with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +all the force at his command. Up it sailed into the +air.</p> + +<p>Crash! Jingle! jingle! jingle!</p> + +<p>Instead of going over the steeple the ball had +struck one of the topmost windows, shattering the +center of the frame and four panes of colored glass!</p> + +<p>The entire crowd was astonished at the unexpected +turn affairs had taken.</p> + +<p>Will Gibson turned a sickly green, and his face +took on a look of alarm.</p> + +<p>“Gosh! I didn’t mean to do that!” he cried. +“What will old Mallory say to that?”</p> + +<p>Mallory was the sexton of the church.</p> + +<p>“Never mind, it was an accident, and we’ll have +to chip in and pay for the damage done,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>He had hardly spoken when Mallory came rushing +out of the edifice, his face full of rage. He was +a disagreeable man, and all wondered how it was +that he kept his present position.</p> + +<p>“Who smashed those windows?” he roared.</p> + +<p>He had been up in the belfry fixing the bell rope. +The crash had almost scared him out of his wits, he +thinking the whole steeple was about to fall.</p> + +<p>No one answered him.</p> + +<p>“I say, who smashed those windows?” he went +on. “Answer me, or I’ll have the whole crowd +arrested.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“It was an accident, Mr. Mallory—” began Joe.</p> + +<p>“Accident! Not much! Did you do it?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Then who did?”</p> + +<p>“You must find out for yourself.”</p> + +<p>“Ha! don’t sass me!”</p> + +<p>Joe shrugged his shoulders and attempted to +move away. Mallory caught him by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Tell me who did this.”</p> + +<p>“I will not. Let me go.”</p> + +<p>“If you don’t answer I’ll have you locked up.”</p> + +<p>Joe simply looked at the enraged man. Then +before more could be said, some small boy in the +rear piped in.</p> + +<p>“Please, sir, it was Will Gibson who busted the +window.”</p> + +<p>“Get out of here, Nicky Dill!” shouted half a +dozen of the other lads, and, scared out of his wits, +the tell-tale took to his heels.</p> + +<p>“Will Gibson, eh?” growled Mallory. “Come +here!”</p> + +<p>He strode over to Will Gibson and grabbed him +by the collar.</p> + +<p>“I’ll pay for the window, Mr. Mallory.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll go to jail!”</p> + +<p>“Why should he if he is willing to pay?” asked +Carl. “It was an accident.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>“I don’t care, he’ll go to jail!” howled Mallory +stubbornly.</p> + +<p>“I won’t go to jail!” cried Will Gibson.</p> + +<p>He was a nice fellow, and the idea of being +locked up filled him with terror.</p> + +<p>“You will!”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the sexton spoken when Will gave a +dexterous twist and broke away from the angry +man. He started to run, and Mallory made after +him.</p> + +<p>Back of the church was an extensive churchyard. +Into this shady and quiet spot sped Gibson, with +Mallory at his heels. The boys all joined in the +chase.</p> + +<p>“It’s a shame!”</p> + +<p>“Let him go! We’ll pay for the window!”</p> + +<p>“I won’t!” bellowed Mallory. It made him still +more angry to have Will Gibson slip from his +clutches.</p> + +<p>Along one of the main paths sped Will. He was +a good runner, and speedily outdistanced the sexton.</p> + +<p>Presently Will reached a spot overhung with +evergreens. He dove beneath the trees and turned +across a patch of thick grass.</p> + +<p>When Mallory reached the evergreens the boy +was nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>In vain the sexton looked around for him. Will +had completely disappeared.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV.<br> + +<small>AN ADVENTURE IN A CEMETERY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> other boys were relieved to think Gibson +had so cleverly outwitted the sexton.</p> + +<p>They hung around until Mallory grew angry and +drove them all out of the grounds.</p> + +<p>The sexton wanted to call on Will’s folks, but he +had too much work on hand to take the necessary +time that day.</p> + +<p>The boys dispersed and went home, thinking +Will had already reached his dwelling place.</p> + +<p>Joe left also, and after supper he and Billy Smith +walked around to Will’s home to learn what Gibson +might have to say.</p> + +<p>A surprise awaited them. Will had not yet come +home, and his folks were much worried about him.</p> + +<p>“He is afraid of being locked up,” said Billy.</p> + +<p>And he told Mr. Gibson of what had taken place.</p> + +<p>“He will not be locked up,” said Will’s father. +“I will pay the damages. If you see him, tell him +to come home at once, as his mother is worried.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>At nine o’clock Will had not yet turned up.</p> + +<p>“See here,” said Joe to Billy. “Maybe something +has happened to him.”</p> + +<p>“What could happen?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe he fell into a hole dug for a grave, or +something like that.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t see any new holes,” said Billy.</p> + +<p>“It’s queer, but I feel just as if we ought to go +to the cemetery, and take a look around. Perhaps +he was tackled as I was at the old coal mine.”</p> + +<p>Billy shivered. He did not much like the idea, +but finally Joe persuaded him to go along.</p> + +<p>Although it was summer time, it was dark when +the pair reached the cemetery gates. They found +the big iron barriers closed.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to climb over,” said our hero. +“Here goes!”</p> + +<p>And over the iron fence he went, and Billy Smith +followed.</p> + +<p>Under the evergreens it was still darker, and Billy +came to a halt.</p> + +<p>“Supposing a ghost—” he began.</p> + +<p>“Ghosts! nonsense! Don’t be foolish, Billy. +There is no such thing as a ghost.”</p> + +<p>Keeping side by side the two boys stole quickly +along the path Will had taken while running from +Mallory.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>Soon the evergreens were passed, and they halted +in a sort of hollow. To one side was a great stone +vault, partly covered with dirt and sods. The +vault had a heavy iron door, which was tightly +closed.</p> + +<p>“My gracious! what was that!” gasped Billy +Smith.</p> + +<p>A low, muffled sound had reached his ears.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. Listen!”</p> + +<p>Again the sound echoed around them, sending a +chill down their backbones.</p> + +<p>“Sounds like somebody in a coffin trying to get +out!” gasped Billy.</p> + +<p>“You couldn’t hear a person in a coffin.”</p> + +<p>Again they listened. Then Joe walked over to +the door of the vault and knocked upon it. Immediately +an answering knock came back.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet Will Gibson is locked in the vault!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Joe!” cried Billy.</p> + +<p>He also sprang to the door.</p> + +<p>“Is that you, Will?”</p> + +<p>“Yes! yes! let me out!”</p> + +<p>Poor Will Gibson was a prisoner in the vault. +He had run in there to hide, closing the door behind +him. The latch above the lock had sprung into +place, and after Mallory and the others had gone +away he had been unable to release himself.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>Joe quickly raised the latch and pulled the door +open.</p> + +<p>Out of the darkness staggered Will. The air in +the vault, which was empty, had nearly suffocated +him, and he could scarcely stand.</p> + +<p>Joe and Billy led him to a stone step, and there +the three boys sat down to rest.</p> + +<p>“Oh, how thankful I am that you came for me,” +said Will. “I was going crazy in there!”</p> + +<p>“It’s a terrible place to be locked in,” remarked +Billy.</p> + +<p>It was after eleven o’clock when the boys started +to go home.</p> + +<p>They had just passed the evergreen trees when +Joe suddenly clutched both companions by the +arm.</p> + +<p>“Hist! look there!” he whispered.</p> + +<p>And he nodded to their left, where three men +were stealing along, one with a half-closed lantern, +and the others with picks and shovels.</p> + +<p>“What can they be up to?” asked Billy, after a +breathless pause.</p> + +<p>“They are going to dig up a dead body.”</p> + +<p>“Body snatchers?” queried Will.</p> + +<p>“Exactly.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, what a shame!”</p> + +<p>“They ought to be locked up!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>“They shan’t get any body to-night,” said Joe +with sudden determination.</p> + +<p>For a long while dead bodies had been taken +from that cemetery. The authorities had tried in +vain to catch the offenders. They were supposed +to sell the bodies to some of the local medical +colleges, but no clew to work upon could be obtained.</p> + +<p>Night after night a watch had been set, but every +time the body snatchers were too shrewd for the +police.</p> + +<p>No body had been taken now for over a month, +and the authorities had relaxed their vigilance.</p> + +<p>“What will you do?” asked Billy.</p> + +<p>“Let one of us go for the police while the others +watch these chaps.”</p> + +<p>This was agreed on. But who should go?</p> + +<p>Will was selected, and he promised to bring help +with all possible speed.</p> + +<p>As soon as he was gone, our hero and Billy Smith +stole after the body snatchers.</p> + +<p>They soon tracked them to a new portion of the +cemetery.</p> + +<p>Here, in a corner, a woman had been buried that +very day.</p> + +<p>Setting down the lantern behind a bush the three<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +men took their picks and shovels and went to work +with a will.</p> + +<p>They wanted to get the body out, fill up the +grave again, and be off ere midnight.</p> + +<p>Three hands at one grave made quick work of +the semi-loose dirt, and it was not long ere the box +containing the coffin was reached.</p> + +<p>“Will ought to be coming back soon,” murmured +Billy.</p> + +<p>“Go toward the gate and see if you can learn +anything about him,” replied Joe. “I’ll stay on +guard alone.”</p> + +<p>And Billy went off as silently as a shadow.</p> + +<p>With several ropes the body snatchers raised the +box to the surface. Then with his shovel one of +the gang started to pry off the lid of the box.</p> + +<p>At that moment Joe heard a soft but well-known +whistle coming from Will Gibson.</p> + +<p>He replied, and so did Billy.</p> + +<p>The grave despoilers started back.</p> + +<p>“What’s that, Bill?” asked one.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t hear anything.”</p> + +<p>“It was a night bird,” said the third man. +“Hurry up, Candors. We want to get that coffin +to the wagon before twelve o’clock.”</p> + +<p>Then Joe felt his arm touched. There was Will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +accompanied by two of the Lockport constables. +Billy came behind the trio.</p> + +<p>“Just in time!” whispered Joe.</p> + +<p>“Will you boys help us?” asked the leading +officer.</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said our hero.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” added Billy and Will.</p> + +<p>“Then let us surround these chaps. There are +some sticks, better arm yourselves.”</p> + +<p>A moment later the officers strode forward.</p> + +<p>“Surrender! Hands up, all of you!”</p> + +<p>The body snatchers were taken completely by +surprise.</p> + +<p>They started to run, but it was useless.</p> + +<p>The leader was shot in the leg by one of the +constables, and stumbled headlong.</p> + +<p>In five minutes more every one of the body +snatchers was handcuffed and on his way to jail.</p> + +<p>The cemetery authorities were notified, and they +of course at once had the coffin box put back into +place.</p> + +<p>The boys got warm praise for what they had +done, and no more was said about the broken windows +in the church steeple.</p> + +<p>Later on the body snatchers, who proved to hail +from a distant city, were all tried and sentenced to +long terms in prison.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI.<br> + +<small>AN ACCIDENT ON THE RAILROAD.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> the affair in the cemetery matters drifted +along somewhat quietly for several days.</p> + +<p>Then Joe was called upon by his father to go on +a trip to Cleveland to pay some money which was +due to an insurance company.</p> + +<p>He was to go on the journey by train, and started +off early in the day.</p> + +<p>In the cars he met Charley Osborne, and the two +sat down together.</p> + +<p>“It’s awfully foggy,” said Charley. “By +gracious! I shouldn’t think the engineer could see +two yards ahead of him.”</p> + +<p>“It’s dangerous traveling in this weather,” replied +Joe. “I wish it was clearer.”</p> + +<p>“So do I—we could look out of the window,” +replied Charley.</p> + +<p>On rushed the train through the fog. The +engineer was behind time, and was doing his best +to make up his schedule.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>“We’re moving along, eh?” cried Joe as the car +gave an extra jerk around a curve. “We must be +going nearly a mile a minute.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so.”</p> + +<p>A half-hour passed. Several stops were made, +but few got off or on. The cars were about half +filled.</p> + +<p>“Folks don’t like to travel in this kind of +weather,” remarked Charley.</p> + +<p>“Well, I rather wish we had remained home, +too,” was Joe’s answer. “I would rather take this +trip when the sun is shining.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, so would I. But who would have thought +it was going to get so foggy when we left?”</p> + +<p>Another half-hour went by. Charley began to +get sleepy, and, leaning back his head, closed his +eyes.</p> + +<p>Our hero sat idly turning the pages of a newspaper.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the train was checked in its rapid onward +course.</p> + +<p>Charley and Joe were thrown forward out of +their seat on to the back of the seat in front of +them.</p> + +<p>Then came a crash in front and the jingle of +glass.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>The rear end of the car ahead had come up and +struck out the front end of the car they were in!</p> + +<p>A succession of bumps followed, a quiver, and +all became still so far as the cars were concerned.</p> + +<p>The train had run into the rear end of another +train ahead, and the crash was followed by a hundred +cries on every side.</p> + +<p>“Help me out!”</p> + +<p>“My leg is broken!”</p> + +<p>“Take this seat off my chest!”</p> + +<p>“Get an ax and chop me loose!”</p> + +<p>The cries came principally from the cars ahead.</p> + +<p>“Are you hurt, Charley?” asked our hero as soon +as he could make himself heard.</p> + +<p>“No; are you?”</p> + +<p>“Not a bit.”</p> + +<p>“Let us get out by the back way.”</p> + +<p>“All right.”</p> + +<p>They at once started to leave the car.</p> + +<p>Charley got out first.</p> + +<p>Joe lingered behind to help an old man who was +lame.</p> + +<p>The old fellow could scarcely move, and our hero +had quite a task getting him to a place of safety.</p> + +<p>Fortunately no one had been seriously hurt in the +car they had occupied.</p> + +<p>The principal damage sustained was in the car<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +ahead, next to the engine, and the rear car of the +train ahead.</p> + +<p>The engine was almost a total wreck, and both +the fireman and engineer were badly hurt.</p> + +<p>“My! but this is awful!” murmured Joe as he +gazed on the scene.</p> + +<p>“Help wanted here!” shouted the conductor, as +he rushed forward. “We must get out the helpless +before the cars take fire!”</p> + +<p>“I’m at your service!” cried Joe promptly.</p> + +<p>“So am I,” added Charley, and a dozen others +also volunteered.</p> + +<p>It was not long before those on the rear train +were all gotten out, and then the crowd ran forward.</p> + +<p>The rear car of the front train was almost +smashed to kindling wood, and it was already +burning in several places.</p> + +<p>Those around had gotten out most of the sufferers, +but could not get at those who remained.</p> + +<p>“Save me! oh, save me!”</p> + +<p>It was the cry of a despairing woman.</p> + +<p>The appeal came from the end of the car nearest +to the wrecked engine.</p> + +<p>The woman was caught under several seats, and +the fire was but a few feet away. Soon it would +reach her and she would be burned where she lay.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>“I’m going in for her!” cried Joe bravely.</p> + +<p>“No! no! I’ll go in!” exclaimed the conductor +of the train.</p> + +<p>He leaped into the battered car and began to +crawl over the wreckage.</p> + +<p>Soon he was directly over the woman.</p> + +<p>The steam and smoke enveloped him like a thick +cloud.</p> + +<p>With herculean efforts he hurled the broken car +seats right and left.</p> + +<p>He raised them all excepting the last, which he +could not budge.</p> + +<p>“An ax!” he yelled. “Bring me an ax!”</p> + +<p>Joe heard this cry and got the instrument and +threw it toward him.</p> + +<p>Crack! Whack! Bang!</p> + +<p>The ax flew right and left.</p> + +<p>The under car seat was smashed in a jiffy.</p> + +<p>Then the conductor raised the woman in his arms.</p> + +<p>With quick leaps he sprang through the smoke +and flames.</p> + +<p>The crowd was watching for him, and as he and +his burden appeared they set up a shout.</p> + +<p>“Good for the conductor!”</p> + +<p>Our hero helped place the woman on a grassy +bank, and here a doctor attended her and the other +sufferers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>Stirring times followed, and both Joe and Charley +did many deeds to their credit.</p> + +<p>It was not until an hour later that a train backed +down from Cleveland and took the dead and dying +on board.</p> + +<p>Joe and Charley boarded this train and half an +hour later found them at the depot in Cleveland.</p> + +<p>Here Joe’s business for his father was quickly +transacted, and then he went off with Charley to +visit the home of the latter’s uncle.</p> + +<p>The two spent a most enjoyable time at Charley’s +relative’s house, but knowing their parents might be +anxious concerning them, should they hear of the +railroad smash-up, they returned to Lockport much +earlier than had been their original intention.</p> + +<p>The news of the accident had preceded them, +and Joe found his folks at the depot awaiting him.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad you are safe, Joe!” cried his mother, +and folded him to her breast.</p> + +<p>This was Joe’s first and last accident on a railroad, +but many thrilling adventures on the wheel +were still in store for him.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII.<br> + +<small>THE GOLD PIN.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As we</span> know, Dick Burns had been quite seriously +injured on the road and during the time that Joe +was playing ball had been unable to go out on his +wheel.</p> + +<p>But the lad was now much better and, Joe’s +bicycle being once more in good condition, the pair +one day went out for a ride of several miles around +Lockport.</p> + +<p>On their way back they passed along the road +where Joe had had the dispute with Lemuel Akers, +while both were on their wheels.</p> + +<p>Our hero told Dick of it and showed his chum +the exact spot where Akers had been knocked +down.</p> + +<p>“It served him right,” declared Dick. “If he +don’t look out I’ll get into his wool.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m able to take my own part,” laughed +Joe.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>“I don’t mean on your account, but on Carrie’s. +He bothers her with his attentions, and she despises +him.”</p> + +<p>While Dick was speaking he was gazing at something +bright, lying but a few feet away. Suddenly +he made a dash forward and secured it.</p> + +<p>It was a gold pin shaped in the form of a new +moon, with a pearl at the lower end.</p> + +<p>“Look, Joe!” he cried.</p> + +<p>“A gold pin, I declare! Dick, you are in luck.”</p> + +<p>“So I am.”</p> + +<p>The two boys examined the pin, and cleaned it +off, and then Dick placed it on the lapel of his coat.</p> + +<p>“It’s worth a couple of dollars, at least,” said +Joe.</p> + +<p>“I’ll make Carrie a present of it,” rejoined Dick. +The manly boy thought a good deal of his sister.</p> + +<p>After this the boys went on, and a little later +turned homeward.</p> + +<p>Several days went by, and nothing of special +interest happened.</p> + +<p>But one day Carrie Burns came home in a flutter +and sought out her brother without delay.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Dick!” she cried, “something strange happened +to me to-day.”</p> + +<p>“What was it?”</p> + +<p>“I met Lemuel Akers, and he began to talk to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +me, and all of a sudden he got as white as a sheet +and began to tremble from head to foot.”</p> + +<p>“What under the sun was the matter with him?”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Must have been overcome by your beauty and +that new dress,” laughed Dick good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t joke, Dick! I’m not in the humor +for it. Lemuel was dreadfully frightened.”</p> + +<p>“But what at?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. He was talking and looking at +that pin you found——”</p> + +<p>“What!”</p> + +<p>Dick, who was oiling his bicycle, let the can drop +and sprang upright.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Dick! how you scared me!”</p> + +<p>“What did you say Lemuel Akers was doing?” +demanded Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>“He was looking at that pin.”</p> + +<p>“Where is the pin now?”</p> + +<p>“Here,” and Carrie pointed to the velvet band +around her dainty throat.</p> + +<p>“Carrie, let me have that pin again, will you?”</p> + +<p>“But, Dick, you gave it to me.”</p> + +<p>“I know I did, but I’m not going to have you +wear something that is going to scare Lemuel +Akers to death.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“I just wish it would scare him so he wouldn’t +come near me again,” pouted Carrie.</p> + +<p>She wanted to keep the pin, but Dick would not +listen to it, and at last she gave the article up.