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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/8153-0.txt b/8153-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc3fddc --- /dev/null +++ b/8153-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7129 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Young Engineers in Arizona, by H. Irving Hancock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Young Engineers in Arizona + Laying Tracks on the Man-killer Quicksand + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: May, 2005 [EBook #8153] +Posting Date: July 30, 2009 +Last Updated: March 15, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + + + + + + + + +THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA + +or + +LAYING TRACKS ON THE MAN-KILLER QUICKSAND + + + +By H. Irving Handcock + + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE MAN OF “CARD HONOR” + + +“I'll wager you ten dollars that my fly gets off the mirror before yours +does.” + +“I'll take that bet, friend.” + +The dozen or so of waiting customers lounging in Abe Morris's barber +shop looked up with signs of renewed life. + +“I'll make it twenty,” continued the first speaker. + +“I follow you,” assented the second speaker. + +*Truly, if men must do so trivial a thing as squander their money on +idle bets, here was a novel enough contest. + +Each of the bettors sat in a chair, tucked up in white to the chin. Each +was having his hair cut. + +At the same moment a fly had lighted on each of the mirrors before the +two customers. + +The man who had offered the bet was a well known local character--Jim +Duff by name, by occupation one of the meanest and most dishonorable +gamblers who had ever disgraced Arizona by his presence. + +There is an old tradition about “honest gamblers” and “players of +square games.” The man who has been much about the world soon learns to +understand that the really honest and “square” gambler is a creature of +the imagination. The gambler makes his living by his wits, and he who +lives by anything so intangible speedily finds the road to cheating and +trickery. + +Jim Duff had been no exception. His reputation was such that he could +find few men among the residents of this part of Arizona who would meet +him at the gaming table. He plied his trade mostly among simple-minded +tourists from the east--the class of men who are known in Arizona as +“tenderfeet.” + +Rumor had it that Jim Duff, in addition to his many years of unblushing +cheating for a living, had also shot and killed three men in the past on +as many different occasions. + +Yet he was a sleek, well-groomed fellow, tall and slim, and, in +the matter of years, somewhere in his forties. Duff always dressed +well--with a foundation of the late styles of the east, with something +of the swagger of the plains added to his raiment. + +“Stranger, you might as well hand me your money now,” drawled Duff, +after a few moments had passed. “It'll save time.” + +“Your fly hasn't hopped yet,” retorted the second man, with the air and +tone of one who could afford to lose thousands on such stupid bets. + +The second man was of the kind on which Jim Duff fattened his purse. +Clarence Farnsworth, about twenty-five years of age, was as verdant a +“tenderfoot” as had lately graced Paloma, Arizona, with his presence. + +Even the name of Clarence had moved so many men to laughter in this +sweltering little desert town that Farnsworth had lately chopped his +name to “Clare.” Yet this latter had proved even worse; it sounded too +nearly like a girl's name. + +So far as his financial condition went, Clarence had the look of one +who possessed money to spend. He was well-dressed, lived at the Mansion +House, often hired automobiles, entertained his friends lavishly, and +was voted a good enough fellow, though a simpleton. + +“My fly's growing skittish, stranger,” smiled Jim Duff. “He's on the +point of moving. You'd better whisper to your fly.” + +“I believe, friend,” rejoined Clarence, “that my fly is taking nap. He +appears to be sound asleep. You certainly picked the more healthy fly.” + +Jim Duff gave his barber an all but imperceptible nudge in one elbow. +Though he gave no sign in return, that barber understood, and shifted +his shears in a way that, even at distance, alarmed the fly on the +mirror before Duff. + +“Buzz-zz!” The fly in front of the gambler took wing and vanished toward +the rear of the store. + +Some of the Arizona men looking on smiled knowingly. They had realized +from the start that young Farnsworth had stood no show of winning the +stupid wager. + +“You win,” stated young Clarence, in a tone that betrayed no annoyance. + +Drawing a roll of bills from his pocket, he fumbled until he found a +twenty. This he passed to Duff, sitting in the next chair. + +“You're not playing in luck to-day,” smiled Duff gently, as he tucked +away the money in one of his coat pockets. “You're a good sportsman, +Farnsworth, at any rate.” + +“I flatter myself that I am,” replied Clarence, blushing slightly. + +Jim Duff continued calmly puffing at the cigar that rested between his +teeth. They were handsome teeth, though, in some way, they made one +think of the teeth of a vicious dog. + +“Coming over to the hotel this afternoon?” continued Duff. + +“I--I--” hesitated Clarence. + +“Coming, did you say?” persisted Duff gently. + +“I shall have to see my mail first. There may be letters--” + +“Oh,” nodded Duff, with just a trace of irony as the younger man again +hesitated. + +“Life is not all playtime for me, you know,” Farnsworth continued, +looking rather shame-faced. “I--er--have some business affairs +attention at times.” + +“Oh, don't try to join me at the hotel this if you have more interesting +matters in prospect,” smiled the gambler. + +Again Clarence flushed. He looked up to Jim Duff as a thorough “man +of the world,” and wanted to stand well in the gambler's good opinion. +Clarence Farnsworth was, as yet, too green to know that, too often, the +man who has seen much of the world has seen only its seamy and worthless +side. Possibly Farnsworth was destined to learn this later on--after the +gambler had coolly fleeced him. + +“Before long,” Farnsworth went on, changing the subject, “I must get out +on the desert and take a look at the quicksand that the railroad folks +are trying to cross.” + +“The railroad people will probably never cross that quicksand,” remarked +Jim Duff, the lids closing over his eyes for a moment. + +“Oh, I don't know about that,” continued Farnsworth argumentatively. + +“I think I do,” declared Jim Duff easily. “My belief, Farnsworth, is +that the railroad people might dig up the whole of New Mexico, transport +the dirt here and dump it on top of that quicksand, and still the +quicksand would settle lower and lower and the tracks would still break +up and disappear. There's no bottom to that quicksand.” + +“Of course you ought to know all about it, Duff,” Clarence made haste +to answer. “You've lived here for years, and you know all about this +section of the country.” + +That didn't quite suit the gambler. What he sought to do was to raise an +argument with the young man--who still had some money left. + +“What makes you think, Farnsworth, that the railroad can win out with +the desert and lay tracks across the quicksand? That's a bad quicksand, +you know. It has been called the 'Man-killer.' Many a prospector or +cow-puncher has lost his life in trying to get over that sand.” + +“The real Man-killer quicksand is a mile to the south of where the +tracks go, isn't it?” asked Farnsworth. + +“Yes; and the first party of railway surveyors who went over the line +for their track thought they had dodged the Man-killer. Yet what they'll +find, in the end, is that the Man-killer is a bad affair, and that it +extends, under the earth, in many directions and for long distances. I +am certain that railway tracks will never be laid over any part of the +Man-killer.” + +“Perhaps not,” assented Clarence meekly. + +“What makes you think that the railroad can ever get across the +Man-killer?” persisted Duff. + +“Why, for one thing, the very hopeful report of the new engineers who +have taken charge.” + +“Humph!” retorted Duff, as though that one word of contempt disposed of +the matter. + +“Reade and Hazelton are very good engineers, are they not?” inquired +young Farnsworth. + +“Humph! A pair of mere boys,” sneered Jim Duff. + +“Young fellows of about my age, you mean?” asked Farnsworth. + +“Of your age?” repeated Duff, in a tone of wonder. “No! You're a man. +Reade and Hazelton, as I've told you, are mere boys. They're not of age. +They've never voted.” + +“Oh, I had no idea that they were as young as that,” replied Clarence, +much pleased at hearing himself styled a man. “But these young engineers +come from one of the Colorado, railroads, don't they!” + +“I wouldn't be surprised,” nodded the gambler. “However, the Man-killer +is no task for boys. It is a job for giants to put through, if the job +ever can be finished.” + +“Then, if it's so difficult, why doesn't the road shift the track by two +or three miles?” inquired Clarence. + +“You certainly are a newcomer here,” laughed Duff easily. “Why, my son, +the railroad was chartered on condition that it run through certain +towns. Paloma, here, is one of the towns. So the road has to come here.” + +“But couldn't the road shift, just after it leaves here?” insisted +Clarence. + +“Oh, certainly. Yet, if the road shifted enough to avoid any possibility +of resting on the big Man-killer, then it would have to go through the +range beyond here--would have to tunnel under the hills for a distance +of three miles. That would cost millions of dollars. No, sir; the +railroad will have to lay tracks across the Man-killer, or else it will +have to stand a loss so great as to cripple the road.” + +“Excuse me, sir,” interrupted a keen, brisk, breezy-looking man, who had +entered the shop only a moment or two before. “There's a way that the +railroad can get over the Man-killer.” + +“What is that?” asked Duff, eyeing the newcomer's reflected image in the +mirror. + +“The first thing to do,” replied the stranger, “is to drop these boy +engineers out of the game. These youngsters came down here four days +ago, looked over the scene, and promised that they could get the tracks +laid-safely--for about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” + +“Pooh!” jeered Duff, with a sidelong glance at young Farnsworth. + +“Of course it is pooh!” laughed the stranger. “The thing can it be +done for any such amount as that, and it is a crazy idea, to take the +opinions of boys, anyway, on any such subject as that. Now, there's a +Chicago firm of contractors, the Colthwaite Construction Company, which +has proposed to take over the whole contract for laying tracks across +the Man-killer. These boys figure on using dirt and then more dirt, +and still more, until they've satisfied the appetite of the Man-killer, +filled up the quicksand and laid a bed of solid earth on which the +tracks will run safely for the next hundred years. The Colthwaite people +have looked over the whole proposition. They know that it can't be done. +The two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be wasted, and then the +Colthwaite Company will have to come in, after all, drive its pillars of +steel and concrete, lay well-founded beds and get a basis that will hold +the new earth above it. Then the track will be safe, and the people of +this part of Arizona will have a railroad of which they can be proud. +But these boys--these kids in railroad building--humph!” + +“Humph!” agreed Jim Duff dryly. + +The gambler using the mirror before him, continued to study keenly this +stranger, even after the latter had ceased talking and had gone to one +of the chairs to wait his turn. + +“You're through, sir,” announced the barber who had been trying to +improve the gambler's appearance. “Thank you, sir. Next.” + +Clarence, wholly crushed by the weight of opinion, was not yet through +with his barber. Duff, after lighting a fresh cigar, stepped over to +where the newcomer was seated. + +“Are you stopping at the Mansion House?” inquired the gambler. + +“Yes,” answered the stranger, looking up. + +“So am I,” nodded the gambler. “So I shall probably have the pleasure of +meeting you again.” + +“Why, yes; I trust so,” replied the stranger, after a quick, keen look +at Duff. Undoubtedly this newcomer was accustomed to judging men quickly +after seeing them. + +“These boy engineers!” chucked Duff. “Humph!” + +“Humph!” agreed the stranger. + +At this moment two bronzed-looking, erect young men came tramping down +the sidewalk together. Each looked the picture of health, of courage, +of decision. Both wore the serviceable khaki now so common in surveying +camps in warm climates. Below the knee the trousers were confined by +leggings. Above the belt blue flannel shirts showed, yet these were of +excellent fabric and looked trim indeed. To protect their heads and to +shade their eyes as much as possible from the glare of Arizona desert +sand, these young men wore sombreros of the type common in the Army. + +“This looks like a good place, Harry,” said the taller of the two young +men. “Suppose we go inside.” + +They stepped into the barber shop together, nodding pleasantly to all +inside. Then, hanging up their sombreros, they passed on to unoccupied +chairs. + +Just in the act of passing out, Jim Duff had stepped back to admit them. + +“They're Reade and Hazelton, the very young engineers that the railroad +has just put in charge of the Man-killer job,” whispered one knowing +citizen of Paloma. The news quickly spread about the barber shop. + +Jim Duff already knew the boys by sight, since they were stopping at the +Mansion House. He uttered an almost inaudible “humph!” then passed on +outside. + +Neither Tom Reade nor Harry Hazelton heard this exclamation, nor would +they have paid any heed to it if they had. + +Yes; the two young men were our friends of old, the young engineers. +Our readers are wholly familiar with Tom and Harry as far back as their +grammar school days in the good old town of Gridley. Tom and Harry were +members of that famous sextet of schoolboy athletes known at home as +Dick & Co. The exploits of Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, as of Dick +Prescott, Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes and Dan Dalzell, have been fully +told, first in the “Grammar School Boys Series,” and then in the “High +School Boys Series.” + +After the close of the “High School Boys Series” the further adventures +of Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes are told in the “West Point Series,” + while all that befell Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell has already been found +in the pages of the “Annapolis Series.” + +In the preceding volume of this series, “The Young Engineers in +Colorado,” our readers were made familiar with the real start in working +life made by Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. Back in the old High School +days Reade and Hazelton had been fitting themselves to become civil +engineers. They began their real work in the east, and had made good in +sterner work in the mountains in Colorado. + +Our readers all know how Tom and Harry opened their careers in Colorado +by becoming “cub engineers” with one of the field camps of the S. B. & +L. railroad. Taken only on trial, they had rapidly made good, and had +earned the confidence of the chief engineer in charge of the work. When, +owing to the sudden illness of both the chief engineer and his principal +assistant the road's work had been crippled, Tom and Harry had had the +courage as well as the opportunity to take hold, assume the direction, +and complete the building of the S. B. & L. within the time required by +the road's charter. + +Had the young engineers failed, the S. B. & L., under the terms granted +by the state, might have been seized and sold at public auction. In that +case, the larger, and rival road, the W. C. & A., stood ready to buy out +the S. B. & L. and reap the profits that the latter road had planned +to earn. Not only had the young engineers succeeded in overcoming all +natural obstacles, but, in a series of wonderful adventures, they had +defeated the plots of agents of the W. C. & A. From that time on Tom and +Harry had been famous in Colorado railroad circles. + +After the S. B. & L. had been finished and put in operation, Tom Reade +had remained with the railroad for several months, still serving as +chief engineer, with Harry Hazelton as his trusted and dependable +assistant. + +Now, at last, they had been lured away from the S. B. & L. by the offer +of a new chance to overcome difficulties of the sort that all +fighting engineers love to encounter. The Arizona, Gulf & New Mexico +Railroad--more commonly known as the A., G. & N. M.--while laying its +tracks in an attempt at record-beating, had come afoul of the problem +of the quicksand, as already outlined. Three different sets of engineers +had attempted the feat of filling up the quicksand, only to abandon it. + +There was little doubt that the Colthwaite Construction Company, a +contracting firm with years of successful experience, could have, +“stopped” the quicksand, but this Chicago firm wanted far more money for +the job than the railroad people felt they could afford to spend. + +So, in a moment of doubt, and harassed by troubles, one of the directors +of the A., G. & N. M. had remembered the names and the performances +of Tom and Harry. This director of the Arizona road, being a friend +of President Newnham, of the S. B. & L. road, had written the latter, +asking whether the services of Tom and Harry could be secured. The reply +had been in the affirmative, and Tom and Harry had speedily traveled +down into Arizona. In the few days they had been at this little town of +Paloma, they had gone thoroughly over the ground, they had studied +the problem, and had expressed their opinion that the job could be +put through creditably at a cost not exceeding a quarter of a million +dollars. + +“Go to it, then!” General Manager Curtis had replied. “You have our +road's credit at your command, and we look to you to make good. You are +both very young, but Newnham's word is quite good enough for us.” + +The day before this story opens this general manager had boarded one of +the rough-looking construction trains and had gone back to the road's +headquarters. + +As they sat in the barber shop now Tom and Harry were quite unaware of +the interested notice they were receiving. This was not surprising, for +both were good, sane, wholesome American boys, with no more than the +average share of conceit, and neither believed himself to be as much of +a wonder as some experienced railroad men credited them with being. + +“Stranger, excuse me, but you're Reade, aren't you?” inquired one of the +men of Paloma who was present. + +“Yes, sir,” nodded Tom, looking up pleasantly from the weekly paper that +he had been scanning. + +“You're head of the new job on the Man-killer, aren't you?” questioned +the same man. By this time every man in the barber shop was secretly +watching the young engineers, a fact that was plain to Harry Hazelton, +as he glanced up from a magazine. + +“Yee, sir,” Tom answered again. “In a way I'm at the head of it, but +my friend, Hazelton, is really as much at the head as I am. We are +partners, and we work together in everything.” + +“Do you think, Reade, that you're going to win out on the job?” inquired +another man. + +“Yes, sir,” nodded Tom. + +“You seem very confident about it,” smiled another. + +“It's just a way we have,” Tom assented good-naturedly. “We always try +to keep our nerve and our confidence with us.” + +“Yet you are really sure?” + +“Oh! yes,” Reade answered. “We have looked the quicksand over, and we +feel sure that we see a way of stopping the Man-killer, and forcing it +to sustain railroad ties and steel rails.” + +“How are you going; to go about it?” questioned still another interested +citizen. These men of Paloma had good reason for being interested. When +the iron road was finished, Paloma would be an intimate part of the +now outside world. It was certain that Paloma real estate would rise to +three or four times its present value. + +“I know you'll excuse us,” replied Tom, still speaking pleasantly, “if +we don't go into precise details.” + +“Then you are going to make a secret of your plans?” inquired another +barber-shop idler. His tone expressed merely curiosity; Arizona men are +proverbially as polite as they are frank. + +“We're somewhat secretive--yes, sir,” Tom replied. “That is only because +we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the concern of +the A., G. & N. M. No offense meant, sir, either.” + +“No offense taken,” replied the late questioner. + +Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on +the majority of these Arizona men present. + +As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the +Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a +three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up. Yet he managed to cast +more than one covert glance at the boys. + +“I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real +engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer,” + declared Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he +strolled past the pair. + +“Thank you,” nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature. + +“If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you +in your professional careers,” continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly. + +“Undoubtedly,” nodded Harry. + +The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through +with the barber at last. Though the day was scorchingly hot in this +desert town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the +hotel. + +The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards +of large cities. Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of +Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his +guests. + +As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of +Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside. + +“Oh, how do you do?” was Duff's greeting. “Hot, isn't it?” + +“Very,” nodded the stranger. + +“I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy,” + continued Duff. “As I dislike to eat alone, I have ordered the table +spread for two. I shall be very glad of your company, stranger, if you +care to honor me.” + +“That is kind of you,” nodded the other. “I shall accept with much +pleasure, for I, too, like to eat in good company.” + +After a little more conversation the two ascended to Duff's room on the +next floor. Certainly it was the largest and most comfortable guest room +in the hotel, and was furnished in good taste. The main apartment was +set as a gentlemen's lounging room, Duff's bedroom furniture being in a +little room at the rear. + +Hardly had Duff pressed the bell button before there came a tap at the +door. One waiter brought in a table for two, with the napery. This he +quickly arranged. As he turned toward the door two other waiters entered +with dishes containing a dainty meal for a hot day. + +“You may arrange everything and then leave us, John,” directed Duff. +Soon the two new acquaintances were alone together, the gambler serving +the light meal with considerable grace. + +“How long have you been with the Colthwaite Company?” asked Jim Duff +presently. + +“I didn't say that I had ever been with the Colthwaite Company,” smiled +the stranger. + +“No,” admitted the gambler; “but I took that much for granted.” + +Again the eyes of the two men met in an exchange of keen looks, Then the +stranger laughed. + +“Mr. Duff, I realize that it is a waste of time to try to conceal rather +evident facts from you. I am Frederick Ransom, a special agent for the +Colthwaite Company.” + +“You are down here to get the contract for filling up the Man-killer +quicksand?” Duff continued, with an air of polite curiosity. + +“The contract is not to be awarded,” Ransom answered. “The A., G. & N. +M. has decided to do the work itself, with the assistance of two young +engineers who have been retained.” + +“Reade and Hazelton,” nodded Jim Duff. + +“Yes.” + +“They may fail--are almost sure to do so. Then, of course, Mr. Ransom, +you will have a very excellent chance of securing the contract for the +Colthwaite Company.” + +“Why, yes; if the young men do fail.” + +“Will you pardon a stranger's curiosity, Mr. Ransom? Have you laid your +plans yet for the way in which the young men are to fail?” + +From most strangers this direct questioning would have been offensive. +Jim Duff, however, from long experience in fleecing greenhorns, had +acquired a manner and way, of speaking that stood him in good stead. + +After a moment's half-embarrassed silence Fred Ransom burst into a laugh +that was wholly good-natured. + +“Mr. Duff, You are unusually clever at reading other's motives,” he +replied. + +“I went to school as a youngster, and learned how to read the pages of +open books,” the gambler confessed modestly. “So you have, as yet, +no plan for compelling the young engineers to fail and quit at the +Man-killer?” + +This was such a direct, comprehensive question that Fred Ransom remained +silent for some moments before he admitted: + +“No; as yet I haven't been able to form a plan.” + +“Then engage me to help you,” spoke Jim Duff slowly, coolly. “I know the +country here, and the people. I know where to lay my finger on men who +can be trusted to do unusual things. I shall come high, Mr. Ransom, but +I am really worth the money. Talk it over with me, and convince me that +your company will be sufficiently liberal in return for large favors.” + +“Oh, the Colthwaite Company would be liberal enough,” protested Ransom, +“and quick to hand out the cash, at that.” + +“I took that for granted,” smiled Duff, showing his white teeth. “Your +people, the Colthwaites, have always been accustomed to paying +for favors that require unusual talent, some courage-and perhaps a +persistency of the shooting kind.” + +Then the two rascals, who now thoroughly understood each other, fell to +plotting. An hour later the outlook was dark, indeed, for the success of +Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. + + + + +CHAPTER II. DUFF ASSERTS HIS “RIGHTS” + + +“We've a hard afternoon ahead of us, Harry,” remarked Tom Reade, as the +engineer chums finished the noonday meal in the public dining room of +the Mansion House. + +“Pshaw! We'll have more real work to do after our material arrives,” + rejoined young Hazelton. “We're promised the material in four days. If +we get it in a fortnight we will be lucky.” + +“That might be true on some railroads,” smiled Tom. “But Mr. Ellsworth, +the general manager of the A., G. & N. M., is a hustler, if I ever met +one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of +the material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some +time. I believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's +talking about.” + +“Well, I hope you can find some work for the men to do this afternoon,” + murmured Harry, as the two young engineers rose from table. “Hawkins, +our superintendent of construction, has about five hundred mechanics and +laborers who will soon need work.” + +“Yes,” agreed Tom. “The men took the jobs with the understanding that +their pay would run on.” + +“The day's wages for five hundred workmen is a big item of loss when +we're delayed,” mused Hazelton. + +“There's another consideration that's even worse than the loss,” Tom +went on in a low voice. “The pay train will be here this afternoon and +the men will have a lot of money by evening. This town of Paloma is +going to be wide open to-night in the effort to get the money away from +our five hundred men.” + +“We can't stop that,” sighed Harry. “We have no control over the way in +which the workmen choose to spend their money.” + +“Want me to tell you a secret?” whispered Tom mysteriously. + +“Yes, if it's an interesting one,” smiled Harry. + +“Very good, then. I know I can't actually interfere with the way the men +spend their money. But I'm going to give them some earnest advice about +avoiding fellows who would fleece them out of their wages.” + +“Go slowly, Tom!” warned Hazelton, opening his eyes rather wide. “Don't +put yourself in bad with the men, or they may quit you in a body.” + +“Let them,” retorted Tom, with one of his easy smiles. “If these men +throw up their work General Manager Ellsworth will know where to +find others for us. Few of our men are skilled workers. We can find +substitutes for most of them anywhere that laborers can be found.” + +“But you've no right--” + +“Of one thing you may be very sure, Harry. I'll take pains not to step +over the line of my own rights, and not to step on the rights of the +men who are working for us. What I mean to do is to offer them some +very straight talk. I shall also warn them that we are quite ready to +discharge any foolish fellows who may happen to go on sprees and unfit +themselves for our work. I've one surprise to show you, Harry. Wait +until Johnson, the paymaster, gets in. Then you'll see who else is with +him.” + +“Are you gentlemen ready for your horses?” asked a stable boy, coming +around to the front of the hotel. + +“Yes,” nodded Tom. + +Two tough, lean, wiry desert ponies were brought around. Tom and Harry +mounted, riding away at a slow trot at first. + +From an upper window Fred Ransom looked down upon them, then called Duff +to his side. + +“There is your game, Duff,” hinted the agent. + +“They'll be easy to a man of my experience,” laughed the gambler. “I've +a clever scheme for starting trouble with them.” + +He whispered a few words in his companion's ears, at which Ransom +laughed with apparent enjoyment. + +“You're a keen one, Duff,” grinned the agent from Chicago. + +“I've seen enough of life,” boasted the gambler quietly, “to be able +to judge most people at first sight. You shall soon see whether I don't +succeed in starting some hard feeling with Reade and Hazelton.” + +The nearer edge of the treacherous Man-killer was something more than +two miles west of the town of Paloma. In the course of a quarter of an +hour Tom and Harry drew rein near a portable wooden building that served +as an office in the field. + +Mr. Hawkins, a solid-looking, bearded man of fifty, with snapping eyes +that contrasted with his drawling speech, stepped from the building. + +“Hawkins,” called Tom, as a Mexican boy led the horses away to the shade +of a stable tent, “I see you have some men idle.” + +“Nine-tenths of 'em are idle,” replied the superintendent of +construction. “I warned you, Mr. Reade, that our gangs would soon eat up +the little work that you left us. Out there, by the last cave-in you'll +see that Foreman Payson, has about fifty men going. They'll be through +within an hour.” + +“And the material, even if delivered within the promised time, is still +two days away,” remarked Reade. “I'll confess that I don't like to see +the railroad lose so much through paying men for idle time.” + +“It can't be helped, sir,” replied the superintendent. “Of course, if +you like, you can set the laborers at work shoveling in more dirt at +the points where the last slide of the quicksand occurred. But, then, +shoveling dirt in, without the timbers and the hollow steel piles will +do no good,” continued Hawkins, with a shake of his head. “It would be +worse than wasted work.” + +“I know all that,” Tom admitted. “To tell you the truth, Mr. Hawkins, +I wouldn't mind the men's idleness quite so much if it weren't that the +pay train comes in this afternoon. An idle man, not over-nice about his +habits, and with a lot of money in his pockets, is a source of danger. +We're going to have five hundred such danger spots as soon as the men +are paid off.” + +“Don't know that, sir!” demanded Superintendent Hawkins. “The town of +Paloma is just dancing on sand-paper, it's so uneasy about getting its +hand into the pile of more than thirty-eight thousand dollars that the +pay train is going to bring in this afternoon.” + +“I know,” nodded Tom rather gloomily. “I hate to see the men fleeced as +they're likely to be fleeced to-night. Some of our men will be so badly +done up that it will be a week before they get back to work--unless +there is some way that we can stop the fleecing.” + +“There isn't any such way,” declared Superintendent Hawkins, with an air +of conviction. + +“You've surely been around rough railroading camps enough to know that, +Mr. Reade.” + +“I've seen a good deal of the life, Hawkins,” Tom answered, “but of +course I don't know it all.” + +“Yet you know that you can't hope to stop railroad jacks from spending +their money in their own way. The saloons in Paloma will take in +thousands of dollars from our lads to-night and all day to-morrow. The +gamblers will swindle them out of a whole lot more. Day after to-morrow, +Mr. Reade, you wouldn't be able to borrow twenty dollars from our whole +force.” + +“It's a shame,” burst from Tom indignantly, as the three turned to gaze +westward across the desert. “These men work as hard as any toilers in +the world. They receive good wages. Yet where do you find a railroad +jack who, after years and years of toil on these burning deserts, has +two or three hundred dollars of his own saved?” + +Hawkins shrugged his shoulders. + +“I know all about it,” he responded, “and I grow angry every time I +think about it. Yet how is one going to protect these, men against +themselves?” + +“I believe there's a way,” spoke Tom confidently. + +“I hope you can find it, then, Mr. Reade,” retorted Hawkins skeptically. + +“At any rate, I'm going to try.” + +“What are you going to do, Mr. Reade?” demanded the superintendent +curiously. + +“You'll be with me, won't you?” coaxed Tom. + +“You'll stand with us, shoulder to shoulder.” + +“I certainly will, Mr. Reade!” + +“And the foremen? You can depend upon them?” + +“On every one of them,” declared Hawkins promptly. “Even to the Mexican +foreman, Mendoza. He's a greaser, but he's a brick, and a white man all +the way through!” + +“Call the foremen in, then--all except Payson, who is with his gang.” + +Tom and Harry stepped inside the office. Mr. Hawkins strolled away, but +within ten minutes he was back again, followed by Foremen Bell, Rivers +and Mendoza. + +“Two wagons have driven up, east of here,” announced Mr. Hawkins, as he +entered the office building. “They've stopped a quarter of a mile below +here and have dumped two tents. I think they're about to raise them.” + +Tom stepped hastily outside, glancing eastward, where they saw what the +superintendent had described. One of the tents had just been raised, +though the pitching of it had not yet been thoroughly done. + +“What crowd is that?” Reade asked. “Who is at the head of it?” + +“I see one man there--the only man in good clothes--who looks like Jim +Duff,” replied the superintendent, using his field glasses. + +“The gambler?” asked Tom sharply. + +“The same.” + +“He's pitching his tent on the railroad's dirt, isn't he!” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Come along. We'll have a look at that place.” + +A few minutes of brisk walking brought the young engineers, the +superintendent and the three foremen to the spot. + +Tent number one had been pitched. It was a circular tent, some forty +feet in diameter. The second tent, only a little smaller, was now being +hoisted. + +“Who's in charge of this work?” asked Tom in his usual pleasant tone. + +“My manager, Mr. Bemis--Dock Bemis,” answered Jim Duff suavely, as he +moved forward to meet the party. “Dock, come here. I want you to know +Mr. Reade, the engineer in charge of this job.” + +Duff's manners were impudently easy and assured. The fellow known as +Dock Bemis, an unprepossessing, shabbily dressed man of thirty-five, +with a mean face and an ugly-looking eye, came forward. + +“I'll take Mr. Bemis's acquaintance for granted,” Tom continued, with an +easy smile. “You own this outfit, don't you, Mr. Duff?” + +“I've rented it, if you mean the tents, tables and chairs,” assented the +gambler. “I've a stock of liquors coming over as soon as I send one of +the wagons back.” + +“What do you propose to do with all this?” Tom inquired. + +“Why, of course, you see,” smiled Duff, with all the suavity in the +world, “as your boys are going to be paid off this afternoon they'll +want to go somewhere to enjoy themselves. As the day is very hot I +thought it would be showing good intentions if I brought an outfit over +here. I'll have everything ready within an hour.” + +“So that you can get our men intoxicated and fleece them more easily?” + asked Tom, with his best smile. “Is that the idea?” + +Jim buff flushed angrily. Then his face became pale. + +“It's a crude way you have of expressing it, Mr. Reade, if you Ill allow +me to say so,” the gambler answered, in a voice choked with anger. “I +am going to offer your men a little amusement. It's what they need, and +what they'll insist upon. Do you see? There's a small mob coming this +way now.” + +Tom turned, discovering about a hundred railroad laborers coming down +the road. + +“Mr. Duff,” asked the young chief engineer, “can you show any proof of +your authority to erect tents on the railroad's land?” + +“What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?” + demanded the gambler. + +“I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for +erecting tents here?” + +“Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?” + +“You know very well what I mean, Duff.” + +Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as +ever. + +“I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here,” the +gambler replied evasively. + +“Have you any authority to be on the railroad's land's?” persisted Tom +Reade. “Yes or no?” + +“No-o-o-o, I haven't, unless I can persuade you to see how reasonable +it is that your men should be provided with enjoyment right at their own +camp.” + +“Take the tents down, then, as quickly as you can accomplish it,” + directed Tom, though in a quiet voice. + +“And--if I don't?” asked Duff, smiling dangerously and displaying his +white, dog-like teeth. + +“Then I shall direct one of the foremen to call a sufficient force, Mr. +Duff, to take down your tents and remove them from railroad property. I +am not seeking trouble with you, sir; I don't want trouble. But, as long +as I remain in charge here no gambling or drinking places are going to +be opened on the railroad's land.” + +“Mr. Reade,” inquired the gambler, his smile fading, “do you object to +giving me a word in private?” + +“Not at all,” Tom declared. “But it won't help your plans.” + +“I'd like just a word with you alone,” coaxed the gambler. + +Nodding, Reade stepped away with the gambler to a distance of a hundred +feet or so from the rapidly increasing crowd. + +“I expect to make a little money out of this tent outfit, of course,” + explained Jim Duff. + +“I expect that you won't make a dollar out of it--on railway property,” + returned Reade steadily. + +“I'm going to make a little money--not much,” Duff went on. “Now, if +I can make the whole deal with you, and if no one else is allowed to +bother me, I can afford to pass you one hundred dollars a day for the +tent privilege.” + +Before even expectant Tom realized what was happening, Duff had pressed +a wad of paper money into his hand. + +“What is this?” demanded Reade. + +“Don't let everyone see it,” warned the gambler. “You'll find two +hundred dollars there, in bills. That's for the first two days of our +tent privilege here.” + +“You contemptible hound!” exclaimed Tom angrily. + +Whish! The tightly folded wad of bank notes left Tom's hand, landing +squarely in Jim Duff Is face. + +In an instant the gambler's face turned white. His hand flew back to a +pocket in which he carried a pistol. + + + + +CHAPTER III. TOM MAKES A SPEECH ON GAMBLING + + +“Cut out the gun-play! That doesn't go here!” Tom uttered warningly. + +One swift step forward, and one hand caught Jim Duff by the throat. +With the other hand Tom caught Duff's right wrist and wrenched away the +pistol that instantly appeared in the gambler's hand. + +The weapon Tom threw on the ground, some feet away. Then, with eyes +blazing with contempt, Tom Reade struck the gambler heavily across +the face with the flat of his hand. Hard work had added to the young +engineer's muscle of earlier days, and the gambler was staggered. + +Another instant, and Superintendent Hawkins who, with Hazelton and the +foremen, had run up to them, seized Duff roughly from behind, holding +his arms pinioned. + +Harry Hazelton picked up the revolver. Quickly opening it, he drew out +the cartridges. + +“Mr. Bell!” called Harry, and the foreman of that name hastened to him. + +“Take this thing back to the office and break it up with a hammer,” + directed young Hazelton, as he passed the revolver to the foreman. The +latter sped away on his errand. + +“Let Duff go, Mr. Hawkins,” directed Tom. “I'm not afraid of him. Duff, +I wish to apologize to you for striking you in the face. I wouldn't +allow any man to do that to me. But your action in reaching for a pistol +was so childish--or cowardly, whichever you prefer to call it--that I +admit I forgot myself for a moment. Now, you are not going to erect +any tents for gambling or other unworthy purposes on the railroad's +property. It's bad business to let you do anything of the sort. I trust +that there will be no hard feeling between us.” + +“Hard feeling?” hissed Jim Duff, his wicked-looking face paler than +ever. “Boy, you needn't try to crawl back into my good graces after the +way you acted toward me!” + +“I'm not trying to crawl into your esteem, or to get there by any +other means,” Tom answered quietly, though with a firmness that caused +superintendent and foremen to feel a new respect for their young chief +engineer. “At the same time, Duff, I don't believe in stirring up bad +blood with anyone. You and I haven't the same way of regarding your line +of business. That's the main difficulty. As I can't see your point of +view, it would be hardly fair to expect you to understand my way of +regarding what you wished to do here. Your tents will have to come down +and be moved, but I have no personal feeling in the matter. How soon can +you get your tents down?” + +“They are not coming down, I tell you!” snarled the gambler. + +“That's where you and I fail once more to agree,” replied Tom steadily, +looking the other straight in the eyes. “It's merely a question of +whether you will take them down, or whether I shall set our own men to +doing it.” + +Jim Duff had brought with him about a dozen men of his own. They were +a somewhat picturesque-looking crowd, though not necessarily dangerous +men. They were mostly men who had been hired to run the gaming tables +under the canvas. A judge of men would have immediately classified them +as inferior specimens of manhood. + +So far these men had not offered to take any part in the dispute. Now +Duff moved over to them quickly, muttering the words: + +“Stand by me!” + +As for Tom Reade, he was backed by five men, including his chum. Though +none of Reade's force was armed, the young engineer knew that he could +depend upon them. + +Followed by his adherents, Duff took a few quick strides forward. This +brought him face to face with Reade's labors, of whom now more than two +hundred were present. + +“Are you men or squaws?” called, Duff loudly. “I have brought the stuff +over here for a merry night of it. This boy says you can't have your +enjoyment. Are you going to let him rule you in that fashion, or are you +going to throw him out of here?” + +There came from the crowd a gradually increasing murmur of rage. + +“Throw this boy out, if you're men!” Duff jeered. “Throw him out, I say, +and send word to your railroad people to put a man here in his place.” + +The murmurs increased, especially from the Mexicans, for the Mexican +peon, or laborer, is often a furious gambler who will stake even the +shirt on his back. + +Foreman Mendoza, who understood his own people, started forward, but +Tom, with a signal, caused him to halt. + +“Throw him out, I say!” yelled Duff shrilly. “Duff, I'm afraid you're +making a fool of yourself,” remarked Tom, stepping forward, smiling +cheerfully. + +Yet another murmur, now growing to a yell, rose from some of the men--a +few of the men, too, who were not Mexicans, and a half-hearted rush was +made in the young engineer's direction. + +“Throw him out! Hustle the boy out!” Duff urged. + +“Stop! Stop right in your tracks!” thundered Tom Reade, taking still +another step toward the now angrier crowd. “Men, listen to me, and +you'll get a proper understanding of this affair. Jim Duff wants me +thrown out of here--” + +“Yes! And out you'll go!” roared a voice from the rear of the crowd. + +“That's a question that the next few minutes will settle,” Tom rejoined, +with a smile. “If Jim Duff wants me thrown out of here, why don't you +men tell him to do it himself?” + +The force of this suggestion, with the memory of what they had recently +seen, struck home with many of the men. A shout of laughter went up, +followed by yells of: + +“That's right--dead right!” + +“Sail in, Jim!” + +“Throw him out, Jim! We'll see fair play!” + +Tom made an ironical bow in the direction of the gambler. + +“Have you men gone crazy!” yelled Jim Duff hoarsely. + +“Have you lost your nerve, Jim?” bawled a lusty American laborer. “You +want this boy, as you call him, thrown out, and we're waiting to see you +do it. It you haven't the nerve to tackle the job, then you're not a man +to give us orders!” + +Tom's smiling good humor and his fair proposition had swung the balance +of feeling against the gambler. Duff saw that he had lost ground. + +“Boy,” called a few voices, “if Duff won't throw you out, then you turn +the tables and throw him out.” + +“It isn't necessary,” laughed Tom. “After the tents are gone Duff won't +have any desire to remain around here. Mr. Duff, I ask you for the last +time, will you have your men take down the tents and remove them?” + +“I won't!” snarled the gambler. + +“Mr. Rivers!” called Tom. + +“Yes, sir,” replied the foreman, stepping forward. + +“Mr. Rivers, take twenty-five laborers and bring the tents down at once. +Be careful to see that no damage is done. As soon as they are down you +will load them on the wagons.” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“On second thought, you had better take fifty men. See that the work is +done as promptly as possible.” + +The Mexicans, who were in the majority, and nearly all of whom were +wildly eager to gamble as soon as their money arrived, stirred +uneasily. They might have interfered, but Foreman Mendoza ran among his +countrymen, calling out to them vigorously in Spanish, and with so much +emphasis that the men sullenly withdrew. + +Foreman Rivers speedily had his fifty men, together, none of whom were +Mexicans. + +“Touch a single guy-rope at your peril!” warned Jim Duff menacingly, but +big Superintendent Hawkins seized the gambler by the shoulders, gently, +though, firmly, removing him from the vicinity of the tents. + +All in a flash the work was done. Canvas and poles were loaded on to the +wagons. Mr. Rivers's men had entered so thoroughly into the spirit of +the thing that, they forced the drivers to start off, and the gambler's +men to follow. + +Goaded to the last ditch of desperation, Jim Duff now strode over to +where Tom stood. No one opposed him, nor did Reade's smile fail. + +“Boy, you've had your laugh, just now,” announced the gambler, in his +most threatening, tone. “It will be your last laugh.” + +“Oh, I hope not,” drawled Tom. + +“You will know more within twenty-four hours. You have treated me, with +your own crowd about you, like a dog.” + +“You're wrong again,” laughed Tom.. “Jim is fond of dogs. They are fine +fellows.” + +“You may laugh as much as you want, just now,” jeered Jim Duff. “You've +made an enemy, and one of the worst in Arizona! I won't waste any more +talk on you--except to warn you.” + +“Warn me? About what?” asked Tom curiously. + +Instead of answering, Jim Duff turned on his heel, stalking off with a +majesty that, somehow, looked sadly damaged. + +“He has warned you,” murmured Superintendent Hawkins in an undertone. +“That is your hint that Duff will fight you to the death at the first +opportunity.” + +“May it be long in coming!” uttered Tom devoutly. + +Then, as he turned about and saw scores of laborers coming in his +direction, Reade remembered what he wished to do. + +“Mr. Hawkins,” he continued, turning toward the superintendent, “I see +that Mr. Payson's gang is coming in from work. As all our men are now +idle, I wish you would direct the foremen to see that all hands assemble +here. I have something to say to them.” + +Within ten minutes the five hundred laborers and mechanics had been +gathered in a compact crowd. Now that the excitement of hustling the +gambler off the scene had died away, many of the men were sorry that +they had not made their disapproval plainer. Though Tom Reade plainly +understood the mood of the men, he mounted a barrel, holding up both +hands as a sign for silence. + +“Now, men,” he began, “you all know that the pay train is due here +this afternoon. You are all eager to get your money--for what? It is a +strange fact that gold is the carrion that draws all of the vultures. A +few minutes ago you saw one of the vultures here, preparing to get his +supposed share of your money away from you. Does Jim Duff care a hang +about any of you? Do any of you care anything whatever for Jim Duff? +Then why should you be so eager to get into one of his tents and let him +take your money away from you? + +“It is true that, once in a while, a solitary player gets a few dollars +away from a gambler. Yet, in the end, the gambler has every dollar of +the crowd that patronizes him. You men have been out in the hot sun for +weeks, working hard to earn the money that the pay train is bringing +you. Has Jim Duff done any work in the last few weeks? While you men +have been toiling and sweating, what has Duff been doing? Hasn't he been +going around wearing the clothes and the air of a gentleman, while you +men have been giving all but your lives for your dollars, while you have +been denied most of the comforts of living. Hasn't Duff been up at the +Mansion House, living on the fat of the land and smiling to himself +every time he thought of you men, who would be ready to hand him all of +your money as soon as it came to you? Is the gambler, who grows fat on +the toil of others, but never toils himself, any better than the vulture +that feeds upon the animals killed by others? Isn't the gambler a +parasite, pure and simple? On whose lifeblood does the gambler feed, +unless it's on yours?” + +Tom continued his harangue, becoming more and more intense, yet carrying +his talk along in all simplicity, and with a directness that made scores +of the workmen look sheepish. + +“Whenever you find a man anywhere who professes to be working for your +good, or for your amusement, and who gets all the benefit in the end, +why don't you open your eyes to him?” Tom inquired presently. “Over +in Paloma there are saloon keepers who are cleaning up their dives and +opening new lots of liquor that they feel sure they're going to sell you +to-night. These dive keepers are ready to welcome you with open arms, +and they'll try to make you feel that you're royal good fellows and that +they are the best friends you have in the world. Yet, to-morrow morning, +how will the property be divided? The keepers of these saloons and Jim +Duff will have all your money and what will you have?” + +Tom paused, whipping out a white handkerchief that he deftly bound +around his head, meanwhile looking miserable. + +“That's what you men will have--and that's all that you'll have left,” + croaked the young chief engineer dismally. “Now, friends, is the game +worth a candle of that sort? How many of you have money in the bank? Let +every man here who has put up his hand. Not one of you? Who's keeping +your money in bank for you? Jim Duff and the sellers of poisons? Will +they ever hand your money back to you? Some of you men have dear ones +at home. If one of these dear ones sends a hurried, frenzied appeal for +money in time of sickness or death what will your answer have to be? +Just this: 'I have been working like a slave for a year, but I can send +you only my love. Jim Duff, who hasn't worked in all his life, won't let +me send you any money.' Friends, is that what you're burning yourselves +black on the desert for?” + +While Tom Reade spoke Foreman Mendoza had marshaled his Mexicans and was +translating the young engineer's words into Spanish. + +Nor was it long ere Tom's fine presentation of the matter caught the men +in the nobler part of their feelings. + +“Don't blame Duff so much,” Tom finally went on. “He may be a parasite, +a vulture, a feeder on blood, but you and men just like you have helped +to make the Duffs. You're not going to do so after this, are you, my +friends? You're not going to keep the breath of life in monsters who +drain you dry of life and manhood?” + +“No!” came a thunderous shout, even though all of Reade's hearers did +not join in it. + +Even the Mexicans, listening to Mendoza's translation, became +interested, despite their lesser degree of intelligence. + +Tom continued to talk against time, though he wasted few words. All that +he said went home to many of the laborers. While he was still talking +the whistle of the pay train was heard. + +Reade quickly sent his foremen and a few trusted workmen to head off any +“runners” who might attempt to come in from Paloma while the men were +being paid off. + +As the train came to a stop Tom leaped upon a flat car behind the engine +and introduced one of the newcomers--the vice president of a savings +bank over in Tucson. This man, who knew the common people, talked for +fifteen minutes, after which a clerk appeared from the pay car with a +book in which to register the signatures of those who wished to open +bank accounts. Then the paymaster and his assistants worked rapidly in +paying off. + +That railroad pay day proved a time of gloom to many in the town +of Paloma. The returning pay train carried the bank officials and +twenty-four thousand dollars that had been deposited as new accounts +from the men. Of the money that remained in camp much of it was carried +in the pockets of men who meant to keep it there until they received +something worth while it exchange. + +True, this did not trouble the majority of people in Paloma, who were +sober, decent American citizens engaged in the proper walks of life. + +But Jim Duff and a few others held an indignation meeting that night. + +“We've been robbed!” complained one indignant saloon keeper. + +“Gentlemen,” observed Jim Duff, in his oiliest tones, though his face +was ghastly white, “you have a new enemy, who threatens your success in +business. How are you going to deal with him?” + +“We'll run him off the desert, or bury him there!” came the snarling +response. + +“I can't believe that boy, Reade, will ever succeed in laying the +railroad tracks across the Man-killer,” smiled Jim Duff darkly within +himself. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. SOMEBODY STIRS THE MUD + + +The next morning only a few of the men, some of those who had refused to +open bank accounts, failed to show up at the railroad camp. + +“There is really nothing to do this morning,” Tom remarked to +Superintendent Hawkins. “However, I think you had better dock the +missing men for time off. If you find that any missing man has been gone +on a proper errand of rest or enjoyment, and has not been making a beast +of himself, you can restore his docked pay on the lists.” + +“That's a very good idea,” nodded Hawkins. “It always angers me to see +these poor, hardworking fellows go away and make fools of themselves +just as soon as they get a bit of pay in their pockets. Still, you can't +change the whole face of human nature, Mr. Reade.” + +“I don't expect to do so,” smiled Tom. “Yet, if we can get a hundred or +two in this outfit to take a sensible view of pay day, and can drill +it into them so that it will stick, there will be just that number of +happier men in the world. How long have you been in this work on the +frontier, Mr. Hawkins?” + +“About twenty years, sir.” + +“Then it must have angered you, many a time, to see the vultures and the +parasites fattening on the men who do the real work in life.” + +“It has,” nodded the superintendent. “However, I haven't your gift with +the tongue, Mr. Reade, and I've never been able to lead men into the +right path as you did yesterday.” + +Over in the little village of tents where the idle workmen sat through +the forenoon there was some restlessness. These men knew that there was +nothing for them to do until the construction material arrived, and that +they were required only to report in order to keep themselves on the +time sheets. Having reported to their foremen and the checkers, they +were quite at liberty to go over into Paloma or elsewhere. A few of them +had gone. Some others had an uneasy feeling that they wouldn't like to +face the contempt in the eyes of the young chief engineer if he happened +to see them going away from camp. + +“It's none of the business of that chap Reade,” growled one of the +workmen. + +“Of course it isn't,” spoke up another. “He talked to us straight +yesterday, however, and showed us that it was our own business to keep +out of the tough places in Paloma. I've worked under these engineers +for years, and I never before knew one of them to care whether I had a +hundred dollars or an empty stomach. Boys, I tell you, Reade, has the +right stuff in him, if he is only a youngster. He knows the enemies he +has made over in Paloma, and he understands the risks be has been taking +in making such enemies. He proved to us that he can stand that sort of +thing and be our friend. Look at this thing, will you?” + +With something of a look of wonder the speaker drew out the bankbook +that he had acquired the afternoon before. + +“I've got forty dollars in bank,” he continued, in something of a tone +of awe. “Forty friends of mine that I've put away to work and do good +things for me! If I don't touch this money for some years then I'll find +that this money has grown to be a lot more than forty dollars!” + +“Or else you'll find that some bank clerk is up in Canada spending it,” + jeered a companion. + +“I don't care what the clerk does. The bank will be still good for the +money. Joe, you read the papers as often as any come into camp.” + +“Yes.” + +“All right. The next time you find anything about a savings bank that +has failed and left the people in the lurch for their money, you show it +to me. Savings banks don't fail nowadays! No, Sir!” + +Other men through the camp were taking sly peeps at their bankbooks, +as though they were half ashamed at having such possessions. Yet many +a hard toiler in camp felt a new sense of importance that morning. He +began to look upon himself as a part of the moneyed world as, indeed, he +was! + +“Telegram for Mr. Reade,” called one of the two camp operators, coming +forward. + +Tom tore the envelope open, then stared at the following message: + +“Reade, Chief Engineer. + +“Have complaint from merchants of Paloma that you have effectually +stopped the men from spending any money in the town. Not our policy to +make enemies of the towns along our line. Explain immediately. + +“(Signed) ELLSWORTH, + +“General Manager.” + +“Hmmm!” smiled Tom, then passed the message over to Superintendent +Hawkins. + +“Your newly made enemies have gotten after you quickly, Sir,” commented +the superintendent grimly. + +“Yes,” nodded Tom. “And, of course, I can't follow any course that isn't +approved by the general manager. I'll wire him the truth and see what he +has to say. Operator!” + +“Yes, Sir,” replied the young man, turning and coming back. + +“Wait for a message,” directed Tom; then seated himself and wrote the +following reply: + +“Ellsworth, General Manager. + +“Have not interfered in any way with honest merchants of Paloma. Men are +at liberty to spend their money any way they choose. I did give the men +a talk about the foolishness of spending their wages in buying liquor +or in gambling. Result was that men banked about two thirds of the total +pay roll with the bank people you sent on pay train yesterday at my +request. Also drove off a gambler who tried to erect two tents on +railroad property in order to fleece the men more speedily. + +“(Signed) READE, + +“Chief Engineer.” + +“That will tell the general manager about the kind of merchants +that I've been injuring,” smiled Tom, first showing the sheet to +Superintendent Hawkins and then handing it to the waiting messenger. + +“I hope Ellsworth, will be satisfied,” nodded Hawkins. “Good will is an +asset for a railway, and your enemies in Paloma may be able to stir up a +good deal of trouble for you. Mr. Reade, I stood with you yesterday, +and I'm still with you. If Ellsworth is so cranky that you feel like +throwing the job here, then I'll walk out with you.” + +“Oh, I'm not going to give up the work here,” predicted Reade +cheerfully. “I'm too much interested in it. Neither am I going to +have my hands tied by any clique of gamblers and dive keepers. If Mr. +Ellsworth isn't satisfied, then I'll run up to headquarters and talk to +him in person. I'm not going to quit; neither am I going to be prevented +from winning and deserving the friendship of the men who are here +working for us.” + +“Telegram for Mr. Reade,” grinned the operator, again looking in at the +doorway. + +After reading it, Tom passed over to Hawkins this message from General +Manager Ellsworth: + +“Unable to judge merits of case at this distance. Will be with you +soon.” + +“That's all right,” Reade declared. + +“It looks all right,” muttered Hawkins, who knew something about the +ways of railroads. + +Up the track the whistle on a stationary engine blew the noon signal. + +“Feel like eating, Harry?” Tom called to his chum, who had been mildly +dozing in a chair in one corner of the room. + +“Always,” declared Hazelton, sitting up and yawning. + +“Are you going to eat in town this noon, or in camp?” Tom inquired of +the superintendent of construction. + +Hawkins was about to answer that he'd eat in camp, when he suddenly +reconsidered. + +“I guess I'll ride along with you, Mr. Reade,” he said dryly. + +Horses were brought, and the three mounted and rode away. In such +sizzling heat as beat down from the noonday sun Tom had not the heart to +urge his mount to speed. The trio were soon at the edge of Paloma, which +they had to enter through one of the streets occupied by the rougher +characters. + +Just as they rode down by the first buildings a low whistle sounded on +the heavy, dead air. + +“Signal that the locomotive is headed this way,” announced Hawkins +grimly. “Look out for the crossing, Mr. Reade!” + +Hardly had the superintendent finished speaking when a sharp hiss +sounded from an open window. Then another and more hisses, from +different buildings. + +“A few snakes left in the grass,” Tom remarked jokingly. + +“Oh, you've stirred up a nest of 'em, Mr. Reade,” rejoined the +superintendent. + +Tom laughed as Harry added: + +“Let's hope that there are no poisonous reptiles among them. It would be +rough on poisonous snakes to have Tom find them.” + +Then the three horsemen turned the corner near the Mansion House. +Superintendent Hawkins looked grave as he noted a crowd before the +hotel. + +“Mr. Reade, I believe those men are there waiting to see you. I'm +certain they've not gathered just to talk about the weather.” + +There was a movement in the crowd, and a suppressed, surly murmur, as +the engineer party was sighted. + +Tom Reade, however, rode forward at the head of his party, alighting +close to the crowd, which numbered fifty or sixty men. The young chief +engineer signed to one of the stable boys, who came forward, half +reluctantly, and took the bridles of the three horses to lead them away. + +Jim Duff, backed by three other men, stepped forward. There was a world +of menace in the gambler's wicked eyes as he began, in a soft, almost +purring tone: + +“Mr. Reade,” announced Jim Duff, “we are a committee, appointed by +citizens, to express our belief that the air of Paloma is not going to +be good for you. At the same time we wish to ask you concerning your +plans for leaving the town.” + +There could be no question as to the meaning of the speaker. Tom Reade +was being ordered out of town. + + + + +CHAPTER V. TOM HAS NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN + + +“My plans for leaving town?” repeated Tom pleasantly. “Why, gentlemen, +I'll meet your question frankly by saying that I haven't made any such +plans.” + +“You're going to do so, aren't?” inquired Duff casually. + +“By the time that my partner and I have finished our work for the road, +Mr. Duff, I imagine that we shall be making definite plans to go away, +unless the railroad officials decide to keep us here with Paloma as +headquarters for other work.” + +“We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went +away at once,” Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his +meaning in the least. + +Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not +understand. + +“Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'” asked +Reade smilingly. + +“Something in that line,” assented Jim Duff. “I venture to assure +you that we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr. +Reade.” + +“Whom do you men represent?” asked Tom. + +“The citizens of Paloma,” returned Duff. + +“All of them?” Reade insisted. + +“All of them--with few exceptions.” + +“I understand you, of course,” Tom nodded. + +“Now, Mr. Duff, I'll tell you what I propose. I'm curious to know just +how many there are on your side of the fence. Pardon me, but I really +can't quite believe that the better citizens of this town are behind +you. I know too many Arizona men, and I have too good an opinion of +them. Your kind of crowd makes a lot of noise at times, and the other +kind of Arizona crowd rarely makes any noise. I know, of course, the +element in the town that your committee represents, but I don't believe +that your element is by any means in the majority here.” + +“I assure you that we represent the sentiment of the town,” Duff +retorted steadily. + +“Much as I regret the necessity for seeming to slight your opinion,” Tom +went on with as pleasant a smile as at first, “I call for a showing of +hands or a count of noses. I'll tell you what we'll do, Mr. Duff, if it +meets with your approval. We'll hire a hall, sharing the expense. We'll +state the question fairly in the local newspaper, and we'll invite +all good citizens to turn out, meet in the hall, hear the case on both +sides, and then decide for themselves whether they want the railroad +engineers to leave the town or--” + +“They do want you to leave town!” the gambler insisted. + +“Or whether they want Jim Duff and some of his friends to leave town,” + Tom Reade continued good-humoredly. + +Jim Duff turned, gazing back at the men with him. They represented the +roughest element in the town. + +“No use arguing with a mule, Jim!” growled a red-faced man at the rear +of the crowd. “Get a rail, boys, and we'll start the procession right +now.” + +“Bring a rope along, too!” called another man hoarsely. + +“Get two rails and one rope!” proposed a third bad character. “The other +kid doesn't seem to be sassy enough to need a rope.” + +“Gentlemen,” broke in Harry Hazelton gravely, “if anyone of you imagines +that I'm holding my tongue because I disapprove of my partner's course, +let me assure you that I back every word he says.” + +“Make it two ropes, then!” jeered another voice. + +“Reade,” continued Jim Duff, “we all try to be decent men here, and the +friends with me are a good and sensible lot of men. You have carried +matters just a little too far. Think over what you've heard and noticed +here, and then tell me again about your plans, for quitting Paloma.” + +As he spoke Jim made a gesture that kept some of the men near him from +rushing forward. Tom did not appear to notice the demonstration at all. +Certainly he did not flinch. + +“I haven't any such plans,” Tom laughed. “I'm hungry and I'm going +inside to eat.” + +With that, he turned his back on the crowd, with Harry behind him, both +making for the steps of the hotel. Superintendent Hawkins stepped in +after the boys. + +“Gentlemen, I can't do anything more,” spoke up Jim Duff, with an air of +resignation. + +“But we can!” roared some of the roughs in the crowd. A dozen of them +surged forward. The first of them swung a lariat to slip it over Tom +Reade's neck. + +Bump! Hawkins's sledge-hammer right hand shot out, landing on that +fellow's face. With a moan the fellow collapsed on the sidewalk, his jaw +broken. + +Then Tom and Harry wheeled like a flash, eyeing the idlers and roughs +sternly. + +“Don't go any further,” proposed Tom, his eyes growing steely, “unless +you mean it.” + +Something in the attitude of the trio of athletic figures standing ready +before them disquieted the crowd of roughs. There were armed men in that +crowd, but all felt that they had been put in the wrong, so far, and +none of them dared draw the first weapon or fire the first shot. + +“Take that injured man to a surgeon and have his jaw set,” spoke Tom +quietly. “Let the surgeon send me the bill. I'm sorry for the fellow, +for I'm indirectly the cause of his being hurt. The main cause of his +misfortune was due to his being in bad company.” + +“Come out of that hotel,” ordered Jim Duff, his eyes blazing as he +stepped forward, though with Hawkins's cold, hard eyes on him the +gambler was careful to keep his hands at his sides. “You can't get +anything to eat in there!” + +“Do you own the hotel?” Tom inquired coolly. + +“No; but you can't eat there.” + +“Join us at lunch, Mr. Hawkins!” Tom invited, turning away from the +gambler. The superintendent nodded, for he had no intention of leaving +the young engineers for the present. + +All three entered the hotel, while the small mob outside hooted and +jeered. Tom led the way to a table in the dining room, signing to one of +the waiters. + +Hardly had the waiter reached them when Jim Duff and the proprietor of +the Mansion House came in. Jim, after saying a few words in a low tone, +halted, while the proprietor came forward. + +“Good morning, Mr. Ashby,” nodded Tom, when he saw the proprietor headed +their way. The latter looked rather embarrassed, but he moved a hand to +signal the waiter to withdraw. + +“I'm sorry, Mr. Reade, but I can't have you any longer at this hotel,” + began Ashby. + +“Any particular reason?” Tom inquired, looking the man straight in the +eye. + +“Yes; some of my other guests object to your presence here.” + +“Meaning Jim Duff?” questioned Reade coolly. + +“I don't care to discuss the matter with you, Mr. Reade, but I can't +entertain you here any longer.” + +“Does that apply even to this meal, Mr. Ashby?” + +“It does.” + +“Very good,” nodded Tom, rising. Harry and Hawkins shoved their chairs +back, too, and stood up. + +“Say, but I don't like the looks of that!” announced a voice +from another table. There were five men seated there, all of them +well-dressed and prosperous-looking traveling salesmen, who had arrived +that morning. + +“This is a very regrettable necessity on my part, gentlemen,” began +Proprietor Ashby hurriedly, and plainly ill at ease. “Some of my regular +guests object to the presence of these young men, and so--” + +“These young gentlemen have gotten in bad by objecting to having their +men fleeced here in town, haven't they?” inquired the boldest of the +drummers. “I heard something about it this morning.” + +“Perhaps you haven't heard all the circumstances,” suggested Ashby in +growing embarrassment. + +“We've heard enough, anyway,” replied the same drummer briskly. “So +these young men, who are a credit to their profession and to their home +towns, are ordered to leave here? Boys, I guess we leave, too, don't +we?” + +The other traveling salesmen assented emphatically. + +Now Proprietor Ashby felt dismal, indeed. These five men were occupying +the best quarters in his hotel, outside of those occupied by Jim Duff. +It was not the loss of patronage from these men alone that troubled +Ashby. Traveling salesmen have their own ways of “passing around the +word” and downing any hotel that depends largely on their patronage. + +“You can have all our rooms, then, Mr. Ashby,” proposed the same +drummer. “We'll have our things out and be ready for our bills within +twenty minutes.” + +“But, gentlemen, be calm about this,” begged Ashby. “Finish your meals +first. There may be some way of arranging--” + +“There is,” returned the drummer, with a smile that was a fine +duplicate of Tom's own. “We know just where to arrange for the kind of +accommodations that we want. Mr. Reade,” turning to Tom and Harry, “will +you allow me to introduce ourselves. We are aching to shake hands with +you, for we've heard all about you.” + +Proprietor Ashby fidgeted at the side, while the eight departing guests +paused long enough to make their names known to each other. + +Jim Duff had vanished early, leaving the hotel man to his own +humiliation. + +The introductions concluded, Hawkins followed the young engineers to +their room while the drummers went to their own more costly quarters and +hastily packed their belongings. + +Fifteen minutes later the party stood in the office and porters were +bringing down trunks. Tom and Harry, keeping most of their belongings at +camp, had only suit cases to carry. + +“Gentlemen, I think you are making a mistake,” began Mr. Ashby, as he +met the salesmen in the lobby near the clerk's desk. + +“We made a mistake in coming here,” retorted the leader of the salesmen, +pleasantly as to tone, “but we're rectifying it now. Are our bills +ready?” + +The proprietor went behind the desk to make change, while the clerk +receipted seven bills. Ashby's hands shook as he manipulated the money. + +“Dobson,” he said, in a low tone to one of the drummers, “I had intended +ordering a ton of hams from you. Now, of course, I can't--” + +“Quite right,” nodded Mr. Dobson cheerfully. “You couldn't get them from +our house at four times the market price. We wouldn't want our brand +served here.” + +The last bill was paid. Proprietor Ashby stiffened, his backbone, trying +to look game. + +“Gentlemen,” he inquired, “where are you going from here? Won't you let +me call the 'bus to take you?” + +“Never mind the 'bus, Ash,” smilingly replied the leader of the +drummers, a man named Pritchard. “If you'll send the 'bus over to the +Cactus House with our trunks we'll be greatly obliged.” + +“Certainly, gentlemen, it's a pleasure to oblige you,” murmured Ashby, +with a ghastly effort to look pleasant. He watched the eight men step +outside. Duff and his crowd had vanished. It would never do to try +any mob tricks on so many strangers who had done nothing. The most +easy-going citizens of an Arizona town would turn out to punish such a +mob. + +The three railroad men had their horses brought around, but they rode +slowly, chatting with the salesmen on the sidewalk. + +In this order they reached the Cactus House, which, thirty years ago, +had been famous in and around the old Paloma of the frontier days. The +proprietor, a young man named Carter, had succeeded his father in the +ownership of the property. It was a neat hotel, but a small one. The +elder Carter had lost a good deal of money before his death, and the son +was now trying to build up the property with hardly any reserve capital. + +At the Cactus there was a great flurry when five such important guests +arrived and the young railroad engineers were also most heartily +welcomed. + +“Our meal time is nearly over, but I'll have something special cooked +for you right away, gentlemen,” cried young Carter, bustling about, his +eyes aglow. + +“Before you get that meal ready,” said Pritchard, drawing young Carter +aside, “I want to ask you whether any man can ever be driven from this +hotel, just for being decent?” + +“He certainly cannot,” replied Proprietor Carter with emphasis. + +“Live up to that, son,” advised the drummer, “and I half suspect that +you'll prosper.” + +The meal finished, the three men from the railroad camp took leave of +their new salesmen friends, mounted and rode back to camp. + +“The snakes are not all dead yet,” mused Tom quizzically, as, in riding +through the “tough” street again they heard hisses from open windows at +which no heads appeared. + +“There's a letter here for you, Mr. Reade,” announced Foreman Payson, +who was sitting alone in the office. + +“Who brought it?” + +“I don't know his name. Never saw him before. He rode out here on +horseback.” + +The envelope, though a good one as to quality, was dirty on the outside. +Tom Reade hastily broke the seal and read: + +“If you don't get away from Paloma pretty soon your presence will hold +the railroad up for a longtime to come! Get out, if you're wise, or the +railroad will suffer with you!” + +“I reckon the fellow who wrote that was sincere enough,” said Tom, as he +passed the letter over to his chum. “However, I don't like to feel that +I can be seared by any man who's too cowardly to sign his name to a +letter.” + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE GENERAL MANAGER “LOOKS IN” + + +Neither Tom nor Harry was stupid enough to be wholly unafraid over +the threats of the day. Both realized that Jim Duff and the latter's +associates were ugly and treacherous men who would fight sooner than +be deprived of their chance to fleece the railway workmen. Yet neither +young engineer had any intention of being scared into flight. + +“They'll put up a lot of trouble for us,” said Tom that afternoon, as +the two chums talked the matter over. “They may even go to extremities, +and--” + +“Shoot us?” smiled Hazelton, though there was a serious look under his +smile. + +“Yes; they may even try that,” I nodded Tom. “Though they won't make an +open attempt. They may try to get us from ambush at night. They will +be desperate, though not over brave. Recollect, Harry, that the better +element in Paloma won't stand much nonsense. There are no braver men in +the world than are found right in Arizona, and no men more decent.” + +“Barring Duff and his gang,” laughed Hazelton. + +“They're not real Arizona men. They're the kind of human vultures who +flock after large pay rolls in any place where men work without having +their families in near-by homes. If Duff had enough men of his own way +of thinking, they might try to ride out here to camp and clean us out. +If they did, then all the decent men in this part of Arizona would +take to the saddle and drive Duff and his crew into hiding. After what +happened to-day you won't find Duff daring to do anything too open.” + +“Excuse me, Sir, but there's a train coming,” reported Foreman Rivers, +thrusting his head in at the doorway of the little office building. + +“Not a construction train?” Reade asked. + +“Can't make it out yet, sir. The whistle was reported a minute ago.” + +Tom and Harry, chafing a good deal under their enforced idleness while +waiting for materials, hastened outdoors. Soon the train was close +enough to be made out. It consisted of an engine, baggage car and one +private car. + +“It's one or more of the road's officials,” murmured Harry. + +“I hope it's Mr. Ellsworth,” replied Reade, as the chums walked briskly +down to the spot where the train would have to halt. + +It turned out to be the general manager, a big and capable-looking man +of fifty, with a belt-line just a trifle too large for comfort, who +swung himself to the ground the instant that the train stopped. + +“I'm glad you're here, Reade,” nodded the general manager, as he caught +sight of his two young engineers. “Come back into my car. We can talk +better there.” + +Tom and Harry mounted to the platform of the car, following Mr. +Ellsworth down the carpeted aisle of a very comfortable private Pullman +car. The general manager pointed to seats, threw himself into another, +and then said: + +“Now, tell me all about the row that you've started with the town.” + +Harry's lips closed tightly, but Tom launched at once into a plain, +truthful account of the affair, bringing it down to the noonday meal of +the present day. + +“It's not clear to me just why you should feel called upon to interfere +so forcefully,” said the general manager, a little fretfully. “The +workmen are all twenty-one years of age and upwards. Couldn't they +protect themselves if they wanted protection?” + +“Yes, sir, certainly,” Tom admitted. “However, letting that fellow Duff +put up his tents right on the railroad property would almost make it +look as though the road shared, or at least approved, his enterprise.” + +“Oh, doubtless you were right to order the fellow off the railroad +property,” assented Mr. Ellsworth. “But why did you go to such trouble +to get the men to start new bank accounts and thus send most of their +money out of town?” + +“May I answer that question, sir, by asking another?” asked Reade +respectfully. “Did you wish the men to spend it in Paloma?” + +“I don't care a hang what they do with it,” retorted the general manager +half peevishly. “It's their own money.” + +“It was you, Mr. Ellsworth, whom I wired yesterday morning, asking that +you send down a representative of a savings bank who could open accounts +with such of the men as desired.” + +“Yes, and I sent you a couple of bank men. I didn't have any idea, +however, that you'd get the whole town of Paloma by the ears.” + +“I haven't, sir. I assure you of that. I've hurt only a few parasites--a +flock of human vultures. The decent people of the town don't side with +them.” + +“I wish I could be sure that we haven't offended the town as a whole,” + mused Mr. Ellsworth, “The good will of the people along our line is a +great asset.” + +“You're acquainted with a lot of the real people in Paloma, aren't you, +Mr. Ellsworth?” + +“With some of them, yes.” + +“Then, while you're here, sir, I'd be glad if you'd look up some of +these acquaintances in town and find out for yourself just how the +sentiment stands. We don't wish you to feel that we're a pair of +trouble-makers who are doing our best to ruin the road with its future +customers.” + +“I believe I will go into town,” mused Mr. Ellsworth. “Is there an +automobile anywhere about here?” + +“No, sir; but our telegraph operator can wire into town for one. It will +take but a few minutes to have a car here.” + +“Send for it, then.” + +“Would you like to see Mr. Hawkins while you're waiting, sir?” Tom +suggested, rising. “You know Hawkins, and probably you'll be satisfied +with his judgment.” + +“Send Hawkins along.” + +“Yes, sir; and we won't return for the present, unless you send for us,” + Reade replied, going toward the forward end of the car. + +Superintendent Hawkins was closeted with the general manager until the +arrival of the automobile. There was a frown on Mr. Ellsworth's face as +they started townward. + +“Well,” asked Harry Hazelton, with a grin on his face, as he watched the +departing car, “are we going to be fired or praised?” + +“We're going to lay the track across the Man-killer,” returned Reade +resolutely. + +“How about the gambler and his bad crowd? Are we going to beat them?” + +“We're going to do whatever the general manager orders, just as long as +we remain here,” replied Tom. “He's our only source of authority. If he +tells me to let Jim Duff bring a cityful of tents out here and run night +or day--then that's all there will be to it.” + +“I'd sooner quit,” growled Hazelton, “than knuckle to such a crew of +rascals.” + +“So would