</p> + +<p>As soon as his wheel was oiled Dick rode straight +to Simon Pepper’s jewelry store.</p> + +<p>The crabbed old watchmaker sat behind his +bench, repairing several timepieces.</p> + +<p>Dick went at what was in his mind without beating +about the bush.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Pepper, do you remember the articles +stolen from your store?” he questioned.</p> + +<p>“O’ course I do,” growled Pepper. “Stuff don’t +sell so fast in Lockport but what I have a chance to +keep it on hand long enough to grow familiar with +it.”</p> + +<p>“Then will you please examine this pin?”</p> + +<p>Simon Pepper snatched the pin from Dick’s hand +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“It’s mine!” he burst out. “It’s one of three I +had.”</p> + +<p>“Did you ever sell any of them?”</p> + +<p>“No. Where did you get this one?”</p> + +<p>“Found it on the road.”</p> + +<p>“Where?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you some other time.”</p> + +<p>“But see here, Dick Burns——”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>“I won’t answer any questions now, Mr. Pepper. +I found it on the road, and I think I can locate the +thief.”</p> + +<p>And without waiting to see what Pepper might +have to remark on this strange statement, Dick +hurried from the shop.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII.<br> + +<small>RACING A LOCOMOTIVE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">From</span> Simon Pepper’s shop Dick Burns hurried at +once to Joe’s home.</p> + +<p>He found our hero weeding the garden, for the +lad was always an industrious fellow when out of +school.</p> + +<p>“Joe!”</p> + +<p>“Hullo, Dick! What now?”</p> + +<p>“I’ve found out who robbed Simon Pepper’s +shop.”</p> + +<p>“Never!”</p> + +<p>Joe dropped the weed in his hand like a hot +potato and came forward.</p> + +<p>“Who did the deed?”</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers.”</p> + +<p>“Really?”</p> + +<p>“He did—unless I am greatly mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“Tell me all about it,” went on Joe eagerly.</p> + +<p>“You know the pin I picked up on the road just +where you had the fight with Lemuel?”</p> + +<p>“What of it?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>“It is one of those stolen from old Pepper’s +shop.”</p> + +<p>“And Lemuel dropped it, you think!” asked Joe.</p> + +<p>“Why not? You didn’t drop it.”</p> + +<p>“No, I’ll give my word I did not.”</p> + +<p>“It was lying just where you and he had the +tussle.”</p> + +<p>“That is so.” Joe thought for a moment. “By +George! I believe you are right, Dick!”</p> + +<p>“It would be just like Lemuel to try to get you +into trouble.”</p> + +<p>“But my pocket-knife——”</p> + +<p>“He could easily get that at school.”</p> + +<p>“So he could.”</p> + +<p>“I believe if Lemuel’s home was searched we +would find something,” went on Dick, after a pause.</p> + +<p>“It’s a wonder he didn’t sell the stuff or get it +out of the way somehow.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe he did sell most of the stuff. He’s got a +new bike. Where did he get the money for that?”</p> + +<p>“He says he saved it. But I never knew him to +save a dollar.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I.”</p> + +<p>The two boys talked the matter over for half an +hour.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Johnson came home, and he and Joe +went over with Dick to see Mr. Burns.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>The lawyer was much interested, for the time for +Joe’s trial was close at hand. As we know, he intended +to defend Joe, not only for the boy’s sake, +but also on account of Dick.</p> + +<p>“It may be that Akers is guilty,” said Mr. Burns. +“The thing is to prove it.”</p> + +<p>“We ought to watch Lemuel,” suggested Joe.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps by so doing you may learn of something +to his disadvantage.”</p> + +<p>So it was arranged that an eye should be kept on +Lemuel for a few days.</p> + +<p>On the following morning Joe saw Akers riding +through town, bound toward Greenpoint.</p> + +<p>It was Saturday, and our hero instantly made up +his mind to follow Lemuel all day, in the hope that +something would turn up.</p> + +<p>He readily got permission to leave home, and +was soon on his wheel, speeding after the tall boy.</p> + +<p>Akers rode directly to Greenpoint, and after +having a luncheon there struck out to a point still +further up the lake.</p> + +<p>It was a fine day, but the recent heavy rains had +caused several washouts along the lakeside road.</p> + +<p>Mile after mile was passed, and at last the two +reached Pemberton, at the head of the lake.</p> + +<p>Joe had been very careful to keep out of sight,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +so Lemuel Akers had no idea that he was being +followed.</p> + +<p>At length Akers came to a halt in front of a +shabby-looking second-hand store.</p> + +<p>He chained his bicycle to a post, and, looking +carefully around, walked into the establishment.</p> + +<p>At once Joe’s suspicions were aroused. He left +his machine at a store on the corner and hurried to +the nearest window of the other store.</p> + +<p>The window was piled high with goods, but +through an open space Joe saw Lemuel Akers talking +earnestly to an old, round-shouldered Jew, who +stood leaning on a back counter.</p> + +<p>Presently Lemuel brought a small package from +his pocket and opened it.</p> + +<p>The package contained a watch chain, two watches +and a couple of gold rings.</p> + +<p>The Jew took the articles, and, walking to the +light, examined each one carefully.</p> + +<p>Then the pair began to talk earnestly, as if +haggling about a price.</p> + +<p>At last the Jew wrote out several tickets and +handed them and a roll of bills to Lemuel.</p> + +<p>The tall boy pocketed the bills and tickets. +Then he looked out of the store to see if the coast +was clear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>Joe had just sufficient time to spring behind a +billboard.</p> + +<p>In another minute Lemuel Akers came forth. He +mounted his wheel and rode off at top speed.</p> + +<p>Our hero smiled to himself as he walked back to +where he had left his own machine.</p> + +<p>The truth was plain enough now. Akers had +robbed Simon Pepper’s shop and was disposing of +the stolen goods by pawning them.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly this process was safer than trying to +sell the stolen articles.</p> + +<p>“I have got him where I want him now,” thought +Joe. “Simon Pepper can identify his goods and +the Jew can identify Lemuel, and, besides, if we +manage things right, we can find those pawntickets +on his person.”</p> + +<p>Thus reasoning, Joe left Pemberton not very far +behind the tall boy.</p> + +<p>Lemuel now took a different route, leading up to a +summer resort.</p> + +<p>Thinking it was no use to follow him longer, our +hero struck out for home.</p> + +<p>The road in this section ran parallel to the track.</p> + +<p>Joe was feeling in prime condition, and he moved +along at top speed.</p> + +<p>Presently a whistle sounded, and, looking back, +Joe saw the local express in the distance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>Hardly had he heard the whistle when there came +a shriek from some distance ahead, where the road +crossed the railroad tracks.</p> + +<p>Joe listened and heard a man crying loudly:</p> + +<p>“Save me from the train!”</p> + +<p>The man was on the track, lying down. He had +been struck by paralysis and could not move.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” yelled Joe.</p> + +<p>“Help! help!” was the only reply the sufferer +could make.</p> + +<p>He was directly in the way of the oncoming +train.</p> + +<p>Joe waited to hear no more, but began to push on +the pedals with all of his might.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster he came down the smooth road, +with the express thundering behind him.</p> + +<p>It was Joe’s first and last race with a locomotive, +and a life hung in the balance.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowe44_25" id="i_p128a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p128a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption"> +AN OLD MAN LAY HELPLESS ON THE TRACK.</p> + +<p class="right">“Rival Bicyclists.”</p> +</figcaption> +</figure> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX.<br> + +<small>LEMUEL AKERS’ GREAT PERIL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> race did not last long. It was a matter of +less than half a minute.</p> + +<p>But that few seconds showed what Joe could do +in the way of spurting.</p> + +<p>Down the road he came like a rocket, the wheels +of his machine seeming to fairly fly through the +air.</p> + +<p>The crossing was reached while the express was +still a hundred and fifty feet off.</p> + +<p>Joe took a flying leap to the man’s side, leaving +the bicycle to take care of itself.</p> + +<p>He caught the man in his arms and flung both +himself and his burden into a near-by ditch, and +then the express thundered by.</p> + +<p>For over a minute Joe was too weak to speak. +The awful danger through which he had passed +now dawned on him fully, and he arose trembling +from head to foot.</p> + +<p>The man he had rescued was unconscious.</p> + +<p>Some people driving by had witnessed the thrilling +scene and now came up.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>They were loud in their praise of our hero.</p> + +<p>The man was recognized as an old farmer living +several miles away. He was subject to similar +strokes to the present one, and rarely went out +alone. He was taken home in a wagon, and the +next day Joe received a warm letter from his wife, +thanking him for his great service.</p> + +<p>As soon as Joe arrived at home he told his parents +of what he had seen, and then called again on Mr. +Burns.</p> + +<p>The lawyer was much pleased.</p> + +<p>“Joe, you ought to turn detective,” he said.</p> + +<p>“No, thanks,” smiled our hero. “I would rather +be something else.”</p> + +<p>“I know that old Jew,” went on the lawyer. +“To-morrow I am going to Pemberton and will +interview him. I fancy you are as good as cleared.”</p> + +<p>“I am thankful for it,” responded Joe heartily.</p> + +<p>Our hero kept on the lookout for Lemuel Akers, +but the bully did not turn up until after supper.</p> + +<p>That evening Joe and Dick went out on their +wheels, visiting the spot where they had come near +to riding into the river.</p> + +<p>The new iron bridge was now up, and they now +had no difficulty in crossing the deep mountain +stream.</p> + +<p>The chums spoke of Akers first, and, that subject<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +exhausted, Dick told Joe of another bicycle meet +soon to come off.</p> + +<p>“We must both enter the races,” he said. “I am +going in for five miles and you must go in the two +and one mile.”</p> + +<p>“I will,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>They wheeled on until they were about five miles +from home. Then they came out on the top of a +high hill, from which they could look in every +direction.</p> + +<p>Here they rested, and while doing so Joe pointed +to a strange light over in the direction of Lockport.</p> + +<p>“What light is that, Dick?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. Must be on the river.”</p> + +<p>“It is growing larger.”</p> + +<p>“So it is.”</p> + +<p>The two boys watched the light for a minute in +silence. Then suddenly both gave a cry:</p> + +<p>“It’s a fire!”</p> + +<p>They were right, for a second later the flames +shot skyward all in one rush.</p> + +<p>“Somebody’s house in Lockport!” cried Dick. +“Joe, we must get back as soon as we can.”</p> + +<p>Our hero made no reply, but leaped on his wheel. +Soon they were pedaling along rapidly.</p> + +<p>As they moved closer to Lockport the flames kept +growing brighter and brighter, until the entire +heavens were lit up.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>“It’s more than one house, that’s certain,” remarked +Joe. “Who knows but what the entire +business portion is doomed.”</p> + +<p>Joe said this because they could now make out +that the fire was down in the vicinity of the stores +and not over by the river, as they had originally +supposed.</p> + +<p>Not long after this they could hear the crackling +of the flames and the shouts of the local firemen, +who were doing their best to subdue the conflagration.</p> + +<p>“It’s Rayley’s Row,” suddenly called Joe.</p> + +<p>“So it is, and every house in it is doomed,” replied +Dick.</p> + +<p>Rayley’s Row consisted of six dwellings situated +on the main street of Lockport, directly opposite the +post office and main store.</p> + +<p>Only two of the houses in the row were occupied, +the others having been vacant for some time.</p> + +<p>The vacant houses had caught first, having been +most likely set on fire by tramps, who occasionally +made their quarters there on the sly.</p> + +<p>“We must join the bucket brigade!” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>Lockport boasted of no fire engine, and the only +way to put out a fire was by pouring buckets of +water on it.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen lines with buckets were working<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +from as many pumps and cisterns to the scene of +the fire.</p> + +<p>Leaping from their machines, Joe and Dick +joined one of the lines which was rather short of +hands.</p> + +<p>In a second bucket after bucket came to each, to +be passed to the next man or boy in the line.</p> + +<p>“Lively, boys, the fire is gaining!” suddenly +shouted Carl Lathrop.</p> + +<p>“Form another line in the rear there!”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t somebody bring a few ladders?”</p> + +<p>“Are all the people out of the houses?” asked +Charley Osborne.</p> + +<p>“Yes, long ago.”</p> + +<p>But this answer was a falsehood, as the next instant +proved.</p> + +<p>At the top of one of the middle buildings appeared +a tall figure, waving its arms wildly over its +head.</p> + +<p>“For the love of heaven, won’t somebody save +me?”</p> + +<p>Everybody stared in mute amazement at the person +who uttered the appeal.</p> + +<p>It was Lemuel Akers!</p> + +<p>He was surrounded by flames, and death stared +him in the face.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX.<br> + +<small>JOE’S FATHER SAVES THE ENEMY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Joe</span> was as much astonished as any one to see +Lemuel Akers on the top of one of the middle of +the burning buildings.</p> + +<p>How Lemuel had got there was a mystery, as the +particular house in question was empty.</p> + +<p>“It’s Lemuel!” cried Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>“He is doomed!” ejaculated a bystander.</p> + +<p>“Can’t they get a ladder to him?” asked our +hero quickly.</p> + +<p>Every one looked around. Several ladders were +at hand, but none were long enough to reach the +top of the house.</p> + +<p>Besides, the lower floors were a mass of flames, +which shot out of the numerous windows in all +directions.</p> + +<p>“He is doomed!” cried Larry Dare.</p> + +<p>“Nothing can save him!” put in Sam Anderson.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>“The foolish boy! What was he doing in that +empty house?” queried Carl.</p> + +<p>And so the cries ran on.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers’ relatives were frantic and offered +all sorts of rewards to any one who would go to the +rescue.</p> + +<p>“I’ll save him!”</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Johnson who uttered the cry, and the +bystanders looked at him in amazement.</p> + +<p>“You can’t do it, Johnson.”</p> + +<p>“You are crazy; no one can go into that building +and get out alive.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t intend to go into the building,” said Mr. +Johnson.</p> + +<p>“Then how will you save him?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll show you.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson ran around until he found a light +but strong washline.</p> + +<p>The end of this line he tied securely to the upper +rung of the longest ladder to be had.</p> + +<p>Then he crossed the road to where stood a gigantic +elm tree.</p> + +<p>The tree was fully sixty feet from the burning +building, but its branches spread out in every direction.</p> + +<p>With an agility that would have done credit to a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +circus performer our hero’s father went up the +trunk of the tree in double-quick order.</p> + +<p>Once among the branches he drew the ladder up +after him.</p> + +<p>He kept on going up until he was on a branch on +a level with the roof of the burning building.</p> + +<p>Then with caution he worked his way outward. +It was a dangerous proceeding, as a slip from his +resting place might have meant death.</p> + +<p>More than once the wind sent the smoke swirling +about his head. At such times all he could do was +to hold his breath and wait until the wind changed.</p> + +<p>“Save me! Save me!” screamed Lemuel Akers. +He was on the point of swooning from terror.</p> + +<p>“Keep up your courage, Lemuel!” cried Mr. +Johnson. “I am coming.”</p> + +<p>“Where are you? I can’t see you.”</p> + +<p>“Here in the tree.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t jump to the tree.”</p> + +<p>“Prepare to catch the end of the ladder I have +brought up.”</p> + +<p>“Have you a ladder?” and for the first time +Lemuel’s tone took on a bit of hope.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Watch for it.”</p> + +<p>Out and out crawled Mr. Johnson, until he was +within twenty feet of the roof beyond.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>Then he brought the ladder up, resting the end +against a smaller limb above.</p> + +<p>When the lower end was at hand he tied it fast, +so that it might not slip away.</p> + +<p>“Now watch for it, Lemuel!” he cried.</p> + +<p>Then, calculating the distance as best he could, +the man shoved the top end of the ladder forward.</p> + +<p>It fell just a little sideways, but the top overlapped +the building gutter by two feet.</p> + +<p>“Now come over!” cried the man to the frightened +prisoner.</p> + +<p>“I—I—can’t,” howled Lemuel. “I’ll fall to the +ground.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense! Crawl from rung to rung and you’ll +be perfectly safe.”</p> + +<p>With his teeth chattering in his head, Lemuel +Akers got down flat on his stomach and began to +crawl at a snail’s pace toward the tree.</p> + +<p>“Hurry up, the roof is catching!” called out Mr. +Johnson. “Quick!”</p> + +<p>Groaning and trembling, the big boy, more of a +coward than ever, hurried himself, and half a minute +later found himself safe in the tree.</p> + +<p>“Now you can get down all right, I reckon,” said +our hero’s father coldly.</p> + +<p>Despite the excitement he had not forgotten how +Lemuel had treated Joe.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“Oh, I can get down all right enough,” was +Akers’ reply. “I was going to jump into the tree, +anyway.”</p> + +<p>And he turned his back on his rescuer and slid +down to the ground.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson remained above to pull away the +ladder that it might not be burned. Willing hands +helped him bring the ladder down.</p> + +<p>“By jinks! but that was great!” cried Dick +Burns, and he fairly hugged Joe. “Your father is +a brave man.”</p> + +<p>“Lemuel don’t think so.”</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers is an ungrateful dog!” cried a +man standing by. “He ought to be kicked out of +the town.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I say!” put in another.</p> + +<p>“He would have lost his life had it not been for +Mr. Johnson.”</p> + +<p>“Who said that?” exclaimed Lemuel, pushing his +way forward. “Saved my life! Not much! I +was just going to jump into the tree, anyway! I +ain’t so very thankful, because I don’t fancy having +the father of a jailbird——”</p> + +<p>Lemuel got no further.</p> + +<p>There was a dangerous fire in Joe’s eyes, but before +he could move on the tall boy Dick Burns +stepped between.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>“Lem Akers, shut your mouth this instant! No, +Joe, don’t whip him again, he isn’t worth it.”</p> + +<p>“See here, Dick Burns—” howled Lemuel.</p> + +<p>“I won’t listen to you,” went on Dick. “Do +you want to know why? Because, while you insist +on calling Joe a jailbird, I firmly believe you are +the one who robbed Simon Pepper’s store.”</p> + +<p>The crowd heard the words and stood in surprise. +Every eye was cast on Lemuel Akers, who turned +deadly white.</p> + +<p>“Me?” he stammered. “Do you know what you +are talking about, Dick Burns?”</p> + +<p>“I do. I firmly believe you are the thief. Maybe +when Joe’s trial comes off, the public will be +treated to a surprise.”</p> + +<p>What might have followed these words it is hard +to say, for at that instant there came a strange +cracking sound.</p> + +<p>“Run! run! the wall is falling!”</p> + +<p>Men and boys scattered in all directions.</p> + +<p>The warning came too late, however, for all, for +the crowd had been too close to the fire.</p> + +<p>Down came a section of the row of dwellings. +The burning timbers were hurled in all directions, +and some of the pieces fell upon Dick Burns and +Lemuel Akers, and they were stretched senseless +upon the ground.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI.<br> + +<small>AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">A cry</span> of horror arose on every side, heard even +above the crash of falling walls, as one after another +of the doomed buildings went down.</p> + +<p>“Dick Burns and Lemuel Akers are under the +timbers!”</p> + +<p>Then a rush was made, in spite of smoke and +flames, and the two boys were dragged to a place +of safety.</p> + +<p>A dash of cold water revived Dick, and he was +soon on his feet again, suffering nothing more serious +than a big lump on his forehead.</p> + +<p>Lemuel Akers had been hurt in the chest.</p> + +<p>“Call Dr. Hoymark, somebody! He is in the +crowd!”</p> + +<p>The cry for the doctor soon brought that medical +gentleman to Lemuel’s side.</p> + +<p>He directed that several men carry the big boy +to the drug store. Here Lemuel was placed on a +couch, and the doctor went to work on him, while<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +a number of men, including Mr. Johnson and Simon +Pepper, stood around.</p> + +<p>With a sharp pair of scissors the doctor cut open +Lemuel’s shirt. Then he asked somebody to help +him remove the boy’s coat and vest.</p> + +<p>Simon Pepper stepped forward, and the two +went to work. Hardly were the garments removed +than the watchmaker gave a gasp of astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Mine!”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” asked Dr. Hoymark.</p> + +<p>“Look! look! my chains and my pins!” howled +Simon Pepper.</p> + +<p>He seemed to have suddenly lost his reason. He +was tearing open a package which had dropped +from Lemuel Akers’ breast.</p> + +<p>“Your chains and pins!” said Lawyer Burns.</p> + +<p>“Yes! yes! Oh, the rascal! He must have been +the thief, and not Joe Johnson!”</p> + +<p>“You have struck it, Pepper,” responded the +lawyer quietly.</p> + +<p>Simon Pepper opened the package and spread +the contents on a near-by counter. There was +about half the amount stolen from the shop.</p> + +<p>“I will tell you where you can find nearly all the +rest,” said Lawyer Burns.</p> + +<p>“Where?”</p> + +<p>The lawyer started to tell about the pawnbroker<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +in the next town, when Lemuel came to his senses +and sat up.</p> + +<p>“What—is—the—matter?” he asked slowly.</p> + +<p>And then, seeing Simon Pepper, his hand stole +to his breast.</p> + +<p>“I have found you out!” howled the watchmaker. +“You thief! And you tried to put it off on Joe +Johnson!”</p> + +<p>He was even more angry than he had been at +our hero, and with far greater reason.</p> + +<p>“Gently,” interposed Dr. Hoymark. “Remember +he is suffering.”</p> + +<p>And then he thrust the jeweler aside until he +could attend to Lemuel. In his dismay at being +found out, the tall boy forgot all about his bruises. +He let the doctor fix him up, and then, putting on +his coat and vest again, sneaked off without a word +of thanks to any one.</p> + +<p>“An ungrateful boy,” murmured the doctor.</p> + +<p>“And a thoroughly bad one,” added Lawyer +Burns.</p> + +<p>The news soon spread and reached the ears of all +the town people.</p> + +<p>Nearly every one said it was no surprise. All +had believed Joe innocent from the start.</p> + +<p>It was thought that Lemuel had used the empty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +house as a place to hide the jewelry, and when the +row caught fire had gone in to get the booty out.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the fire had burned itself out. +Men and boys worked heroically, and nothing +burned but the row, although quite a high wind +was blowing.</p> + +<p>Much praise was given to Mr. Johnson for what +he had done for Joe’s enemy.</p> + +<p>Lawyer Burns at once took steps toward having +the case against Joe quashed. In this he was successful, +and a couple of days later every one knew +that Joe was free from the shadow which had been +cast over his fair name.</p> + +<p>Then came a big surprise. Lemuel Akers had +been arrested. No one had gone his bail, and he +had been placed in the town jail, a primitive and +rickety affair, which had once been a carpenter’s +shop.</p> + +<p>From this place of confinement the thief had +escaped, and no one knew where he had gone.</p> + +<p>The town authorities took the matter in hand, +but without results. Lemuel was missing and that +was as far as the single constable who did the work +on the case could get.</p> + +<p>It is possible that his folks knew where he was, +but if they did, they did not let on.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII.<br> + +<small>A TUG OF WAR.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">You</span> can’t do it!”</p> + +<p>“We can!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet you boys a new baseball outfit you +can’t!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll take you up, Captain Brown,” came from +three boyish throats in chorus.</p> + +<p>“All right, lads, I’ll stick to my word. If you +can pull Dan Risley, Mike Farrell and Peter Gibson +over the line in a tug of war you shall have the +best outfit to be bought in Greenpoint.”</p> + +<p>There was a shout, and three boys crowded +around the speaker.</p> + +<p>“That outfit is as good as ours,” cried Sam +Anderson, the leader of the trio.</p> + +<p>“Of course it is,” put in Joe, who was also +present.</p> + +<p>“We’ll pull ’em over at the first word,” added +Charley Osborne.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown of the Lockport hotel smiled. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +thought that what the boys proposed to do was impossible.</p> + +<p>The fact of the matter was the captain and the +three lads had been sitting on the hotel porch +watching the carpenters on the building opposite +trying to hoist up several heavy timbers. The +timbers had remained on the ground, awaiting a +machine hoist, and the boys had remarked that they +could do better than the men.</p> + +<p>One word had brought on another, until a tug of +war was spoken of between the three carpenters on +one side and the three boys on the other.</p> + +<p>The boys had always wanted a new baseball outfit, +and now they thought they saw a chance of +winning it.</p> + +<p>When the carpenters came down from the building +the contest was mentioned to them, and they +readily agreed to take part whenever the boys were +ready.</p> + +<p>Sam sounded the others and decided to bring +matters to a head on the following Saturday afternoon +at three o’clock.</p> + +<p>The tug of war between the three boys on one +side and the three men on the other was to come off +on the village green, and as it became noised about +the town great preparations were made for the +event.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>“We must win, that is all there is to it,” Joe declared +over and over again.</p> + +<p>“It’s rather unequal, when you come to think of +it,” remarked Charley. “Men ought to be stronger +than boys.”</p> + +<p>“Not stronger than the members of the Lockport +Baseball Club,” said our hero.</p> + +<p>From that time on until the memorable Saturday +afternoon the boys did nothing but practice for the +coming contest.</p> + +<p>They procured an old but stout rope, and going +into the woods along the river tied one end to a +young tree and then tried for hours at a time to +drag the tree to the ground.</p> + +<p>This developed their muscles wonderfully.</p> + +<p>At last came the Saturday. The boys heard that +the men were all ready for them.</p> + +<p>“They have been practicing too,” said Dick +Burns, who was greatly interested in the contest. +“I just heard it from Jake Foley.”</p> + +<p>“They won’t lose without a tough struggle, that’s +certain,” returned Joe. “But don’t be worried. +We must have confidence or we won’t win.”</p> + +<p>When the boys reached the village green half +an hour before the contest was to come off they +found it crowded with men, women, and young +folks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>“Here they come!” was the cry.</p> + +<p>“And here come the men,” was added a moment +later, as the three carpenters hove in view.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown had provided a brand new rope. +The line, as it is called, was marked off, and the +boys took their position at one end and the men at +the other.</p> + +<p>“Are you ready?” asked the captain.</p> + +<p>There were several seconds of silence.</p> + +<p>“Pull!” he yelled, and flung his hat on the +ground to signal that the battle royal was on.</p> + +<p>What a straining and tugging there was! Both +teams dropped into position and the knot in the +rope remained where it had been placed, directly on +the line.</p> + +<p>“Pull ’em over!” yelled Dick.</p> + +<p>“Don’t give ’em an inch!” added Carl Lathrop.</p> + +<p>“The boys are plucky!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but the men are the stronger.”</p> + +<p>So the cries ran on.</p> + +<p>At the end of ten minutes—it seemed an age—it +was noticed that the men were gaining. The knot +was over to their side all of two inches.</p> + +<p>“What did I tell you?”</p> + +<p>“The boys are plucky, but they haven’t the +weight.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>Sam had his teeth shut hard. He heard the remarks, +but paid no attention to them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he uttered a slight hissing sound. It +was the signal that one of their opponents was off +his guard.</p> + +<p>Instantly the boys planted their feet back and +gave a sudden and strong pull.</p> + +<p>Up came one carpenter after another, grunting as +they did.</p> + +<p>In vain they tried to fall back into their places.</p> + +<p>It was too late, and in a second more the boys +dragged them over the line with a rush.</p> + +<p>What a cheer went up!</p> + +<p>Even the carpenters joined in.</p> + +<p>“You did it, by the great horn spoon, you did +it!” cried the captain. “And the baseball outfit is +yours!”</p> + +<p>And it was.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII.<br> + +<small>ANOTHER BALL GAME.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">A few</span> days later the Rushers played another +game of ball, this time with a nine from Greenpoint. +As Dick Burns was now well again he +played at second base, while Joe took his old +position behind the home plate and Charley Osborne +pitched as before.</p> + +<p>There was a bitter rivalry between Lockport and +Greenpoint at the time, so far as baseball matters +went.</p> + +<p>“We must win this game, sure,” said Captain +Brown, who, since giving the baseball outfit, had +taken a special interest in the club.</p> + +<p>“I’ll do my share,” said Charley.</p> + +<p>“So will I,” added Joe.</p> + +<p>A crowd came to witness the game.</p> + +<p>In the first inning Charley gave four boys bases +on balls and the Greenpointers scored two runs.</p> + +<p>“That Lockport pitcher is no good,” said the +crowd.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>In the second inning Charley pitched a wide ball +over Joe’s head.</p> + +<p>Our hero did his best to get it, but it was beyond +his reach.</p> + +<p>He ran like the wind, but before he could grab +the sphere another run was scored for Greenpoint.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Rushers had but one run, made by +Dick.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown came forward.</p> + +<p>“See here, you two must do better than this,” he +said to Joe and Charley.</p> + +<p>“It’s the ball,” growled Charley. “Let me have +a new ball.”</p> + +<p>“Nothing the matter with the ball.”</p> + +<p>“I say there is,” returned Charley stoutly.</p> + +<p>“Let me see it?”</p> + +<p>The captain took the ball and examined it.</p> + +<p>Then he called the umpire aside.</p> + +<p>“Look here, Clarkson, what do you think of +this?” he said sharply.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked the umpire.</p> + +<p>“Look at this ball.”</p> + +<p>The umpire did as requested.</p> + +<p>“Side heavy.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And the cover has been resewed. This +is a doctored ball.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>“Don’t know but what you are right. Where +did it come from?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know. But the Greenpoint pitcher threw +it to Charley Osborne when they went in.”</p> + +<p>“Humph! Let us investigate later on. Try a +new ball.”</p> + +<p>The new ball came out, and several of the Greenpoint +team were seen to exchange glances.</p> + +<p>“They know something about this,” said Charley +to Joe.</p> + +<p>With a new ball Charley did better work. He +sent in some wonderful curves, and our hero caught +out seven men in rotation.</p> + +<p>At the end of the first half of the ninth inning +the score stood nine to eleven in favor of the Greenpoint +nine.</p> + +<p>Then the Rushers went to the bat.</p> + +<p>It was their last effort to win the game.</p> + +<p>“Wake up, boys!” cried Captain Brown.</p> + +<p>“Do your best, Dick!”</p> + +<p>Dick Burns was the first at the bat.</p> + +<p>He hit a safe one to center and got first.</p> + +<p>Charley followed, and also reached first on a +bunt, while Dick went to second.</p> + +<p>The next boy struck out, and the following fellow +did the same.</p> + +<p>Then our hero came to the bat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>Dick was on third and Charley on second.</p> + +<p>“Now is the time for one of your long hits,” said +the captain to Joe.</p> + +<p>The pitcher of the Greenpointers smiled to himself.</p> + +<p>He saw that Joe would hit the ball, and hit it +hard, if it came where he wanted it.</p> + +<p>Consequently he resolved to pitch the ball as far +as possible out of our hero’s reach without getting +too many balls called.</p> + +<p>“One ball!”</p> + +<p>“One strike!”</p> + +<p>“Two balls!”</p> + +<p>“Three balls!”</p> + +<p>Joe understood the pitcher’s trick and got angry.</p> + +<p>“Give me something over the plate,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Shut up, I know what I am doing,” growled the +Greenpoint youth.</p> + +<p>He remembered that the boy to bat next to Joe +was a weak fellow who could be put out with ease.</p> + +<p>Along came another ball.</p> + +<p>It was a grounder, but our hero made up his mind +to do the best he could with it.</p> + +<p>Bang! He hit the sphere with all the power in +his arms.</p> + +<p>It was a red-hot liner, and it came straight for the +pitcher’s head.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>The Greenpoint player knew better than to try +to stop it.</p> + +<p>He attempted to get out of the way.</p> + +<p>The ball struck his arm and bounded far out over +the foul line between home plate and first.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Joe was making time down to +first.</p> + +<p>Dick came home as if a swarm of hornets were +after him, and Charley followed.</p> + +<p>The Greenpoint catcher had run for the ball, +thinking the pitcher would come up and cover home +plate.</p> + +<p>But the pitcher did nothing of the sort. Instead +he was nursing his arm, which felt as if it had been +struck with a brick.</p> + +<p>Consequently Dick and Charley had nothing to +fear when they came in.</p> + +<p>The catcher even when he did get the ball +fumbled it and threw wild to second.</p> + +<p>Joe reached second and, seeing the ball sailing +over the baseman’s head, bounded for third.</p> + +<p>The second baseman ran back for the ball and the +center-fielder ran up.</p> + +<p>The two came into collision and down both went +on top of the sphere.</p> + +<p>“Throw the ball, Gimp!”</p> + +<p>“Send it in, Hemingway!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>Joe landed safely on third. His club was cheering +wildly.</p> + +<p>“Come in, Joe, come in!”</p> + +<p>“They can’t get the ball up!”</p> + +<p>The catcher of the Greenpointers was getting +frantic. He danced around the home plate like a +madman.</p> + +<p>“Throw the ball! Throw the ball!” he screamed.</p> + +<p>But the ball did not come.</p> + +<p>The second baseman managed to get to his feet +just as Joe started for home.</p> + +<p>Then up popped the center-fielder.</p> + +<p>Both looked at each other.</p> + +<p>Neither had the ball.</p> + +<p>They looked on the ground, but the sphere was +not in sight.</p> + +<p>By this time every one present was yelling.</p> + +<p>“Where is the ball?”</p> + +<p>“Throw it in!”</p> + +<p>“What kind of a game is this, anyhow?”</p> + +<p>Joe was sprinting as hard as he could and was +halfway home.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the center-fielder put his hand into his +shirt, which had been torn open while struggling +on the ground, and out came the ball.</p> + +<p>The crowd set up a groan.</p> + +<p>The Lockport players roared.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>Highly excited over the unexpected discovery he +had made, the center-fielder let drive the ball for +home.</p> + +<p>His aim was wild, and the ball flew about six feet +over the catcher’s head.</p> + +<p>Joe dropped into a walk and sauntered up to the +plate as coolly as if out for an evening stroll.</p> + +<p>His extraordinary run had won the game.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the Greenpoint team was not angry!</p> + +<p>The catcher scolded the pitcher, the second baseman +howled at the catcher, and the center-fielder +said the baseman had put the ball in his shirt.</p> + +<p>The game ended right there and the out-of-town +club sneaked for their stage as fast as they were +able.</p> + +<p>It was a long while before they heard the end of +that game.</p> + +<p>Joe was praised for the way he had served the +pitcher with the red-hot liner.</p> + +<p>“That’s right, make him pitch you a good ball,” +said the captain.</p> + +<p>As the Greenpoint Club had been beaten nothing +was said about the doctored ball.</p> + +<p>But in the future Charley Osborne kept his eyes +open whenever he started to pitch with a strange +or new ball.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV.<br> + +<small>AN AMUSING WAY TO CATCH A SNEAK.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> boys had built a shed at the ball grounds +where they could put their street clothing and don +their baseball outfit.</p> + +<p>One day a player named Washton came to the +others with a long face.</p> + +<p>“See here, this is getting too thin,” he said.</p> + +<p>“What is getting too thin, Washton, your shirt?” +and Captain Brown, who was a jolly sort of a chap, +smiled at his little joke.</p> + +<p>“No, this stealing in the dressing-room.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know there was any stealing going on,” +and the captain grew sober.</p> + +<p>“It don’t amount to a great deal, but it is enough +to worry one,” went on Washton. “Last week I +lost a silk handkerchief, and to-day my cardcase +with six cents in stamps is gone.”</p> + +<p>“I had my handkerchief taken, too,” said another +player.</p> + +<p>“I had three photographs stolen,” put in a third.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>“A new rule book I had is gone,” said Joe. +“But I thought I had lost it on the street.”</p> + +<p>A watch was set for the sneak thief, but he could +not be detected.</p> + +<p>A week passed and more small articles disappeared.</p> + +<p>Joe was one of the main sufferers, and he resolved +to catch the guilty party if such a thing could be +accomplished.</p> + +<p>He suspected a negro lad named Jeff Lumson, +who was in the habit of hanging around the club +on the watch to do errands and thus pick up a few +cents.</p> + +<p>Joe set a watch over Jeff, but could not catch +him in the act of stealing.</p> + +<p>Yet he became certain the colored boy was +guilty.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix him,” said our hero to Washton.</p> + +<p>“Hope you do,” grumbled the other player.</p> + +<p>On the following morning Joe went down to the +fish market. Here he hunted around until he came +across a chap who had live crabs to sell.</p> + +<p>Joe bought three of the smallest and toughest +looking of the crabs and put them in a basket.</p> + +<p>He took the basket to the shed at the grounds +and told Washton of his scheme.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>When the boys went on the field they left the +crabs in their inside coat pockets.</p> + +<p>Half the game went by and in the excitement +Joe forgot all about the crabs.</p> + +<p>Then the Lockport team came in to take their +turn at the bat.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a loud yell was heard coming from the +shed.</p> + +<p>“Come on!” shouted Joe. “I have the sneak!”</p> + +<p>The umpire called time, and all started forward.</p> + +<p>At the door to the shed they came upon Jeff the +negro. He was a sight to behold. His hands were +covered with blood, and to his right thumb hung +two of the crabs.</p> + +<p>“Help! murder! Take dem off!” he shrieked.</p> + +<p>“Jeff, what are you doing with my crabs?” demanded +Joe sternly.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t doin’ nuffin’, ’pon my word, Joe!” groaned +the colored boy. “Take dem off before I’se bit to +pieces!”</p> + +<p>“Do you own up that you are the sneak we’ve +been looking for?” asked Washton.</p> + +<p>“Oh, let me go! I’se——”</p> + +<p>“Own up, or we’ll let the crabs have another +innings at you!” said Charley Osborne.</p> + +<p>“I owns up; yes, I does!” groaned Jeff. “Let +me go an’ I’ll gib you back all de stuff I took.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>“All right,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>A bucket of water was handy, and this he held +under each crab. As soon as the crustaceans saw +their native element they dropped into the bucket.</p> + +<p>Jeff continued to groan, but no one sympathized +with him.</p> + +<p>The stolen stuff was taken from him and then he +was kicked out of the grounds by all hands.</p> + +<p>Some of the Lockport players thought he was a +sort of Mascott for the club, but this proved to be +false, for that day they beat their opponents, a +heavy team, too, by fourteen to three.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV.<br> + +<small>JOE’S TRIP TO BOSTON.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> summer holidays were now at hand and Joe +took again to his wheel, in company with Dick +Burns.</p> + +<p>“Baseball is all well enough,” he said. “But +wheeling is the better sport of the two after all.”</p> + +<p>“I am with you on that,” replied Dick. “I +would rather ride than eat.”</p> + +<p>“That is, if you weren’t too hungry,” laughed +Joe. “By the way, I wonder what has become of +Lemuel Akers,” he went on.</p> + +<p>“I wonder, too. I rather fancy he will never +return to Lockport,” said Dick.</p> + +<p>On the day after this talk Joe was hoeing corn in +his father’s field, when Dick came over, accompanied +by a tall and handsome young man.</p> + +<p>“Let me introduce my friend, Wilbur Rand, Joe,” +he said.</p> + +<p>Joe instantly dropped the hoe and shook hands. +Then he invited the pair to a bench under an apple +tree.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>“I am glad to know you,” said Wilbur Rand. +“I heard all about your bicycle victory at Elmwood.”</p> + +<p>Our hero saw Dick and his friend had come up +on bicycles, and he asked Wilbur Rand how he +liked to ride.</p> + +<p>Dick burst out laughing.