I,” nodded Tom good-humoredly, “if it were my quit. But, if +Mr. Ellsworth gives such orders it will be his quit, not ours.” + +Harry walked restlessly up and down the little office, but Tom threw +himself down at full length on a cot in the corner. Within two minutes +he was sound asleep. + +“Humph!” growled Hazelton, as soon as he saw his chum's unconcern. Then +he went outside to finish his tramp. + +It was toward the close of the afternoon when Mr. Ellsworth returned. +Harry was out of sight as the general manager stepped directly into the +office. + +“Reade,” he began. Deep breathing from the corner greeted him. General +Manager Ellsworth gazed down at the sleeping form, and a new light of +admiration dawned in his eyes. + +“So that's the young man whom they're talking of shooting, poisoning +or blowing into the next world with dynamite?” he thought. “A lot this +young man appears to think about his enemies! There's real courage in +this young man. Reade, wake up--if you can spare the time.” + +Tom opened his eyes, rubbed them, then sat up, next springing to his +feet. + +“Not having any real work to do makes me sleepy,” laughed Tom +good-naturedly. “I trust you didn't have to call me many times, Mr. +Ellsworth?” + +The general manager held out his hand. + +“Reade, I've just learned in town what a plucky thing you did, and +how coolly you went through it all. A young man with your courage and +purpose simply can't be fool enough to be very far wrong.” + +“Then you learned that the real Arizona people over in Paloma don't find +any fault with what I did?” queried Tom. + +“Reade, what I discovered is that you have a lot of the finest manhood +in Arizona just wild with respect for you,” declared Mr. Ellsworth. Then +the general manager lowered his voice before he resumed: + +“At the same time, Reade, I've also learned that you've stirred up such +an evil nest of rattlers that you'll be fortunate if you escape with +your life. Candidly, if you feel that you'd like to leave here--” + +“Do you want me to quit, sir?” demanded Tom, looking steadily into his +chief's eyes. + +“I don't,” declared Mr. Ellsworth promptly. “If you and Hazelton were to +quit me now I don't know where I could get another pair of men who could +put into the work all the skill and energy that you two employ.” + +“Did you have dinner in town, sir?” Tom asked. + +“No, for I came out to take you two young men in. Hawkins will also be +with us at dinner this evening. He has told me about the Mansion House +affair, so the Cactus House shall be the railway house hereafter. That +fellow Ashby is uneasy; I think he will be more than uneasy after a +while.” + +The dinner party motored back to town. Dinner was more like a reception +that evening, for the news of Tom's plucky fight against the +rough element had spread through the town. Nearly two score of men +representing the better part of the population of Paloma called at the +hotel to shake hands with the young engineers. + +“They don't seem to care a hang about me, these men, do they, Hawkins?” + laughed the general manager, as he and the superintendent stood in the +background of the picture. + +“That's because they're Arizona men, sir,” replied Hawkins. “Their +interest is in the man who has done the thing, not in the boss.” + +“I can understand why President Newnham, of the S. B. & L., recommended +these young men so extravagantly. They're full of force and absolutely +free from self-conceit.” + +Finally the party motored back towards the camp. As it was after dark +now, some of the citizens who had visited them escorted the slow moving +car as far as the edge of the town, but none of Jim Duff's followers +appeared on the streets through which they passed. + +“Why are we going back to camp, anyway?” demanded Mr. Ellsworth. “Why +not sleep at the hotel to-night?” + +“Why, I think it may be better for you to go back to the hotel, sir,” + Tom proposed. “As for Harry and myself, after what has happened in town +to-day, it may be as well if we are on hand at the camp to-night. There +may be some attempt to stampede our men. The crowd in Paloma are capable +of offering our men free drink, just to do us mischief. We've a lot of +strong men in our force, but there are some weak vessels who would be +caught by a free offer, and some of our work gangs would be demoralized +to-morrow.” + +Mr. Ellsworth thereupon decided to return to the camp also, and, +arriving there, dismissed the car. A tent was pitched for him close to +the office, and a cot rigged up in it. + +Then the party sat up, chatting, after most of the workmen had turned in +for the night. + +“I'll be thankful when the material gets here,” sighed Tom. “I'm tired +of loafing.” + +“It seems to me that you have been doing anything but loafing,” smiled +the general manager. + +“I want to get to work on the Man-killer. Besides, idleness is costing +the road a lot of money in wages for these men.” + +“I wired this afternoon,” stated Mr. Ellsworth, “to have the material +trains rushed forward on express schedule as soon as the stuff strikes +our lines.” + +“Then--” began Hawkins slowly. + +His next words were drowned out by a booming explosion to the westward +of the camp. + +“The scoundrels!” gasped Tom Reade, leaping up. “This is more of our +friends' work! They have dynamited the most ticklish part of the work on +the Man-killer!” + + + + +CHAPTER VII. A DYNAMITE PUZZLE + + +“The scoundrels!” cried General Manager Ellsworth. + +He was a man who believed in working along easy lines when possible. +His career as a railroad man had taught him the value of meeting other +people half way. Now the general manager's white face and flashing eyes +revealed the fighter in him. + +From off to the south, beyond the quicksand, came a chorus of sharp, +shrill, gleeful whoops. + +“There go the curs!” flared Harry. + +Another volley of jeers reached the camp officials. + +“They are mounted on horses,” spoke Tom judicially. “They couldn't +travel as fast on foot and yell at the same time.” + +A third taunting chorus traveled over the desert. But Tom and his +friends, in the darkness of the night, could not make out the horsemen +nor judge how many there were of them. + +“You'd better turn out the camp, Mr. Hawkins,” directed Tom in a calmer +voice. + +The superintendent ran over to where a night engineer almost dozed at +his post beside a stationary engine. + +Half a minute later a series of shrill blasts rang out over the camp. +Laborers came tumbling out of the tents. Many of them had slept so +soundly that even the noise of dynamiting they had regarded only as a +part of their dreams. But the whistle meant business. + +“Get the torches out, Mr. Rivers,” called Tom, as one of the foremen +reported on a run. + +To Foreman Payson, Harry gave the order to marshal a hundred of the men +to remain in and around the camp, alertly watchful. + +“That's a good idea,” nodded Mr. Ellsworth. “The explosion may be only a +trick to, empty the camp, as a prelude to further mischief.” + +Scores of torches flared in the darkness as the workmen hurried +westward. At the head of all went Tom Reade and the general manager. + +Less than half a mile away they came upon the scene of mischief. + +“It's just what I expected,” nodded Tom, as the leading party halted +under the flare of the torches. “You see, sir, here was the point +of greatest cave and drift in the quicksand. It's where your former +engineers found such a morass of the shifty stuff that they declared the +Man-killer never could have its appetite satisfied with dirt. There was +a good log and concrete foundation laid down there, and for thirty-six +hours the sand had not shifted a particle as far as the eye could +discover. Now, look at it!” + +Before them the top layer of desert sand had sunk away, revealing a well +or sink, one hundred and fifty feet across and the bottom at least forty +feet below the general level. + +“I always wondered why a suspension bridge wouldn't solve the problem +more easily and cheaply than any other construction,” muttered Mr. +Ellsworth, after he had gotten over his first indignation. + +“To avoid every possibility of lurking quicksand the suspension bridge +would have to be more than a mile long,” Reade answered. “Beyond, there +are other treacherous little patches of quicksand. It would cost the +road millions to put up a suspension bridge that would hold. + +“A short bridge would look all right and doubtless serve all right, for +a while. Then, some fine day, part of the structure would give, and a +trainload of passengers would be sucked down and out of sight by the +shifting sands of the Man-killer.” + +Mr. Ellsworth turned aside with a shudder. + +“I'm glad I'm not an engineer,” he said earnestly. “The responsibility +for safety of life at this point is all yours, Reade.” + +“And I'm willing enough to take it, sir, if you don't run trains over +the Man-killer until the new roadbed has stood tests that I'll put upon +it.” + +“It'll cost at least ten thousand dollars to repair the mischief that +the scoundrels have done to-night,” figured Harry Hazelton thoughtfully. + +“Then, if we can find out the guilty wretches for certain, we'll see +that they earn more than that amount by enforced labor in prison,”' +retorted the general manager grimly. + +“Mr. Bell!” called Tom briskly. + +“Here, sir,” reported the foreman, coming forward.. + +“Mr. Bell, I wish you'd pick out twenty-one good men. Make the brightest +of the lot head of the new force of night watchmen. Place the other +twenty under his orders. Your gangs will come into play here later +than the others, so I'll let your shift of men have the first chance at +night-watchman duty.” + +“All right, sir,” nodded Foreman Bell. “Any further orders?” + +“None, except that your watchmen will do their best to guard both the +line of roadbed and the camp. Further, tell the night engineer to be +sure to have steam up so that he can blow a lot of signals at anytime in +the night.” + +“Very good, sir,” and the foreman hurried away. + +“I'm disgusted with myself for having been caught in this fashion,” Tom +admitted to Mr. Ellsworth. “But I hadn't an idea that Paloma held any +dynamite. I can't imagine how a frontier town on the alkali desert needs +dynamite.” + +“It will probably be found that someone shipped it in a hurry,” + suggested Mr. Ellsworth. + +“But how? Any fellow would be detected who had it brought in on our +trains. There has been no time to I stage I it from any other point +since the row with Duff started.” + +“It's a puzzle,” admitted Mr. Ellsworth. + +“It is, but it won't be for long,” Reade declared confidently. “There +are ways of finding out how that dynamite got into Paloma, there must be +ways of finding out who caused it to be brought in.” + +Then, suddenly, Tom's eyes grew wider open and brighter. + +“Mr. Ellsworth, I believe that dynamite was brought in before the +trouble opened.” + +“But who would have wished to bring dynamite here until the trouble +started?” + +“Anyone might be interested in doing it who wanted to see trouble +start.” + +“I'm afraid I don't follow you, Reade,” observed the general manager, +frowning slightly. + +“There were others who wanted the job of blocking the Man-killer,” Tom +went on earnestly. “They wanted a lot more money for the job than we +thought was necessary. I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am just a +trifle suspicious that the concern of Chicago contractors--” + +“The Colthwaite people!” broke in Mr. Ellsworth. + +“Yes; if they were bad people, and ugly business rivals--” + +“How would the Colthwaite people be able to foresee that you were going +to have a fight with Jim Duff?” interposed Mr. Ellsworth. + +“I'm going after the answer, if there is one. I hope to be able to tell +you the answer one of these days.” + +Tom and Harry made two trips each, in different directions, to make sure +that the watch men were awake and alert. It was nearly eleven o'clock +when the general manager and his engineers turned in for a night's +rest--“subject to the approval of Jim Duff,” as Tom dryly stated it. + +No more interruptions followed during the night, however. At daylight +the watchmen sought their tents and the day force began to stir soon +after. + +After the steam whistle bad blown the breakfast call, Reade slipped away +from his friends to inspect the laborers at the meal. + +“There are some of your men absent, Mr. Mendoza,” Tom murmured to the +Mexican foreman. + +“Yes, Senor. Some of my men slipped away in the night.” + +“Went off to Paloma, eh?” + +Mendoza shrugged his shoulders. + +“Gambling, drinking--both,” nodded Tom. + +“Undoubtedly, Senor.” + +“Get the names of your absent Mexicans, and report to me with them.” + +Reade then went to the other foremen, with the same orders. + +Before Tom had seated himself at his own meal, with Harry and Mr. +Ellsworth, the foremen appeared, lists in their hands. Tom rapidly ran +his finger down the lists. + +“Twenty-eight Mexicans and fourteen Americans absent from camp,” he +muttered. “Foremen, when these men come back you may tell them that they +are no longer needed.” + +All four of the gang bosses looked somewhat astonished. + +“Merely for leaving camp in the night time?” Mendoza inquired. + +“Yes, under the circumstances,” nodded Tom. “If any of these men declare +that they were properly absent, and did not visit the gambling and +the drinking dives, then such men may be reinstated after they have +satisfied Mr. Hazelton, Mr. Hawkins or myself of the truth of their +statements.” + +“Some of these men will be very ugly when they find that they are +discharged, Senor,” suggested Mendoza. + +“But you are loyal to us?” + +“Can you doubt it, Senor?” asked Mendoza proudly. + +“Then you will know how to handle your own fellow-countrymen. The +other foremen will be able to handle the rest of the disgruntled ones. +However, as I have told you, if any man claims that he is unjustly +treated, send him to headquarters for a chance at reinstatement.” + +General Manager Ellsworth had heard the conversation, but had not +interfered. As soon as the young engineers were alone he joined them at +table, saying: + +“Aren't you afraid, Reade, that these discharged men will hasten to join +our enemies?” + +“That is very likely, sir,” Tom answered. “These missing men, however, +have shown their willingness to become our enemies by leaving camp and +seeking their pleasures in the strongholds of the scoundrels who are +fighting to break us up.” + +“That's another way of looking at the matter,” assented the general +manager. + +“I'd much rather have our enemies outside of camp than inside,” Reade +continued. “If we took these absentees back after they've been in the +company of rascals, then we wouldn't have any means of knowing how many +of the absentees had agreed to do treacherous things within the camp. +It would hardly be a wise plan to encourage the breeding of rattlesnakes +within the camp limits.” + +It was nearly noon when the first batch of laborers, some American and +some Mexican, returned to camp. These men started to go by the checker's +hut at a distance, but keen-eyed Superintendent Hawkins saw them and +ordered them around to the hut. + +“You'll have to wait here until your foremen are called,” declared the +checker. + +“Say, what's the trouble here!” demanded one American belligerently. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. READE MEETS A “KICKER” HALF WAY + + +“Who's your foreman?” asked the checker, a young fellow named Royal + +“Payson--if it's any of your business.” replied the workman roughly. + +The others, seeing him take this attitude, were willing to let him talk +for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the foremen, and now sent +them to the checker's hut to deal with the men. + +“Some of you are my men,” said Payson, looking the lot over. “You're +discharged.” + +“What's that?” roared the same indignant spokesman, a big, bull-necked, +red-faced fellow. + +“Discharged,” said Payson briefly. “All of you who belong to my gang. +Checker, I'll call their names off to you.” + +While Payson, and then the other foremen, were calling the names, the +workmen stood by in sullen silence. When the last name had been entered +the same bull-necked spokesman flared up again. + +“Have we no rights?” he demanded. “Is there no such thing as the right +of appeal in this camp, or are we under a lot of domineering, petty +tyrants like you?” + +“I'm a poor specimen of tyrant,”' laughed Payson good-naturedly. “All +I'm doing, Bellas, is following orders. Any man who feels that he was +justified in being away, and that he ought to be kept on the pay rolls +here, may make his appeal to Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Hazelton or Mr. Reade.” + +“I'll see Reade!” announced Bellas stiffly. “That youngster is doing all +the dirty work here. I'll go to him straight.” + +“I'll take you over to his office,” nodded Foreman Payson. + +“I'm going, too,” announced another workman. + +“So'm I,” added another. + +“One at a time, men,” advised Payson. “I think Bellas feels that he's +capable of talking for all of you.” + +The other foremen restrained the crowd, while Mr. Payson led Bellas over +to the headquarters shack. + +Tom looked up from a handful of old letters as the two men entered. + +“See here, you!” was Bellas's form of greeting. + +“Try it again,” smiled Tom pleasantly. + +“You're the man I want to talk to,” Bellas snarled. “What do you mean +by--” + +“What's your name?” asked Reade quickly. + +“None of your--” + +“We can never do business on that kind of courtesy,” smiled Reade. “Mr. +Payson, show the man out and let him come back when he's cooler.” + +“There isn't anyone here who can show me out!” blustered Bellas, +swinging his big arms and causing the heavy muscles to stand out. + +“If you don't care to behave in a businesslike way, and talk like a man, +we'll do our best to show you out,” Tom retorted, still with a pleasant +smile. “What are you here for, anyway?” + +“Why have I been fired?” roared Bellas. + +“Can't you guess?” queried Tom. + +“Was it for going to town and being away all night?” + +“Yes, and also for not being on hand this morning.” + +“There wasn't any work to do,” growled Bellas. + +“You expected to be paid for your time, and you should have been in +camp, as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of purchase. +Bellas, you have been drinking over in town, haven't you?” + +“If I have, it's my own business. I'm no slave.” + +“Ben gambling, too?” + +“None of your--” + +“You're in error,” Tom answered pleasantly, though firmly. “The gamblers +over in Paloma are leagued with the dive keepers against us, Bellas. You +know what they did out at the big sink of the Man-killer last night. Any +man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for hours among those +who are trying to put us out of business shows himself to be a friend to +the enemies of this camp. Therefore the man who does that shows himself +to be one of our enemies, in sympathy if not in fact.” + +“I'm no lawyer,” growled Bellas sullenly, “and I can't follow your flow +of gab.” + +“You know well enough what I'm saying to you, Bellas, and you know that +I'm right. Since you've been away and joined our enemies we don't want +you here. More, we don't intend to have you here. Mr. Payson has dropped +you from the rolls, and that cuts you off from this camp. Now, I think +you will understand that it is some of our business whether you have +been over in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If that +is what you have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won't have +you. If you haven't been hob-nobbing with our enemies, and paying all +you had for the privilege, then we'll look into any claims of better +conduct that you may make, and, if satisfied that you've been telling +the truth, we'll reinstate you.” + +“Oh, you make me tired--you kid!” burst from Bellas's lips. + +“This isn't an experience meeting,” Tom replied, not losing his smile, +“and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make +any statement advocating your right to be taken on the pay roll again?” + +“No, I don't!” roared the angry fellow. “All I want to do is to show you +my opinion of you, Tommy! I can do that best by rubbing your nose in the +dirt outside.” + +Foreman Payson flung himself between the big, angry human bull and the +young chief engineer. + +“Don't waste any time or heat on him, Mr. Payson,” Tom advised, slipping +his handful of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the +back of the room. “If Bellas has any grudge against me, I don't want to +stop him from making his last kick.” + +Tom took a step forward, his open hands hanging at his sides. He didn't +look by any means alarmed, though Bellas appeared to be about twice the +young chief engineer's size. + +So prompt had been Reade's action that, for a moment, Bellas looked +astounded. Then, with a roar, he leaped forward, swinging both arms and +closing in. + +Tom Reade had had his best physical training on the football gridiron. +He dropped, instantly, as he leaped forward, making a low tackle and +rising with both arms wrapped around Bellas's knees. Tom took two swift +steps forward, then heaved his man, head first, out through the open +doorway. + +Bellas landed about eight feet away. He was not hurt, beyond a jolting, +and leaped to his feet, shaking both fists. + +“Not unless you really insist upon it,” smiled Tom, shaking his head. +“It's too warm for exercise to-day.” + +“You tricky little whipper-snapper!” roared Bellas, making an angry +bound for the doorway. + +Tom met his angry rush. Both went down, rolling over and over on the +ground. Bellas wound his powerful arms about the boy, and would have +crushed him. Though Tom hated to do it, there was no alternative but to +choke the powerful bully. Bellas soon let go, dazed and gasping. Ere the +big fellow came to his senses sufficiently to know what he was about, +Reade had hoisted Bellas to one shoulder. + +Down by the checker's hut the crowd of curious workmen gasped as they +saw Tom Reade jogging along with this great load over one shoulder. +Reaching the line, Tom gave another heave. Bellas rolled on the ground. +He was conscious and could have gotten up, but he chose to lay where he +had fallen and think matters over. + +“Don't think I'm peevish, men,” Tom called pleasantly. “I wouldn't have +done that if Bellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now, +while I'm here, does any man wish to make a claim for justice? Does any +man feel that he has been discharged unfairly?” + +Three or four men answered, though none of the Mexicans was among the +number. When questioned as to whether they had spent the night among Jim +Duff's friends all the speakers admitted that they had. Tom then made +them the same explanation he had offered Bellas. + +“That's about all that can be said, isn't it, men?” Tom asked in +conclusion. “I am sorry for those of you who feel hurt, but while there +is bad blood in the air every man must choose between one camp or the +other. You men chose Jim Duff, and you'll have to abide by your choice.” + +“But we haven't any money,” declared one of the men sullenly. + +“Now you're just beginning to understand that Jim Duff won't be a very +good friend to a penniless man. Didn't you know that when you shook all +your change into his hat?” + +“Are you going to let us starve?” growled the man. + +“You won't starve, nor need you be out of work long,” Tom retorted. “Any +man who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't +have to remain out of a job. Now, I'll ask you to get off the railroad's +ground.” + +Tom turned and went back to the office, while Payson and the other +foremen saw to it that the discharged men left the railroad's property. +In less than half an hour the disgruntled ones were back in the worst +haunts of Paloma, spreading the news of Tom Reade's latest outrage. + +When Tom reached the office he found Mr. Ellsworth inside. + +“I saw what you did, Reade, though you didn't know I was about. You +handled it splendidly. You made it plain enough, too, to the men that +they had joined the enemy and thereby declared against us.” + +“Message, Mr. Reade,” called the operator from the doorway. + +“The construction material train, the first one, will be here within two +hours,” cried Tom, looking up from the paper, his eyes dancing. “Now we +can do some of the real work that we've been waiting to do!” + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE MAN-KILLER CLAIMS A SACRIFICE + + +In the days that followed Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were more +continuously and seriously busy than they had ever been before in their +lives. + +Sometimes it happens that engineers come upon a quicksand that +apparently has no bottom. It will be filled and apparently the earth +on top is solid. After a few days there will follow either a gradual +shifting away or a sudden cave in, and the quicksand must once more be +attacked. + +This condition had been experienced more than a dozen times with the +Man-killer before Tom and Harry had been called to solve the problem. + +There is no definite way of attacking a quicksand. Much must depend +upon the local conditions. Where it is a small one, yet of seemingly +considerable depth, it is sometimes quickest and cheapest to cross +it with a suspension bridge, the terminal pillars resting on sure +foundations. Some quicksands are overcome by merely filling in new sand +or loam, patiently, until at last the trap is blocked and a permanently +solid foundation is laid. There are many other ways of overcoming the +difficulty. + +The method hit upon by Tom and Harry, after looking over the situation, +was one that was largely original with them. + +It consisted of laying logs, of different lengths, from twelve to +eighteen feet, in a transverse net work filling in earth on this and +allowing the structure gradually to sink where the quicksand shifted or +caved. The sideway drift, at some points, was overcome by hollow steel +piles, driven in as firmly as might be, and then filled with cement from +the top. A line of such piles when imbedded in the ground, helps to make +an effective block to side drift. + +At the outset a few feet of these steel piles were left exposed above +the surface, their gradual settling serving as a reliable index to the +evasive movements of the extensive quicksand underneath. At other points +wooden piles were driven in for the same purpose. + +General Manager Ellsworth did not spend all his time in camp. He could +not do so, in fact, for he had many other pressing duties. However, he +ran over frequently, and always appeared satisfied. + +“Of course it's too early to talk confidently, Reade,” said Mr. +Ellsworth, one day when the work had been going on steadily for some +weeks, “but I believe you have the only right method. I have so reported +to our directors. You'll have disappointments, of course, but I hope +you'll encounter none that you can't overcome.” + +“I shan't crow until I've seen the test applied to the roadbed over +the Man-killer,” Tom replied thoughtfully. “After I've seen that test +applied a couple of times then I'm ready to go before any board and +swear that the Man-killer has been tamed for all time.” + +“Speed the day!” replied Mr. Ellsworth, as he climbed into his private +car to return. “By the way, you haven't heard anything lately from Jim +Duff & Company?” + +“Not a word,” Reade replied. “I don't believe we're yet through with +Rough-house camp, however. They're waiting only until our suspicions are +allayed. Once in a while we lose one of our workmen to the enemy, and +then we have to discharge the poor fellow. Some of our former men have +gone away, but there are about thirty of them left in Paloma, and I +imagine that they're ready to be ugly when the chance comes. The agent +of the Colthwaite Company is still in Paloma. He has been here ever +since we came.” + +“Agent of the Colthwaite Company?” repeated the general manager, opening +his eyes. “What's his name?” + +“Fred Ransom,” Tom replied half carelessly. + +“Ransom? Fred Ransom? I never heard of any Colthwaite agent of that +name.” + +“He's one of the Colthwaite people's troublemakers,” Tom went on, +opening his own eyes rather wide. + +“If you were sure of this why didn't you report it to me earlier?” + +“Why, I supposed your railroad detectives knew all about it. And that +you had heard of it long ago,” Reade declared. + +“I haven't heard a word of it,” continued Mr. Ellsworth, coming down the +steps of his car and standing on the ground once more. “What proof have +you of Ransom's business here?” + +“None whatever,” Tom answered cheerfully, “but I had him spotted the +first time I heard him talking. He was too entirely positive that we'd +fail.” + +“That was no proof against him.” + +“No; but Ransom was also certain that the Colthwaite plan was the only +one that could bring the Man-killer to time.” + +“Have you any other reason to suspect this main?” queried Mr. Ellsworth. + +“Only the fact that Ransom and Jim Duff have been close friends.” + +“Where does Ransom stop?” + +“At the Mansion House. He has a suite of rooms there, and entertains +some kinds of people, including Duff, very lavishly.” + +“Keep your eyes on that crowd as much as possible, Reade,” directed the +general manager thoughtfully, as he once more climbed to the platform of +his car. + +“I will, sir; and it might not be a bad idea to have your detectives do +something of the sort, also.” + +The general manager did not answer, except by a vague nod as his train +pulled out from the outskirts of the railway camp. + +Tom went back, called for his horse and rode to the westward for another +look at the Man-killer. He found Harry, also in saddle, beneath the +scanty shade of a struggling tree. Hazelton's quick eyes were taking +in every detail of the work being done by the several large gangs of +workmen. + +“Tom, if we're away from here by Christmas, there's one present you +needn't make me,” smiled Hazelton wanly, as he caught sight of the +camera hanging in its leather field case at his chum's side. + +“What present is that?” Tom inquired. + +“Don't make me a present of a photograph of this awful place. It's +photographed on my brain now, and burned in and baked there. If we ever +get through with the Man-killer, and get our money, I never want to see +this spot again.” + +“I'm not thinking at all of the money,” Reade retorted lightly yet +seriously. “I don't care about the money at present. Nothing will ever +satisfy me in life again until I've beaten the Man-killer fairly and +squarely. It's the one thing I think about by day and dream of at +night.” + +“I know it,” sighed Harry half pityingly. + +“Well, what else should we think about?” Tom demanded in a low voice. +“Harry, we have the very job, the identical problem, that has thrown +down nearly a dozen engineers of fine reputation. Why, boy, this +place may be out on the blazing desert, and there may be a dozen +discouragements every hour, but we've the finest chance, the biggest +unsolved problem in engineering that we could possibly have. It's +glorious.” + +Tom's eyes glowed. + +“Go away,” grinned Hazelton mischievously, “or I'll catch some of your +enthusiasm.” + +“You don't need any of it,” Reade retorted laughingly. “You've tons of +enthusiasm stowed away for future use. You know you have.” + +“I suppose I have enough enthusiasm,” Harry admitted, “but I should +like to do some actual work. I ride out on the sands every day and sit +looking on while the real work is being done. This problem of conquering +the Man-killer is growing monotonous. I'm tired of pegging away at the +same old task day in and day out.” + +“Not quite as bad as that,” Tom declared. “There's always something +a bit new. If you want work to do right now, ride over and show those +teamsters where you want them to put the logs that they're bringing up.” + +This was far too little to satisfy Harry's longing for “doing things,” + but with a grunt he turned his horse's head and jogged away at a trot. + +Tom moved in under the shade of the tree. + +“Harry doesn't know enough to appreciate a good thing when he has it,” + softly laughed Tom, grateful for the scant bit of shade. “Neither does +he yet know that often times the brain works best when the body is at +rest.” + +Just then Tom heard a sudden shout from the distance, followed by a +chorus of excited voices. + +Instantly the young engineer's gaze turned toward the lately filled-in +edge of the big sink. + +A hundred feet beyond the light platform where some laborers had been +working Reade beheld only the head and shoulders of one of the workmen. + +“The foolish fellow--to go out so far beyond where the men are allowed +to go!” gasped the young chief engineer, setting spurs to his horse. + +In a few moments Tom had reached the edge of the sink. + +“A rope!” he shouted, and seized the thirty-foot lariat that was handed +him. With this, Tom, now on foot, ran within casting distance of the +unfortunate, who was being rapidly enveloped by the quicksand. + +“Come back, Mr. Reade!” bellowed Foreman Payson. “The drift is setting +in on this side of you. Back, like lightning, or you're a doomed man! +You'll be swallowed up by the Man-killer yourself!” + +But Tom, intent only on saving the unfortunate laborer beyond, was +wholly heedless of the fact that his own life was in as great danger. + + + + +CHAPTER X. HARRY FIGHTS FOR COMMAND + + +“Come back, Mr. Reade!” implored Foreman Payson. + +For Tom, who had made two casts with the lariat and failed, was +knee-deep in shifting sand himself. + +“Keep cool!” the young chief engineer called over his shoulder. “I'll be +back--both of us in a minute or two.” + +The hapless laborer was now engulfed to his neck in the quicksand. + +“Save me! In Heaven's name get me out of this!” begged the poor fellow, +frenzied by dread of his seemingly sure fate. + +“I'm doing the best I can, friend!” Tom called, as he made a fresh cast. + +This time the noose of the raw-hide lariat dropped over the laborer's +head. + +“Fight your hands free, man!” Tom called encouragingly. “Fight your +hands and chest free, so that you can slip the noose down under your +armpits. Keep cool and work fast, and we'll have you out. Don't let +yourself get excited.” + +In the meantime Tom was wholly unaware that the engulfing quicksand was +reaching up gradually toward his hips. + +Foreman Payson had ceased to try to attract Tom's attention. Whatever +was to be done to save the chief engineer must be done swiftly. There +was not another lariat, or any kind of rope at hand. + +Behind was a cloud of alkali dust. Harry Hazelton was riding as fast as +he could urge a spirited horse. + +In another moment Hazelton had reined up at the edge of the group, +dismounting and tossing the reins to one of the workmen. + +“My man, you get on that horse and fly for a rope!” ordered Harry. + +This last Hazelton shot back over his shoulder, for he was pushing his +way through the rapidly forming crowd to Payson's side. Another foreman +had just come up. + +“Mr. Bell,” shouted Harry, “drive the men back who are not needed. We +don't want to put a lot of weight on the soil here and cause a further +cave-in.” + +By this time Harry was at the edge of the platform. In a twinkling he +was out on the sand. + +Grip! Mr. Payson had a strong hold on the collar of the assistant +engineer. + +“Let go of me!” commanded Harry. + +“You can't go out there, Mr. Hazelton. No more lives are to be wasted.” + +“Let go of me, I tell you!” + +“No, sir!” insisted Foreman Payson firmly. + +“Let go of me, or I'll fight you!” + +“You'll have to fight, then,” retorted Payson doggedly, maintaining his +grip on the lad's coat collar. “Comeback here!” + +Aided by another man, the foreman dragged Hazelton back to the platform. + +“Payson, I'll discharge you, if you interfere with me!” stormed +Hazelton. + +“Don't be a fool, sir. You can't help Mr. Reade. Be cool, sir. Keep your +head and direct us like a man of sense.” + +“Be a man of sense, and see my chum going under the sands of the +Man-killer?” flared Hazelton. + +He made a bound, doubling his fists threateningly. Then three or four +men, at a sign from Payson, seized the young assistant engineer and +threw him to the ground. + +“Tom,” called Harry, “order these fools to let me go.” + +Reade, however, who had just pulled in all the slack of the rawhide +lariat, and had made it fast about his own left arm, seemed wholly +unaware of his own great peril. + +Tom Reade was now submerged to his waistline in the engulfing sand. + +Unless rescued within five minutes the young chief engineer was plainly +doomed to be swallowed up in the treacherous sands of the Man-killer. +Only a few seconds below the shifting level of the sand would be enough +to smother the life out of him. Scores of strong men, powerless to help, +watched hopelessly within a few yards of the two whose lives were being +slowly but surely snuffed out. + +The laborer, whose carelessness or ignorance had caused all the trouble, +was now in the sand up to his mouth. The agonized watchers could see him +gradually sinking further. + +“Keep up your nerve, friend!” called Tom, in cool encouragement. “We'll +soon have you out of that.” + +Gripping the lariat with both bands, Tom gave a strong, sudden wrench +and succeeded in drawing the imperiled man out of the sand a few inches. + +Then the poor fellow began to settle again moaning piteously as he saw a +hideous death staring him in the face. + +Tom Reade's own face was deathly white from a realization of the other's +peril. Of his own danger the young chief engineer had not once stopped +to think. + +Harry Hazelton was again on his feet. That much Foreman Payson had +permitted, but strong-armed laborers stood on either side of the boy, +and their detaining grips were on his arm. + +Out yonder the doomed man saw the engulfing sand creeping up on a level +with his eyes. He tried to scream, but the sand shifted into his mouth. +In pitiable terror the poor fellow closed his mouth in order to delay +death for another moment. Even to call for help would now be swiftly +fatal! + +Behind came the thunder of hoofs. + +“Ropes!” shouted the horseman on Harry's mount. + +He rode past the groups of men, close to the platform. Then, leaping +from the saddle, the rider tossed a small bundle of ropes at Harry's +feet. All were ropes and lines--not a raw-hide among them. + +“There he goes! He's gone!” roared a score of frantic voices, as the +engulfed laborer sank out of sight in the sand. + +Harry Hazelton feverishly uncoiled one of the ropes, gathering a few +folds in his right hand. + +“Catch, Tom!” Harry shouted, making a cast. + +The line swirled through the air, then settled on the sands. + +“O-o-o-oh!” groaned Hazelton, for the rope had fallen four feet to one +side of Reade, and the latter, hemmed in as he was, could not reach it. + +“Take your time and make a sure throw, Harry!” Tom called cheerily. + +Again Hazelton made a throw--and failed. + +“Let me, have that! My head's cooler,” called Foreman Payson. + +He made two quick, steady throws, but each shot wide of the mark. + +“Let me have that!” screamed Harry, snatching the line away. + +“There are lines enough. Two men might be making throws,” spoke a quiet +voice behind them. + +Payson nodded, and bent over for another line. + +All trace of the doomed laborer had now disappeared. As for Tom, the +sand was reaching up under his arm-pits. The young chief engineer had +had the presence of mind to keep his arms free, but soon they too must +be swallowed up. + +“Good throw--whoever sent it!” cheered Tom Reade, as a final +cast--Harry's--sent a line within six inches of his face. + +Tom could not see those back at the platform, for his back was turned to +the eastward, and he could no longer swing his body about. + +“Get it under your arms-quick, Tom, or you're done for, too!” screamed +Harry. + +“Keep cool, old chap!” came back the unconcerned answer. “It isn't half +bad out here. The sand feels really cool about one's body.” + +“This is no time for nonsense!” ordered Hazelton hoarsely. “Have you the +line fast?” + +“Yes!” nodded Reade. “Haul away! Careful, but strong and steady!” + +Under Foreman Payson's direction a score of men seized the other end of +the line and then began to haul. + +Harry danced up and down in a frenzy. + +“Tom, you idiot,” he gasped. “You haven't made the line fast about +yourself.” + +“Not yet,” came the cheery answer. “That wouldn't be fair play. Haul +away on our friend out yonder.” + +Tom Reade had knotted the line fast to his end of the rawhide lariat +that was tied under the shoulders of the engulfed laborer. It was +magnificent, though seemingly a useless sacrifice of his own life for +one who must already be dead. + +From some of the workmen a faint cheer went up as the slowly incoming +line hauled the head of the unconscious laborer above the sand. A foot +at a time the body came toward them over the sand. + +Harry, however, scarcely noted the rescue. He was frantically working +with another line, knotting it in a sort of harness under his own +shoulders. + +“Come here, some of you men!” he called. “Bear a hand here! Lively!” + +Foreman Payson was instantly at the side of the young assistant +engineer. + +“What are you trying to do, Mr. Hazelton?” he demanded. + +“I'm going out on the sands,” retorted Harry. “I'm going to reach Tom +Reade. If I go under the men can aid me.” + +“But that isn't a rawhide line; it's hemp,” objected Foreman Payson. + +“It's strong enough,” retorted Hazelton impatiently. + +“I don't know about that.” + +“It will have to do,” insisted Hazelton. “You men get a good hold. Also, +one of you play out this other line that I'm taking with me for Tom +Reade.” + +“Don't risk anything foolish, Harry!” called the voice of Tom Reade, who +now felt the sand under his chin. + +“I'm coming to you,” Tom, shouted Harry. + +“It's too dangerous. Don't!” + +“I've got to come to you!” + +“I tell you don't! Maybe I can get myself out.” + +“Yes, you can,” jeered Hazelton. “Tom, if you went under, do you think I +could ever go back to our native town?” + +“Payson!” shouted Tom. + +“Yes, sir!” + +“Don't let Mr. Hazelton come--yet. Seize him!” + +“I've got him, sir!” + +Harry felt himself seized by the strong arms of the foreman. + +“You don't go, sir,” Payson insisted. “It's a criminal waste of life.” + +“Man, unhand me. Let me go, I tell you.” + +“I won't, sir. I've Mr. Reade's orders.” + +“He's helpless and no longer in command,” Harry retorted. + +“He's in command enough for me, sir.” + +“Payson!” Harry Hazelton's fierce gaze burned into the eyes of the +foreman. “If Tom Reade dies out yonder, and you've hindered me from +saving him--I'll have your life for forfeit!” + +Before that burning look even Payson shrank back. Harry Hazelton, +ordinarily the best natured of boys, was now in terrible earnest. + +“That's right,” muttered Hazelton. “Men, I take command here. You +needn't heed any words from Reade. Now, you men on the lines watch close +and listen keenly for my orders.” + +With that Hazelton darted out on the deadly, treacherous sands! + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. CHEATING THE MAN-KILLER + + +For the first few yards the assistant engineer ran almost as well as +though on a cinder track. Then his feet sank in. Soon he stumbled. + +Then there came a time, within ten feet of Tom, when Harry felt his feet +settling in the sand despite his efforts to pull himself out. + +In the meantime the haulers on the other line had forgotten to pull the +laborer nearer to safety. + +“You men get your eyes on the job!” sternly commanded Payson, who seemed +capable of having eyes everywhere. + +Harry got out, somehow. He made a bound, landing within arm's length of +Tom Reade. + +“I'm here, old chum!” gasped Hazelton. + +“I knew you'd be,” returned Tom calmly, “if there were any way of doing +it.” + +Harry pulled himself together and floundered still closer. + +Nor was there a moment to be lost. Tom was already reduced to the choice +between silence and having his mouth filled with sand. + +Harry's hands worked with lightning speed. Feverishly he dug out the +sand, until he had scooped away enough to bare Tom's shoulders and a few +inches beneath. + +Swoop! Down went the extra noose over Tom's lifted arms, and then down +to a snug noose under his armpits. + +From the platform a cheer went up, for the unconscious laborer had just +been hauled to safety. + +It was with a thrill of horror that Hazelton found his own legs firmly +embedded in the sand well up to his thighs. + +“Get Reade started first!” shouted the young assistant engineer. “Don't +bother with me until I give the word.” + +How the line fastened to Tom tightened and strained! At times it seemed +as though it must give way. + +Presently Tom's shoulder and a part of his torso were free. + +In the meantime Harry Hazelton had sunk in up to the waist line. + +“We'll haul on you, too, now, Mr. Hazelton!” sounded the voice of +Foreman Payson. + +“Don't you dare do it until I give the word,” thundered back the voice +of the assistant engineer. + +With a line securely about him, Harry felt that he could afford to take +the slight chance of waiting his turn. + +He saw Tom's knees coming up out of the sand before he called: + +“Now, Payson, you can give me a little boost if you like. Don't pull me +in ahead of Tom Reade, however.” + +Presently deafening cheers went up. Both young engineers were being +slowly, surely hauled to safe ground. + +Then Tom and Harry reached a spot where they could rise to their own +feet and floundered. Tom started, then swayed dizzily. + +“Steady, there, old Gridley boy!” mumbled Hazelton, slipping an arm +around his recovered chum. + +Then the two young engineers reached the platform and a fresh tumult of +joyful cheering burst forth. + +“Payson,” exclaimed Harry, going up to the foreman, and holding out his +hand, “will you accept my apologies for all I said to you? I had to use +strong language, or you'd have held me back from Reade.” + +“I didn't believe he could be saved,” returned the foreman, with a +sickly smile, as he grasped Hazelton's outstretched hand. + +Tom, too weak at first to stand, had dropped to his knees at the side of +the unconscious laborer, over whom some of the bystanders were working +in stupid fashion. + +“This man must have medical attention at once!” Tom declared. “Some +of you men lift him to your shoulders. Be careful not to jolt him, but +travel at a jog all the way to the office building. Harry, can you sit +on your horse?” + +“Surely,” said the young assistant. + +“Lucky boy, then,” smiled Reade. “I won't be able to sit in saddle for +some minutes. Ride into camp and tell the operator to wire swiftly for a +physician to come out and attend to that man.” + +“But you--” + +“I'm here, am I not!” smiled Reade. + +“I should say you are, Mr. Reade!” came a hoarse, friendly roar from one +of the laborers. + +Hazelton did not delay. He was soon speeding back over the desert. + +As for Tom, there were many offers of assistance, but he explained that +all he needed was to keep quiet and have a chance to get his breath +back. + +Payson, in the meantime, had started the work going again, though most +of his men toiled with far less spirit than before the accident. + +Ten minutes later Tom mounted his horse and rode slowly back toward +camp. By the time he reached there he made out the automobile of a +Paloma physician coming in haste. + +Tom was still weak enough to tremble as Harry stepped outside and helped +him to the ground. + +“Harry,” Reade remarked dryly, “I'm not going to bother to thank you for +such a simple little thing as saving my life out yonder. I am well aware +that you had the time of your life in doing it.” + +“I might have had the time of my life,” returned Harry, with an +imitation of his chum's calmness, “if there had been more excitement +about it. It was all rather dull, wasn't it, old chap?” + +Smiling, both stepped inside. Then Tom's face became grave when he saw +that the rescued laborer had not yet recovered consciousness. + +“Somewhere in the world,” murmured Reade, as he dropped to one knee and +rested a finger-tip on the laborer's pulse, “there's someone--a woman, +or a child, or a white-haired old man--who wouldn't wish us to let this +man die. What have you men been doing for him?” + +Before the answer could be given a honk sounded at the door. Then a +young doctor clad in white duck and carrying a three-fold medicine case, +stepped inside. + +“Sucked down by the sand and hauled out again, Doc,” Tom explained. + +The physician looked closely at his patient and Harry drove out the men +who had no especial business there. + +“A little pin-head of glonoin on his tongue for a beginning,” decided +the physician, opening his case. From one of the vials he took a small +pellet, forcing it between the lips of the unconscious man. Then, with +his stethoscope, he listened for the heart beats. + +“Another glonoin, and then we'll start in to wake up our friend,” said +the young doctor in white duck, after a pause. + +Two or three minutes later the laborer opened his eyes. + +“You've been trying not to hear the whistle,” laughed the doctor gently. +“A big fellow like you must be up and doing.” + +Ten minutes later the doctor found Tom outside. + +“The man will be all right now, with a little stuff that I'll leave for +him,” smiled the visitor. “Of course there's some man in camp who can +look after a comrade to-night?” + +“Doc, couldn't you do a better job if you had the man in Paloma under +your own eyes tonight?” Tom questioned. + +“Yes; undoubtedly.” + +“Can you take him?” + +“Yes.” + +“Then do so. Give him all the attention he needs. Make out your bill +to the A. G. & N. M. Hand it to me, and I'll O.K. it and send it in to +headquarters for payment. If you think an automobile ride after dark +will do the poor chap good, give him one and put that in your bill, +too.” + +“Reade, I want to shake hands with you,” said the physician earnestly. +“I've looked after railroad hands before, but this is the first time I +was ever asked to be humane to one. Have no fear but I'll send this man +back to you strong and grateful. What's his name?” + +“I don't know,” returned Reade. “I don't even know to whose gang he +belongs, though I think he's one of Payson's men.” + +Late the following afternoon the laborer was brought back to camp. The +following morning he returned to his work as usual. + +During the next two weeks Tom and Harry directed all their energies, as +well as the labor of all of their men, to bridging over that bad spot in +the Man-killer that had so nearly claimed two lives. One after another +six different layers of log network were put down. The open box cars +brought up thousands of tons of good soil, which was dumped down into +the layers of interlaced logs. + +“The old Man-killer must feel tremendously flattered at finding himself +so persistently manicured,” laughed Tom as he sat in saddle watching the +men putting down the sixth layer. + +Steel piles, hollow and filled with cement, were being driven here, the +cement not going in until the top of the pile was but four feet above +the level of the desert. + +“Look out yonder,” nodded Harry, handing his field glass to his chum. +“You can just make out a glint on the sand. That's one of our steel +piles being sucked under.” + +“The explorer of a few centuries hence may find a lot of these piles,” + laughed Tom. “If he does, he'll most likely attribute them to the Pueblo +Indians or the Aztecs, and he'll write a learned volume about the high +state of civilization that existed among the savages here before the +white man came.” + +“I'm mighty glad, Tom, that General Manager Ellsworth isn't out here +to see how many dozens of steel piles we're feeding hopelessly to the +Man-killer.” + +“Not one of those piles is going down hopelessly,” Tom retorted. “Some +of the piles may disappear, and never be seen again, but each one +will help hold the drift at some point, near the surface, or perhaps a +thousand feet below the surface.” + +“Only a thousand feet below the surface!” Harry grunted. “Tom, I often +feel certain that the Man-killer extends away down to the center of the +earth and up again on the other side. Before I'm a very old man I expect +to hear that several of our steel piles have shot up above the surface +in China or India.” + +Hearing the noise of horse's hoofs behind him, Tom turned. He beheld +Fred Ransom riding out to the spot on a mottled “calico” horse. + +“Look who's here,” Reade murmured to his chum. + +“What are you going to do with him?” asked Hazelton, after a quick look. +“Run him off the line?” + +“I don't know,” Tom answered slowly. “Ransom is trying hard to earn a +living, you know.” + +Harry snorted. That sort of estimation of Ransom, even as a joke, was a +little too much for him. + +“Mighty hot day, Reade,” called Ransom, as he reined in near the young +engineers. + +“Yes,” said Tom slowly. “If I were enjoying myself beside a bottle of +cold soda on the Mansion House porch I don't believe I'd have the energy +to call for a horse and ride all the way out here in the heat.” + +“Am I intruding?” demanded Ransom, with a swift, keen glance at the +young chief engineer. + +“Oh, no, indeed!” came Tom's response. “You're as welcome as the flowers +in spring.” + +“Thank you. It's a fine job you're doing out here.” + +“Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you,” Tom drawled. “Your praise +is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor.” + +“A competitor!” asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl. “I'm not an +engineer.” + +“Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers,” Reade rejoined. + +“My people? What do you mean, Reade? There isn't an engineer in our +family.” + +“No; but the Colthwaite Company employs a good many engineers,” Tom +suggested. + +“Colthwaite?” repeated Ransom, now on his guard. “I have nothing to do +with that concern.” + +“No?” asked Tom, as though greatly astonished. “Why, that's strange.” + +“Why is it strange?” + +“Why,” Tom Reade rejoined amiably, “everyone connected with the A. G. +& N. M. who knows anything at all about you credits you with being a +member of the Colthwaite Company's gloom department.” + +“Gloom department?” gasped Ransom, with a wholly innocent-looking face. +“Oh, all right. I'll bite. What is a gloom department, anyway?” + +“It's a comparatively recent piece of business apparatus,” smiled Tom. +“It is employed by big corporations as a club with which to hit smaller +crowds that want some of the business of life. The gloom department +might be called the bureau of knocking, or the hit-in-the-neck shift.” + +“Is that what you accuse me of doing for the Colthwaite Company?” asked +Fred Ransom, his scowl deepening. + +“Oh, the accusation isn't all mine,” Tom assured him unconcernedly. +“Some of it belongs elsewhere.” + +“Your suspicions are utterly unwarranted,” retorted Ransom, choking +slightly. + +“It's a lot of comfort to hear you say so,” Tom rejoined, as smilingly +as ever. + +“You're on the wrong track this time, anyway,” Ransom asserted boldly. +“Still, I don't suppose you want me out here.” + +“On the contrary, I greatly enjoy seeing you here,” Tom declared. “I'm +very grateful for the praise you offered me a moment ago.” + +“You're welcome,” returned the Colthwaite agent, trying hard to smile. +“However, I won't take up your time. Good afternoon.” + +“Good afternoon, then,” nodded Tom. “Drop in again, won't you? Any time +within working hours.” + +“Confound that fellow Reade!” muttered Ransom angrily as he rode back to +Paloma. “He knows altogether too much--or suspects it. I shall have to +call Jim Duff's attention to him!” + +“Why did you string the fellow so?” asked Harry when the chums were +alone once more. + +“I didn't,” Reade retorted. “I came very close to giving him straight +information.” + +“Now he'll be more on his guard.” + +“That won't do him any good,” Tom yawned. “He has been on his guard +all along, yet we found him out. For that matter, any man who lives +regularly at the Mansion House these days is open to our suspicion.” + +For the Mansion House, ever since Tom's having been ordered away, had +been a losing proposition. Now and then a traveling salesman stopped +there, though not many. + +“By the way, Harry,” predicted Tom, as the chums were riding back to +Paloma at the close of the afternoon, “look out, in about three of four +days, for a new and permanent guest at the Cactus House.” + +“Who's coming?” inquired Hazelton. + +“Whatever man the Colthwaite Company decides to send to the Cactus House +as soon as headquarters in Chicago receives Ransom's report. I think +we'll know that new chap, too, when he shows up. Also, you'll find that +the new man is either an avowed enemy of Ransom, after a little, or else +he won't choose to know Ransom at all.” + +“That's pretty wild guessing,” scoffed Harry Hazelton. + +“Wait three or four days, and see whether it's guessing or one of the +fine fruits of logic,” proposed Reade. “Incidentally, the Colthwaite +people will wonder why it didn't occur to them before to send one of +their gloom men to live at the Cactus. Fact is, I've been looking for +the chap for more than a fort-night.” + + + + +CHAPTER XII. HOW THE TRAP WAS BAITED + + +It was the evening of the day after Harry, who had insisted on trudging +up and down the line all day, instead of using his horse, had a touch of +heat headache. + +He was not in a serious condition, but he needed rest. He dropped into +one of the chairs on the Cactus House porch and prepared to doze. + +“Is there anything I can get for you, or do for you, old chap?” inquired +Tom, coming out on the porch after supper and looking remarkably +comfortable and contented. + +“No; just let me doze,” begged Harry. “I feel a trifle drowsy.” + +“Then, if you're going to give a concert through your nose,” smiled Tom, +“I may as well protect myself by going some distance away.” + +“Go along.” + +“I believe I'll take a walk. Probably, too, the ice cream man will be +richer when I get back.” + +Tom went down into the street and sauntered along. He had walked but a +few blocks when he met another young man in white ducks. + +“Doc, I'm looking for the place where the ice cream flows,” Reade +hinted. “Can I tempt you?” + +“Without half trying,” laughed Dr. Furniss the young physician who had +gone out to camp to attend the Man-killer victim. + +As they were seated together over their ice cream, Dr. Furniss inquired: + +“By the way, do you ever see my one-time patient nowadays?” + +“The fellow we exhumed from the Man-killer?” + +“The same.” + +“I see him every morning,” laughed Tom. “Really, I can't help seeing +him, for the man puts himself in my way daily to say good morning. And +as yet I haven't learned his name.” + +“His name is Tim Griggs,” replied Dr. Furniss. “He's a fine fellow, too, +in his rough, manly way. He's wonderfully grateful to you, Reade. Do you +know why?” + +“Haven't an idea.” + +“Well, Tim's sheet anchor in life is a little girl.” + +“Sweetheart?” + +“After a fashion,” laughed the young doctor. “The girl is his daughter, +eight years old. She's everything to Tim, for his wife is dead. The +child lives with somewhat distant relatives, in a New England town. +Tim sends all his spare money to her, and so the child is probably well +looked after. Tim told me, with a big choke in his voice, that, if the +Man-killer had swallowed him up, it would have been all up with the +little girl, too. When money stopped coming the relatives would probably +have set the child to being household drudge for the family. Tim has a +round dozen of different photos of the child taken at various times.” + +“Then I'm extra glad we got him out of the Man-killer,” said Tom rather +huskily. + +“I knew you'd be glad, Reade. You're that kind of fellow.” + +“Tim Griggs, then, is probably one of our steady men,” Tom remarked, +after a while. + +“Steady! Why the man generally sends all of his month's pay, except +about eight dollars, to his daughter. From what he tells me she is +a sharp, thrifty little thing. She pays her own board bill with her +relatives, chooses and pays for her own clothes, and puts the balance of +the money in bank for herself and her father.” + +“Does Tim ever go to see her?” + +“Once in two years, regularly. He'd go east oftener, but it costs too +much money. He'd live near her, but he says he can earn more money down +here on the desert. Tim even talks about a college education for that +idolized girl. She looks out just as sharply for her daddy. Whenever Tim +is ready to make a trip east, she sends him the money for his fare. The +two have a great old time together.” + +“Tim may marry again one of these days, and then the young lady may not +have as happy a time,” remarked Tom thoughtfully. + +“I hinted as much to Griggs,” replied Dr. Furniss, “but he told me, +pretty strongly, that there'll be no new wife for him until he has +helped the daughter to find her own place in life.” + +“Say!” muttered Tom, with a queer little choke in his voice. “The heroes +in life generally aren't found on the high spots, are they?” + +“They're not,” retorted the doctor solemnly. + +Half an hour later, after having eaten their fill of ice cream, Dr. +Furniss and Engineer Reade parted, Tom strolling on alone in the +darkness. + +“I can It get that fellow Griggs out of my mind,” muttered Tom. “To +think that a splendid fellow like him is working as a laborer! I wonder +if he isn't fitted for something better--something that pays better? +Look out, Tom Reade, you old softy, or you'll be doing something +foolish, all on account of a primary school girl in New England whom +you've never seen, and never will! I wonder--hello!” + +As Tom had walked along his head had sunk lower and lower in thought. +His sudden exclamation had been brought forth by the fact that he had +bumped violently into another human being. + +“Cantch er look out where you're going?” demanded an ugly voice. + +“I should have been looking out, my friend,” Tom replied amiably. “It +was very careless of me. I trust, that I haven't done you serious harm.” + +“Quit yer sass!” ordered the other, who was a tall, broad-shouldered and +very surly looking fellow of thirty. + +“I don't much blame you for being peevish,” Reade went on. “Still, I +think there has been no serious harm done. Good night, friend.” + +“No, ye don't!” snarled the other. “Nothing of the slip-away-easy style, +like that!” + +“Why, what do you want?” I asked Tom, opening his eyes in genuine +surprise. + +“Ye thick-headed idiot!” rasped the surly stranger. “Ye--” + +From that the stranger launched into a strain of abuse that staggered +the young engineer. + +“Say no more,” begged Reade generously. “I accept your apology, just as +you've phrased it.” + +“Apology, ye fool!” growled the stranger. + +“That won't do. Put up your hands!” + +“Why?” + +“So ye can fight, ye--” + +“Fight?” echoed Tom, with a shake of his bead. “On a hot night like +this? No, sir! I refuse.” + +Tom would have passed peaceably on his way, but the stranger suddenly +let go a terrific right-hander. Had Tom Reade received the blow he would +have gone to the ground. But the young engineer's athletic training +stood by him. He slid out, easily and gracefully, but was compelled to +wheel and face his assailant. + +“Don't,” urged Tom. “It's too hot.” + +“I'm hot myself,” leered the stranger, dancing nearer. + +“You look it,” Tom admitted. “If you don't stop dancing, you'll soon be +hotter. It makes me warm to look at you.” + +“Stop this one, ye tin-horn!” snarled the stranger. + +“Certainly,” agreed Tom, blocking the blow. “However, I wish you +wouldn't be so strenuous. One of us may get hurt.” + +This last escaped Reade as he blocked the blow, and again displayed a +neat little bit of footwork. + +“Let's see you stop this one!” taunted the bully. + +“Certainly,” agreed Tom, and did so. + +“And this one. And this! Here's another!” + +By this time the blows were raining in fast and thick. Tom's agile +footwork kept him out of reach of the hard, hammer-like fists of the +stranger. + +Tom had been bred in athletics. He was comparative master of boxing, +but before this interchange of blows had gone far the young engineer +realized that he had met a doughty opponent. + +What Tom didn't know was that his present foe was an ex-prizefighter, +who had sunk low in the scale of life. + +What the lad didn't even suspect was that the man had been hired to pick +a fight with him, and that the fight was for desperate stakes. + +“Have you pounded me all you think necessary?” asked Tom coolly, after +more than a minute's hard interchange of blows in which neither man had +gained any notable advantage. + +“No, ye slant-eared boob!” roared the assailant. “Ye--” + +Here he launched into another stream of abuse. + +“You said all that before,” remarked Tom, with a new flash in his eyes. +Then fully aroused, he went to work in earnest, intending to drive his +opponent back and down him. + +The fighting became terrific. There was little effort now to parry, for +each fighter had become intent on bringing the other to earth. + +Tom was soon panting as he fought, for his opponent was heavier, taller +and altogether out of the youth's fistic class. + +“If I can only reach his wind once, and topple him over!” thought Reade. + +A blow aimed at his jaw he failed to block. The impact sent the young +engineer half staggering. Another blow, and Tom dropped, knocked out. + +At that very instant a street door near by opened noiselessly. + +“I've got him,” leered the bully, bending over the senseless form of Tom +Reade. + +“Bring him in!” ordered a voice behind the open doorway. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. TOM HEARS THE PROGRAM + + +Throwing his arms around Tom, the bully lifted him and bore him inside, +dropping him on the floor in the dark. + +“He's some tough fighter,” muttered Tom's assailant. “I didn't know but +he'd get me.” + +“No; he couldn't,” replied the other voice. “I was just opening the door +so I could slip out and give him a clip in the dark.” + +“He's coming to,” muttered the bully. “Ye'll have to tell me what you +want done with him.” + +The speaker had knelt by Tom, with a hand roughly laid against the young +engineer's pulse. Neither plotter could see the boy, for no light had +been struck in the room. + +“Pick him up,” ordered the one who appeared to be directing affairs. “If +he comes to while you're carrying him you can handle him easily enough, +can't you?” + +“Of course. Even after he knows pie from dirt he'll be dazed for a few +minutes.” + +“Come along with him.” + +“Strike a light.” + +For answer the director of this brutal affair flashed a little glow from +a pocket electric lamp. + +The way led down a hallway, through to the back of the house, and thence +down a steep flight of stairs into a cellar. + +The man who appeared to be in charge of this undertaking had brought a +lantern, holding it ahead of the man who carried Tom's unconscious form. + +“Dump him there,” ordered the man with the lantern. + +“He's stirring,” reported the fighter, after having dropped young Reade +to the hard earthen floor. + +“Take this then,” replied the other, who, having hung the lantern on +a hook overhead, had stepped off beyond the fringe of darkness. He now +returned with a shotgun, which he handed to the fighter who had attacked +the young chief engineer in the street. + +“Do you want me to shoot him?” whispered the other huskily. + +“If you have to, but I don't believe it will be necessary. The cub +will soon understand that his safety depends entirely on doing as he is +told.” + +“Say,” muttered Tom thickly. He stirred, opened his eyes, then sat up, +looking dazed. + +“Don't move or talk too much,” advised the man with the shotgun. As he +spoke, he moved the muzzle close to Reade's face. + +“Hello!” muttered Tom, blinking rather hard. + +“Hello yourself. That's talking enough for you to do,” snapped the +bully. + +“Was that the thing you hit me over the head with at the finish?” + inquired the young engineer curiously. + +“Careful! You're expected to think--not talk,” leered his captor. “If +ye want something to think about ye can remember that I have fingers on +both triggers of this gun.” + +“I can see that much,” Tom assented. “Why do you think that it's +necessary to keep that thing pointed at me? Have you got me in a place +where you feel that facilities for escaping are too great?” + +The word “facilities” appeared too big for the mind of the bully to +grasp. + +“I don't know what ye're talkin' about,” he grumbled. + +“Neither do I,” Tom admitted cheerily. “My friend, I'm not going to +irritate you by pretending that I know more than you do. In fact, I know +less, for I have no idea what is about to happen to me here, and that's +something that you do know.” + +“No; I don't,” glared his captor, “and I don't care what is going to +happen to you.” + +Back of the fringe between light and darkness steps were heard on the +cellar stairs. Then someone moved steadily forward until he came into +the light. + +“Hello, Jim!” Tom called good-humoredly. + +“Don't try to be too familiar with your betters, young man!” came the +stern reply. + +“Oh, a thousand pardons, Mr. Duff,” Tom amended hastily. “I didn't +intend to insult your dignity. Indeed, I am only too glad to find you +resolved to be dignified.” + +“If you try to get fresh with me,” growled the gambler, “I'll knock your +head off.” + +“Call it a slap on the wrist, and let it go at that,” urged Tom. “I'm +very nervous to-night, and a blow on the head might make me worse.” + +“Nothing could make you worse,” growled, Duff, turning on his heel, “and +only death could improve you.” + +“Then I'm distinctly opposed to the up-lift,” grinned Tom, but Duff +had disappeared into a darker part of the cellar and the young engineer +could not tell whether or not his shaft had reached its mark. + +“Ye wouldn't be so fresh if ye had a good idea of what ye're up against +to-night,” warned the bully with the gun. + +“I fancy a good many of us would tone down if we could look ahead for +three whole days,” Tom suggested. + +Other steps were now heard on the stairs. The newcomers remained outside +the illuminated part of the cellar until still others arrived. + +“Now, gentlemen,” proposed the voice of Jim Duff, “suppose we have a +look at the troublemaker.” + +“They can't mean me,” Tom hinted to his immediate captor. + +“Shut up!” came the surly answer. + +Fully a dozen men now moved forward. With the single exception of Duff, +each had a cloth, with eye-holes, tied in place over his face. + +“My, but this looks delightfully mysterious!” chuckled Tom. + +“You be still, boy, except when you answer something that calls for a +reply,” ordered Jim Duff, who had dropped all of the surface polish of +manner that he usually employed. “This meeting need not last long, and +I'll do most of the talking.” + +“Won't these other gentlemen present be allowed to do some of the +talking?” the young engineer inquired. + +“They don't want to,” Duff explained gruffly. “That might lead to their +being recognized.” + +“Oh, that's the game?” mused Tom Reade aloud. “Why, I thought they had +the handkerchiefs over their faces because--” + +“Shut up and listen!” warned Jim Duff. + +“...because,” finished Tom, “they wanted me to feel that everything was +being done regularly and in good dime-novel form. My, but they do look +like some of the fellows that Hen Dutcher used to tell us about. Hen +used to waste more time on dime novels than--” + +“Shut up!” again commanded Duff. “These gentlemen feel that there is no +need of their being recognized.” + +“Then why didn't Fred Ransom, of the Colthwaite Company, cover up the +scar on his chin?” retorted Reade. “Why didn't Ashby, of the Mansion +House, invent a new style of walking for the occasion?” + +Both men named drew hastily back into the shadow. Tom chuckled quietly. + +“I could name a few others,” Tom continued carelessly. “In fact--I think +I know you all. Gentlemen, you might as well remove your masks.” + +“Club him with the butt of the gun, if he talks too much,” Duff directed +the bully, who had stepped back a few paces as the men formed a circle +around the young engineer. + +“Did you ever try to stop water from running down hill, Duff,” Tom +inquired good-humoredly. + +“What has that to do with--” began the gambler angrily. + +“Nothing very much,” Tom admitted. “Only it's a waste of time to try to +bind my tongue. The only thing you can do is to gag me; but, from some +things you've let drop, I judge that you want me to do some of the +talking presently.” + +“We do,” nodded Duff, seeking to regain his temper. “However, it won't +do you any good to attempt to do your talking before you've heard me.” + +“If I've been interfering with your rights, then I certainly owe you an +apology,” Tom answered, with mock gravity. “May I beg you to begin your +speech?” + +“I will if you'll keep quiet long enough, boy,” Jim Duff retorted. + +“I'll try,” sighed Reade. “Let's hear you.” + +“This committee of gentlemen--” began the gambler. + +“All gentlemen?” Tom inquired gravely. + +“This committee,” Duff started again, “have concerned themselves with +the fact that you have done much to make business bad here in Paloma. +You have prevented hundreds of workmen from coming into Paloma to spend +their wages as they otherwise would have done.” + +“Some mistake there,” Reade urged. “I can't control the actions of my +men after working hours.” + +“You've persuaded them against coming into town,” retorted Duff sternly. +“None of the A. G. & N. M. workmen come into Paloma with their wages.” + +“I'm glad to hear that,” Tom nodded. “It's the effect of taking good +advice, not the result of orders.” + +Some of the masked listeners stirred impatiently. + +“It's all the same,” Jim growled. “Your men don't come into town, and +Paloma suffers from the loss of that much business.” + +“I'm sorry to hear it.” + +“So this committee,” the gambler went on, “has instructed me to inform +you that your immediate departure from Paloma will be necessary if you +care to go on living.” + +“I can't go just yet,” Tom declared, with a shake of his bead. “My work +here at Paloma isn't finished.” + +“Your work will be finished before the night is over, if you don't +accept our orders to leave town,” growled Duff. + +“Dear me! Is it as bad as that?” queried Reade. + +“Worse, as you'll find! What's your answer, Reade?” + +“All I can say then,” Tom replied innocently, “is that it is too bad.” + +Clip! Jim Duff bent forward, administering a smart cuff against the +right side of the sitting engineer's face. + +“Don't do that!” warned Tom, leaping lithely to his feet. He faced the +gambler coolly, but the lad's muscles were working under the sleeves of +his shirt. + +Duff drew back three steps, after which he faced the boy, eyeing him +steadily. + +“Reade, you've heard what we have to say to you. That you can't go on +living in Paloma. Are you ready to give us your word to leave Paloma +before daylight, and never come back?” + +“No,” Tom replied flatly. + +“Then,” sneered the gambler, fixing the gaze of his snake-like eyes on +the young chief engineer, “I'll tell you what we have provided for you. +We shall take you to the edge of the town, at once, and there hang you +by the neck to a tree. After you've ceased squirming we'll fasten this +card to you.” + +From another man present Jim snatched a printed card, bearing this +legend: + +“Gone, for the good of the community!” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB + + +“How soon are you going to carry out your plans?” Reade demanded. + +“Then you won't leave Paloma?” + +“I certainly won't--as far as my own decision goes,” Reade replied +firmly. “Furthermore, I should feel the utmost contempt for myself if I +allowed you to drive me away from here before my work is completed.” + +“You're a fool!” hissed Duff. + +“And you're a gambler,” Tom shot back. “If you won't change your trade, +why should you expect me to change mine?” + +“I reckon, gentlemen,” said Duff, turning to the others present, “that +there's no use in wasting any more time with this fellow. He'd rather +be hanged to a tree than take good advice. If the rest of you agree with +me, I propose that we take the cub to his tree at once.” + +Several spoke in favor of this plan. Tom, seeing this, felt his heart +sink somewhat within him, though he was no more inclined than before to +accede to the demands of the rascals. + +“Grab him! Throw him down; tie and gag him,” were the gambler's orders. + +Two men nearest the young engineer sprang at him. + +“We'll play this game right through to the finish, then!” burst from +Tom's lips, and there was something like fury in his voice. + +Biff! Thump! + +Two of the townsmen of Paloma, wholly unprepared for resistance, went +down before the engineer's telling blows. + +“Your turn, Duff!” rumbled Reade's voice, as he sprang forward and +launched a terrific blow at the gambler. + +Duff went down, almost doubling up as he struck. He had been hit +squarely on the jaw with a force that made even Tom Reade's hardened +knuckles ache. + +“Shoot him!” rose a snarl, as others moved toward the boy. + +“All right!” assented Tom, his voice ringing cheerily despite his anger. +“Be cowards, as comes natural to you. Yet, if you have the courage of +real men I'll agree to fight my way out of this place, meeting you one +at a time.” + +“What's that noise up in the street?” suddenly demanded Ashby, in a tone +of sudden fear. + +“Run up and find out, if you want to know,” proposed Tom, who stood +poised, ready for another assailant to come within reach of his fists. + +Stealthily, on tip-toe, the bully who had first engaged Reade in the +street fight, was now trying to get up behind the young engineer. The +bully held the shotgun ready to bring down on the lad's head. + +“There's some row up there,” continued Ashby. “There, I heard shots!” + +“Brave, aren't you?” jeered Tom. + +Three or four of the masked cowards started for the steep stairway. + +Even the bully with the clubbed shotgun must have been seized with fear; +for, though in position to strike, he quickly lowered the weapon and +listened. + +Bump! smash! sounded, though not directly overhead. + +Then from the hallway above came the noise of the treading of many feet, +while a voice roared hoarsely: + +“Spread through the house, boys! If they've done anything to Mr. Reade, +then break the necks of every white-livered rascal you can find!” + +“Fine!” chuckled Tom, while the masked faces in the cellar turned even +whiter than the cloths covering them. “That voice sounds familiar to me, +too.” + +Over the hubbub of voices above sounded some remonstrating tones, as +though others were urging a less violent course. + +“It's the workmen from the camp!” guessed Hotelman Ashby, in a voice +that shook as though from ague. + +“Sounds like it,” chuckled Tom. “Cheer up, Ashby. If it's our railroad +crew I'll try to see to it that they don't do more than half kill you!” + +Then, raising his voice, Tom called gleefully: + +“Hello, there! You'll find us in the cellar.” + +“Why don't you kill that fool!” muttered Jim Duff, who, still dazed, +struggled to sit up. + +“Hush, man, for goodness sake!” implored the badly frightened Ashby. + +Duff, with rapidly returning consciousness, now leaped to his feet, +drawing his pistol and springing at Reade. + +“Hold on!” Tom proposed coolly. “You're too late!” + +The sudden flooding of light into the place and the rush of hobnailed +shoes on the stairs recalled even the gambler's scattered senses. + +“There they are!” yelled a voice. “Grab 'em! Be careful you don't hit +Mr. Reade.” + +In another instant the cellar was the center of a wild scene. Railway +laborers flooded the little place. While some held dark lanterns that +threw a bright glow over the scene, others leaped upon the masked ones, +tearing the cloths from their faces. + +“Serve 'em hot!” roared the same rough voice. + +“Stop!” commanded Tom Reade, leaping forward where the light was +brightest and into the thick of the struggling mass of humanity. + +“Stop, I tell you!” + +His commands fell upon deaf ears. It was impossible to restrain these +men. + +Here and there the lately masked men drew pistols, though not one of +them had a chance to use his weapon ere it was wrested from him. + +Pound! slam! bang! A medley of falling blows filled the air, nor was it +many seconds later when cries of pain and fear, and appeals for mercy +were heard on all sides. + +Tom had recognized his own railroad workers, and was throwing himself +among them, doing his utmost with hands and voice to stop the brief but +wild orgy of revenge on the part of the workmen who idolized him. In +their present rage, however, Tom could not at once restrain them. Time +and again he was swept back from reaching Tim Griggs, who was easily the +center of this volcanic outburst of human passion. + +“Boys!” roared Tim. “We'll want to know these coyotes to-morrow. Black +the left eye of each rascal. I'll black both of Jim Duff's.” + +Two heavy, sodden impacts sounded during a brief pause in the noise, +attesting to the fact that the gambler had been decorated. + +“Stop all this! Stop!” roared Tom Reade. “Men, we're not savages, just +because these other fellows happen to be! Stop it, I tell you. Are there +no foremen here?” + +“I'm trying to reach you, Mr. Reade,” called the voice of Superintendent +Hawkins. “But this is a heavy crush to get through.” + +In truth it was. There were more than a hundred laborers in the cellar, +while the stairs were blocked by a mob of enraged workmen. + +“Stop it all, men!” Tom again urged, and this time there was silence, +save for his own strong voice. “We don't want to prove ourselves to be +as despicable as the enemy are. Bring 'em up to the street, but don't be +brutal about it. We'll look the scoundrels over so that we'll know them +to-morrow. Come along. Clear the stairs, if you please, men!” + +Tom was now once more in control, as fully as though he had his force of +toilers out on the desert at the Man-killer quicksand. + +So, after a few minutes, all were in the street. Here fully two hundred +more of the railroad men, many of them armed with stakes and other crude +weapons, held back a crowd of Paloma residents who swarmed curiously +about. + +“Let me through, men. Let me through, I tell you!” insisted the voice +of Harry Hazelton, as that young assistant engineer struggled with the +crowd. + +Then, on being recognized, Harry was allowed to reach the side of his +chum. + +“Mr. Reade!” called a husky-toned voice, “won't you order your men +to let me through to see you? I want to talk with you about tonight's +outrage.” + +Tom recognized the speaker as a man named Beasley, one of Paloma's most +upright and courageous citizens. + +“Let Mr. Beasley through,” Tom called. “Don't block the streets, men. +Remember, we've no right to do that.” + +A resounding cheer ascended at the sound of Tom's voice. In the light of +the lanterns Tom was seen to be signaling with his hands for quiet, and +the din soon died down. + +“Mr. Reade,” spoke Beasley, in a voice that shook with indignation, “the +real men of this town would like an account of what has been going on +here to-night. If Duff and his cronies have been up to anything that +hurts the good name of the town we'd like the full particulars. You men +there--don't let one of the rascals get away. Jim Duff and his gang will +have to answer to the town of Paloma.” + +“Men,” ordered Reade, “bring along the crew you caught in the cellar. +Don't hurt them--remember how cowardly violence would be when we have +everything in our own hands.” + +“The men of Paloma will do all the hurting,” Mr. Beasley announced +grimly. + +Tom's own deliberate manner, and his manifest intention of not abusing +his advantage impressed itself upon the decent men of Paloma, who now +swarmed about the frightened captives from the cellar. + +“I know 'em all,” muttered Beasley. “I'll know 'em in the morning, too. +So will you, friends!” he added, turning to the pressing crowds. + +“Start Jim Duff on his travels now!” demanded one angry voice. + +“By the Tree & Rope Short Line!” proposed another voice. + +Jim was caught and held, despite his straggles. Active hands swarmed +over his clothing, seeking for weapons. + +“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” appealed Tom sturdily, making his resonant voice +travel far over the heads of the throng. “Will you honor me with your +attention for three or four minutes?” + +“Yep!” shouted back one voice. + +“You bet!” came another voice. + +“Go ahead and spout, Reade. We'll have the hanging, right after!” + +There was nothing jovial in these responses. Tom Reade knew men +well enough to recognize this fact. Moreover, Tom knew the plain, +unvarnished, honest and deadly-in-earnest men of these south-western +plains well enough to know the genuine fury of the crowd. + +Arizona and New Mexico have long been held up as states where violence +and lynch law prevail. The truth is that Arizona and New Mexico have no +more lynchings than do many of the older states. An Arizona lynching can +only follow an upheaval of public sentiment, when honest men are angered +at having their fair fame sullied by the acts of blackguards. + +“Friends,” Tom went on, as soon as he could secure silence, “I am a +newcomer among you. I have no right to tell you how to conduct your +affairs, and I am not going to make that mistake. What you may do with +Jim Duff, what you may do with others who damage the fair name of your +town, is none of my business. For myself I want no revenge on these +rascals. They have already been handled with much more roughness than +they had time to show to me. I am satisfied to call the matter even.” + +“But we're not!” shouted an Arizona voice from the crowd. + +“That's your own affair, gentlemen,” Reade went on. “I wish to +suggest--in fact, I beg of you--that you let these fellows go to-night. +In the morning, when the sun is up, and after you have thought over +the matter, you will be in a better position to give these fellows +fair-minded justice--if you then still feel that something must be done +to them. That is all I have to say, gentlemen. Now, Mr. Beasley, won't +you follow with further remarks in this same line?” + +Mr. Beasley looked more or less reluctant, but he presently complied +with Reade's request. Then Tom called upon another prominent citizen of +Paloma in the crowd for a speech. + +“Let the coyotes go--until daylight,” was the final verdict of the +crowd, though there was an ominous note in the expressed decision. + +In stony silence the crowd now parted to let Jim Duff and his fellows go +away. + +Within sixty seconds the last of them had run the gauntlet of contempt +and vanished. + +“Someone told me,” scoffed Beasley, “that a gambler is a man of courage, +polish, brains and good manners. I reckon Jim Duff isn't a real gambler, +then.” + +“Yes, he is!” shouted another. “He's one of the real kind--sometimes +smooth, but always bound to fatten on the money that belongs to other +men.” + +“Jim can leave town, I reckon,” grimly declared another old settler. “We +have savings banks these days, and we don't need gamblers to carry our +money for us.” + +“Speech, Reade! Speech!” insisted Mr. Beasley good-humoredly. + +From some mysterious place a barrel was passed along from hand to hand. +It was set down before the young chief engineer, and ready hands hoisted +him to the upturned end of the barrel. + +“Speech!” roared a thousand voices. + +Tom, grinning good-humoredly, then waved his arms as though to still the +tumult of voices. Gradually the cheering died down, then ceased. + +Bang! sounded further down the Street, and the flash of a rifle was +seen. + +Tom Reade, his speech unmade, fell from the barrel into the arms of +those crowded about him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. MR. DANES INTRODUCES HIMSELF + + +Daylight found Jim Duff and some of his cronies of the night before +either absent from Paloma, or else securely hidden. + +Fred Ransom, the Colthwaite Company's representative, had also vanished. + +Proprietor Ashby, of the Mansion House, was reported to be skulking in +his hotel, as he did not show his face on the streets. + +Morning also brought calmer counsel to the real men of Paloma. They were +now glad that they had not sullied themselves by acts of violence. + +No one, when daylight came, entertained the belief that Tom Reade would +suffer from any further attempts at violence, for now the little coterie +of so-called “bad men” in the town were thoroughly frightened. + +Tom had not been hit by the rifle shot. He had fallen as a matter of +precaution, fearing that a second shot would speed on the heels of the +first. + +The fellow who had fired that shot at Tom had not lingered long enough +to place himself in risk of Arizona vengeance. Even before some of +the men in the crowd had had time to discover that Reade, unhurt, was +laughing over his escape, a score or more had darted down the street, +only to find that the unknown whom they sought was safely out of the +way. + +“We'll search the town from one end to the other,” one excited citizen +had proposed. + +“We'll make a night of it.” + +“Don't do anything of the sort,” Tom had urged. “You'll terrorize +hundreds of women and children, who have no knowledge of this affair. +Jim Duff's little evening of celebration is ended and now the wisest +thing for you to do is to return to your homes. Mr. Hawkins!” + +“Here, sir,” answered the superintendent of construction. + +“Get our men together and return to camp. They'll need sleep against the +toil of to-morrow. Let every man who wants to do so sleep an hour or +two later in the morning. Men of the A., G. & N. M., accept my heartiest +thanks for the splendid manner in which you turned out to help me, +though as yet I'm ignorant of how it all came about.” + +Nor was it until the next day that Tom Reade learned from Hazelton just +what had caused the laborers to tumble out of their beds and rush into +town to serve him. + +That night Tim Griggs had been prowling about the streets of Paloma, +suspicious of Reade's enemies, and watching for the safety of the +young chief engineer who had saved him from the savage appetite of the +Man-killer quicksand. + +It had chanced that Tim had caught a glimpse of the finish of the fight +on the street, and was just in time to see the young chief engineer +lifted and carried into that unoccupied house, the property of the hotel +man, Ashby. + +Tim's first instinct had been to seek help in town--in that very +neighborhood. Tim was suspicious, and afraid that he might by mistake +appeal to some of Tom's enemies. + +So, while running through the streets searching for Hazelton, Tim had +espied an automobile standing idle in front of a house. Having some +acquaintance with automobiles, Tim had cranked up and leaped into +the vehicle, speeding straight to camp, where he gave the alarm. Men +answered by hundreds, Mendoza keeping his Mexicans in camp to watch the +property there. + +Harry was aroused by the tumult, for he had just gone to his room, +intending to turn in. + +Having roused the camp, Tim ran the car back to town at the head of the +swarming little army and returned to the spot where he had seized the +automobile. + +“It's all over now, old fellow,” Tom declared to his chum cheerily, +rising from his office chair as one of the whistles blew and the men +knocked off for their noonday meal. “What happened last night won't +happen again.” + +“Just the same, Tom, I almost wish you'd carry a pistol after this,” + Harry remarked, as the two engineers went to their horses, mounted and +started toward town for their own meal. + +“Bosh!” almost snapped Tom. “You know my opinion of pistols. They are +for policemen, soldiers and others who have real need to go armed. Only +a coward would pack a pistol day by day without needing it.” + +So the matter was dropped for the time being. + +At the hotel Tom and Harry went to their accustomed seats in the dining +room. Their food was brought and the two young engineers fell to work +cheerfully. Just then a well-dressed man of perhaps thirty years entered +the dining, room, spoke to one of the waiters, and came over to the +engineers' table. + +“Messrs. Reade and Hazelton?” he inquired pleasantly. + +“Yes,” Harry nodded. + +“May I make myself known?” asked the stranger. “My name is Danes--Frank +Danes.” + +Harry in turn gave his own name and that of Tom. + +“I wonder if you would think it intruding if I invited myself to join +you at this table?” the stranger went on. + +“By no means,” Tom responded cordially. “We'll be glad of your company. +It will stop Hazelton and myself from talking too much shop.” + +“Oh, by all means talk shop,” begged Danes, as he slipped into a chair +at one side of the table. “I shall enjoy it, for I am interested in +you both. In fact, I took the liberty of asking the waiter to point you +gentlemen out to me.” + +“So?” Tom inquired. + +Danes had the appearance of being a well-to-do easterner, and announced +himself as a resident of Baltimore. + +For some minutes the three chatted pleasantly, Harry, however, doing +most of the talking for the engineers. When Tom spoke it was generally +to put some question. + +“Do you ever permit visitors to go out to the Man-killer?” Danes +inquired toward the end of the meal. + +“Sometimes,” Tom answered. + +“I shall be very grateful if you will accord me that privilege.” + +“We shall be very glad to invite you out there some time,” Tom answered +pleasantly. + +“To-day?” pressed the stranger. “I have nothing to do this afternoon.” + +“Some other day would suit better, if you can arrange it conveniently,” + Reade suggested, as he rose. + +Then they left Danes, securing their horses and riding back over the +scorching desert. + +“How do you like Danes?” Harry asked, after they had ridden some +distance. “He seems a very pleasant fellow.” + +“Very pleasant,” Tom nodded. + +“Why didn't you let him come along?” + +“Because I don't like Danes' employers.” + +“His employers?” Harry repeated, puzzled. + +“Yes; he is employed by the Colthwaite Company.” + +“What?” Hazelton started in astonishment. “How do you know that, Tom?” + +“I don't know it, but I'm sure of it, just the same,” was Reade's +answer. + +“It maybe so,” Harry agreed. “What makes you suspect him?” + +“Well, in the first place, Danes, if that's his name--said he hailed +from Baltimore. Yet he had none of that soft, delightful southern accent +that you and I have noticed in the voices of real southern men. Danes +uses two or three words, at times, that are distinctly Chicago slang. +Moreover, I'm certain that the man knows a good deal about engineering +work, though he won't admit it.” + +“We'll have to watch him, then,” muttered Harry. + +“We don't need to tell him anything, nor do we need to bring him out +here to see how we are filling in the Man-killer. If we don't tell Danes +much he may not last long. The Colthwaite people ought soon to grow +tired of keeping agents here who don't succeed in hindering our work.” + +“Whew! I shall be glad of a sleep to-night, after all the excitement of +last night,” declared Hazelton, as the young engineers rode into Paloma +at the close of the day's work. + +On the porch, lolling in a reclining chair with his feet elevated to the +railing, sat Frank Danes. + +“Back from toil, gentlemen?” was his pleasant greeting. + +“Long enough to get sufficient sleep to carry us through to-morrow,” was +Tom Reade's unruffled response. + +“You do look tired,” assented Danes, rising and coming toward them. “Yet +I hear that, personally, you don't have hard work to do.” + +“We don't work at all, if you take that view of it,” Harry retorted. +“Yet there's a thing called responsibility, and many wise men have +declared that it takes more out of a man than hours of toiling with pick +and shovel.” + +“Oh, I can believe that's so,” agreed Danes. “Going into dinner now?” + +“After a bath and a change of clothing,” Tom replied. + +“Then, if you really don't mind, I'll wait and dine at the same table +with you.” + +“If you can wait that long we shall be charmed to have your company,” + Tom assured him as the young engineers stepped inside. + +Frank Danes half started as they left him. + +“Reade's tone sounded a bit peculiar,” muttered the newcomer to himself. +“I wonder why? Perhaps I have forced myself a little too much upon him +and Reade has taken a dislike to me.” + +If Tom had taken a dislike to the newcomer, Danes could not be sure of +it from the young chief engineer's manner at table. Harry Hazelton, too, +was almost gracious during the meal. + +“They're a pair of half-smart, half-simple boobs,” decided Danes, as he +smoked a cigar alone after dinner. + +“Tom, I think your great intellect has gone astray for once,” remarked +Hazelton, in the privacy of their room upstairs. + +“I never knew that I had any great intellect,” Reade laughed. “However, +I was born to be suspicious once in a while. I suppose you were +referring to Frank Danes.” + +“Yes; and he appears to be a mighty decent fellow.” + +“I'm sure I hope he is,” yawned Tom. “I'm willing to give him the +benefit of the doubt. I'm going to bed, Harry. What do you say?” + +Hazelton was agreeable. Within twenty minutes both young engineers were +sound asleep. + +It was after midnight when cries of “fire!” from the street aroused +them. + +Tom Reade threw open the door to be greeted by a cloud of stifling +smoke. + +“Hustle, Harry!” he gasped, making a rush to get into his clothing. “We +can get out, I think, but we haven't any time to spare. This old trap is +ablaze. It won't last many minutes!” + +Trained in the alarms and the hurries of camp life, the young engineers +all but sprang into their clothes. + +“Come on, Harry!” urged Tom, throwing open the door. “We can make it.” + +They started, when, from the floor above, a woman's frantic appeals for +help reached them. Children's cries were added to hers. + +“Get to the street, Harry!” shouted Tom. “I'm going upstairs. There'd be +no satisfaction for me in reaching the street if I abandoned that woman +and her babies to their fate. One of us can do the job as well as two!” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. DANES SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT + + +Almost immediately after the cries of “fire” the bell at the fire +station pealed out. + +Paloma's volunteer fire department turned out quickly, running to the +scene with a hand engine, two hose reels and a ladder truck. + +By this time, however, the whole of Paloma appeared to be lighted up +with the brisk blaze. Tongues of flame shot skyward from the burning +hotel, while small blazing embers dropped freely into the street. + +“Is everyone out? Everyone safe? Anyone missing?” panted Carter, the +young proprietor of the Cactus House. + +The disturbed guests ranged themselves about Carter, who looked them +over swiftly. + +“Where are Mrs. Gerry and her two babies?” demanded the hotel man, his +cheeks blanching. + +None answered, for no one had seen the woman and her children. + +“They must be in the house,” cried Carter. + +At that instant a woman's face appeared, briefly, at a window on the +third floor. Her piercing cry rang out, then her face vanished, a cloud +of smoke driving her from the open window. + +“Hustle the ladders along!” begged the hotel man hoarsely. “We must +rescue that woman and her children. Her husband will be here in morning. +What can we say to him if we allow his wife and children to perish in +the flames?” + +In a few moments a long ladder had been hauled off the track and brave +men rushed it to the wall, two men starting to ascend the moment it was +in place. + +In another moment they came sliding down, balked. Flames had enveloped +the upper end of the ladder. It had to be hauled down, buckets of water +being dashed over the blazing sides. + +“You can't get a ladder up on any part of that wall to the third floor,” + called the chief of the fire department hoarsely, as he broke through a +thick veil of smoke. “You'll have to try the rear.” + +“Where are Reade and Hazelton?” called a voice. + +“Reade!” + +“Hazelton!” + +There was no answer. A hundred men turned, looking blankly at their +nearest fellows. + +“They've gone down in the flames!” called another voice. + +“Reade and Hazelton have lost their lives!” + +“That'll make their enemies happy!” groaned one man, and other voices +took it up. + +“Carter,” shouted one big man, running to the proprietor, “if this blaze +is the work of a fire-bug, then look for Reade and Hazelton's enemies. +They have the most to gain by the death of those young fellows!” + +A hoarse yell went up from the crowd. All of a sudden it seemed plain to +every man present that the hatred for Tom and Harry in certain quarters +fully accounted for the fire. + +“Get a rope! Lynch somebody!” shouted one voice after another. + +“First of all, let's find a way to get that woman and her babies out!” + Carter appealed, frantically. + +Scores of voices took up this cry, and numbers of men hastened around to +the rear of the little hotel in the wake of the laddermen. + +“We must find Reade and Hazelton, too,” shouted others. + +“Then we'll lynch someone for this night's business!” + +The cry was taken up hoarsely. + +Two ladders were quickly hoisted at the rear. Almost before they had +begun to hoist, the laddermen and spectators felt that it was a useless +attempt. + +Nor did the doors and passages seem to offer any better avenue of +escape. + +Chug, chug, chug! sounded a touring car close at hand. An automobile +stopped, Dr. Furniss jumping out. + +“Anyone in danger!” shouted the young doctor. + +“Yes; a woman and her children. Also Reade and Hazelton!” + +“It's all right, then,” nodded Furniss, looking relieved. “Tom Reade and +Harry Hazelton have gone to the aid of the woman.” + +“If I could only believe that!” gasped Proprietor Carter. “We've tried +the ladders, and we've tried the corridors of the house. It's a raging +furnace in there.” + +Dr. Furniss looked on rather calmly. + +“I'm merely wondering on which side of the house those two engineers +will appear with the woman and her children,” he declared. + +For the fourth time a ladder was being vainly raised at the rear. +Suddenly a shout rang out. In the basement a window was unexpectedly +knocked out from the inside. + +Through the way thus cleared leaped a young man so blackened with smoke +as to be unrecognizable, though it was Hazelton. + +Before those who first espied the young man recovered from their +surprise, a pair of arms from the inside handed out the body of a child +to Hazelton. + +Then came another child. Next the senseless body of a woman was handed +out. + +Dr. Furniss was the first to recover, from delighted amazement. In a +bound he was on the spot, taking care of one of the children himself and +bawling to others to bring the rest of the family. + +Tom Reade, looking more like a burnt-cork minstrel in hard luck than +like his usual self, sprang through the window way and followed. + +“Here, you people--stand back!” roared Tom, elbowing his way along. “Dr. +Furniss and his patients want room and air. Stand back!” + +“It's Reade!” yelled a dozen men in delight. + +“Well, what of it?” asked Tom coolly, as he followed Furniss. “Was there +anyone here who expected that I'd be lost?” + +“Hurrah! Where's Hazelton?” + +“Who wants me?” demanded the other unrecognizable, smoke-blackened +figure. + +“They're both safe!” + +“Oh--cut it out,” begged Tom good-humoredly. “You can't lose an engineer +or even kill him. Doc, what's the report?” + +“All three are alive,” replied Dr. Furniss, “but they'll need care and +nursing. Here, help me place them in my car. Someone get in and ride +with me--I'll need help. You, Reade!” + +“No,” responded Tom with emphasis, as he looked down at his discolored +self. “If the lady saw me when she opened her eyes, she'd faint again. +I'd scare the kiddies into convulsions. A bath for me!” + +A man from the crowd quickly stepped into the tonneau of the car, ready +to care for the woman and her children while the physician drove his car +home. + +“Hello, Reade! My congratulations on your getting out. 'Twas a brave +deed, too, to save that poor woman and her children.” + +Frank Danes pressed through the crowd about the car, reaching out to +seize Reade's hand. + +Into Tom's face flashed a sudden look that few had ever seen there. + +It was a look full of contempt that the young chief engineer bent on the +man who had greeted him. + +“Your hand!” cried Danes, in a voice ringing with admiration. + +“Don't you touch me!” warned Reade, his voice vibrating with anger. + +“Why--what--” began Danes, then reached his own right hand for Tom's. + +“Make way for this 'gentleman' to fall!” roared Reade, then swung a +crushing blow that landed squarely in Danes's face. + +The latter went down in a heap. + +There had been no explanation of the seemingly unprovoked blow, but +the crowd surged forward, snatching Danes's body up as though he were +something of which these men were anxious to be rid. + +“Did he set the hotel afire?” demanded one man in husky tones. + +“Did he?” chorused the crowd. + +“Lemme through! Here's a rope!” + +Then followed wild sounds that could not be distinguished as words. +These men of Paloma seemed bent upon fighting for the possession of +Frank Danes, who, having now recovered his senses, emitted shrill +appeals for mercy. + +“Here's the fire-bug! Here's the human match!” + +“To the nearest tree!” + +“I've got the rope ready!” + +In another thirty seconds Frank Danes would have been dangling from a +limb of the nearest tree. Again Reade and Hazelton sprang into action. + +“Stand back, men--please do!” begged Tom, fighting his way through the +thinnest side of the crowd. “Don't kill any man without a trial.” + +“You know that this tenderfoot fired the hotel, don't you?” asked one +man hoarsely. + +“I've reason to suspect that he did--” + +“That's enough for us!” roared a hundred voices. + +“But I've no positive proof of Danes' guilt,” Tom insisted. + +“To the tree with him!” + +“Not while I've breath left in my body!” Tom blazed forth desperately. +“Come, Harry!” + +Hazelton sprang to his chum's side, the two fighting desperately to +drive away the men who held Frank Danes captive. + +“Wait a few hours at least, men!” Tom appealed earnestly. “Don't do +anything now that you'll be sorry for to-morrow.” + +Other men of calm judgment began to see the force of Reade's remarks. + +Tom and Harry were swiftly backed by such reinforcements that the +trembling wretch was torn from his would-be destroyers. + +“Reade,” sobbed Frank Danes, “as long as I live I'll never forget your +splendid conduct.” + +“Shut up!” retorted Tom roughly. “I don't want to have to knock you down +again. It might start a riot that no man could quell.” + +“Pass the skulking tenderfoot out to us!” implored some of the men on +the edge of the crowd, among whom was the man with the spare rope. + +“No! We won't disgrace the town with a lynching,” Tom shot back. “Wait +until cool judgment has had time to do its work.” + +“Bear a hand there!” roared Harry. “Help the firemen to save the next +building. Follow me!” + +Thus led, the fickle crowd started to the aid of the firemen. + +“Come with me, Danes,” whispered Tom hoarsely, sternly. “Keep your +distance, however, or I shall lay violent hands on you.” + +Once out of the glare of light cast by the burning of the hotel, Tom +Reade pointed down a dark side street. + +“There's your way, Danes,” whispered Reade. “Skip! Be far from Paloma by +daylight--or nothing will save you.” + +“Do you consider me responsible for that fire?” faltered Danes. + +“Hazelton and I went through that fire,” Tom retorted sternly. “We had +a hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked +with the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I +couldn't swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your +coat and your hands have the odor of coal oil.” + +Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him. + +“So, you see,” continued Tom savagely, “you'll do well to escape before +anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you.” + +“You've been mighty good to me--and I--” chattered Danes. + +“Shut up, as I advised you before!” rasped Tom Reade. “I've been as good +to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the men of +this town suspect--understand--you?” + +“I will,” Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering. + +“Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world.” + +“I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks--” + +“Shut up!” Tom insisted. “Thanks from you would make me feel like a +traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company, +however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the +others!” + +At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest. + +“That was their second attempt,” muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back +to where the flames still held dominion. “I wonder if I shall be as +lucky when the third attempt against me is made?” + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. TIM GRIGGS “GETS HIS” + + +In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a +shapeless mass of smoking embers. + +The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her +children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging +for the night. + +The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough +achievement. + +Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the +dumbwaiter that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above. + +The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding +on the top of the wooden frame. Mrs. Gerry's rescue was delayed until +Harry could send the dumb-waiter up to the third floor, where she and +Tom awaited its return. Aided by Tom, she descended to the kitchen +without accident; then Tom followed, sliding down the rope. It was but +the work of a moment to break through the basement window and pass the +woman and her children out to safety. + +Morning found Proprietor Carter somewhat resigned to his loss. True, +the hotel had been destroyed and the embers must be removed, but both +building and contents had been fairly well insured. + +“I'm a few thousand out,” said the hotel man philosophically, “but I +have my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild., +and put up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand dollars +in debt, to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned the +money that I've lost.” + +“Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?” + demanded Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast. + +“Did I?” asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober. + +“There was a broad grin on your face?” + +“Carter didn't see it, did he?” + +“I don't know; but why, the grin, Tom?” + +“I'll tell you after I see what answer I receive to a telegram that I've +sent.” + +“Tom Reade, you always were provoking!” + +“Now I'm doubly so, eh?” + +“Oh, well, I don't care,” muttered Harry. “I can wait; I'm not very +nosey.” + +By noon General Manager Ellsworth arrived on the scene of the labors of +the young engineers, out at the site of the big quicksand. + +“You can run the work here this afternoon, Harry,” Tom declared. “I +shall want to put in my time with Mr. Ellsworth.” + +“Was he the answer to your telegram?” + +Tom offered no further information, but hurried away to meet the general +manager, who had come out to camp in an automobile hired at Paloma. +Manager and chief engineer now toured slowly toward town, Harry watching +them as long as they were in sight. + +“Tom has something big in the wind,” muttered Hazelton. “It must be +something about the hotel fire. What can it be? At any rate, I'll wager +it's something that pleases my chum wonderfully.” + +Nor did Tom return until late in the afternoon. He came back alone. + +“Well?” demanded Harry. + +“Yes,” nodded Tom. “It's well.” + +“What is?” + +“The game.” + +“What is the game?” + +“When you hear about it--” Reade began. + +“Yes, yes--” + +“Then you'll know.” + +“Tom Reade, do you know, I believe I'm quite ready and willing to thrash +you?” cried Harry in exasperation. + +“Please don't,” Tom begged. + +“Then tell me what you've been so mightily mysterious about.” + +“I will,” returned Reade. “I'd have told you hours ago, Harry, only I'm +afraid you would have been demoralized with disappointment if the thing +had failed to go through. Harry, to-day I've been meddling in other +people's business. Congratulate me! I put it through without getting +myself thumped or even disliked, by anyone. Both sides to the deal are +'tickled to death,' as the saying runs.” + +“You said you were going to tell me,” remarked Hazelton, trying hard to +restrain his curiosity for a minute or two longer. + +“Sit down and listen,” Tom urged his chum, handing him a chair in their +little shack of an office. + +Then, indeed, Tom did pour forth the whole story. As Harry listened a +broad grin of contentment appeared on his face, for one of Hazelton's +lovable weaknesses was his desire to see other people get ahead. + +Just as Tom finished, a figure darkened the doorway. + +“I'm ready to go, sir,” announced Tim Griggs. + +“Go where?” inquired Harry. + +“I've fired Griggs,” observed Tom Reade. + +“What! After all that he did for you the other night?” demanded +Hazelton, aghast. “After the man saved your--” + +“Oh, I'm quite satisfied to be fired, Mr. Hazelton,” Tim Griggs broke +in. “In fact, I'm very grateful to Mr. Reade. He has certainly given me +a big boost forward in the world.” + +“What are you going to do now, Griggs?” Harry asked. + +“You'd better address him as 'Mr. Griggs,' Harry,” Tom hinted. “He is a +foreman now, at six dollars a day, and entitled to his Mister.” + +“Foreman?” Harry repeated, while Gregg's grin broadened. + +“Yes,” Tom continued. “Mr. Griggs is to be foreman on the new job that +I've just been telling you about in town. After this, if Mr. Griggs is +careful to behave himself, he's likely always to be a foreman on some +job or other for the A., G. & N. M.” + +Harry sprang forward, seizing the hand of Tim Griggs and shaking it with +enthusiasm. + +“Bully old Griggs! Lucky old Griggs!” Hazelton bubbled forth. “Mr. +Griggs, you'll believe from now on what I've always believed--that it's +a great piece of luck in itself to be one of Tom Reade's friends.” + +“It surely has been great luck for me, sir,” Griggs answered. “The best +part of all,” he added, with a husky note in his voice, “is what it +means to that little girl of mine. When I get into town to-night I in +going to sit down and write that little daughter a long letter all about +the grand news. She'll be proud of her dad's good luck! She's only eight +years old, but she's a great little reader, and she writes me letters +longer than my own.” + +“If you'll wait a minute, Mr. Griggs,” proposed Tom, “we'll be able to +give you a ride into town. The general manager gave me authority to rent +and use an automobile after this. It's out there waiting now.” + +The new foreman gratefully accepted the invitation. Within five minutes +the chauffeur had stopped the car in Paloma and Tim Griggs got out to go +to his new boarding place in the town. + +“God bless you, Mr. Reade!” he said huskily, holding out his band. +“You've done a lot for me--and my little girl!” + +“No more than you've done for me,” smiled Tom. “Anyway, you haven't +received more than you deserve, and you never will in this little old +world of ours.” + +“I don't know about that,” replied the new foreman, a sudden flush +rising to his weather-beaten face. “It all seems too good to be true.” + +“You'll find it to be true enough when you draw your next pay, Griggs,” + laughed Tom. “Then you'll realize that you aren't dreaming. In the +meantime your dinner is getting cold at your boarding place. Don't let +your new job spoil your appetite.” + +When Tom and Harry rode into town at noon the following day they beheld +a scene of great activity at the site of the destroyed Cactus House. All +the blackened debris had been carted away during the morning by a +large force of men. Now, derricks lay in place, to be erected in +the afternoon. A steam shovel had been all but installed and a large +stationary engine rested on nearly completed foundations. + +George Ashby, proprietor of the Mansion House, who had dared, during the +last two days, to show himself a little more openly on the streets of +Paloma, halted just as Tom and Harry stepped out of the automobile to +look over the scene of Foreman Griggs's morning labors. + +“Looks as if the Cactus House might be rebuilt,” remarked Ashby, burning +with curiosity. + +“No,” said Tom briefly. + +“Carter is going to change the name?” inquired Ashby. + +“No. Carter doesn't own this land any more.” + +“He doesn't own the land?” Ashby asked. “What's going to be put up here, +then? A business block?” + +For a moment Ashby thrilled with joy. Of late the Cactus House had +seriously cut in on the profits of the Mansion House. Ashby had, +in fact, been running behind. Now, if the Mansion House were to be +henceforth the only hotel in town, Ashby saw a chance to prosper on a +more than comfortable scale. + +“Ashby,” Tom went on, rather frigidly, “I won't waste many words, for +I'm afraid I don't like you well enough to talk very much to you. The +A., G. & N. M. has bought this land from Mr. Carter. The railroad is +going to erect here one of the finest hotels in this part of Arizona. It +will have every modern convenience, and will make your hotel look like a +mill boarding house by contrast. When the new hotel is completed it will +be leased to Mr. Carter. With his insurance money, and the price of +the land in bank, Carter will have capital for embarking in the hotel +business on a scale that will make this end of Arizona sit up and do +some hard looking.” + +As he listened Proprietor Ashby's jaw dropped. His color came and went. +He swallowed hard, while his hands worked convulsively. With the fine +new hotel that was coming to Paloma the owner of the Mansion House saw +himself driven hopelessly into the background. “Reade, this new hotel +game is some of your doings,” growled the hotel man. + +“I'm proud to say that it is partly my doing,” Tom admitted, with a +smile. “Harry, let's go along to the restaurant. I'm hungry.” + +As the two young engineers stepped into the car and were driven away, +Ashby dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands. + +“So I'm to be beaten out of the hotel game here, am I!” the hotel man +asked himself, gritting his teeth. “I'm to be driven out by Reade, the +fellow whom I once kicked out of my hotel! Oh--well, all right!” + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. TRAGEDY CAPS THE TEST + + +“Pass the signal!” directed Tom. + +A railroad man with a flag made several swift moves. Down the track an +engineman, in his cab, answered with a short blast of, the whistle. Then +he threw over the lever, and a train of ten flat cars started along in +the engine's wake. + +It was the first test--the “small test,” Tom called it--of the track +that now extended across the surface of the Man-killer. + +On each flat car were piled ten tons of steel rails, to be used further +along in the construction work. With engine, cars and all, the load +amounted to one hundred and fifty tons, the pressure of which would +be exerted over a comparatively short strip of the new track that now +glistened over the Man-killer. + +Mounted on his pony, Harry Hazelton had galloped a considerable distance +down the track. Now, halted, he had turned his pony's head about, +watching eagerly the on-coming train. + +For two weeks the laborers had been working on the roadbed now running +over the Man-killer. Ties had been laid and rails fastened down. +Apparently the Man-killer had done its worst and had been balked, a +seemingly secure roadbed now resting on the once treacherous quicksand. + +Construction trains, short and lightly laden, had been moving out over +the newly filled in soil for many days, but the train now starting at +the edge of the terrible Man-killer was heavier than any equipment that +had before been run over the ground. + +The president of the A., G. & N. M. R. R. was there, flanked by half a +dozen of the leading directors of the road. There were other officials +there, including General Manager Ellsworth. + +“I see Hazelton out yonder,” murmured the president of the road. “But +where's that young man Reade, now at the moment when the success of his +work is being tested?” + +“Goodness knows,” rejoined Mr. Ellsworth. “As likely as not he's back in +the office, taking a nap after having given the engineman his signal.” + +“Asleep!” repeated the president. “Can he be so indolent or so +indifferent as that?” + +“You may always depend upon Tom Reade to do something that wouldn't be +expected of him,” laughed Mr. Ellsworth. “It isn't that he slights big +duties, or even pretends to do. If he has vanished, and has gone to +sleep, then it is because he feels so sure of his work that he takes no +further interest in the test that is being made.” + +“But if an accident should happen?” asked the president of the A. G. & +N. M. R. R. + +“Then I can promise you that you'd see Reade, on his pony, shooting +ahead as fast as he could go to the scene of the trouble.” + +These more important railroad officials had come out to camp in +automobiles. Now they followed on foot as the train rolled on to the +land reclaimed from the Man-killer. + +Superintendent Hawkins and his foremen also went along on foot to +observe whether the track sank ever so little at any point. + +It was none of Harry Hazelton's particular business to watch whether the +tracks sank slightly. That duty could be better performed by the foremen +who had had charge of the track laying. Yet Hazelton, as he watched, +found himself growing impatient. + +“Here!” Harry called to a near-by laborer. “Take my horse, please.” + +In another instant the young assistant engineer was on foot, following +the slowly moving train as it rolled along over the ground where, months +before, not even a man could have strolled with safety. + +“Do you see any sagging of the track, Mr. Rivers?” Harry called. + +“No, sir. Not as much as a sixteenth of an inch at any point,” responded +the foreman. “The job has been a big success.” + +“We can tell that better after the track has held loads of from five to +eight hundred tons,” Harry rejoined. “I believe, however, that we have +the tricks of the savage old Man-killer nailed.” + +Exultation throbbed in Harry's heart. Outwardly, he did not trust +himself to reveal his great delight. He still followed, watching +anxiously, until the train had passed safely over the Man-killer. + +Then a great cheer went up from more than a thousand throats, for many +people had come out from Paloma to watch the test. + +The train had gone a quarter of a mile past the western edge of the +huge and once treacherous quicksand. Now the engine was on a temporary +turn-table, waiting to be turned and switched back to bring the train +back over the Man-killer at a swift gait. + +“Where's Mr. Reade?” called the president of the road, gazing backward. +“Someone go for him. I wish him to be here to see the test made with the +train under fast speed.” + +“I'll get Reade, sir,” answered Harry, motioning to have his pony +brought to him. + +Hazelton vanished in a cloud of desert dust. + +When he next appeared there was another pony, and Reade astride it. + +“You sent for me, sir,” said Tom, riding close to the president, then +dismounting. + +“Yes,” Mr. Reade. “I believed that you should be here to see the test +train return.” + +“Very good, sir,” was Tom's quiet reply. He signaled for a workman to +come and take charge of his pony. + +In a few minutes the short but heavy train started, gaining headway +rapidly. By the time it struck the edge of the possibly conquered +quicksand it was moving at the rate of forty miles an hour. + +Across the Man-killer the train continued for a mile in the direction of +Paloma. + +“Now, let us all inspect the track,” suggested the president of the +railroad company. “Call up the autos.” + +“Will you let me make a suggestion, sir!” queried Tom. + +“Go ahead, Mr. Reade.” + +“Then, sir, let Mr. Hazelton and myself ride out along the track first, +that we may see if the whole course is safe.” + +“That heavy train just went over at fast speed and nothing disastrous +happened,” protested the president. + +“Probably the entire course is still safe, sir?” Tom assented. “Yet, +on the other hand, it is possible that the fast moving train may have +started the quicksand at some point. The next object that passes over, +even if no heavier than an automobile, may meet with disaster. Mr. +Hazelton and I can soon satisfy ourselves as to whether the roadbed has +sagged at any point along the way. We shall ride nothing heavier than +mustangs.” + +“There is something in what you say, Mr. Reade. Go ahead. We will wait +until we have your report.” + +Tom and Harry accordingly mounted, riding off at a trot. Yet at +some sections of the line they rode so slowly, studying the ground +attentively, that it was fully half an hour before they had crossed the +further edge of the Man-killer. + +“The engineers are signaling us, Mr. President,” reported General +Manager Ellsworth. “They are motioning us to go forward.” + +Accordingly the party of railway officials entered their automobiles and +started slowly off over the Man-killer. + +“Ride back and meet them, Harry,” Tom suggested. “Show them that one +point that we noticed.” + +Hazelton accordingly dug his heels into the flank of his pony, starting +off at a gallop. + +Two or three minutes passed. Then Mr. Ellsworth leaped from his seat +in the foremost automobile, standing erect in the car and pointing +excitedly. + +“Look there!” he shouted lustily. “What's happening?” + +Away off, at the further side of the Man-killer, a horseman had suddenly +ridden into sight from behind a sand pile. His swiftly moving pony +had gotten within three hundred yards of the chief engineer before Tom +looked up to behold the newcomer. + +From where the railroad officials watched they could hear nothing, +though they saw a succession of indistinct spittings from something in +the right hand of the horseman. + +“It's a revolver the fellow's shooting at Mr. Reade!” gasped +Superintendent Hawkins, leaping into the car beside the general manager. +“Turn your speed on, man--make a lightning lash across the Man-killer!” + +Away shot the automobile, not wholly to the liking of two eastern men +who sat in the directors' car. + +Tom Reade had realized his danger. Having nothing with which to fight, +Reade had sprung his horse eastward and was racing for life. + +The unknown had emptied his weapon, but that did not deter him, for, +continuing his wild pursuit, the stranger could be seen to draw another +automatic revolver. + +The bullets striking all about Tom's pony ploughed up the sand. + +Within a minute the men in the speeding automobile were close enough to +hear the sputtering crackle of the pistol shots. + +“There goes Hazelton right into the face of death!” gasped Mr. +Ellsworth, who remained in a standing position. “Foolish of the boy, but +magnificent!” + +Harry had turned some time before, but now those in the automobile saw +that Hazelton was riding squarely to Tom's side, despite the constant +fusillade of bullets. + +Both pistols were now emptied, but the pursuer, letting his reins fall +on the neck of his madly galloping pony, was inserting fresh cartridges +in the magazine chambers of his pistols. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. THE SECRET OF ASHBY'S CUNNING + + +At a considerable distance behind the automobile came another rescue +party. This was made up of about two score of Arizona horsemen. Many of +these men were armed. At the saddle bows of some of the hung raw-hide +lariats that the owners unwound as they sped forward. + +Tom Reade, with the pursuer slowly, but steadily gaining upon him, had +discovered the identity of the man who seemed bent on his destruction. + +As Hazelton drew nearer Tom waved his left hand frantically at his chum. + +“Turn about, Harry! Ride back like the wind!” shouted Tom. “It's Ashby, +and he's shooting to kill. About face--you young idiot!” + +Harry took no notice of the warning, reining in only slightly, then +wheeling and riding in a line with Reade, though about forty feet to one +side of him. + +Ashby, a wild light in his eyes, heavily armed, and riding madly, kept +up a continuous fire in his effort to destroy the young chief engineer. + +Honk! Honk! honk! came the warning from the automobile horn. The car +dashed at full speed toward the vengeful rider, as though about to run +him down. + +George Ashby, however, was not easily intimidated. One swift glance had +assured him that the automobile bore no armed men. He therefore merely +swung his horse out of the path of the on-coming car and continued to +aim at Reade, though he now took more time between shots. On Hazelton he +did not waste a shot. + +Helplessly and vainly the automobile whizzed by pursuer and pursued. + +“Ashby, stop this madness!” cried Mr. Ellsworth hoarsely. + +The pursuing rider never faltered. Now the party of Arizona horsemen +were riding nearer. Two or three of the leaders drew revolvers, opening +fire on the mad hotel man, though the range was as yet too great for +effective work. + +In another thirty seconds George Ashby would doubtless have dropped to +the dust of the dessert, riddled with lead. Suddenly, however, he gave +his horse's head a sharp turn to the right. In an instant he was riding +back, shooting no more, and Tom Reade had passed safely out of range. + +With wild whoops the Paloma horsemen dashed on. Their mounts were not +spent as was that of the hotel man. + +“Don't shoot the fellow, if you can help it!” Tom Reade had called, as +the horsemen swept by him. “Rope Ashby if you can.” + +Suddenly the hotel man's mount was seen to stagger slightly. It was +sufficient to pitch Ashby, who was not on his guard. + +With wilder whoops the Arizona men spurred their ponies on. There was +a whirring of lariats and no less than three nooses had fallen over the +hotel man's head. + +There came a brief interval in which the men, swooping down on the +captive, concealed him from the view of others. + +Out of this crush soon came order. Then it was seen that Ashby had been +roped securely and was being led back to the railroad camp. + +“We've got the scoundrel, with four ropes hitched to him,” called one of +the captors. + +“One rope will be enough as soon as we can find a tree.” + +The party was riding into the railroad camp now, and a dense crowd +pressed forward to see the face of the keeper of the Mansion House. + +Ashby was chuckling gleefully. If any fear of the consequences of his +lawless behavior oppressed him, he was far from betraying the fact. + +“Be gentle with him, friends,” Tom urged, riding forward. + +“Yes; we ought to be gentle with every rattlesnake,” came an answer from +the crowd. + +Ashby laughed harshly. + +“You can't hurt me, neighbors,” declared the hotel man. “I'm bullet +proof. Any man who fires at me will find that the bullet will rebound +and bit him. Tie me up to a tree, if you like. You'll find that I won't +choke. I'll just slide back to earth as often as you tie me up.” + +“Just what I thought,” murmured Tom. + +“What do you think?” demanded Mr. Ellsworth from the car. + +“The man's as mad as a March hare,” replied Reade. + +“Humph! He's merely shamming,” retorted the general manager. + +“Stow the funny business, Ashby!” came the advice from the crowd. “You +can't fool us into believing that you're crazy.” + +“Crazy?” repeated the hotel man, a look of amazement creeping into his +face. “Of course I'm not crazy. I'm the only sane man in this crowd.” + +Men began to look wonderingly at the hotel man, though many still +believed that Ashby was cleverly shamming insanity in order to save his +neck from being stretched. + +“Doe Furniss! Come over here!” called Reade. “Gentlemen, this is a +question for Doe Furniss. Don't think of doing anything to the fellow +until you've heard from Doc. Make way for the doctor, gentlemen.” + +At a sign from Dr. Furniss the captors led Ashby's horse onward until +the office shack was reached. Here two men freed the captive from his +horse and led him inside. Dr. Furniss followed them and the door was +closed. + +“Let's get away from here,” urged Tom Reade. “A big crowd hanging about +is sure to excite the poor fellow.” + +“Reade, you're too soft and easy,” grunted a Paloma man in the crowd. +“The only thing that makes Ashby crazy is that he didn't get you.” + +“He did 'get' me, however,” laughed Tom, displaying four bullet holes +through his shirtsleeves, and two more that pierced his hat. “Ashby got +as much of me as I'd want any marksman to get.” + +Having withdrawn to a distance, the crowd waited. + +It was nearly half an hour before Dr. Furniss stepped outside. Now he +walked swiftly over to the edge of the crowd. + +“Gentlemen,” remarked the physician, “you are justified in feeling very +well pleased that you didn't lynch Ashby. The poor fellow is as insane +as a man could well be. He imagines Mr. Reade has hurt his business and +is determined to kill him. I'll send for a straightjacket and then we'll +hustle him away to the asylum.” + +At this moment a wild yell sounded from the shack, to be echoed from the +crowd. George Ashby, seemingly possessed of the strength of half a +dozen men, had wrenched himself free of his captors, felling both like +a flash. Then the hotel man leaped to his horse, freeing it and starting +off at a mad gallop. + +Instantly a score of men set off after the fugitive, swinging their +lariats as they rode. + +Crack! Crack! Bang! + +Snatching still another automatic revolver from one of his saddle bags, +Ashby was now firing at those riding behind him. + +The line of horsemen wavered somewhat. They might have fired in return, +and have brought down their quarry, but no brave man likes to think of +shooting a lunatic. + +So, still firing as he went, Ashby once more reached the edge of the +quicksand. + +Now, riding as fast as he could urge his pony, the hotel man dashed out +on the Man-killer. + +Nor was he riding over the part that had been rendered safe by the young +engineers. + +Instead, he was riding to the southward of the railroad +property--straight out where he was likely to find a speedy death in the +engulfing sands. + +“Stop, Ashby! Come back!” shouted a dozen voices. “You'll be swallowed +up in the quick-sands.” + +Brave as they were, the pursuers now rein up sharply. It seemed to them +sheer madness to ride out thus to their certain deaths. + +“Ashby is crazy, all right,” remarked bronzed man. “None but an insane +man would ride out there.” + +Somewhat tardily automobile parties started in pursuit. These vehicles +were halted at the edge of the quicksand. Tom and Harry had also come +this far. + +In the background the halted crowd watched in suspense as George Ashby +galloped over the treacherous sand. + +Several times the pony's hoofs were seen to sink, yet each time the +animal seemed able to draw his feet out of the sand and go on again. + +“It's a crazy man's luck,” cried an Arizona man thickly. “Of course, +here and there on the Man-killer there are safe, sound spots, and Ashby +is having the luck of his life in hitting all the sound spots in getting +across. But I wouldn't follow him for a thousand dollars a minute!” + +The mad hotel man was soon lost to view on the other side of one of the +little hills of sand. + +There would have been little sense in trying to follow him or to head +him off, even by more roundabout courses. Ashby was now far enough away +to elude any pursuit that might start. + +“I wonder if Reade has any idea of what he's up against now?” murmured +the mayor of Paloma. “That crazy man is loose, and sooner or later he'll +be heard from again.” + + + + +CHAPTER XX. DUFF PROMISES THE “SQUARE DEAL” + + +Altogether the day had been a hugely satisfactory one to the young chief +engineer. + +The first test had been made, and, all had passed off well, for, in Tom +Reade's easy-going, fearless mind the peculiar doings of George Ashby +did not figure at all as a part of the day's work. + +“Harry, we've every reason to feel proud of ourselves” mused Tom aloud, +as he undressed in the shack that night. + +“You feel pretty certain that we've conquered the Man-killer, do you?” + Hazelton asked, as he laid down the book he had been reading. + +Of late, since the burning of the Cactus House, the chums had slept in +the shack, though still getting many of their meals in town. + +“Oh, of course you know that we haven't won, the whole fight yet,” Reade +went on. “We've plenty of work to do here still before we pronounce +the job finished. But to-day's shows that our plan for filling in this +particular, kind of quicksand was a sound one. You know the president of +the road said that words failed to express his complete approbation of +our work.” + +“We certainly have been remarkably fortunate--so far,” Harry admitted. +“Yet I must confess, Tom, that I'm still nervous.” + +“Then it must be over Ashby,” Tom laughed. + +“Ashby be hanged!” Hazelton retorted. “I haven't given him a thought +this evening. No, I'm still nervous about our job here. The first test +was all right--that is, it was all right to-day. But these quicksands +are treacherous. Our roadbed may be all right for a fortnight, and may +seem as safe as we could wish it to be. Then, all of a sudden, within +sixty seconds, it may sink before our very eyes. Suppose it were to sink +while a trainload of human beings was passing over it!” + +“You might as well dismiss all such thoughts,” Reade counseled. “I tell +you, Harry, we've proved that our principle is sound. Now, we will go +ahead and finish the job. When we go away from here I, for one, shall +feel certain that the Man-killer must behave for all time to come. +Harry, there's a limit to the shifting tendency of a quicksand, and +to-day's test proves to me that we've found it. We've won. I wish I were +as sure of a dozen other things as I am that we've won out here to-day.” + +“All right, then,” smiled Hazelton. “You're a smarter engineer than I +am, Tom, old fellow. If you're satisfied, then I'm bound to be, for I'll +back your judgment in engineering against my own.” + +“That's rather more praise, Harry, than I expect or wish,” Reade +rejoined soberly. “But I don't see how the Man-killer can ever again +assert himself against the A. G. & N. M.'s roadbed.” + +“Oh, I'm only an old croaker, I know,” Harry confessed. “I've got a blue +streak on to-night. Or else it's a fit of apprehension about something +or other. I feel as if--” + +Crack! crack! + +Outside two shots rang suddenly out, to be followed by a dozen swift, +scattering reports. + +“Mr. Reade! They--” began a voice outside, then stopped abruptly. + +Tom hustled on his clothing again with a speed that seemed to partake +of magic. Then, with Harry close upon his heels, he rushed to the door, +jerking it open. + +“Just the pair we want!” snarled a voice that proceeded from behind a +mask. + +A dozen masked men pressed into the room. Tom and Harry put their fists +into instant action, but it availed them nothing. + +In a twinkling they were borne to the floor. At lightning speed both +were rolled over and bound. + +From the tents of the laborers, beyond hoarse voices sounded as the men +were awakened by the shots. + +“Get back there, you idiots!” commanded a voice outside. “If you don't, +you'll think that a Gatling gun factory has blown up about your ears.” + +Reports rang out sharply as a dozen revolver shots were fired into the +air. + +Now, dazed with the suddenness of the attack, Reade and Hazelton were +dragged into the open. + +Their two night watchmen, who had gone down bravely, now lay wounded on +the ground, their weapons snatched from them. + +“Hoist 'em along, boys,” ordered a gruff voice. + +Tom and Harry were carried on the shoulders of men, and moved along at +a swift pace. Only half a dozen of the raiders needed to remain somewhat +in the rear, firing an occasional shot to prevent the unarmed laborers +from swarming to the attack. + +“Hoist 'em up! Tie 'em on! Get under way quick! There'll be a big noise +raised after us soon,” declared the same directing voice. + +Tom and Harry were fairly thrown upon the backs of horses, and there +lashed fast. + +“Mount and get away,” ordered the commander of this strangest of night +raids. + +Two men, each leading a pony to which a captive was lashed, rode off in +one direction. Groups of two or three rode away in other directions, the +blackness of the night swallowing them up. + +It was going to be a difficult task for pursuers to know which direction +to take in order to come up with Reade and Hazelton in time to save them +from the fate that lay just ahead of them! + +For audacity and dash the raid could not have been better planned. + +From camp not a shot was fired, for the watchmen had had the only +weapons and these had been seized by the invaders. + +“Our foremen might telegraph to camp,” thought Tom swiftly, as he felt +himself being carried away. “But I'll wager that these smart scoundrels +didn't forget to cut the wire before springing the raid.” + +For the first two or three minutes Harry's, slower moving mind hardly +grasped more than the fact that their enemies appeared to have won a +complete triumph. + +“There isn't much doubt as to what they'll do with us,” thought +Hazelton, with a slight shudder. “These rascals will move too fast for +pursuit to overtake them early. What they in intend to do with us can be +done in a very few minutes.” + +Neither young engineer really expected to live to see daylight. From the +first, after having incurred the anger of a certain lawless element +in Paloma, the young engineers had understood fully that threats of +lynching them had not been idly made. + +“There'll be a stir, though,” Tom Reade muttered to himself. “The A. G. +& N. M. officials won't let this crime go by without a determined effort +to bring the offenders to justice. Detectives will search this community +in squads, and everyone of these masked gentlemen is likely to get his +deserts.” + +Within the next half hour the galloping horses had covered fully five +miles. Now the leader of the crowd led the way down into a deep gully in +the sand. + +“Hold up, men,” ordered the leader, and the cavalcade came to a stop, +horses panting. + +“Tumble the cattle off into the dirt,” was the next order, and it was +obeyed, Tom and Harry rolling in the bitter alkali dust. + +“Now, gentlemen, I believe I will take command,” spoke one of the +party of horsemen, in his most suave voice, as he removed his mask. The +speaker, as Reade knew at once, was Jim Duff, the gambler. + +“That's all right, Jim,” nodded the former leader. + +“Jake, ride back a few hundred yards and keep a sharp lookout,” + suggested Duff blandly. “The pursuers may come in automobiles. We'll cut +the ceremonies here short and leave nothing but lifeless bodies for the +rescue parties to find.” + +Stakes were driven and the horses picketed. + +“Bring along our guests,” suggested Jim Duff, with a touch of humor that +the occasion rendered grisly. + +Thereupon Tom and Harry were once more jerked to their feet. + +“Ye can walk, I reckon, and don't have be toted,” observed one of the +scoundrels. + +“We're wholly at your service, sir,” rejoined Tom mockingly. + +“And equally at your pleasure,” Harry suggested dryly. + +Two hundred yards further on the halted close to a pair of stunted trees +of about the same size. + +“Gentlemen, you may as well remove your masks on this hot evening,” + suggested Jim Duff. The face coverings came off. Reade and Hazelton +surveyed their captors as the chance offered, being careful not to +betray too great curiosity. + +“I see one gentleman here whom I had expected to find,” remarked Tom +quietly. + +“Me?” hinted Duff. + +“Well, yes; you, for one, but I refer to that excellent host, Mr. Ashby, +of the Mansion House.” + +With a start George Ashby turned on Reade, coming closer and grinning +ferociously into the face of the young chief engineer. Tom, however, +managed to muster a smile as he went on: + +“How do you do, Mr. Ashby? Your performance of this afternoon mystified +me a good deal. I had never expected to find myself on a shooting +acquaintance with you.” + +Three or four of the rascals chuckled at this way of putting it, but +Proprietor Ashby snarled like a wild animal. + +“As for you, Mr. Duff,” Reade resumed, “I confess that I have never been +able to understand you.” + +“You will to-night,” smiled Duff, with bland ferocity. “I can promise +you, as a gambler, that I am going to give you a square deal.” + +“Fine!” glowed Tom. “I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, +then.” + +This' time there was a general laugh. Jim Duff flushed angrily. + +“Reade, what you never understood about me is that I belong to the ranks +of the square gamblers.” + +“I didn't believe there were any such gamblers,” Tom replied in a voice +of surprise. “It is still hard for me to believe. How can any man be +square and honorable when he won't work, but fattens on the earnings of +others? Has that idea any connection with honor?” + +“Stop that line of talk, you young hound!” ordered Duff, striding up to +this bold young enemy. All the slight veneer of polish that Duff usually +affected had vanished now. His eyes blazed with rage as he doubled his +fist and struck Reade full in the face, knocking him down. One of the +bystanders jerked Tom to his feet. + +“Speaking of the square deal,” Tom observed, “I now insist upon it. +Duff, you knocked me down when my hands were tied. If you're not a +coward I request that you order my hands freed--and then repeat your +blow if you dare.” + +“You'll stay tied,” retorted Duff grimly. + +“I knew it,” sighed Reade. “What's the use of talking about honor and +square dealing where a gambler is concerned? Loaded dice, marked cards +or tying a man before you dare to hit him--it's all the same to your +kind.” + +“Shut up that talk, you hound, or I'll pound you stiff before we go +on with what's been arranged for you!” raged the gambler, shaking his +clenched fist in the face of the young engineer. + +“Go slowly, Jim,” advised one of the men present. “Of course we know +what we're to do to this young pup, and we all know what he thinks +of you. But some of the rest of us have different ideas as to how a +helpless enemy ought to be treated.” + +“You, Rafe Bodson!” snarled Duff, turning on the last speaker. “Are you +one of us? Do you belong to our side, or are you a spy for the other +crowd?” + +“Got your gun with you, Duff?” inquired Bodson calmly. + +“Yes,” snapped the gambler. + +“Get it out in your hand, then, before, you talk to me any more in that +fashion.” + +“He won't,” mocked Tom. “He doesn't dare, Bodson. Your hands are not +tied.” + +“Cut it out, Rafe! Quit it!” ordered one of the other men in the crowd. +“We won't let this tenderfoot split our ranks. You're one of us, and +you'll stand by us.” + +“Not if there's going to be any more hitting of tied men,” retorted +Bodson sulkily. “There's a limit to what a man can stand.” + +“Thank you, my friend,” broke in Tom Reade mildly. “But don't go to any +trouble on our account. There are few if any others in this crowd who +can understand the meaning of fair play--the gambler least of all.” + +“I'll take that out of you, Reade!” blazed Jim Duff. “I'll--” + +“You'll do nothing while the kid's hands are tied,” objected Bodson, +stepping between the pair. “Act fair and square, Jim, as a man should +act.” + +“That's the argument, Rafe,” remarked another man, also stepping +forward. + +“Bully for you, Jeff Moore,” replied Rafe. “Now, remember, friends, +we're not calling for anything except that Jim Duff live up to the +program he just published for himself--the square deal.” + +Several murmurs of protest came from the other raiders. + +“I reckon, Rafe, you and Jeff had better step back and let the rest of +us handle this thing,” advised one of the party. “The pair of you are +too chicken-livered for us.” + +“It's a lie, as anyone in Paloma knows,” Rafe retorted coolly. “No--put +up your shooters,” as the hands of five or six men slid to their belts. +“There's no need of bad blood between us. All I ask is for Jim Duff to +step back out of this.” + +“Am I the leader here or am I not?” demanded Duff boldly. “Wasn't it my +interests that were first assailed by these fresh tenderfeet! Didn't you +gentlemen come out to-night, to help me attend to my affair? Didn't +you turn also to avenge the blow that has been dealt these cubs to poor +George Ashby's prosperity?” + +At hearing himself so sympathetically referred to, Ashby threw himself +forward, a short, double-barreled shotgun in his hands. + +“Yes, you, get back, you white-livered cowards!” commanded Ashby +hoarsely. “You let Duff and myself and the rest of us here handle these +young hounds as they deserve to be treated. You, Rafe and Jeff, get out +of this. You've no business here. You belong to the enemies of business +interests in Paloma. The rest of us will settle with these business +destroyers.” + +Ashby's eyes glowed with the unbridled fury of the lunatic. Yet Rafe +Bodson did not waver. + +“Gentlemen,” he demanded coldly, “for what purpose did you bring these +young fellows out here?” + +“To lynch 'em!” came the hoarse murmur. + +“Then go ahead and do it, like men,” ordered Bodson. “There are the +trees. You have your ropes, and your men are ready. Remember, no +cowardly treatment of young fellows whose hands are tied. Go on with the +lynching and get it over with!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. A SPECIALIST IN “HONOR” + + +“Sir! Stop it, I tell you,” quivered Duff, again stepping to the front. +“These young hounds shan't die until I've made them apologize for every +insulting word they've said to me.” + +“Fine!” glowed Tom with enthusiasm. + +“Great!” + +“What ails you now, Reade?” demanded Duff, his face again darkening. + +“You've just promised us that we shall live forever,” returned Tom +dryly. + +Then he added, with a sigh: + +“But I suppose that's only another lie--another specimen of a gambler's +honor.” + +“Stand aside, Bodson! Moore, you get out of the way!” snarled the +gambler, his anger again depriving him of all reason. “I'll have my way +with these young hounds before we string 'em up.” + +“Let me at 'em!” implored Ashby, fingering his shotgun nervously. “Get +out of my way. I don't want to pepper anyone else.” + +But Bodson and Moore, bad as they were some respects, stood their +ground. + +“Are you going to let us at them?” insisted Duff, his voice now broken +and harsh from anger. + +“Not for the purpose of bullying them!” insisted Rafe, without moving. +“Jeff, you're with me, aren't you?” + +“Right by your side, pardner.” + +“Come on, then, boys!” called Duff, the note of rally in his tone. “Help +me to drive this pair of traitors out of your company.” + +Like a flash Bodson's revolver was in his band. The muzzle covered the +gambler. + +“Jim Duff, down on your knees before I blow your bead off!” + +The gambler started back, his face paling. + +In the same instant Jeff Moore had also drawn his revolver, and held it +ready for the first hostile sign from anyone in the group. + +“What's the matter with you, Rafe?” demanded the gambler, in a +half-coaxing tone. + +“Nothing,” Bodson assured him calmly, “except that I'm going to blow +your head off if you aren't down on your knees before I've counted +three! One--two--th--” + +Duff dropped to his knees, holding his hands high in air. + +“Now apologize for calling us traitors,” admonished Rafe. “Do it +handsomely, too, while you're about it.” + +“Rafe,” protested Jim Duff, “you, know that I said what I did only +because I was angry. I know you're a gentleman, and you know that I know +it. If I've hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, a thousand times over.” + +“Jim, you're a good deal of a sneak, aren't you?” inquired Rafe, in a +voice that sounded pleasant enough, but which carried a warning in its +tone. + +“Yes,” Duff admitted. “I guess I'm a good deal of a sneak.” + +“Get up on your feet, then. We understand one another,” said Bodson. “Go +ahead, if you want to, and carry out your plans for a merry evening. But +don't make the mistake of calling ugly names again, and don't forget all +you've said about the square deal. Hang these tenderfeet, if that's what +you want to do, but don't hit men without first giving them a chance to +hit back.” + +Duff, shaking partly from fear, though more from a sense of his +humiliation, rose to his feet. For a moment he stood choking down his +varied emotions. Then, with an attempt at his old-time, suave banter, he +inquired: + +“Are you young gentlemen ready for the collar and neck-tie party that +we've planned to give you?” + +“As ready as you are,” observed Tom dryly. + +“And you?” asked Duff, turning to Hazelton. “Are you ready?” + +“I'm not particular about feeling a lariat around my neck,” Harry +answered, “but I'll follow my friend Reade anywhere--even where you +propose to send us.” + +“Ay, but that's courage of the kind you don't expect to find in a blamed +tenderfoot!” remarked Jeff Moore, resting a hand first on Tom's shoulder +and then on Harry's. + +“Why?” asked Tom. “Does it surprise you?” + +“It shore does,” replied Jeff. + +“Is courage a matter of geography, then?” Tom inquired. + +“I--I--pardner, you've got me there,” Jeff admitted, looking puzzled. +“Yet, somehow, I never looked for much courage in a fellow who hailed +from east of the Mississippi.” + +George Ashby had been looking on during the last few moments, his eyes +glittering strangely. Yet, as he said nothing, the attention of the +others had turned from him. + +Jeff Moore happened to turn just in time to see the muzzle of the +shotgun turned fully on Tom Reade's waist line, and Ashby's forefinger +resting on one of the triggers. + +Bang! spoke the gun, a sheet of flame leaped forth. + +Tom Reade did not even start. All his nerve had come to the surface in +that instant. He was unharmed, for Jeff's sweeping arm had knocked aside +the muzzle of the gun and the shot had entered the leg of one of the +raiders. + +“What'd you do that for, Jeff?” groaned the injured man, sinking to the +alkali dust. + +But Moore was busy with the mad hotel keeper, having clinched with him, +and now being engaged in taking away the shotgun, one barrel of which +was still loaded. + +“Stand back there, friends,” warned Rafe Bodson, who still held his +revolver in his right hand. “We don't want to see any more of the party +hurt.” + +Jeff had the gun in a moment, despite the insane fury with which Ashby +fought. + +“Take care of this, Rafe,” requested Jeff, turning over the gun, which +Bodson received with his left hand. + +Ashby, momentarily free, sprang at the new bolder of the weapon, but +Moore tripped him and fell upon him. + +The other men stood by as though fascinated, not interfering. Perhaps +they felt that their safety depended upon Ashby's being disarmed. + +There was a short, sharp scuffle on the ground after which Moore rose, +leaving the hotel man with his hands tied behind his back. + +“And I request,” remarked Moore, “that no gentleman present cut the +knots that I have tied. It'll be a favor to me to have Ashby left alone +for the present.” + +“Now, then, Rafe or Jeff,” spoke the gambler, mustering up what remained +of his courage, “since you two have taken charge of affairs, won't you +be good enough to inform us what your pleasure is?” + +“We're not in charge,” retorted Bodson sullenly. “All we've undertaken +to do is to look out for the square deal that you promised, Duff, and +which you didn't exhibit in a way that we liked. As for the rest, go +ahead when you like--but don't do any more hitting with your fists.” + +“We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?” hinted Duff eagerly. + +“If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen,” Bodson agreed, bowing +slightly. + +To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters. + +“Bring up lariats, two of you,” Duff ordered, turning around to the +others. “And don't waste time over it.” + +The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses, +testing them to see that they ran freely. + +“Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees,” was Duff's next order, +which was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands, +followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted. + +“Any choice of trees Reade?” inquired Jin Duff. + +“None,” answered Tom shortly. His face was pallid and set, though he did +not show any other sign of fear. + +“Hazelton?” + +“One tree is as good as another,” Harry answered in a strangely quiet +voice. + +In the midst of an impressive silence, and with motions that seemed +oddly unreal to the tended victims, Duff placed the two young engineers. +A lariat was thrown over a low limb of each of the trees. Then, with +slightly trembling hands the gambler adjusted a over the neck of each +bound boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. TOM AND HARRY VANISH + + +“How d'ye like that, Rafe?” queried Jeff Moore, as Jim Duff stepped back +and viewed the young engineers with a diabolical smile before giving the +fatal signal. + +“I don't like it,” muttered Bodson. + +“No more do I.” + +“Shall we stop it?” + +“Yes. I'm sick of Jim Duff. This night has turned me against the +smooth-tongued coward.” + +“Get busy, then, Rafe!” + +“Shall we stand the crowd off and set the boys free?” + +“Pump both of your shooting-irons loose into the air--I'll do the rest,” + replied Moore. + +Cr-r-r-rack! Pointing his weapons skyward, Bodson had quickly obeyed +Moore's command. + +“Now, what--” began one of the raiders, wheeling instantly. + +“Rafe's going to give 'em a proper send off,” grinned one of Duff's men. + +“No!” shouted the other. “That's a bluff. He and Jeff are trying to +queer the whole game.” + +With cries of anger, several of the men sprang toward Jeff, who had +bared his sheath knife and was about to free Tom and Harry. + +“Here--stop that, you traitors!” roared Duff, leaping forward. + +“I've four shots left, Jim,” remarked Rafe Bodson calmly, as he ceased +firing. “Call me names, if you think it wise.” + +Like a flash Duff drew one of his own revolvers. Before he had time +to fire, however, three men threw themselves between Bodson and the +gambler. + +“Stop talking gun play, Rafe,” warned one of the three. “Act like a +gentleman.” + +“I've forgotten how to do that,” Rafe remarked. “I've traveled with this +outfit too long.” + +“Put up your guns. Then we'll attend to this pair of youngsters.” + +“My guns remain in my hands,” Bodson declared coolly. “I expect to die +with my boots on to-night. I reckon Jeff has figured it out the same +way.” + +“I have,” Moore answered coolly, as he stepped over beside Bodson. +Then deliberately, yet with an indescribably swift motion, he drew two +revolvers. + +“Stand out, Jim Duff! Be a man, for once in your miserable career,” + ordered Rafe Bodson. “Don't try to protect yourself by hiding behind the +bodies of men who don't know any better than to follow your lead.” + +Jim Duff didn't accept the challenge. Instead, he crouched behind two of +his followers, taking deliberate aim with his revolver at Bodson. + +But he never fired that cowardly shot. Like a flash from the sky came an +interruption that created panic among the assembled scoundrels. + +“Here we have 'em, gentlemen,” announced the steady voice of +Superintendent Hawkins from the western end of the gully. “Get 'em all +rounded up. If they've done Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton any injury then +don't let one of them get away alive.” + +The low sand piles near by seemed swarming with men. The steel barrels +of firearms glistened even in the darkness. + +The scout had been sent out to the eastward. None had thought of +watching the western approach to the gully. + +“Shoot, boys!” screamed Jim Duff, wheeling in a sudden frenzy of +desperation. He fired straight in the direction of Hawkins's voice. + +In another instant the air was rent with the sound of shots. Flashes +from many revolvers lit up the darkness almost as well as torches could +have done. + +Jim Duff, having started his followers to firing, stole off in the +darkness, leaving them to bear the brunt of the return fire of Hawkins +and his men. + +George Ashby lay on the ground bound as he had been left, his sawed-off +shotgun not far away and his belt full of shells. + +“Rouse yourself, Ash!” muttered the gambler, as he slashed the hotel +man's bonds with his knife. “Get your gun, but don't use it now. Move +quickly, and we'll get away from here and take Reade and Hazelton with +us. Put your mind on your work, Ash, and follow my orders. Don't try to +think too much for yourself. Here, this way!” + +The scene of the fighting had already shifted from the immediate +neighborhood of the twin trees. Duff guided his mad companion along in +the darkness until they halted close to where the two engineers stood +bound, powerless to join in the fray. + +“Shall we shoot them here and now?” whispered Ashby, a wild light +glittering in his eyes. + +“No,” returned Duff. “We'll sneak up behind them, club them with +revolvers and carry, them off. Then we can do as we please with them. +You quiet Hazelton and I'll attend to Reade.” + +The two scoundrels crept up behind their victims. + +A moment later Duff quickly cut the lariat about the neck of Tom Reade, +who had been rendered unconscious from the terrific blow dealt him by +the gambler. Ashby had been equally successful in “quieting” Hazelton. + +“Now hustle,” ordered Duff. “You pick up Hazelton. I'll take Reade. +Carry 'em over your shoulder--that's the way to do. Now, follow me and +don't make a sound. We'll please ourselves this night with what we'll do +to the meddling pair!” + +With Tom Reade over his shoulder, senseless and inert, Duff started off +in the darkness, while the rattle of firearms continued. + +George Ashby, muttering to himself, followed with Harry Hazelton. + +The gambler staggered slightly under the weight of his human burden. Yet +he moved rapidly, a strange eagerness lighting up his eyes. + +Jim Duff knew that he would never again dare to enter the town of +Paloma, yet the gambler thirsted, before fleeing to new scenes, to be +revenged on Tom Reade. With that object in view, Duff was willing to +take great risks. + +As for Ashby, who, still clutching his shotgun in his left hand, +staggered along under the burden of Hazelton's weight, the hotel man was +no longer responsible for his actions. Rage and wickedness had made him +a maniac, who might be restrained but could not be punished by law. + +Within two minutes the firing behind them died out. Soon there were +distant sounds of searching. Plainly Hawkins and the other friends of +the young engineers were hunting diligently for Tom and Harry. + +“Dump your man, Ashby,” commanded Jim Duff, halting at last. “It will +be a mistake to go too far. Their friends won't expect to find 'em so +close, and they'll soon be searching farther away.” + +So Ashby dropped Harry on to the sand beside Tom. Then the wickedest +possible gleam came into the hotel man's eyes as he loaded his shotgun. + +“We'll fill 'em full of lead right here and now,” whispered the hotel +keeper. “Then we'll be sure that they can't get away from us again.” + +“Not so fast!” retorted Duff warningly. “We can't shoot now. If we do, +there'll be no way to get out of this alive. Look yonder!” + +Duff swung his mad friend around, pointing to a gleam of light that +shone out over the desert. + +“An automobile,” muttered the gambler. “And there's another--and +another! There must be six or eight of them out to-night, and all of 'em +crammed with fighting men. A shot would bring two or three carloads of +ugly fellows down upon us.” + +“What are we going to do, then?” demanded the hotel keeper, in a +menacing tone. + +“Wait awhile,” urged the gambler. “You're seeing what the plan of the +enemy is. They're circling about, but they're further out from the gully +than we are. The cars will go on cutting larger and larger circle, and +all the time getting farther away from us. In half an hour the cars and +the men will be so far away that we need give no thought to them. Then +we can attend to Reade and Hazelton.” + +“What are you going to do with them?” demanded Ashby in a whisper, his +cunning eyes lighting with a fire of added eagerness. + +“We'll get 'em awake, first of all,” nodded Jim Duff. “Then we'll attend +to them.” + +“Remember, they ruined my business!” whispered the hotel man. + +“Well, didn't they ruin my business, too?” snarled Duff. “Didn't they +cant like a pair of hypocrites, and turn hundreds of their workmen +against coming in to play in my place? Didn't these young hounds keep +me from winning thousands of dollars of railroad money? Ash, I tell you, +these young fellows have hit me hard! First, they broke up my games. +Next, they talked their men out of going into Paloma and spending +money for drink. Why, Ash, next thing you know, they would have brought +missionaries to Paloma to convert men and to build churches!” + +As Ashby glared at the unconscious boys from under his black brows he +looked as though he believed them capable of all the wickedness that Jim +Duff's imagination had charged against them. + +“I can't wait!” groaned the hotel man. “Just one barrel of shot apiece +into each of 'em!” + +“No, no, no, Ash! Haven't I always been your good friend?” + +“You surely have, Jim Duff,” admitted the mad hotel man. “You're the one +man alive to-night that I'd trust.” + +“Then trust me a little further,” coaxed the gambler virtuously. “Trust +to my brains tonight, George, and you'll feast on revenge!” + +“But you keep me waiting so long for it!” complained the lunatic. + +“Don't you trust me, George?” + +“You know I do, Jim Duff.” + +“Then trust me a little longer. Be quiet, and be patient.” + +“But--” + +“Sh!” warned Duff suddenly, throwing himself flat on the ground. “Down +with you, Ash!” + +“What is it?” whispered the hotel man in the gambler's ear as he too +sank to the ground. + +“Sh!” once more warned the gambler. “Use your eyes, George. Look out +over the sand in the darkness. Do you see two men prowling this way?” + +“Yes,” assented the hotel man, after a pause. + +“They're looking for us--enemies, George. Use all your cunning. Above +all, be silent and lie low! Don't make a move, unless I tell you to do +so. Show your trust in me, Ash, as you've never shown it before. If you +don't, we'll be cheated out of our revenge!