</p> + +<p>“Wilbur is a professional rider, Joe,” he explained.</p> + +<p>“Oh, is that so?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, that is how I make my living,” replied +Wilbur Rand. “And, by the way, Dick tells me +you are more of a rider than most folks think.”</p> + +<p>“I can ride some,” replied Joe modestly.</p> + +<p>That evening the three went out together.</p> + +<p>Wilbur Rand had for several years been connected +with the League of American Wheelmen, +but during the last six months had become an out-and-out +professional rider.</p> + +<p>He had traveled through the West and made a +fair sum of money. He was now training for a +race in Boston, and after that intended to go to +Europe.</p> + +<p>Rand knew all the great riders personally, and +Joe listened with breathless interest as he told of +many races and how they were lost or won.</p> + +<p>“How I would like to have been in some of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +them!” murmured Joe, as his eyes glistened with +anticipation.</p> + +<p>“You’ll get there,” said the professional rider.</p> + +<p>Wilbur Rand remained at Lockport for over a +week.</p> + +<p>At the end of that time he paid a special visit to +our hero’s home.</p> + +<p>“I want to get Joe to go to Boston with me,” he +said to Mr. Johnson. “I will pay all of his expenses +if you will let him go.”</p> + +<p>“What for?”</p> + +<p>“I want him to help me train. He is just the +right kind of a companion. Dick Burns will go +with us.”</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for several hours, and +then Mr. Johnson and his wife gave their consent.</p> + +<p>It was a bright, clear day when our hero left +home. His friends came to the train to see him off.</p> + +<p>Joe enjoyed the trip very much, but he was still +more pleased when the great Eastern city was +reached.</p> + +<p>He took many rides around when not pacing +Wilbur Rand. He went over to the Bunker Hill +Monument and to a dozen other places of interest.</p> + +<p>At last came the time for the great race, and it +found Wilbur Rand in prime condition.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>The races were held on the regular cycling field, +and a very large crowd attended.</p> + +<p>Joe was deeply interested. He did all he could +for Rand, and so did Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>When the race was finished Wilbur Rand was the +winner of first place.</p> + +<p>Joe and Dick shouted themselves hoarse.</p> + +<p>Wilbur was much elated, and then and there he +made Joe a present of fifty dollars for his services +as a pacer and otherwise.</p> + +<p>Joe would not at first accept the gift, but Wilbur +Rand insisted.</p> + +<p>“Take your wheel and the money, and get the +best bicycle you can,” said Rand. “You yourself +are cut out for a professional and a winner. Mark +my words, we shall meet again, and on the track.”</p> + +<p>Dick and Joe saw Wilbur Rand off on the steamer +bound for Europe, and then returned to Lockport.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVI.<br> + +<small>JOE’S BIG RACE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">A couple</span> of weeks later Joe procured his wheel, +which was worth a hundred dollars. It was a racer, +and weighed only nineteen and three-quarter pounds.</p> + +<p>Our hero was very proud of the machine.</p> + +<p>“To ride on it is like sailing along on wings,” he +said to Dick. “Just watch me go!”</p> + +<p>And go he did, so rapidly that his chum was soon +left far behind.</p> + +<p>Several weeks went on, and meanwhile Mr. Johnson +was thrown out of work.</p> + +<p>This would not have been so bad, but he owed +two hundred and fifty dollars on a note, and this +was coming due.</p> + +<p>He had not the money to pay up, and the holder +of the note refused to renew the same.</p> + +<p>He spoke of his trouble to his wife and to Joe.</p> + +<p>“If I can’t pay up I’ll be sued and sold out,” said +Mr. Johnson.</p> + +<p>“If I could get the money on my bicycle I would +sell that,” said Joe promptly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>“No, I must have the whole amount,” replied his +father.</p> + +<p>On the very day that the money would come due +there was to be a series of races for cash prizes in +Cleveland.</p> + +<p>Joe heard of the races through Dick, who advised +him to enter for the five-mile event.</p> + +<p>“You might win something, Joe, and it would be +a feather in your cap,” said Dick.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t the money to enter.”</p> + +<p>“It’s only ten dollars, and I’ll put it up.”</p> + +<p>“But the car fares?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll pay those, too. You can pay me back out +of your winnings.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose I lose?”</p> + +<p>“You won’t lose, excepting through an accident, +and in that case I’ll pocket my loss.”</p> + +<p>The proposition interested Joe greatly, and finally +he agreed to take Dick up.</p> + +<p>Every night he went out for practice, hardening +his muscles by long climbs up hill.</p> + +<p>He also took much exercise to develop his lung +power, so that he could spurt.</p> + +<p>“I’ll win something, or else know the reason +why,” he said to himself.</p> + +<p>By Dick’s request he said nothing of the races to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +his parents. Dick entered him, and when they +went off Mr. Johnson paid no attention.</p> + +<p>Behind it all Joe wanted very much to win the +first prize of two hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>“It would help father out of his difficulty, I feel +sure,” he thought. “Oh, I must win; there are +no two ways about it.”</p> + +<p>Joe knew that both his father and his mother +were much worried over the note.</p> + +<p>His father had a hundred dollars, but that was +not two hundred and fifty.</p> + +<p>Joe and Dick arrived at the race track several +hours before the races. Joe was in prime condition +and felt confident.</p> + +<p>As the pair rode around the grounds Dick suddenly +called to our hero:</p> + +<p>“Did you see him?”</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers.”</p> + +<p>“No! Where?”</p> + +<p>“Back of that grand stand.”</p> + +<p>“I saw nobody I know,” replied Joe. “You +must be mistaken, Dick.”</p> + +<p>“I guess not.”</p> + +<p>Dick Burns hurried off, while Joe continued to +exercise himself.</p> + +<p>Pretty soon Dick came back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“He got away. But I am sure it was Lemuel.”</p> + +<p>It was now time for the first race to come off, +and the track was cleared of all but those who +were to take part.</p> + +<p>It was a mile event, and there were twelve +entries.</p> + +<p>An old favorite won, and this, of course, put the +crowd in good humor.</p> + +<p>Then came half a dozen other events.</p> + +<p>At last the five-mile race was called.</p> + +<p>“Now is your time, Joe,” said Dick. “Go in and +win.”</p> + +<p>Dick accompanied Joe to the starting point that +he might hold him up and shove him off at the shot.</p> + +<p>Ten young men entered the race, all much older, +however, than Joe.</p> + +<p>“Who is that boy?” asked several.</p> + +<p>“Can it be possible that he expects to win?”</p> + +<p>“He’ll be left at the first mile.”</p> + +<p>Joe heard the unkind remarks, but he paid no +attention to them.</p> + +<p>He set his teeth hard and looked to see that +everything about his bicycle was in first-class order.</p> + +<p>If he lost, it should not be the fault of careless +preparation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>There was a slight delay, and then a really beautiful +start was effected.</p> + +<p>“Go it, Barnstable!”</p> + +<p>“Show ’em what you can do, Royal!”</p> + +<p>At the end of the first lap the men were all in a +bunch, with Joe a few yards behind them.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you the boy wouldn’t be in it?”</p> + +<p>“What do they want to let a mere lad go in a +race like this for?”</p> + +<p>“Well, he’ll be out his entrance money, that’s +certain.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you mind, Joe,” cried Dick, and he was +the only one in that great crowd to give our hero +any encouragement.</p> + +<p>Joe smiled to himself when he heard Dick’s cry. +He knew perfectly well what he was doing.</p> + +<p>All those men ahead could not keep up that burst +of speed.</p> + +<p>At the third lap one began to lag behind, and +Joe passed him.</p> + +<p>A mile was passed, and Joe was ahead of three +of the racers.</p> + +<p>“The boy holds on pretty good!”</p> + +<p>“Maybe he’s getting his second wind.”</p> + +<p>Two miles, and Joe occupied fourth place.</p> + +<p>On and on went the racers. The end of the +third mile found Joe fighting for third place.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>Another lap, and the place was his and Redding +dropped behind.</p> + +<p>Then Joe tackled the second man, Clover. But +Clover was an old rider, and was not to be beaten +so easily. For a lap and a half he rushed on, just a +wheel’s length ahead.</p> + +<p>“He can’t come it over Clover!”</p> + +<p>“Bob’s too much for him!”</p> + +<p>Then Joe began to spurt. The end of the race +was not far off.</p> + +<p>Like a rocket he flashed up beside Clover; it was +wheel and wheel for a hundred feet.</p> + +<p>Then Joe shot ahead.</p> + +<p>“The boy has passed him!”</p> + +<p>“Clover is out of it. There he goes down!”</p> + +<p>The cry was true. The spurt had caused Clover +to faint.</p> + +<p>He fell, and his fall caused a general break-up +behind him.</p> + +<p>But several riders escaped and went on, while the +injured were carried as quickly as possible out of +the way of further harm.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Joe kept on.</p> + +<p>Barnstable was a hundred feet ahead.</p> + +<p>Could he pass the leader?</p> + +<p>“I must do it! I must!”</p> + +<p>And so thinking, Joe increased his spurting.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>At the turn he happened to glance up and in a +corner of the fence saw Lemuel Akers. But just +then he gave no thought to his enemy.</p> + +<p>That race was everything to him.</p> + +<p>Another lap, and Barnstable’s lead was cut down +nearly one-half.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the spectators gave a cry of amazement.</p> + +<p>Something had been thrown on the track, directly +in front of our hero.</p> + +<p>Sizz! Bang!</p> + +<p>The object had exploded with a deafening report +just as Joe was riding close beside it!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVII.<br> + +<small>JOE’S DOUBLE ESCAPE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> the moment every one at the track thought +Joe had been killed or fatally injured.</p> + +<p>The bomb, or whatever it was, had gone off +directly beside him.</p> + +<p>A shower of dirt flew in every direction, and this, +mingling with the smoke, hid our hero from view.</p> + +<p>A cry of terror was followed by absolute silence. +Every one looked dazed.</p> + +<p>Then, from the midst of what was meant to injure +him badly, Joe rode unharmed.</p> + +<p>No, not entirely unharmed, for his clothing was +torn and his left hand was bleeding.</p> + +<p>But such trifles counted for nothing in view of +what he had gone through.</p> + +<p>“He’s out of it!”</p> + +<p>“I thought he would be blown to pieces!”</p> + +<p>“Who threw that thing on the track?”</p> + +<p>“The miscreant ought to be lynched.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>Joe heard very few of the cries. Out of the +awful situation he came with still but one purpose +in his mind. He must win that race.</p> + +<p>It is such grit that marks the truly successful boy +and man.</p> + +<p>Barnstable was fifty feet ahead, and they had +just started on the last lap.</p> + +<p>Joe bent over his handle bar and spurted as he +had never spurted before.</p> + +<p>The track seemed to fairly flash by under his +feet. A hundred shouts rang in his ears.</p> + +<p>“He’s crawling up on Barnstable!”</p> + +<p>“Just see him spurt!”</p> + +<p>“He was fooling at the start.”</p> + +<p>“No, he wasn’t fooling, he was only saving his +wind, and now he is going to show you what he can +do.”</p> + +<p>The last speaker was Dick Burns, and he told the +truth.</p> + +<p>Like a dart from a blowgun Joe came down the +homestretch.</p> + +<p>Barnstable was but ten yards ahead—now eight—now +five—now only three!</p> + +<p>Now they were side by side!</p> + +<p>And the tape but six yards off.</p> + +<p>“Beat him out, Barnstable!”</p> + +<p>“Go, Joe, go!” yelled Dick.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>Barnstable increased his speed—he was pedaling +the race of his life.</p> + +<p>But Joe also increased. Then our hero fairly +stood on his pedals and on he went, over the line, a +winner by a yard!</p> + +<p>A silence—then a mighty shout that echoed and +re-echoed on all sides.</p> + +<p>“The boy has won!”</p> + +<p>“Who is he?”</p> + +<p>“Joe Johnson, of Lockport.”</p> + +<p>“He’ll be a champion some day.”</p> + +<p>“So he will.”</p> + +<p>Eagerly the crowd surrounded Joe, anxious to +make his acquaintance.</p> + +<p>But Dick got there first, and it was Dick who +hurried Joe off to his dressing-room.</p> + +<p>“I knew you could do it, old man,” said Dick. +“I am proud of you. Won’t this tickle Wilbur +Rand when he hears of it!”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t have done it on the old wheel, Dick. +The new machine won that race.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense! It was your endurance and pluck, +Joe. Here, let me rub you down. The two hundred +dollars are yours.”</p> + +<p>Joe’s eyes glistened in spite of his exhaustion.</p> + +<p>“Won’t father be pleased,” he murmured.</p> + +<p>“It will help him out on that mortgage.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>“Exactly. When do I get my prize?”</p> + +<p>“The money will be presented this evening at +the clubhouse at eight o’clock.”</p> + +<p>Then the two boys talked about the bomb.</p> + +<p>“It was Lemuel Akers threw it on the track, I +am certain of it,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>“It’s just like him. So this is where he is holding +out. We’ll have to report that fact at home.”</p> + +<p>“I fancy it won’t do much good. He’ll keep out +of the way for awhile.”</p> + +<p>As soon as he was in condition Joe went outside +again. Many were introduced to him, and soon he +was a hail-fellow-well-met among the bicyclists.</p> + +<p>The track authorities had set two special detectives +at work on the bomb business, and they promised +to find Lemuel Akers, if such a thing was +possible.</p> + +<p>Joe and Dick took supper with their new friends +at the clubhouse. It was an elegant layout, and it +is needless to say that our hero did full justice to +what was set before him.</p> + +<p>Then came a few speeches, and finally Joe was +presented with a purse containing two hundred +dollars in gold.</p> + +<p>He thanked the club for the prize, making a speech +that drew forth considerable applause, and half an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +hour later he and Dick withdrew in order to catch +the last train that night back to Lockport.</p> + +<p>“I must stop at a house on one of these side +streets for a minute,” said Dick. “You go down +to the depot and wait for me will you?”</p> + +<p>“All right,” responded Joe.</p> + +<p>Dick turned a corner and Joe went on his way. +It was rather dark, as there was no moon.</p> + +<p>The main street was torn up for a new sewer, so +Joe took the back way to reach the railroad +station. Unknown to him two men were close +behind.</p> + +<p>“He’s got that two hundred in his breast pocket,” +said one man to the other. “I saw him place it +there.”</p> + +<p>“We must get it, Cuddy.”</p> + +<p>“Of course. Two hundred can’t be picked up +easier.”</p> + +<p>So speaking the men followed Joe until a dark +corner was reached.</p> + +<p>Then one of them ran up and stopped Joe.</p> + +<p>“Hold on, sonny.”</p> + +<p>“What do you want?” demanded our hero +sharply.</p> + +<p>“I want that two hundred you have in your +breast pocket.”</p> + +<p>“What!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span>“No nonsense now!” put in the second man. +“Fork over and be quick about it!”</p> + +<p>As he spoke the man drew a pistol.</p> + +<p>Joe took in the situation on the instant.</p> + +<p>These men were footpads. They had seen him +put the money away and now they meant to rob +him.</p> + +<p>As quick as a flash he sprang back. Then on his +machine hopped Joe, and pedaling off toward the +depot. He had gone but a dozen yards when the +man said:</p> + +<p>“Stop! or I’ll fire!”</p> + +<p>To this command and threat Joe paid no heed. +He spun on, and a few seconds later reached the +depot in safety.</p> + +<p>He at once sought a policeman and told his story. +The two went back, but the footpads had taken +warning and cleared out.</p> + +<p>“Next time I’ll be more careful how I show my +money,” thought Joe.</p> + +<p>It was not long after this that Dick came along. +The train also arrived, and both boys got aboard.</p> + +<p>“Well, Joe, you are a professional rider from to-day,” +said Dick. “Your amateur days are over.”</p> + +<p>Joe and Dick talked over future prospects all the +way to Lockport.</p> + +<p>It was very late when they arrived at their native<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +town and they expected to see the station practically +deserted.</p> + +<p>What was their surprise to find it lit up on all +sides with Chinese lanterns, while in the square a +big bonfire was blazing.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for Joe Johnson!” sang out a hundred +boys as our hero alighted.</p> + +<p>The news of his victory had preceded him and +the town boys were proud of him.</p> + +<p>They had a little parade, some riding on their +wheels and others marching on foot, and they +escorted Joe home.</p> + +<p>Here Mr. Johnson and Joe’s mother and Paul +could scarcely credit their ears.</p> + +<p>“Won two hundred dollars!” gasped his mother. +“Oh, Joe!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, mother,” he said proudly. And then he +turned to his father: “Use it toward that note, +father.”</p> + +<p>And he held out the purse.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson gladly accepted a hundred and fifty +dollars, which, with the hundred he had, would pay +off the two hundred and fifty.</p> + +<p>“Keep the rest, Joe,” he said. “You more than +deserve it.”</p> + +<p>“So he does,” put in Paul. “Ain’t I glad though, +Joe,” he added warmly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>“But you are out of work—” began Joe.</p> + +<p>“No, I am happy to say that I have struck another +situation,” replied Mr. Johnson.</p> + +<p>“That’s good. Where?”</p> + +<p>“With Mr. Fordham, at the planing mill.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Mr. Akers worked there.”</p> + +<p>“I know it. He was discharged last week for +carelessness. He broke several very valuable planing +knives.”</p> + +<p>“The Akerses won’t like that,” said Joe soberly.</p> + +<p>“I presume not. But the position was vacant +and I can’t afford to remain idle on their account, +Joe.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not, father,” replied Joe; and there +the conversation dropped.</p> + +<p>But Joe could not help but wonder what effect +the turn of affairs would have on Lemuel Akers and +his family.</p> + +<p>He fancied, and rightly, too, that they would be +very bitter over this unexpected change.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br> + +<small>THE MAD DOG.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was two evenings later that Joe arranged to +go out bicycling with Carrie Burns, who had +obtained a situation at the district school.</p> + +<p>He was to meet her on the road next day after +school hours, and they were to take a trip over a +road which was comparatively new to her.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time Joe looked for Carrie, but +she did not put in an appearance.</p> + +<p>He waited half an hour, and then, mounting his +wheel, pedaled slowly toward the schoolhouse situated +on the outskirts, between Lockport and Greenpoint.</p> + +<p>He thought something had detained Carrie at +the school, although he could not imagine what it +could be.</p> + +<p>On the way Joe met Josiah Arkley. The old +farmer was glad to see him.</p> + +<p>“I ain’t forgot how ye saved my henroost, Joe,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +he said. “An’ I ain’t likely to forgit it. They tell +me you air a downright good wheeler an’ makin’ +money. I wish ye success, I do, on my word.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Mr. Arkley,” said Joe, and then he +rode on.</p> + +<p>As he neared the schoolhouse he heard a scream +of terror and recognized Carrie Burns’ voice.</p> + +<p>Evidently Dick’s sister was in great peril.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation our hero shot forward on his +wheel.</p> + +<p>“Help! Help!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the trouble?” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>“A mad dog! Save me!” shrieked pretty Carrie +Burns.</p> + +<p>Leaping to the ground, Joe ran up the schoolhouse +steps and burst open the door.</p> + +<p>A curious and thrilling sight met his gaze.</p> + +<p>There, on a high desk, stood Carrie Burns. She +held a heavy ruler in her hand, with which she was +trying to ward off the repeated attacks of a small +but ferocious dog, who was leaping and snarling +about her.</p> + +<p>That the dog was mad was evident. He was +trying his best to catch her dainty foot between his +gleaming teeth.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Joe, save me!”</p> + +<p>“I will, Carrie!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>On hearing Joe’s voice the dog turned around +and started to attack our hero.</p> + +<p>But Joe was too quick for him and sprang on a +desk. Then he caught up a chair and whacked the +dog over the back with it.</p> + +<p>The cur rolled over and over, letting out a wild +howl as he did so.</p> + +<p>As he rolled Joe sprang down and caught him +under the neck with one leg of the chair.</p> + +<p>Before he could free himself our hero had him by +the tail.</p> + +<p>The schoolhouse was built on the bank of a wide +stream, and the windows were open.</p> + +<p>Swinging the cur around his head, Joe hurled +him through a window.</p> + +<p>He landed in the water with a splash and disappeared. +But soon he came to the surface again, and +then struck out for the opposite shore, a sadder if +not a wiser dog.</p> + +<p>Then Joe ran to Carrie’s side. She had been +fighting off the dog for nearly an hour and was +completely exhausted.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Joe, you saved my life!” she murmured.</p> + +<p>“I would do as much for you every day, Carrie,” +he replied quickly, and then blushed.</p> + +<p>It was some time later that the pair returned to +Mr. Burns’ house.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>Here Joe was again thanked. Later on he and +Carrie took their ride, and both enjoyed it very +much, despite the mad-dog incident.</p> + +<p>The next few weeks were busy ones for Joe Johnson. +He worked with his father, and during his +spare time entered half a dozen races.</p> + +<p>Of these races he won four and received prizes to +the amount of nearly a hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>With part of the money he bought his mother a +new sewing machine, something she wished for very +much.</p> + +<p>The rest of the money went into the bank.</p> + +<p>“I’ll not become a spendthrift, no matter how +much I make,” said Joe to himself.</p> + +<p>That winter a bicycle carnival was arranged to +take place in the city of Chicago.</p> + +<p>Joe was asked to enter, and he did so for a twenty-mile +event.</p> + +<p>Among those who entered against him was Wilbur +Rand, who had just come back from a fairly +successful tour, on which he had been showing off +the merits of a new high-geared bicycle.</p> + +<p>“What did I tell you, Joe?” cried Rand. “Didn’t +I say we would meet again, and on the professional +track?”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry we are to race against each other,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +said Joe soberly. “I want to see you win, and I +don’t want to lose.”</p> + +<p>“Just my idea of it, too. But we must both do +our best. There must be no such thing as throwing +the race into the other’s hands.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know that.”</p> + +<p>The carnival brought thousands of bicyclists to +Chicago, and Joe made a great host of friends.</p> + +<p>“I think this will be the last long race I will +enter,” he said to Dick, who came on just to see Joe +and Rand race.</p> + +<p>“Why, Joe, what do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“After this I am going in for one, two, and three +mile events. I think I may win a championship in +one of those events.”</p> + +<p>“You can!” cried Dick. “You spurt so beautifully.”</p> + +<p>The races were very successful in every way, excepting +that in one event three of the riders were +badly hurt.</p> + +<p>On the second day of the carnival the twenty-mile +event came off.</p> + +<p>There were sixteen entries, and at the call every +man appeared.</p> + +<p>“You want to be careful of a pocket, Joe,” said +Dick.</p> + +<p>“And look out for smash-ups,” put in Wilbur<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +Rand. “The track is not just what it might be. +That other mishap proves it.”</p> + +<p>It took some time to effect a good start. But at +last they were off in a bunch.</p> + +<p>All went well for several miles. Three men +dropped out, leaving thirteen on the track.</p> + +<p>An unlucky number, thought some people, and so +it proved.</p> + +<p>Joe occupied fifth place, with Wilbur Rand just +ahead of him.</p> + +<p>The three leaders were way ahead. But they +were using themselves up, and must sooner or later +drop behind.</p> + +<p>Then came a burst from behind, and Wilbur Rand +and Joe were surrounded.</p> + +<p>Rand managed to escape, but Joe was “pocketed.”</p> + +<p>In vain he tried to break out. Three riders held +him steadily in check.</p> + +<p>Joe was inclined to think he had been caught on +purpose, but he could not prove it.</p> + +<p>He drove along steadily, watching every movement +the others made.</p> + +<p>Half a lap was lost, and then our hero saw a +fighting chance to clear himself.</p> + +<p>One of the bicyclists had turned out about a foot.</p> + +<p>This left a narrow space between the fellow and +the man beside him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>Like an arrow from a bow Joe made a mighty +spurt.</p> + +<p>He shot through the opening like lightning, just +grazing one of the men as he passed.</p> + +<p>Before the fellows could realize it he was ten +yards in advance of them.</p> + +<p>“I’ll not get in such a pocket again,” he muttered +to himself. “They mean to make me lose if they +can.”</p> + +<p>By this time Wilbur Rand was close up to the +three men ahead, who were now in a close bunch.</p> + +<p>These positions were held for over two miles. +Then a cry rang out.</p> + +<p>The first man had slipped at one of the turns and +gone down. Almost instantly the second and third +riders came down on top of him.</p> + +<p>Before they could right themselves Wilbur Rand +came up, with Joe close beside him.</p> + +<p>Rand was riding at a furious rate, and it looked +as if he, too, must be thrown amid that mass of +wounded humanity and twisted wheels.</p> + +<p>He tried to turn out and began to slip.</p> + +<p>But Joe caught him by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Steady!” he cried. “Steady! Now you are +all right.”</p> + +<p>It was all done quicker than it can be told. But +the crowd saw and applauded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>Joe had saved Wilbur Rand from a dangerous +fall, and perhaps from great injury.</p> + +<p>On went the two riders side by side.</p> + +<p>Then the wreck was cleared away and the others +followed.</p> + +<p>Some began to spurt, and again Joe was hard +pushed from behind, while Wilbur Rand led by a +dozen yards.</p> + +<p>And now the last mile was on.</p> + +<p>Joe rode as he had never ridden before. Slowly +but surely he crawled up to Wilbur Rand.</p> + +<p>“Here they come!”</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be a close race!”</p> + +<p>“Joe Johnson has caught up!”</p> + +<p>“See, they are wheel and wheel!”</p> + +<p>The shouts were deafening as Joe and Rand +neared the end of the final lap.</p> + +<p>They were indeed side by side. Neither was a +single inch ahead.</p> + +<p>A flash and the tape was crossed.</p> + +<p>A tie!</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for Joe Johnson!”</p> + +<p>“Three cheers for Wilbur Rand!”</p> + +<p>Wilbur Rand and Joe shook hands, while the +crowd continued to cheer.</p> + +<p>“Shall we divide or race it over?” asked Rand.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>“Let us divide,” said Joe. “I would rather have +it that way. We can be better friends.”</p> + +<p>“Just my way of thinking.”</p> + +<p>But Rand did not forget how Joe had saved him +from falling.</p> + +<p>Before they separated he made Joe a present of +a handsome diamond scarfpin.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIX.<br> + +<small>THE BOY ON THE DERRICK ARM.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> this great race Joe was looked upon more +as a professional bicycle rider than anything else.</p> + +<p>“He’ll make his mark, see if he don’t,” said his +friends, and it looked as if this would be true.</p> + +<p>Business in Lockport was picking up. Several +new factories had been started and the town was +fast growing into a city.</p> + +<p>“Let us go into the bicycle business, father,” said +Joe one day. “A store of that kind ought to pay.”</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for several weeks, +and finally Mr. Johnson decided to make the venture, +and a store was opened, with Paul and Joe in +charge. Mr. Johnson was not to give up his present +place until the new venture was an assured success.</p> + +<p>This it speedily was, and Joe’s father resigned his +position at the planing mill and enlarged the store, +adding a general line of hardware and farming +implements.</p> + +<p>The ground where the old Rayley’s Row had +stood had been cleared of all the <i>débris</i> left by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +fire, and now the owners of the land were putting +up a row of fine brick stores and dwellings which +were destined to be the pride of the place.</p> + +<p>Late one afternoon Joe was passing the buildings +where a great number of children were at play in +the heaps of sand and on the piles of lumber which +incumbered the street.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a boy on the top of one of the buildings +let out a sharp cry of fear.</p> + +<p>Joe looked up and saw a sight that almost caused +his heart to stop beating.</p> + +<p>The boy had in some way been caught on the end +of the arm of a big derrick used for hoisting building +material.</p> + +<p>The arm had swung around and the boy now +hung over the street, forty feet below.</p> + +<p>He was caught only by his back, and should his +coat rip away he would be hurled to his death.</p> + +<p>Taking in the situation at a glance, our hero ran +up one ladder after another until the top of the +building was reached.</p> + +<p>“Save Willie Gray!” screamed a dozen boys.</p> + +<p>They were trying to swing the arm of the derrick +around, but could not.</p> + +<p>Some of the machinery would not work, and +although Joe took a hand, the long arm with its +human burden would not budge.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>Then Joe resolved to go to the boy’s rescue.</p> + +<p>Cautiously he climbed out on the long arm on +hands and knees.</p> + +<p>It was a daring thing to attempt.</p> + +<p>Should Joe slip and lose his hold, he would fall +forty feet to the pavement below.</p> + +<p>That would mean but one thing—death.</p> + +<p>Yet our hero did not falter. He was made of +sterner stuff.</p> + +<p>Inch by inch he moved along, while a crowd +gathered in the street below to watch him.</p> + +<p>“Be careful, young fellow!”</p> + +<p>The derrick arm wobbled a little, and this made +the daring feat still more difficult.</p> + +<p>Joe was now within two feet of the boy, who was +struggling madly to catch hold of the arm of the +derrick.</p> + +<p>Rip! The boy’s coat tore away from where it +was caught, and the youth gave a scream, thinking +he was lost.</p> + +<p>With a quick leap our hero grabbed him by the +collar just as he was dropping.</p> + +<p>“He has him!”</p> + +<p>“A close call for the youngster!”</p> + +<p>With his strong right arm Joe landed the boy on +the top of the derrick arm. But the lad was too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +frightened to save himself even then and clutched +at Joe.</p> + +<p>“Save me! Don’t leave me!” he moaned piteously.</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter for our hero to move backward +with the frightened lad clinging to him. Yet +back he went, inch by inch.</p> + +<p>The crowd held its breath, expecting each instant +to see Joe and his charge come crashing to the +pavement.</p> + +<p>But at last the top of the building was reached.</p> + +<p>The boy had fainted.</p> + +<p>He was quickly surrounded by a score of men and +women, among the number being his mother.</p> + +<p>The thankful woman hugged the boy to her breast +and then turned to thank Joe for his great service.</p> + +<p>But the brave youth was not to be found.</p> + +<p>He had slipped through the crowd and hurried +down the several ladders to the street.</p> + +<p>The boys wondered what made Joe so sober that +night and the next day.</p> + +<p>The local paper came out with a long account of +the daring rescue, and our hero received great +praise.</p> + +<p>For a long while after this matters moved along +quietly with Joe.</p> + +<p>One day, while he was sitting on the porch, talking +over bicycle races with a rider named Roy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +Crossley, Mr. Johnson came to him with a bulky +envelope.</p> + +<p>“Suppose you deliver this letter for me on your +wheel?” said Mr. Johnson. “It will give you something +to do, and I would rather have it delivered by +hand than trust it in the mails.”</p> + +<p>“Where is it to go?”</p> + +<p>“To a man named Franshaw, who lives up about +two miles back of Independence. If I put it in the +mails he may not get it for three or four days, and +I want to see him to-morrow, if possible. Perhaps +Roy would like to ride with you.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly; we were just wondering where we +should go,” replied Roy Crossley.</p> + +<p>“We can’t go up there and back by dinner time, +though,” put in Joe.</p> + +<p>“Then let us take our lunches and make a day of +it,” suggested the other bicyclist.</p> + +<p>This was agreed upon; and half an hour later the +two boys set off on their bicycles, each with a neat +lunch in paper strapped to his handle bar, and Joe +with the communication for Mr. Franshaw tucked +away in a back pocket, under his blue sweater.</p> + +<p>The early morning had been somewhat misty, but +now the sun came out strong for a day in the spring +time. The roads were dry, but without dust, ideal +in every way for the trip before them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>“As we have the whole day before us, let us take +it easy,” suggested our hero, as Roy started off at +his usual high rate of speed.</p> + +<p>“Joe, you’re getting lazy!” laughed Roy. “Come +on. I’ll race you to the turn.”</p> + +<p>But Joe would not race, and his chum was forced +to slow down, much to his dissatisfaction. Slowly +they rode on, and turned into the road leading to +Independence.</p> + +<p>“I wish I’d had a drink before I left home,” remarked +Joe presently. “I’m awfully thirsty.”</p> + +<p>“We can stop at the next house for water,” returned +Roy, but before the next building was +reached they espied an old-fashioned well situated +in a rocky field to their right.</p> + +<p>“We’ll get a drink up there,” cried Joe. “Come +on;” and coming to a halt, he dismounted and +dragged his wheel up against the rail fence. Roy +followed, and the pair were soon over the fence and +into the field. They had quite some fun working +the long well sweep, and when Roy was getting his +drink out of the mossy bucket Joe playfully ducked +his nose for him, and got a handful of water down +his neck in consequence.</p> + +<p>“I like to drink out of an old well,” observed +Roy, when they were once more on their journey.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +“The water seems to taste sweeter, especially if +you drink right out of the bucket.”</p> + +<p>“Pure imagination,” laughed Joe, who was not +of a poetical nature. “Might as well say you would +like to eat a beefsteak right out of the frying pan.”</p> + +<p>A hamlet called Bytown had been passed, and +now they came to a long hill, rather steep in places. +Halfway up this Joe called a halt.</p> + +<p>“We can rest and then walk the remainder of the +way,” he observed, and threw himself down on the +sward, with his back against a huge stone.</p> + +<p>“Well, you are lazy to-day and no mistake,” said +Roy, but he was compelled to follow his chum’s +lead. “We haven’t so everlastingly far to go that +you’ve got to save your wind in this fashion.”</p> + +<p>“It’s far enough, considering the hills.”</p> + +<p>“Who is this Mr. Franshaw we are to call on?”</p> + +<p>“He used to be a builder in Greenpoint. Some +years ago he and my father did quite some work +together.”</p> + +<p>“Your father said it was important he should get +the letter at once.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. It’s about some building contract, I believe.” +Joe put his hand back to see if the letter +was safe. “Father thinks— Oh, Roy, it’s gone!”</p> + +<p>“Gone? What?”</p> + +<p>“The letter! I’ve dropped it somewhere!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>In the excitement Joe leaped to his feet and gazed +about him and down along the road as far as his +eye could reach. The envelope was not in sight.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to go back,” he said, with a disturbed +look on his face. “Hurry up.”</p> + +<p>“You must have dropped it when we got that +drink,” said Roy. “I hope you get it back.”</p> + +<p>“I must get it back. I think there was a plan in +it which cost the owner fifty or a hundred dollars,” +returned Joe.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXX.<br> + +<small>A LETTER AND A SNAKE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Our</span> hero was already on his bicycle, and Roy +had no cause to complain about the time made in +returning to the vicinity of the old well. As a +matter of fact, Joe fairly flew down the highway +and he had all he could do to keep up with him.</p> + +<p>The spot reached, they dismounted and commenced +a search which lasted nearly an hour, covering +every foot of ground for fifty feet around. +They even lit a bit of paper and threw it into the +well, that they might see if the envelope had +dropped into the water. It was all of no avail; the +communication could not be found.</p> + +<p>Joe walked back to the road with a very white +face. What would his father say to this?</p> + +<p>“It’s too bad,” said Roy Crossley. “Let us ride +back slowly to where we rested. It may be lying +somewhere on the way.”</p> + +<p>“I ought to have put it into an inside pocket,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> +Roy. Father cautioned me to do that, but I forgot.”</p> + +<p>On this point Roy could give no comfort, and in +silence they turned forward again, our hero on one +side of the road and his chum on the other.</p> + +<p>They had almost reached the spot where they had +been resting when Roy uttered a shout.</p> + +<p>“There is the letter, over by that rock!”</p> + +<p>He pointed to one side. Both looked in that +direction, and an instant later gave a yell of fright.</p> + +<p>“A snake! And on the letter!”</p> + +<p>It was true. A brown reptile nearly three feet +long had come out of his hole to sun himself, and +his head rested directly upon the communication.</p> + +<p>Both boys rode past and then dismounted. As +they did this the snake gave an angry hiss which +made them retreat in double-quick time. Joe +picked up a stone and Roy a stick.</p> + +<p>For a moment the reptile held its ground, and +the lads thought they would have a lively and +decidedly unwelcome fight. But as the stick and +stone were raised the snake turned and like a flash +disappeared behind a rock.</p> + +<p>Joe’s heart beat loudly as he picked up the letter, +and he brushed it off with great care and even then +handled it gingerly. Both boys were so preoccupied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +that they did not notice the presence of a +little girl who had walked up.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you kill the snake?” she remarked. +“I wouldn’t have let him get away from me.”</p> + +<p>“It’s easy to talk,” returned Roy coldly. “A +snake is not a nice thing to handle.”</p> + +<p>“Huh! My little brother killed one yesterday +twice as long as that,” she replied disdainfully.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you tell us how far we are from Mr. +Franshaw’s house?” asked Joe, to change the subject.</p> + +<p>The girl told them, glancing curiously at the +letter in the meantime. “Is that for him?” she +questioned.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if you want to catch him this morning +you’ll have to hurry. I just came from his place +and I heard him tell his man that he was going to +start for Northfield in a little while, and by what +he said I guess he’s going to stay there a couple of +days.”</p> + +<p>“Then we will have to hurry,” replied Joe. “I +am much obliged to you for the information,” he +added.</p> + +<p>“I’ve never been out Northfield way,” observed +Roy, as they pedaled along as rapidly as possible. +“Do you know anything about the roads?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>“I was up there once in a wagon,” replied our +hero. “I hope we catch Mr. Franshaw before he +starts.”</p> + +<p>They went through the town of Independence at +a rapid rate—so rapid Roy was afraid they might +be arrested for fast riding—and struck out on the +side road leading to Mr. Franshaw’s residence. The +two miles were quickly covered, and, dismounting, +Joe hurried up to a side door and knocked loudly. +There was no response.</p> + +<p>A man who had seen them from a near-by field +approached. He proved to be one of Mr. Franshaw’s +hired men.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Mr. Franshaw left for Northfield about +half an hour ago,” he said, in reply to Joe’s question.</p> + +<p>“On foot?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, he had a team with some furniture he +sold to a man in Northfield. You see since his wife +died he ain’t got no use for the stuff, and he’s thinking +of selling out altogether and moving down to +Greenpoint.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps we can catch him if he has a heavy +load,” remarked Roy. “Let’s try it.”</p> + +<p>“We can catch him at Northfield anyway; that +is, if the roads are good enough for bicycling,” returned +our hero. “Which way did he go?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“Right straight down this road till you come to +the creek,” said the hired man. “Then take the +road to the left until you get around the hill, and +then take the road to the right. You might catch +him if you are good riders.”</p> + +<p>“And the roads?”</p> + +<p>“Well, they ain’t the best, but I reckon they’re +good enough. You may have to do a bit of walking +here and there.”</p> + +<p>“Come ahead!” cried Joe, and in a second more +he was off, with Roy in his wake. A turn of the +road and Mr. Franshaw’s residence was left behind, +and they were started on a journey destined to be +full of excitement and surprises.</p> + +<p>On and on they sped as fast as the country road +would admit, gradually climbing the hill to the +other side. At the creek they took the turn the +man had mentioned and pedaled along a smooth +way lined on either side with dense woods.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, look!” cried Roy, who had spurted +ahead. “A gypsy camp!”</p> + +<p>“Sure enough, Roy! They have four wagons, +and look, at least a dozen horses.”</p> + +<p>“Rather a tough-looking crowd, ain’t they?”