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. RAFE AND JEFF MISCALCULATE + + +The two men whom the craven gambler had sighted were coming slowly +onward, their movements suggesting a good deal of care and watchfulness. + +Nor did they come in a wholly straight line. That they did not suspect +the nearness of Jim Duff and his mad companion was plain at a glance. + +“Burrow in the sand!” whispered the gambler in Ashby's ear. “Quiet! Be +ready, but don't do anything unless I give you the word.” + +“When you do give me the word,” trembled the hotel man, “I'll kill 'em +both.” + +“Not unless we have to do so--remember!” ordered the gambler. “We want, +if possible, to take 'em alive.” + +Let us now go back to the two men whom Duff and Ashby were watching so +closely. + +They were Rafe Bodson and Jeff Moore. + +Both had come out of the recent fighting unharmed. Neither Rafe nor Jeff +had fired a shot at the invading forces led by Hawkins. Instead, the +pair had slipped stealthily away, until they had gotten out of the +immediate zone of the hot firing. Then they hid under some bushes. + +“An hour ago I'd have felt like a sneak, not standing by the gang any +better,” whispered Jeff uneasily. + +“Same here,” Rafe admitted. “In fact, I'm wondering whether I acted +straight in running off like this.” + +“Aren't you sure about it in your own mind?” asked Jeff slowly. + +“Almost,” Rafe returned. “All that bothers me is not sticking by the +same crowd that we started out with to-night. As for Jim Duff--” + +“He's poison, and deadly poison at that,” broke in Jeff. + +“That's just what he is, pardner.” + +“Yet I used to like Duff pretty well.” + +“So did I,” nodded Jeff. “But that was when I thought he had some sand.” + +“The fellow's a skulking coyote!” + +“A coyote is brave, compared with Jim Duff,” contended Jeff Moore. + +“Reade and Hazelton showed the real sand!” + +“I never thought tenderfeet could be as brave,” glowed Moore. + +“Jeff, I reckon Reade and Hazelton aren't real tenderfeet any more. +They've been west some time. But, then, such fellows wouldn't be +tenderfeet even if they lived in New Jersey all the time. Courage +belongs in some fellows, no matter where they work.” + +“The fighting seems to be over,” observed Jeff Moore. + +“Then the friends of the two engineers must have found them,” suggested +Bodson. + +“It doesn't sound like it over there. The newcomers seem to be doing a +lot of hunting in the gully.” + +“Let's move in closer,” proposed Rafe. + +Crawling on their stomachs, the pair moved in closer. As they arrived, +unseen, they were in time to see the late fighting men clamber into +their automobiles. Hawkins could be heard giving directions for the +further search for Reade and Hazelton. + +Then the cars started away. + +“What do you reckon?” demanded Jeff, looking at Bodson. + +“I reckon some of Duff's crowd slipped out of the fight, got the two +youngsters, and slipped away with them,” Bodson answered. + +“Then it was Duff--he was one of 'em,” returned Jeff, with a strong +conviction. “From what I've seen of Duff to-night he'd rather do a +running trick than a fighting one.” + +“It would take two to carry both youngsters away. Who was the other +one?” Rafe wondered aloud. + +“Most likely the fellow who'd mind Duff best.” + +“That must mean poor George Ashby.” + +“Let's slip into the gully and see what we can find.” + +One fact learned in the gully astonished both investigators. Despite the +volleys that had been fired no dead or wounded men lay about. Of course +Hawkins could have taken any injured men away in the automobiles. +Plainly the raiders had been equally fortunate in getting their wounded +away on their horses. Mounted men familiar with the desert would know +many paths where horses could travel, but where automobiles could not +follow. + +“Our hosses are gone,” discovered Jeff a few moments. + +“Of course,” nodded Rafe. “The crowd we were out with wouldn't be slow +in a simple little piece of every-day honesty like stealing hosses!” + +“I'm through with any such gang after this, Rafe. How about you?” + +“I'm shore going to be careful about the kind of company I pick. But, +Jeff, we'll have to travel away from these parts. No good company around +here would welcome us. They wouldn't like the only references we could +give, Jeff.” + +“Oh, shore, we'll have to travel,” agreed Moore. “That is, if the +sheriff doesn't take up our tickets before we get started.” + +“All this talk isn't showing us what became of Reade and Hazelton,” + remarked Rafe Bodson. “Let's go back under the trees and see if we +can find what has become of Reade and Hazelton. Before I change my +post-office box I'm going to try to do those two youngsters a good +turn.” + +So the pair had started off. Yet, like the automobile searchers, Jeff +and Rafe did not expect to run across Tom and Harry and their captors so +close to the gully. + +For this reason the pair proceeded without very much caution at the +outset. + +Even now, after Duff and Ashby had sighted them, Moore and Bodson halted +twice to light matches and examine the trail that their keen eyes had +discovered as moving westward from the gully. + +“Now, I reckon we've got the general direction,” muttered Rafe Bodson +when, after having once more discovered the tracks he turned and got the +general course. “We know the way to head.” + +“Then we won't light any more matches,” suggested Jeff. “It might get us +into trouble.” + +Accordingly they kept on, guiding themselves now by their general +knowledge of the country. + +Jim Duff and Ashby were well concealed, not only by the sand, but by a +little fringe of brush as well. + +Hence it is not to be wondered at that Bodson and Moore went forward to +be astonished by a sudden movement in the sand, followed by a hail of +“Gentlemen, get your hands up, or take your medicine!” + +The command came in Jim Duff's tones. + +He was barely thirty feet away from the surprised pair, one of his +revolvers leveled so to drop Bodson at a touch of the trigger. + +George Ashby's sawed-off shotgun looked squarely at the region bounded +by Jeff Moore's belt. + +“It's your turn, gentlemen,” agreed Rafe, he put his hands in the air. + +“You've got us--be decent,” grinned Jeff, as he, too, raised his hands +upward. + +“Get your hands up higher!” ordered Jim Duff in his deadliest tone. +These men were now helpless, and the gambler merely chuckled inwardly at +the thought. + +“Is this where we shoot them?” queried the mad hotel keeper. + +“Yes--after a minute or two!” nodded Jim Duff, who wished first to +determine whether the automobiles of the searching party were moving too +near to them. + +“I can hardly wait for the word!” quivered Ashby. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION + + +“How long are we to keep our hands up, Duff?” questioned Jeff. + +“Quiet,” hissed the gambler. “I'm listening.” + +“If it's for friends of ours,” grimaced Rafe Bodson, “you needn't listen +any longer. We haven't any friends in either crowd now.” + +“Quiet, I tell you!” snarled Duff. + +No noise of moving automobiles came to the gambler's keen ears in the +darkness of the night. + +“Ready,” faintly whispered Duff, giving Ashby a slight nudge. + +“Shoot 'em?” whispered the mad hotel man. + +“Yes; you hit Jeff. I'll take care of Rafe!” + +Just then darkness fell upon the gambler. He was knocked flat and +senseless by a blow of a fist from behind. + +In the same instant a man leaped upon George Ashby, bearing him to +earth. + +Bang! The noise of the discharging shotgun broke on the night's +stillness. Bang! crashed the other barrel. + +The muzzle had been pointed skyward, however, and both charges of +buckshot had been driven off into space, to fall to the earth many yards +beyond. + +“Reade! Hazelton!” choked Rafe Bodson, leaping forward. “You fellows +certainly have grit! Here, Hazelton, let me help you with that loco +(crazy) hotel man.” + +Jeff, in the meantime had rolled Jim Duff over on his back, then sat on +him. When Duff returned to consciousness he found himself gazing into +the muzzle of an automatic revolver. + +Harry and Bodson made a quick, sure job of tying Ashby's wrists with a +cord that Rafe supplied. + +“You think you've stopped me, don't you?” snarled the hotel man, wild +with rage. + +“We stopped you in time to keep you from shooting down two men who were +at your mercy,” retorted Harry sternly. + +“What's that?” gasped Rafe. + +“They were going to shoot you with your hands in the air,” Tom declared. + +“That's another of your lies, Reade,” snarled the gambler. + +“It's you who are doing the lying, Duff,” rejoined Tom stiffly. “I came +to my senses just in time to hear you tell Ashby to kill one man while +you killed the other.” + +“So that was the game, was it?” said Jeff. + +“No, it wasn't,” snapped Jim Duff. + +“Shut up,” ordered Jeff unbelievingly. “Duff, we've seen enough of you +to-night to know that an Apache has ten times as much honor as you +have, and a rattlesnake has twenty times as much decency. You lying, +miserable, white-livered, smooth-tongued, poisonous reptile in human +form. If you open your mouth to say another word you'll have me so wild +that I'll pull the trigger of this automatic before I intend to do so.” + +“Thank goodness you had become conscious too, Harry!” breathed Tom +fervently. “I don't believe I could have knocked both men over in time +to prevent a killing. I managed to get my hands free just in time to get +on the job.” + +“I had known for some moments what was going on around me,” Hazelton +replied. “But I was lying with my eyes closed, and keeping mighty quiet. +I was trying to hear your breathing, so I could decide whether you had +come to your senses, when all of a sudden you sat up and freed my hands. +Ugh!” he added with disgust, as he reached up and slipped the remnant of +rawhide noose from around his neck. + +“What'll we do with this snake and, his weak-minded brother?” asked Jeff +dryly. “Tie 'em up and ship 'em into Paloma?” + +“Fire off your revolver two or three times,” suggested Tom, who had +caught a faint, far away sound of an automobile. “That may bring a +machine over here.” + +“You shoot, Rafe,” urge Moore. “I'll want to keep my weapon handy for +this crooked card-sharp.” + +Rafe obligingly emptied one of his revolvers into the air. From a +distance came the honk of an automobile horn, as though in answer to +the signal shots. Soon the noise of an automobile engine became more +distinct. Finally the body of a large car loomed up in the darkness. A +few shouts brought the car to the spot. + +“This you, Mr. Reade?” called the joy voice of Superintendent Hawkins. +“And Hazelton, safe, also?” + +All five seats in this car were occupied. Six more men had to be crowded +in somehow, after Jim Duff had been tied with his hands behind him. Most +of them had to stand. + +“Back to Paloma, as fast as you can go with safety,” ordered Mr. +Hawkins, as soon as all were inside. “Gracious, but there'll be a joyful +demonstration back in camp as soon as the good word is received.” + +As the car sped along over the desert the story was told of how the +pursuit had been made. + +It was Mr. Hawkins who had tried to wire from camp into town, calling +for cars and posses to go in pursuit of the raiders. + +As Tom had imagined at the outset, the raiders had cut the railroad +telegraph wire. Discovering this, Mr. Hawkins had leaped on to the bare +back of a horse at camp and had covered the distance at a gallop. + +Men had been quickly rounded up within the very few minutes that were +needed in getting the cars out and ready to run. There were hundreds of +men in Paloma who had grown to despise Duff and all the evil crew behind +the gambler. + +From the outset the leaders of the posse, on hearing, of the direction +first taken by the fleeing raiders, had calculated on the gully as the +probable place of halting. + +While the posse was still on the way out to the gully, and at some +distance away, the sound of Ashby's discharging gun had reached them. +Reasoning that the raiders would probably place a guard only on the town +end of the gully, the posse had made a wide detour, so as to approach +the gully from the westward. Leaving the cars at a considerable +distance, the pursuers, with Mr. Hawkins at their head, had made quick +time on foot. + +In the fighting that had followed five men of the posse had been hit, +though none dangerously. These wounded men, after the fight, had been +sent back to Paloma in one of the automobiles. + +“We saw some of the raiders fall during the lighting,” said Mr. Hawkins, +“but their friends made a quick retreat and got all hands back to their +horses. We felt sure they didn't have you, Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton, +so we let the raiders slip away and spent our time in trying to find +where you had been taken or if you had escaped. Well, it's all right +now!” + +As the automobile party approached the town, searchlights from other +cars showed the remaining pursuers had heard the signals sounded by the +horn of the first automobile and were returning. + +As the returning men entered the outlaying streets the little town was +found to be anything but a quiet community. Despite the early morning +hour, the streets were crowded. + +“Where's the chief of police?” inquired Mr. Hawkins, as the first car +entered the town and pulled up. + +“I'll find him for you, Cap,” offered a man on horseback. + +“If you will be so good.” + +As the horseman galloped away Hawkins signed to the others to step out. + +“Duff, we're not going to be troubled with your company much longer,” + smiled Hawkins. + +Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler +was helped to alight. Duff's hands were still behind his back though, +unknown to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free. + +With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a +revolver from another man's holster. + +Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at +Tom Reade. + +Crack! + +It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first. That officer +had been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired +instantly. + +Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly +explained the cause of his firing. A loaded revolver was still gripped +in Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much +pain to fire. + +Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the +popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the +wounded man to examine him. “Duff,” said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a +brief examination, “I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your +last card. Have you any wishes to express before we move you?” + +“I--want to--talk to--Reade,” groaned the injured man. + +“Certainly,” replied Tom, when the request was repeated to him. Stepping +softly to where the gambler lay on the sidewalk, Reade bent over him. + +“Duff,” said Reade gravely, “you and I haven't always been the best +of friends, but I can say honestly that I'm sorry to see you in this +plight. I hope that you may recover, yet get some happiness out of +life.” + +But the gambler's eyes blazed with ferocity. + +“Don't waste any soft soap on me, Reade,” he said slowly, and with many +pauses. “The Doc is a fool. I'm going to get well, and there will be +just one happiness ahead of me. That will be to find you, wherever you +may be, and to what I tried to do to you to-night.” + +“Can't you forget that sort of thing, Duff?” asked Tom gravely. “Not +that I'm afraid of you; you've seen enough of me to-night to know that +I'm not afraid of you. But I'm afraid for you. You're close to eternity, +Duff, and I'd like to see you go to your death with a calm, hopeful, +decent mind. I'd like to see you go with a hope of a better life +hereafter.” + +“Don't give me any of your canting talk, Reade,” snarled the gambler +weakly. + +“I'm not going to do so,” sighed Tom, rising. “I'm afraid it would be +useless. Try to remember, Duff, that I allow myself to have no hard +feelings against you. If you possibly can recover I shall be glad to +hear that you've done so.” + +Then Tom stepped over to Dr. Furniss' side, whispering to him: + +“Doc, you'll see to it that some clergyman is called, won't you? Any +clergyman that is the most likely to reach the heart and the soul of a +hardened fellow like Jim Duff.” + +Dr. Furniss nodded. Men appeared with an old door that was to be used as +a stretcher. On this the gambler was placed, and the physician gave him +such immediate attention as could be supplied on the sidewalk, for Jim +Duff had been shot through the right lung. Then the bearers lifted the +door, bearing the gambler back to the now gloomy Mansion House, +the doctor following. Ashby, who had been strangely quiet after the +shooting, was taken to the local police station and placed in a cell. + +Just after the two had been taken care of, and while the crowd still +lingered, a young man pushed his way through to the center of the crowd. + +“I heard that Jim Duff had returned to town,” began the young man. The +speaker was Clarence Farnsworth, the foolish young easterner who had +been sadly fleeced by the gambler. + +“Yes; Duff came back,” said Mr. Hawkins, quietly. + +“Where is he?” asked Farnsworth. “I must leave in the morning, and I owe +Duff seven hundred dollars. I want to pay it to him.” + +“Money you lost gambling with Duff?” questioned Hawkins. + +“It's a debt of honor that I owe Mr. Duff,” Farnsworth replied, flushing +considerably. + +“Son, take one little hint from me,” continued Hawkins. “No money ever +lost to a gambler in card playing is a debt of honor. It's merely the +liability of a chump and a fool. No gambler ever uses any real honor. +Men of honor work for the money that they need or want. Duff had a +smooth way of talking, an agreeable manner with his profitable victims, +but he never had a shred of honor. It isn't possible to be a gambler and +a man of honor. If you've seven hundred dollars that you lost to Duff at +cards, put it in your pocket and get out of Paloma as soon as you can. +Duff won't need the money, anyway. He's down at the Mansion House, dying +of a bullet wound that he got through his last piece of trickery. I hate +to speak harshly of a dying man, but I'd like to see you get a grain or +two of common sense into your head, boy.” + +Again Farnsworth flushed, but three or four seasoned Arizona men who +stood near by added their advice, in line with that of Mr. Hawkins. +Clarence soon edged away. + +An hour after daylight Jim Duff died. Dr. Furniss and the others who +were with the gambler at the last were unable to state that Duff had +offered any expression of regret for his evil life, or for his last +wicked acts. + +Jim Duff died as he had lived. + +George Ashby was sent to an asylum and his property sold for his +benefit. After a year he was discharged as cured. He has vanished, +swallowed up in some other community, and nothing more has been heard of +him. + +Trailed by detectives of a fire insurance company, Frank Danes was soon +caught and brought back to Arizona. He was fairly convicted of having +set the old Cactus House on fire, though he could not be persuaded to +admit himself an agent of the Colthwaite Company. Fred Ransom, the other +agent, is believed to be still in the employ of the Colthwaite Company's +“gloom department.” + +Mr. Hawkins is still in the employ of the A., G. & N. M. So are foremen +Bell, Rivers and Mendoza. + +Tim Griggs proved himself so thoroughly while foreman at the building +of the new rail-road hotel in Paloma, that he has gone on to other and +better work. Griggs is now a prosperous man, and, best of all, he has +his little daughter with him. + +Lessee Carter has flourished in the new railroad hotel. Rafe Bodson and +Jeff Moore are his clerks. + +The day came when Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were able to apply the +final and most severe test to the roadbed that ran across the Man-killer +quicksand. Their work was finished, and finished splendidly, adding +another great triumph to their record as young engineers. + +“These hot countries are fine, for a while,” grunted Harry Hazelton, as +the young engineers left Paloma in a special Pullman car that General +Manager Ellsworth had sent for their use. + +“They are fine, in fact; but one gets tired of working on a blistering +desert. I hope our next long undertaking will be in a country where ice +grows as one of the natural fruits.” + +“Greenland, for instance?” smiled Tom Reade. + +“Alaska, at all events,” responded Harry hopefully. + +“Do you know where I'm figuring on making my next stop?” Tom inquired. + +“Where?” + +“In good old Gridley, the town where we were born, boy! I'm fairly +aching for a sight of the good old town. Will you go with me?” + +“For a few weeks, yes,” Harry agreed. “But after that little rest?” + +“After our visit to the good old home town,” Tom Reade replied, “we'll +go anywhere on earth where a good, big chance for engineering offers. +Harry, we've yet nearly all of our work ahead of us to do if we're ever +going to be real, Class A engineers!” + +That our young engineers found still greater work awaiting them will be +discovered in the next volume in this series, which is published under +the title, “The Young Engineers in Nevada; or, Seeking Fortune on the +Turn of a Pick.” + +In this narrative we find our young friends wholly away from railroad +work, but engaged in an even greater undertaking. The adventures +awaiting them were more exciting than any they had yet encountered. Fame +and fortune, too, offered a greater opportunity. How the young engineers +embraced the opportunity will be made plain to our readers. + +THE END + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Engineers in Arizona, by +H. Irving Hancock + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA *** + +***** This file should be named 8153-0.txt or 8153-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/1/5/8153/ + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/8153-0.zip b/8153-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..666e75a --- /dev/null +++ b/8153-0.zip diff --git a/8153-h.zip b/8153-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6770d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/8153-h.zip diff --git a/8153-h/8153-h.htm b/8153-h/8153-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5401666 --- /dev/null +++ b/8153-h/8153-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9160 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Young Engineers in Arizona, by H. Irving Handcock + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Young Engineers in Arizona, by H. Irving Hancock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Young Engineers in Arizona + Laying Tracks on the Man-killer Quicksand + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: July 30, 2009 [EBook #8153] +Last Updated: March 15, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA + </h1> + <h3> + or + </h3> + <h2> + LAYING TRACKS ON THE MAN-KILLER QUICKSAND + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By H. Irving Handcock + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE MAN OF + “CARD HONOR” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> DUFF + ASSERTS HIS “RIGHTS” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. + </a> TOM MAKES A SPEECH ON GAMBLING <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> SOMEBODY STIRS THE MUD + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> TOM HAS + NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER + VI. </a> THE GENERAL MANAGER “LOOKS IN” <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> A DYNAMITE PUZZLE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> READE + MEETS A “KICKER” HALF WAY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER + IX. </a> THE MAN-KILLER CLAIMS A SACRIFICE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> HARRY FIGHTS FOR + COMMAND <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> CHEATING + THE MAN-KILLER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> HOW + THE TRAP WAS BAITED <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. + </a> TOM HEARS THE PROGRAM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> + CHAPTER XIV. </a> THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> MR. DANES INTRODUCES + HIMSELF <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> DANES + SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. + </a> TIM GRIGGS “GETS HIS” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> + CHAPTER XVIII. </a> TRAGEDY CAPS THE TEST <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> THE SECRET OF ASHBY'S + CUNNING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> DUFF + PROMISES THE “SQUARE DEAL” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER + XXI. </a> A SPECIALIST IN “HONOR” <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> TOM AND HARRY VANISH + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> RAFE + AND JEFF MISCALCULATE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. + </a> CONCLUSION <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE MAN OF “CARD HONOR” + </h2> + <p> + “I'll wager you ten dollars that my fly gets off the mirror before yours + does.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take that bet, friend.” + </p> + <p> + The dozen or so of waiting customers lounging in Abe Morris's barber shop + looked up with signs of renewed life. + </p> + <p> + “I'll make it twenty,” continued the first speaker. + </p> + <p> + “I follow you,” assented the second speaker. + </p> + <p> + *Truly, if men must do so trivial a thing as squander their money on idle + bets, here was a novel enough contest. + </p> + <p> + Each of the bettors sat in a chair, tucked up in white to the chin. Each + was having his hair cut. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment a fly had lighted on each of the mirrors before the two + customers. + </p> + <p> + The man who had offered the bet was a well known local character—Jim + Duff by name, by occupation one of the meanest and most dishonorable + gamblers who had ever disgraced Arizona by his presence. + </p> + <p> + There is an old tradition about “honest gamblers” and “players of square + games.” The man who has been much about the world soon learns to + understand that the really honest and “square” gambler is a creature of + the imagination. The gambler makes his living by his wits, and he who + lives by anything so intangible speedily finds the road to cheating and + trickery. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff had been no exception. His reputation was such that he could find + few men among the residents of this part of Arizona who would meet him at + the gaming table. He plied his trade mostly among simple-minded tourists + from the east—the class of men who are known in Arizona as + “tenderfeet.” + </p> + <p> + Rumor had it that Jim Duff, in addition to his many years of unblushing + cheating for a living, had also shot and killed three men in the past on + as many different occasions. + </p> + <p> + Yet he was a sleek, well-groomed fellow, tall and slim, and, in the matter + of years, somewhere in his forties. Duff always dressed well—with a + foundation of the late styles of the east, with something of the swagger + of the plains added to his raiment. + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, you might as well hand me your money now,” drawled Duff, after + a few moments had passed. “It'll save time.” + </p> + <p> + “Your fly hasn't hopped yet,” retorted the second man, with the air and + tone of one who could afford to lose thousands on such stupid bets. + </p> + <p> + The second man was of the kind on which Jim Duff fattened his purse. + Clarence Farnsworth, about twenty-five years of age, was as verdant a + “tenderfoot” as had lately graced Paloma, Arizona, with his presence. + </p> + <p> + Even the name of Clarence had moved so many men to laughter in this + sweltering little desert town that Farnsworth had lately chopped his name + to “Clare.” Yet this latter had proved even worse; it sounded too nearly + like a girl's name. + </p> + <p> + So far as his financial condition went, Clarence had the look of one who + possessed money to spend. He was well-dressed, lived at the Mansion House, + often hired automobiles, entertained his friends lavishly, and was voted a + good enough fellow, though a simpleton. + </p> + <p> + “My fly's growing skittish, stranger,” smiled Jim Duff. “He's on the point + of moving. You'd better whisper to your fly.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe, friend,” rejoined Clarence, “that my fly is taking nap. He + appears to be sound asleep. You certainly picked the more healthy fly.” + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff gave his barber an all but imperceptible nudge in one elbow. + Though he gave no sign in return, that barber understood, and shifted his + shears in a way that, even at distance, alarmed the fly on the mirror + before Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Buzz-zz!” The fly in front of the gambler took wing and vanished toward + the rear of the store. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Arizona men looking on smiled knowingly. They had realized + from the start that young Farnsworth had stood no show of winning the + stupid wager. + </p> + <p> + “You win,” stated young Clarence, in a tone that betrayed no annoyance. + </p> + <p> + Drawing a roll of bills from his pocket, he fumbled until he found a + twenty. This he passed to Duff, sitting in the next chair. + </p> + <p> + “You're not playing in luck to-day,” smiled Duff gently, as he tucked away + the money in one of his coat pockets. “You're a good sportsman, + Farnsworth, at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + “I flatter myself that I am,” replied Clarence, blushing slightly. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff continued calmly puffing at the cigar that rested between his + teeth. They were handsome teeth, though, in some way, they made one think + of the teeth of a vicious dog. + </p> + <p> + “Coming over to the hotel this afternoon?” continued Duff. + </p> + <p> + “I—I—” hesitated Clarence. + </p> + <p> + “Coming, did you say?” persisted Duff gently. + </p> + <p> + “I shall have to see my mail first. There may be letters—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” nodded Duff, with just a trace of irony as the younger man again + hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Life is not all playtime for me, you know,” Farnsworth continued, looking + rather shame-faced. “I—er—have some business affairs attention + at times.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't try to join me at the hotel this if you have more interesting + matters in prospect,” smiled the gambler. + </p> + <p> + Again Clarence flushed. He looked up to Jim Duff as a thorough “man of the + world,” and wanted to stand well in the gambler's good opinion. Clarence + Farnsworth was, as yet, too green to know that, too often, the man who has + seen much of the world has seen only its seamy and worthless side. + Possibly Farnsworth was destined to learn this later on—after the + gambler had coolly fleeced him. + </p> + <p> + “Before long,” Farnsworth went on, changing the subject, “I must get out + on the desert and take a look at the quicksand that the railroad folks are + trying to cross.” + </p> + <p> + “The railroad people will probably never cross that quicksand,” remarked + Jim Duff, the lids closing over his eyes for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know about that,” continued Farnsworth argumentatively. + </p> + <p> + “I think I do,” declared Jim Duff easily. “My belief, Farnsworth, is that + the railroad people might dig up the whole of New Mexico, transport the + dirt here and dump it on top of that quicksand, and still the quicksand + would settle lower and lower and the tracks would still break up and + disappear. There's no bottom to that quicksand.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you ought to know all about it, Duff,” Clarence made haste to + answer. “You've lived here for years, and you know all about this section + of the country.” + </p> + <p> + That didn't quite suit the gambler. What he sought to do was to raise an + argument with the young man—who still had some money left. + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think, Farnsworth, that the railroad can win out with the + desert and lay tracks across the quicksand? That's a bad quicksand, you + know. It has been called the 'Man-killer.' Many a prospector or + cow-puncher has lost his life in trying to get over that sand.” + </p> + <p> + “The real Man-killer quicksand is a mile to the south of where the tracks + go, isn't it?” asked Farnsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and the first party of railway surveyors who went over the line for + their track thought they had dodged the Man-killer. Yet what they'll find, + in the end, is that the Man-killer is a bad affair, and that it extends, + under the earth, in many directions and for long distances. I am certain + that railway tracks will never be laid over any part of the Man-killer.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” assented Clarence meekly. + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think that the railroad can ever get across the + Man-killer?” persisted Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Why, for one thing, the very hopeful report of the new engineers who have + taken charge.” + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” retorted Duff, as though that one word of contempt disposed of + the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Reade and Hazelton are very good engineers, are they not?” inquired young + Farnsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! A pair of mere boys,” sneered Jim Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Young fellows of about my age, you mean?” asked Farnsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Of your age?” repeated Duff, in a tone of wonder. “No! You're a man. + Reade and Hazelton, as I've told you, are mere boys. They're not of age. + They've never voted.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I had no idea that they were as young as that,” replied Clarence, + much pleased at hearing himself styled a man. “But these young engineers + come from one of the Colorado, railroads, don't they!” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't be surprised,” nodded the gambler. “However, the Man-killer is + no task for boys. It is a job for giants to put through, if the job ever + can be finished.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if it's so difficult, why doesn't the road shift the track by two + or three miles?” inquired Clarence. + </p> + <p> + “You certainly are a newcomer here,” laughed Duff easily. “Why, my son, + the railroad was chartered on condition that it run through certain towns. + Paloma, here, is one of the towns. So the road has to come here.” + </p> + <p> + “But couldn't the road shift, just after it leaves here?” insisted + Clarence. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, certainly. Yet, if the road shifted enough to avoid any possibility + of resting on the big Man-killer, then it would have to go through the + range beyond here—would have to tunnel under the hills for a + distance of three miles. That would cost millions of dollars. No, sir; the + railroad will have to lay tracks across the Man-killer, or else it will + have to stand a loss so great as to cripple the road.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, sir,” interrupted a keen, brisk, breezy-looking man, who had + entered the shop only a moment or two before. “There's a way that the + railroad can get over the Man-killer.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” asked Duff, eyeing the newcomer's reflected image in the + mirror. + </p> + <p> + “The first thing to do,” replied the stranger, “is to drop these boy + engineers out of the game. These youngsters came down here four days ago, + looked over the scene, and promised that they could get the tracks + laid-safely—for about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” jeered Duff, with a sidelong glance at young Farnsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is pooh!” laughed the stranger. “The thing can it be done + for any such amount as that, and it is a crazy idea, to take the opinions + of boys, anyway, on any such subject as that. Now, there's a Chicago firm + of contractors, the Colthwaite Construction Company, which has proposed to + take over the whole contract for laying tracks across the Man-killer. + These boys figure on using dirt and then more dirt, and still more, until + they've satisfied the appetite of the Man-killer, filled up the quicksand + and laid a bed of solid earth on which the tracks will run safely for the + next hundred years. The Colthwaite people have looked over the whole + proposition. They know that it can't be done. The two hundred and fifty + thousand dollars will be wasted, and then the Colthwaite Company will have + to come in, after all, drive its pillars of steel and concrete, lay + well-founded beds and get a basis that will hold the new earth above it. + Then the track will be safe, and the people of this part of Arizona will + have a railroad of which they can be proud. But these boys—these + kids in railroad building—humph!” + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” agreed Jim Duff dryly. + </p> + <p> + The gambler using the mirror before him, continued to study keenly this + stranger, even after the latter had ceased talking and had gone to one of + the chairs to wait his turn. + </p> + <p> + “You're through, sir,” announced the barber who had been trying to improve + the gambler's appearance. “Thank you, sir. Next.” + </p> + <p> + Clarence, wholly crushed by the weight of opinion, was not yet through + with his barber. Duff, after lighting a fresh cigar, stepped over to where + the newcomer was seated. + </p> + <p> + “Are you stopping at the Mansion House?” inquired the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the stranger, looking up. + </p> + <p> + “So am I,” nodded the gambler. “So I shall probably have the pleasure of + meeting you again.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes; I trust so,” replied the stranger, after a quick, keen look at + Duff. Undoubtedly this newcomer was accustomed to judging men quickly + after seeing them. + </p> + <p> + “These boy engineers!” chucked Duff. “Humph!” + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” agreed the stranger. + </p> + <p> + At this moment two bronzed-looking, erect young men came tramping down the + sidewalk together. Each looked the picture of health, of courage, of + decision. Both wore the serviceable khaki now so common in surveying camps + in warm climates. Below the knee the trousers were confined by leggings. + Above the belt blue flannel shirts showed, yet these were of excellent + fabric and looked trim indeed. To protect their heads and to shade their + eyes as much as possible from the glare of Arizona desert sand, these + young men wore sombreros of the type common in the Army. + </p> + <p> + “This looks like a good place, Harry,” said the taller of the two young + men. “Suppose we go inside.” + </p> + <p> + They stepped into the barber shop together, nodding pleasantly to all + inside. Then, hanging up their sombreros, they passed on to unoccupied + chairs. + </p> + <p> + Just in the act of passing out, Jim Duff had stepped back to admit them. + </p> + <p> + “They're Reade and Hazelton, the very young engineers that the railroad + has just put in charge of the Man-killer job,” whispered one knowing + citizen of Paloma. The news quickly spread about the barber shop. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff already knew the boys by sight, since they were stopping at the + Mansion House. He uttered an almost inaudible “humph!” then passed on + outside. + </p> + <p> + Neither Tom Reade nor Harry Hazelton heard this exclamation, nor would + they have paid any heed to it if they had. + </p> + <p> + Yes; the two young men were our friends of old, the young engineers. Our + readers are wholly familiar with Tom and Harry as far back as their + grammar school days in the good old town of Gridley. Tom and Harry were + members of that famous sextet of schoolboy athletes known at home as Dick + & Co. The exploits of Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, as of Dick + Prescott, Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes and Dan Dalzell, have been fully told, + first in the “Grammar School Boys Series,” and then in the “High School + Boys Series.” + </p> + <p> + After the close of the “High School Boys Series” the further adventures of + Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes are told in the “West Point Series,” while + all that befell Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell has already been found in the + pages of the “Annapolis Series.” + </p> + <p> + In the preceding volume of this series, “The Young Engineers in Colorado,” + our readers were made familiar with the real start in working life made by + Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. Back in the old High School days Reade and + Hazelton had been fitting themselves to become civil engineers. They began + their real work in the east, and had made good in sterner work in the + mountains in Colorado. + </p> + <p> + Our readers all know how Tom and Harry opened their careers in Colorado by + becoming “cub engineers” with one of the field camps of the S. B. & L. + railroad. Taken only on trial, they had rapidly made good, and had earned + the confidence of the chief engineer in charge of the work. When, owing to + the sudden illness of both the chief engineer and his principal assistant + the road's work had been crippled, Tom and Harry had had the courage as + well as the opportunity to take hold, assume the direction, and complete + the building of the S. B. & L. within the time required by the road's + charter. + </p> + <p> + Had the young engineers failed, the S. B. & L., under the terms + granted by the state, might have been seized and sold at public auction. + In that case, the larger, and rival road, the W. C. & A., stood ready + to buy out the S. B. & L. and reap the profits that the latter road + had planned to earn. Not only had the young engineers succeeded in + overcoming all natural obstacles, but, in a series of wonderful + adventures, they had defeated the plots of agents of the W. C. & A. + From that time on Tom and Harry had been famous in Colorado railroad + circles. + </p> + <p> + After the S. B. & L. had been finished and put in operation, Tom Reade + had remained with the railroad for several months, still serving as chief + engineer, with Harry Hazelton as his trusted and dependable assistant. + </p> + <p> + Now, at last, they had been lured away from the S. B. & L. by the + offer of a new chance to overcome difficulties of the sort that all + fighting engineers love to encounter. The Arizona, Gulf & New Mexico + Railroad—more commonly known as the A., G. & N. M.—while + laying its tracks in an attempt at record-beating, had come afoul of the + problem of the quicksand, as already outlined. Three different sets of + engineers had attempted the feat of filling up the quicksand, only to + abandon it. + </p> + <p> + There was little doubt that the Colthwaite Construction Company, a + contracting firm with years of successful experience, could have, + “stopped” the quicksand, but this Chicago firm wanted far more money for + the job than the railroad people felt they could afford to spend. + </p> + <p> + So, in a moment of doubt, and harassed by troubles, one of the directors + of the A., G. & N. M. had remembered the names and the performances of + Tom and Harry. This director of the Arizona road, being a friend of + President Newnham, of the S. B. & L. road, had written the latter, + asking whether the services of Tom and Harry could be secured. The reply + had been in the affirmative, and Tom and Harry had speedily traveled down + into Arizona. In the few days they had been at this little town of Paloma, + they had gone thoroughly over the ground, they had studied the problem, + and had expressed their opinion that the job could be put through + creditably at a cost not exceeding a quarter of a million dollars. + </p> + <p> + “Go to it, then!” General Manager Curtis had replied. “You have our road's + credit at your command, and we look to you to make good. You are both very + young, but Newnham's word is quite good enough for us.” + </p> + <p> + The day before this story opens this general manager had boarded one of + the rough-looking construction trains and had gone back to the road's + headquarters. + </p> + <p> + As they sat in the barber shop now Tom and Harry were quite unaware of the + interested notice they were receiving. This was not surprising, for both + were good, sane, wholesome American boys, with no more than the average + share of conceit, and neither believed himself to be as much of a wonder + as some experienced railroad men credited them with being. + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, excuse me, but you're Reade, aren't you?” inquired one of the + men of Paloma who was present. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” nodded Tom, looking up pleasantly from the weekly paper that + he had been scanning. + </p> + <p> + “You're head of the new job on the Man-killer, aren't you?” questioned the + same man. By this time every man in the barber shop was secretly watching + the young engineers, a fact that was plain to Harry Hazelton, as he + glanced up from a magazine. + </p> + <p> + “Yee, sir,” Tom answered again. “In a way I'm at the head of it, but my + friend, Hazelton, is really as much at the head as I am. We are partners, + and we work together in everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think, Reade, that you're going to win out on the job?” inquired + another man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” nodded Tom. + </p> + <p> + “You seem very confident about it,” smiled another. + </p> + <p> + “It's just a way we have,” Tom assented good-naturedly. “We always try to + keep our nerve and our confidence with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet you are really sure?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes,” Reade answered. “We have looked the quicksand over, and we feel + sure that we see a way of stopping the Man-killer, and forcing it to + sustain railroad ties and steel rails.” + </p> + <p> + “How are you going; to go about it?” questioned still another interested + citizen. These men of Paloma had good reason for being interested. When + the iron road was finished, Paloma would be an intimate part of the now + outside world. It was certain that Paloma real estate would rise to three + or four times its present value. + </p> + <p> + “I know you'll excuse us,” replied Tom, still speaking pleasantly, “if we + don't go into precise details.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are going to make a secret of your plans?” inquired another + barber-shop idler. His tone expressed merely curiosity; Arizona men are + proverbially as polite as they are frank. + </p> + <p> + “We're somewhat secretive—yes, sir,” Tom replied. “That is only + because we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the + concern of the A., G. & N. M. No offense meant, sir, either.” + </p> + <p> + “No offense taken,” replied the late questioner. + </p> + <p> + Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on the + majority of these Arizona men present. + </p> + <p> + As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the + Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a + three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up. Yet he managed to cast + more than one covert glance at the boys. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real + engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer,” declared + Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he strolled + past the pair. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature. + </p> + <p> + “If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you in + your professional careers,” continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly. + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly,” nodded Harry. + </p> + <p> + The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through with + the barber at last. Though the day was scorchingly hot in this desert + town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the hotel. + </p> + <p> + The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards + of large cities. Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of + Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his + guests. + </p> + <p> + As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of + Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how do you do?” was Duff's greeting. “Hot, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Very,” nodded the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy,” + continued Duff. “As I dislike to eat alone, I have ordered the table + spread for two. I shall be very glad of your company, stranger, if you + care to honor me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is kind of you,” nodded the other. “I shall accept with much + pleasure, for I, too, like to eat in good company.” + </p> + <p> + After a little more conversation the two ascended to Duff's room on the + next floor. Certainly it was the largest and most comfortable guest room + in the hotel, and was furnished in good taste. The main apartment was set + as a gentlemen's lounging room, Duff's bedroom furniture being in a little + room at the rear. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had Duff pressed the bell button before there came a tap at the + door. One waiter brought in a table for two, with the napery. This he + quickly arranged. As he turned toward the door two other waiters entered + with dishes containing a dainty meal for a hot day. + </p> + <p> + “You may arrange everything and then leave us, John,” directed Duff. Soon + the two new acquaintances were alone together, the gambler serving the + light meal with considerable grace. + </p> + <p> + “How long have you been with the Colthwaite Company?” asked Jim Duff + presently. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't say that I had ever been with the Colthwaite Company,” smiled + the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “No,” admitted the gambler; “but I took that much for granted.” + </p> + <p> + Again the eyes of the two men met in an exchange of keen looks, Then the + stranger laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Duff, I realize that it is a waste of time to try to conceal rather + evident facts from you. I am Frederick Ransom, a special agent for the + Colthwaite Company.” + </p> + <p> + “You are down here to get the contract for filling up the Man-killer + quicksand?” Duff continued, with an air of polite curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “The contract is not to be awarded,” Ransom answered. “The A., G. & N. + M. has decided to do the work itself, with the assistance of two young + engineers who have been retained.” + </p> + <p> + “Reade and Hazelton,” nodded Jim Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “They may fail—are almost sure to do so. Then, of course, Mr. + Ransom, you will have a very excellent chance of securing the contract for + the Colthwaite Company.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes; if the young men do fail.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you pardon a stranger's curiosity, Mr. Ransom? Have you laid your + plans yet for the way in which the young men are to fail?” + </p> + <p> + From most strangers this direct questioning would have been offensive. Jim + Duff, however, from long experience in fleecing greenhorns, had acquired a + manner and way, of speaking that stood him in good stead. + </p> + <p> + After a moment's half-embarrassed silence Fred Ransom burst into a laugh + that was wholly good-natured. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Duff, You are unusually clever at reading other's motives,” he + replied. + </p> + <p> + “I went to school as a youngster, and learned how to read the pages of + open books,” the gambler confessed modestly. “So you have, as yet, no plan + for compelling the young engineers to fail and quit at the Man-killer?” + </p> + <p> + This was such a direct, comprehensive question that Fred Ransom remained + silent for some moments before he admitted: + </p> + <p> + “No; as yet I haven't been able to form a plan.” + </p> + <p> + “Then engage me to help you,” spoke Jim Duff slowly, coolly. “I know the + country here, and the people. I know where to lay my finger on men who can + be trusted to do unusual things. I shall come high, Mr. Ransom, but I am + really worth the money. Talk it over with me, and convince me that your + company will be sufficiently liberal in return for large favors.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the Colthwaite Company would be liberal enough,” protested Ransom, + “and quick to hand out the cash, at that.” + </p> + <p> + “I took that for granted,” smiled Duff, showing his white teeth. “Your + people, the Colthwaites, have always been accustomed to paying for favors + that require unusual talent, some courage-and perhaps a persistency of the + shooting kind.” + </p> + <p> + Then the two rascals, who now thoroughly understood each other, fell to + plotting. An hour later the outlook was dark, indeed, for the success of + Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. DUFF ASSERTS HIS “RIGHTS” + </h2> + <p> + “We've a hard afternoon ahead of us, Harry,” remarked Tom Reade, as the + engineer chums finished the noonday meal in the public dining room of the + Mansion House. + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw! We'll have more real work to do after our material arrives,” + rejoined young Hazelton. “We're promised the material in four days. If we + get it in a fortnight we will be lucky.” + </p> + <p> + “That might be true on some railroads,” smiled Tom. “But Mr. Ellsworth, + the general manager of the A., G. & N. M., is a hustler, if I ever met + one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of the + material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some time. I + believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's talking about.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hope you can find some work for the men to do this afternoon,” + murmured Harry, as the two young engineers rose from table. “Hawkins, our + superintendent of construction, has about five hundred mechanics and + laborers who will soon need work.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Tom. “The men took the jobs with the understanding that + their pay would run on.” + </p> + <p> + “The day's wages for five hundred workmen is a big item of loss when we're + delayed,” mused Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “There's another consideration that's even worse than the loss,” Tom went + on in a low voice. “The pay train will be here this afternoon and the men + will have a lot of money by evening. This town of Paloma is going to be + wide open to-night in the effort to get the money away from our five + hundred men.” + </p> + <p> + “We can't stop that,” sighed Harry. “We have no control over the way in + which the workmen choose to spend their money.” + </p> + <p> + “Want me to tell you a secret?” whispered Tom mysteriously. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if it's an interesting one,” smiled Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Very good, then. I know I can't actually interfere with the way the men + spend their money. But I'm going to give them some earnest advice about + avoiding fellows who would fleece them out of their wages.” + </p> + <p> + “Go slowly, Tom!” warned Hazelton, opening his eyes rather wide. “Don't + put yourself in bad with the men, or they may quit you in a body.” + </p> + <p> + “Let them,” retorted Tom, with one of his easy smiles. “If these men throw + up their work General Manager Ellsworth will know where to find others for + us. Few of our men are skilled workers. We can find substitutes for most + of them anywhere that laborers can be found.” + </p> + <p> + “But you've no right—” + </p> + <p> + “Of one thing you may be very sure, Harry. I'll take pains not to step + over the line of my own rights, and not to step on the rights of the men + who are working for us. What I mean to do is to offer them some very + straight talk. I shall also warn them that we are quite ready to discharge + any foolish fellows who may happen to go on sprees and unfit themselves + for our work. I've one surprise to show you, Harry. Wait until Johnson, + the paymaster, gets in. Then you'll see who else is with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you gentlemen ready for your horses?” asked a stable boy, coming + around to the front of the hotel. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” nodded Tom. + </p> + <p> + Two tough, lean, wiry desert ponies were brought around. Tom and Harry + mounted, riding away at a slow trot at first. + </p> + <p> + From an upper window Fred Ransom looked down upon them, then called Duff + to his side. + </p> + <p> + “There is your game, Duff,” hinted the agent. + </p> + <p> + “They'll be easy to a man of my experience,” laughed the gambler. “I've a + clever scheme for starting trouble with them.” + </p> + <p> + He whispered a few words in his companion's ears, at which Ransom laughed + with apparent enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + “You're a keen one, Duff,” grinned the agent from Chicago. + </p> + <p> + “I've seen enough of life,” boasted the gambler quietly, “to be able to + judge most people at first sight. You shall soon see whether I don't + succeed in starting some hard feeling with Reade and Hazelton.” + </p> + <p> + The nearer edge of the treacherous Man-killer was something more than two + miles west of the town of Paloma. In the course of a quarter of an hour + Tom and Harry drew rein near a portable wooden building that served as an + office in the field. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hawkins, a solid-looking, bearded man of fifty, with snapping eyes + that contrasted with his drawling speech, stepped from the building. + </p> + <p> + “Hawkins,” called Tom, as a Mexican boy led the horses away to the shade + of a stable tent, “I see you have some men idle.” + </p> + <p> + “Nine-tenths of 'em are idle,” replied the superintendent of construction. + “I warned you, Mr. Reade, that our gangs would soon eat up the little work + that you left us. Out there, by the last cave-in you'll see that Foreman + Payson, has about fifty men going. They'll be through within an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “And the material, even if delivered within the promised time, is still + two days away,” remarked Reade. “I'll confess that I don't like to see the + railroad lose so much through paying men for idle time.” + </p> + <p> + “It can't be helped, sir,” replied the superintendent. “Of course, if you + like, you can set the laborers at work shoveling in more dirt at the + points where the last slide of the quicksand occurred. But, then, + shoveling dirt in, without the timbers and the hollow steel piles will do + no good,” continued Hawkins, with a shake of his head. “It would be worse + than wasted work.” + </p> + <p> + “I know all that,” Tom admitted. “To tell you the truth, Mr. Hawkins, I + wouldn't mind the men's idleness quite so much if it weren't that the pay + train comes in this afternoon. An idle man, not over-nice about his + habits, and with a lot of money in his pockets, is a source of danger. + We're going to have five hundred such danger spots as soon as the men are + paid off.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't know that, sir!” demanded Superintendent Hawkins. “The town of + Paloma is just dancing on sand-paper, it's so uneasy about getting its + hand into the pile of more than thirty-eight thousand dollars that the pay + train is going to bring in this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” nodded Tom rather gloomily. “I hate to see the men fleeced as + they're likely to be fleeced to-night. Some of our men will be so badly + done up that it will be a week before they get back to work—unless + there is some way that we can stop the fleecing.” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't any such way,” declared Superintendent Hawkins, with an air + of conviction. + </p> + <p> + “You've surely been around rough railroading camps enough to know that, + Mr. Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “I've seen a good deal of the life, Hawkins,” Tom answered, “but of course + I don't know it all.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet you know that you can't hope to stop railroad jacks from spending + their money in their own way. The saloons in Paloma will take in thousands + of dollars from our lads to-night and all day to-morrow. The gamblers will + swindle them out of a whole lot more. Day after to-morrow, Mr. Reade, you + wouldn't be able to borrow twenty dollars from our whole force.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a shame,” burst from Tom indignantly, as the three turned to gaze + westward across the desert. “These men work as hard as any toilers in the + world. They receive good wages. Yet where do you find a railroad jack who, + after years and years of toil on these burning deserts, has two or three + hundred dollars of his own saved?” + </p> + <p> + Hawkins shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I know all about it,” he responded, “and I grow angry every time I think + about it. Yet how is one going to protect these, men against themselves?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe there's a way,” spoke Tom confidently. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you can find it, then, Mr. Reade,” retorted Hawkins skeptically. + </p> + <p> + “At any rate, I'm going to try.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do, Mr. Reade?” demanded the superintendent + curiously. + </p> + <p> + “You'll be with me, won't you?” coaxed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “You'll stand with us, shoulder to shoulder.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly will, Mr. Reade!” + </p> + <p> + “And the foremen? You can depend upon them?” + </p> + <p> + “On every one of them,” declared Hawkins promptly. “Even to the Mexican + foreman, Mendoza. He's a greaser, but he's a brick, and a white man all + the way through!” + </p> + <p> + “Call the foremen in, then—all except Payson, who is with his gang.” + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry stepped inside the office. Mr. Hawkins strolled away, but + within ten minutes he was back again, followed by Foremen Bell, Rivers and + Mendoza. + </p> + <p> + “Two wagons have driven up, east of here,” announced Mr. Hawkins, as he + entered the office building. “They've stopped a quarter of a mile below + here and have dumped two tents. I think they're about to raise them.” + </p> + <p> + Tom stepped hastily outside, glancing eastward, where they saw what the + superintendent had described. One of the tents had just been raised, + though the pitching of it had not yet been thoroughly done. + </p> + <p> + “What crowd is that?” Reade asked. “Who is at the head of it?” + </p> + <p> + “I see one man there—the only man in good clothes—who looks + like Jim Duff,” replied the superintendent, using his field glasses. + </p> + <p> + “The gambler?” asked Tom sharply. + </p> + <p> + “The same.” + </p> + <p> + “He's pitching his tent on the railroad's dirt, isn't he!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Come along. We'll have a look at that place.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes of brisk walking brought the young engineers, the + superintendent and the three foremen to the spot. + </p> + <p> + Tent number one had been pitched. It was a circular tent, some forty feet + in diameter. The second tent, only a little smaller, was now being + hoisted. + </p> + <p> + “Who's in charge of this work?” asked Tom in his usual pleasant tone. + </p> + <p> + “My manager, Mr. Bemis—Dock Bemis,” answered Jim Duff suavely, as he + moved forward to meet the party. “Dock, come here. I want you to know Mr. + Reade, the engineer in charge of this job.” + </p> + <p> + Duff's manners were impudently easy and assured. The fellow known as Dock + Bemis, an unprepossessing, shabbily dressed man of thirty-five, with a + mean face and an ugly-looking eye, came forward. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take Mr. Bemis's acquaintance for granted,” Tom continued, with an + easy smile. “You own this outfit, don't you, Mr. Duff?” + </p> + <p> + “I've rented it, if you mean the tents, tables and chairs,” assented the + gambler. “I've a stock of liquors coming over as soon as I send one of the + wagons back.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you propose to do with all this?” Tom inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Why, of course, you see,” smiled Duff, with all the suavity in the world, + “as your boys are going to be paid off this afternoon they'll want to go + somewhere to enjoy themselves. As the day is very hot I thought it would + be showing good intentions if I brought an outfit over here. I'll have + everything ready within an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “So that you can get our men intoxicated and fleece them more easily?” + asked Tom, with his best smile. “Is that the idea?” + </p> + <p> + Jim buff flushed angrily. Then his face became pale. + </p> + <p> + “It's a crude way you have of expressing it, Mr. Reade, if you Ill allow + me to say so,” the gambler answered, in a voice choked with anger. “I am + going to offer your men a little amusement. It's what they need, and what + they'll insist upon. Do you see? There's a small mob coming this way now.” + </p> + <p> + Tom turned, discovering about a hundred railroad laborers coming down the + road. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Duff,” asked the young chief engineer, “can you show any proof of + your authority to erect tents on the railroad's land?” + </p> + <p> + “What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?” + demanded the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for erecting + tents here?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?” + </p> + <p> + “You know very well what I mean, Duff.” + </p> + <p> + Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as ever. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here,” the gambler + replied evasively. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any authority to be on the railroad's land's?” persisted Tom + Reade. “Yes or no?” + </p> + <p> + “No-o-o-o, I haven't, unless I can persuade you to see how reasonable it + is that your men should be provided with enjoyment right at their own + camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Take the tents down, then, as quickly as you can accomplish it,” directed + Tom, though in a quiet voice. + </p> + <p> + “And—if I don't?” asked Duff, smiling dangerously and displaying his + white, dog-like teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall direct one of the foremen to call a sufficient force, Mr. + Duff, to take down your tents and remove them from railroad property. I am + not seeking trouble with you, sir; I don't want trouble. But, as long as I + remain in charge here no gambling or drinking places are going to be + opened on the railroad's land.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade,” inquired the gambler, his smile fading, “do you object to + giving me a word in private?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” Tom declared. “But it won't help your plans.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like just a word with you alone,” coaxed the gambler. + </p> + <p> + Nodding, Reade stepped away with the gambler to a distance of a hundred + feet or so from the rapidly increasing crowd. + </p> + <p> + “I expect to make a little money out of this tent outfit, of course,” + explained Jim Duff. + </p> + <p> + “I expect that you won't make a dollar out of it—on railway + property,” returned Reade steadily. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to make a little money—not much,” Duff went on. “Now, if + I can make the whole deal with you, and if no one else is allowed to + bother me, I can afford to pass you one hundred dollars a day for the tent + privilege.” + </p> + <p> + Before even expectant Tom realized what was happening, Duff had pressed a + wad of paper money into his hand. + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” demanded Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Don't let everyone see it,” warned the gambler. “You'll find two hundred + dollars there, in bills. That's for the first two days of our tent + privilege here.” + </p> + <p> + “You contemptible hound!” exclaimed Tom angrily. + </p> + <p> + Whish! The tightly folded wad of bank notes left Tom's hand, landing + squarely in Jim Duff Is face. + </p> + <p> + In an instant the gambler's face turned white. His hand flew back to a + pocket in which he carried a pistol. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. TOM MAKES A SPEECH ON GAMBLING + </h2> + <p> + “Cut out the gun-play! That doesn't go here!” Tom uttered warningly. + </p> + <p> + One swift step forward, and one hand caught Jim Duff by the throat. With + the other hand Tom caught Duff's right wrist and wrenched away the pistol + that instantly appeared in the gambler's hand. + </p> + <p> + The weapon Tom threw on the ground, some feet away. Then, with eyes + blazing with contempt, Tom Reade struck the gambler heavily across the + face with the flat of his hand. Hard work had added to the young + engineer's muscle of earlier days, and the gambler was staggered. + </p> + <p> + Another instant, and Superintendent Hawkins who, with Hazelton and the + foremen, had run up to them, seized Duff roughly from behind, holding his + arms pinioned. + </p> + <p> + Harry Hazelton picked up the revolver. Quickly opening it, he drew out the + cartridges. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bell!” called Harry, and the foreman of that name hastened to him. + </p> + <p> + “Take this thing back to the office and break it up with a hammer,” + directed young Hazelton, as he passed the revolver to the foreman. The + latter sped away on his errand. + </p> + <p> + “Let Duff go, Mr. Hawkins,” directed Tom. “I'm not afraid of him. Duff, I + wish to apologize to you for striking you in the face. I wouldn't allow + any man to do that to me. But your action in reaching for a pistol was so + childish—or cowardly, whichever you prefer to call it—that I + admit I forgot myself for a moment. Now, you are not going to erect any + tents for gambling or other unworthy purposes on the railroad's property. + It's bad business to let you do anything of the sort. I trust that there + will be no hard feeling between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Hard feeling?” hissed Jim Duff, his wicked-looking face paler than ever. + “Boy, you needn't try to crawl back into my good graces after the way you + acted toward me!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not trying to crawl into your esteem, or to get there by any other + means,” Tom answered quietly, though with a firmness that caused + superintendent and foremen to feel a new respect for their young chief + engineer. “At the same time, Duff, I don't believe in stirring up bad + blood with anyone. You and I haven't the same way of regarding your line + of business. That's the main difficulty. As I can't see your point of + view, it would be hardly fair to expect you to understand my way of + regarding what you wished to do here. Your tents will have to come down + and be moved, but I have no personal feeling in the matter. How soon can + you get your tents down?” + </p> + <p> + “They are not coming down, I tell you!” snarled the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “That's where you and I fail once more to agree,” replied Tom steadily, + looking the other straight in the eyes. “It's merely a question of whether + you will take them down, or whether I shall set our own men to doing it.” + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff had brought with him about a dozen men of his own. They were a + somewhat picturesque-looking crowd, though not necessarily dangerous men. + They were mostly men who had been hired to run the gaming tables under the + canvas. A judge of men would have immediately classified them as inferior + specimens of manhood. + </p> + <p> + So far these men had not offered to take any part in the dispute. Now Duff + moved over to them quickly, muttering the words: + </p> + <p> + “Stand by me!” + </p> + <p> + As for Tom Reade, he was backed by five men, including his chum. Though + none of Reade's force was armed, the young engineer knew that he could + depend upon them. + </p> + <p> + Followed by his adherents, Duff took a few quick strides forward. This + brought him face to face with Reade's labors, of whom now more than two + hundred were present. + </p> + <p> + “Are you men or squaws?” called, Duff loudly. “I have brought the stuff + over here for a merry night of it. This boy says you can't have your + enjoyment. Are you going to let him rule you in that fashion, or are you + going to throw him out of here?” + </p> + <p> + There came from the crowd a gradually increasing murmur of rage. + </p> + <p> + “Throw this boy out, if you're men!” Duff jeered. “Throw him out, I say, + and send word to your railroad people to put a man here in his place.” + </p> + <p> + The murmurs increased, especially from the Mexicans, for the Mexican peon, + or laborer, is often a furious gambler who will stake even the shirt on + his back. + </p> + <p> + Foreman Mendoza, who understood his own people, started forward, but Tom, + with a signal, caused him to halt. + </p> + <p> + “Throw him out, I say!” yelled Duff shrilly. “Duff, I'm afraid you're + making a fool of yourself,” remarked Tom, stepping forward, smiling + cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + Yet another murmur, now growing to a yell, rose from some of the men—a + few of the men, too, who were not Mexicans, and a half-hearted rush was + made in the young engineer's direction. + </p> + <p> + “Throw him out! Hustle the boy out!” Duff urged. + </p> + <p> + “Stop! Stop right in your tracks!” thundered Tom Reade, taking still + another step toward the now angrier crowd. “Men, listen to me, and you'll + get a proper understanding of this affair. Jim Duff wants me thrown out of + here—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes! And out you'll go!” roared a voice from the rear of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “That's a question that the next few minutes will settle,” Tom rejoined, + with a smile. “If Jim Duff wants me thrown out of here, why don't you men + tell him to do it himself?” + </p> + <p> + The force of this suggestion, with the memory of what they had recently + seen, struck home with many of the men. A shout of laughter went up, + followed by yells of: + </p> + <p> + “That's right—dead right!” + </p> + <p> + “Sail in, Jim!” + </p> + <p> + “Throw him out, Jim! We'll see fair play!” + </p> + <p> + Tom made an ironical bow in the direction of the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Have you men gone crazy!” yelled Jim Duff hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “Have you lost your nerve, Jim?” bawled a lusty American laborer. “You + want this boy, as you call him, thrown out, and we're waiting to see you + do it. It you haven't the nerve to tackle the job, then you're not a man + to give us orders!” + </p> + <p> + Tom's smiling good humor and his fair proposition had swung the balance of + feeling against the gambler. Duff saw that he had lost ground. + </p> + <p> + “Boy,” called a few voices, “if Duff won't throw you out, then you turn + the tables and throw him out.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't necessary,” laughed Tom. “After the tents are gone Duff won't + have any desire to remain around here. Mr. Duff, I ask you for the last + time, will you have your men take down the tents and remove them?” + </p> + <p> + “I won't!” snarled the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Rivers!” called Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” replied the foreman, stepping forward. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Rivers, take twenty-five laborers and bring the tents down at once. + Be careful to see that no damage is done. As soon as they are down you + will load them on the wagons.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “On second thought, you had better take fifty men. See that the work is + done as promptly as possible.” + </p> + <p> + The Mexicans, who were in the majority, and nearly all of whom were wildly + eager to gamble as soon as their money arrived, stirred uneasily. They + might have interfered, but Foreman Mendoza ran among his countrymen, + calling out to them vigorously in Spanish, and with so much emphasis that + the men sullenly withdrew. + </p> + <p> + Foreman Rivers speedily had his fifty men, together, none of whom were + Mexicans. + </p> + <p> + “Touch a single guy-rope at your peril!” warned Jim Duff menacingly, but + big Superintendent Hawkins seized the gambler by the shoulders, gently, + though, firmly, removing him from the vicinity of the tents. + </p> + <p> + All in a flash the work was done. Canvas and poles were loaded on to the + wagons. Mr. Rivers's men had entered so thoroughly into the spirit of the + thing that, they forced the drivers to start off, and the gambler's men to + follow. + </p> + <p> + Goaded to the last ditch of desperation, Jim Duff now strode over to where + Tom stood. No one opposed him, nor did Reade's smile fail. + </p> + <p> + “Boy, you've had your laugh, just now,” announced the gambler, in his most + threatening, tone. “It will be your last laugh.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I hope not,” drawled Tom. + </p> + <p> + “You will know more within twenty-four hours. You have treated me, with + your own crowd about you, like a dog.” + </p> + <p> + “You're wrong again,” laughed Tom.. “Jim is fond of dogs. They are fine + fellows.” + </p> + <p> + “You may laugh as much as you want, just now,” jeered Jim Duff. “You've + made an enemy, and one of the worst in Arizona! I won't waste any more + talk on you—except to warn you.” + </p> + <p> + “Warn me? About what?” asked Tom curiously. + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering, Jim Duff turned on his heel, stalking off with a + majesty that, somehow, looked sadly damaged. + </p> + <p> + “He has warned you,” murmured Superintendent Hawkins in an undertone. + “That is your hint that Duff will fight you to the death at the first + opportunity.” + </p> + <p> + “May it be long in coming!” uttered Tom devoutly. + </p> + <p> + Then, as he turned about and saw scores of laborers coming in his + direction, Reade remembered what he wished to do. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Hawkins,” he continued, turning toward the superintendent, “I see + that Mr. Payson's gang is coming in from work. As all our men are now + idle, I wish you would direct the foremen to see that all hands assemble + here. I have something to say to them.” + </p> + <p> + Within ten minutes the five hundred laborers and mechanics had been + gathered in a compact crowd. Now that the excitement of hustling the + gambler off the scene had died away, many of the men were sorry that they + had not made their disapproval plainer. Though Tom Reade plainly + understood the mood of the men, he mounted a barrel, holding up both hands + as a sign for silence. + </p> + <p> + “Now, men,” he began, “you all know that the pay train is due here this + afternoon. You are all eager to get your money—for what? It is a + strange fact that gold is the carrion that draws all of the vultures. A + few minutes ago you saw one of the vultures here, preparing to get his + supposed share of your money away from you. Does Jim Duff care a hang + about any of you? Do any of you care anything whatever for Jim Duff? Then + why should you be so eager to get into one of his tents and let him take + your money away from you? + </p> + <p> + “It is true that, once in a while, a solitary player gets a few dollars + away from a gambler. Yet, in the end, the gambler has every dollar of the + crowd that patronizes him. You men have been out in the hot sun for weeks, + working hard to earn the money that the pay train is bringing you. Has Jim + Duff done any work in the last few weeks? While you men have been toiling + and sweating, what has Duff been doing? Hasn't he been going around + wearing the clothes and the air of a gentleman, while you men have been + giving all but your lives for your dollars, while you have been denied + most of the comforts of living. Hasn't Duff been up at the Mansion House, + living on the fat of the land and smiling to himself every time he thought + of you men, who would be ready to hand him all of your money as soon as it + came to you? Is the gambler, who grows fat on the toil of others, but + never toils himself, any better than the vulture that feeds upon the + animals killed by others? Isn't the gambler a parasite, pure and simple? + On whose lifeblood does the gambler feed, unless it's on yours?” + </p> + <p> + Tom continued his harangue, becoming more and more intense, yet carrying + his talk along in all simplicity, and with a directness that made scores + of the workmen look sheepish. + </p> + <p> + “Whenever you find a man anywhere who professes to be working for your + good, or for your amusement, and who gets all the benefit in the end, why + don't you open your eyes to him?” Tom inquired presently. “Over in Paloma + there are saloon keepers who are cleaning up their dives and opening new + lots of liquor that they feel sure they're going to sell you to-night. + These dive keepers are ready to welcome you with open arms, and they'll + try to make you feel that you're royal good fellows and that they are the + best friends you have in the world. Yet, to-morrow morning, how will the + property be divided? The keepers of these saloons and Jim Duff will have + all your money and what will you have?” + </p> + <p> + Tom paused, whipping out a white handkerchief that he deftly bound around + his head, meanwhile looking miserable. + </p> + <p> + “That's what you men will have—and that's all that you'll have + left,” croaked the young chief engineer dismally. “Now, friends, is the + game worth a candle of that sort? How many of you have money in the bank? + Let every man here who has put up his hand. Not one of you? Who's keeping + your money in bank for you? Jim Duff and the sellers of poisons? Will they + ever hand your money back to you? Some of you men have dear ones at home. + If one of these dear ones sends a hurried, frenzied appeal for money in + time of sickness or death what will your answer have to be? Just this: 'I + have been working like a slave for a year, but I can send you only my + love. Jim Duff, who hasn't worked in all his life, won't let me send you + any money.' Friends, is that what you're burning yourselves black on the + desert for?” + </p> + <p> + While Tom Reade spoke Foreman Mendoza had marshaled his Mexicans and was + translating the young engineer's words into Spanish. + </p> + <p> + Nor was it long ere Tom's fine presentation of the matter caught the men + in the nobler part of their feelings. + </p> + <p> + “Don't blame Duff so much,” Tom finally went on. “He may be a parasite, a + vulture, a feeder on blood, but you and men just like you have helped to + make the Duffs. You're not going to do so after this, are you, my friends? + You're not going to keep the breath of life in monsters who drain you dry + of life and manhood?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” came a thunderous shout, even though all of Reade's hearers did not + join in it. + </p> + <p> + Even the Mexicans, listening to Mendoza's translation, became interested, + despite their lesser degree of intelligence. + </p> + <p> + Tom continued to talk against time, though he wasted few words. All that + he said went home to many of the laborers. While he was still talking the + whistle of the pay train was heard. + </p> + <p> + Reade quickly sent his foremen and a few trusted workmen to head off any + “runners” who might attempt to come in from Paloma while the men were + being paid off. + </p> + <p> + As the train came to a stop Tom leaped upon a flat car behind the engine + and introduced one of the newcomers—the vice president of a savings + bank over in Tucson. This man, who knew the common people, talked for + fifteen minutes, after which a clerk appeared from the pay car with a book + in which to register the signatures of those who wished to open bank + accounts. Then the paymaster and his assistants worked rapidly in paying + off. + </p> + <p> + That railroad pay day proved a time of gloom to many in the town of + Paloma. The returning pay train carried the bank officials and twenty-four + thousand dollars that had been deposited as new accounts from the men. Of + the money that remained in camp much of it was carried in the pockets of + men who meant to keep it there until they received something worth while + it exchange. + </p> + <p> + True, this did not trouble the majority of people in Paloma, who were + sober, decent American citizens engaged in the proper walks of life. + </p> + <p> + But Jim Duff and a few others held an indignation meeting that night. + </p> + <p> + “We've been robbed!” complained one indignant saloon keeper. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” observed Jim Duff, in his oiliest tones, though his face was + ghastly white, “you have a new enemy, who threatens your success in + business. How are you going to deal with him?” + </p> + <p> + “We'll run him off the desert, or bury him there!” came the snarling + response. + </p> + <p> + “I can't believe that boy, Reade, will ever succeed in laying the railroad + tracks across the Man-killer,” smiled Jim Duff darkly within himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. SOMEBODY STIRS THE MUD + </h2> + <p> + The next morning only a few of the men, some of those who had refused to + open bank accounts, failed to show up at the railroad camp. + </p> + <p> + “There is really nothing to do this morning,” Tom remarked to + Superintendent Hawkins. “However, I think you had better dock the missing + men for time off. If you find that any missing man has been gone on a + proper errand of rest or enjoyment, and has not been making a beast of + himself, you can restore his docked pay on the lists.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a very good idea,” nodded Hawkins. “It always angers me to see + these poor, hardworking fellows go away and make fools of themselves just + as soon as they get a bit of pay in their pockets. Still, you can't change + the whole face of human nature, Mr. Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't expect to do so,” smiled Tom. “Yet, if we can get a hundred or + two in this outfit to take a sensible view of pay day, and can drill it + into them so that it will stick, there will be just that number of happier + men in the world. How long have you been in this work on the frontier, Mr. + Hawkins?” + </p> + <p> + “About twenty years, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it must have angered you, many a time, to see the vultures and the + parasites fattening on the men who do the real work in life.” + </p> + <p> + “It has,” nodded the superintendent. “However, I haven't your gift with + the tongue, Mr. Reade, and I've never been able to lead men into the right + path as you did yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + Over in the little village of tents where the idle workmen sat through the + forenoon there was some restlessness. These men knew that there was + nothing for them to do until the construction material arrived, and that + they were required only to report in order to keep themselves on the time + sheets. Having reported to their foremen and the checkers, they were quite + at liberty to go over into Paloma or elsewhere. A few of them had gone. + Some others had an uneasy feeling that they wouldn't like to face the + contempt in the eyes of the young chief engineer if he happened to see + them going away from camp. + </p> + <p> + “It's none of the business of that chap Reade,” growled one of the + workmen. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it isn't,” spoke up another. “He talked to us straight + yesterday, however, and showed us that it was our own business to keep out + of the tough places in Paloma. I've worked under these engineers for + years, and I never before knew one of them to care whether I had a hundred + dollars or an empty stomach. Boys, I tell you, Reade, has the right stuff + in him, if he is only a youngster. He knows the enemies he has made over + in Paloma, and he understands the risks be has been taking in making such + enemies. He proved to us that he can stand that sort of thing and be our + friend. Look at this thing, will you?” + </p> + <p> + With something of a look of wonder the speaker drew out the bankbook that + he had acquired the afternoon before. + </p> + <p> + “I've got forty dollars in bank,” he continued, in something of a tone of + awe. “Forty friends of mine that I've put away to work and do good things + for me! If I don't touch this money for some years then I'll find that + this money has grown to be a lot more than forty dollars!” + </p> + <p> + “Or else you'll find that some bank clerk is up in Canada spending it,” + jeered a companion. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care what the clerk does. The bank will be still good for the + money. Joe, you read the papers as often as any come into camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. The next time you find anything about a savings bank that has + failed and left the people in the lurch for their money, you show it to + me. Savings banks don't fail nowadays! No, Sir!” + </p> + <p> + Other men through the camp were taking sly peeps at their bankbooks, as + though they were half ashamed at having such possessions. Yet many a hard + toiler in camp felt a new sense of importance that morning. He began to + look upon himself as a part of the moneyed world as, indeed, he was! + </p> + <p> + “Telegram for Mr. Reade,” called one of the two camp operators, coming + forward. + </p> + <p> + Tom tore the envelope open, then stared at the following message: + </p> + <p> + “Reade, Chief Engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Have complaint from merchants of Paloma that you have effectually stopped + the men from spending any money in the town. Not our policy to make + enemies of the towns along our line. Explain immediately. + </p> + <p> + “(Signed) ELLSWORTH, + </p> + <p> + “General Manager.” + </p> + <p> + “Hmmm!” smiled Tom, then passed the message over to Superintendent + Hawkins. + </p> + <p> + “Your newly made enemies have gotten after you quickly, Sir,” commented + the superintendent grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” nodded Tom. “And, of course, I can't follow any course that isn't + approved by the general manager. I'll wire him the truth and see what he + has to say. Operator!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sir,” replied the young man, turning and coming back. + </p> + <p> + “Wait for a message,” directed Tom; then seated himself and wrote the + following reply: + </p> + <p> + “Ellsworth, General Manager. + </p> + <p> + “Have not interfered in any way with honest merchants of Paloma. Men are + at liberty to spend their money any way they choose. I did give the men a + talk about the foolishness of spending their wages in buying liquor or in + gambling. Result was that men banked about two thirds of the total pay + roll with the bank people you sent on pay train yesterday at my request. + Also drove off a gambler who tried to erect two tents on railroad property + in order to fleece the men more speedily. + </p> + <p> + “(Signed) READE, + </p> + <p> + “Chief Engineer.” + </p> + <p> + “That will tell the general manager about the kind of merchants that I've + been injuring,” smiled Tom, first showing the sheet to Superintendent + Hawkins and then handing it to the waiting messenger. + </p> + <p> + “I hope Ellsworth, will be satisfied,” nodded Hawkins. “Good will is an + asset for a railway, and your enemies in Paloma may be able to stir up a + good deal of trouble for you. Mr. Reade, I stood with you yesterday, and + I'm still with you. If Ellsworth is so cranky that you feel like throwing + the job here, then I'll walk out with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm not going to give up the work here,” predicted Reade cheerfully. + “I'm too much interested in it. Neither am I going to have my hands tied + by any clique of gamblers and dive keepers. If Mr. Ellsworth isn't + satisfied, then I'll run up to headquarters and talk to him in person. I'm + not going to quit; neither am I going to be prevented from winning and + deserving the friendship of the men who are here working for us.” + </p> + <p> + “Telegram for Mr. Reade,” grinned the operator, again looking in at the + doorway. + </p> + <p> + After reading it, Tom passed over to Hawkins this message from General + Manager Ellsworth: + </p> + <p> + “Unable to judge merits of case at this distance. Will be with you soon.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right,” Reade declared. + </p> + <p> + “It looks all right,” muttered Hawkins, who knew something about the ways + of railroads. + </p> + <p> + Up the track the whistle on a stationary engine blew the noon signal. + </p> + <p> + “Feel like eating, Harry?” Tom called to his chum, who had been mildly + dozing in a chair in one corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + “Always,” declared Hazelton, sitting up and yawning. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to eat in town this noon, or in camp?” Tom inquired of the + superintendent of construction. + </p> + <p> + Hawkins was about to answer that he'd eat in camp, when he suddenly + reconsidered. + </p> + <p> + “I guess I'll ride along with you, Mr. Reade,” he said dryly. + </p> + <p> + Horses were brought, and the three mounted and rode away. In such sizzling + heat as beat down from the noonday sun Tom had not the heart to urge his + mount to speed. The trio were soon at the edge of Paloma, which they had + to enter through one of the streets occupied by the rougher characters. + </p> + <p> + Just as they rode down by the first buildings a low whistle sounded on the + heavy, dead air. + </p> + <p> + “Signal that the locomotive is headed this way,” announced Hawkins grimly. + “Look out for the crossing, Mr. Reade!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the superintendent finished speaking when a sharp hiss sounded + from an open window. Then another and more hisses, from different + buildings. + </p> + <p> + “A few snakes left in the grass,” Tom remarked jokingly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you've stirred up a nest of 'em, Mr. Reade,” rejoined the + superintendent. + </p> + <p> + Tom laughed as Harry added: + </p> + <p> + “Let's hope that there are no poisonous reptiles among them. It would be + rough on poisonous snakes to have Tom find them.” + </p> + <p> + Then the three horsemen turned the corner near the Mansion House. + Superintendent Hawkins looked grave as he noted a crowd before the hotel. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade, I believe those men are there waiting to see you. I'm certain + they've not gathered just to talk about the weather.” + </p> + <p> + There was a movement in the crowd, and a suppressed, surly murmur, as the + engineer party was sighted. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade, however, rode forward at the head of his party, alighting close + to the crowd, which numbered fifty or sixty men. The young chief engineer + signed to one of the stable boys, who came forward, half reluctantly, and + took the bridles of the three horses to lead them away. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff, backed by three other men, stepped forward. There was a world of + menace in the gambler's wicked eyes as he began, in a soft, almost purring + tone: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade,” announced Jim Duff, “we are a committee, appointed by + citizens, to express our belief that the air of Paloma is not going to be + good for you. At the same time we wish to ask you concerning your plans + for leaving the town.” + </p> + <p> + There could be no question as to the meaning of the speaker. Tom Reade was + being ordered out of town. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. TOM HAS NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN + </h2> + <p> + “My plans for leaving town?” repeated Tom pleasantly. “Why, gentlemen, + I'll meet your question frankly by saying that I haven't made any such + plans.” + </p> + <p> + “You're going to do so, aren't?” inquired Duff casually. + </p> + <p> + “By the time that my partner and I have finished our work for the road, + Mr. Duff, I imagine that we shall be making definite plans to go away, + unless the railroad officials decide to keep us here with Paloma as + headquarters for other work.” + </p> + <p> + “We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went away + at once,” Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his meaning + in the least. + </p> + <p> + Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not + understand. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'” asked + Reade smilingly. + </p> + <p> + “Something in that line,” assented Jim Duff. “I venture to assure you that + we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr. Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you men represent?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “The citizens of Paloma,” returned Duff. + </p> + <p> + “All of them?” Reade insisted. + </p> + <p> + “All of them—with few exceptions.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, of course,” Tom nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Duff, I'll tell you what I propose. I'm curious to know just how + many there are on your side of the fence. Pardon me, but I really can't + quite believe that the better citizens of this town are behind you. I know + too many Arizona men, and I have too good an opinion of them. Your kind of + crowd makes a lot of noise at times, and the other kind of Arizona crowd + rarely makes any noise. I know, of course, the element in the town that + your committee represents, but I don't believe that your element is by any + means in the majority here.” + </p> + <p> + “I assure you that we represent the sentiment of the town,” Duff retorted + steadily. + </p> + <p> + “Much as I regret the necessity for seeming to slight your opinion,” Tom + went on with as pleasant a smile as at first, “I call for a showing of + hands or a count of noses. I'll tell you what we'll do, Mr. Duff, if it + meets with your approval. We'll hire a hall, sharing the expense. We'll + state the question fairly in the local newspaper, and we'll invite all + good citizens to turn out, meet in the hall, hear the case on both sides, + and then decide for themselves whether they want the railroad engineers to + leave the town or—” + </p> + <p> + “They do want you to leave town!” the gambler insisted. + </p> + <p> + “Or whether they want Jim Duff and some of his friends to leave town,” Tom + Reade continued good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff turned, gazing back at the men with him. They represented the + roughest element in the town. + </p> + <p> + “No use arguing with a mule, Jim!” growled a red-faced man at the rear of + the crowd. “Get a rail, boys, and we'll start the procession right now.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring a rope along, too!” called another man hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “Get two rails and one rope!” proposed a third bad character. “The other + kid doesn't seem to be sassy enough to need a rope.” + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” broke in Harry Hazelton gravely, “if anyone of you imagines + that I'm holding my tongue because I disapprove of my partner's course, + let me assure you that I back every word he says.” + </p> + <p> + “Make it two ropes, then!” jeered another voice. + </p> + <p> + “Reade,” continued Jim Duff, “we all try to be decent men here, and the + friends with me are a good and sensible lot of men. You have carried + matters just a little too far. Think over what you've heard and noticed + here, and then tell me again about your plans, for quitting Paloma.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke Jim made a gesture that kept some of the men near him from + rushing forward. Tom did not appear to notice the demonstration at all. + Certainly he did not flinch. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't any such plans,” Tom laughed. “I'm hungry and I'm going inside + to eat.” + </p> + <p> + With that, he turned his back on the crowd, with Harry behind him, both + making for the steps of the hotel. Superintendent Hawkins stepped in after + the boys. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I can't do anything more,” spoke up Jim Duff, with an air of + resignation. + </p> + <p> + “But we can!” roared some of the roughs in the crowd. A dozen of them + surged forward. The first of them swung a lariat to slip it over Tom + Reade's neck. + </p> + <p> + Bump! Hawkins's sledge-hammer right hand shot out, landing on that + fellow's face. With a moan the fellow collapsed on the sidewalk, his jaw + broken. + </p> + <p> + Then Tom and Harry wheeled like a flash, eyeing the idlers and roughs + sternly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go any further,” proposed Tom, his eyes growing steely, “unless you + mean it.” + </p> + <p> + Something in the attitude of the trio of athletic figures standing ready + before them disquieted the crowd of roughs. There were armed men in that + crowd, but all felt that they had been put in the wrong, so far, and none + of them dared draw the first weapon or fire the first shot. + </p> + <p> + “Take that injured man to a surgeon and have his jaw set,” spoke Tom + quietly. “Let the surgeon send me the bill. I'm sorry for the fellow, for + I'm indirectly the cause of his being hurt. The main cause of his + misfortune was due to his being in bad company.” + </p> + <p> + “Come out of that hotel,” ordered Jim Duff, his eyes blazing as he stepped + forward, though with Hawkins's cold, hard eyes on him the gambler was + careful to keep his hands at his sides. “You can't get anything to eat in + there!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you own the hotel?” Tom inquired coolly. + </p> + <p> + “No; but you can't eat there.” + </p> + <p> + “Join us at lunch, Mr. Hawkins!” Tom invited, turning away from the + gambler. The superintendent nodded, for he had no intention of leaving the + young engineers for the present. + </p> + <p> + All three entered the hotel, while the small mob outside hooted and + jeered. Tom led the way to a table in the dining room, signing to one of + the waiters. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the waiter reached them when Jim Duff and the proprietor of the + Mansion House came in. Jim, after saying a few words in a low tone, + halted, while the proprietor came forward. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Mr. Ashby,” nodded Tom, when he saw the proprietor headed + their way. The latter looked rather embarrassed, but he moved a hand to + signal the waiter to withdraw. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry, Mr. Reade, but I can't have you any longer at this hotel,” + began Ashby. + </p> + <p> + “Any particular reason?” Tom inquired, looking the man straight in the + eye. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; some of my other guests object to your presence here.” + </p> + <p> + “Meaning Jim Duff?” questioned Reade coolly. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care to discuss the matter with you, Mr. Reade, but I can't + entertain you here any longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Does that apply even to this meal, Mr. Ashby?” + </p> + <p> + “It does.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” nodded Tom, rising. Harry and Hawkins shoved their chairs + back, too, and stood up. + </p> + <p> + “Say, but I don't like the looks of that!” announced a voice from another + table. There were five men seated there, all of them well-dressed and + prosperous-looking traveling salesmen, who had arrived that morning. + </p> + <p> + “This is a very regrettable necessity on my part, gentlemen,” began + Proprietor Ashby hurriedly, and plainly ill at ease. “Some of my regular + guests object to the presence of these young men, and so—” + </p> + <p> + “These young gentlemen have gotten in bad by objecting to having their men + fleeced here in town, haven't they?” inquired the boldest of the drummers. + “I heard something about it this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you haven't heard all the circumstances,” suggested Ashby in + growing embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “We've heard enough, anyway,” replied the same drummer briskly. “So these + young men, who are a credit to their profession and to their home towns, + are ordered to leave here? Boys, I guess we leave, too, don't we?” + </p> + <p> + The other traveling salesmen assented emphatically. + </p> + <p> + Now Proprietor Ashby felt dismal, indeed. These five men were occupying + the best quarters in his hotel, outside of those occupied by Jim Duff. It + was not the loss of patronage from these men alone that troubled Ashby. + Traveling salesmen have their own ways of “passing around the word” and + downing any hotel that depends largely on their patronage. + </p> + <p> + “You can have all our rooms, then, Mr. Ashby,” proposed the same drummer. + “We'll have our things out and be ready for our bills within twenty + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “But, gentlemen, be calm about this,” begged Ashby. “Finish your meals + first. There may be some way of arranging—” + </p> + <p> + “There is,” returned the drummer, with a smile that was a fine duplicate + of Tom's own. “We know just where to arrange for the kind of + accommodations that we want. Mr. Reade,” turning to Tom and Harry, “will + you allow me to introduce ourselves. We are aching to shake hands with + you, for we've heard all about you.” + </p> + <p> + Proprietor Ashby fidgeted at the side, while the eight departing guests + paused long enough to make their names known to each other. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff had vanished early, leaving the hotel man to his own humiliation. + </p> + <p> + The introductions concluded, Hawkins followed the young engineers to their + room while the drummers went to their own more costly quarters and hastily + packed their belongings. + </p> + <p> + Fifteen minutes later the party stood in the office and porters were + bringing down trunks. Tom and Harry, keeping most of their belongings at + camp, had only suit cases to carry. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I think you are making a mistake,” began Mr. Ashby, as he met + the salesmen in the lobby near the clerk's desk. + </p> + <p> + “We made a mistake in coming here,” retorted the leader of the salesmen, + pleasantly as to tone, “but we're rectifying it now. Are our bills ready?” + </p> + <p> + The proprietor went behind the desk to make change, while the clerk + receipted seven bills. Ashby's hands shook as he manipulated the money. + </p> + <p> + “Dobson,” he said, in a low tone to one of the drummers, “I had intended + ordering a ton of hams from you. Now, of course, I can't—” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right,” nodded Mr. Dobson cheerfully. “You couldn't get them from + our house at four times the market price. We wouldn't want our brand + served here.” + </p> + <p> + The last bill was paid. Proprietor Ashby stiffened, his backbone, trying + to look game. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he inquired, “where are you going from here? Won't you let me + call the 'bus to take you?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind the 'bus, Ash,” smilingly replied the leader of the drummers, + a man named Pritchard. “If you'll send the 'bus over to the Cactus House + with our trunks we'll be greatly obliged.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, gentlemen, it's a pleasure to oblige you,” murmured Ashby, + with a ghastly effort to look pleasant. He watched the eight men step + outside. Duff and his crowd had vanished. It would never do to try any mob + tricks on so many strangers who had done nothing. The most easy-going + citizens of an Arizona town would turn out to punish such a mob. + </p> + <p> + The three railroad men had their horses brought around, but they rode + slowly, chatting with the salesmen on the sidewalk. + </p> + <p> + In this order they reached the Cactus House, which, thirty years ago, had + been famous in and around the old Paloma of the frontier days. The + proprietor, a young man named Carter, had succeeded his father in the + ownership of the property. It was a neat hotel, but a small one. The elder + Carter had lost a good deal of money before his death, and the son was now + trying to build up the property with hardly any reserve capital. + </p> + <p> + At the Cactus there was a great flurry when five such important guests + arrived and the young railroad engineers were also most heartily welcomed. + </p> + <p> + “Our meal time is nearly over, but I'll have something special cooked for + you right away, gentlemen,” cried young Carter, bustling about, his eyes + aglow. + </p> + <p> + “Before you get that meal ready,” said Pritchard, drawing young Carter + aside, “I want to ask you whether any man can ever be driven from this + hotel, just for being decent?” + </p> + <p> + “He certainly cannot,” replied Proprietor Carter with emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “Live up to that, son,” advised the drummer, “and I half suspect that + you'll prosper.” + </p> + <p> + The meal finished, the three men from the railroad camp took leave of + their new salesmen friends, mounted and rode back to camp. + </p> + <p> + “The snakes are not all dead yet,” mused Tom quizzically, as, in riding + through the “tough” street again they heard hisses from open windows at + which no heads appeared. + </p> + <p> + “There's a letter here for you, Mr. Reade,” announced Foreman Payson, who + was sitting alone in the office. + </p> + <p> + “Who brought it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know his name. Never saw him before. He rode out here on + horseback.” + </p> + <p> + The envelope, though a good one as to quality, was dirty on the outside. + Tom Reade hastily broke the seal and read: + </p> + <p> + “If you don't get away from Paloma pretty soon your presence will hold the + railroad up for a longtime to come! Get out, if you're wise, or the + railroad will suffer with you!” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon the fellow who wrote that was sincere enough,” said Tom, as he + passed the letter over to his chum. “However, I don't like to feel that I + can be seared by any man who's too cowardly to sign his name to a letter.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE GENERAL MANAGER “LOOKS IN” + </h2> + <p> + Neither Tom nor Harry was stupid enough to be wholly unafraid over the + threats of the day. Both realized that Jim Duff and the latter's + associates were ugly and treacherous men who would fight sooner than be + deprived of their chance to fleece the railway workmen. Yet neither young + engineer had any intention of being scared into flight. + </p> + <p> + “They'll put up a lot of trouble for us,” said Tom that afternoon, as the + two chums talked the matter over. “They may even go to extremities, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Shoot us?” smiled Hazelton, though there was a serious look under his + smile. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; they may even try that,” I nodded Tom. “Though they won't make an + open attempt. They may try to get us from ambush at night. They will be + desperate, though not over brave. Recollect, Harry, that the better + element in Paloma won't stand much nonsense. There are no braver men in + the world than are found right in Arizona, and no men more decent.” + </p> + <p> + “Barring Duff and his gang,” laughed Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “They're not real Arizona men. They're the kind of human vultures who + flock after large pay rolls in any place where men work without having + their families in near-by homes. If Duff had enough men of his own way of + thinking, they might try to ride out here to camp and clean us out. If + they did, then all the decent men in this part of Arizona would take to + the saddle and drive Duff and his crew into hiding. After what happened + to-day you won't find Duff daring to do anything too open.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Sir, but there's a train coming,” reported Foreman Rivers, + thrusting his head in at the doorway of the little office building. + </p> + <p> + “Not a construction train?” Reade asked. + </p> + <p> + “Can't make it out yet, sir. The whistle was reported a minute ago.” + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry, chafing a good deal under their enforced idleness while + waiting for materials, hastened outdoors. Soon the train was close enough + to be made out. It consisted of an engine, baggage car and one private + car. + </p> + <p> + “It's one or more of the road's officials,” murmured Harry. + </p> + <p> + “I hope it's Mr. Ellsworth,” replied Reade, as the chums walked briskly + down to the spot where the train would have to halt. + </p> + <p> + It turned out to be the general manager, a big and capable-looking man of + fifty, with a belt-line just a trifle too large for comfort, who swung + himself to the ground the instant that the train stopped. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you're here, Reade,” nodded the general manager, as he caught + sight of his two young engineers. “Come back into my car. We can talk + better there.” + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry mounted to the platform of the car, following Mr. Ellsworth + down the carpeted aisle of a very comfortable private Pullman car. The + general manager pointed to seats, threw himself into another, and then + said: + </p> + <p> + “Now, tell me all about the row that you've started with the town.” + </p> + <p> + Harry's lips closed tightly, but Tom launched at once into a plain, + truthful account of the affair, bringing it down to the noonday meal of + the present day. + </p> + <p> + “It's not clear to me just why you should feel called upon to interfere so + forcefully,” said the general manager, a little fretfully. “The workmen + are all twenty-one years of age and upwards. Couldn't they protect + themselves if they wanted protection?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, certainly,” Tom admitted. “However, letting that fellow Duff + put up his tents right on the railroad property would almost make it look + as though the road shared, or at least approved, his enterprise.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, doubtless you were right to order the fellow off the railroad + property,” assented Mr. Ellsworth. “But why did you go to such trouble to + get the men to start new bank accounts and thus send most of their money + out of town?” + </p> + <p> + “May I answer that question, sir, by asking another?” asked Reade + respectfully. “Did you wish the men to spend it in Paloma?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care a hang what they do with it,” retorted the general manager + half peevishly. “It's their own money.” + </p> + <p> + “It was you, Mr. Ellsworth, whom I wired yesterday morning, asking that + you send down a representative of a savings bank who could open accounts + with such of the men as desired.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and I sent you a couple of bank men. I didn't have any idea, + however, that you'd get the whole town of Paloma by the ears.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't, sir. I assure you of that. I've hurt only a few parasites—a + flock of human vultures. The decent people of the town don't side with + them.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could be sure that we haven't offended the town as a whole,” + mused Mr. Ellsworth, “The good will of the people along our line is a + great asset.” + </p> + <p> + “You're acquainted with a lot of the real people in Paloma, aren't you, + Mr. Ellsworth?” + </p> + <p> + “With some of them, yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, while you're here, sir, I'd be glad if you'd look up some of these + acquaintances in town and find out for yourself just how the sentiment + stands. We don't wish you to feel that we're a pair of trouble-makers who + are doing our best to ruin the road with its future customers.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I will go into town,” mused Mr. Ellsworth. “Is there an + automobile anywhere about here?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; but our telegraph operator can wire into town for one. It will + take but a few minutes to have a car here.” + </p> + <p> + “Send for it, then.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to see Mr. Hawkins while you're waiting, sir?” Tom + suggested, rising. “You know Hawkins, and probably you'll be satisfied + with his judgment.” + </p> + <p> + “Send Hawkins along.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; and we won't return for the present, unless you send for us,” + Reade replied, going toward the forward end of the car. + </p> + <p> + Superintendent Hawkins was closeted with the general manager until the + arrival of the automobile. There was a frown on Mr. Ellsworth's face as + they started townward. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” asked Harry Hazelton, with a grin on his face, as he watched the + departing car, “are we going to be fired or praised?” + </p> + <p> + “We're going to lay the track across the Man-killer,” returned Reade + resolutely. + </p> + <p> + “How about the gambler and his bad crowd? Are we going to beat them?” + </p> + <p> + “We're going to do whatever the general manager orders, just as long as we + remain here,” replied Tom. “He's our only source of authority. If he tells + me to let Jim Duff bring a cityful of tents out here and run night or day—then + that's all there will be to it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd sooner quit,” growled Hazelton, “than knuckle to such a crew of + rascals.” + </p> + <p> + “So would I,” nodded Tom good-humoredly, “if it were my quit. But, if Mr. + Ellsworth gives such orders it will be his quit, not ours.” + </p> + <p> + Harry walked restlessly up and down the little office, but Tom threw + himself down at full length on a cot in the corner. Within two minutes he + was sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” growled Hazelton, as soon as he saw his chum's unconcern. Then he + went outside to finish his tramp. + </p> + <p> + It was toward the close of the afternoon when Mr. Ellsworth returned. + Harry was out of sight as the general manager stepped directly into the + office. + </p> + <p> + “Reade,” he began. Deep breathing from the corner greeted him. General + Manager Ellsworth gazed down at the sleeping form, and a new light of + admiration dawned in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “So that's the young man whom they're talking of shooting, poisoning or + blowing into the next world with dynamite?” he thought. “A lot this young + man appears to think about his enemies! There's real courage in this young + man. Reade, wake up—if you can spare the time.” + </p> + <p> + Tom opened his eyes, rubbed them, then sat up, next springing to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Not having any real work to do makes me sleepy,” laughed Tom + good-naturedly. “I trust you didn't have to call me many times, Mr. + Ellsworth?” + </p> + <p> + The general manager held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Reade, I've just learned in town what a plucky thing you did, and how + coolly you went through it all. A young man with your courage and purpose + simply can't be fool enough to be very far wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you learned that the real Arizona people over in Paloma don't find + any fault with what I did?” queried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Reade, what I discovered is that you have a lot of the finest manhood in + Arizona just wild with respect for you,” declared Mr. Ellsworth. Then the + general manager lowered his voice before he resumed: + </p> + <p> + “At the same time, Reade, I've also learned that you've stirred up such an + evil nest of rattlers that you'll be fortunate if you escape with your + life. Candidly, if you feel that you'd like to leave here—” + </p> + <p> + “Do you want me to quit, sir?” demanded Tom, looking steadily into his + chief's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I don't,” declared Mr. Ellsworth promptly. “If you and Hazelton were to + quit me now I don't know where I could get another pair of men who could + put into the work all the skill and energy that you two employ.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you have dinner in town, sir?” Tom asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, for I came out to take you two young men in. Hawkins will also be + with us at dinner this evening. He has told me about the Mansion House + affair, so the Cactus House shall be the railway house hereafter. That + fellow Ashby is uneasy; I think he will be more than uneasy after a + while.” + </p> + <p> + The dinner party motored back to town. Dinner was more like a reception + that evening, for the news of Tom's plucky fight against the rough element + had spread through the town. Nearly two score of men representing the + better part of the population of Paloma called at the hotel to shake hands + with the young engineers. + </p> + <p> + “They don't seem to care a hang about me, these men, do they, Hawkins?” + laughed the general manager, as he and the superintendent stood in the + background of the picture. + </p> + <p> + “That's because they're Arizona men, sir,” replied Hawkins. “Their + interest is in the man who has done the thing, not in the boss.” + </p> + <p> + “I can understand why President Newnham, of the S. B. & L., + recommended these young men so extravagantly. They're full of force and + absolutely free from self-conceit.” + </p> + <p> + Finally the party motored back towards the camp. As it was after dark now, + some of the citizens who had visited them escorted the slow moving car as + far as the edge of the town, but none of Jim Duff's followers appeared on + the streets through which they passed. + </p> + <p> + “Why are we going back to camp, anyway?” demanded Mr. Ellsworth. “Why not + sleep at the hotel to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I think it may be better for you to go back to the hotel, sir,” Tom + proposed. “As for Harry and myself, after what has happened in town + to-day, it may be as well if we are on hand at the camp to-night. There + may be some attempt to stampede our men. The crowd in Paloma are capable + of offering our men free drink, just to do us mischief. We've a lot of + strong men in our force, but there are some weak vessels who would be + caught by a free offer, and some of our work gangs would be demoralized + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ellsworth thereupon decided to return to the camp also, and, arriving + there, dismissed the car. A tent was pitched for him close to the office, + and a cot rigged up in it. + </p> + <p> + Then the party sat up, chatting, after most of the workmen had turned in + for the night. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be thankful when the material gets here,” sighed Tom. “I'm tired of + loafing.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me that you have been doing anything but loafing,” smiled the + general manager. + </p> + <p> + “I want to get to work on the Man-killer. Besides, idleness is costing the + road a lot of money in wages for these men.” + </p> + <p> + “I wired this afternoon,” stated Mr. Ellsworth, “to have the material + trains rushed forward on express schedule as soon as the stuff strikes our + lines.” + </p> + <p> + “Then—” began Hawkins slowly. + </p> + <p> + His next words were drowned out by a booming explosion to the westward of + the camp. + </p> + <p> + “The scoundrels!” gasped Tom Reade, leaping up. “This is more of our + friends' work! They have dynamited the most ticklish part of the work on + the Man-killer!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. A DYNAMITE PUZZLE + </h2> + <p> + “The scoundrels!” cried General Manager Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + He was a man who believed in working along easy lines when possible. His + career as a railroad man had taught him the value of meeting other people + half way. Now the general manager's white face and flashing eyes revealed + the fighter in him. + </p> + <p> + From off to the south, beyond the quicksand, came a chorus of sharp, + shrill, gleeful whoops. + </p> + <p> + “There go the curs!” flared Harry. + </p> + <p> + Another volley of jeers reached the camp officials. + </p> + <p> + “They are mounted on horses,” spoke Tom judicially. “They couldn't travel + as fast on foot and yell at the same time.” + </p> + <p> + A third taunting chorus traveled over the desert. But Tom and his friends, + in the darkness of the night, could not make out the horsemen nor judge + how many there were of them. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better turn out the camp, Mr. Hawkins,” directed Tom in a calmer + voice. + </p> + <p> + The superintendent ran over to where a night engineer almost dozed at his + post beside a stationary engine. + </p> + <p> + Half a minute later a series of shrill blasts rang out over the camp. + Laborers came tumbling out of the tents. Many of them had slept so soundly + that even the noise of dynamiting they had regarded only as a part of + their dreams. But the whistle meant business. + </p> + <p> + “Get the torches out, Mr. Rivers,” called Tom, as one of the foremen + reported on a run. + </p> + <p> + To Foreman Payson, Harry gave the order to marshal a hundred of the men to + remain in and around the camp, alertly watchful. + </p> + <p> + “That's a good idea,” nodded Mr. Ellsworth. “The explosion may be only a + trick to, empty the camp, as a prelude to further mischief.” + </p> + <p> + Scores of torches flared in the darkness as the workmen hurried westward. + At the head of all went Tom Reade and the general manager. + </p> + <p> + Less than half a mile away they came upon the scene of mischief. + </p> + <p> + “It's just what I expected,” nodded Tom, as the leading party halted under + the flare of the torches. “You see, sir, here was the point of greatest + cave and drift in the quicksand. It's where your former engineers found + such a morass of the shifty stuff that they declared the Man-killer never + could have its appetite satisfied with dirt. There was a good log and + concrete foundation laid down there, and for thirty-six hours the sand had + not shifted a particle as far as the eye could discover. Now, look at it!” + </p> + <p> + Before them the top layer of desert sand had sunk away, revealing a well + or sink, one hundred and fifty feet across and the bottom at least forty + feet below the general level. + </p> + <p> + “I always wondered why a suspension bridge wouldn't solve the problem more + easily and cheaply than any other construction,” muttered Mr. Ellsworth, + after he had gotten over his first indignation. + </p> + <p> + “To avoid every possibility of lurking quicksand the suspension bridge + would have to be more than a mile long,” Reade answered. “Beyond, there + are other treacherous little patches of quicksand. It would cost the road + millions to put up a suspension bridge that would hold. + </p> + <p> + “A short bridge would look all right and doubtless serve all right, for a + while. Then, some fine day, part of the structure would give, and a + trainload of passengers would be sucked down and out of sight by the + shifting sands of the Man-killer.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ellsworth turned aside with a shudder. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad I'm not an engineer,” he said earnestly. “The responsibility for + safety of life at this point is all yours, Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “And I'm willing enough to take it, sir, if you don't run trains over the + Man-killer until the new roadbed has stood tests that I'll put upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “It'll cost at least ten thousand dollars to repair the mischief that the + scoundrels have done to-night,” figured Harry Hazelton thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Then, if we can find out the guilty wretches for certain, we'll see that + they earn more than that amount by enforced labor in prison,”' retorted + the general manager grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bell!” called Tom briskly. + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir,” reported the foreman, coming forward.. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bell, I wish you'd pick out twenty-one good men. Make the brightest + of the lot head of the new force of night watchmen. Place the other twenty + under his orders. Your gangs will come into play here later than the + others, so I'll let your shift of men have the first chance at + night-watchman duty.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir,” nodded Foreman Bell. “Any further orders?” + </p> + <p> + “None, except that your watchmen will do their best to guard both the line + of roadbed and the camp. Further, tell the night engineer to be sure to + have steam up so that he can blow a lot of signals at anytime in the + night.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir,” and the foreman hurried away. + </p> + <p> + “I'm disgusted with myself for having been caught in this fashion,” Tom + admitted to Mr. Ellsworth. “But I hadn't an idea that Paloma held any + dynamite. I can't imagine how a frontier town on the alkali desert needs + dynamite.” + </p> + <p> + “It will probably be found that someone shipped it in a hurry,” suggested + Mr. Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “But how? Any fellow would be detected who had it brought in on our + trains. There has been no time to I stage I it from any other point since + the row with Duff started.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a puzzle,” admitted Mr. Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “It is, but it won't be for long,” Reade declared confidently. “There are + ways of finding out how that dynamite got into Paloma, there must be ways + of finding out who caused it to be brought in.” + </p> + <p> + Then, suddenly, Tom's eyes grew wider open and brighter. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ellsworth, I believe that dynamite was brought in before the trouble + opened.” + </p> + <p> + “But who would have wished to bring dynamite here until the trouble + started?” + </p> + <p> + “Anyone might be interested in doing it who wanted to see trouble start.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I don't follow you, Reade,” observed the general manager, + frowning slightly. + </p> + <p> + “There were others who wanted the job of blocking the Man-killer,” Tom + went on earnestly. “They wanted a lot more money for the job than we + thought was necessary. I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am just a + trifle suspicious that the concern of Chicago contractors—” + </p> + <p> + “The Colthwaite people!” broke in Mr. Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; if they were bad people, and ugly business rivals—” + </p> + <p> + “How would the Colthwaite people be able to foresee that you were going to + have a fight with Jim Duff?” interposed Mr. Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going after the answer, if there is one. I hope to be able to tell + you the answer one of these days.” + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry made two trips each, in different directions, to make sure + that the watch men were awake and alert. It was nearly eleven o'clock when + the general manager and his engineers turned in for a night's rest—“subject + to the approval of Jim Duff,” as Tom dryly stated it. + </p> + <p> + No more interruptions followed during the night, however. At daylight the + watchmen sought their tents and the day force began to stir soon after. + </p> + <p> + After the steam whistle bad blown the breakfast call, Reade slipped away + from his friends to inspect the laborers at the meal. + </p> + <p> + “There are some of your men absent, Mr. Mendoza,” Tom murmured to the + Mexican foreman. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Senor. Some of my men slipped away in the night.” + </p> + <p> + “Went off to Paloma, eh?” + </p> + <p> + Mendoza shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Gambling, drinking—both,” nodded Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly, Senor.” + </p> + <p> + “Get the names of your absent Mexicans, and report to me with them.” + </p> + <p> + Reade then went to the other foremen, with the same orders. + </p> + <p> + Before Tom had seated himself at his own meal, with Harry and Mr. + Ellsworth, the foremen appeared, lists in their hands. Tom rapidly ran his + finger down the lists. + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-eight Mexicans and fourteen Americans absent from camp,” he + muttered. “Foremen, when these men come back you may tell them that they + are no longer needed.” + </p> + <p> + All four of the gang bosses looked somewhat astonished. + </p> + <p> + “Merely for leaving camp in the night time?” Mendoza inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, under the circumstances,” nodded Tom. “If any of these men declare + that they were properly absent, and did not visit the gambling and the + drinking dives, then such men may be reinstated after they have satisfied + Mr. Hazelton, Mr. Hawkins or myself of the truth of their statements.” + </p> + <p> + “Some of these men will be very ugly when they find that they are + discharged, Senor,” suggested Mendoza. + </p> + <p> + “But you are loyal to us?” + </p> + <p> + “Can you doubt it, Senor?” asked Mendoza proudly. + </p> + <p> + “Then you will know how to handle your own fellow-countrymen. The other + foremen will be able to handle the rest of the disgruntled ones. However, + as I have told you, if any man claims that he is unjustly treated, send + him to headquarters for a chance at reinstatement.” + </p> + <p> + General Manager Ellsworth had heard the conversation, but had not + interfered. As soon as the young engineers were alone he joined them at + table, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Aren't you afraid, Reade, that these discharged men will hasten to join + our enemies?” + </p> + <p> + “That is very likely, sir,” Tom answered. “These missing men, however, + have shown their willingness to become our enemies by leaving camp and + seeking their pleasures in the strongholds of the scoundrels who are + fighting to break us up.” + </p> + <p> + “That's another way of looking at the matter,” assented the general + manager. + </p> + <p> + “I'd much rather have our enemies outside of camp than inside,” Reade + continued. “If we took these absentees back after they've been in the + company of rascals, then we wouldn't have any means of knowing how many of + the absentees had agreed to do treacherous things within the camp. It + would hardly be a wise plan to encourage the breeding of rattlesnakes + within the camp limits.” + </p> + <p> + It was nearly noon when the first batch of laborers, some American and + some Mexican, returned to camp. These men started to go by the checker's + hut at a distance, but keen-eyed Superintendent Hawkins saw them and + ordered them around to the hut. + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to wait here until your foremen are called,” declared the + checker. + </p> + <p> + “Say, what's the trouble here!” demanded one American belligerently. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. READE MEETS A “KICKER” HALF WAY + </h2> + <p> + “Who's your foreman?” asked the checker, a young fellow named Royal + </p> + <p> + “Payson—if it's any of your business.” replied the workman roughly. + </p> + <p> + The others, seeing him take this attitude, were willing to let him talk + for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the foremen, and now sent + them to the checker's hut to deal with the men. + </p> + <p> + “Some of you are my men,” said Payson, looking the lot over. “You're + discharged.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” roared the same indignant spokesman, a big, bull-necked, + red-faced fellow. + </p> + <p> + “Discharged,” said Payson briefly. “All of you who belong to my gang. + Checker, I'll call their names off to you.” + </p> + <p> + While Payson, and then the other foremen, were calling the names, the + workmen stood by in sullen silence. When the last name had been entered + the same bull-necked spokesman flared up again. + </p> + <p> + “Have we no rights?” he demanded. “Is there no such thing as the right of + appeal in this camp, or are we under a lot of domineering, petty tyrants + like you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm a poor specimen of tyrant,”' laughed Payson good-naturedly. “All I'm + doing, Bellas, is following orders. Any man who feels that he was + justified in being away, and that he ought to be kept on the pay rolls + here, may make his appeal to Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Hazelton or Mr. Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll see Reade!” announced Bellas stiffly. “That youngster is doing all + the dirty work here. I'll go to him straight.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take you over to his office,” nodded Foreman Payson. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going, too,” announced another workman. + </p> + <p> + “So'm I,” added another. + </p> + <p> + “One at a time, men,” advised Payson. “I think Bellas feels that he's + capable of talking for all of you.” + </p> + <p> + The other foremen restrained the crowd, while Mr. Payson led Bellas over + to the headquarters shack. + </p> + <p> + Tom looked up from a handful of old letters as the two men entered. + </p> + <p> + “See here, you!” was Bellas's form of greeting. + </p> + <p> + “Try it again,” smiled Tom pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “You're the man I want to talk to,” Bellas snarled. “What do you mean by—” + </p> + <p> + “What's your name?” asked Reade quickly. + </p> + <p> + “None of your—” + </p> + <p> + “We can never do business on that kind of courtesy,” smiled Reade. “Mr. + Payson, show the man out and let him come back when he's cooler.” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't anyone here who can show me out!” blustered Bellas, swinging + his big arms and causing the heavy muscles to stand out. + </p> + <p> + “If you don't care to behave in a businesslike way, and talk like a man, + we'll do our best to show you out,” Tom retorted, still with a pleasant + smile. “What are you here for, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “Why have I been fired?” roared Bellas. + </p> + <p> + “Can't you guess?” queried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Was it for going to town and being away all night?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and also for not being on hand this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “There wasn't any work to do,” growled Bellas. + </p> + <p> + “You expected to be paid for your time, and you should have been in camp, + as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of purchase. Bellas, you + have been drinking over in town, haven't you?” + </p> + <p> + “If I have, it's my own business. I'm no slave.” + </p> + <p> + “Ben gambling, too?” + </p> + <p> + “None of your—” + </p> + <p> + “You're in error,” Tom answered pleasantly, though firmly. “The gamblers + over in Paloma are leagued with the dive keepers against us, Bellas. You + know what they did out at the big sink of the Man-killer last night. Any + man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for hours among those who + are trying to put us out of business shows himself to be a friend to the + enemies of this camp. Therefore the man who does that shows himself to be + one of our enemies, in sympathy if not in fact.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm no lawyer,” growled Bellas sullenly, “and I can't follow your flow of + gab.” + </p> + <p> + “You know well enough what I'm saying to you, Bellas, and you know that + I'm right. Since you've been away and joined our enemies we don't want you + here. More, we don't intend to have you here. Mr. Payson has dropped you + from the rolls, and that cuts you off from this camp. Now, I think you + will understand that it is some of our business whether you have been over + in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If that is what you + have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won't have you. If you + haven't been hob-nobbing with our enemies, and paying all you had for the + privilege, then we'll look into any claims of better conduct that you may + make, and, if satisfied that you've been telling the truth, we'll + reinstate you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you make me tired—you kid!” burst from Bellas's lips. + </p> + <p> + “This isn't an experience meeting,” Tom replied, not losing his smile, + “and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make any + statement advocating your right to be taken on the pay roll again?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't!” roared the angry fellow. “All I want to do is to show you + my opinion of you, Tommy! I can do that best by rubbing your nose in the + dirt outside.” + </p> + <p> + Foreman Payson flung himself between the big, angry human bull and the + young chief engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Don't waste any time or heat on him, Mr. Payson,” Tom advised, slipping + his handful of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the back + of the room. “If Bellas has any grudge against me, I don't want to stop + him from making his last kick.” + </p> + <p> + Tom took a step forward, his open hands hanging at his sides. He didn't + look by any means alarmed, though Bellas appeared to be about twice the + young chief engineer's size. + </p> + <p> + So prompt had been Reade's action that, for a moment, Bellas looked + astounded. Then, with a roar, he leaped forward, swinging both arms and + closing in. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade had had his best physical training on the football gridiron. He + dropped, instantly, as he leaped forward, making a low tackle and rising + with both arms wrapped around Bellas's knees. Tom took two swift steps + forward, then heaved his man, head first, out through the open doorway. + </p> + <p> + Bellas landed about eight feet away. He was not hurt, beyond a jolting, + and leaped to his feet, shaking both fists. + </p> + <p> + “Not unless you really insist upon it,” smiled Tom, shaking his head. + “It's too warm for exercise to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “You tricky little whipper-snapper!” roared Bellas, making an angry bound + for the doorway. + </p> + <p> + Tom met his angry rush. Both went down, rolling over and over on the + ground. Bellas wound his powerful arms about the boy, and would have + crushed him. Though Tom hated to do it, there was no alternative but to + choke the powerful bully. Bellas soon let go, dazed and gasping. Ere the + big fellow came to his senses sufficiently to know what he was about, + Reade had hoisted Bellas to one shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Down by the checker's hut the crowd of curious workmen gasped as they saw + Tom Reade jogging along with this great load over one shoulder. Reaching + the line, Tom gave another heave. Bellas rolled on the ground. He was + conscious and could have gotten up, but he chose to lay where he had + fallen and think matters over. + </p> + <p> + “Don't think I'm peevish, men,” Tom called pleasantly. “I wouldn't have + done that if Bellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now, while + I'm here, does any man wish to make a claim for justice? Does any man feel + that he has been discharged unfairly?” + </p> + <p> + Three or four men answered, though none of the Mexicans was among the + number. When questioned as to whether they had spent the night among Jim + Duff's friends all the speakers admitted that they had. Tom then made them + the same explanation he had offered Bellas. + </p> + <p> + “That's about all that can be said, isn't it, men?” Tom asked in + conclusion. “I am sorry for those of you who feel hurt, but while there is + bad blood in the air every man must choose between one camp or the other. + You men chose Jim Duff, and you'll have to abide by your choice.” + </p> + <p> + “But we haven't any money,” declared one of the men sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “Now you're just beginning to understand that Jim Duff won't be a very + good friend to a penniless man. Didn't you know that when you shook all + your change into his hat?” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to let us starve?” growled the man. + </p> + <p> + “You won't starve, nor need you be out of work long,” Tom retorted. “Any + man who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't have + to remain out of a job. Now, I'll ask you to get off the railroad's + ground.” + </p> + <p> + Tom turned and went back to the office, while Payson and the other foremen + saw to it that the discharged men left the railroad's property. In less + than half an hour the disgruntled ones were back in the worst haunts of + Paloma, spreading the news of Tom Reade's latest outrage. + </p> + <p> + When Tom reached the office he found Mr. Ellsworth inside. + </p> + <p> + “I saw what you did, Reade, though you didn't know I was about. You + handled it splendidly. You made it plain enough, too, to the men that they + had joined the enemy and thereby declared against us.” + </p> + <p> + “Message, Mr. Reade,” called the operator from the doorway. + </p> + <p> + “The construction material train, the first one, will be here within two + hours,” cried Tom, looking up from the paper, his eyes dancing. “Now we + can do some of the real work that we've been waiting to do!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE MAN-KILLER CLAIMS A SACRIFICE + </h2> + <p> + In the days that followed Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were more + continuously and seriously busy than they had ever been before in their + lives. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes it happens that engineers come upon a quicksand that apparently + has no bottom. It will be filled and apparently the earth on top is solid. + After a few days there will follow either a gradual shifting away or a + sudden cave in, and the quicksand must once more be attacked. + </p> + <p> + This condition had been experienced more than a dozen times with the + Man-killer before Tom and Harry had been called to solve the problem. + </p> + <p> + There is no definite way of attacking a quicksand. Much must depend upon + the local conditions. Where it is a small one, yet of seemingly + considerable depth, it is sometimes quickest and cheapest to cross it with + a suspension bridge, the terminal pillars resting on sure foundations. + Some quicksands are overcome by merely filling in new sand or loam, + patiently, until at last the trap is blocked and a permanently solid + foundation is laid. There are many other ways of overcoming the + difficulty. + </p> + <p> + The method hit upon by Tom and Harry, after looking over the situation, + was one that was largely original with them. + </p> + <p> + It consisted of laying logs, of different lengths, from twelve to eighteen + feet, in a transverse net work filling in earth on this and allowing the + structure gradually to sink where the quicksand shifted or caved. The + sideway drift, at some points, was overcome by hollow steel piles, driven + in as firmly as might be, and then filled with cement from the top. A line + of such piles when imbedded in the ground, helps to make an effective + block to side drift. + </p> + <p> + At the outset a few feet of these steel piles were left exposed above the + surface, their gradual settling serving as a reliable index to the evasive + movements of the extensive quicksand underneath. At other points wooden + piles were driven in for the same purpose. + </p> + <p> + General Manager Ellsworth did not spend all his time in camp. He could not + do so, in fact, for he had many other pressing duties. However, he ran + over frequently, and always appeared satisfied. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it's too early to talk confidently, Reade,” said Mr. Ellsworth, + one day when the work had been going on steadily for some weeks, “but I + believe you have the only right method. I have so reported to our + directors. You'll have disappointments, of course, but I hope you'll + encounter none that you can't overcome.” + </p> + <p> + “I shan't crow until I've seen the test applied to the roadbed over the + Man-killer,” Tom replied thoughtfully. “After I've seen that test applied + a couple of times then I'm ready to go before any board and swear that the + Man-killer has been tamed for all time.” + </p> + <p> + “Speed the day!” replied Mr. Ellsworth, as he climbed into his private car + to return. “By the way, you haven't heard anything lately from Jim Duff + & Company?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word,” Reade replied. “I don't believe we're yet through with + Rough-house camp, however. They're waiting only until our suspicions are + allayed. Once in a while we lose one of our workmen to the enemy, and then + we have to discharge the poor fellow. Some of our former men have gone + away, but there are about thirty of them left in Paloma, and I imagine + that they're ready to be ugly when the chance comes. The agent of the + Colthwaite Company is still in Paloma. He has been here ever since we + came.” + </p> + <p> + “Agent of the Colthwaite Company?” repeated the general manager, opening + his eyes. “What's his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Fred Ransom,” Tom replied half carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Ransom? Fred Ransom? I never heard of any Colthwaite agent of that name.” + </p> + <p> + “He's one of the Colthwaite people's troublemakers,” Tom went on, opening + his own eyes rather wide. + </p> + <p> + “If you were sure of this why didn't you report it to me earlier?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I supposed your railroad detectives knew all about it. And that you + had heard of it long ago,” Reade declared. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't heard a word of it,” continued Mr. Ellsworth, coming down the + steps of his car and standing on the ground once more. “What proof have + you of Ransom's business here?” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever,” Tom answered cheerfully, “but I had him spotted the first + time I heard him talking. He was too entirely positive that we'd fail.” + </p> + <p> + “That was no proof against him.” + </p> + <p> + “No; but Ransom was also certain that the Colthwaite plan was the only one + that could bring the Man-killer to time.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any other reason to suspect this main?” queried Mr. Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “Only the fact that Ransom and Jim Duff have been close friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Where does Ransom stop?” + </p> + <p> + “At the Mansion House. He has a suite of rooms there, and entertains some + kinds of people, including Duff, very lavishly.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep your eyes on that crowd as much as possible, Reade,” directed the + general manager thoughtfully, as he once more climbed to the platform of + his car. + </p> + <p> + “I will, sir; and it might not be a bad idea to have your detectives do + something of the sort, also.” + </p> + <p> + The general manager did not answer, except by a vague nod as his train + pulled out from the outskirts of the railway camp. + </p> + <p> + Tom went back, called for his horse and rode to the westward for another + look at the Man-killer. He found Harry, also in saddle, beneath the scanty + shade of a struggling tree. Hazelton's quick eyes were taking in every + detail of the work being done by the several large gangs of workmen. + </p> + <p> + “Tom, if we're away from here by Christmas, there's one present you + needn't make me,” smiled Hazelton wanly, as he caught sight of the camera + hanging in its leather field case at his chum's side. + </p> + <p> + “What present is that?” Tom inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Don't make me a present of a photograph of this awful place. It's + photographed on my brain now, and burned in and baked there. If we ever + get through with the Man-killer, and get our money, I never want to see + this spot again.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not thinking at all of the money,” Reade retorted lightly yet + seriously. “I don't care about the money at present. Nothing will ever + satisfy me in life again until I've beaten the Man-killer fairly and + squarely. It's the one thing I think about by day and dream of at night.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it,” sighed Harry half pityingly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what else should we think about?” Tom demanded in a low voice. + “Harry, we have the very job, the identical problem, that has thrown down + nearly a dozen engineers of fine reputation. Why, boy, this place may be + out on the blazing desert, and there may be a dozen discouragements every + hour, but we've the finest chance, the biggest unsolved problem in + engineering that we could possibly have. It's glorious.” + </p> + <p> + Tom's eyes glowed. + </p> + <p> + “Go away,” grinned Hazelton mischievously, “or I'll catch some of your + enthusiasm.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't need any of it,” Reade retorted laughingly. “You've tons of + enthusiasm stowed away for future use. You know you have.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I have enough enthusiasm,” Harry admitted, “but I should like + to do some actual work. I ride out on the sands every day and sit looking + on while the real work is being done. This problem of conquering the + Man-killer is growing monotonous. I'm tired of pegging away at the same + old task day in and day out.” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite as bad as that,” Tom declared. “There's always something a bit + new. If you want work to do right now, ride over and show those teamsters + where you want them to put the logs that they're bringing up.” + </p> + <p> + This was far too little to satisfy Harry's longing for “doing things,” but + with a grunt he turned his horse's head and jogged away at a trot. + </p> + <p> + Tom moved in under the shade of the tree. + </p> + <p> + “Harry doesn't know enough to appreciate a good thing when he has it,” + softly laughed Tom, grateful for the scant bit of shade. “Neither does he + yet know that often times the brain works best when the body is at rest.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Tom heard a sudden shout from the distance, followed by a chorus + of excited voices. + </p> + <p> + Instantly the young engineer's gaze turned toward the lately filled-in + edge of the big sink. + </p> + <p> + A hundred feet beyond the light platform where some laborers had been + working Reade beheld only the head and shoulders of one of the workmen. + </p> + <p> + “The foolish fellow—to go out so far beyond where the men are + allowed to go!” gasped the young chief engineer, setting spurs to his + horse. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments Tom had reached the edge of the sink. + </p> + <p> + “A rope!” he shouted, and seized the thirty-foot lariat that was handed + him. With this, Tom, now on foot, ran within casting distance of the + unfortunate, who was being rapidly enveloped by the quicksand. + </p> + <p> + “Come back, Mr. Reade!” bellowed Foreman Payson. “The drift is setting in + on this side of you. Back, like lightning, or you're a doomed man! You'll + be swallowed up by the Man-killer yourself!” + </p> + <p> + But Tom, intent only on saving the unfortunate laborer beyond, was wholly + heedless of the fact that his own life was in as great danger. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. HARRY FIGHTS FOR COMMAND + </h2> + <p> + “Come back, Mr. Reade!” implored Foreman Payson. + </p> + <p> + For Tom, who had made two casts with the lariat and failed, was knee-deep + in shifting sand himself. + </p> + <p> + “Keep cool!” the young chief engineer called over his shoulder. “I'll be + back—both of us in a minute or two.” + </p> + <p> + The hapless laborer was now engulfed to his neck in the quicksand. + </p> + <p> + “Save me! In Heaven's name get me out of this!” begged the poor fellow, + frenzied by dread of his seemingly sure fate. + </p> + <p> + “I'm doing the best I can, friend!” Tom called, as he made a fresh cast. + </p> + <p> + This time the noose of the raw-hide lariat dropped over the laborer's + head. + </p> + <p> + “Fight your hands free, man!” Tom called encouragingly. “Fight your hands + and chest free, so that you can slip the noose down under your armpits. + Keep cool and work fast, and we'll have you out. Don't let yourself get + excited.” + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Tom was wholly unaware that the engulfing quicksand was + reaching up gradually toward his hips. + </p> + <p> + Foreman Payson had ceased to try to attract Tom's attention. Whatever was + to be done to save the chief engineer must be done swiftly. There was not + another lariat, or any kind of rope at hand. + </p> + <p> + Behind was a cloud of alkali dust. Harry Hazelton was riding as fast as he + could urge a spirited horse. + </p> + <p> + In another moment Hazelton had reined up at the edge of the group, + dismounting and tossing the reins to one of the workmen. + </p> + <p> + “My man, you get on that horse and fly for a rope!” ordered Harry. + </p> + <p> + This last Hazelton shot back over his shoulder, for he was pushing his way + through the rapidly forming crowd to Payson's side. Another foreman had + just come up. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bell,” shouted Harry, “drive the men back who are not needed. We + don't want to put a lot of weight on the soil here and cause a further + cave-in.” + </p> + <p> + By this time Harry was at the edge of the platform. In a twinkling he was + out on the sand. + </p> + <p> + Grip! Mr. Payson had a strong hold on the collar of the assistant + engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Let go of me!” commanded Harry. + </p> + <p> + “You can't go out there, Mr. Hazelton. No more lives are to be wasted.” + </p> + <p> + “Let go of me, I tell you!” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir!” insisted Foreman Payson firmly. + </p> + <p> + “Let go of me, or I'll fight you!” + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to fight, then,” retorted Payson doggedly, maintaining his + grip on the lad's coat collar. “Comeback here!” + </p> + <p> + Aided by another man, the foreman dragged Hazelton back to the platform. + </p> + <p> + “Payson, I'll discharge you, if you interfere with me!” stormed Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool, sir. You can't help Mr. Reade. Be cool, sir. Keep your + head and direct us like a man of sense.” + </p> + <p> + “Be a man of sense, and see my chum going under the sands of the + Man-killer?” flared Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + He made a bound, doubling his fists threateningly. Then three or four men, + at a sign from Payson, seized the young assistant engineer and threw him + to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Tom,” called Harry, “order these fools to let me go.” + </p> + <p> + Reade, however, who had just pulled in all the slack of the rawhide + lariat, and had made it fast about his own left arm, seemed wholly unaware + of his own great peril. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade was now submerged to his waistline in the engulfing sand. + </p> + <p> + Unless rescued within five minutes the young chief engineer was plainly + doomed to be swallowed up in the treacherous sands of the Man-killer. Only + a few seconds below the shifting level of the sand would be enough to + smother the life out of him. Scores of strong men, powerless to help, + watched hopelessly within a few yards of the two whose lives were being + slowly but surely snuffed out. + </p> + <p> + The laborer, whose carelessness or ignorance had caused all the trouble, + was now in the sand up to his mouth. The agonized watchers could see him + gradually sinking further. + </p> + <p> + “Keep up your nerve, friend!” called Tom, in cool encouragement. “We'll + soon have you out of that.” + </p> + <p> + Gripping the lariat with both bands, Tom gave a strong, sudden wrench and + succeeded in drawing the imperiled man out of the sand a few inches. + </p> + <p> + Then the poor fellow began to settle again moaning piteously as he saw a + hideous death staring him in the face. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade's own face was deathly white from a realization of the other's + peril. Of his own danger the young chief engineer had not once stopped to + think. + </p> + <p> + Harry Hazelton was again on his feet. That much Foreman Payson had + permitted, but strong-armed laborers stood on either side of the boy, and + their detaining grips were on his arm. + </p> + <p> + Out yonder the doomed man saw the engulfing sand creeping up on a level + with his eyes. He tried to scream, but the sand shifted into his mouth. In + pitiable terror the poor fellow closed his mouth in order to delay death + for another moment. Even to call for help would now be swiftly fatal! + </p> + <p> + Behind came the thunder of hoofs. + </p> + <p> + “Ropes!” shouted the horseman on Harry's mount. + </p> + <p> + He rode past the groups of men, close to the platform. Then, leaping from + the saddle, the rider tossed a small bundle of ropes at Harry's feet. All + were ropes and lines—not a raw-hide among them. + </p> + <p> + “There he goes! He's gone!” roared a score of frantic voices, as the + engulfed laborer sank out of sight in the sand. + </p> + <p> + Harry Hazelton feverishly uncoiled one of the ropes, gathering a few folds + in his right hand. + </p> + <p> + “Catch, Tom!” Harry shouted, making a cast. + </p> + <p> + The line swirled through the air, then settled on the sands. + </p> + <p> + “O-o-o-oh!” groaned Hazelton, for the rope had fallen four feet to one + side of Reade, and the latter, hemmed in as he was, could not reach it. + </p> + <p> + “Take your time and make a sure throw, Harry!” Tom called cheerily. + </p> + <p> + Again Hazelton made a throw—and failed. + </p> + <p> + “Let me, have that! My head's cooler,” called Foreman Payson. + </p> + <p> + He made two quick, steady throws, but each shot wide of the mark. + </p> + <p> + “Let me have that!” screamed Harry, snatching the line away. + </p> + <p> + “There are lines enough. Two men might be making throws,” spoke a quiet + voice behind them. + </p> + <p> + Payson nodded, and bent over for another line. + </p> + <p> + All trace of the doomed laborer had now disappeared. As for Tom, the sand + was reaching up under his arm-pits. The young chief engineer had had the + presence of mind to keep his arms free, but soon they too must be + swallowed up. + </p> + <p> + “Good throw—whoever sent it!” cheered Tom Reade, as a final cast—Harry's—sent + a line within six inches of his face. + </p> + <p> + Tom could not see those back at the platform, for his back was turned to + the eastward, and he could no longer swing his body about. + </p> + <p> + “Get it under your arms-quick, Tom, or you're done for, too!” screamed + Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Keep cool, old chap!” came back the unconcerned answer. “It isn't half + bad out here. The sand feels really cool about one's body.” + </p> + <p> + “This is no time for nonsense!” ordered Hazelton hoarsely. “Have you the + line fast?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” nodded Reade. “Haul away! Careful, but strong and steady!” + </p> + <p> + Under Foreman Payson's direction a score of men seized the other end of + the line and then began to haul. + </p> + <p> + Harry danced up and down in a frenzy. + </p> + <p> + “Tom, you idiot,” he gasped. “You haven't made the line fast about + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” came the cheery answer. “That wouldn't be fair play. Haul away + on our friend out yonder.” + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade had knotted the line fast to his end of the rawhide lariat that + was tied under the shoulders of the engulfed laborer. It was magnificent, + though seemingly a useless sacrifice of his own life for one who must + already be dead. + </p> + <p> + From some of the workmen a faint cheer went up as the slowly incoming line + hauled the head of the unconscious laborer above the sand. A foot at a + time the body came toward them over the sand. + </p> + <p> + Harry, however, scarcely noted the rescue. He was frantically working with + another line, knotting it in a sort of harness under his own shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Come here, some of you men!” he called. “Bear a hand here! Lively!” + </p> + <p> + Foreman Payson was instantly at the side of the young assistant engineer. + </p> + <p> + “What are you trying to do, Mr. Hazelton?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going out on the sands,” retorted Harry. “I'm going to reach Tom + Reade. If I go under the men can aid me.” + </p> + <p> + “But that isn't a rawhide line; it's hemp,” objected Foreman Payson. + </p> + <p> + “It's strong enough,” retorted Hazelton impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know about that.” + </p> + <p> + “It will have to do,” insisted Hazelton. “You men get a good hold. Also, + one of you play out this other line that I'm taking with me for Tom + Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't risk anything foolish, Harry!” called the voice of Tom Reade, who + now felt the sand under his chin. + </p> + <p> + “I'm coming to you,” Tom, shouted Harry. + </p> + <p> + “It's too dangerous. Don't!” + </p> + <p> + “I've got to come to you!” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you don't! Maybe I can get myself out.