</p> + +<p>Joe agreed that they were. There were six men +visible, lying around a flat rock, smoking and playing +cards. Besides the men there were two women,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +who were washing clothes and cooking, and half a +dozen ragged and dirty children. The children +shouted at them, but they paid no attention as they +swept past.</p> + +<p>“How folks can live in that style gets me,” commented +Roy. “Ugh! those men looked like the +brigands of Italy you see pictured in books.”</p> + +<p>“I guess they are not above stealing chickens, +and even horses,” replied Joe. “But hurry up, for +if I am not mistaken it is going to rain before night. +Don’t you notice how close it is and how glary the +sunshine is getting?”</p> + +<p>The second turn was reached and before them +was a straight stretch of a mile and a half. Looking +far ahead they saw a wagon lumbering along at +a lively gait.</p> + +<p>“That must be Mr. Franshaw’s,” ejaculated Joe. +“Hurry up and see!”</p> + +<p>He spurted and so did Roy, and the wagon was +reached before it had proceeded a quarter of a mile. +True enough it belonged to the man they were +seeking, who sat on the seat calmly smoking his +brier root pipe.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, Joe Johnson, what are you doing away +up here?” he cried, as the youth came alongside. +“A pretty long and rough ride from your home.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got a letter for you,” answered our hero.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +“Here it is. I was at your home and your man +directed me how I could follow you.”</p> + +<p>The team was stopped and the communication +examined.</p> + +<p>“I’m mighty glad you came after me,” said Mr. +Franshaw. “I wouldn’t want to have missed this +for a good deal. I was going to stay at Northfield +until to-morrow, but I’ll come back as soon as this +furniture is delivered. You can tell your father I’ll +be on hand and will take up with that offer if Mr. +Burns indorses the notes.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“And if you boys want to get home with dry +backs I advise you to hurry up. It’s going to storm +in a little while,” added the man.</p> + +<p>He whipped up his team and left them where +they had dismounted. Joe was about to follow +Roy in mounting when he suddenly changed his +mind.</p> + +<p>“I’m as hungry as a bear,” he said. “Let us +tackle our lunch first. That will rest us and we can +make home in a jiffy, for it’s more down hill than +up.”</p> + +<p>Roy, too, was hungry, and readily agreed to his +companion’s plan. They found a convenient resting +place, near a spring where they could obtain +water, and soon both were munching the sandwiches<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +and cake with which their folks had provided +them.</p> + +<p>It felt so agreeable to rest and to eat that they +spent a much longer time in the spot than at first +anticipated, and it was not until a low rumble of +distant thunder startled them that they both leaped +to their feet.</p> + +<p>“The storm is coming up!” cried Roy. “See how +black the sky is getting! Come on, there’s not a +minute to waste!”</p> + +<p>He crammed the last of his cake into his mouth +and leaped into the saddle. Joe did the same, and +away they went in the direction of the creek and +the gypsy camp beyond.</p> + +<p>Scarcely a quarter of a mile had been covered +when it began to rain. At first the drops came +down scatteringly, but soon a perfect deluge seemed +to descend upon them.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXI.<br> + +<small>THE GYPSY CAMP.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">We</span> must find shelter or we’ll be soaked to the +skin,” said Roy Crossley. “Do you see any kind +of a building?”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Joe. “Not a blessed thing in sight. +But if I remember rightly there was an old barn +near that gypsy camp.”</p> + +<p>They passed the creek and made the turn toward +the gypsy’s squatting place, but no barn came to +view. By this time their sweaters were pretty wet +and the rain was running over their caps and down +their necks in anything but a comfortable fashion.</p> + +<p>“My gracious, but this is rough,” commented our +hero dismally. “If we could——”</p> + +<p>He got no further, for his front wheel had slipped +on the wet road. There was a twist and a wobble, +and over he went. Roy, directly behind, had to +leap off to save himself.</p> + +<p>“Are you hurt?” he asked anxiously, as Joe +arose painfully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>“Yes, I scraped my knee,” gasped our hero. +“Riding home with it is going to be no picnic.”</p> + +<p>“Are you sure you can ride?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try, anyway.”</p> + +<p>Joe mounted and went a short distance—bringing +them into sight of the gypsy’s camp. He gave a +groan and dropped rather than stepped to the road.</p> + +<p>“I can’t do it. If that barn was handy——”</p> + +<p>“Here’s the gypsy camp,” began Roy. “I suppose +they’ll take us in if we pay them.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to go among those dirty creatures,” +said Joe, with a shrug of disgust. “They might—here +come three of the men now!”</p> + +<p>He was right. Through the rain the gypsies had +seen his mishap, and now they came forward with +various offers of assistance.</p> + +<p>“Come in the wagon out o’ the wet,” said one, +who appeared to be something of a leader. “We’ll +give you some liniment for your knee.”</p> + +<p>The boys did not wish to accept, but the three +gypsies insisted, and against their will they went +along, Roy trundling the machines and the gypsy +leader catching Joe by the arm to make walking on +the injured limb easier.</p> + +<p>The wagon into which they were invited was +large enough to hold a score of persons, but it had +such an untidy look and smelled so strongly of musty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +bedding and tobacco smoke it nearly made both of +the boys sick.</p> + +<p>“You can put the bicycles under the wagon,” +said one of the gypsies. “Here is the medicine for +your knee,” and he brought out a black bottle +which smelled of turpentine.</p> + +<p>Two of the gypsies entered the wagon with the +boys, while the third hurried off to join the men in +another shelter. Somewhat against his wishes, our +hero’s knee was bathed. The stuff put on burned +considerably, and it is doubtful if it did any good. +While the bathing was going on the gypsies talked +loudly and continuously, and after it was over one +of the men offered both a drink from a pocket flask, +which they promptly declined.</p> + +<p>“Wont drink, eh,” said the man. “You don’t +know what is good.” He gave a coarse laugh. +“Where are you from?”</p> + +<p>Roy told them, and the two men exchanged +glances. It was still raining as hard as ever, and +the second man proposed that they play a game of +cards to while away the time.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know how to play,” said Roy.</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll tell your fortunes,” said the gypsy, +and immediately set to work, telling them of a +dozen wonderful things which were to happen to +both of them in the course of their lives.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“You are both going to meet with a loss soon,” +said the man presently. “Two bicycle riders from +Greenpoint are going to play a dirty trick on you. +One of the men is a tall fellow, with a squint in his +eye; the other is short and stout. Look out for +them, they are your enemies.”</p> + +<p>The man spoke earnestly, looking them squarely +in the face as he addressed them. Had they believed +at all in fortune telling they might have +imagined that there was some truth in his statement. +As it was their faces took on a perplexed +look, at which the man winked at his companion on +the sly.</p> + +<p>An hour or more was spent in the wagon, and +then the sudden shower began to let up. Joe had +been rubbing his knee and now declared himself +able to proceed. But the gypsies insisted that they +wait until the road had dried up a bit.</p> + +<p>“There is no use to hurry,” said one. “We are +not charging you for staying here.”</p> + +<p>“No, nor for telling our fortunes,” put in the +other. “Make yourselves at home until the sun +shines again.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid it won’t shine much before it sets,” +said Roy. “If your knee will permit, we’ll start +now,” he added to Joe. “As it is, we won’t get +home until dark.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>He was close to the back flap, and throwing it +aside, leaped out. Our hero followed more carefully, +and both looked around for their bicycles. +The machines were gone!</p> + +<p>“What did you do with our wheels?” asked Roy +of the gypsies.</p> + +<p>“Why, you placed ’em under the wagon,” was +the reply.</p> + +<p>“They are gone,” burst out Joe. “Did that +other man take them away?”</p> + +<p>“I guess not. I’ll ask him.”</p> + +<p>The gypsy called the leader who had left them +when they had entered the wagon. He shook his +head, declaring he had not seen the bicycles since +Roy had placed them under the wagon.</p> + +<p>“Well, some one has taken them, sure,” said our +hero, and he eyed the gypsies sharply.</p> + +<p>“Ah, I have it!” cried the man who had told +their fortunes. “Did I not read it on the cards! +Those two bicyclists from Greenpoint, the man with +the squint and the short, stout man. They have——”</p> + +<p>“Do you think I believe any such stuff!” interrupted +Joe. “Not much! You have our wheels, +and I want you to produce them.”</p> + +<p>At this all of the gypsies who had gathered +around looked dark.</p> + +<p>“We are not thieves, young fellow,” said the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +leader. “It was your business to look after your +machines, not ours. Now clear out about your +business. We did all we could for you and it’s +small thanks we are getting for it.”</p> + +<p>The gypsies looked so angry and aggressive that +both lads were forced to retreat. But they only +went as far as the road, as the gypsies made no +attempt to follow them.</p> + +<p>“This is a nice fix,” grumbled Roy. “They have +our wheels, I’m certain of that.”</p> + +<p>“So am I. The question is, how are we going to +get our bicycles back?”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know. Where do you suppose +they have put them?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps in their tent, or in one of the other +wagons.”</p> + +<p>“They won’t dare keep them there.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not. At the first chance they’ll ride +off on them and sell them in some city, after changing +their looks and numbers.”</p> + +<p>“What had we better do?”</p> + +<p>“Pretend to go away, and then watch them,” +said Joe.</p> + +<p>This advice was followed out. They walked +along the road around a bend, then dove into the +woods, coming up in the rear of the gypsy camp.</p> + +<p>For some time they saw nothing unusual. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +gypsies came up to the front of their tent and commenced +to eat around a newly made campfire. The +meal over one of the members began to harness a +pair of horses to one of the wagons.</p> + +<p>“That wagon must have our machines in it,” +cried Roy. “I wonder where he is going?”</p> + +<p>“Hark,” said our hero. “I hear a horse and +wagon on the road!”</p> + +<p>“Run out and see if it is any one who will help +us,” cried his chum, and Joe ran out—to behold Mr. +Franshaw, swinging along with his empty wagon +at a lively gait.</p> + +<p>The youth drove into the woods again, but by +running at a rate which hurt his knee not a little, +he managed to reach the bend below the camp just +as Mr. Franshaw was passing.</p> + +<p>The man was stopped and matters were explained +to him. Of course he readily agreed to help the +boys all he could.</p> + +<p>“But they are a dozen to us three,” he added.</p> + +<p>“So we must use strategy.”</p> + +<p>The gypsy wagon was now coming out on the +road. It was a boxlike affair, without a cover, and +in the bottom rested some objects covered with a +piece of canvas.</p> + +<p>“He’s got your machines in that sure,” said Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +Franshaw. “Go for your friend and we’ll follow +that wagon.”</p> + +<p>Joe ran into the woods once more and summoned +Roy. Both boys secreted themselves in Mr. Franshaw’s +turnout, which was then headed in the direction +the gypsy’s wagon had taken.</p> + +<p>Scarcely half a mile was covered when the gypsy +discovered that he was being pursued. He whipped +his horse, and a lively race began, which for a long +while was a case of nip-and-tuck.</p> + +<p>“We are gaining!” cried Roy at last. “Can’t +you make him go faster, Mr. Franshaw?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try. Go it, Billy! Git alang there!”</p> + +<p>And Billy did “git alang,” until the gypsy’s turnout +was all but overhauled. Seeing he could not +escape, the man slowed down.</p> + +<p>“We want our wheels,” demanded Joe sharply.</p> + +<p>“Who are you talkin’ to?” returned the fellow +with a blank look, but without ceremony Roy +leaped from one wagon to the other, and pulled the +cover from the two bicycles.</p> + +<p>“Hang the luck!” growled the gypsy and sprang +into the road. But Mr. Franshaw was after him, +and struck him with the butt of his whip. Then +Joe and Roy leaped in, and after a tough struggle, +lasting fully ten minutes, the gypsy was overpowered, +made to enter Mr. Franshaw’s wagon and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +bound up with some bits of harness. Roy remained +with the prisoner, while Joe undertook the task of +driving the prisoner’s turnout; and in this fashion +they journeyed to the nearest police station.</p> + +<p>Here the gypsy was held for trial, and in the +meantime some officers went after the other gypsies, +but failed to catch them, as they had left for parts +unknown.</p> + +<p>It was late when the two boys arrived home to +tell their story, and the excitement through which +they had passed was sufficient to last them for some +time to come.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXII.<br> + +<small>AN ACCIDENT ON THE WHEEL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> days flew by, and business at the Johnsons’ +store continued to grow better and better, until the +entire family felt that they were on the high road +to prosperity.</p> + +<p>One day Dan Huxley, who played third base on +the Rushers, came to our hero and asked him to +take a drive out in the country to an uncle’s farm +for some potatoes.</p> + +<p>The day was a fine one and both boys felt in +excellent spirits.</p> + +<p>Just on the outskirts of the city they ran across +Ralph Riley, a bicycle rider from Greenpoint, who +was spinning along on his wheel.</p> + +<p>“I’ll race you!” cried Ralph.</p> + +<p>“Done,” said Dan, and the race started.</p> + +<p>The horse was pulling a pretty heavy wagon, so +he could not go very fast.</p> + +<p>Yet for a quarter of a mile it was nip-and-tuck +between the horse and the machine.</p> + +<p>Then Ralph drew ahead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>“You’re beat!” he cried, as he went on.</p> + +<p>“I would like to have my machine and race you,” +said Joe with a laugh.</p> + +<p>Just ahead of them the road made a turn around +a clump of trees.</p> + +<p>On and on sped Ralph, with the wagon not far +behind him.</p> + +<p>As he went around the curve his bicycle tipped +too far in and he slipped down on the ground.</p> + +<p>“Whoa!” yelled Dan, as he tried to bring his +horse to a stand.</p> + +<p>He did not wish to run over Ralph, who had +rolled over on his back.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Dan spoken when Joe let out a cry +of horror. A spanking team attached to a heavy +coach was coming from the other direction. The +coach was whirling along at a lively gait, with the +driver more than half asleep on the box.</p> + +<p>“Stop! Stop!” cried Joe, but the sleepy coachman +paid no attention.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” yelled Dan. “Ralph, get up!”</p> + +<p>Realizing his danger, Ralph Riley attempted to +do so. But his leg caught in his machine and down +he went again.</p> + +<p>On and on came the heavy coach. In another +moment the horses and all would pass directly over +the prostrate boy’s body.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“Stop your team!” screamed our hero, and leaped +to the ground.</p> + +<p>As quick as lightning he sprang over Ralph’s +body and caught the nearest horse of the oncoming +team by the bridle.</p> + +<p>It was a daring thing to do, for should he fall +under the horses, Joe would be as bad off, if not +worse, than his companion.</p> + +<p>Yet he did not mean to fall.</p> + +<p>The coach swerved to one side and the driver was +almost shaken from his lofty seat.</p> + +<p>This aroused him and he clutched at the reins.</p> + +<p>“Phat are yez up to?” he bawled out.</p> + +<p>“Stop your team!” cried our hero. “Don’t you +see where you are going?”</p> + +<p>“Be hivins!” howled the driver, and pulled up +the team in double-quick order.</p> + +<p>Another step and Ralph would have been +trampled under foot.</p> + +<p>As it was, one of the horses stepped on one +wheel of the bicycle, bending several of the steel +spokes.</p> + +<p>Ralph crawled to his feet and got out of the way +as best he could.</p> + +<p>Then Joe let go the horse’s head.</p> + +<p>“Are ye hurted?” asked the driver anxiously of +Ralph.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>“No, but my machine is,” replied the boy.</p> + +<p>“Oi can’t help that! Git up, Billy! Git up, +Nora!”</p> + +<p>He attempted to go on with his team. But Dan +drew up across the road so he could not pass.</p> + +<p>“You settle for that broken wheel first,” said +Dan.</p> + +<p>“To be sure he will!” cried Ralph.</p> + +<p>“It’s not me fault,” said the driver of the coach +stubbornly.</p> + +<p>“It is.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis not. Now let me go past!”</p> + +<p>Dan would not budge, and added to this Ralph +ran up in front of the coach, and so did Joe.</p> + +<p>At once the Irishman grew angry and reached for +his long whip.</p> + +<p>“Oi’ll show yez a thing or two!” he howled, and +made a crack at Ralph with his whip, but the boy +leaped out of reach.</p> + +<p>“Here, don’t you hit my friend!” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>In his pocket he had an apple, which was large +and rather hard.</p> + +<p>He pulled out the apple, and, just as the coachman +made another strike at Ralph, he let drive.</p> + +<p>The coachman received the apple in one eye, and +he let out a terrific yell and dropped his whip, +which Ralph promptly picked up.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>Swish! Swish!</p> + +<p>Around the driver’s legs wound the whip end, +and the Irishman danced on the seat with pain.</p> + +<p>“There, now, we’ll call it square!” cried Ralph, +as he threw the whip into the empty coach. “Now +go about your business, and see you don’t drive over +anybody else.”</p> + +<p>The coachman was frantic, but before he could +do anything Dan and Joe drove past him, and Ralph +got on his battered wheel and rode on.</p> + +<p>At a crossroads they came to a blacksmith shop, +and here Ralph stopped off to have the spokes of his +wheel straightened.</p> + +<p>Joe and Dan continued on their way until the +latter’s uncle’s place was reached. Here the two +boys had a right royal time in the orchards, picking +and eating fruit.</p> + +<p>Dan’s uncle was with them, and while out in the +orchard was called off for a little while by a +neighbor.</p> + +<p>“There’s a fine apple tree,” said Dan. “Supposing +I climb up and shake down a few of those choice +apples?”</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, and do as you please,” said our hero. +“I must confess, as far as I am concerned, I don’t +want much more fruit.”</p> + +<p>“Pretty full, eh?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>“Exactly.”</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Joe gave Dan a boost up the tree.</p> + +<p>There were some particularly fine apples on the +topmost limbs, and these Dan was bent on securing.</p> + +<p>Up and up he went, while our hero took it easy +on the grass at the foot of the tree.</p> + +<p>Dan had just reached the top of the tree and +secured some choice fruit, when a wild cry rang +out, coming from the direction of the farmhouse.</p> + +<p>“Help! Samuel, come here, quick!”</p> + +<p>It was Dan’s aunt calling for her husband.</p> + +<p>“What’s up?” yelled Dan from the tree.</p> + +<p>“Your aunt wants help!” cried Joe. “I’ll go up +and see what’s wrong.”</p> + +<p>And away he bounded as fast as his swift feet +would carry him.</p> + +<p>As he came in sight of the farmhouse a thrilling +sight met his gaze.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br> + +<small>A TRAMP’S DOWNFALL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dan’s</span> aunt was having a desperate fight with a +burly tramp, who, after being given a hearty dinner, +had insisted on having money.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Parks—that was the lady’s name—refused +to give him the cash, and at once the tramp grew +abusive.</p> + +<p>The fellow was none other than Henderson, who +had helped assault Joe at the old coal mine.</p> + +<p>“I’ll help myself,” he said, and tried to go into +the house.</p> + +<p>Then the lady screamed for help.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t no use ter call,” said the tramp. “Yer +husband is up the road a good step. I seed him go +away.”</p> + +<p>“You wretch! Get out of the house,” stormed +Mrs. Parks.</p> + +<p>“I will—when I have what I want,” was the cool +reply of the knight of the road.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>He thought with only a woman around he could +do as he pleased.</p> + +<p>He tried to throw the lady into a closet, and a +desperate struggle ensued.</p> + +<p>In the midst of it Joe arrived and took in the +situation at a glance.</p> + +<p>Our hero looked around for some weapon and +espied a sickle lying on the cistern-top.</p> + +<p>“Let up there!” he cried, as he picked up the +sickle. “Let up, or I’ll cut you with this!”</p> + +<p>And he flourished the sickle dangerously close to +the tramp’s head.</p> + +<p>Henderson turned pale under his dirt when he +saw our hero with the sharp-edged sickle.</p> + +<p>“Don’t cut me!” he shrieked.</p> + +<p>“Then let up on Mrs. Parks,” shouted Joe.</p> + +<p>“I wasn’t doin’ nuthin’.”</p> + +<p>“I know better.”</p> + +<p>“He wanted to rob us,” put in the lady.</p> + +<p>“Never stole a thing in my life,” said the tramp. +“Ter tell the truth, I’m a bit queer at times in me +upper story.” And he tapped his forehead.</p> + +<p>Our hero saw he was lying.</p> + +<p>“Hold him until my husband gets back,” suggested +Mrs. Parks.</p> + +<p>“I will.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>On hearing this the tramp attempted to run +away, but Joe promptly tripped him up.</p> + +<p>At this moment Dan came running up, having +come down out of the apple tree as fast as possible.</p> + +<p>Now he saw another against him, Henderson was +more anxious than ever to get away.</p> + +<p>“Lemme go, I am out o’ me head,” he moaned. +“De hot sun affected me.”</p> + +<p>“Did it?” said Joe.</p> + +<p>As he spoke he leaped back of the tramp and +kicked the cover off of the cistern.</p> + +<p>Dan saw what he was up to and smiled.</p> + +<p>“Yes, me head is affected by the heat,” went on +the tramp.</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll cool it for you,” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>At a signal to Dan to help him he rushed at the +dirty fellow.</p> + +<p>The lads caught the fellow by the collar and +dragged him to the cistern.</p> + +<p>In vain Henderson struggled to free himself. +They backed him to the opening and gave him a +sudden push.</p> + +<p>He sat down, doubled up like a jackknife and +disappeared with a loud splash.</p> + +<p>“Whow! whow! Let me out! I’ll be drowned.”</p> + +<p>In this fashion the tramp spluttered as soon as he +could get his head above water.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>When he stood up the cistern water was just up +to his neck and he chattered from cold.</p> + +<p>“Stay in there and cool off,” cried Joe.</p> + +<p>And he and Dan kept watch over him while Mrs. +Parks went off for Mr. Parks.</p> + +<p>The tramp begged piteously to be allowed his +liberty, but the boys were obdurate.</p> + +<p>In a little while Mr. Parks came running in.</p> + +<p>“One of them pesky tramps, eh,” he said. “All +right, I’ll fix him!” He ran to the barn and got +his whip.</p> + +<p>“Now climb out and I’ll give you something to +make you hustle,” he said.</p> + +<p>Henderson lost no time in trying to get out of the +cistern.</p> + +<p>As soon as his shoulders showed above ground +old Parks began to thrash him with the whip. He +kept this up until the tramp was ready to run off.</p> + +<p>“Now, clear out,” he exclaimed. “And if I ever +see you around this way again I’ll give you a dose +of buckshot.”</p> + +<p>Henderson did not wait to reply.</p> + +<p>Dripping wet and aching in every limb he hobbled +off.</p> + +<p>None of those present ever saw him again.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Parks was much pleased with what Joe had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +done, and she presented our hero with a choice +basket of fruit to take home.</p> + +<p>An hour later found Dan and our hero on the +way back to Lockport.</p> + +<p>At the blacksmith shop they learned that Ralph +had long since gone away on his wheel, which had +been made as good as ever.</p> + +<p>After this adventure with the coach and with +the tramp nothing of especial interest happened for +a long while to come.</p> + +<p>Jee kept training himself on his wheel while Mr. +Johnson and Paul ran the store and matters went +very well all around.</p> + +<p>Joe would have gone into the store with his +brother, but the whole family realized that it was +the lad’s riding and acquaintanceship with wheelmen +that brought in a good share of the trade. Even +while on the road Joe managed to sell several +bicycles and all at a good profit.</p> + +<p>And thus the fall passed and winter came on, and +with the advent of snow came the time when Joe +Johnson had an adventure he never forgot—an +adventure as novel as it was thrilling.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br> + +<small>LOST IN THE SNOW.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Joe!</span> Joe!” called Mrs. Johnson, as she entered +her son’s bedroom, about twelve o’clock one bitter +cold night in January. “Wake up. Your father +is very sick.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? Father sick?” asked the +boy, springing up.</p> + +<p>“Yes, he has taken cold, and complains of heart +cramps. I do not know what to do. I have tried +several things, but none of them seem to do any +good.”</p> + +<p>“Shall I go for Dr. Weston?”</p> + +<p>“It would be best to have him. But it is awful +cold out, and is snowing heavily.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t mind that, mother. I’ll hurry on my +clothes and start at once.”</p> + +<p>“Do, then. Tell the doctor he must come at +once.”</p> + +<p>“I will.”</p> + +<p>Having dressed himself in an incredibly short<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +time, Joe put on his overcoat, wound a tippet +around his neck and head, donned his hat and left +the house. Dr. Weston lived on the other side of +Lockport, and he had a mile’s journey to reach the +residence.</p> + +<p>As we have said, it was bitter cold. The lazy, +generous flakes whirled down to such a degree that +nothing could be seen twenty feet ahead. Undaunted +by this, however, our hero started courageously, +and was soon well on his way, leaving +behind him dog-trot footprints in the eight inches +of snow that covered the ground.</p> + +<p>But running as fast as he could it was full half an +hour before he reached the doctor’s residence. He +was thoroughly tired by the run, and when he rang +the bell he sat down on the piazza railing to rest +himself.</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” came through the speaking tube, +in the familiar voice of the doctor.</p> + +<p>“It is I—Joe Johnson,” replied the boy.</p> + +<p>“What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“My father is very sick. Mother would like you +to come and attend him at once.”</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know exactly. He has a heavy cold, +and complains of cramps in the heart.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll hurry as fast as I can. If you will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +wait ten minutes you can ride back with me in my +cutter.”</p> + +<p>Now, undoubtedly, this would have been the best +thing for Joe to do. But, like many another +person in a similar situation, ten minutes seemed to +him like an age.</p> + +<p>“No, doctor, I am much obliged,” he replied. +“I’ll start at once and let mother know that you +are coming.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, then,” answered Dr. Weston.</p> + +<p>Having rested himself, our hero started on the +return. It was much colder now than it had been, +and the soft flakes had given way to fine, hard particles +which the wind drove piercingly into his +face. The snow, too, lay deeper, and rendered his +progress slow. In half an hour he found himself, +thoroughly exhausted, only halfway home.</p> + +<p>“I wish I had accepted the doctor’s invitation to +ride,” he said to himself, as he stood still for a +moment, trying to catch his breath. “I don’t seem +to be returning as fast as I came. I wonder if the +doctor is behind me.”</p> + +<p>Joe listened attentively, but no sound broke the +stillness. Occasionally a blast of wind swept +through the trees, but that was all.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do for me to stand here,” he continued.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +“I would freeze to death in five minutes,” +and he staggered on through the blinding snow.</p> + +<p>But to walk through nearly a foot of snow is no +easy task, and with the cutting north wind blowing +directly in the face it is well-nigh impossible.</p> + +<p>Our hero grew colder and colder; it seemed to +him that he had never been so cold before. Several +times he missed the way, too, and once, when he +stumbled, he rolled down into a hollow.</p> + +<p>This frightened him, and he tried his best to see +ahead and keep in the right way.</p> + +<p>But now a drowsy sensation began to steal over +him, and instead of being cold his body began to +become of a sluggish warmth. His head sank down +on his breast, and he felt, oh! so sleepy.</p> + +<p>“I’ll sit down under the tree over there and rest +for a moment,” he thought, and started to carry out +his idea.</p> + +<p>Before he could take three steps he sank to the +ground. He attempted to rise, but found he had +not the strength to do so. The awful truth rushed +to his mind:</p> + +<p>“I am to die in the snow!”</p> + +<p>Those were the last words Joe uttered.</p> + +<p>The wind blew and the snow came down faster +than ever. It took but a few moments to cover +him, and then no one would have suspected that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +under that unbroken sheet of white lay a human +form.</p> + +<p>It was nearly a quarter of an hour after Joe had +summoned him that Dr. Weston entered the cutter +which his colored boy brought from the stable, and +started on his way to the Johnson home.</p> + +<p>He was well wrapped up in an immense fur overcoat +and a couple of buffalo robes, and nothing but +a small part of his face could be seen as he grasped +the reins and guided his faithful horse, a magnificent +bay, down the side street and out of the town.</p> + +<p>“Come, Hero, get up,” he called. “We must +hurry, or we may be too late. Faster.”</p> + +<p>And Hero, being an intelligent horse, understood +what was said and began to increase his speed.</p> + +<p>Soon they had left the town and were well on the +road. Here the fury of the snowstorm was more +felt, and the doctor, knowing that Hero would keep +his gait, rode without urging, settled himself deep +in the robes, and was soon lost in reverie.</p> + +<p>His meditations were interrupted by the sudden +stop of Hero. He was thrown forward against the +dashboard, and the shock brought him to his full +senses in an instant.</p> + +<p>“Hello! What is the matter now?” he said to +himself. “I wish I could see ahead.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>But that was impossible. The blinding snow hid +everything from view.</p> + +<p>“It’s no use. I must go on. Get up, Hero.”</p> + +<p>Hero would not get up. He only pawed the +ground with his hoofs, and gave a loud snort.</p> + +<p>“Something must be the matter,” the doctor continued. +“Perhaps there is something the matter +with the harness. I suppose I will have to jump +out and see.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Weston crawled from the robes, and carried +out his idea. A careful examination convinced him +that the entire running gear and all was in perfect +order.</p> + +<p>“I can’t see what the matter is. Can’t you tell +me, Hero?”</p> + +<p>Hero gave another snort. Then, greatly to the +doctor’s surprise, pawed the snow carefully away in +front of him, and lowering his head, grasped a dark +object by his teeth and raised it up. Dr. Weston +uttered an exclamation:</p> + +<p>“Great Cæsar! It’s Joe Johnson!”</p> + +<p>In the twinkle of an eye he placed the boy’s form +in the cutter. Then Hero was set to the quickest of +trots. The animal, in five minutes, brought the +cutter to the Johnson’s cottage.</p> + +<p>Here Joe was taken in, and after hard work +resuscitated. Mr. Johnson’s sickness proved but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +slight, and the doctor turned all his attention to the +half-frozen boy.</p> + +<p>It took a week for our hero to recover. When +he came downstairs for the first time, and sat by +the fire, he said:</p> + +<p>“It was queer, mother: just like going to sleep.”</p> + +<p>“It was a sleep, Joe,” replied his mother; and as +she turned away she continued to herself: “And +had it not been for intelligent Hero it would have +been the sleep of death!”</p> + +<p>The winter passed and spring came on, and with +the warmer weather Joe’s thoughts turned again to +bicycling. An international contest had been +arranged and this our hero determined to enter.</p> + +<p>Yet before this great race something occurred +which showed more than anything else what a +great rate of speed Joe could make on his wheel +when the occasion demanded.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXV.<br> + +<small>SAVING THE TOWN.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> some time past the forest fires had been +raging heavily in the dense growth to the northwest +of Lockport, but as they were kept pretty +fully under control but little apprehension was felt +for the safety of the town.</p> + +<p>Guards were stationed at various points both +night and day, and they gave the alarm whenever +the fire gained in one direction or another.</p> + +<p>“It is a lucky thing that no fire has started in +Huffman’s woods,” thought Joe as he rode home +one evening after an unusually hard day’s training +on his wheel. “If it did, and the wind should be +just right, Greenpoint would suffer a good deal, +unless every one was on guard and ready to fight it +off. It’s a pity it doesn’t rain. Only half an inch +of water in seven weeks is not enough to count.”</p> + +<p>On the day following it grew unusually close and +sultry. There was a breeze from the north, too, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +it carried with it nothing that was in the slightest +degree refreshing.</p> + +<p>“I must take a spin along the Forest Turnpike,” +said our hero to himself. “It ought to be cool +along there and down in the Hollow. I can’t stand +it to wheel home along the old dusty road in this +awful heat.”</p> + +<p>So, instead of turning to the west, he started off +almost northwest, and was soon speeding along +under the shade of the immense pine and other trees +through which the Forest Turnpike had been cut +four years previous.</p> + +<p>When he reached the upper end of the turnpike, +where the Hollow road branched off, he found a +nice shady spot, near a tiny brook, and, dismounting, +threw himself on the grass and pine boughs to +rest.</p> + +<p>He was over nine miles from home, and it was +growing late, but he could not resist the temptation +to linger and take it easy.</p> + +<p>“The coolest spot in the country, I really believe,” +he thought lazily, as he threw his head and +closed his tired eyes. “What a difference between +this and that hot store of ours.”</p> + +<p>Joe lay quiet for perhaps ten minutes, then he +gave a long sniff—another—and sprang up with a +start.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>What was that odor which was coming faintly to +him from the woods on the other side of the brook? +It smelled suspiciously like burning pine!</p> + +<p>He waited another moment and then gave several +more sniffs. He was right, it was something burning!</p> + +<p>“Huffman’s woods must be on fire!” he thought, +and immediately a worried look crossed his handsome +face. He thoroughly understood the danger +which the numerous forest fires brought.</p> + +<p>The wind began to blow through the trees and +brush, and in another minute the smoke came drifting +overhead and through the upper branches. Joe +reached for his machine and started to mount.</p> + +<p>“I might as well be getting along,” he said, half, +aloud. “There is no telling how far that fire, +wherever it is, may reach before it is checked, it’s +so awful hot to-day. If only the rain——”</p> + +<p>Joe got no further. There was a strange roaring +which reached him from a distance, followed by a +sudden rush of wind, and then—he could scarcely +believe his eyes—several smoking and burning +brands fell near him and further on up the road.</p> + +<p>“The fire is coming this way just as fast as ever +it can,” he gasped. “My stars! Look at that! +The whole woods will be afire in another ten<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +minutes! I must go and give warning before it is +too late!”</p> + +<p>In a twinkle he was on his machine and riding +along the Hollow road at topmost speed, his form +bent over the handles and every ounce of muscle +put on the flying pedals. His hat blew off, but he +paid no heed to this, his one thought being to outride +the oncoming fire and warn Greenpoint people +of their danger.</p> + +<p>Ahead of him was a steep hill, six hundred feet +long, and up this he pushed desperately, the smoke +and burning brands sweeping down on all sides of +him. Once a hot cinder fell upon his neck, burning +him severely and causing him to utter a sharp cry +of pain. But not a second was lost; he knew only +too well the value of every iota of time.</p> + +<p>And now the burning brands, flying hither and +thither, set fire to the brush on either side of the +narrow road, and it was as if Joe was riding +through two walls of flames. The air grew stifling +and he could scarcely breathe.</p> + +<p>“If I was only to the top of the hill I could coast +down the other side,” he muttered to himself. +“But it’s a good two hundred feet off yet, and I +don’t seem to be getting ahead at all.”</p> + +<p>He endeavored to increase his speed, and the +very desperateness of the situation lent him extra<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +strength. Up and up he went, avoiding the rough +stones as best he could, and yet not daring to turn +much from a direct course.</p> + +<p>Joe had almost gained the top of the hill when +there came a furious blast of wind, filled with smoke +and burning branches and leaves, that struck him +directly in the face. Our hero bent back involuntarily +and his bicycle came very nearly to a standstill. +It looked as if he would be stopped at the +very moment when the worst of the danger was left +behind.</p> + +<p>But the brave youth recovered, and with one +hand over his face and the other guiding his +machine, he pushed manfully on until the crown of +the hill was reached.</p> + +<p>Here the smoke and flying branches were nearly +as thick as below, but the awful up-hill struggle was +past and ahead lay a downward road stretching for +over a mile.</p> + +<p>With a vigorous push on the pedals Joe started +himself on the down grade and then placed both +feet on the rests.</p> + +<p>Like a rocket the bicycle shot down the incline, +gathering speed at every yard. To Joe it was as if +they were fairly flying past the trees and rocks +which lined the way. More than once the machine +struck a small stone and bounded upward, lifting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +him several inches out of the saddle. But he held +on to the handles, feeling that it was not only a +ride to save his own life, but also the lives of +others.</p> + +<p>When the foot of the hill was reached Joe found +that he had left the smoke and the burning brands +in his rear.</p> + +<p>But the wind was still blowing his way—the way +Greenpoint lay—and he realized that the fire was +traveling fast behind him. Before the bicycle could +slacken its speed he had his feet again on the pedals +and was once more pushing on, determined to give +the villagers all the time possible in which to save +themselves and their goods.</p> + +<p>At last, almost exhausted from his spurting, he +came in sight of the first house, that in which Ralph +Riley lived. The family were just gathering about +the supper-table as he spun up to the horse block.</p> + +<p>“The woods are on fire! Look out for yourselves!” +he yelled, and, assured that his cry had +been heard and understood, he dashed on.</p> + +<p>Next came Deacon Quilby’s home—a low, rambling +place, surrounded by an old-fashioned hedge. +The deacon sat on the piazza, looking over a new +hymn.</p> + +<p>“Hullo! ridin’ most amazin’ fast—” he began +when Joe cut him short.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>“Huffman’s woods are in flames and the fire is +coming this way. You had better get out, and +quick, too, if you want to save your lives!”</p> + +<p>And before the deacon could utter a word in +reply he was out of sight again.</p> + +<p>In three minutes more Greenpoint was reached, +and, riding up and down the main street, Joe gave +the alarm, which quickly spread. Men, women, +and children came running from every house.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to decide upon what to do. +The possibilities of a fire reaching the place had +often been discussed, and plans had been laid to fit +all kinds of invasions.</p> + +<p>“We’ll blow up the Bleekler cottage and Boren’s +stable and the trees behind it,” said Seth Axtell, +one of the leading merchants of Greenpoint. “And +some of you can plow up as much of Cass’ field as +you can. That ought to help us break the line of +fire.”</p> + +<p>“It will,” said one of the hotel-keepers. “And +if the Jackson cottage and stable are gutted with +water I think we’ll escape, although some one ought +to be on guard at every building with tubs of water +and a wet blanket.”</p> + +<p>The men and boys went to work with a will, Joe +among the rest. The women and girls, and even<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +the children, did all they could to help, and the next +half-hour was a busy one.</p> + +<p>The buildings mentioned were blown up with +gunpowder and dynamite, and all of the <i>débris</i> +carried off, and a half-dozen plows soon turned up a +large expanse of fresh earth. Water was also used +as freely as the state of wells and cisterns would +permit.</p> + +<p>Before the half-hour was up the smoke and the +flying sparks began to come toward the village, +and inside of a quarter of an hour the entire forest +to the north of Greenpoint was a mass of flames.</p> + +<p>The lurid blaze made the darkness of the evening +as bright as day, and this blaze lasted until the +rising of the sun on the following morning. All +night long the villagers worked without ceasing, +and the morning found them still at their various +posts of duty.</p> + +<p>At eight o’clock it began to rain. At first the +drops came down sparingly, but soon it began to +pour steadily, and then every one knew that the +terrible danger which had threatened them for +fourteen hours was past.</p> + +<p>The village was filled with a thick, choking smoke, +but no one cared for this. All went round from +place to place, congratulating each other and thanking +God for their deliverance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>And Joe was not forgotten. It was Deacon +Quilby who started the thanks which were given +him before he returned home.