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you can,” jeered Hazelton. “Tom, if you went under, do you think I + could ever go back to our native town?” + </p> + <p> + “Payson!” shouted Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let Mr. Hazelton come—yet. Seize him!” + </p> + <p> + “I've got him, sir!” + </p> + <p> + Harry felt himself seized by the strong arms of the foreman. + </p> + <p> + “You don't go, sir,” Payson insisted. “It's a criminal waste of life.” + </p> + <p> + “Man, unhand me. Let me go, I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't, sir. I've Mr. Reade's orders.” + </p> + <p> + “He's helpless and no longer in command,” Harry retorted. + </p> + <p> + “He's in command enough for me, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Payson!” Harry Hazelton's fierce gaze burned into the eyes of the + foreman. “If Tom Reade dies out yonder, and you've hindered me from saving + him—I'll have your life for forfeit!” + </p> + <p> + Before that burning look even Payson shrank back. Harry Hazelton, + ordinarily the best natured of boys, was now in terrible earnest. + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” muttered Hazelton. “Men, I take command here. You needn't + heed any words from Reade. Now, you men on the lines watch close and + listen keenly for my orders.” + </p> + <p> + With that Hazelton darted out on the deadly, treacherous sands! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. CHEATING THE MAN-KILLER + </h2> + <p> + For the first few yards the assistant engineer ran almost as well as + though on a cinder track. Then his feet sank in. Soon he stumbled. + </p> + <p> + Then there came a time, within ten feet of Tom, when Harry felt his feet + settling in the sand despite his efforts to pull himself out. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the haulers on the other line had forgotten to pull the + laborer nearer to safety. + </p> + <p> + “You men get your eyes on the job!” sternly commanded Payson, who seemed + capable of having eyes everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Harry got out, somehow. He made a bound, landing within arm's length of + Tom Reade. + </p> + <p> + “I'm here, old chum!” gasped Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “I knew you'd be,” returned Tom calmly, “if there were any way of doing + it.” + </p> + <p> + Harry pulled himself together and floundered still closer. + </p> + <p> + Nor was there a moment to be lost. Tom was already reduced to the choice + between silence and having his mouth filled with sand. + </p> + <p> + Harry's hands worked with lightning speed. Feverishly he dug out the sand, + until he had scooped away enough to bare Tom's shoulders and a few inches + beneath. + </p> + <p> + Swoop! Down went the extra noose over Tom's lifted arms, and then down to + a snug noose under his armpits. + </p> + <p> + From the platform a cheer went up, for the unconscious laborer had just + been hauled to safety. + </p> + <p> + It was with a thrill of horror that Hazelton found his own legs firmly + embedded in the sand well up to his thighs. + </p> + <p> + “Get Reade started first!” shouted the young assistant engineer. “Don't + bother with me until I give the word.” + </p> + <p> + How the line fastened to Tom tightened and strained! At times it seemed as + though it must give way. + </p> + <p> + Presently Tom's shoulder and a part of his torso were free. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Harry Hazelton had sunk in up to the waist line. + </p> + <p> + “We'll haul on you, too, now, Mr. Hazelton!” sounded the voice of Foreman + Payson. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you dare do it until I give the word,” thundered back the voice of + the assistant engineer. + </p> + <p> + With a line securely about him, Harry felt that he could afford to take + the slight chance of waiting his turn. + </p> + <p> + He saw Tom's knees coming up out of the sand before he called: + </p> + <p> + “Now, Payson, you can give me a little boost if you like. Don't pull me in + ahead of Tom Reade, however.” + </p> + <p> + Presently deafening cheers went up. Both young engineers were being + slowly, surely hauled to safe ground. + </p> + <p> + Then Tom and Harry reached a spot where they could rise to their own feet + and floundered. Tom started, then swayed dizzily. + </p> + <p> + “Steady, there, old Gridley boy!” mumbled Hazelton, slipping an arm around + his recovered chum. + </p> + <p> + Then the two young engineers reached the platform and a fresh tumult of + joyful cheering burst forth. + </p> + <p> + “Payson,” exclaimed Harry, going up to the foreman, and holding out his + hand, “will you accept my apologies for all I said to you? I had to use + strong language, or you'd have held me back from Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't believe he could be saved,” returned the foreman, with a sickly + smile, as he grasped Hazelton's outstretched hand. + </p> + <p> + Tom, too weak at first to stand, had dropped to his knees at the side of + the unconscious laborer, over whom some of the bystanders were working in + stupid fashion. + </p> + <p> + “This man must have medical attention at once!” Tom declared. “Some of you + men lift him to your shoulders. Be careful not to jolt him, but travel at + a jog all the way to the office building. Harry, can you sit on your + horse?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said the young assistant. + </p> + <p> + “Lucky boy, then,” smiled Reade. “I won't be able to sit in saddle for + some minutes. Ride into camp and tell the operator to wire swiftly for a + physician to come out and attend to that man.” + </p> + <p> + “But you—” + </p> + <p> + “I'm here, am I not!” smiled Reade. + </p> + <p> + “I should say you are, Mr. Reade!” came a hoarse, friendly roar from one + of the laborers. + </p> + <p> + Hazelton did not delay. He was soon speeding back over the desert. + </p> + <p> + As for Tom, there were many offers of assistance, but he explained that + all he needed was to keep quiet and have a chance to get his breath back. + </p> + <p> + Payson, in the meantime, had started the work going again, though most of + his men toiled with far less spirit than before the accident. + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes later Tom mounted his horse and rode slowly back toward camp. + By the time he reached there he made out the automobile of a Paloma + physician coming in haste. + </p> + <p> + Tom was still weak enough to tremble as Harry stepped outside and helped + him to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Harry,” Reade remarked dryly, “I'm not going to bother to thank you for + such a simple little thing as saving my life out yonder. I am well aware + that you had the time of your life in doing it.” + </p> + <p> + “I might have had the time of my life,” returned Harry, with an imitation + of his chum's calmness, “if there had been more excitement about it. It + was all rather dull, wasn't it, old chap?” + </p> + <p> + Smiling, both stepped inside. Then Tom's face became grave when he saw + that the rescued laborer had not yet recovered consciousness. + </p> + <p> + “Somewhere in the world,” murmured Reade, as he dropped to one knee and + rested a finger-tip on the laborer's pulse, “there's someone—a + woman, or a child, or a white-haired old man—who wouldn't wish us to + let this man die. What have you men been doing for him?” + </p> + <p> + Before the answer could be given a honk sounded at the door. Then a young + doctor clad in white duck and carrying a three-fold medicine case, stepped + inside. + </p> + <p> + “Sucked down by the sand and hauled out again, Doc,” Tom explained. + </p> + <p> + The physician looked closely at his patient and Harry drove out the men + who had no especial business there. + </p> + <p> + “A little pin-head of glonoin on his tongue for a beginning,” decided the + physician, opening his case. From one of the vials he took a small pellet, + forcing it between the lips of the unconscious man. Then, with his + stethoscope, he listened for the heart beats. + </p> + <p> + “Another glonoin, and then we'll start in to wake up our friend,” said the + young doctor in white duck, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + Two or three minutes later the laborer opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You've been trying not to hear the whistle,” laughed the doctor gently. + “A big fellow like you must be up and doing.” + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes later the doctor found Tom outside. + </p> + <p> + “The man will be all right now, with a little stuff that I'll leave for + him,” smiled the visitor. “Of course there's some man in camp who can look + after a comrade to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “Doc, couldn't you do a better job if you had the man in Paloma under your + own eyes tonight?” Tom questioned. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; undoubtedly.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you take him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then do so. Give him all the attention he needs. Make out your bill to + the A. G. & N. M. Hand it to me, and I'll O.K. it and send it in to + headquarters for payment. If you think an automobile ride after dark will + do the poor chap good, give him one and put that in your bill, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Reade, I want to shake hands with you,” said the physician earnestly. + “I've looked after railroad hands before, but this is the first time I was + ever asked to be humane to one. Have no fear but I'll send this man back + to you strong and grateful. What's his name?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” returned Reade. “I don't even know to whose gang he + belongs, though I think he's one of Payson's men.” + </p> + <p> + Late the following afternoon the laborer was brought back to camp. The + following morning he returned to his work as usual. + </p> + <p> + During the next two weeks Tom and Harry directed all their energies, as + well as the labor of all of their men, to bridging over that bad spot in + the Man-killer that had so nearly claimed two lives. One after another six + different layers of log network were put down. The open box cars brought + up thousands of tons of good soil, which was dumped down into the layers + of interlaced logs. + </p> + <p> + “The old Man-killer must feel tremendously flattered at finding himself so + persistently manicured,” laughed Tom as he sat in saddle watching the men + putting down the sixth layer. + </p> + <p> + Steel piles, hollow and filled with cement, were being driven here, the + cement not going in until the top of the pile was but four feet above the + level of the desert. + </p> + <p> + “Look out yonder,” nodded Harry, handing his field glass to his chum. “You + can just make out a glint on the sand. That's one of our steel piles being + sucked under.” + </p> + <p> + “The explorer of a few centuries hence may find a lot of these piles,” + laughed Tom. “If he does, he'll most likely attribute them to the Pueblo + Indians or the Aztecs, and he'll write a learned volume about the high + state of civilization that existed among the savages here before the white + man came.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm mighty glad, Tom, that General Manager Ellsworth isn't out here to + see how many dozens of steel piles we're feeding hopelessly to the + Man-killer.” + </p> + <p> + “Not one of those piles is going down hopelessly,” Tom retorted. “Some of + the piles may disappear, and never be seen again, but each one will help + hold the drift at some point, near the surface, or perhaps a thousand feet + below the surface.” + </p> + <p> + “Only a thousand feet below the surface!” Harry grunted. “Tom, I often + feel certain that the Man-killer extends away down to the center of the + earth and up again on the other side. Before I'm a very old man I expect + to hear that several of our steel piles have shot up above the surface in + China or India.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing the noise of horse's hoofs behind him, Tom turned. He beheld Fred + Ransom riding out to the spot on a mottled “calico” horse. + </p> + <p> + “Look who's here,” Reade murmured to his chum. + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with him?” asked Hazelton, after a quick look. + “Run him off the line?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” Tom answered slowly. “Ransom is trying hard to earn a + living, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Harry snorted. That sort of estimation of Ransom, even as a joke, was a + little too much for him. + </p> + <p> + “Mighty hot day, Reade,” called Ransom, as he reined in near the young + engineers. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Tom slowly. “If I were enjoying myself beside a bottle of cold + soda on the Mansion House porch I don't believe I'd have the energy to + call for a horse and ride all the way out here in the heat.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I intruding?” demanded Ransom, with a swift, keen glance at the young + chief engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, indeed!” came Tom's response. “You're as welcome as the flowers + in spring.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. It's a fine job you're doing out here.” + </p> + <p> + “Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you,” Tom drawled. “Your praise + is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor.” + </p> + <p> + “A competitor!” asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl. “I'm not an + engineer.” + </p> + <p> + “Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers,” Reade rejoined. + </p> + <p> + “My people? What do you mean, Reade? There isn't an engineer in our + family.” + </p> + <p> + “No; but the Colthwaite Company employs a good many engineers,” Tom + suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Colthwaite?” repeated Ransom, now on his guard. “I have nothing to do + with that concern.” + </p> + <p> + “No?” asked Tom, as though greatly astonished. “Why, that's strange.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is it strange?” + </p> + <p> + “Why,” Tom Reade rejoined amiably, “everyone connected with the A. G. + & N. M. who knows anything at all about you credits you with being a + member of the Colthwaite Company's gloom department.” + </p> + <p> + “Gloom department?” gasped Ransom, with a wholly innocent-looking face. + “Oh, all right. I'll bite. What is a gloom department, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “It's a comparatively recent piece of business apparatus,” smiled Tom. “It + is employed by big corporations as a club with which to hit smaller crowds + that want some of the business of life. The gloom department might be + called the bureau of knocking, or the hit-in-the-neck shift.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that what you accuse me of doing for the Colthwaite Company?” asked + Fred Ransom, his scowl deepening. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the accusation isn't all mine,” Tom assured him unconcernedly. “Some + of it belongs elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Your suspicions are utterly unwarranted,” retorted Ransom, choking + slightly. + </p> + <p> + “It's a lot of comfort to hear you say so,” Tom rejoined, as smilingly as + ever. + </p> + <p> + “You're on the wrong track this time, anyway,” Ransom asserted boldly. + “Still, I don't suppose you want me out here.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I greatly enjoy seeing you here,” Tom declared. “I'm + very grateful for the praise you offered me a moment ago.” + </p> + <p> + “You're welcome,” returned the Colthwaite agent, trying hard to smile. + “However, I won't take up your time. Good afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Good afternoon, then,” nodded Tom. “Drop in again, won't you? Any time + within working hours.” + </p> + <p> + “Confound that fellow Reade!” muttered Ransom angrily as he rode back to + Paloma. “He knows altogether too much—or suspects it. I shall have + to call Jim Duff's attention to him!” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you string the fellow so?” asked Harry when the chums were alone + once more. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't,” Reade retorted. “I came very close to giving him straight + information.” + </p> + <p> + “Now he'll be more on his guard.” + </p> + <p> + “That won't do him any good,” Tom yawned. “He has been on his guard all + along, yet we found him out. For that matter, any man who lives regularly + at the Mansion House these days is open to our suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + For the Mansion House, ever since Tom's having been ordered away, had been + a losing proposition. Now and then a traveling salesman stopped there, + though not many. + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Harry,” predicted Tom, as the chums were riding back to + Paloma at the close of the afternoon, “look out, in about three of four + days, for a new and permanent guest at the Cactus House.” + </p> + <p> + “Who's coming?” inquired Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever man the Colthwaite Company decides to send to the Cactus House + as soon as headquarters in Chicago receives Ransom's report. I think we'll + know that new chap, too, when he shows up. Also, you'll find that the new + man is either an avowed enemy of Ransom, after a little, or else he won't + choose to know Ransom at all.” + </p> + <p> + “That's pretty wild guessing,” scoffed Harry Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “Wait three or four days, and see whether it's guessing or one of the fine + fruits of logic,” proposed Reade. “Incidentally, the Colthwaite people + will wonder why it didn't occur to them before to send one of their gloom + men to live at the Cactus. Fact is, I've been looking for the chap for + more than a fort-night.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. HOW THE TRAP WAS BAITED + </h2> + <p> + It was the evening of the day after Harry, who had insisted on trudging up + and down the line all day, instead of using his horse, had a touch of heat + headache. + </p> + <p> + He was not in a serious condition, but he needed rest. He dropped into one + of the chairs on the Cactus House porch and prepared to doze. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything I can get for you, or do for you, old chap?” inquired + Tom, coming out on the porch after supper and looking remarkably + comfortable and contented. + </p> + <p> + “No; just let me doze,” begged Harry. “I feel a trifle drowsy.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if you're going to give a concert through your nose,” smiled Tom, + “I may as well protect myself by going some distance away.” + </p> + <p> + “Go along.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I'll take a walk. Probably, too, the ice cream man will be + richer when I get back.” + </p> + <p> + Tom went down into the street and sauntered along. He had walked but a few + blocks when he met another young man in white ducks. + </p> + <p> + “Doc, I'm looking for the place where the ice cream flows,” Reade hinted. + “Can I tempt you?” + </p> + <p> + “Without half trying,” laughed Dr. Furniss the young physician who had + gone out to camp to attend the Man-killer victim. + </p> + <p> + As they were seated together over their ice cream, Dr. Furniss inquired: + </p> + <p> + “By the way, do you ever see my one-time patient nowadays?” + </p> + <p> + “The fellow we exhumed from the Man-killer?” + </p> + <p> + “The same.” + </p> + <p> + “I see him every morning,” laughed Tom. “Really, I can't help seeing him, + for the man puts himself in my way daily to say good morning. And as yet I + haven't learned his name.” + </p> + <p> + “His name is Tim Griggs,” replied Dr. Furniss. “He's a fine fellow, too, + in his rough, manly way. He's wonderfully grateful to you, Reade. Do you + know why?” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't an idea.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Tim's sheet anchor in life is a little girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Sweetheart?” + </p> + <p> + “After a fashion,” laughed the young doctor. “The girl is his daughter, + eight years old. She's everything to Tim, for his wife is dead. The child + lives with somewhat distant relatives, in a New England town. Tim sends + all his spare money to her, and so the child is probably well looked + after. Tim told me, with a big choke in his voice, that, if the Man-killer + had swallowed him up, it would have been all up with the little girl, too. + When money stopped coming the relatives would probably have set the child + to being household drudge for the family. Tim has a round dozen of + different photos of the child taken at various times.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm extra glad we got him out of the Man-killer,” said Tom rather + huskily. + </p> + <p> + “I knew you'd be glad, Reade. You're that kind of fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Tim Griggs, then, is probably one of our steady men,” Tom remarked, after + a while. + </p> + <p> + “Steady! Why the man generally sends all of his month's pay, except about + eight dollars, to his daughter. From what he tells me she is a sharp, + thrifty little thing. She pays her own board bill with her relatives, + chooses and pays for her own clothes, and puts the balance of the money in + bank for herself and her father.” + </p> + <p> + “Does Tim ever go to see her?” + </p> + <p> + “Once in two years, regularly. He'd go east oftener, but it costs too much + money. He'd live near her, but he says he can earn more money down here on + the desert. Tim even talks about a college education for that idolized + girl. She looks out just as sharply for her daddy. Whenever Tim is ready + to make a trip east, she sends him the money for his fare. The two have a + great old time together.” + </p> + <p> + “Tim may marry again one of these days, and then the young lady may not + have as happy a time,” remarked Tom thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “I hinted as much to Griggs,” replied Dr. Furniss, “but he told me, pretty + strongly, that there'll be no new wife for him until he has helped the + daughter to find her own place in life.” + </p> + <p> + “Say!” muttered Tom, with a queer little choke in his voice. “The heroes + in life generally aren't found on the high spots, are they?” + </p> + <p> + “They're not,” retorted the doctor solemnly. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later, after having eaten their fill of ice cream, Dr. + Furniss and Engineer Reade parted, Tom strolling on alone in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “I can It get that fellow Griggs out of my mind,” muttered Tom. “To think + that a splendid fellow like him is working as a laborer! I wonder if he + isn't fitted for something better—something that pays better? Look + out, Tom Reade, you old softy, or you'll be doing something foolish, all + on account of a primary school girl in New England whom you've never seen, + and never will! I wonder—hello!” + </p> + <p> + As Tom had walked along his head had sunk lower and lower in thought. His + sudden exclamation had been brought forth by the fact that he had bumped + violently into another human being. + </p> + <p> + “Cantch er look out where you're going?” demanded an ugly voice. + </p> + <p> + “I should have been looking out, my friend,” Tom replied amiably. “It was + very careless of me. I trust, that I haven't done you serious harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Quit yer sass!” ordered the other, who was a tall, broad-shouldered and + very surly looking fellow of thirty. + </p> + <p> + “I don't much blame you for being peevish,” Reade went on. “Still, I think + there has been no serious harm done. Good night, friend.” + </p> + <p> + “No, ye don't!” snarled the other. “Nothing of the slip-away-easy style, + like that!” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what do you want?” I asked Tom, opening his eyes in genuine + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Ye thick-headed idiot!” rasped the surly stranger. “Ye—” + </p> + <p> + From that the stranger launched into a strain of abuse that staggered the + young engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Say no more,” begged Reade generously. “I accept your apology, just as + you've phrased it.” + </p> + <p> + “Apology, ye fool!” growled the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “That won't do. Put up your hands!” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “So ye can fight, ye—” + </p> + <p> + “Fight?” echoed Tom, with a shake of his bead. “On a hot night like this? + No, sir! I refuse.” + </p> + <p> + Tom would have passed peaceably on his way, but the stranger suddenly let + go a terrific right-hander. Had Tom Reade received the blow he would have + gone to the ground. But the young engineer's athletic training stood by + him. He slid out, easily and gracefully, but was compelled to wheel and + face his assailant. + </p> + <p> + “Don't,” urged Tom. “It's too hot.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm hot myself,” leered the stranger, dancing nearer. + </p> + <p> + “You look it,” Tom admitted. “If you don't stop dancing, you'll soon be + hotter. It makes me warm to look at you.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop this one, ye tin-horn!” snarled the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” agreed Tom, blocking the blow. “However, I wish you wouldn't + be so strenuous. One of us may get hurt.” + </p> + <p> + This last escaped Reade as he blocked the blow, and again displayed a neat + little bit of footwork. + </p> + <p> + “Let's see you stop this one!” taunted the bully. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” agreed Tom, and did so. + </p> + <p> + “And this one. And this! Here's another!” + </p> + <p> + By this time the blows were raining in fast and thick. Tom's agile + footwork kept him out of reach of the hard, hammer-like fists of the + stranger. + </p> + <p> + Tom had been bred in athletics. He was comparative master of boxing, but + before this interchange of blows had gone far the young engineer realized + that he had met a doughty opponent. + </p> + <p> + What Tom didn't know was that his present foe was an ex-prizefighter, who + had sunk low in the scale of life. + </p> + <p> + What the lad didn't even suspect was that the man had been hired to pick a + fight with him, and that the fight was for desperate stakes. + </p> + <p> + “Have you pounded me all you think necessary?” asked Tom coolly, after + more than a minute's hard interchange of blows in which neither man had + gained any notable advantage. + </p> + <p> + “No, ye slant-eared boob!” roared the assailant. “Ye—” + </p> + <p> + Here he launched into another stream of abuse. + </p> + <p> + “You said all that before,” remarked Tom, with a new flash in his eyes. + Then fully aroused, he went to work in earnest, intending to drive his + opponent back and down him. + </p> + <p> + The fighting became terrific. There was little effort now to parry, for + each fighter had become intent on bringing the other to earth. + </p> + <p> + Tom was soon panting as he fought, for his opponent was heavier, taller + and altogether out of the youth's fistic class. + </p> + <p> + “If I can only reach his wind once, and topple him over!” thought Reade. + </p> + <p> + A blow aimed at his jaw he failed to block. The impact sent the young + engineer half staggering. Another blow, and Tom dropped, knocked out. + </p> + <p> + At that very instant a street door near by opened noiselessly. + </p> + <p> + “I've got him,” leered the bully, bending over the senseless form of Tom + Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Bring him in!” ordered a voice behind the open doorway. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. TOM HEARS THE PROGRAM + </h2> + <p> + Throwing his arms around Tom, the bully lifted him and bore him inside, + dropping him on the floor in the dark. + </p> + <p> + “He's some tough fighter,” muttered Tom's assailant. “I didn't know but + he'd get me.” + </p> + <p> + “No; he couldn't,” replied the other voice. “I was just opening the door + so I could slip out and give him a clip in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + “He's coming to,” muttered the bully. “Ye'll have to tell me what you want + done with him.” + </p> + <p> + The speaker had knelt by Tom, with a hand roughly laid against the young + engineer's pulse. Neither plotter could see the boy, for no light had been + struck in the room. + </p> + <p> + “Pick him up,” ordered the one who appeared to be directing affairs. “If + he comes to while you're carrying him you can handle him easily enough, + can't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Even after he knows pie from dirt he'll be dazed for a few + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “Come along with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Strike a light.” + </p> + <p> + For answer the director of this brutal affair flashed a little glow from a + pocket electric lamp. + </p> + <p> + The way led down a hallway, through to the back of the house, and thence + down a steep flight of stairs into a cellar. + </p> + <p> + The man who appeared to be in charge of this undertaking had brought a + lantern, holding it ahead of the man who carried Tom's unconscious form. + </p> + <p> + “Dump him there,” ordered the man with the lantern. + </p> + <p> + “He's stirring,” reported the fighter, after having dropped young Reade to + the hard earthen floor. + </p> + <p> + “Take this then,” replied the other, who, having hung the lantern on a + hook overhead, had stepped off beyond the fringe of darkness. He now + returned with a shotgun, which he handed to the fighter who had attacked + the young chief engineer in the street. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want me to shoot him?” whispered the other huskily. + </p> + <p> + “If you have to, but I don't believe it will be necessary. The cub will + soon understand that his safety depends entirely on doing as he is told.” + </p> + <p> + “Say,” muttered Tom thickly. He stirred, opened his eyes, then sat up, + looking dazed. + </p> + <p> + “Don't move or talk too much,” advised the man with the shotgun. As he + spoke, he moved the muzzle close to Reade's face. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” muttered Tom, blinking rather hard. + </p> + <p> + “Hello yourself. That's talking enough for you to do,” snapped the bully. + </p> + <p> + “Was that the thing you hit me over the head with at the finish?” inquired + the young engineer curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Careful! You're expected to think—not talk,” leered his captor. “If + ye want something to think about ye can remember that I have fingers on + both triggers of this gun.” + </p> + <p> + “I can see that much,” Tom assented. “Why do you think that it's necessary + to keep that thing pointed at me? Have you got me in a place where you + feel that facilities for escaping are too great?” + </p> + <p> + The word “facilities” appeared too big for the mind of the bully to grasp. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what ye're talkin' about,” he grumbled. + </p> + <p> + “Neither do I,” Tom admitted cheerily. “My friend, I'm not going to + irritate you by pretending that I know more than you do. In fact, I know + less, for I have no idea what is about to happen to me here, and that's + something that you do know.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I don't,” glared his captor, “and I don't care what is going to + happen to you.” + </p> + <p> + Back of the fringe between light and darkness steps were heard on the + cellar stairs. Then someone moved steadily forward until he came into the + light. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Jim!” Tom called good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't try to be too familiar with your betters, young man!” came the + stern reply. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a thousand pardons, Mr. Duff,” Tom amended hastily. “I didn't intend + to insult your dignity. Indeed, I am only too glad to find you resolved to + be dignified.” + </p> + <p> + “If you try to get fresh with me,” growled the gambler, “I'll knock your + head off.” + </p> + <p> + “Call it a slap on the wrist, and let it go at that,” urged Tom. “I'm very + nervous to-night, and a blow on the head might make me worse.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing could make you worse,” growled, Duff, turning on his heel, “and + only death could improve you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm distinctly opposed to the up-lift,” grinned Tom, but Duff had + disappeared into a darker part of the cellar and the young engineer could + not tell whether or not his shaft had reached its mark. + </p> + <p> + “Ye wouldn't be so fresh if ye had a good idea of what ye're up against + to-night,” warned the bully with the gun. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy a good many of us would tone down if we could look ahead for + three whole days,” Tom suggested. + </p> + <p> + Other steps were now heard on the stairs. The newcomers remained outside + the illuminated part of the cellar until still others arrived. + </p> + <p> + “Now, gentlemen,” proposed the voice of Jim Duff, “suppose we have a look + at the troublemaker.” + </p> + <p> + “They can't mean me,” Tom hinted to his immediate captor. + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” came the surly answer. + </p> + <p> + Fully a dozen men now moved forward. With the single exception of Duff, + each had a cloth, with eye-holes, tied in place over his face. + </p> + <p> + “My, but this looks delightfully mysterious!” chuckled Tom. + </p> + <p> + “You be still, boy, except when you answer something that calls for a + reply,” ordered Jim Duff, who had dropped all of the surface polish of + manner that he usually employed. “This meeting need not last long, and + I'll do most of the talking.” + </p> + <p> + “Won't these other gentlemen present be allowed to do some of the + talking?” the young engineer inquired. + </p> + <p> + “They don't want to,” Duff explained gruffly. “That might lead to their + being recognized.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's the game?” mused Tom Reade aloud. “Why, I thought they had the + handkerchiefs over their faces because—” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up and listen!” warned Jim Duff. + </p> + <p> + “...because,” finished Tom, “they wanted me to feel that everything was + being done regularly and in good dime-novel form. My, but they do look + like some of the fellows that Hen Dutcher used to tell us about. Hen used + to waste more time on dime novels than—” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” again commanded Duff. “These gentlemen feel that there is no + need of their being recognized.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why didn't Fred Ransom, of the Colthwaite Company, cover up the scar + on his chin?” retorted Reade. “Why didn't Ashby, of the Mansion House, + invent a new style of walking for the occasion?” + </p> + <p> + Both men named drew hastily back into the shadow. Tom chuckled quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I could name a few others,” Tom continued carelessly. “In fact—I + think I know you all. Gentlemen, you might as well remove your masks.” + </p> + <p> + “Club him with the butt of the gun, if he talks too much,” Duff directed + the bully, who had stepped back a few paces as the men formed a circle + around the young engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever try to stop water from running down hill, Duff,” Tom + inquired good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + “What has that to do with—” began the gambler angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing very much,” Tom admitted. “Only it's a waste of time to try to + bind my tongue. The only thing you can do is to gag me; but, from some + things you've let drop, I judge that you want me to do some of the talking + presently.” + </p> + <p> + “We do,” nodded Duff, seeking to regain his temper. “However, it won't do + you any good to attempt to do your talking before you've heard me.” + </p> + <p> + “If I've been interfering with your rights, then I certainly owe you an + apology,” Tom answered, with mock gravity. “May I beg you to begin your + speech?” + </p> + <p> + “I will if you'll keep quiet long enough, boy,” Jim Duff retorted. + </p> + <p> + “I'll try,” sighed Reade. “Let's hear you.” + </p> + <p> + “This committee of gentlemen—” began the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “All gentlemen?” Tom inquired gravely. + </p> + <p> + “This committee,” Duff started again, “have concerned themselves with the + fact that you have done much to make business bad here in Paloma. You have + prevented hundreds of workmen from coming into Paloma to spend their wages + as they otherwise would have done.” + </p> + <p> + “Some mistake there,” Reade urged. “I can't control the actions of my men + after working hours.” + </p> + <p> + “You've persuaded them against coming into town,” retorted Duff sternly. + “None of the A. G. & N. M. workmen come into Paloma with their wages.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to hear that,” Tom nodded. “It's the effect of taking good + advice, not the result of orders.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the masked listeners stirred impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “It's all the same,” Jim growled. “Your men don't come into town, and + Paloma suffers from the loss of that much business.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry to hear it.” + </p> + <p> + “So this committee,” the gambler went on, “has instructed me to inform you + that your immediate departure from Paloma will be necessary if you care to + go on living.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't go just yet,” Tom declared, with a shake of his bead. “My work + here at Paloma isn't finished.” + </p> + <p> + “Your work will be finished before the night is over, if you don't accept + our orders to leave town,” growled Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! Is it as bad as that?” queried Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Worse, as you'll find! What's your answer, Reade?” + </p> + <p> + “All I can say then,” Tom replied innocently, “is that it is too bad.” + </p> + <p> + Clip! Jim Duff bent forward, administering a smart cuff against the right + side of the sitting engineer's face. + </p> + <p> + “Don't do that!” warned Tom, leaping lithely to his feet. He faced the + gambler coolly, but the lad's muscles were working under the sleeves of + his shirt. + </p> + <p> + Duff drew back three steps, after which he faced the boy, eyeing him + steadily. + </p> + <p> + “Reade, you've heard what we have to say to you. That you can't go on + living in Paloma. Are you ready to give us your word to leave Paloma + before daylight, and never come back?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Tom replied flatly. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” sneered the gambler, fixing the gaze of his snake-like eyes on the + young chief engineer, “I'll tell you what we have provided for you. We + shall take you to the edge of the town, at once, and there hang you by the + neck to a tree. After you've ceased squirming we'll fasten this card to + you.” + </p> + <p> + From another man present Jim snatched a printed card, bearing this legend: + </p> + <p> + “Gone, for the good of the community!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB + </h2> + <p> + “How soon are you going to carry out your plans?” Reade demanded. + </p> + <p> + “Then you won't leave Paloma?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly won't—as far as my own decision goes,” Reade replied + firmly. “Furthermore, I should feel the utmost contempt for myself if I + allowed you to drive me away from here before my work is completed.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a fool!” hissed Duff. + </p> + <p> + “And you're a gambler,” Tom shot back. “If you won't change your trade, + why should you expect me to change mine?” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon, gentlemen,” said Duff, turning to the others present, “that + there's no use in wasting any more time with this fellow. He'd rather be + hanged to a tree than take good advice. If the rest of you agree with me, + I propose that we take the cub to his tree at once.” + </p> + <p> + Several spoke in favor of this plan. Tom, seeing this, felt his heart sink + somewhat within him, though he was no more inclined than before to accede + to the demands of the rascals. + </p> + <p> + “Grab him! Throw him down; tie and gag him,” were the gambler's orders. + </p> + <p> + Two men nearest the young engineer sprang at him. + </p> + <p> + “We'll play this game right through to the finish, then!” burst from Tom's + lips, and there was something like fury in his voice. + </p> + <p> + Biff! Thump! + </p> + <p> + Two of the townsmen of Paloma, wholly unprepared for resistance, went down + before the engineer's telling blows. + </p> + <p> + “Your turn, Duff!” rumbled Reade's voice, as he sprang forward and + launched a terrific blow at the gambler. + </p> + <p> + Duff went down, almost doubling up as he struck. He had been hit squarely + on the jaw with a force that made even Tom Reade's hardened knuckles ache. + </p> + <p> + “Shoot him!” rose a snarl, as others moved toward the boy. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” assented Tom, his voice ringing cheerily despite his anger. + “Be cowards, as comes natural to you. Yet, if you have the courage of real + men I'll agree to fight my way out of this place, meeting you one at a + time.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that noise up in the street?” suddenly demanded Ashby, in a tone + of sudden fear. + </p> + <p> + “Run up and find out, if you want to know,” proposed Tom, who stood + poised, ready for another assailant to come within reach of his fists. + </p> + <p> + Stealthily, on tip-toe, the bully who had first engaged Reade in the + street fight, was now trying to get up behind the young engineer. The + bully held the shotgun ready to bring down on the lad's head. + </p> + <p> + “There's some row up there,” continued Ashby. “There, I heard shots!” + </p> + <p> + “Brave, aren't you?” jeered Tom. + </p> + <p> + Three or four of the masked cowards started for the steep stairway. + </p> + <p> + Even the bully with the clubbed shotgun must have been seized with fear; + for, though in position to strike, he quickly lowered the weapon and + listened. + </p> + <p> + Bump! smash! sounded, though not directly overhead. + </p> + <p> + Then from the hallway above came the noise of the treading of many feet, + while a voice roared hoarsely: + </p> + <p> + “Spread through the house, boys! If they've done anything to Mr. Reade, + then break the necks of every white-livered rascal you can find!” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” chuckled Tom, while the masked faces in the cellar turned even + whiter than the cloths covering them. “That voice sounds familiar to me, + too.” + </p> + <p> + Over the hubbub of voices above sounded some remonstrating tones, as + though others were urging a less violent course. + </p> + <p> + “It's the workmen from the camp!” guessed Hotelman Ashby, in a voice that + shook as though from ague. + </p> + <p> + “Sounds like it,” chuckled Tom. “Cheer up, Ashby. If it's our railroad + crew I'll try to see to it that they don't do more than half kill you!” + </p> + <p> + Then, raising his voice, Tom called gleefully: + </p> + <p> + “Hello, there! You'll find us in the cellar.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you kill that fool!” muttered Jim Duff, who, still dazed, + struggled to sit up. + </p> + <p> + “Hush, man, for goodness sake!” implored the badly frightened Ashby. + </p> + <p> + Duff, with rapidly returning consciousness, now leaped to his feet, + drawing his pistol and springing at Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on!” Tom proposed coolly. “You're too late!” + </p> + <p> + The sudden flooding of light into the place and the rush of hobnailed + shoes on the stairs recalled even the gambler's scattered senses. + </p> + <p> + “There they are!” yelled a voice. “Grab 'em! Be careful you don't hit Mr. + Reade.” + </p> + <p> + In another instant the cellar was the center of a wild scene. Railway + laborers flooded the little place. While some held dark lanterns that + threw a bright glow over the scene, others leaped upon the masked ones, + tearing the cloths from their faces. + </p> + <p> + “Serve 'em hot!” roared the same rough voice. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” commanded Tom Reade, leaping forward where the light was brightest + and into the thick of the struggling mass of humanity. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, I tell you!” + </p> + <p> + His commands fell upon deaf ears. It was impossible to restrain these men. + </p> + <p> + Here and there the lately masked men drew pistols, though not one of them + had a chance to use his weapon ere it was wrested from him. + </p> + <p> + Pound! slam! bang! A medley of falling blows filled the air, nor was it + many seconds later when cries of pain and fear, and appeals for mercy were + heard on all sides. + </p> + <p> + Tom had recognized his own railroad workers, and was throwing himself + among them, doing his utmost with hands and voice to stop the brief but + wild orgy of revenge on the part of the workmen who idolized him. In their + present rage, however, Tom could not at once restrain them. Time and again + he was swept back from reaching Tim Griggs, who was easily the center of + this volcanic outburst of human passion. + </p> + <p> + “Boys!” roared Tim. “We'll want to know these coyotes to-morrow. Black the + left eye of each rascal. I'll black both of Jim Duff's.” + </p> + <p> + Two heavy, sodden impacts sounded during a brief pause in the noise, + attesting to the fact that the gambler had been decorated. + </p> + <p> + “Stop all this! Stop!” roared Tom Reade. “Men, we're not savages, just + because these other fellows happen to be! Stop it, I tell you. Are there + no foremen here?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm trying to reach you, Mr. Reade,” called the voice of Superintendent + Hawkins. “But this is a heavy crush to get through.” + </p> + <p> + In truth it was. There were more than a hundred laborers in the cellar, + while the stairs were blocked by a mob of enraged workmen. + </p> + <p> + “Stop it all, men!” Tom again urged, and this time there was silence, save + for his own strong voice. “We don't want to prove ourselves to be as + despicable as the enemy are. Bring 'em up to the street, but don't be + brutal about it. We'll look the scoundrels over so that we'll know them + to-morrow. Come along. Clear the stairs, if you please, men!” + </p> + <p> + Tom was now once more in control, as fully as though he had his force of + toilers out on the desert at the Man-killer quicksand. + </p> + <p> + So, after a few minutes, all were in the street. Here fully two hundred + more of the railroad men, many of them armed with stakes and other crude + weapons, held back a crowd of Paloma residents who swarmed curiously + about. + </p> + <p> + “Let me through, men. Let me through, I tell you!” insisted the voice of + Harry Hazelton, as that young assistant engineer struggled with the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Then, on being recognized, Harry was allowed to reach the side of his + chum. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade!” called a husky-toned voice, “won't you order your men to let + me through to see you? I want to talk with you about tonight's outrage.” + </p> + <p> + Tom recognized the speaker as a man named Beasley, one of Paloma's most + upright and courageous citizens. + </p> + <p> + “Let Mr. Beasley through,” Tom called. “Don't block the streets, men. + Remember, we've no right to do that.” + </p> + <p> + A resounding cheer ascended at the sound of Tom's voice. In the light of + the lanterns Tom was seen to be signaling with his hands for quiet, and + the din soon died down. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade,” spoke Beasley, in a voice that shook with indignation, “the + real men of this town would like an account of what has been going on here + to-night. If Duff and his cronies have been up to anything that hurts the + good name of the town we'd like the full particulars. You men there—don't + let one of the rascals get away. Jim Duff and his gang will have to answer + to the town of Paloma.” + </p> + <p> + “Men,” ordered Reade, “bring along the crew you caught in the cellar. + Don't hurt them—remember how cowardly violence would be when we have + everything in our own hands.” + </p> + <p> + “The men of Paloma will do all the hurting,” Mr. Beasley announced grimly. + </p> + <p> + Tom's own deliberate manner, and his manifest intention of not abusing his + advantage impressed itself upon the decent men of Paloma, who now swarmed + about the frightened captives from the cellar. + </p> + <p> + “I know 'em all,” muttered Beasley. “I'll know 'em in the morning, too. So + will you, friends!” he added, turning to the pressing crowds. + </p> + <p> + “Start Jim Duff on his travels now!” demanded one angry voice. + </p> + <p> + “By the Tree & Rope Short Line!” proposed another voice. + </p> + <p> + Jim was caught and held, despite his straggles. Active hands swarmed over + his clothing, seeking for weapons. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” appealed Tom sturdily, making his resonant voice + travel far over the heads of the throng. “Will you honor me with your + attention for three or four minutes?” + </p> + <p> + “Yep!” shouted back one voice. + </p> + <p> + “You bet!” came another voice. + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead and spout, Reade. We'll have the hanging, right after!” + </p> + <p> + There was nothing jovial in these responses. Tom Reade knew men well + enough to recognize this fact. Moreover, Tom knew the plain, unvarnished, + honest and deadly-in-earnest men of these south-western plains well enough + to know the genuine fury of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Arizona and New Mexico have long been held up as states where violence and + lynch law prevail. The truth is that Arizona and New Mexico have no more + lynchings than do many of the older states. An Arizona lynching can only + follow an upheaval of public sentiment, when honest men are angered at + having their fair fame sullied by the acts of blackguards. + </p> + <p> + “Friends,” Tom went on, as soon as he could secure silence, “I am a + newcomer among you. I have no right to tell you how to conduct your + affairs, and I am not going to make that mistake. What you may do with Jim + Duff, what you may do with others who damage the fair name of your town, + is none of my business. For myself I want no revenge on these rascals. + They have already been handled with much more roughness than they had time + to show to me. I am satisfied to call the matter even.” + </p> + <p> + “But we're not!” shouted an Arizona voice from the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “That's your own affair, gentlemen,” Reade went on. “I wish to suggest—in + fact, I beg of you—that you let these fellows go to-night. In the + morning, when the sun is up, and after you have thought over the matter, + you will be in a better position to give these fellows fair-minded justice—if + you then still feel that something must be done to them. That is all I + have to say, gentlemen. Now, Mr. Beasley, won't you follow with further + remarks in this same line?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Beasley looked more or less reluctant, but he presently complied with + Reade's request. Then Tom called upon another prominent citizen of Paloma + in the crowd for a speech. + </p> + <p> + “Let the coyotes go—until daylight,” was the final verdict of the + crowd, though there was an ominous note in the expressed decision. + </p> + <p> + In stony silence the crowd now parted to let Jim Duff and his fellows go + away. + </p> + <p> + Within sixty seconds the last of them had run the gauntlet of contempt and + vanished. + </p> + <p> + “Someone told me,” scoffed Beasley, “that a gambler is a man of courage, + polish, brains and good manners. I reckon Jim Duff isn't a real gambler, + then.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he is!” shouted another. “He's one of the real kind—sometimes + smooth, but always bound to fatten on the money that belongs to other + men.” + </p> + <p> + “Jim can leave town, I reckon,” grimly declared another old settler. “We + have savings banks these days, and we don't need gamblers to carry our + money for us.” + </p> + <p> + “Speech, Reade! Speech!” insisted Mr. Beasley good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + From some mysterious place a barrel was passed along from hand to hand. It + was set down before the young chief engineer, and ready hands hoisted him + to the upturned end of the barrel. + </p> + <p> + “Speech!” roared a thousand voices. + </p> + <p> + Tom, grinning good-humoredly, then waved his arms as though to still the + tumult of voices. Gradually the cheering died down, then ceased. + </p> + <p> + Bang! sounded further down the Street, and the flash of a rifle was seen. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade, his speech unmade, fell from the barrel into the arms of those + crowded about him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. MR. DANES INTRODUCES HIMSELF + </h2> + <p> + Daylight found Jim Duff and some of his cronies of the night before either + absent from Paloma, or else securely hidden. + </p> + <p> + Fred Ransom, the Colthwaite Company's representative, had also vanished. + </p> + <p> + Proprietor Ashby, of the Mansion House, was reported to be skulking in his + hotel, as he did not show his face on the streets. + </p> + <p> + Morning also brought calmer counsel to the real men of Paloma. They were + now glad that they had not sullied themselves by acts of violence. + </p> + <p> + No one, when daylight came, entertained the belief that Tom Reade would + suffer from any further attempts at violence, for now the little coterie + of so-called “bad men” in the town were thoroughly frightened. + </p> + <p> + Tom had not been hit by the rifle shot. He had fallen as a matter of + precaution, fearing that a second shot would speed on the heels of the + first. + </p> + <p> + The fellow who had fired that shot at Tom had not lingered long enough to + place himself in risk of Arizona vengeance. Even before some of the men in + the crowd had had time to discover that Reade, unhurt, was laughing over + his escape, a score or more had darted down the street, only to find that + the unknown whom they sought was safely out of the way. + </p> + <p> + “We'll search the town from one end to the other,” one excited citizen had + proposed. + </p> + <p> + “We'll make a night of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't do anything of the sort,” Tom had urged. “You'll terrorize hundreds + of women and children, who have no knowledge of this affair. Jim Duff's + little evening of celebration is ended and now the wisest thing for you to + do is to return to your homes. Mr. Hawkins!” + </p> + <p> + “Here, sir,” answered the superintendent of construction. + </p> + <p> + “Get our men together and return to camp. They'll need sleep against the + toil of to-morrow. Let every man who wants to do so sleep an hour or two + later in the morning. Men of the A., G. & N. M., accept my heartiest + thanks for the splendid manner in which you turned out to help me, though + as yet I'm ignorant of how it all came about.” + </p> + <p> + Nor was it until the next day that Tom Reade learned from Hazelton just + what had caused the laborers to tumble out of their beds and rush into + town to serve him. + </p> + <p> + That night Tim Griggs had been prowling about the streets of Paloma, + suspicious of Reade's enemies, and watching for the safety of the young + chief engineer who had saved him from the savage appetite of the + Man-killer quicksand. + </p> + <p> + It had chanced that Tim had caught a glimpse of the finish of the fight on + the street, and was just in time to see the young chief engineer lifted + and carried into that unoccupied house, the property of the hotel man, + Ashby. + </p> + <p> + Tim's first instinct had been to seek help in town—in that very + neighborhood. Tim was suspicious, and afraid that he might by mistake + appeal to some of Tom's enemies. + </p> + <p> + So, while running through the streets searching for Hazelton, Tim had + espied an automobile standing idle in front of a house. Having some + acquaintance with automobiles, Tim had cranked up and leaped into the + vehicle, speeding straight to camp, where he gave the alarm. Men answered + by hundreds, Mendoza keeping his Mexicans in camp to watch the property + there. + </p> + <p> + Harry was aroused by the tumult, for he had just gone to his room, + intending to turn in. + </p> + <p> + Having roused the camp, Tim ran the car back to town at the head of the + swarming little army and returned to the spot where he had seized the + automobile. + </p> + <p> + “It's all over now, old fellow,” Tom declared to his chum cheerily, rising + from his office chair as one of the whistles blew and the men knocked off + for their noonday meal. “What happened last night won't happen again.” + </p> + <p> + “Just the same, Tom, I almost wish you'd carry a pistol after this,” Harry + remarked, as the two engineers went to their horses, mounted and started + toward town for their own meal. + </p> + <p> + “Bosh!” almost snapped Tom. “You know my opinion of pistols. They are for + policemen, soldiers and others who have real need to go armed. Only a + coward would pack a pistol day by day without needing it.” + </p> + <p> + So the matter was dropped for the time being. + </p> + <p> + At the hotel Tom and Harry went to their accustomed seats in the dining + room. Their food was brought and the two young engineers fell to work + cheerfully. Just then a well-dressed man of perhaps thirty years entered + the dining, room, spoke to one of the waiters, and came over to the + engineers' table. + </p> + <p> + “Messrs. Reade and Hazelton?” he inquired pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Harry nodded. + </p> + <p> + “May I make myself known?” asked the stranger. “My name is Danes—Frank + Danes.” + </p> + <p> + Harry in turn gave his own name and that of Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if you would think it intruding if I invited myself to join you + at this table?” the stranger went on. + </p> + <p> + “By no means,” Tom responded cordially. “We'll be glad of your company. It + will stop Hazelton and myself from talking too much shop.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, by all means talk shop,” begged Danes, as he slipped into a chair at + one side of the table. “I shall enjoy it, for I am interested in you both. + In fact, I took the liberty of asking the waiter to point you gentlemen + out to me.” + </p> + <p> + “So?” Tom inquired. + </p> + <p> + Danes had the appearance of being a well-to-do easterner, and announced + himself as a resident of Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + For some minutes the three chatted pleasantly, Harry, however, doing most + of the talking for the engineers. When Tom spoke it was generally to put + some question. + </p> + <p> + “Do you ever permit visitors to go out to the Man-killer?” Danes inquired + toward the end of the meal. + </p> + <p> + “Sometimes,” Tom answered. + </p> + <p> + “I shall be very grateful if you will accord me that privilege.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall be very glad to invite you out there some time,” Tom answered + pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “To-day?” pressed the stranger. “I have nothing to do this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Some other day would suit better, if you can arrange it conveniently,” + Reade suggested, as he rose. + </p> + <p> + Then they left Danes, securing their horses and riding back over the + scorching desert. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like Danes?” Harry asked, after they had ridden some distance. + “He seems a very pleasant fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Very pleasant,” Tom nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Why didn't you let him come along?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I don't like Danes' employers.” + </p> + <p> + “His employers?” Harry repeated, puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he is employed by the Colthwaite Company.” + </p> + <p> + “What?” Hazelton started in astonishment. “How do you know that, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know it, but I'm sure of it, just the same,” was Reade's answer. + </p> + <p> + “It maybe so,” Harry agreed. “What makes you suspect him?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the first place, Danes, if that's his name—said he hailed + from Baltimore. Yet he had none of that soft, delightful southern accent + that you and I have noticed in the voices of real southern men. Danes uses + two or three words, at times, that are distinctly Chicago slang. Moreover, + I'm certain that the man knows a good deal about engineering work, though + he won't admit it.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have to watch him, then,” muttered Harry. + </p> + <p> + “We don't need to tell him anything, nor do we need to bring him out here + to see how we are filling in the Man-killer. If we don't tell Danes much + he may not last long. The Colthwaite people ought soon to grow tired of + keeping agents here who don't succeed in hindering our work.” + </p> + <p> + “Whew! I shall be glad of a sleep to-night, after all the excitement of + last night,” declared Hazelton, as the young engineers rode into Paloma at + the close of the day's work. + </p> + <p> + On the porch, lolling in a reclining chair with his feet elevated to the + railing, sat Frank Danes. + </p> + <p> + “Back from toil, gentlemen?” was his pleasant greeting. + </p> + <p> + “Long enough to get sufficient sleep to carry us through to-morrow,” was + Tom Reade's unruffled response. + </p> + <p> + “You do look tired,” assented Danes, rising and coming toward them. “Yet I + hear that, personally, you don't have hard work to do.” + </p> + <p> + “We don't work at all, if you take that view of it,” Harry retorted. “Yet + there's a thing called responsibility, and many wise men have declared + that it takes more out of a man than hours of toiling with pick and + shovel.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I can believe that's so,” agreed Danes. “Going into dinner now?” + </p> + <p> + “After a bath and a change of clothing,” Tom replied. + </p> + <p> + “Then, if you really don't mind, I'll wait and dine at the same table with + you.” + </p> + <p> + “If you can wait that long we shall be charmed to have your company,” Tom + assured him as the young engineers stepped inside. + </p> + <p> + Frank Danes half started as they left him. + </p> + <p> + “Reade's tone sounded a bit peculiar,” muttered the newcomer to himself. + “I wonder why? Perhaps I have forced myself a little too much upon him and + Reade has taken a dislike to me.” + </p> + <p> + If Tom had taken a dislike to the newcomer, Danes could not be sure of it + from the young chief engineer's manner at table. Harry Hazelton, too, was + almost gracious during the meal. + </p> + <p> + “They're a pair of half-smart, half-simple boobs,” decided Danes, as he + smoked a cigar alone after dinner. + </p> + <p> + “Tom, I think your great intellect has gone astray for once,” remarked + Hazelton, in the privacy of their room upstairs. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew that I had any great intellect,” Reade laughed. “However, I + was born to be suspicious once in a while. I suppose you were referring to + Frank Danes.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and he appears to be a mighty decent fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure I hope he is,” yawned Tom. “I'm willing to give him the benefit + of the doubt. I'm going to bed, Harry. What do you say?” + </p> + <p> + Hazelton was agreeable. Within twenty minutes both young engineers were + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + It was after midnight when cries of “fire!” from the street aroused them. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade threw open the door to be greeted by a cloud of stifling smoke. + </p> + <p> + “Hustle, Harry!” he gasped, making a rush to get into his clothing. “We + can get out, I think, but we haven't any time to spare. This old trap is + ablaze. It won't last many minutes!” + </p> + <p> + Trained in the alarms and the hurries of camp life, the young engineers + all but sprang into their clothes. + </p> + <p> + “Come on, Harry!” urged Tom, throwing open the door. “We can make it.” + </p> + <p> + They started, when, from the floor above, a woman's frantic appeals for + help reached them. Children's cries were added to hers. + </p> + <p> + “Get to the street, Harry!” shouted Tom. “I'm going upstairs. There'd be + no satisfaction for me in reaching the street if I abandoned that woman + and her babies to their fate. One of us can do the job as well as two!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. DANES SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Almost immediately after the cries of “fire” the bell at the fire station + pealed out. + </p> + <p> + Paloma's volunteer fire department turned out quickly, running to the + scene with a hand engine, two hose reels and a ladder truck. + </p> + <p> + By this time, however, the whole of Paloma appeared to be lighted up with + the brisk blaze. Tongues of flame shot skyward from the burning hotel, + while small blazing embers dropped freely into the street. + </p> + <p> + “Is everyone out? Everyone safe? Anyone missing?” panted Carter, the young + proprietor of the Cactus House. + </p> + <p> + The disturbed guests ranged themselves about Carter, who looked them over + swiftly. + </p> + <p> + “Where are Mrs. Gerry and her two babies?” demanded the hotel man, his + cheeks blanching. + </p> + <p> + None answered, for no one had seen the woman and her children. + </p> + <p> + “They must be in the house,” cried Carter. + </p> + <p> + At that instant a woman's face appeared, briefly, at a window on the third + floor. Her piercing cry rang out, then her face vanished, a cloud of smoke + driving her from the open window. + </p> + <p> + “Hustle the ladders along!” begged the hotel man hoarsely. “We must rescue + that woman and her children. Her husband will be here in morning. What can + we say to him if we allow his wife and children to perish in the flames?” + </p> + <p> + In a few moments a long ladder had been hauled off the track and brave men + rushed it to the wall, two men starting to ascend the moment it was in + place. + </p> + <p> + In another moment they came sliding down, balked. Flames had enveloped the + upper end of the ladder. It had to be hauled down, buckets of water being + dashed over the blazing sides. + </p> + <p> + “You can't get a ladder up on any part of that wall to the third floor,” + called the chief of the fire department hoarsely, as he broke through a + thick veil of smoke. “You'll have to try the rear.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are Reade and Hazelton?” called a voice. + </p> + <p> + “Reade!” + </p> + <p> + “Hazelton!” + </p> + <p> + There was no answer. A hundred men turned, looking blankly at their + nearest fellows. + </p> + <p> + “They've gone down in the flames!” called another voice. + </p> + <p> + “Reade and Hazelton have lost their lives!” + </p> + <p> + “That'll make their enemies happy!” groaned one man, and other voices took + it up. + </p> + <p> + “Carter,” shouted one big man, running to the proprietor, “if this blaze + is the work of a fire-bug, then look for Reade and Hazelton's enemies. + They have the most to gain by the death of those young fellows!” + </p> + <p> + A hoarse yell went up from the crowd. All of a sudden it seemed plain to + every man present that the hatred for Tom and Harry in certain quarters + fully accounted for the fire. + </p> + <p> + “Get a rope! Lynch somebody!” shouted one voice after another. + </p> + <p> + “First of all, let's find a way to get that woman and her babies out!” + Carter appealed, frantically. + </p> + <p> + Scores of voices took up this cry, and numbers of men hastened around to + the rear of the little hotel in the wake of the laddermen. + </p> + <p> + “We must find Reade and Hazelton, too,” shouted others. + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll lynch someone for this night's business!” + </p> + <p> + The cry was taken up hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + Two ladders were quickly hoisted at the rear. Almost before they had begun + to hoist, the laddermen and spectators felt that it was a useless attempt. + </p> + <p> + Nor did the doors and passages seem to offer any better avenue of escape. + </p> + <p> + Chug, chug, chug! sounded a touring car close at hand. An automobile + stopped, Dr. Furniss jumping out. + </p> + <p> + “Anyone in danger!” shouted the young doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; a woman and her children. Also Reade and Hazelton!” + </p> + <p> + “It's all right, then,” nodded Furniss, looking relieved. “Tom Reade and + Harry Hazelton have gone to the aid of the woman.” + </p> + <p> + “If I could only believe that!” gasped Proprietor Carter. “We've tried the + ladders, and we've tried the corridors of the house. It's a raging furnace + in there.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Furniss looked on rather calmly. + </p> + <p> + “I'm merely wondering on which side of the house those two engineers will + appear with the woman and her children,” he declared. + </p> + <p> + For the fourth time a ladder was being vainly raised at the rear. Suddenly + a shout rang out. In the basement a window was unexpectedly knocked out + from the inside. + </p> + <p> + Through the way thus cleared leaped a young man so blackened with smoke as + to be unrecognizable, though it was Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + Before those who first espied the young man recovered from their surprise, + a pair of arms from the inside handed out the body of a child to Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + Then came another child. Next the senseless body of a woman was handed + out. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Furniss was the first to recover, from delighted amazement. In a bound + he was on the spot, taking care of one of the children himself and bawling + to others to bring the rest of the family. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade, looking more like a burnt-cork minstrel in hard luck than like + his usual self, sprang through the window way and followed. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you people—stand back!” roared Tom, elbowing his way along. + “Dr. Furniss and his patients want room and air. Stand back!” + </p> + <p> + “It's Reade!” yelled a dozen men in delight. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what of it?” asked Tom coolly, as he followed Furniss. “Was there + anyone here who expected that I'd be lost?” + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah! Where's Hazelton?” + </p> + <p> + “Who wants me?” demanded the other unrecognizable, smoke-blackened figure. + </p> + <p> + “They're both safe!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh—cut it out,” begged Tom good-humoredly. “You can't lose an + engineer or even kill him. Doc, what's the report?” + </p> + <p> + “All three are alive,” replied Dr. Furniss, “but they'll need care and + nursing. Here, help me place them in my car. Someone get in and ride with + me—I'll need help. You, Reade!” + </p> + <p> + “No,” responded Tom with emphasis, as he looked down at his discolored + self. “If the lady saw me when she opened her eyes, she'd faint again. I'd + scare the kiddies into convulsions. A bath for me!” + </p> + <p> + A man from the crowd quickly stepped into the tonneau of the car, ready to + care for the woman and her children while the physician drove his car + home. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Reade! My congratulations on your getting out. 'Twas a brave deed, + too, to save that poor woman and her children.” + </p> + <p> + Frank Danes pressed through the crowd about the car, reaching out to seize + Reade's hand. + </p> + <p> + Into Tom's face flashed a sudden look that few had ever seen there. + </p> + <p> + It was a look full of contempt that the young chief engineer bent on the + man who had greeted him. + </p> + <p> + “Your hand!” cried Danes, in a voice ringing with admiration. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you touch me!” warned Reade, his voice vibrating with anger. + </p> + <p> + “Why—what—” began Danes, then reached his own right hand for + Tom's. + </p> + <p> + “Make way for this 'gentleman' to fall!” roared Reade, then swung a + crushing blow that landed squarely in Danes's face. + </p> + <p> + The latter went down in a heap. + </p> + <p> + There had been no explanation of the seemingly unprovoked blow, but the + crowd surged forward, snatching Danes's body up as though he were + something of which these men were anxious to be rid. + </p> + <p> + “Did he set the hotel afire?” demanded one man in husky tones. + </p> + <p> + “Did he?” chorused the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “Lemme through! Here's a rope!” + </p> + <p> + Then followed wild sounds that could not be distinguished as words. These + men of Paloma seemed bent upon fighting for the possession of Frank Danes, + who, having now recovered his senses, emitted shrill appeals for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “Here's the fire-bug! Here's the human match!” + </p> + <p> + “To the nearest tree!” + </p> + <p> + “I've got the rope ready!” + </p> + <p> + In another thirty seconds Frank Danes would have been dangling from a limb + of the nearest tree. Again Reade and Hazelton sprang into action. + </p> + <p> + “Stand back, men—please do!” begged Tom, fighting his way through + the thinnest side of the crowd. “Don't kill any man without a trial.” + </p> + <p> + “You know that this tenderfoot fired the hotel, don't you?” asked one man + hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “I've reason to suspect that he did—” + </p> + <p> + “That's enough for us!” roared a hundred voices. + </p> + <p> + “But I've no positive proof of Danes' guilt,” Tom insisted. + </p> + <p> + “To the tree with him!” + </p> + <p> + “Not while I've breath left in my body!” Tom blazed forth desperately. + “Come, Harry!” + </p> + <p> + Hazelton sprang to his chum's side, the two fighting desperately to drive + away the men who held Frank Danes captive. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a few hours at least, men!” Tom appealed earnestly. “Don't do + anything now that you'll be sorry for to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Other men of calm judgment began to see the force of Reade's remarks. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry were swiftly backed by such reinforcements that the + trembling wretch was torn from his would-be destroyers. + </p> + <p> + “Reade,” sobbed Frank Danes, “as long as I live I'll never forget your + splendid conduct.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” retorted Tom roughly. “I don't want to have to knock you down + again. It might start a riot that no man could quell.” + </p> + <p> + “Pass the skulking tenderfoot out to us!” implored some of the men on the + edge of the crowd, among whom was the man with the spare rope. + </p> + <p> + “No! We won't disgrace the town with a lynching,” Tom shot back. “Wait + until cool judgment has had time to do its work.” + </p> + <p> + “Bear a hand there!” roared Harry. “Help the firemen to save the next + building. Follow me!” + </p> + <p> + Thus led, the fickle crowd started to the aid of the firemen. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me, Danes,” whispered Tom hoarsely, sternly. “Keep your + distance, however, or I shall lay violent hands on you.” + </p> + <p> + Once out of the glare of light cast by the burning of the hotel, Tom Reade + pointed down a dark side street. + </p> + <p> + “There's your way, Danes,” whispered Reade. “Skip! Be far from Paloma by + daylight—or nothing will save you.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you consider me responsible for that fire?” faltered Danes. + </p> + <p> + “Hazelton and I went through that fire,” Tom retorted sternly. “We had a + hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked with + the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I couldn't + swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your coat and your + hands have the odor of coal oil.” + </p> + <p> + Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him. + </p> + <p> + “So, you see,” continued Tom savagely, “you'll do well to escape before + anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you.” + </p> + <p> + “You've been mighty good to me—and I—” chattered Danes. + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, as I advised you before!” rasped Tom Reade. “I've been as good + to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the men of + this town suspect—understand—you?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering. + </p> + <p> + “Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks—” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” Tom insisted. “Thanks from you would make me feel like a + traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company, + however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the others!” + </p> + <p> + At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “That was their second attempt,” muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back to + where the flames still held dominion. “I wonder if I shall be as lucky + when the third attempt against me is made?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. TIM GRIGGS “GETS HIS” + </h2> + <p> + In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a + shapeless mass of smoking embers. + </p> + <p> + The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her + children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging for + the night. + </p> + <p> + The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough + achievement. + </p> + <p> + Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the dumbwaiter + that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above. + </p> + <p> + The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding on + the top of the wooden frame. Mrs. Gerry's rescue was delayed until Harry + could send the dumb-waiter up to the third floor, where she and Tom + awaited its return. Aided by Tom, she descended to the kitchen without + accident; then Tom followed, sliding down the rope. It was but the work of + a moment to break through the basement window and pass the woman and her + children out to safety. + </p> + <p> + Morning found Proprietor Carter somewhat resigned to his loss. True, the + hotel had been destroyed and the embers must be removed, but both building + and contents had been fairly well insured. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a few thousand out,” said the hotel man philosophically, “but I have + my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild., and put + up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand dollars in debt, + to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned the money that + I've lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?” demanded + Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Did I?” asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober. + </p> + <p> + “There was a broad grin on your face?” + </p> + <p> + “Carter didn't see it, did he?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; but why, the grin, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you after I see what answer I receive to a telegram that I've + sent.” + </p> + <p> + “Tom Reade, you always were provoking!” + </p> + <p> + “Now I'm doubly so, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, I don't care,” muttered Harry. “I can wait; I'm not very + nosey.” + </p> + <p> + By noon General Manager Ellsworth arrived on the scene of the labors of + the young engineers, out at the site of the big quicksand. + </p> + <p> + “You can run the work here this afternoon, Harry,” Tom declared. “I shall + want to put in my time with Mr. Ellsworth.” + </p> + <p> + “Was he the answer to your telegram?” + </p> + <p> + Tom offered no further information, but hurried away to meet the general + manager, who had come out to camp in an automobile hired at Paloma. + Manager and chief engineer now toured slowly toward town, Harry watching + them as long as they were in sight. + </p> + <p> + “Tom has something big in the wind,” muttered Hazelton. “It must be + something about the hotel fire. What can it be? At any rate, I'll wager + it's something that pleases my chum wonderfully.” + </p> + <p> + Nor did Tom return until late in the afternoon. He came back alone. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” demanded Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” nodded Tom. “It's well.” + </p> + <p> + “What is?” + </p> + <p> + “The game.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the game?” + </p> + <p> + “When you hear about it—” Reade began. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes—” + </p> + <p> + “Then you'll know.” + </p> + <p> + “Tom Reade, do you know, I believe I'm quite ready and willing to thrash + you?” cried Harry in exasperation. + </p> + <p> + “Please don't,” Tom begged. + </p> + <p> + “Then tell me what you've been so mightily mysterious about.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” returned Reade. “I'd have told you hours ago, Harry, only I'm + afraid you would have been demoralized with disappointment if the thing + had failed to go through. Harry, to-day I've been meddling in other + people's business. Congratulate me! I put it through without getting + myself thumped or even disliked, by anyone. Both sides to the deal are + 'tickled to death,' as the saying runs.” + </p> + <p> + “You said you were going to tell me,” remarked Hazelton, trying hard to + restrain his curiosity for a minute or two longer. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down and listen,” Tom urged his chum, handing him a chair in their + little shack of an office. + </p> + <p> + Then, indeed, Tom did pour forth the whole story. As Harry listened a + broad grin of contentment appeared on his face, for one of Hazelton's + lovable weaknesses was his desire to see other people get ahead. + </p> + <p> + Just as Tom finished, a figure darkened the doorway. + </p> + <p> + “I'm ready to go, sir,” announced Tim Griggs. + </p> + <p> + “Go where?” inquired Harry. + </p> + <p> + “I've fired Griggs,” observed Tom Reade. + </p> + <p> + “What! After all that he did for you the other night?” demanded Hazelton, + aghast. “After the man saved your—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm quite satisfied to be fired, Mr. Hazelton,” Tim Griggs broke in. + “In fact, I'm very grateful to Mr. Reade. He has certainly given me a big + boost forward in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do now, Griggs?” Harry asked. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better address him as 'Mr. Griggs,' Harry,” Tom hinted. “He is a + foreman now, at six dollars a day, and entitled to his Mister.” + </p> + <p> + “Foreman?” Harry repeated, while Gregg's grin broadened. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Tom continued. “Mr. Griggs is to be foreman on the new job that + I've just been telling you about in town. After this, if Mr. Griggs is + careful to behave himself, he's likely always to be a foreman on some job + or other for the A., G. & N. M.” + </p> + <p> + Harry sprang forward, seizing the hand of Tim Griggs and shaking it with + enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “Bully old Griggs! Lucky old Griggs!” Hazelton bubbled forth. “Mr. Griggs, + you'll believe from now on what I've always believed—that it's a + great piece of luck in itself to be one of Tom Reade's friends.” + </p> + <p> + “It surely has been great luck for me, sir,” Griggs answered. “The best + part of all,” he added, with a husky note in his voice, “is what it means + to that little girl of mine. When I get into town to-night I in going to + sit down and write that little daughter a long letter all about the grand + news. She'll be proud of her dad's good luck! She's only eight years old, + but she's a great little reader, and she writes me letters longer than my + own.” + </p> + <p> + “If you'll wait a minute, Mr. Griggs,” proposed Tom, “we'll be able to + give you a ride into town. The general manager gave me authority to rent + and use an automobile after this. It's out there waiting now.” + </p> + <p> + The new foreman gratefully accepted the invitation. Within five minutes + the chauffeur had stopped the car in Paloma and Tim Griggs got out to go + to his new boarding place in the town. + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, Mr. Reade!” he said huskily, holding out his band. “You've + done a lot for me—and my little girl!” + </p> + <p> + “No more than you've done for me,” smiled Tom. “Anyway, you haven't + received more than you deserve, and you never will in this little old + world of ours.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know about that,” replied the new foreman, a sudden flush rising + to his weather-beaten face. “It all seems too good to be true.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll find it to be true enough when you draw your next pay, Griggs,” + laughed Tom. “Then you'll realize that you aren't dreaming. In the + meantime your dinner is getting cold at your boarding place. Don't let + your new job spoil your appetite.” + </p> + <p> + When Tom and Harry rode into town at noon the following day they beheld a + scene of great activity at the site of the destroyed Cactus House. All the + blackened debris had been carted away during the morning by a large force + of men. Now, derricks lay in place, to be erected in the afternoon. A + steam shovel had been all but installed and a large stationary engine + rested on nearly completed foundations. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby, proprietor of the Mansion House, who had dared, during the + last two days, to show himself a little more openly on the streets of + Paloma, halted just as Tom and Harry stepped out of the automobile to look + over the scene of Foreman Griggs's morning labors. + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if the Cactus House might be rebuilt,” remarked Ashby, burning + with curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Tom briefly. + </p> + <p> + “Carter is going to change the name?” inquired Ashby. + </p> + <p> + “No. Carter doesn't own this land any more.” + </p> + <p> + “He doesn't own the land?” Ashby asked. “What's going to be put up here, + then? A business block?” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Ashby thrilled with joy. Of late the Cactus House had + seriously cut in on the profits of the Mansion House. Ashby had, in fact, + been running behind. Now, if the Mansion House were to be henceforth the + only hotel in town, Ashby saw a chance to prosper on a more than + comfortable scale. + </p> + <p> + “Ashby,” Tom went on, rather frigidly, “I won't waste many words, for I'm + afraid I don't like you well enough to talk very much to you. The A., G. + & N. M. has bought this land from Mr. Carter. The railroad is going to + erect here one of the finest hotels in this part of Arizona. It will have + every modern convenience, and will make your hotel look like a mill + boarding house by contrast. When the new hotel is completed it will be + leased to Mr. Carter. With his insurance money, and the price of the land + in bank, Carter will have capital for embarking in the hotel business on a + scale that will make this end of Arizona sit up and do some hard looking.” + </p> + <p> + As he listened Proprietor Ashby's jaw dropped. His color came and went. He + swallowed hard, while his hands worked convulsively. With the fine new + hotel that was coming to Paloma the owner of the Mansion House saw himself + driven hopelessly into the background. “Reade, this new hotel game is some + of your doings,” growled the hotel man. + </p> + <p> + “I'm proud to say that it is partly my doing,” Tom admitted, with a smile. + “Harry, let's go along to the restaurant. I'm hungry.” + </p> + <p> + As the two young engineers stepped into the car and were driven away, + Ashby dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands. + </p> + <p> + “So I'm to be beaten out of the hotel game here, am I!” the hotel man + asked himself, gritting his teeth. “I'm to be driven out by Reade, the + fellow whom I once kicked out of my hotel! Oh—well, all right!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. TRAGEDY CAPS THE TEST + </h2> + <p> + “Pass the signal!” directed Tom. + </p> + <p> + A railroad man with a flag made several swift moves. Down the track an + engineman, in his cab, answered with a short blast of, the whistle. Then + he threw over the lever, and a train of ten flat cars started along in the + engine's wake. + </p> + <p> + It was the first test—the “small test,” Tom called it—of the + track that now extended across the surface of the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + On each flat car were piled ten tons of steel rails, to be used further + along in the construction work. With engine, cars and all, the load + amounted to one hundred and fifty tons, the pressure of which would be + exerted over a comparatively short strip of the new track that now + glistened over the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + Mounted on his pony, Harry Hazelton had galloped a considerable distance + down the track. Now, halted, he had turned his pony's head about, watching + eagerly the on-coming train. + </p> + <p> + For two weeks the laborers had been working on the roadbed now running + over the Man-killer. Ties had been laid and rails fastened down. + Apparently the Man-killer had done its worst and had been balked, a + seemingly secure roadbed now resting on the once treacherous quicksand. + </p> + <p> + Construction trains, short and lightly laden, had been moving out over the + newly filled in soil for many days, but the train now starting at the edge + of the terrible Man-killer was heavier than any equipment that had before + been run over the ground. + </p> + <p> + The president of the A., G. & N. M. R. R. was there, flanked by half a + dozen of the leading directors of the road. There were other officials + there, including General Manager Ellsworth. + </p> + <p> + “I see Hazelton out yonder,” murmured the president of the road. “But + where's that young man Reade, now at the moment when the success of his + work is being tested?” + </p> + <p> + “Goodness knows,” rejoined Mr. Ellsworth. “As likely as not he's back in + the office, taking a nap after having given the engineman his signal.” + </p> + <p> + “Asleep!” repeated the president. “Can he be so indolent or so indifferent + as that?” + </p> + <p> + “You may always depend upon Tom Reade to do something that wouldn't be + expected of him,” laughed Mr. Ellsworth. “It isn't that he slights big + duties, or even pretends to do. If he has vanished, and has gone to sleep, + then it is because he feels so sure of his work that he takes no further + interest in the test that is being made.” + </p> + <p> + “But if an accident should happen?” asked the president of the A. G. & + N. M. R. R. + </p> + <p> + “Then I can promise you that you'd see Reade, on his pony, shooting ahead + as fast as he could go to the scene of the trouble.” + </p> + <p> + These more important railroad officials had come out to camp in + automobiles. Now they followed on foot as the train rolled on to the land + reclaimed from the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + Superintendent Hawkins and his foremen also went along on foot to observe + whether the track sank ever so little at any point. + </p> + <p> + It was none of Harry Hazelton's particular business to watch whether the + tracks sank slightly. That duty could be better performed by the foremen + who had had charge of the track laying. Yet Hazelton, as he watched, found + himself growing impatient. + </p> + <p> + “Here!” Harry called to a near-by laborer. “Take my horse, please.” + </p> + <p> + In another instant the young assistant engineer was on foot, following the + slowly moving train as it rolled along over the ground where, months + before, not even a man could have strolled with safety. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see any sagging of the track, Mr. Rivers?” Harry called. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. Not as much as a sixteenth of an inch at any point,” responded + the foreman. “The job has been a big success.” + </p> + <p> + “We can tell that better after the track has held loads of from five to + eight hundred tons,” Harry rejoined. “I believe, however, that we have the + tricks of the savage old Man-killer nailed.” + </p> + <p> + Exultation throbbed in Harry's heart. Outwardly, he did not trust himself + to reveal his great delight. He still followed, watching anxiously, until + the train had passed safely over the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + Then a great cheer went up from more than a thousand throats, for many + people had come out from Paloma to watch the test. + </p> + <p> + The train had gone a quarter of a mile past the western edge of the huge + and once treacherous quicksand. Now the engine was on a temporary + turn-table, waiting to be turned and switched back to bring the train back + over the Man-killer at a swift gait. + </p> + <p> + “Where's Mr. Reade?” called the president of the road, gazing backward. + “Someone go for him. I wish him to be here to see the test made with the + train under fast speed.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll get Reade, sir,” answered Harry, motioning to have his pony brought + to him. + </p> + <p> + Hazelton vanished in a cloud of desert dust. + </p> + <p> + When he next appeared there was another pony, and Reade astride it. + </p> + <p> + “You sent for me, sir,” said Tom, riding close to the president, then + dismounting. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Mr. Reade. “I believed that you should be here to see the test + train return.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir,” was Tom's quiet reply. He signaled for a workman to come + and take charge of his pony. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes the short but heavy train started, gaining headway + rapidly. By the time it struck the edge of the possibly conquered + quicksand it was moving at the rate of forty miles an hour. + </p> + <p> + Across the Man-killer the train continued for a mile in the direction of + Paloma. + </p> + <p> + “Now, let us all inspect the track,” suggested the president of the + railroad company. “Call up the autos.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you let me make a suggestion, sir!” queried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, Mr. Reade.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, sir, let Mr. Hazelton and myself ride out along the track first, + that we may see if the whole course is safe.” + </p> + <p> + “That heavy train just went over at fast speed and nothing disastrous + happened,” protested the president. + </p> + <p> + “Probably the entire course is still safe, sir?” Tom assented. “Yet, on + the other hand, it is possible that the fast moving train may have started + the quicksand at some point. The next object that passes over, even if no + heavier than an automobile, may meet with disaster. Mr. Hazelton and I can + soon satisfy ourselves as to whether the roadbed has sagged at any point + along the way. We shall ride nothing heavier than mustangs.” + </p> + <p> + “There is something in what you say, Mr. Reade. Go ahead. We will wait + until we have your report.” + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry accordingly mounted, riding off at a trot. Yet at some + sections of the line they rode so slowly, studying the ground attentively, + that it was fully half an hour before they had crossed the further edge of + the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + “The engineers are signaling us, Mr. President,” reported General Manager + Ellsworth. “They are motioning us to go forward.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly the party of railway officials entered their automobiles and + started slowly off over the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + “Ride back and meet them, Harry,” Tom suggested. “Show them that one point + that we noticed.” + </p> + <p> + Hazelton accordingly dug his heels into the flank of his pony, starting + off at a gallop. + </p> + <p> + Two or three minutes passed. Then Mr. Ellsworth leaped from his seat in + the foremost automobile, standing erect in the car and pointing excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “Look there!” he shouted lustily. “What's happening?” + </p> + <p> + Away off, at the further side of the Man-killer, a horseman had suddenly + ridden into sight from behind a sand pile. His swiftly moving pony had + gotten within three hundred yards of the chief engineer before Tom looked + up to behold the newcomer. + </p> + <p> + From where the railroad officials watched they could hear nothing, though + they saw a succession of indistinct spittings from something in the right + hand of the horseman. + </p> + <p> + “It's a revolver the fellow's shooting at Mr. Reade!” gasped + Superintendent Hawkins, leaping into the car beside the general manager. + “Turn your speed on, man—make a lightning lash across the + Man-killer!” + </p> + <p> + Away shot the automobile, not wholly to the liking of two eastern men who + sat in the directors' car. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade had realized his danger. Having nothing with which to fight, + Reade had sprung his horse eastward and was racing for life. + </p> + <p> + The unknown had emptied his weapon, but that did not deter him, for, + continuing his wild pursuit, the stranger could be seen to draw another + automatic revolver. + </p> + <p> + The bullets striking all about Tom's pony ploughed up the sand. + </p> + <p> + Within a minute the men in the speeding automobile were close enough to + hear the sputtering crackle of the pistol shots. + </p> + <p> + “There goes Hazelton right into the face of death!” gasped Mr. Ellsworth, + who remained in a standing position. “Foolish of the boy, but + magnificent!” + </p> + <p> + Harry had turned some time before, but now those in the automobile saw + that Hazelton was riding squarely to Tom's side, despite the constant + fusillade of bullets. + </p> + <p> + Both pistols were now emptied, but the pursuer, letting his reins fall on + the neck of his madly galloping pony, was inserting fresh cartridges in + the magazine chambers of his pistols. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. THE SECRET OF ASHBY'S CUNNING + </h2> + <p> + At a considerable distance behind the automobile came another rescue + party. This was made up of about two score of Arizona horsemen. Many of + these men were armed. At the saddle bows of some of the hung raw-hide + lariats that the owners unwound as they sped forward. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade, with the pursuer slowly, but steadily gaining upon him, had + discovered the identity of the man who seemed bent on his destruction. + </p> + <p> + As Hazelton drew nearer Tom waved his left hand frantically at his chum. + </p> + <p> + “Turn about, Harry! Ride back like the wind!” shouted Tom. “It's Ashby, + and he's shooting to kill. About face—you young idiot!” + </p> + <p> + Harry took no notice of the warning, reining in only slightly, then + wheeling and riding in a line with Reade, though about forty feet to one + side of him. + </p> + <p> + Ashby, a wild light in his eyes, heavily armed, and riding madly, kept up + a continuous fire in his effort to destroy the young chief engineer. + </p> + <p> + Honk! Honk! honk! came the warning from the automobile horn. The car + dashed at full speed toward the vengeful rider, as though about to run him + down. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby, however, was not easily intimidated. One swift glance had + assured him that the automobile bore no armed men. He therefore merely + swung his horse out of the path of the on-coming car and continued to aim + at Reade, though he now took more time between shots. On Hazelton he did + not waste a shot. + </p> + <p> + Helplessly and vainly the automobile whizzed by pursuer and pursued. + </p> + <p> + “Ashby, stop this madness!” cried Mr. Ellsworth hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + The pursuing rider never faltered. Now the party of Arizona horsemen were + riding nearer. Two or three of the leaders drew revolvers, opening fire on + the mad hotel man, though the range was as yet too great for effective + work. + </p> + <p> + In another thirty seconds George Ashby would doubtless have dropped to the + dust of the dessert, riddled with lead. Suddenly, however, he gave his + horse's head a sharp turn to the right. In an instant he was riding back, + shooting no more, and Tom Reade had passed safely out of range. + </p> + <p> + With wild whoops the Paloma horsemen dashed on. Their mounts were not + spent as was that of the hotel man. + </p> + <p> + “Don't shoot the fellow, if you can help it!” Tom Reade had called, as the + horsemen swept by him. “Rope Ashby if you can.” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the hotel man's mount was seen to stagger slightly. It was + sufficient to pitch Ashby, who was not on his guard. + </p> + <p> + With wilder whoops the Arizona men spurred their ponies on. There was a + whirring of lariats and no less than three nooses had fallen over the + hotel man's head. + </p> + <p> + There came a brief interval in which the men, swooping down on the + captive, concealed him from the view of others. + </p> + <p> + Out of this crush soon came order. Then it was seen that Ashby had been + roped securely and was being led back to the railroad camp. + </p> + <p> + “We've got the scoundrel, with four ropes hitched to him,” called one of + the captors. + </p> + <p> + “One rope will be enough as soon as we can find a tree.” + </p> + <p> + The party was riding into the railroad camp now, and a dense crowd pressed + forward to see the face of the keeper of the Mansion House. + </p> + <p> + Ashby was chuckling gleefully. If any fear of the consequences of his + lawless behavior oppressed him, he was far from betraying the fact. + </p> + <p> + “Be gentle with him, friends,” Tom urged, riding forward. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; we ought to be gentle with every rattlesnake,” came an answer from + the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Ashby laughed harshly. + </p> + <p> + “You can't hurt me, neighbors,” declared the hotel man. “I'm bullet proof. + Any man who fires at me will find that the bullet will rebound and bit + him. Tie me up to a tree, if you like. You'll find that I won't choke. + I'll just slide back to earth as often as you tie me up.” + </p> + <p> + “Just what I thought,” murmured Tom. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think?” demanded Mr. Ellsworth from the car. + </p> + <p> + “The man's as mad as a March hare,” replied Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! He's merely shamming,” retorted the general manager. + </p> + <p> + “Stow the funny business, Ashby!” came the advice from the crowd. “You + can't fool us into believing that you're crazy.” + </p> + <p> + “Crazy?” repeated the hotel man, a look of amazement creeping into his + face. “Of course I'm not crazy. I'm the only sane man in this crowd.” + </p> + <p> + Men began to look wonderingly at the hotel man, though many still believed + that Ashby was cleverly shamming insanity in order to save his neck from + being stretched. + </p> + <p> + “Doe Furniss! Come over here!” called Reade. “Gentlemen, this is a + question for Doe Furniss. Don't think of doing anything to the fellow + until you've heard from Doc. Make way for the doctor, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + At a sign from Dr. Furniss the captors led Ashby's horse onward until the + office shack was reached. Here two men freed the captive from his horse + and led him inside. Dr. Furniss followed them and the door was closed. + </p> + <p> + “Let's get away from here,” urged Tom Reade. “A big crowd hanging about is + sure to excite the poor fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Reade, you're too soft and easy,” grunted a Paloma man in the crowd. “The + only thing that makes Ashby crazy is that he didn't get you.” + </p> + <p> + “He did 'get' me, however,” laughed Tom, displaying four bullet holes + through his shirtsleeves, and two more that pierced his hat. “Ashby got as + much of me as I'd want any marksman to get.” + </p> + <p> + Having withdrawn to a distance, the crowd waited. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly half an hour before Dr. Furniss stepped outside. Now he + walked swiftly over to the edge of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” remarked the physician, “you are justified in feeling very + well pleased that you didn't lynch Ashby. The poor fellow is as insane as + a man could well be. He imagines Mr. Reade has hurt his business and is + determined to kill him. I'll send for a straightjacket and then we'll + hustle him away to the asylum.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment a wild yell sounded from the shack, to be echoed from the + crowd. George Ashby, seemingly possessed of the strength of half a dozen + men, had wrenched himself free of his captors, felling both like a flash. + Then the hotel man leaped to his horse, freeing it and starting off at a + mad gallop. + </p> + <p> + Instantly a score of men set off after the fugitive, swinging their + lariats as they rode. + </p> + <p> + Crack! Crack! Bang! + </p> + <p> + Snatching still another automatic revolver from one of his saddle bags, + Ashby was now firing at those riding behind him. + </p> + <p> + The line of horsemen wavered somewhat. They might have fired in return, + and have brought down their quarry, but no brave man likes to think of + shooting a lunatic. + </p> + <p> + So, still firing as he went, Ashby once more reached the edge of the + quicksand. + </p> + <p> + Now, riding as fast as he could urge his pony, the hotel man dashed out on + the Man-killer. + </p> + <p> + Nor was he riding over the part that had been rendered safe by the young + engineers. + </p> + <p> + Instead, he was riding to the southward of the railroad property—straight + out where he was likely to find a speedy death in the engulfing sands. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, Ashby! Come back!” shouted a dozen voices. “You'll be swallowed up + in the quick-sands.” + </p> + <p> + Brave as they were, the pursuers now rein up sharply. It seemed to them + sheer madness to ride out thus to their certain deaths. + </p> + <p> + “Ashby is crazy, all right,” remarked bronzed man. “None but an insane man + would ride out there.” + </p> + <p> + Somewhat tardily automobile parties started in pursuit. These vehicles + were halted at the edge of the quicksand. Tom and Harry had also come this + far. + </p> + <p> + In the background the halted crowd watched in suspense as George Ashby + galloped over the treacherous sand. + </p> + <p> + Several times the pony's hoofs were seen to sink, yet each time the animal + seemed able to draw his feet out of the sand and go on again. + </p> + <p> + “It's a crazy man's luck,” cried an Arizona man thickly. “Of course, here + and there on the Man-killer there are safe, sound spots, and Ashby is + having the luck of his life in hitting all the sound spots in getting + across. But I wouldn't follow him for a thousand dollars a minute!” + </p> + <p> + The mad hotel man was soon lost to view on the other side of one of the + little hills of sand. + </p> + <p> + There would have been little sense in trying to follow him or to head him + off, even by more roundabout courses. Ashby was now far enough away to + elude any pursuit that might start. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if Reade has any idea of what he's up against now?” murmured the + mayor of Paloma. “That crazy man is loose, and sooner or later he'll be + heard from again.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. DUFF PROMISES THE “SQUARE DEAL” + </h2> + <p> + Altogether the day had been a hugely satisfactory one to the young chief + engineer. + </p> + <p> + The first test had been made, and, all had passed off well, for, in Tom + Reade's easy-going, fearless mind the peculiar doings of George Ashby did + not figure at all as a part of the day's work. + </p> + <p> + “Harry, we've every reason to feel proud of ourselves” mused Tom aloud, as + he undressed in the shack that night. + </p> + <p> + “You feel pretty certain that we've conquered the Man-killer, do you?” + Hazelton asked, as he laid down the book he had been reading. + </p> + <p> + Of late, since the burning of the Cactus House, the chums had slept in the + shack, though still getting many of their meals in town. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course you know that we haven't won, the whole fight yet,” Reade + went on. “We've plenty of work to do here still before we pronounce the + job finished. But to-day's shows that our plan for filling in this + particular, kind of quicksand was a sound one. You know the president of + the road said that words failed to express his complete approbation of our + work.” + </p> + <p> + “We certainly have been remarkably fortunate—so far,” Harry + admitted. “Yet I must confess, Tom, that I'm still nervous.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it must be over Ashby,” Tom laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Ashby be hanged!” Hazelton retorted. “I haven't given him a thought this + evening. No, I'm still nervous about our job here. The first test was all + right—that is, it was all right to-day. But these quicksands are + treacherous. Our roadbed may be all right for a fortnight, and may seem as + safe as we could wish it to be. Then, all of a sudden, within sixty + seconds, it may sink before our very eyes. Suppose it were to sink while a + trainload of human beings was passing over it!” + </p> + <p> + “You might as well dismiss all such thoughts,” Reade counseled. “I tell + you, Harry, we've proved that our principle is sound. Now, we will go + ahead and finish the job. When we go away from here I, for one, shall feel + certain that the Man-killer must behave for all time to come. Harry, + there's a limit to the shifting tendency of a quicksand, and to-day's test + proves to me that we've found it. We've won. I wish I were as sure of a + dozen other things as I am that we've won out here to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, then,” smiled Hazelton. “You're a smarter engineer than I am, + Tom, old fellow. If you're satisfied, then I'm bound to be, for I'll back + your judgment in engineering against my own.” + </p> + <p> + “That's rather more praise, Harry, than I expect or wish,” Reade rejoined + soberly. “But I don't see how the Man-killer can ever again assert himself + against the A. G. & N. M.'s roadbed.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm only an old croaker, I know,” Harry confessed. “I've got a blue + streak on to-night. Or else it's a fit of apprehension about something or + other. I feel as if—” + </p> + <p> + Crack! crack! + </p> + <p> + Outside two shots rang suddenly out, to be followed by a dozen swift, + scattering reports. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Reade! They—” began a voice outside, then stopped abruptly. + </p> + <p> + Tom hustled on his clothing again with a speed that seemed to partake of + magic. Then, with Harry close upon his heels, he rushed to the door, + jerking it open. + </p> + <p> + “Just the pair we want!” snarled a voice that proceeded from behind a + mask. + </p> + <p> + A dozen masked men pressed into the room. Tom and Harry put their fists + into instant action, but it availed them nothing. + </p> + <p> + In a twinkling they were borne to the floor. At lightning speed both were + rolled over and bound. + </p> + <p> + From the tents of the laborers, beyond hoarse voices sounded as the men + were awakened by the shots. + </p> + <p> + “Get back there, you idiots!” commanded a voice outside. “If you don't, + you'll think that a Gatling gun factory has blown up about your ears.” + </p> + <p> + Reports rang out sharply as a dozen revolver shots were fired into the + air. + </p> + <p> + Now, dazed with the suddenness of the attack, Reade and Hazelton were + dragged into the open. + </p> + <p> + Their two night watchmen, who had gone down bravely, now lay wounded on + the ground, their weapons snatched from them. + </p> + <p> + “Hoist 'em along, boys,” ordered a gruff voice. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry were carried on the shoulders of men, and moved along at a + swift pace. Only half a dozen of the raiders needed to remain somewhat in + the rear, firing an occasional shot to prevent the unarmed laborers from + swarming to the attack. + </p> + <p> + “Hoist 'em up! Tie 'em on! Get under way quick! There'll be a big noise + raised after us soon,” declared the same directing voice. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry were fairly thrown upon the backs of horses, and there + lashed fast. + </p> + <p> + “Mount and get away,” ordered the commander of this strangest of night + raids. + </p> + <p> + Two men, each leading a pony to which a captive was lashed, rode off in + one direction. Groups of two or three rode away in other directions, the + blackness of the night swallowing them up. + </p> + <p> + It was going to be a difficult task for pursuers to know which direction + to take in order to come up with Reade and Hazelton in time to save them + from the fate that lay just ahead of them! + </p> + <p> + For audacity and dash the raid could not have been better planned. + </p> + <p> + From camp not a shot was fired, for the watchmen had had the only weapons + and these had been seized by the invaders. + </p> + <p> + “Our foremen might telegraph to camp,” thought Tom swiftly, as he felt + himself being carried away. “But I'll wager that these smart scoundrels + didn't forget to cut the wire before springing the raid.” + </p> + <p> + For the first two or three minutes Harry's, slower moving mind hardly + grasped more than the fact that their enemies appeared to have won a + complete triumph. + </p> + <p> + “There isn't much doubt as to what they'll do with us,” thought Hazelton, + with a slight shudder. “These rascals will move too fast for pursuit to + overtake them early. What they in intend to do with us can be done in a + very few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + Neither young engineer really expected to live to see daylight. From the + first, after having incurred the anger of a certain lawless element in + Paloma, the young engineers had understood fully that threats of lynching + them had not been idly made. + </p> + <p> + “There'll be a stir, though,” Tom Reade muttered to himself. “The A. G. + & N. M. officials won't let this crime go by without a determined + effort to bring the offenders to justice. Detectives will search this + community in squads, and everyone of these masked gentlemen is likely to + get his deserts.” + </p> + <p> + Within the next half hour the galloping horses had covered fully five + miles. Now the leader of the crowd led the way down into a deep gully in + the sand. + </p> + <p> + “Hold up, men,” ordered the leader, and the cavalcade came to a stop, + horses panting. + </p> + <p> + “Tumble the cattle off into the dirt,” was the next order, and it was + obeyed, Tom and Harry rolling in the bitter alkali dust. + </p> + <p> + “Now, gentlemen, I believe I will take command,” spoke one of the party of + horsemen, in his most suave voice, as he removed his mask. The speaker, as + Reade knew at once, was Jim Duff, the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Jim,” nodded the former leader. + </p> + <p> + “Jake, ride back a few hundred yards and keep a sharp lookout,” suggested + Duff blandly. “The pursuers may come in automobiles. We'll cut the + ceremonies here short and leave nothing but lifeless bodies for the rescue + parties to find.” + </p> + <p> + Stakes were driven and the horses picketed. + </p> + <p> + “Bring along our guests,” suggested Jim Duff, with a touch of humor that + the occasion rendered grisly. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Tom and Harry were once more jerked to their feet. + </p> + <p> + “Ye can walk, I reckon, and don't have be toted,” observed one of the + scoundrels. + </p> + <p> + “We're wholly at your service, sir,” rejoined Tom mockingly. + </p> + <p> + “And equally at your pleasure,” Harry suggested dryly. + </p> + <p> + Two hundred yards further on the halted close to a pair of stunted trees + of about the same size. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, you may as well remove your masks on this hot evening,” + suggested Jim Duff. The face coverings came off. Reade and Hazelton + surveyed their captors as the chance offered, being careful not to betray + too great curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “I see one gentleman here whom I had expected to find,” remarked Tom + quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Me?” hinted Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes; you, for one, but I refer to that excellent host, Mr. Ashby, + of the Mansion House.” + </p> + <p> + With a start George Ashby turned on Reade, coming closer and grinning + ferociously into the face of the young chief engineer. Tom, however, + managed to muster a smile as he went on: + </p> + <p> + “How do you do, Mr. Ashby? Your performance of this afternoon mystified me + a good deal. I had never expected to find myself on a shooting + acquaintance with you.” + </p> + <p> + Three or four of the rascals chuckled at this way of putting it, but + Proprietor Ashby snarled like a wild animal. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, Mr. Duff,” Reade resumed, “I confess that I have never been + able to understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “You will to-night,” smiled Duff, with bland ferocity. “I can promise you, + as a gambler, that I am going to give you a square deal.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” glowed Tom. “I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, then.” + </p> + <p> + This' time there was a general laugh. Jim Duff flushed angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Reade, what you never understood about me is that I belong to the ranks + of the square gamblers.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't believe there were any such gamblers,” Tom replied in a voice of + surprise. “It is still hard for me to believe. How can any man be square + and honorable when he won't work, but fattens on the earnings of others? + Has that idea any connection with honor?” + </p> + <p> + “Stop that line of talk, you young hound!” ordered Duff, striding up to + this bold young enemy. All the slight veneer of polish that Duff usually + affected had vanished now. His eyes blazed with rage as he doubled his + fist and struck Reade full in the face, knocking him down. One of the + bystanders jerked Tom to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Speaking of the square deal,” Tom observed, “I now insist upon it. Duff, + you knocked me down when my hands were tied. If you're not a coward I + request that you order my hands freed—and then repeat your blow if + you dare.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll stay tied,” retorted Duff grimly. + </p> + <p> + “I knew it,” sighed Reade. “What's the use of talking about honor and + square dealing where a gambler is concerned? Loaded dice, marked cards or + tying a man before you dare to hit him—it's all the same to your + kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up that talk, you hound, or I'll pound you stiff before we go on + with what's been arranged for you!” raged the gambler, shaking his + clenched fist in the face of the young engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Go slowly, Jim,” advised one of the men present. “Of course we know what + we're to do to this young pup, and we all know what he thinks of you. But + some of the rest of us have different ideas as to how a helpless enemy + ought to be treated.” + </p> + <p> + “You, Rafe Bodson!” snarled Duff, turning on the last speaker. “Are you + one of us? Do you belong to our side, or are you a spy for the other + crowd?” + </p> + <p> + “Got your gun with you, Duff?” inquired Bodson calmly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” snapped the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Get it out in your hand, then, before, you talk to me any more in that + fashion.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't,” mocked Tom. “He doesn't dare, Bodson. Your hands are not + tied.” + </p> + <p> + “Cut it out, Rafe! Quit it!” ordered one of the other men in the crowd. + “We won't let this tenderfoot split our ranks. You're one of us, and + you'll stand by us.” + </p> + <p> + “Not if there's going to be any more hitting of tied men,” retorted Bodson + sulkily. “There's a limit to what a man can stand.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, my friend,” broke in Tom Reade mildly. “But don't go to any + trouble on our account. There are few if any others in this crowd who can + understand the meaning of fair play—the gambler least of all.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take that out of you, Reade!” blazed Jim Duff. “I'll—” + </p> + <p> + “You'll do nothing while the kid's hands are tied,” objected Bodson, + stepping between the pair. “Act fair and square, Jim, as a man should + act.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the argument, Rafe,” remarked another man, also stepping forward. + </p> + <p> + “Bully for you, Jeff Moore,” replied Rafe. “Now, remember, friends, we're + not calling for anything except that Jim Duff live up to the program he + just published for himself—the square deal.” + </p> + <p> + Several murmurs of protest came from the other raiders. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon, Rafe, you and Jeff had better step back and let the rest of us + handle this thing,” advised one of the party. “The pair of you are too + chicken-livered for us.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a lie, as anyone in Paloma knows,” Rafe retorted coolly. “No—put + up your shooters,” as the hands of five or six men slid to their belts. + “There's no need of bad blood between us. All I ask is for Jim Duff to + step back out of this.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I the leader here or am I not?” demanded Duff boldly. “Wasn't it my + interests that were first assailed by these fresh tenderfeet! Didn't you + gentlemen come out to-night, to help me attend to my affair? Didn't you + turn also to avenge the blow that has been dealt these cubs to poor George + Ashby's prosperity?” + </p> + <p> + At hearing himself so sympathetically referred to, Ashby threw himself + forward, a short, double-barreled shotgun in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you, get back, you white-livered cowards!” commanded Ashby hoarsely. + “You let Duff and myself and the rest of us here handle these young hounds + as they deserve to be treated. You, Rafe and Jeff, get out of this. You've + no business here. You belong to the enemies of business interests in + Paloma. The rest of us will settle with these business destroyers.” + </p> + <p> + Ashby's eyes glowed with the unbridled fury of the lunatic. Yet Rafe + Bodson did not waver. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he demanded coldly, “for what purpose did you bring these + young fellows out here?” + </p> + <p> + “To lynch 'em!” came the hoarse murmur. + </p> + <p> + “Then go ahead and do it, like men,” ordered Bodson. “There are the trees. + You have your ropes, and your men are ready. Remember, no cowardly + treatment of young fellows whose hands are tied. Go on with the lynching + and get it over with!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. A SPECIALIST IN “HONOR” + </h2> + <p> + “Sir! Stop it, I tell you,” quivered Duff, again stepping to the front. + “These young hounds shan't die until I've made them apologize for every + insulting word they've said to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” glowed Tom with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “Great!” + </p> + <p> + “What ails you now, Reade?” demanded Duff, his face again darkening. + </p> + <p> + “You've just promised us that we shall live forever,” returned Tom dryly. + </p> + <p> + Then he added, with a sigh: + </p> + <p> + “But I suppose that's only another lie—another specimen of a + gambler's honor.” + </p> + <p> + “Stand aside, Bodson! Moore, you get out of the way!” snarled the gambler, + his anger again depriving him of all reason. “I'll have my way with these + young hounds before we string 'em up.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me at 'em!” implored Ashby, fingering his shotgun nervously. “Get out + of my way. I don't want to pepper anyone else.” + </p> + <p> + But Bodson and Moore, bad as they were some respects, stood their ground. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to let us at them?” insisted Duff, his voice now broken and + harsh from anger. + </p> + <p> + “Not for the purpose of bullying them!” insisted Rafe, without moving. + “Jeff, you're with me, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Right by your side, pardner.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on, then, boys!” called Duff, the note of rally in his tone. “Help + me to drive this pair of traitors out of your company.” + </p> + <p> + Like a flash Bodson's revolver was in his band. The muzzle covered the + gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Jim Duff, down on your knees before I blow your bead off!” + </p> + <p> + The gambler started back, his face paling. + </p> + <p> + In the same instant Jeff Moore had also drawn his revolver, and held it + ready for the first hostile sign from anyone in the group. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with you, Rafe?” demanded the gambler, in a + half-coaxing tone. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” Bodson assured him calmly, “except that I'm going to blow your + head off if you aren't down on your knees before I've counted three! One—two—th—” + </p> + <p> + Duff dropped to his knees, holding his hands high in air. + </p> + <p> + “Now apologize for calling us traitors,” admonished Rafe. “Do it + handsomely, too, while you're about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Rafe,” protested Jim Duff, “you, know that I said what I did only because + I was angry. I know you're a gentleman, and you know that I know it. If + I've hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, a thousand times over.” + </p> + <p> + “Jim, you're a good deal of a sneak, aren't you?” inquired Rafe, in a + voice that sounded pleasant enough, but which carried a warning in its + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Duff admitted. “I guess I'm a good deal of a sneak.” + </p> + <p> + “Get up on your feet, then. We understand one another,” said Bodson. “Go + ahead, if you want to, and carry out your plans for a merry evening. But + don't make the mistake of calling ugly names again, and don't forget all + you've said about the square deal. Hang these tenderfeet, if that's what + you want to do, but don't hit men without first giving them a chance to + hit back.” + </p> + <p> + Duff, shaking partly from fear, though more from a sense of his + humiliation, rose to his feet. For a moment he stood choking down his + varied emotions. Then, with an attempt at his old-time, suave banter, he + inquired: + </p> + <p> + “Are you young gentlemen ready for the collar and neck-tie party that + we've planned to give you?” + </p> + <p> + “As ready as you are,” observed Tom dryly. + </p> + <p> + “And you?” asked Duff, turning to Hazelton. “Are you ready?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not particular about feeling a lariat around my neck,” Harry + answered, “but I'll follow my friend Reade anywhere—even where you + propose to send us.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, but that's courage of the kind you don't expect to find in a blamed + tenderfoot!” remarked Jeff Moore, resting a hand first on Tom's shoulder + and then on Harry's. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Tom. “Does it surprise you?” + </p> + <p> + “It shore does,” replied Jeff. + </p> + <p> + “Is courage a matter of geography, then?” Tom inquired. + </p> + <p> + “I—I—pardner, you've got me there,” Jeff admitted, looking + puzzled. “Yet, somehow, I never looked for much courage in a fellow who + hailed from east of the Mississippi.” + </p> + <p> + George Ashby had been looking on during the last few moments, his eyes + glittering strangely. Yet, as he said nothing, the attention of the others + had turned from him. + </p> + <p> + Jeff Moore happened to turn just in time to see the muzzle of the shotgun + turned fully on Tom Reade's waist line, and Ashby's forefinger resting on + one of the triggers. + </p> + <p> + Bang! spoke the gun, a sheet of flame leaped forth. + </p> + <p> + Tom Reade did not even start. All his nerve had come to the surface in + that instant. He was unharmed, for Jeff's sweeping arm had knocked aside + the muzzle of the gun and the shot had entered the leg of one of the + raiders. + </p> + <p> + “What'd you do that for, Jeff?” groaned the injured man, sinking to the + alkali dust. + </p> + <p> + But Moore was busy with the mad hotel keeper, having clinched with him, + and now being engaged in taking away the shotgun, one barrel of which was + still loaded. + </p> + <p> + “Stand back there, friends,” warned Rafe Bodson, who still held his + revolver in his right hand. “We don't want to see any more of the party + hurt.” + </p> + <p> + Jeff had the gun in a moment, despite the insane fury with which Ashby + fought. + </p> + <p> + “Take care of this, Rafe,” requested Jeff, turning over the gun, which + Bodson received with his left hand. + </p> + <p> + Ashby, momentarily free, sprang at the new bolder of the weapon, but Moore + tripped him and fell upon him. + </p> + <p> + The other men stood by as though fascinated, not interfering. Perhaps they + felt that their safety depended upon Ashby's being disarmed. + </p> + <p> + There was a short, sharp scuffle on the ground after which Moore rose, + leaving the hotel man with his hands tied behind his back. + </p> + <p> + “And I request,” remarked Moore, “that no gentleman present cut the knots + that I have tied. It'll be a favor to me to have Ashby left alone for the + present.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, Rafe or Jeff,” spoke the gambler, mustering up what remained + of his courage, “since you two have taken charge of affairs, won't you be + good enough to inform us what your pleasure is?” + </p> + <p> + “We're not in charge,” retorted Bodson sullenly. “All we've undertaken to + do is to look out for the square deal that you promised, Duff, and which + you didn't exhibit in a way that we liked. As for the rest, go ahead when + you like—but don't do any more hitting with your fists.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?” hinted Duff eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen,” Bodson agreed, bowing slightly. + </p> + <p> + To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters. + </p> + <p> + “Bring up lariats, two of you,” Duff ordered, turning around to the + others. “And don't waste time over it.” + </p> + <p> + The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses, + testing them to see that they ran freely. + </p> + <p> + “Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees,” was Duff's next order, which + was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands, + followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted. + </p> + <p> + “Any choice of trees Reade?” inquired Jin Duff. + </p> + <p> + “None,” answered Tom shortly. His face was pallid and set, though he did + not show any other sign of fear. + </p> + <p> + “Hazelton?” + </p> + <p> + “One tree is as good as another,” Harry answered in a strangely quiet + voice. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of an impressive silence, and with motions that seemed oddly + unreal to the tended victims, Duff placed the two young engineers. A + lariat was thrown over a low limb of each of the trees. Then, with + slightly trembling hands the gambler adjusted a over the neck of each + bound boy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. TOM AND HARRY VANISH + </h2> + <p> + “How d'ye like that, Rafe?” queried Jeff Moore, as Jim Duff stepped back + and viewed the young engineers with a diabolical smile before giving the + fatal signal. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” muttered Bodson. + </p> + <p> + “No more do I.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we stop it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I'm sick of Jim Duff. This night has turned me against the + smooth-tongued coward.” + </p> + <p> + “Get busy, then, Rafe!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we stand the crowd off and set the boys free?” + </p> + <p> + “Pump both of your shooting-irons loose into the air—I'll do the + rest,” replied Moore. + </p> + <p> + Cr-r-r-rack! Pointing his weapons skyward, Bodson had quickly obeyed + Moore's command. + </p> + <p> + “Now, what—” began one of the raiders, wheeling instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Rafe's going to give 'em a proper send off,” grinned one of Duff's men. + </p> + <p> + “No!” shouted the other. “That's a bluff. He and Jeff are trying to queer + the whole game.” + </p> + <p> + With cries of anger, several of the men sprang toward Jeff, who had bared + his sheath knife and was about to free Tom and Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Here—stop that, you traitors!” roared Duff, leaping forward. + </p> + <p> + “I've four shots left, Jim,” remarked Rafe Bodson calmly, as he ceased + firing. “Call me names, if you think it wise.” + </p> + <p> + Like a flash Duff drew one of his own revolvers. Before he had time to + fire, however, three men threw themselves between Bodson and the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Stop talking gun play, Rafe,” warned one of the three. “Act like a + gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “I've forgotten how to do that,” Rafe remarked. “I've traveled with this + outfit too long.” + </p> + <p> + “Put up your guns. Then we'll attend to this pair of youngsters.” + </p> + <p> + “My guns remain in my hands,” Bodson declared coolly. “I expect to die + with my boots on to-night. I reckon Jeff has figured it out the same way.” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” Moore answered coolly, as he stepped over beside Bodson. Then + deliberately, yet with an indescribably swift motion, he drew two + revolvers. + </p> + <p> + “Stand out, Jim Duff! Be a man, for once in your miserable career,” + ordered Rafe Bodson. “Don't try to protect yourself by hiding behind the + bodies of men who don't know any better than to follow your lead.” + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff didn't accept the challenge. Instead, he crouched behind two of + his followers, taking deliberate aim with his revolver at Bodson. + </p> + <p> + But he never fired that cowardly shot. Like a flash from the sky came an + interruption that created panic among the assembled scoundrels. + </p> + <p> + “Here we have 'em, gentlemen,” announced the steady voice of + Superintendent Hawkins from the western end of the gully. “Get 'em all + rounded up. If they've done Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton any injury then + don't let one of them get away alive.” + </p> + <p> + The low sand piles near by seemed swarming with men. The steel barrels of + firearms glistened even in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + The scout had been sent out to the eastward. None had thought of watching + the western approach to the gully. + </p> + <p> + “Shoot, boys!” screamed Jim Duff, wheeling in a sudden frenzy of + desperation. He fired straight in the direction of Hawkins's voice. + </p> + <p> + In another instant the air was rent with the sound of shots. Flashes from + many revolvers lit up the darkness almost as well as torches could have + done. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff, having started his followers to firing, stole off in the + darkness, leaving them to bear the brunt of the return fire of Hawkins and + his men. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby lay on the ground bound as he had been left, his sawed-off + shotgun not far away and his belt full of shells. + </p> + <p> + “Rouse yourself, Ash!” muttered the gambler, as he slashed the hotel man's + bonds with his knife. “Get your gun, but don't use it now. Move quickly, + and we'll get away from here and take Reade and Hazelton with us. Put your + mind on your work, Ash, and follow my orders. Don't try to think too much + for yourself. Here, this way!” + </p> + <p> + The scene of the fighting had already shifted from the immediate + neighborhood of the twin trees. Duff guided his mad companion along in the + darkness until they halted close to where the two engineers stood bound, + powerless to join in the fray. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we shoot them here and now?” whispered Ashby, a wild light + glittering in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “No,” returned Duff. “We'll sneak up behind them, club them with revolvers + and carry, them off. Then we can do as we please with them. You quiet + Hazelton and I'll attend to Reade.” + </p> + <p> + The two scoundrels crept up behind their victims. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Duff quickly cut the lariat about the neck of Tom Reade, + who had been rendered unconscious from the terrific blow dealt him by the + gambler. Ashby had been equally successful in “quieting” Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + “Now hustle,” ordered Duff. “You pick up Hazelton. I'll take Reade. Carry + 'em over your shoulder—that's the way to do. Now, follow me and + don't make a sound. We'll please ourselves this night with what we'll do + to the meddling pair!” + </p> + <p> + With Tom Reade over his shoulder, senseless and inert, Duff started off in + the darkness, while the rattle of firearms continued. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby, muttering to himself, followed with Harry Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + The gambler staggered slightly under the weight of his human burden. Yet + he moved rapidly, a strange eagerness lighting up his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff knew that he would never again dare to enter the town of Paloma, + yet the gambler thirsted, before fleeing to new scenes, to be revenged on + Tom Reade. With that object in view, Duff was willing to take great risks. + </p> + <p> + As for Ashby, who, still clutching his shotgun in his left hand, staggered + along under the burden of Hazelton's weight, the hotel man was no longer + responsible for his actions. Rage and wickedness had made him a maniac, + who might be restrained but could not be punished by law. + </p> + <p> + Within two minutes the firing behind them died out. Soon there were + distant sounds of searching. Plainly Hawkins and the other friends of the + young engineers were hunting diligently for Tom and Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Dump your man, Ashby,” commanded Jim Duff, halting at last. “It will be a + mistake to go too far. Their friends won't expect to find 'em so close, + and they'll soon be searching farther away.” + </p> + <p> + So Ashby dropped Harry on to the sand beside Tom. Then the wickedest + possible gleam came into the hotel man's eyes as he loaded his shotgun. + </p> + <p> + “We'll fill 'em full of lead right here and now,” whispered the hotel + keeper. “Then we'll be sure that they can't get away from us again.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so fast!” retorted Duff warningly. “We can't shoot now. If we do, + there'll be no way to get out of this alive. Look yonder!” + </p> + <p> + Duff swung his mad friend around, pointing to a gleam of light that shone + out over the desert. + </p> + <p> + “An automobile,” muttered the gambler. “And there's another—and + another! There must be six or eight of them out to-night, and all of 'em + crammed with fighting men. A shot would bring two or three carloads of + ugly fellows down upon us.” + </p> + <p> + “What are we going to do, then?” demanded the hotel keeper, in a menacing + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Wait awhile,” urged the gambler. “You're seeing what the plan of the + enemy is. They're circling about, but they're further out from the gully + than we are. The cars will go on cutting larger and larger circle, and all + the time getting farther away from us. In half an hour the cars and the + men will be so far away that we need give no thought to them. Then we can + attend to Reade and Hazelton.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with them?” demanded Ashby in a whisper, his + cunning eyes lighting with a fire of added eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “We'll get 'em awake, first of all,” nodded Jim Duff. “Then we'll attend + to them.” + </p> + <p> + “Remember, they ruined my business!” whispered the hotel man. + </p> + <p> + “Well, didn't they ruin my business, too?” snarled Duff. “Didn't they cant + like a pair of hypocrites, and turn hundreds of their workmen against + coming in to play in my place? Didn't these young hounds keep me from + winning thousands of dollars of railroad money? Ash, I tell you, these + young fellows have hit me hard! First, they broke up my games. Next, they + talked their men out of going into Paloma and spending money for drink. + Why, Ash, next thing you know, they would have brought missionaries to + Paloma to convert men and to build churches!” + </p> + <p> + As Ashby glared at the unconscious boys from under his black brows he + looked as though he believed them capable of all the wickedness that Jim + Duff's imagination had charged against them. + </p> + <p> + “I can't wait!” groaned the hotel man. “Just one barrel of shot apiece + into each of 'em!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no, Ash! Haven't I always been your good friend?” + </p> + <p> + “You surely have, Jim Duff,” admitted the mad hotel man. “You're the one + man alive to-night that I'd trust.” + </p> + <p> + “Then trust me a little further,” coaxed the gambler virtuously. “Trust to + my brains tonight, George, and you'll feast on revenge!” + </p> + <p> + “But you keep me waiting so long for it!” complained the lunatic. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you trust me, George?” + </p> + <p> + “You know I do, Jim Duff.” + </p> + <p> + “Then trust me a little longer. Be quiet, and be patient.” + </p> + <p> + “But—” + </p> + <p> + “Sh!” warned Duff suddenly, throwing himself flat on the ground. “Down + with you, Ash!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” whispered the hotel man in the gambler's ear as he too sank + to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Sh!” once more warned the gambler. “Use your eyes, George. Look out over + the sand in the darkness. Do you see two men prowling this way?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” assented the hotel man, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “They're looking for us—enemies, George. Use all your cunning. Above + all, be silent and lie low! Don't make a move, unless I tell you to do so. + Show your trust in me, Ash, as you've never shown it before. If you don't, + we'll be cheated out of our revenge!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. RAFE AND JEFF MISCALCULATE + </h2> + <p> + The two men whom the craven gambler had sighted were coming slowly onward, + their movements suggesting a good deal of care and watchfulness. + </p> + <p> + Nor did they come in a wholly straight line. That they did not suspect the + nearness of Jim Duff and his mad companion was plain at a glance. + </p> + <p> + “Burrow in the sand!” whispered the gambler in Ashby's ear. “Quiet! Be + ready, but don't do anything unless I give you the word.” + </p> + <p> + “When you do give me the word,” trembled the hotel man, “I'll kill 'em + both.” + </p> + <p> + “Not unless we have to do so—remember!” ordered the gambler. “We + want, if possible, to take 'em alive.” + </p> + <p> + Let us now go back to the two men whom Duff and Ashby were watching so + closely. + </p> + <p> + They were Rafe Bodson and Jeff Moore. + </p> + <p> + Both had come out of the recent fighting unharmed. Neither Rafe nor Jeff + had fired a shot at the invading forces led by Hawkins. Instead, the pair + had slipped stealthily away, until they had gotten out of the immediate + zone of the hot firing. Then they hid under some bushes. + </p> + <p> + “An hour ago I'd have felt like a sneak, not standing by the gang any + better,” whispered Jeff uneasily. + </p> + <p> + “Same here,” Rafe admitted. “In fact, I'm wondering whether I acted + straight in running off like this.” + </p> + <p> + “Aren't you sure about it in your own mind?” asked Jeff slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Almost,” Rafe returned. “All that bothers me is not sticking by the same + crowd that we started out with to-night. As for Jim Duff—” + </p> + <p> + “He's poison, and deadly poison at that,” broke in Jeff. + </p> + <p> + “That's just what he is, pardner.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet I used to like Duff pretty well.” + </p> + <p> + “So did I,” nodded Jeff. “But that was when I thought he had some sand.” + </p> + <p> + “The fellow's a skulking coyote!” + </p> + <p> + “A coyote is brave, compared with Jim Duff,” contended Jeff Moore. + </p> + <p> + “Reade and Hazelton showed the real sand!” + </p> + <p> + “I never thought tenderfeet could be as brave,” glowed Moore. + </p> + <p> + “Jeff, I reckon Reade and Hazelton aren't real tenderfeet any more. + They've been west some time. But, then, such fellows wouldn't be + tenderfeet even if they lived in New Jersey all the time. Courage belongs + in some fellows, no matter where they work.” + </p> + <p> + “The fighting seems to be over,” observed Jeff Moore. + </p> + <p> + “Then the friends of the two engineers must have found them,” suggested + Bodson. + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't sound like it over there. The newcomers seem to be doing a lot + of hunting in the gully.” + </p> + <p> + “Let's move in closer,” proposed Rafe. + </p> + <p> + Crawling on their stomachs, the pair moved in closer. As they arrived, + unseen, they were in time to see the late fighting men clamber into their + automobiles. Hawkins could be heard giving directions for the further + search for Reade and Hazelton. + </p> + <p> + Then the cars started away. + </p> + <p> + “What do you reckon?” demanded Jeff, looking at Bodson. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon some of Duff's crowd slipped out of the fight, got the two + youngsters, and slipped away with them,” Bodson answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then it was Duff—he was one of 'em,” returned Jeff, with a strong + conviction. “From what I've seen of Duff to-night he'd rather do a running + trick than a fighting one.” + </p> + <p> + “It would take two to carry both youngsters away. Who was the other one?” + Rafe wondered aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Most likely the fellow who'd mind Duff best.” + </p> + <p> + “That must mean poor George Ashby.” + </p> + <p> + “Let's slip into the gully and see what we can find.” + </p> + <p> + One fact learned in the gully astonished both investigators. Despite the + volleys that had been fired no dead or wounded men lay about. Of course + Hawkins could have taken any injured men away in the automobiles. Plainly + the raiders had been equally fortunate in getting their wounded away on + their horses. Mounted men familiar with the desert would know many paths + where horses could travel, but where automobiles could not follow. + </p> + <p> + “Our hosses are gone,” discovered Jeff a few moments. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” nodded Rafe. “The crowd we were out with wouldn't be slow in + a simple little piece of every-day honesty like stealing hosses!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm through with any such gang after this, Rafe. How about you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm shore going to be careful about the kind of company I pick. But, + Jeff, we'll have to travel away from these parts. No good company around + here would welcome us. They wouldn't like the only references we could + give, Jeff.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, shore, we'll have to travel,” agreed Moore. “That is, if the sheriff + doesn't take up our tickets before we get started.” + </p> + <p> + “All this talk isn't showing us what became of Reade and Hazelton,” + remarked Rafe Bodson. “Let's go back under the trees and see if we can + find what has become of Reade and Hazelton. Before I change my post-office + box I'm going to try to do those two youngsters a good turn.” + </p> + <p> + So the pair had started off. Yet, like the automobile searchers, Jeff and + Rafe did not expect to run across Tom and Harry and their captors so close + to the gully. + </p> + <p> + For this reason the pair proceeded without very much caution at the + outset. + </p> + <p> + Even now, after Duff and Ashby had sighted them, Moore and Bodson halted + twice to light matches and examine the trail that their keen eyes had + discovered as moving westward from the gully. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I reckon we've got the general direction,” muttered Rafe Bodson + when, after having once more discovered the tracks he turned and got the + general course. “We know the way to head.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we won't light any more matches,” suggested Jeff. “It might get us + into trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they kept on, guiding themselves now by their general + knowledge of the country. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff and Ashby were well concealed, not only by the sand, but by a + little fringe of brush as well. + </p> + <p> + Hence it is not to be wondered at that Bodson and Moore went forward to be + astonished by a sudden movement in the sand, followed by a hail of + “Gentlemen, get your hands up, or take your medicine!” + </p> + <p> + The command came in Jim Duff's tones. + </p> + <p> + He was barely thirty feet away from the surprised pair, one of his + revolvers leveled so to drop Bodson at a touch of the trigger. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby's sawed-off shotgun looked squarely at the region bounded by + Jeff Moore's belt. + </p> + <p> + “It's your turn, gentlemen,” agreed Rafe, he put his hands in the air. + </p> + <p> + “You've got us—be decent,” grinned Jeff, as he, too, raised his + hands upward. + </p> + <p> + “Get your hands up higher!” ordered Jim Duff in his deadliest tone. These + men were now helpless, and the gambler merely chuckled inwardly at the + thought. + </p> + <p> + “Is this where we shoot them?” queried the mad hotel keeper. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—after a minute or two!” nodded Jim Duff, who wished first to + determine whether the automobiles of the searching party were moving too + near to them. + </p> + <p> + “I can hardly wait for the word!” quivered Ashby. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + “How long are we to keep our hands up, Duff?” questioned Jeff. + </p> + <p> + “Quiet,” hissed the gambler. “I'm listening.” + </p> + <p> + “If it's for friends of ours,” grimaced Rafe Bodson, “you needn't listen + any longer. We haven't any friends in either crowd now.” + </p> + <p> + “Quiet, I tell you!” snarled Duff. + </p> + <p> + No noise of moving automobiles came to the gambler's keen ears in the + darkness of the night. + </p> + <p> + “Ready,” faintly whispered Duff, giving Ashby a slight nudge. + </p> + <p> + “Shoot 'em?” whispered the mad hotel man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; you hit Jeff. I'll take care of Rafe!” + </p> + <p> + Just then darkness fell upon the gambler. He was knocked flat and + senseless by a blow of a fist from behind. + </p> + <p> + In the same instant a man leaped upon George Ashby, bearing him to earth. + </p> + <p> + Bang! The noise of the discharging shotgun broke on the night's stillness. + Bang! crashed the other barrel. + </p> + <p> + The muzzle had been pointed skyward, however, and both charges of buckshot + had been driven off into space, to fall to the earth many yards beyond. + </p> + <p> + “Reade! Hazelton!” choked Rafe Bodson, leaping forward. “You fellows + certainly have grit! Here, Hazelton, let me help you with that loco + (crazy) hotel man.” + </p> + <p> + Jeff, in the meantime had rolled Jim Duff over on his back, then sat on + him. When Duff returned to consciousness he found himself gazing into the + muzzle of an automatic revolver. + </p> + <p> + Harry and Bodson made a quick, sure job of tying Ashby's wrists with a + cord that Rafe supplied. + </p> + <p> + “You think you've stopped me, don't you?” snarled the hotel man, wild with + rage. + </p> + <p> + “We stopped you in time to keep you from shooting down two men who were at + your mercy,” retorted Harry sternly. + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” gasped Rafe. + </p> + <p> + “They were going to shoot you with your hands in the air,” Tom declared. + </p> + <p> + “That's another of your lies, Reade,” snarled the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “It's you who are doing the lying, Duff,” rejoined Tom stiffly. “I came to + my senses just in time to hear you tell Ashby to kill one man while you + killed the other.” + </p> + <p> + “So that was the game, was it?” said Jeff. + </p> + <p> + “No, it wasn't,” snapped Jim Duff. + </p> + <p> + “Shut up,” ordered Jeff unbelievingly. “Duff, we've seen enough of you + to-night to know that an Apache has ten times as much honor as you have, + and a rattlesnake has twenty times as much decency. You lying, miserable, + white-livered, smooth-tongued, poisonous reptile in human form. If you + open your mouth to say another word you'll have me so wild that I'll pull + the trigger of this automatic before I intend to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank goodness you had become conscious too, Harry!” breathed Tom + fervently. “I don't believe I could have knocked both men over in time to + prevent a killing. I managed to get my hands free just in time to get on + the job.” + </p> + <p> + “I had known for some moments what was going on around me,” Hazelton + replied. “But I was lying with my eyes closed, and keeping mighty quiet. I + was trying to hear your breathing, so I could decide whether you had come + to your senses, when all of a sudden you sat up and freed my hands. Ugh!” + he added with disgust, as he reached up and slipped the remnant of rawhide + noose from around his neck. + </p> + <p> + “What'll we do with this snake and, his weak-minded brother?” asked Jeff + dryly. “Tie 'em up and ship 'em into Paloma?” + </p> + <p> + “Fire off your revolver two or three times,” suggested Tom, who had caught + a faint, far away sound of an automobile. “That may bring a machine over + here.” + </p> + <p> + “You shoot, Rafe,” urge Moore. “I'll want to keep my weapon handy for this + crooked card-sharp.” + </p> + <p> + Rafe obligingly emptied one of his revolvers into the air. From a distance + came the honk of an automobile horn, as though in answer to the signal + shots. Soon the noise of an automobile engine became more distinct. + Finally the body of a large car loomed up in the darkness. A few shouts + brought the car to the spot. + </p> + <p> + “This you, Mr. Reade?” called the joy voice of Superintendent Hawkins. + “And Hazelton, safe, also?” + </p> + <p> + All five seats in this car were occupied. Six more men had to be crowded + in somehow, after Jim Duff had been tied with his hands behind him. Most + of them had to stand. + </p> + <p> + “Back to Paloma, as fast as you can go with safety,” ordered Mr. Hawkins, + as soon as all were inside. “Gracious, but there'll be a joyful + demonstration back in camp as soon as the good word is received.” + </p> + <p> + As the car sped along over the desert the story was told of how the + pursuit had been made. + </p> + <p> + It was Mr. Hawkins who had tried to wire from camp into town, calling for + cars and posses to go in pursuit of the raiders. + </p> + <p> + As Tom had imagined at the outset, the raiders had cut the railroad + telegraph wire. Discovering this, Mr. Hawkins had leaped on to the bare + back of a horse at camp and had covered the distance at a gallop. + </p> + <p> + Men had been quickly rounded up within the very few minutes that were + needed in getting the cars out and ready to run. There were hundreds of + men in Paloma who had grown to despise Duff and all the evil crew behind + the gambler. + </p> + <p> + From the outset the leaders of the posse, on hearing, of the direction + first taken by the fleeing raiders, had calculated on the gully as the + probable place of halting. + </p> + <p> + While the posse was still on the way out to the gully, and at some + distance away, the sound of Ashby's discharging gun had reached them. + Reasoning that the raiders would probably place a guard only on the town + end of the gully, the posse had made a wide detour, so as to approach the + gully from the westward. Leaving the cars at a considerable distance, the + pursuers, with Mr. Hawkins at their head, had made quick time on foot. + </p> + <p> + In the fighting that had followed five men of the posse had been hit, + though none dangerously. These wounded men, after the fight, had been sent + back to Paloma in one of the automobiles. + </p> + <p> + “We saw some of the raiders fall during the lighting,” said Mr. Hawkins, + “but their friends made a quick retreat and got all hands back to their + horses. We felt sure they didn't have you, Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton, so + we let the raiders slip away and spent our time in trying to find where + you had been taken or if you had escaped. Well, it's all right now!” + </p> + <p> + As the automobile party approached the town, searchlights from other cars + showed the remaining pursuers had heard the signals sounded by the horn of + the first automobile and were returning. + </p> + <p> + As the returning men entered the outlaying streets the little town was + found to be anything but a quiet community. Despite the early morning + hour, the streets were crowded. + </p> + <p> + “Where's the chief of police?” inquired Mr. Hawkins, as the first car + entered the town and pulled up. + </p> + <p> + “I'll find him for you, Cap,” offered a man on horseback. + </p> + <p> + “If you will be so good.” + </p> + <p> + As the horseman galloped away Hawkins signed to the others to step out. + </p> + <p> + “Duff, we're not going to be troubled with your company much longer,” + smiled Hawkins. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler was + helped to alight. Duff's hands were still behind his back though, unknown + to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free. + </p> + <p> + With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a + revolver from another man's holster. + </p> + <p> + Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at + Tom Reade. + </p> + <p> + Crack! + </p> + <p> + It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first. That officer had + been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired + instantly. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly + explained the cause of his firing. A loaded revolver was still gripped in + Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much pain to + fire. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the + popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the + wounded man to examine him. “Duff,” said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a + brief examination, “I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your + last card. Have you any wishes to express before we move you?” + </p> + <p> + “I—want to—talk to—Reade,” groaned the injured man. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” replied Tom, when the request was repeated to him. Stepping + softly to where the gambler lay on the sidewalk, Reade bent over him. + </p> + <p> + “Duff,” said Reade gravely, “you and I haven't always been the best of + friends, but I can say honestly that I'm sorry to see you in this plight. + I hope that you may recover, yet get some happiness out of life.” + </p> + <p> + But the gambler's eyes blazed with ferocity. + </p> + <p> + “Don't waste any soft soap on me, Reade,” he said slowly, and with many + pauses. “The Doc is a fool. I'm going to get well, and there will be just + one happiness ahead of me. That will be to find you, wherever you may be, + and to what I tried to do to you to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't you forget that sort of thing, Duff?” asked Tom gravely. “Not that + I'm afraid of you; you've seen enough of me to-night to know that I'm not + afraid of you. But I'm afraid for you. You're close to eternity, Duff, and + I'd like to see you go to your death with a calm, hopeful, decent mind. + I'd like to see you go with a hope of a better life hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't give me any of your canting talk, Reade,” snarled the gambler + weakly. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to do so,” sighed Tom, rising. “I'm afraid it would be + useless. Try to remember, Duff, that I allow myself to have no hard + feelings against you. If you possibly can recover I shall be glad to hear + that you've done so.” + </p> + <p> + Then Tom stepped over to Dr. Furniss' side, whispering to him: + </p> + <p> + “Doc, you'll see to it that some clergyman is called, won't you? Any + clergyman that is the most likely to reach the heart and the soul of a + hardened fellow like Jim Duff.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Furniss nodded. Men appeared with an old door that was to be used as a + stretcher. On this the gambler was placed, and the physician gave him such + immediate attention as could be supplied on the sidewalk, for Jim Duff had + been shot through the right lung. Then the bearers lifted the door, + bearing the gambler back to the now gloomy Mansion House, the doctor + following. Ashby, who had been strangely quiet after the shooting, was + taken to the local police station and placed in a cell. + </p> + <p> + Just after the two had been taken care of, and while the crowd still + lingered, a young man pushed his way through to the center of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “I heard that Jim Duff had returned to town,” began the young man. The + speaker was Clarence Farnsworth, the foolish young easterner who had been + sadly fleeced by the gambler. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; Duff came back,” said Mr. Hawkins, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Where is he?” asked Farnsworth. “I must leave in the morning, and I owe + Duff seven hundred dollars. I want to pay it to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Money you lost gambling with Duff?” questioned Hawkins. + </p> + <p> + “It's a debt of honor that I owe Mr. Duff,” Farnsworth replied, flushing + considerably. + </p> + <p> + “Son, take one little hint from me,” continued Hawkins. “No money ever + lost to a gambler in card playing is a debt of honor. It's merely the + liability of a chump and a fool. No gambler ever uses any real honor. Men + of honor work for the money that they need or want. Duff had a smooth way + of talking, an agreeable manner with his profitable victims, but he never + had a shred of honor. It isn't possible to be a gambler and a man of + honor. If you've seven hundred dollars that you lost to Duff at cards, put + it in your pocket and get out of Paloma as soon as you can. Duff won't + need the money, anyway. He's down at the Mansion House, dying of a bullet + wound that he got through his last piece of trickery. I hate to speak + harshly of a dying man, but I'd like to see you get a grain or two of + common sense into your head, boy.” + </p> + <p> + Again Farnsworth flushed, but three or four seasoned Arizona men who stood + near by added their advice, in line with that of Mr. Hawkins. Clarence + soon edged away. + </p> + <p> + An hour after daylight Jim Duff died. Dr. Furniss and the others who were + with the gambler at the last were unable to state that Duff had offered + any expression of regret for his evil life, or for his last wicked acts. + </p> + <p> + Jim Duff died as he had lived. + </p> + <p> + George Ashby was sent to an asylum and his property sold for his benefit. + After a year he was discharged as cured. He has vanished, swallowed up in + some other community, and nothing more has been heard of him. + </p> + <p> + Trailed by detectives of a fire insurance company, Frank Danes was soon + caught and brought back to Arizona. He was fairly convicted of having set + the old Cactus House on fire, though he could not be persuaded to admit + himself an agent of the Colthwaite Company. Fred Ransom, the other agent, + is believed to be still in the employ of the Colthwaite Company's “gloom + department.