</p> + +<p>“If it hadn’t a-bin for Joe Johnson, Marthy and +I would most likely hev been burnt up,” he said, +with tears standing in his blue eyes. “He saved +our lives, and I allow as he saved the village, too, +God bless him!”</p> + +<p>Stirring as they had been, the incidents attending +the forest fires in the district did not stop Joe +from training for the championship race.</p> + +<p>He was out early and late, and often took Dick +Burns and Ralph Riley along to pace him on a +tandem which belonged to the former.</p> + +<p>The race was to come off in Boston, so it would +be necessary for Joe to leave home several days +previous to the event.</p> + +<p>“I must win—I simply must,” he said to himself +more than a score of times.</p> + +<p>All his friends came on to see the races, including +Dick, his sister Carrie, Charley, Ralph Riley, Dan +Hukley, Sam Anderson, and Carl Lathrop. Wilbur +Rand was also present, having entered the ten-mile +event.</p> + +<p>Joe was very careful as to what he eat, for he +knew his stomach must be in prime condition or he +could not win.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>Paul watched over his brother carefully nearly +all the time.</p> + +<p>There was five hundred dollars at stake, and the +championship besides.</p> + +<p>But unknown to them an enemy was at work.</p> + +<p>It was Lemuel Akers, who had become a gambler +and heavy drinker.</p> + +<p>He heard how Joe was training, and set to work +to defeat the youth he so hated.</p> + +<p>“He made me an outcast,” reasoned Lemuel +Akers to himself. “Now I’ll ruin his chance of +winning, see if I don’t, and then—we’ll settle old +scores.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br> + +<small>FOILING AN ENEMY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> took Lemuel Akers quite some time to perfect +his plans against our hero, for he realized that he +would have to move cautiously.</p> + +<p>He kept out of sight of Joe and his friends, and +none of them imagined the rascal was around.</p> + +<p>Joe had taken up his quarters at a private house +in the suburbs of the city.</p> + +<p>Paul and Dick were constantly with him. The +three ate, drank, and slept together.</p> + +<p>Two days before the great race was to come off +Joe retired a little earlier than usual, after a substantial +supper.</p> + +<p>There were a double and a single bed in the +room. Joe and Paul occupied the double bed, while +Dick slept in the other.</p> + +<p>All went sound asleep, and the room became +quiet excepting for the irregular breathing of the +trio.</p> + +<p>The window which overlooked a side addition to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +the house was half-open, to admit fresh air into the +bedchamber.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour went by, and then the form +of a young man appeared on the roof outside of the +window.</p> + +<p>The midnight prowler was Lemuel Akers. His +coat was buttoned tightly about his neck, his hat +was pulled over his eyes, and a handkerchief was +tied partly over his face.</p> + +<p>As cautiously as a cat Lemuel approached the +window and peered in.</p> + +<p>“All asleep,” he thought. “Now to work, and +then we will see whether Joe Johnson rides in that +race or not.”</p> + +<p>Without the slightest noise he entered the room.</p> + +<p>From his coat pocket he took a small bottle, and +pouring some of the liquor it contained on a sponge, +he approached the bed upon which Dick Burns lay.</p> + +<p>He applied the sponge to Dick’s nose.</p> + +<p>The sponge contained chloroform, and soon Dick +was overcome.</p> + +<p>“Number one!” muttered Lemuel Akers to himself.</p> + +<p>Paul Johnson was next approached.</p> + +<p>As Lemuel was working with the sponge, Joe +turned over on his other side.</p> + +<p>As quick as a flash Akers tried to drop down out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> +of sight. In making the move his foot struck a +rocking chair, causing a sharp noise.</p> + +<p>Instantly Joe sat up.</p> + +<p>“Who is there?” he cried. “Dick, was that +you?”</p> + +<p>Of course, poor Dick could not answer. The +question aroused Paul, who was but partly overcome.</p> + +<p>“Wha—what’s the matter?” he stammered.</p> + +<p>“Dick!” again called Joe.</p> + +<p>He looked toward his chum. Dick lay there so +still that he grew full of fear and leaped out of bed.</p> + +<p>He almost landed on top of Lemuel Akers, who +dodged and tried to find the door to the hallway.</p> + +<p>“Stop! stop!” called out Joe, and he made a +dash after the intruder.</p> + +<p>He caught Lemuel by the arm.</p> + +<p>The young rascal threw him off, but Joe was +plucky, and, though not yet fully aroused, he again +went after his enemy.</p> + +<p>The two grappled by the door and rolled over +and over on the floor, upsetting a table and a chair.</p> + +<p>By this time Paul was able to come to Joe’s +assistance.</p> + +<p>“Let me go!” cried Akers.</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers!” cried Joe, as he recognized the +voice.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>“Did you hear what I said?”</p> + +<p>“I won’t let you go. What are you doing in +this room?”</p> + +<p>“I—I got in by mistake.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you won’t go out by mistake,” retorted +Joe grimly. “Turn on the gas, Paul.”</p> + +<p>By this time the entire household was in commotion. +Several came running to the room, asking +what was the matter.</p> + +<p>“I’ve caught a thief, and worse,” said Joe. “Lie +still, Lemuel.”</p> + +<p>“Lemuel Akers!” cried Paul Johnson, after the +gas was lit.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do with me?” whined +Lemuel.</p> + +<p>He was now thoroughly cowed and utterly miserable.</p> + +<p>“You’ll find out soon enough,” replied Joe coldly.</p> + +<p>While some saw to it that the rascal did not +escape, Joe and others attended to Dick, who soon +came around all right, although he suffered with a +headache all of the next day.</p> + +<p>Then Lemuel Akers was searched. The bottle of +chloroform was taken from him, as was also another +drug, something of a very harmful nature, which +he had intended to administer to Joe.</p> + +<p>“You are too much of a villain to be allowed at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +large,” said Joe. “Call an officer and have him +taken to jail.”</p> + +<p>“Never!” cried Lemuel, and breaking his bonds, +he leaped out of the room and down a back stairs.</p> + +<p>Joe had to wait to don his clothing. Then he +went after the former bully of Lockport.</p> + +<p>The yard gained he caught a brief vision of the +bully on the top of the back fence.</p> + +<p>“Come back!” he yelled.</p> + +<p>“To the Old Nick with you, Joe Johnson!” returned +the bad boy, and then dropped from the +fence and started down a lane as fast as his feet +would carry him.</p> + +<p>In three seconds Joe was over the fence and in +pursuit.</p> + +<p>It was now a question of speed between the two.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> + +<small>A BATTLE ON A RUNAWAY CAR.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> there was one thing which Lemuel Akers +could do well it was run.</p> + +<p>At school he had often bested all opponents in +contests of this sort.</p> + +<p>His legs were long and the way he placed one in +front of the other was really remarkable.</p> + +<p>Our hero, on the other hand, had but rarely tried +his speed.</p> + +<p>He could run at baseball or in a game of hare +and hounds, but that was as far as it went.</p> + +<p>But Joe’s wind was good, and his legs long, and +these counted for a good deal.</p> + +<p>Down the street went Lemuel, with our hero not +over a hundred feet behind him.</p> + +<p>The thoroughfare was a little less than a quarter +of a mile in length. It came to an end at the side +of the Charles River.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the street’s dock rested a rowboat, +and into this leaped the bully, and shoved himself +well out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>When Joe reached the dock Lemuel was more +than a hundred feet from shore.</p> + +<p>“Not to-day, Joe Johnson!” called out Lemuel +tauntingly. “Some other day. Good-day!”</p> + +<p>And he started for the other side of the river.</p> + +<p>Joe did not know what to do, for no other boat +was at hand.</p> + +<p>He watched Lemuel and saw the bully heading +for the upper end of the river.</p> + +<p>“He must be bound for somewhere,” thought +Joe.</p> + +<p>Although without a boat, our hero did not intend +to give up the chase.</p> + +<p>Leaving the edge of the dock he hid behind some +lumber.</p> + +<p>Soon he felt certain Lemuel was going up to a +number of freight piers above.</p> + +<p>“If I only had my wheel,” thought Joe.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had this passed through his mind, when +the sounds of hoofs reached his ears.</p> + +<p>Soon a horse attached to a light wagon hove into +sight.</p> + +<p>On the seat of the wagon sat an old farmer.</p> + +<p>In a few words Joe explained the situation.</p> + +<p>“Will you drive me along the docks after that +fellow?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Certainly. Anything to catch a thief.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>Joe sprang into the light wagon, and off they +went for half a dozen blocks.</p> + +<p>Then our hero ran down to another dock.</p> + +<p>The boat was there, showing that Lemuel had already +landed.</p> + +<p>At first Joe could find no trace of the bully, but +presently he struck a boy who had seen him.</p> + +<p>“Went over toward the freight station,” said the +urchin.</p> + +<p>And to the station our hero took his way.</p> + +<p>It was a busy yard. A dozen men were loading +and unloading several trains of freight cars.</p> + +<p>A number of empties were standing around and +Joe began to peer into first one and then another.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he came face to face with Lemuel.</p> + +<p>The bully struck at him with a stick he had +picked up.</p> + +<p>Joe caught the blow on the arm and hit Lemuel +on the left ear.</p> + +<p>The bully rolled over on the car floor and clean +out of the door on the opposite side.</p> + +<p>At that instant the train backed still further into +the yard.</p> + +<p>By the time Joe could get to the other side of the +track Lemuel was fifty feet away.</p> + +<p>He was running toward a train of empties which +were just leaving the freight station.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>He caught the next to the last car.</p> + +<p>At the top of his speed Joe came on.</p> + +<p>He made a desperate effort and caught the rear +railing of the last car.</p> + +<p>It was hard work to pull himself up on the car.</p> + +<p>Then he crossed the top and let himself down +into the car Lemuel had entered.</p> + +<p>The bully tried to fight him off, but a sudden +curve in the track threw him down on his back.</p> + +<p>The curve nearly caused our hero to lose his life. +But he held fast, and a second later dropped in +through the open side door and right on top of +Akers.</p> + +<p>A fierce fight ensued. The bully did his best to +throw Joe from the car, and on the other hand our +hero fought to bring the bully to submission.</p> + +<p>At last Joe was successful. He struck Lemuel +squarely between the eyes, and the bully fell down +as if laid out with a club.</p> + +<p>When he came to, Joe had tied his hands behind +him with a handkerchief.</p> + +<p>“Now, if you try any more funny work I’ll give +you some more,” said our hero by way of a warning.</p> + +<p>Finding himself a prisoner, Lemuel began to beg +of our hero to let him go.</p> + +<p>“It was only a joke,” he said.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>“It’s a joke which will cost you dear,” replied our +hero grimly.</p> + +<p>“But look here,” went on the bully. “Let me +go and I’ll make it worth your while?”</p> + +<p>“Can’t do it.”</p> + +<p>Then Lemuel offered our hero a big sum of +money if allowed to escape.</p> + +<p>It was his share of another robbery he had committed.</p> + +<p>To tell the truth, Lemuel Akers had become a +criminal of the first order.</p> + +<p>“I’ll not let you go for all the gold in the +neighborhood, and that ends it,” said Joe.</p> + +<p>He had just spoken when there came a sudden +jar and a jolt.</p> + +<p>The car came to a standstill and then began to +move backward.</p> + +<p>It kept going backward faster and faster.</p> + +<p>In alarm Joe looked out of the door.</p> + +<p>Then he realized the truth.</p> + +<p>The car and the one behind it had broken away +from the rest of the train.</p> + +<p>He and Lemuel were on a runaway car and going +along a down grade at a speed of a mile a minute!</p> + +<p>The bully saw that something was wrong and he +grew pale on the instant.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” he gasped.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>“The car has cut away from the main train and +along with the rear one is running away,” replied +our hero.</p> + +<p>Then he sprang to Lemuel’s side.</p> + +<p>“I’ll release your hands,” he went on, “so that +you will have as good a chance as I for your life.”</p> + +<p>He quickly untied the handkerchief.</p> + +<p>The bully began to tremble from head to foot.</p> + +<p>“Do you think we will be—be killed?” he +gasped.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what will happen. Better stand +by the door and be prepared to jump off.”</p> + +<p>Joe stepped to one door, and, trembling in every +limb, Lemuel went to the other.</p> + +<p>On and on swept the cars down.</p> + +<p>Down around a curve.</p> + +<p>A switch appeared.</p> + +<p>The cars were now running at a fearful rate of +speed, and at the switch they both jumped the +track.</p> + +<p>There was a series of bumps, a jerk, and then +came a fearful crash of splintering wood.</p> + +<p>Joe went sailing through the air. He landed on +his back in a pool of meadow water, and then knew +no more.</p> + +<p>When he came to his senses a dozen men were +bending over him. He had been taken from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +pool and placed on a number of coats spread out on +the dry grass.</p> + +<p>“He’s coming around now,” he heard somebody +say, and then sat up and stared about him.</p> + +<p>Near at hand lay both cars completely smashed.</p> + +<p>The crowd was composed of railroad men and included +the regular hands of the train.</p> + +<p>It was some time before Joe could tell his story.</p> + +<p>The crowd listened with interest.</p> + +<p>A search was made for Lemuel Akers, and he +was found lying but a short distance away, fearfully +injured.</p> + +<p>“Get a doctor!” he groaned. “Oh, my leg! +Oh, my leg!”</p> + +<p>An examination was made and the limb was +found to be broken.</p> + +<p>Both Joe and his enemy were placed on another +train and taken back to Boston.</p> + +<p>They were met by Joe’s friends and the police.</p> + +<p>Joe was at once taken to his stopping place and +everything was done to put him into condition +again.</p> + +<p>Lemuel was removed to a hospital. Later on he +was charged with entering, and sent to prison for +one year. Joe could have preferred a more serious +charge, but he did not want to be too hard on the +fellow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>“It’s the fault of his training as much as anything,” +he said to Dick. “The whole Akers crowd +are not worth their salt.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Joe,” replied Dick. Then he +shuddered. “How thankful I am that we escaped.”</p> + +<p>“So am I.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br> + +<small>THE RACE—GOOD-BY TO THE BICYCLISTS.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> great race track was literally jammed with +people.</p> + +<p>And why not? Were not the very best riders in +the country to compete there for supremacy?</p> + +<p>Joe felt it was the event of his life.</p> + +<p>“It is do or die!” he said to himself, almost desperately.</p> + +<p>He wanted to win. It meant much to him—money, +fame, and better business for the family; +for if he won Joe was to become the representative +of one of the largest wheel concerns in the State.</p> + +<p>For two weeks he had been preparing for a race +that was to last less than five minutes.</p> + +<p>It was a good deal of preparation for such a short +event.</p> + +<p>The first race on the programme was that in +which Wilbur Rand was one of the starters. Despite +the fact that he had fine riders against him, +Rand came in second, winning several hundred +dollars.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>Then came half a dozen other events.</p> + +<p>“Joe! it’s time to go on!”</p> + +<p>Dick had called him.</p> + +<p>Was everything in apple-pie order?</p> + +<p>Paul Johnson made a most minute examination.</p> + +<p>“All O. K. as far as I can see, Joe,” he said. +“And now, good luck to you. Show them your +best.”</p> + +<p>Out into the ring rode our hero.</p> + +<p>Ten thousand voices greeted him, for a boy is +always a favorite.</p> + +<p>“The best-hearted rider that ever lived,” said +many.</p> + +<p>Each man rode around the track several times.</p> + +<p>Then the starter called them together.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, are you all ready?”</p> + +<p>A silence so intense that one might have heard a +pin drop followed.</p> + +<p>Crack!</p> + +<p>At the sound of the pistol seven bicyclists bent to +their pedals and shot ahead like so many arrows +from a single bow.</p> + +<p>“A beautiful start!”</p> + +<p>“Perfect! The best yet!”</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be the closest race on the programme.”</p> + +<p>“See them go, boys!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>And go they did, flashing by the spectators like +an express train.</p> + +<p>The first half-mile was passed.</p> + +<p>Time for the leader, one minute two seconds.</p> + +<p>Joe was the fourth man; time, one minute three +seconds.</p> + +<p>On and on they went.</p> + +<p>A mile is covered.</p> + +<p>Time for the leader, two minutes ten seconds.</p> + +<p>Joe is now third; time, two minutes nineteen +seconds.</p> + +<p>On and on they flash, making each turn at breakneck +speed.</p> + +<p>The crowd goes frantic.</p> + +<p>A mile and a half has been covered.</p> + +<p>Time for the leader, three minutes thirty-one +seconds—the terrific pace is telling.</p> + +<p>But Joe is striving manfully for second place. +Time for second and third men, three minutes +thirty-four seconds.</p> + +<p>And now the last half is on.</p> + +<p>See them go! It is the great struggle of the +giants.</p> + +<p>Joe is riding as he never rode before.</p> + +<p>But now what is he up to?</p> + +<p>The crowd hold their breaths and then break out +into a perfect roar.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>He has not yet reached his limit.</p> + +<p>He is spurting, faster than ever.</p> + +<p>He fairly runs away from the second man.</p> + +<p>Now he is crawling up behind the leader.</p> + +<p>In vain the rider tries to shake him off.</p> + +<p>Joe knows exactly what he is doing.</p> + +<p>He keeps behind the leader until the very last +stretch is reached.</p> + +<p>And then?</p> + +<p>Can that really be our hero who is bending down +over the handle bar, his feet twinkling so rapidly +that one can scarce see them?</p> + +<p>Joe has let himself out to the full limit.</p> + +<p>A wild, daring, marvelous rush, the like of which +had never before been witnessed, and the leader is +passed, and Joe comes over the tape the winner +by three yards!</p> + +<p>Time, four minutes forty-seven seconds!</p> + +<p>The record has been completely smashed, and Joe +is the champion two-mile bicycle rider of the country.</p> + +<p>He goes on half a lap before he stops. Then, +amid the applause of the immense crowd, he wheels +around the track and into the outstretched arms of +Paul, his father, and Dick Burns.</p> + +<p>A hundred hands are thrust out to shake his own, +but he is hurried to his dressing-room, there to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> +rubbed down and to receive medical attention if it +be necessary.</p> + +<p>“He’s the boy!” cries Charley Osborne.</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” says Sam Anderson. “They +can’t beat our Joe.”</p> + +<p>“The nicest rider on the track,” is what Carl and +Larry add.</p> + +<p>Carrie Burns says but little, but the bright smile +she gives Joe speaks volumes.</p> + +<p>That evening our hero is dined and toasted, and +on the following day the purse of five hundred dollars +in gold is presented to him at a great public +banquet.</p> + +<p>Carrie Burns is there, as well as Joe’s relatives +and friends, and Joe is the happiest young man on +the face of the globe.</p> + +<p>And here let us leave him—in the midst of his +successes. He is settled down now, having married +Carrie Burns, the sweetheart of his boyhood days. +He is interested in a large bicycle manufacturing +company and is rapidly growing rich. Let us wish +him and all who surround him well.</p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75952 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75952-h/images/cover.jpg b/75952-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb479f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75952-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/75952-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab7e7e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/75952-h/images/i_f001.jpg b/75952-h/images/i_f001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d63b0d --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/i_f001.jpg diff --git a/75952-h/images/i_p128a.jpg b/75952-h/images/i_p128a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..677edc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/i_p128a.jpg diff --git a/75952-h/images/i_title.jpg b/75952-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f338d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/i_title.jpg diff --git a/75952-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg b/75952-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77020b5 --- /dev/null +++ b/75952-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg |