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hawkins is still in the employ of the A., G. & N. M. So are + foremen Bell, Rivers and Mendoza. + </p> + <p> + Tim Griggs proved himself so thoroughly while foreman at the building of + the new rail-road hotel in Paloma, that he has gone on to other and better + work. Griggs is now a prosperous man, and, best of all, he has his little + daughter with him. + </p> + <p> + Lessee Carter has flourished in the new railroad hotel. Rafe Bodson and + Jeff Moore are his clerks. + </p> + <p> + The day came when Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were able to apply the + final and most severe test to the roadbed that ran across the Man-killer + quicksand. Their work was finished, and finished splendidly, adding + another great triumph to their record as young engineers. + </p> + <p> + “These hot countries are fine, for a while,” grunted Harry Hazelton, as + the young engineers left Paloma in a special Pullman car that General + Manager Ellsworth had sent for their use. + </p> + <p> + “They are fine, in fact; but one gets tired of working on a blistering + desert. I hope our next long undertaking will be in a country where ice + grows as one of the natural fruits.” + </p> + <p> + “Greenland, for instance?” smiled Tom Reade. + </p> + <p> + “Alaska, at all events,” responded Harry hopefully. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where I'm figuring on making my next stop?” Tom inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “In good old Gridley, the town where we were born, boy! I'm fairly aching + for a sight of the good old town. Will you go with me?” + </p> + <p> + “For a few weeks, yes,” Harry agreed. “But after that little rest?” + </p> + <p> + “After our visit to the good old home town,” Tom Reade replied, “we'll go + anywhere on earth where a good, big chance for engineering offers. Harry, + we've yet nearly all of our work ahead of us to do if we're ever going to + be real, Class A engineers!” + </p> + <p> + That our young engineers found still greater work awaiting them will be + discovered in the next volume in this series, which is published under the + title, “The Young Engineers in Nevada; or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of + a Pick.” + </p> + <p> + In this narrative we find our young friends wholly away from railroad + work, but engaged in an even greater undertaking. The adventures awaiting + them were more exciting than any they had yet encountered. Fame and + fortune, too, offered a greater opportunity. How the young engineers + embraced the opportunity will be made plain to our readers. + </p> + <p> + THE END <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Engineers in Arizona, by +H. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Young Engineers in Arizona + Laying Tracks on the Man-killer Quicksand + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: May, 2005 [EBook #8153] +Posting Date: July 30, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + + + + + + + + +THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA + +or + +LAYING TRACKS ON THE MAN-KILLER QUICKSAND + + + +By H. Irving Handcock + + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE MAN OF "CARD HONOR" + + +"I'll wager you ten dollars that my fly gets off the mirror before yours +does." + +"I'll take that bet, friend." + +The dozen or so of waiting customers lounging in Abe Morris's barber +shop looked up with signs of renewed life. + +"I'll make it twenty," continued the first speaker. + +"I follow you," assented the second speaker. + +*Truly, if men must do so trivial a thing as squander their money on +idle bets, here was a novel enough contest. + +Each of the bettors sat in a chair, tucked up in white to the chin. Each +was having his hair cut. + +At the same moment a fly had lighted on each of the mirrors before the +two customers. + +The man who had offered the bet was a well known local character--Jim +Duff by name, by occupation one of the meanest and most dishonorable +gamblers who had ever disgraced Arizona by his presence. + +There is an old tradition about "honest gamblers" and "players of +square games." The man who has been much about the world soon learns to +understand that the really honest and "square" gambler is a creature of +the imagination. The gambler makes his living by his wits, and he who +lives by anything so intangible speedily finds the road to cheating and +trickery. + +Jim Duff had been no exception. His reputation was such that he could +find few men among the residents of this part of Arizona who would meet +him at the gaming table. He plied his trade mostly among simple-minded +tourists from the east--the class of men who are known in Arizona as +"tenderfeet." + +Rumor had it that Jim Duff, in addition to his many years of unblushing +cheating for a living, had also shot and killed three men in the past on +as many different occasions. + +Yet he was a sleek, well-groomed fellow, tall and slim, and, in +the matter of years, somewhere in his forties. Duff always dressed +well--with a foundation of the late styles of the east, with something +of the swagger of the plains added to his raiment. + +"Stranger, you might as well hand me your money now," drawled Duff, +after a few moments had passed. "It'll save time." + +"Your fly hasn't hopped yet," retorted the second man, with the air and +tone of one who could afford to lose thousands on such stupid bets. + +The second man was of the kind on which Jim Duff fattened his purse. +Clarence Farnsworth, about twenty-five years of age, was as verdant a +"tenderfoot" as had lately graced Paloma, Arizona, with his presence. + +Even the name of Clarence had moved so many men to laughter in this +sweltering little desert town that Farnsworth had lately chopped his +name to "Clare." Yet this latter had proved even worse; it sounded too +nearly like a girl's name. + +So far as his financial condition went, Clarence had the look of one +who possessed money to spend. He was well-dressed, lived at the Mansion +House, often hired automobiles, entertained his friends lavishly, and +was voted a good enough fellow, though a simpleton. + +"My fly's growing skittish, stranger," smiled Jim Duff. "He's on the +point of moving. You'd better whisper to your fly." + +"I believe, friend," rejoined Clarence, "that my fly is taking nap. He +appears to be sound asleep. You certainly picked the more healthy fly." + +Jim Duff gave his barber an all but imperceptible nudge in one elbow. +Though he gave no sign in return, that barber understood, and shifted +his shears in a way that, even at distance, alarmed the fly on the +mirror before Duff. + +"Buzz-zz!" The fly in front of the gambler took wing and vanished toward +the rear of the store. + +Some of the Arizona men looking on smiled knowingly. They had realized +from the start that young Farnsworth had stood no show of winning the +stupid wager. + +"You win," stated young Clarence, in a tone that betrayed no annoyance. + +Drawing a roll of bills from his pocket, he fumbled until he found a +twenty. This he passed to Duff, sitting in the next chair. + +"You're not playing in luck to-day," smiled Duff gently, as he tucked +away the money in one of his coat pockets. "You're a good sportsman, +Farnsworth, at any rate." + +"I flatter myself that I am," replied Clarence, blushing slightly. + +Jim Duff continued calmly puffing at the cigar that rested between his +teeth. They were handsome teeth, though, in some way, they made one +think of the teeth of a vicious dog. + +"Coming over to the hotel this afternoon?" continued Duff. + +"I--I--" hesitated Clarence. + +"Coming, did you say?" persisted Duff gently. + +"I shall have to see my mail first. There may be letters--" + +"Oh," nodded Duff, with just a trace of irony as the younger man again +hesitated. + +"Life is not all playtime for me, you know," Farnsworth continued, +looking rather shame-faced. "I--er--have some business affairs +attention at times." + +"Oh, don't try to join me at the hotel this if you have more interesting +matters in prospect," smiled the gambler. + +Again Clarence flushed. He looked up to Jim Duff as a thorough "man +of the world," and wanted to stand well in the gambler's good opinion. +Clarence Farnsworth was, as yet, too green to know that, too often, the +man who has seen much of the world has seen only its seamy and worthless +side. Possibly Farnsworth was destined to learn this later on--after the +gambler had coolly fleeced him. + +"Before long," Farnsworth went on, changing the subject, "I must get out +on the desert and take a look at the quicksand that the railroad folks +are trying to cross." + +"The railroad people will probably never cross that quicksand," remarked +Jim Duff, the lids closing over his eyes for a moment. + +"Oh, I don't know about that," continued Farnsworth argumentatively. + +"I think I do," declared Jim Duff easily. "My belief, Farnsworth, is +that the railroad people might dig up the whole of New Mexico, transport +the dirt here and dump it on top of that quicksand, and still the +quicksand would settle lower and lower and the tracks would still break +up and disappear. There's no bottom to that quicksand." + +"Of course you ought to know all about it, Duff," Clarence made haste +to answer. "You've lived here for years, and you know all about this +section of the country." + +That didn't quite suit the gambler. What he sought to do was to raise an +argument with the young man--who still had some money left. + +"What makes you think, Farnsworth, that the railroad can win out with +the desert and lay tracks across the quicksand? That's a bad quicksand, +you know. It has been called the 'Man-killer.' Many a prospector or +cow-puncher has lost his life in trying to get over that sand." + +"The real Man-killer quicksand is a mile to the south of where the +tracks go, isn't it?" asked Farnsworth. + +"Yes; and the first party of railway surveyors who went over the line +for their track thought they had dodged the Man-killer. Yet what they'll +find, in the end, is that the Man-killer is a bad affair, and that it +extends, under the earth, in many directions and for long distances. I +am certain that railway tracks will never be laid over any part of the +Man-killer." + +"Perhaps not," assented Clarence meekly. + +"What makes you think that the railroad can ever get across the +Man-killer?" persisted Duff. + +"Why, for one thing, the very hopeful report of the new engineers who +have taken charge." + +"Humph!" retorted Duff, as though that one word of contempt disposed of +the matter. + +"Reade and Hazelton are very good engineers, are they not?" inquired +young Farnsworth. + +"Humph! A pair of mere boys," sneered Jim Duff. + +"Young fellows of about my age, you mean?" asked Farnsworth. + +"Of your age?" repeated Duff, in a tone of wonder. "No! You're a man. +Reade and Hazelton, as I've told you, are mere boys. They're not of age. +They've never voted." + +"Oh, I had no idea that they were as young as that," replied Clarence, +much pleased at hearing himself styled a man. "But these young engineers +come from one of the Colorado, railroads, don't they!" + +"I wouldn't be surprised," nodded the gambler. "However, the Man-killer +is no task for boys. It is a job for giants to put through, if the job +ever can be finished." + +"Then, if it's so difficult, why doesn't the road shift the track by two +or three miles?" inquired Clarence. + +"You certainly are a newcomer here," laughed Duff easily. "Why, my son, +the railroad was chartered on condition that it run through certain +towns. Paloma, here, is one of the towns. So the road has to come here." + +"But couldn't the road shift, just after it leaves here?" insisted +Clarence. + +"Oh, certainly. Yet, if the road shifted enough to avoid any possibility +of resting on the big Man-killer, then it would have to go through the +range beyond here--would have to tunnel under the hills for a distance +of three miles. That would cost millions of dollars. No, sir; the +railroad will have to lay tracks across the Man-killer, or else it will +have to stand a loss so great as to cripple the road." + +"Excuse me, sir," interrupted a keen, brisk, breezy-looking man, who had +entered the shop only a moment or two before. "There's a way that the +railroad can get over the Man-killer." + +"What is that?" asked Duff, eyeing the newcomer's reflected image in the +mirror. + +"The first thing to do," replied the stranger, "is to drop these boy +engineers out of the game. These youngsters came down here four days +ago, looked over the scene, and promised that they could get the tracks +laid-safely--for about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars." + +"Pooh!" jeered Duff, with a sidelong glance at young Farnsworth. + +"Of course it is pooh!" laughed the stranger. "The thing can it be +done for any such amount as that, and it is a crazy idea, to take the +opinions of boys, anyway, on any such subject as that. Now, there's a +Chicago firm of contractors, the Colthwaite Construction Company, which +has proposed to take over the whole contract for laying tracks across +the Man-killer. These boys figure on using dirt and then more dirt, +and still more, until they've satisfied the appetite of the Man-killer, +filled up the quicksand and laid a bed of solid earth on which the +tracks will run safely for the next hundred years. The Colthwaite people +have looked over the whole proposition. They know that it can't be done. +The two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be wasted, and then the +Colthwaite Company will have to come in, after all, drive its pillars of +steel and concrete, lay well-founded beds and get a basis that will hold +the new earth above it. Then the track will be safe, and the people of +this part of Arizona will have a railroad of which they can be proud. +But these boys--these kids in railroad building--humph!" + +"Humph!" agreed Jim Duff dryly. + +The gambler using the mirror before him, continued to study keenly this +stranger, even after the latter had ceased talking and had gone to one +of the chairs to wait his turn. + +"You're through, sir," announced the barber who had been trying to +improve the gambler's appearance. "Thank you, sir. Next." + +Clarence, wholly crushed by the weight of opinion, was not yet through +with his barber. Duff, after lighting a fresh cigar, stepped over to +where the newcomer was seated. + +"Are you stopping at the Mansion House?" inquired the gambler. + +"Yes," answered the stranger, looking up. + +"So am I," nodded the gambler. "So I shall probably have the pleasure of +meeting you again." + +"Why, yes; I trust so," replied the stranger, after a quick, keen look +at Duff. Undoubtedly this newcomer was accustomed to judging men quickly +after seeing them. + +"These boy engineers!" chucked Duff. "Humph!" + +"Humph!" agreed the stranger. + +At this moment two bronzed-looking, erect young men came tramping down +the sidewalk together. Each looked the picture of health, of courage, +of decision. Both wore the serviceable khaki now so common in surveying +camps in warm climates. Below the knee the trousers were confined by +leggings. Above the belt blue flannel shirts showed, yet these were of +excellent fabric and looked trim indeed. To protect their heads and to +shade their eyes as much as possible from the glare of Arizona desert +sand, these young men wore sombreros of the type common in the Army. + +"This looks like a good place, Harry," said the taller of the two young +men. "Suppose we go inside." + +They stepped into the barber shop together, nodding pleasantly to all +inside. Then, hanging up their sombreros, they passed on to unoccupied +chairs. + +Just in the act of passing out, Jim Duff had stepped back to admit them. + +"They're Reade and Hazelton, the very young engineers that the railroad +has just put in charge of the Man-killer job," whispered one knowing +citizen of Paloma. The news quickly spread about the barber shop. + +Jim Duff already knew the boys by sight, since they were stopping at the +Mansion House. He uttered an almost inaudible "humph!" then passed on +outside. + +Neither Tom Reade nor Harry Hazelton heard this exclamation, nor would +they have paid any heed to it if they had. + +Yes; the two young men were our friends of old, the young engineers. +Our readers are wholly familiar with Tom and Harry as far back as their +grammar school days in the good old town of Gridley. Tom and Harry were +members of that famous sextet of schoolboy athletes known at home as +Dick & Co. The exploits of Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, as of Dick +Prescott, Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes and Dan Dalzell, have been fully +told, first in the "Grammar School Boys Series," and then in the "High +School Boys Series." + +After the close of the "High School Boys Series" the further adventures +of Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes are told in the "West Point Series," +while all that befell Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell has already been found +in the pages of the "Annapolis Series." + +In the preceding volume of this series, "The Young Engineers in +Colorado," our readers were made familiar with the real start in working +life made by Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. Back in the old High School +days Reade and Hazelton had been fitting themselves to become civil +engineers. They began their real work in the east, and had made good in +sterner work in the mountains in Colorado. + +Our readers all know how Tom and Harry opened their careers in Colorado +by becoming "cub engineers" with one of the field camps of the S. B. & +L. railroad. Taken only on trial, they had rapidly made good, and had +earned the confidence of the chief engineer in charge of the work. When, +owing to the sudden illness of both the chief engineer and his principal +assistant the road's work had been crippled, Tom and Harry had had the +courage as well as the opportunity to take hold, assume the direction, +and complete the building of the S. B. & L. within the time required by +the road's charter. + +Had the young engineers failed, the S. B. & L., under the terms granted +by the state, might have been seized and sold at public auction. In that +case, the larger, and rival road, the W. C. & A., stood ready to buy out +the S. B. & L. and reap the profits that the latter road had planned +to earn. Not only had the young engineers succeeded in overcoming all +natural obstacles, but, in a series of wonderful adventures, they had +defeated the plots of agents of the W. C. & A. From that time on Tom and +Harry had been famous in Colorado railroad circles. + +After the S. B. & L. had been finished and put in operation, Tom Reade +had remained with the railroad for several months, still serving as +chief engineer, with Harry Hazelton as his trusted and dependable +assistant. + +Now, at last, they had been lured away from the S. B. & L. by the offer +of a new chance to overcome difficulties of the sort that all +fighting engineers love to encounter. The Arizona, Gulf & New Mexico +Railroad--more commonly known as the A., G. & N. M.--while laying its +tracks in an attempt at record-beating, had come afoul of the problem +of the quicksand, as already outlined. Three different sets of engineers +had attempted the feat of filling up the quicksand, only to abandon it. + +There was little doubt that the Colthwaite Construction Company, a +contracting firm with years of successful experience, could have, +"stopped" the quicksand, but this Chicago firm wanted far more money for +the job than the railroad people felt they could afford to spend. + +So, in a moment of doubt, and harassed by troubles, one of the directors +of the A., G. & N. M. had remembered the names and the performances +of Tom and Harry. This director of the Arizona road, being a friend +of President Newnham, of the S. B. & L. road, had written the latter, +asking whether the services of Tom and Harry could be secured. The reply +had been in the affirmative, and Tom and Harry had speedily traveled +down into Arizona. In the few days they had been at this little town of +Paloma, they had gone thoroughly over the ground, they had studied +the problem, and had expressed their opinion that the job could be +put through creditably at a cost not exceeding a quarter of a million +dollars. + +"Go to it, then!" General Manager Curtis had replied. "You have our +road's credit at your command, and we look to you to make good. You are +both very young, but Newnham's word is quite good enough for us." + +The day before this story opens this general manager had boarded one of +the rough-looking construction trains and had gone back to the road's +headquarters. + +As they sat in the barber shop now Tom and Harry were quite unaware of +the interested notice they were receiving. This was not surprising, for +both were good, sane, wholesome American boys, with no more than the +average share of conceit, and neither believed himself to be as much of +a wonder as some experienced railroad men credited them with being. + +"Stranger, excuse me, but you're Reade, aren't you?" inquired one of the +men of Paloma who was present. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Tom, looking up pleasantly from the weekly paper that +he had been scanning. + +"You're head of the new job on the Man-killer, aren't you?" questioned +the same man. By this time every man in the barber shop was secretly +watching the young engineers, a fact that was plain to Harry Hazelton, +as he glanced up from a magazine. + +"Yee, sir," Tom answered again. "In a way I'm at the head of it, but +my friend, Hazelton, is really as much at the head as I am. We are +partners, and we work together in everything." + +"Do you think, Reade, that you're going to win out on the job?" inquired +another man. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Tom. + +"You seem very confident about it," smiled another. + +"It's just a way we have," Tom assented good-naturedly. "We always try +to keep our nerve and our confidence with us." + +"Yet you are really sure?" + +"Oh! yes," Reade answered. "We have looked the quicksand over, and we +feel sure that we see a way of stopping the Man-killer, and forcing it +to sustain railroad ties and steel rails." + +"How are you going; to go about it?" questioned still another interested +citizen. These men of Paloma had good reason for being interested. When +the iron road was finished, Paloma would be an intimate part of the +now outside world. It was certain that Paloma real estate would rise to +three or four times its present value. + +"I know you'll excuse us," replied Tom, still speaking pleasantly, "if +we don't go into precise details." + +"Then you are going to make a secret of your plans?" inquired another +barber-shop idler. His tone expressed merely curiosity; Arizona men are +proverbially as polite as they are frank. + +"We're somewhat secretive--yes, sir," Tom replied. "That is only because +we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the concern of +the A., G. & N. M. No offense meant, sir, either." + +"No offense taken," replied the late questioner. + +Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on +the majority of these Arizona men present. + +As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the +Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a +three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up. Yet he managed to cast +more than one covert glance at the boys. + +"I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real +engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer," +declared Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he +strolled past the pair. + +"Thank you," nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature. + +"If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you +in your professional careers," continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly. + +"Undoubtedly," nodded Harry. + +The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through +with the barber at last. Though the day was scorchingly hot in this +desert town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the +hotel. + +The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards +of large cities. Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of +Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his +guests. + +As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of +Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside. + +"Oh, how do you do?" was Duff's greeting. "Hot, isn't it?" + +"Very," nodded the stranger. + +"I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy," +continued Duff. "As I dislike to eat alone, I have ordered the table +spread for two. I shall be very glad of your company, stranger, if you +care to honor me." + +"That is kind of you," nodded the other. "I shall accept with much +pleasure, for I, too, like to eat in good company." + +After a little more conversation the two ascended to Duff's room on the +next floor. Certainly it was the largest and most comfortable guest room +in the hotel, and was furnished in good taste. The main apartment was +set as a gentlemen's lounging room, Duff's bedroom furniture being in a +little room at the rear. + +Hardly had Duff pressed the bell button before there came a tap at the +door. One waiter brought in a table for two, with the napery. This he +quickly arranged. As he turned toward the door two other waiters entered +with dishes containing a dainty meal for a hot day. + +"You may arrange everything and then leave us, John," directed Duff. +Soon the two new acquaintances were alone together, the gambler serving +the light meal with considerable grace. + +"How long have you been with the Colthwaite Company?" asked Jim Duff +presently. + +"I didn't say that I had ever been with the Colthwaite Company," smiled +the stranger. + +"No," admitted the gambler; "but I took that much for granted." + +Again the eyes of the two men met in an exchange of keen looks, Then the +stranger laughed. + +"Mr. Duff, I realize that it is a waste of time to try to conceal rather +evident facts from you. I am Frederick Ransom, a special agent for the +Colthwaite Company." + +"You are down here to get the contract for filling up the Man-killer +quicksand?" Duff continued, with an air of polite curiosity. + +"The contract is not to be awarded," Ransom answered. "The A., G. & N. +M. has decided to do the work itself, with the assistance of two young +engineers who have been retained." + +"Reade and Hazelton," nodded Jim Duff. + +"Yes." + +"They may fail--are almost sure to do so. Then, of course, Mr. Ransom, +you will have a very excellent chance of securing the contract for the +Colthwaite Company." + +"Why, yes; if the young men do fail." + +"Will you pardon a stranger's curiosity, Mr. Ransom? Have you laid your +plans yet for the way in which the young men are to fail?" + +From most strangers this direct questioning would have been offensive. +Jim Duff, however, from long experience in fleecing greenhorns, had +acquired a manner and way, of speaking that stood him in good stead. + +After a moment's half-embarrassed silence Fred Ransom burst into a laugh +that was wholly good-natured. + +"Mr. Duff, You are unusually clever at reading other's motives," he +replied. + +"I went to school as a youngster, and learned how to read the pages of +open books," the gambler confessed modestly. "So you have, as yet, +no plan for compelling the young engineers to fail and quit at the +Man-killer?" + +This was such a direct, comprehensive question that Fred Ransom remained +silent for some moments before he admitted: + +"No; as yet I haven't been able to form a plan." + +"Then engage me to help you," spoke Jim Duff slowly, coolly. "I know the +country here, and the people. I know where to lay my finger on men who +can be trusted to do unusual things. I shall come high, Mr. Ransom, but +I am really worth the money. Talk it over with me, and convince me that +your company will be sufficiently liberal in return for large favors." + +"Oh, the Colthwaite Company would be liberal enough," protested Ransom, +"and quick to hand out the cash, at that." + +"I took that for granted," smiled Duff, showing his white teeth. "Your +people, the Colthwaites, have always been accustomed to paying +for favors that require unusual talent, some courage-and perhaps a +persistency of the shooting kind." + +Then the two rascals, who now thoroughly understood each other, fell to +plotting. An hour later the outlook was dark, indeed, for the success of +Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. + + + + +CHAPTER II. DUFF ASSERTS HIS "RIGHTS" + + +"We've a hard afternoon ahead of us, Harry," remarked Tom Reade, as the +engineer chums finished the noonday meal in the public dining room of +the Mansion House. + +"Pshaw! We'll have more real work to do after our material arrives," +rejoined young Hazelton. "We're promised the material in four days. If +we get it in a fortnight we will be lucky." + +"That might be true on some railroads," smiled Tom. "But Mr. Ellsworth, +the general manager of the A., G. & N. M., is a hustler, if I ever met +one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of +the material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some +time. I believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's +talking about." + +"Well, I hope you can find some work for the men to do this afternoon," +murmured Harry, as the two young engineers rose from table. "Hawkins, +our superintendent of construction, has about five hundred mechanics and +laborers who will soon need work." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "The men took the jobs with the understanding that +their pay would run on." + +"The day's wages for five hundred workmen is a big item of loss when +we're delayed," mused Hazelton. + +"There's another consideration that's even worse than the loss," Tom +went on in a low voice. "The pay train will be here this afternoon and +the men will have a lot of money by evening. This town of Paloma is +going to be wide open to-night in the effort to get the money away from +our five hundred men." + +"We can't stop that," sighed Harry. "We have no control over the way in +which the workmen choose to spend their money." + +"Want me to tell you a secret?" whispered Tom mysteriously. + +"Yes, if it's an interesting one," smiled Harry. + +"Very good, then. I know I can't actually interfere with the way the men +spend their money. But I'm going to give them some earnest advice about +avoiding fellows who would fleece them out of their wages." + +"Go slowly, Tom!" warned Hazelton, opening his eyes rather wide. "Don't +put yourself in bad with the men, or they may quit you in a body." + +"Let them," retorted Tom, with one of his easy smiles. "If these men +throw up their work General Manager Ellsworth will know where to +find others for us. Few of our men are skilled workers. We can find +substitutes for most of them anywhere that laborers can be found." + +"But you've no right--" + +"Of one thing you may be very sure, Harry. I'll take pains not to step +over the line of my own rights, and not to step on the rights of the +men who are working for us. What I mean to do is to offer them some +very straight talk. I shall also warn them that we are quite ready to +discharge any foolish fellows who may happen to go on sprees and unfit +themselves for our work. I've one surprise to show you, Harry. Wait +until Johnson, the paymaster, gets in. Then you'll see who else is with +him." + +"Are you gentlemen ready for your horses?" asked a stable boy, coming +around to the front of the hotel. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. + +Two tough, lean, wiry desert ponies were brought around. Tom and Harry +mounted, riding away at a slow trot at first. + +From an upper window Fred Ransom looked down upon them, then called Duff +to his side. + +"There is your game, Duff," hinted the agent. + +"They'll be easy to a man of my experience," laughed the gambler. "I've +a clever scheme for starting trouble with them." + +He whispered a few words in his companion's ears, at which Ransom +laughed with apparent enjoyment. + +"You're a keen one, Duff," grinned the agent from Chicago. + +"I've seen enough of life," boasted the gambler quietly, "to be able +to judge most people at first sight. You shall soon see whether I don't +succeed in starting some hard feeling with Reade and Hazelton." + +The nearer edge of the treacherous Man-killer was something more than +two miles west of the town of Paloma. In the course of a quarter of an +hour Tom and Harry drew rein near a portable wooden building that served +as an office in the field. + +Mr. Hawkins, a solid-looking, bearded man of fifty, with snapping eyes +that contrasted with his drawling speech, stepped from the building. + +"Hawkins," called Tom, as a Mexican boy led the horses away to the shade +of a stable tent, "I see you have some men idle." + +"Nine-tenths of 'em are idle," replied the superintendent of +construction. "I warned you, Mr. Reade, that our gangs would soon eat up +the little work that you left us. Out there, by the last cave-in you'll +see that Foreman Payson, has about fifty men going. They'll be through +within an hour." + +"And the material, even if delivered within the promised time, is still +two days away," remarked Reade. "I'll confess that I don't like to see +the railroad lose so much through paying men for idle time." + +"It can't be helped, sir," replied the superintendent. "Of course, if +you like, you can set the laborers at work shoveling in more dirt at +the points where the last slide of the quicksand occurred. But, then, +shoveling dirt in, without the timbers and the hollow steel piles will +do no good," continued Hawkins, with a shake of his head. "It would be +worse than wasted work." + +"I know all that," Tom admitted. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Hawkins, +I wouldn't mind the men's idleness quite so much if it weren't that the +pay train comes in this afternoon. An idle man, not over-nice about his +habits, and with a lot of money in his pockets, is a source of danger. +We're going to have five hundred such danger spots as soon as the men +are paid off." + +"Don't know that, sir!" demanded Superintendent Hawkins. "The town of +Paloma is just dancing on sand-paper, it's so uneasy about getting its +hand into the pile of more than thirty-eight thousand dollars that the +pay train is going to bring in this afternoon." + +"I know," nodded Tom rather gloomily. "I hate to see the men fleeced as +they're likely to be fleeced to-night. Some of our men will be so badly +done up that it will be a week before they get back to work--unless +there is some way that we can stop the fleecing." + +"There isn't any such way," declared Superintendent Hawkins, with an air +of conviction. + +"You've surely been around rough railroading camps enough to know that, +Mr. Reade." + +"I've seen a good deal of the life, Hawkins," Tom answered, "but of +course I don't know it all." + +"Yet you know that you can't hope to stop railroad jacks from spending +their money in their own way. The saloons in Paloma will take in +thousands of dollars from our lads to-night and all day to-morrow. The +gamblers will swindle them out of a whole lot more. Day after to-morrow, +Mr. Reade, you wouldn't be able to borrow twenty dollars from our whole +force." + +"It's a shame," burst from Tom indignantly, as the three turned to gaze +westward across the desert. "These men work as hard as any toilers in +the world. They receive good wages. Yet where do you find a railroad +jack who, after years and years of toil on these burning deserts, has +two or three hundred dollars of his own saved?" + +Hawkins shrugged his shoulders. + +"I know all about it," he responded, "and I grow angry every time I +think about it. Yet how is one going to protect these, men against +themselves?" + +"I believe there's a way," spoke Tom confidently. + +"I hope you can find it, then, Mr. Reade," retorted Hawkins skeptically. + +"At any rate, I'm going to try." + +"What are you going to do, Mr. Reade?" demanded the superintendent +curiously. + +"You'll be with me, won't you?" coaxed Tom. + +"You'll stand with us, shoulder to shoulder." + +"I certainly will, Mr. Reade!" + +"And the foremen? You can depend upon them?" + +"On every one of them," declared Hawkins promptly. "Even to the Mexican +foreman, Mendoza. He's a greaser, but he's a brick, and a white man all +the way through!" + +"Call the foremen in, then--all except Payson, who is with his gang." + +Tom and Harry stepped inside the office. Mr. Hawkins strolled away, but +within ten minutes he was back again, followed by Foremen Bell, Rivers +and Mendoza. + +"Two wagons have driven up, east of here," announced Mr. Hawkins, as he +entered the office building. "They've stopped a quarter of a mile below +here and have dumped two tents. I think they're about to raise them." + +Tom stepped hastily outside, glancing eastward, where they saw what the +superintendent had described. One of the tents had just been raised, +though the pitching of it had not yet been thoroughly done. + +"What crowd is that?" Reade asked. "Who is at the head of it?" + +"I see one man there--the only man in good clothes--who looks like Jim +Duff," replied the superintendent, using his field glasses. + +"The gambler?" asked Tom sharply. + +"The same." + +"He's pitching his tent on the railroad's dirt, isn't he!" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Come along. We'll have a look at that place." + +A few minutes of brisk walking brought the young engineers, the +superintendent and the three foremen to the spot. + +Tent number one had been pitched. It was a circular tent, some forty +feet in diameter. The second tent, only a little smaller, was now being +hoisted. + +"Who's in charge of this work?" asked Tom in his usual pleasant tone. + +"My manager, Mr. Bemis--Dock Bemis," answered Jim Duff suavely, as he +moved forward to meet the party. "Dock, come here. I want you to know +Mr. Reade, the engineer in charge of this job." + +Duff's manners were impudently easy and assured. The fellow known as +Dock Bemis, an unprepossessing, shabbily dressed man of thirty-five, +with a mean face and an ugly-looking eye, came forward. + +"I'll take Mr. Bemis's acquaintance for granted," Tom continued, with an +easy smile. "You own this outfit, don't you, Mr. Duff?" + +"I've rented it, if you mean the tents, tables and chairs," assented the +gambler. "I've a stock of liquors coming over as soon as I send one of +the wagons back." + +"What do you propose to do with all this?" Tom inquired. + +"Why, of course, you see," smiled Duff, with all the suavity in the +world, "as your boys are going to be paid off this afternoon they'll +want to go somewhere to enjoy themselves. As the day is very hot I +thought it would be showing good intentions if I brought an outfit over +here. I'll have everything ready within an hour." + +"So that you can get our men intoxicated and fleece them more easily?" +asked Tom, with his best smile. "Is that the idea?" + +Jim buff flushed angrily. Then his face became pale. + +"It's a crude way you have of expressing it, Mr. Reade, if you Ill allow +me to say so," the gambler answered, in a voice choked with anger. "I +am going to offer your men a little amusement. It's what they need, and +what they'll insist upon. Do you see? There's a small mob coming this +way now." + +Tom turned, discovering about a hundred railroad laborers coming down +the road. + +"Mr. Duff," asked the young chief engineer, "can you show any proof of +your authority to erect tents on the railroad's land?" + +"What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?" +demanded the gambler. + +"I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for +erecting tents here?" + +"Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?" + +"You know very well what I mean, Duff." + +Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as +ever. + +"I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here," the +gambler replied evasively. + +"Have you any authority to be on the railroad's land's?" persisted Tom +Reade. "Yes or no?" + +"No-o-o-o, I haven't, unless I can persuade you to see how reasonable +it is that your men should be provided with enjoyment right at their own +camp." + +"Take the tents down, then, as quickly as you can accomplish it," +directed Tom, though in a quiet voice. + +"And--if I don't?" asked Duff, smiling dangerously and displaying his +white, dog-like teeth. + +"Then I shall direct one of the foremen to call a sufficient force, Mr. +Duff, to take down your tents and remove them from railroad property. I +am not seeking trouble with you, sir; I don't want trouble. But, as long +as I remain in charge here no gambling or drinking places are going to +be opened on the railroad's land." + +"Mr. Reade," inquired the gambler, his smile fading, "do you object to +giving me a word in private?" + +"Not at all," Tom declared. "But it won't help your plans." + +"I'd like just a word with you alone," coaxed the gambler. + +Nodding, Reade stepped away with the gambler to a distance of a hundred +feet or so from the rapidly increasing crowd. + +"I expect to make a little money out of this tent outfit, of course," +explained Jim Duff. + +"I expect that you won't make a dollar out of it--on railway property," +returned Reade steadily. + +"I'm going to make a little money--not much," Duff went on. "Now, if +I can make the whole deal with you, and if no one else is allowed to +bother me, I can afford to pass you one hundred dollars a day for the +tent privilege." + +Before even expectant Tom realized what was happening, Duff had pressed +a wad of paper money into his hand. + +"What is this?" demanded Reade. + +"Don't let everyone see it," warned the gambler. "You'll find two +hundred dollars there, in bills. That's for the first two days of our +tent privilege here." + +"You contemptible hound!" exclaimed Tom angrily. + +Whish! The tightly folded wad of bank notes left Tom's hand, landing +squarely in Jim Duff Is face. + +In an instant the gambler's face turned white. His hand flew back to a +pocket in which he carried a pistol. + + + + +CHAPTER III. TOM MAKES A SPEECH ON GAMBLING + + +"Cut out the gun-play! That doesn't go here!" Tom uttered warningly. + +One swift step forward, and one hand caught Jim Duff by the throat. +With the other hand Tom caught Duff's right wrist and wrenched away the +pistol that instantly appeared in the gambler's hand. + +The weapon Tom threw on the ground, some feet away. Then, with eyes +blazing with contempt, Tom Reade struck the gambler heavily across +the face with the flat of his hand. Hard work had added to the young +engineer's muscle of earlier days, and the gambler was staggered. + +Another instant, and Superintendent Hawkins who, with Hazelton and the +foremen, had run up to them, seized Duff roughly from behind, holding +his arms pinioned. + +Harry Hazelton picked up the revolver. Quickly opening it, he drew out +the cartridges. + +"Mr. Bell!" called Harry, and the foreman of that name hastened to him. + +"Take this thing back to the office and break it up with a hammer," +directed young Hazelton, as he passed the revolver to the foreman. The +latter sped away on his errand. + +"Let Duff go, Mr. Hawkins," directed Tom. "I'm not afraid of him. Duff, +I wish to apologize to you for striking you in the face. I wouldn't +allow any man to do that to me. But your action in reaching for a pistol +was so childish--or cowardly, whichever you prefer to call it--that I +admit I forgot myself for a moment. Now, you are not going to erect +any tents for gambling or other unworthy purposes on the railroad's +property. It's bad business to let you do anything of the sort. I trust +that there will be no hard feeling between us." + +"Hard feeling?" hissed Jim Duff, his wicked-looking face paler than +ever. "Boy, you needn't try to crawl back into my good graces after the +way you acted toward me!" + +"I'm not trying to crawl into your esteem, or to get there by any +other means," Tom answered quietly, though with a firmness that caused +superintendent and foremen to feel a new respect for their young chief +engineer. "At the same time, Duff, I don't believe in stirring up bad +blood with anyone. You and I haven't the same way of regarding your line +of business. That's the main difficulty. As I can't see your point of +view, it would be hardly fair to expect you to understand my way of +regarding what you wished to do here. Your tents will have to come down +and be moved, but I have no personal feeling in the matter. How soon can +you get your tents down?" + +"They are not coming down, I tell you!" snarled the gambler. + +"That's where you and I fail once more to agree," replied Tom steadily, +looking the other straight in the eyes. "It's merely a question of +whether you will take them down, or whether I shall set our own men to +doing it." + +Jim Duff had brought with him about a dozen men of his own. They were +a somewhat picturesque-looking crowd, though not necessarily dangerous +men. They were mostly men who had been hired to run the gaming tables +under the canvas. A judge of men would have immediately classified them +as inferior specimens of manhood. + +So far these men had not offered to take any part in the dispute. Now +Duff moved over to them quickly, muttering the words: + +"Stand by me!" + +As for Tom Reade, he was backed by five men, including his chum. Though +none of Reade's force was armed, the young engineer knew that he could +depend upon them. + +Followed by his adherents, Duff took a few quick strides forward. This +brought him face to face with Reade's labors, of whom now more than two +hundred were present. + +"Are you men or squaws?" called, Duff loudly. "I have brought the stuff +over here for a merry night of it. This boy says you can't have your +enjoyment. Are you going to let him rule you in that fashion, or are you +going to throw him out of here?" + +There came from the crowd a gradually increasing murmur of rage. + +"Throw this boy out, if you're men!" Duff jeered. "Throw him out, I say, +and send word to your railroad people to put a man here in his place." + +The murmurs increased, especially from the Mexicans, for the Mexican +peon, or laborer, is often a furious gambler who will stake even the +shirt on his back. + +Foreman Mendoza, who understood his own people, started forward, but +Tom, with a signal, caused him to halt. + +"Throw him out, I say!" yelled Duff shrilly. "Duff, I'm afraid you're +making a fool of yourself," remarked Tom, stepping forward, smiling +cheerfully. + +Yet another murmur, now growing to a yell, rose from some of the men--a +few of the men, too, who were not Mexicans, and a half-hearted rush was +made in the young engineer's direction. + +"Throw him out! Hustle the boy out!" Duff urged. + +"Stop! Stop right in your tracks!" thundered Tom Reade, taking still +another step toward the now angrier crowd. "Men, listen to me, and +you'll get a proper understanding of this affair. Jim Duff wants me +thrown out of here--" + +"Yes! And out you'll go!" roared a voice from the rear of the crowd. + +"That's a question that the next few minutes will settle," Tom rejoined, +with a smile. "If Jim Duff wants me thrown out of here, why don't you +men tell him to do it himself?" + +The force of this suggestion, with the memory of what they had recently +seen, struck home with many of the men. A shout of laughter went up, +followed by yells of: + +"That's right--dead right!" + +"Sail in, Jim!" + +"Throw him out, Jim! We'll see fair play!" + +Tom made an ironical bow in the direction of the gambler. + +"Have you men gone crazy!" yelled Jim Duff hoarsely. + +"Have you lost your nerve, Jim?" bawled a lusty American laborer. "You +want this boy, as you call him, thrown out, and we're waiting to see you +do it. It you haven't the nerve to tackle the job, then you're not a man +to give us orders!" + +Tom's smiling good humor and his fair proposition had swung the balance +of feeling against the gambler. Duff saw that he had lost ground. + +"Boy," called a few voices, "if Duff won't throw you out, then you turn +the tables and throw him out." + +"It isn't necessary," laughed Tom. "After the tents are gone Duff won't +have any desire to remain around here. Mr. Duff, I ask you for the last +time, will you have your men take down the tents and remove them?" + +"I won't!" snarled the gambler. + +"Mr. Rivers!" called Tom. + +"Yes, sir," replied the foreman, stepping forward. + +"Mr. Rivers, take twenty-five laborers and bring the tents down at once. +Be careful to see that no damage is done. As soon as they are down you +will load them on the wagons." + +"Yes, sir." + +"On second thought, you had better take fifty men. See that the work is +done as promptly as possible." + +The Mexicans, who were in the majority, and nearly all of whom were +wildly eager to gamble as soon as their money arrived, stirred +uneasily. They might have interfered, but Foreman Mendoza ran among his +countrymen, calling out to them vigorously in Spanish, and with so much +emphasis that the men sullenly withdrew. + +Foreman Rivers speedily had his fifty men, together, none of whom were +Mexicans. + +"Touch a single guy-rope at your peril!" warned Jim Duff menacingly, but +big Superintendent Hawkins seized the gambler by the shoulders, gently, +though, firmly, removing him from the vicinity of the tents. + +All in a flash the work was done. Canvas and poles were loaded on to the +wagons. Mr. Rivers's men had entered so thoroughly into the spirit of +the thing that, they forced the drivers to start off, and the gambler's +men to follow. + +Goaded to the last ditch of desperation, Jim Duff now strode over to +where Tom stood. No one opposed him, nor did Reade's smile fail. + +"Boy, you've had your laugh, just now," announced the gambler, in his +most threatening, tone. "It will be your last laugh." + +"Oh, I hope not," drawled Tom. + +"You will know more within twenty-four hours. You have treated me, with +your own crowd about you, like a dog." + +"You're wrong again," laughed Tom.. "Jim is fond of dogs. They are fine +fellows." + +"You may laugh as much as you want, just now," jeered Jim Duff. "You've +made an enemy, and one of the worst in Arizona! I won't waste any more +talk on you--except to warn you." + +"Warn me? About what?" asked Tom curiously. + +Instead of answering, Jim Duff turned on his heel, stalking off with a +majesty that, somehow, looked sadly damaged. + +"He has warned you," murmured Superintendent Hawkins in an undertone. +"That is your hint that Duff will fight you to the death at the first +opportunity." + +"May it be long in coming!" uttered Tom devoutly. + +Then, as he turned about and saw scores of laborers coming in his +direction, Reade remembered what he wished to do. + +"Mr. Hawkins," he continued, turning toward the superintendent, "I see +that Mr. Payson's gang is coming in from work. As all our men are now +idle, I wish you would direct the foremen to see that all hands assemble +here. I have something to say to them." + +Within ten minutes the five hundred laborers and mechanics had been +gathered in a compact crowd. Now that the excitement of hustling the +gambler off the scene had died away, many of the men were sorry that +they had not made their disapproval plainer. Though Tom Reade plainly +understood the mood of the men, he mounted a barrel, holding up both +hands as a sign for silence. + +"Now, men," he began, "you all know that the pay train is due here +this afternoon. You are all eager to get your money--for what? It is a +strange fact that gold is the carrion that draws all of the vultures. A +few minutes ago you saw one of the vultures here, preparing to get his +supposed share of your money away from you. Does Jim Duff care a hang +about any of you? Do any of you care anything whatever for Jim Duff? +Then why should you be so eager to get into one of his tents and let him +take your money away from you? + +"It is true that, once in a while, a solitary player gets a few dollars +away from a gambler. Yet, in the end, the gambler has every dollar of +the crowd that patronizes him. You men have been out in the hot sun for +weeks, working hard to earn the money that the pay train is bringing +you. Has Jim Duff done any work in the last few weeks? While you men +have been toiling and sweating, what has Duff been doing? Hasn't he been +going around wearing the clothes and the air of a gentleman, while you +men have been giving all but your lives for your dollars, while you have +been denied most of the comforts of living. Hasn't Duff been up at the +Mansion House, living on the fat of the land and smiling to himself +every time he thought of you men, who would be ready to hand him all of +your money as soon as it came to you? Is the gambler, who grows fat on +the toil of others, but never toils himself, any better than the vulture +that feeds upon the animals killed by others? Isn't the gambler a +parasite, pure and simple? On whose lifeblood does the gambler feed, +unless it's on yours?" + +Tom continued his harangue, becoming more and more intense, yet carrying +his talk along in all simplicity, and with a directness that made scores +of the workmen look sheepish. + +"Whenever you find a man anywhere who professes to be working for your +good, or for your amusement, and who gets all the benefit in the end, +why don't you open your eyes to him?" Tom inquired presently. "Over +in Paloma there are saloon keepers who are cleaning up their dives and +opening new lots of liquor that they feel sure they're going to sell you +to-night. These dive keepers are ready to welcome you with open arms, +and they'll try to make you feel that you're royal good fellows and that +they are the best friends you have in the world. Yet, to-morrow morning, +how will the property be divided? The keepers of these saloons and Jim +Duff will have all your money and what will you have?" + +Tom paused, whipping out a white handkerchief that he deftly bound +around his head, meanwhile looking miserable. + +"That's what you men will have--and that's all that you'll have left," +croaked the young chief engineer dismally. "Now, friends, is the game +worth a candle of that sort? How many of you have money in the bank? Let +every man here who has put up his hand. Not one of you? Who's keeping +your money in bank for you? Jim Duff and the sellers of poisons? Will +they ever hand your money back to you? Some of you men have dear ones +at home. If one of these dear ones sends a hurried, frenzied appeal for +money in time of sickness or death what will your answer have to be? +Just this: 'I have been working like a slave for a year, but I can send +you only my love. Jim Duff, who hasn't worked in all his life, won't let +me send you any money.' Friends, is that what you're burning yourselves +black on the desert for?" + +While Tom Reade spoke Foreman Mendoza had marshaled his Mexicans and was +translating the young engineer's words into Spanish. + +Nor was it long ere Tom's fine presentation of the matter caught the men +in the nobler part of their feelings. + +"Don't blame Duff so much," Tom finally went on. "He may be a parasite, +a vulture, a feeder on blood, but you and men just like you have helped +to make the Duffs. You're not going to do so after this, are you, my +friends? You're not going to keep the breath of life in monsters who +drain you dry of life and manhood?" + +"No!" came a thunderous shout, even though all of Reade's hearers did +not join in it. + +Even the Mexicans, listening to Mendoza's translation, became +interested, despite their lesser degree of intelligence. + +Tom continued to talk against time, though he wasted few words. All that +he said went home to many of the laborers. While he was still talking +the whistle of the pay train was heard. + +Reade quickly sent his foremen and a few trusted workmen to head off any +"runners" who might attempt to come in from Paloma while the men were +being paid off. + +As the train came to a stop Tom leaped upon a flat car behind the engine +and introduced one of the newcomers--the vice president of a savings +bank over in Tucson. This man, who knew the common people, talked for +fifteen minutes, after which a clerk appeared from the pay car with a +book in which to register the signatures of those who wished to open +bank accounts. Then the paymaster and his assistants worked rapidly in +paying off. + +That railroad pay day proved a time of gloom to many in the town +of Paloma. The returning pay train carried the bank officials and +twenty-four thousand dollars that had been deposited as new accounts +from the men. Of the money that remained in camp much of it was carried +in the pockets of men who meant to keep it there until they received +something worth while it exchange. + +True, this did not trouble the majority of people in Paloma, who were +sober, decent American citizens engaged in the proper walks of life. + +But Jim Duff and a few others held an indignation meeting that night. + +"We've been robbed!" complained one indignant saloon keeper. + +"Gentlemen," observed Jim Duff, in his oiliest tones, though his face +was ghastly white, "you have a new enemy, who threatens your success in +business. How are you going to deal with him?" + +"We'll run him off the desert, or bury him there!" came the snarling +response. + +"I can't believe that boy, Reade, will ever succeed in laying the +railroad tracks across the Man-killer," smiled Jim Duff darkly within +himself. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. SOMEBODY STIRS THE MUD + + +The next morning only a few of the men, some of those who had refused to +open bank accounts, failed to show up at the railroad camp. + +"There is really nothing to do this morning," Tom remarked to +Superintendent Hawkins. "However, I think you had better dock the +missing men for time off. If you find that any missing man has been gone +on a proper errand of rest or enjoyment, and has not been making a beast +of himself, you can restore his docked pay on the lists." + +"That's a very good idea," nodded Hawkins. "It always angers me to see +these poor, hardworking fellows go away and make fools of themselves +just as soon as they get a bit of pay in their pockets. Still, you can't +change the whole face of human nature, Mr. Reade." + +"I don't expect to do so," smiled Tom. "Yet, if we can get a hundred or +two in this outfit to take a sensible view of pay day, and can drill +it into them so that it will stick, there will be just that number of +happier men in the world. How long have you been in this work on the +frontier, Mr. Hawkins?" + +"About twenty years, sir." + +"Then it must have angered you, many a time, to see the vultures and the +parasites fattening on the men who do the real work in life." + +"It has," nodded the superintendent. "However, I haven't your gift with +the tongue, Mr. Reade, and I've never been able to lead men into the +right path as you did yesterday." + +Over in the little village of tents where the idle workmen sat through +the forenoon there was some restlessness. These men knew that there was +nothing for them to do until the construction material arrived, and that +they were required only to report in order to keep themselves on the +time sheets. Having reported to their foremen and the checkers, they +were quite at liberty to go over into Paloma or elsewhere. A few of them +had gone. Some others had an uneasy feeling that they wouldn't like to +face the contempt in the eyes of the young chief engineer if he happened +to see them going away from camp. + +"It's none of the business of that chap Reade," growled one of the +workmen. + +"Of course it isn't," spoke up another. "He talked to us straight +yesterday, however, and showed us that it was our own business to keep +out of the tough places in Paloma. I've worked under these engineers +for years, and I never before knew one of them to care whether I had a +hundred dollars or an empty stomach. Boys, I tell you, Reade, has the +right stuff in him, if he is only a youngster. He knows the enemies he +has made over in Paloma, and he understands the risks be has been taking +in making such enemies. He proved to us that he can stand that sort of +thing and be our friend. Look at this thing, will you?" + +With something of a look of wonder the speaker drew out the bankbook +that he had acquired the afternoon before. + +"I've got forty dollars in bank," he continued, in something of a tone +of awe. "Forty friends of mine that I've put away to work and do good +things for me! If I don't touch this money for some years then I'll find +that this money has grown to be a lot more than forty dollars!" + +"Or else you'll find that some bank clerk is up in Canada spending it," +jeered a companion. + +"I don't care what the clerk does. The bank will be still good for the +money. Joe, you read the papers as often as any come into camp." + +"Yes." + +"All right. The next time you find anything about a savings bank that +has failed and left the people in the lurch for their money, you show it +to me. Savings banks don't fail nowadays! No, Sir!" + +Other men through the camp were taking sly peeps at their bankbooks, +as though they were half ashamed at having such possessions. Yet many +a hard toiler in camp felt a new sense of importance that morning. He +began to look upon himself as a part of the moneyed world as, indeed, he +was! + +"Telegram for Mr. Reade," called one of the two camp operators, coming +forward. + +Tom tore the envelope open, then stared at the following message: + +"Reade, Chief Engineer. + +"Have complaint from merchants of Paloma that you have effectually +stopped the men from spending any money in the town. Not our policy to +make enemies of the towns along our line. Explain immediately. + +"(Signed) ELLSWORTH, + +"General Manager." + +"Hmmm!" smiled Tom, then passed the message over to Superintendent +Hawkins. + +"Your newly made enemies have gotten after you quickly, Sir," commented +the superintendent grimly. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "And, of course, I can't follow any course that isn't +approved by the general manager. I'll wire him the truth and see what he +has to say. Operator!" + +"Yes, Sir," replied the young man, turning and coming back. + +"Wait for a message," directed Tom; then seated himself and wrote the +following reply: + +"Ellsworth, General Manager. + +"Have not interfered in any way with honest merchants of Paloma. Men are +at liberty to spend their money any way they choose. I did give the men +a talk about the foolishness of spending their wages in buying liquor +or in gambling. Result was that men banked about two thirds of the total +pay roll with the bank people you sent on pay train yesterday at my +request. Also drove off a gambler who tried to erect two tents on +railroad property in order to fleece the men more speedily. + +"(Signed) READE, + +"Chief Engineer." + +"That will tell the general manager about the kind of merchants +that I've been injuring," smiled Tom, first showing the sheet to +Superintendent Hawkins and then handing it to the waiting messenger. + +"I hope Ellsworth, will be satisfied," nodded Hawkins. "Good will is an +asset for a railway, and your enemies in Paloma may be able to stir up a +good deal of trouble for you. Mr. Reade, I stood with you yesterday, +and I'm still with you. If Ellsworth is so cranky that you feel like +throwing the job here, then I'll walk out with you." + +"Oh, I'm not going to give up the work here," predicted Reade +cheerfully. "I'm too much interested in it. Neither am I going to +have my hands tied by any clique of gamblers and dive keepers. If Mr. +Ellsworth isn't satisfied, then I'll run up to headquarters and talk to +him in person. I'm not going to quit; neither am I going to be prevented +from winning and deserving the friendship of the men who are here +working for us." + +"Telegram for Mr. Reade," grinned the operator, again looking in at the +doorway. + +After reading it, Tom passed over to Hawkins this message from General +Manager Ellsworth: + +"Unable to judge merits of case at this distance. Will be with you +soon." + +"That's all right," Reade declared. + +"It looks all right," muttered Hawkins, who knew something about the +ways of railroads. + +Up the track the whistle on a stationary engine blew the noon signal. + +"Feel like eating, Harry?" Tom called to his chum, who had been mildly +dozing in a chair in one corner of the room. + +"Always," declared Hazelton, sitting up and yawning. + +"Are you going to eat in town this noon, or in camp?" Tom inquired of +the superintendent of construction. + +Hawkins was about to answer that he'd eat in camp, when he suddenly +reconsidered. + +"I guess I'll ride along with you, Mr. Reade," he said dryly. + +Horses were brought, and the three mounted and rode away. In such +sizzling heat as beat down from the noonday sun Tom had not the heart to +urge his mount to speed. The trio were soon at the edge of Paloma, which +they had to enter through one of the streets occupied by the rougher +characters. + +Just as they rode down by the first buildings a low whistle sounded on +the heavy, dead air. + +"Signal that the locomotive is headed this way," announced Hawkins +grimly. "Look out for the crossing, Mr. Reade!" + +Hardly had the superintendent finished speaking when a sharp hiss +sounded from an open window. Then another and more hisses, from +different buildings. + +"A few snakes left in the grass," Tom remarked jokingly. + +"Oh, you've stirred up a nest of 'em, Mr. Reade," rejoined the +superintendent. + +Tom laughed as Harry added: + +"Let's hope that there are no poisonous reptiles among them. It would be +rough on poisonous snakes to have Tom find them." + +Then the three horsemen turned the corner near the Mansion House. +Superintendent Hawkins looked grave as he noted a crowd before the +hotel. + +"Mr. Reade, I believe those men are there waiting to see you. I'm +certain they've not gathered just to talk about the weather." + +There was a movement in the crowd, and a suppressed, surly murmur, as +the engineer party was sighted. + +Tom Reade, however, rode forward at the head of his party, alighting +close to the crowd, which numbered fifty or sixty men. The young chief +engineer signed to one of the stable boys, who came forward, half +reluctantly, and took the bridles of the three horses to lead them away. + +Jim Duff, backed by three other men, stepped forward. There was a world +of menace in the gambler's wicked eyes as he began, in a soft, almost +purring tone: + +"Mr. Reade," announced Jim Duff, "we are a committee, appointed by +citizens, to express our belief that the air of Paloma is not going to +be good for you. At the same time we wish to ask you concerning your +plans for leaving the town." + +There could be no question as to the meaning of the speaker. Tom Reade +was being ordered out of town. + + + + +CHAPTER V. TOM HAS NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN + + +"My plans for leaving town?" repeated Tom pleasantly. "Why, gentlemen, +I'll meet your question frankly by saying that I haven't made any such +plans." + +"You're going to do so, aren't?" inquired Duff casually. + +"By the time that my partner and I have finished our work for the road, +Mr. Duff, I imagine that we shall be making definite plans to go away, +unless the railroad officials decide to keep us here with Paloma as +headquarters for other work." + +"We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went +away at once," Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his +meaning in the least. + +Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not +understand. + +"Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'" asked +Reade smilingly. + +"Something in that line," assented Jim Duff. "I venture to assure +you that we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr. +Reade." + +"Whom do you men represent?" asked Tom. + +"The citizens of Paloma," returned Duff. + +"All of them?" Reade insisted. + +"All of them--with few exceptions." + +"I understand you, of course," Tom nodded. + +"Now, Mr. Duff, I'll tell you what I propose. I'm curious to know just +how many there are on your side of the fence. Pardon me, but I really +can't quite believe that the better citizens of this town are behind +you. I know too many Arizona men, and I have too good an opinion of +them. Your kind of crowd makes a lot of noise at times, and the other +kind of Arizona crowd rarely makes any noise. I know, of course, the +element in the town that your committee represents, but I don't believe +that your element is by any means in the majority here." + +"I assure you that we represent the sentiment of the town," Duff +retorted steadily. + +"Much as I regret the necessity for seeming to slight your opinion," Tom +went on with as pleasant a smile as at first, "I call for a showing of +hands or a count of noses. I'll tell you what we'll do, Mr. Duff, if it +meets with your approval. We'll hire a hall, sharing the expense. We'll +state the question fairly in the local newspaper, and we'll invite +all good citizens to turn out, meet in the hall, hear the case on both +sides, and then decide for themselves whether they want the railroad +engineers to leave the town or--" + +"They do want you to leave town!" the gambler insisted. + +"Or whether they want Jim Duff and some of his friends to leave town," +Tom Reade continued good-humoredly. + +Jim Duff turned, gazing back at the men with him. They represented the +roughest element in the town. + +"No use arguing with a mule, Jim!" growled a red-faced man at the rear +of the crowd. "Get a rail, boys, and we'll start the procession right +now." + +"Bring a rope along, too!" called another man hoarsely. + +"Get two rails and one rope!" proposed a third bad character. "The other +kid doesn't seem to be sassy enough to need a rope." + +"Gentlemen," broke in Harry Hazelton gravely, "if anyone of you imagines +that I'm holding my tongue because I disapprove of my partner's course, +let me assure you that I back every word he says." + +"Make it two ropes, then!" jeered another voice. + +"Reade," continued Jim Duff, "we all try to be decent men here, and the +friends with me are a good and sensible lot of men. You have carried +matters just a little too far. Think over what you've heard and noticed +here, and then tell me again about your plans, for quitting Paloma." + +As he spoke Jim made a gesture that kept some of the men near him from +rushing forward. Tom did not appear to notice the demonstration at all. +Certainly he did not flinch. + +"I haven't any such plans," Tom laughed. "I'm hungry and I'm going +inside to eat." + +With that, he turned his back on the crowd, with Harry behind him, both +making for the steps of the hotel. Superintendent Hawkins stepped in +after the boys. + +"Gentlemen, I can't do anything more," spoke up Jim Duff, with an air of +resignation. + +"But we can!" roared some of the roughs in the crowd. A dozen of them +surged forward. The first of them swung a lariat to slip it over Tom +Reade's neck. + +Bump! Hawkins's sledge-hammer right hand shot out, landing on that +fellow's face. With a moan the fellow collapsed on the sidewalk, his jaw +broken. + +Then Tom and Harry wheeled like a flash, eyeing the idlers and roughs +sternly. + +"Don't go any further," proposed Tom, his eyes growing steely, "unless +you mean it." + +Something in the attitude of the trio of athletic figures standing ready +before them disquieted the crowd of roughs. There were armed men in that +crowd, but all felt that they had been put in the wrong, so far, and +none of them dared draw the first weapon or fire the first shot. + +"Take that injured man to a surgeon and have his jaw set," spoke Tom +quietly. "Let the surgeon send me the bill. I'm sorry for the fellow, +for I'm indirectly the cause of his being hurt. The main cause of his +misfortune was due to his being in bad company." + +"Come out of that hotel," ordered Jim Duff, his eyes blazing as he +stepped forward, though with Hawkins's cold, hard eyes on him the +gambler was careful to keep his hands at his sides. "You can't get +anything to eat in there!" + +"Do you own the hotel?" Tom inquired coolly. + +"No; but you can't eat there." + +"Join us at lunch, Mr. Hawkins!" Tom invited, turning away from the +gambler. The superintendent nodded, for he had no intention of leaving +the young engineers for the present. + +All three entered the hotel, while the small mob outside hooted and +jeered. Tom led the way to a table in the dining room, signing to one of +the waiters. + +Hardly had the waiter reached them when Jim Duff and the proprietor of +the Mansion House came in. Jim, after saying a few words in a low tone, +halted, while the proprietor came forward. + +"Good morning, Mr. Ashby," nodded Tom, when he saw the proprietor headed +their way. The latter looked rather embarrassed, but he moved a hand to +signal the waiter to withdraw. + +"I'm sorry, Mr. Reade, but I can't have you any longer at this hotel," +began Ashby. + +"Any particular reason?" Tom inquired, looking the man straight in the +eye. + +"Yes; some of my other guests object to your presence here." + +"Meaning Jim Duff?" questioned Reade coolly. + +"I don't care to discuss the matter with you, Mr. Reade, but I can't +entertain you here any longer." + +"Does that apply even to this meal, Mr. Ashby?" + +"It does." + +"Very good," nodded Tom, rising. Harry and Hawkins shoved their chairs +back, too, and stood up. + +"Say, but I don't like the looks of that!" announced a voice +from another table. There were five men seated there, all of them +well-dressed and prosperous-looking traveling salesmen, who had arrived +that morning. + +"This is a very regrettable necessity on my part, gentlemen," began +Proprietor Ashby hurriedly, and plainly ill at ease. "Some of my regular +guests object to the presence of these young men, and so--" + +"These young gentlemen have gotten in bad by objecting to having their +men fleeced here in town, haven't they?" inquired the boldest of the +drummers. "I heard something about it this morning." + +"Perhaps you haven't heard all the circumstances," suggested Ashby in +growing embarrassment. + +"We've heard enough, anyway," replied the same drummer briskly. "So +these young men, who are a credit to their profession and to their home +towns, are ordered to leave here? Boys, I guess we leave, too, don't +we?" + +The other traveling salesmen assented emphatically. + +Now Proprietor Ashby felt dismal, indeed. These five men were occupying +the best quarters in his hotel, outside of those occupied by Jim Duff. +It was not the loss of patronage from these men alone that troubled +Ashby. Traveling salesmen have their own ways of "passing around the +word" and downing any hotel that depends largely on their patronage. + +"You can have all our rooms, then, Mr. Ashby," proposed the same +drummer. "We'll have our things out and be ready for our bills within +twenty minutes." + +"But, gentlemen, be calm about this," begged Ashby. "Finish your meals +first. There may be some way of arranging--" + +"There is," returned the drummer, with a smile that was a fine +duplicate of Tom's own. "We know just where to arrange for the kind of +accommodations that we want. Mr. Reade," turning to Tom and Harry, "will +you allow me to introduce ourselves. We are aching to shake hands with +you, for we've heard all about you." + +Proprietor Ashby fidgeted at the side, while the eight departing guests +paused long enough to make their names known to each other. + +Jim Duff had vanished early, leaving the hotel man to his own +humiliation. + +The introductions concluded, Hawkins followed the young engineers to +their room while the drummers went to their own more costly quarters and +hastily packed their belongings. + +Fifteen minutes later the party stood in the office and porters were +bringing down trunks. Tom and Harry, keeping most of their belongings at +camp, had only suit cases to carry. + +"Gentlemen, I think you are making a mistake," began Mr. Ashby, as he +met the salesmen in the lobby near the clerk's desk. + +"We made a mistake in coming here," retorted the leader of the salesmen, +pleasantly as to tone, "but we're rectifying it now. Are our bills +ready?" + +The proprietor went behind the desk to make change, while the clerk +receipted seven bills. Ashby's hands shook as he manipulated the money. + +"Dobson," he said, in a low tone to one of the drummers, "I had intended +ordering a ton of hams from you. Now, of course, I can't--" + +"Quite right," nodded Mr. Dobson cheerfully. "You couldn't get them from +our house at four times the market price. We wouldn't want our brand +served here." + +The last bill was paid. Proprietor Ashby stiffened, his backbone, trying +to look game. + +"Gentlemen," he inquired, "where are you going from here? Won't you let +me call the 'bus to take you?" + +"Never mind the 'bus, Ash," smilingly replied the leader of the +drummers, a man named Pritchard. "If you'll send the 'bus over to the +Cactus House with our trunks we'll be greatly obliged." + +"Certainly, gentlemen, it's a pleasure to oblige you," murmured Ashby, +with a ghastly effort to look pleasant. He watched the eight men step +outside. Duff and his crowd had vanished. It would never do to try +any mob tricks on so many strangers who had done nothing. The most +easy-going citizens of an Arizona town would turn out to punish such a +mob. + +The three railroad men had their horses brought around, but they rode +slowly, chatting with the salesmen on the sidewalk. + +In this order they reached the Cactus House, which, thirty years ago, +had been famous in and around the old Paloma of the frontier days. The +proprietor, a young man named Carter, had succeeded his father in the +ownership of the property. It was a neat hotel, but a small one. The +elder Carter had lost a good deal of money before his death, and the son +was now trying to build up the property with hardly any reserve capital. + +At the Cactus there was a great flurry when five such important guests +arrived and the young railroad engineers were also most heartily +welcomed. + +"Our meal time is nearly over, but I'll have something special cooked +for you right away, gentlemen," cried young Carter, bustling about, his +eyes aglow. + +"Before you get that meal ready," said Pritchard, drawing young Carter +aside, "I want to ask you whether any man can ever be driven from this +hotel, just for being decent?" + +"He certainly cannot," replied Proprietor Carter with emphasis. + +"Live up to that, son," advised the drummer, "and I half suspect that +you'll prosper." + +The meal finished, the three men from the railroad camp took leave of +their new salesmen friends, mounted and rode back to camp. + +"The snakes are not all dead yet," mused Tom quizzically, as, in riding +through the "tough" street again they heard hisses from open windows at +which no heads appeared. + +"There's a letter here for you, Mr. Reade," announced Foreman Payson, +who was sitting alone in the office. + +"Who brought it?" + +"I don't know his name. Never saw him before. He rode out here on +horseback." + +The envelope, though a good one as to quality, was dirty on the outside. +Tom Reade hastily broke the seal and read: + +"If you don't get away from Paloma pretty soon your presence will hold +the railroad up for a longtime to come! Get out, if you're wise, or the +railroad will suffer with you!" + +"I reckon the fellow who wrote that was sincere enough," said Tom, as he +passed the letter over to his chum. "However, I don't like to feel that +I can be seared by any man who's too cowardly to sign his name to a +letter." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE GENERAL MANAGER "LOOKS IN" + + +Neither Tom nor Harry was stupid enough to be wholly unafraid over +the threats of the day. Both realized that Jim Duff and the latter's +associates were ugly and treacherous men who would fight sooner than +be deprived of their chance to fleece the railway workmen. Yet neither +young engineer had any intention of being scared into flight. + +"They'll put up a lot of trouble for us," said Tom that afternoon, as +the two chums talked the matter over. "They may even go to extremities, +and--" + +"Shoot us?" smiled Hazelton, though there was a serious look under his +smile. + +"Yes; they may even try that," I nodded Tom. "Though they won't make an +open attempt. They may try to get us from ambush at night. They will +be desperate, though not over brave. Recollect, Harry, that the better +element in Paloma won't stand much nonsense. There are no braver men in +the world than are found right in Arizona, and no men more decent." + +"Barring Duff and his gang," laughed Hazelton. + +"They're not real Arizona men. They're the kind of human vultures who +flock after large pay rolls in any place where men work without having +their families in near-by homes. If Duff had enough men of his own way +of thinking, they might try to ride out here to camp and clean us out. +If they did, then all the decent men in this part of Arizona would +take to the saddle and drive Duff and his crew into hiding. After what +happened to-day you won't find Duff daring to do anything too open." + +"Excuse me, Sir, but there's a train coming," reported Foreman Rivers, +thrusting his head in at the doorway of the little office building. + +"Not a construction train?" Reade asked. + +"Can't make it out yet, sir. The whistle was reported a minute ago." + +Tom and Harry, chafing a good deal under their enforced idleness while +waiting for materials, hastened outdoors. Soon the train was close +enough to be made out. It consisted of an engine, baggage car and one +private car. + +"It's one or more of the road's officials," murmured Harry. + +"I hope it's Mr. Ellsworth," replied Reade, as the chums walked briskly +down to the spot where the train would have to halt. + +It turned out to be the general manager, a big and capable-looking man +of fifty, with a belt-line just a trifle too large for comfort, who +swung himself to the ground the instant that the train stopped. + +"I'm glad you're here, Reade," nodded the general manager, as he caught +sight of his two young engineers. "Come back into my car. We can talk +better there." + +Tom and Harry mounted to the platform of the car, following Mr. +Ellsworth down the carpeted aisle of a very comfortable private Pullman +car. The general manager pointed to seats, threw himself into another, +and then said: + +"Now, tell me all about the row that you've started with the town." + +Harry's lips closed tightly, but Tom launched at once into a plain, +truthful account of the affair, bringing it down to the noonday meal of +the present day. + +"It's not clear to me just why you should feel called upon to interfere +so forcefully," said the general manager, a little fretfully. "The +workmen are all twenty-one years of age and upwards. Couldn't they +protect themselves if they wanted protection?" + +"Yes, sir, certainly," Tom admitted. "However, letting that fellow Duff +put up his tents right on the railroad property would almost make it +look as though the road shared, or at least approved, his enterprise." + +"Oh, doubtless you were right to order the fellow off the railroad +property," assented Mr. Ellsworth. "But why did you go to such trouble +to get the men to start new bank accounts and thus send most of their +money out of town?" + +"May I answer that question, sir, by asking another?" asked Reade +respectfully. "Did you wish the men to spend it in Paloma?" + +"I don't care a hang what they do with it," retorted the general manager +half peevishly. "It's their own money." + +"It was you, Mr. Ellsworth, whom I wired yesterday morning, asking that +you send down a representative of a savings bank who could open accounts +with such of the men as desired." + +"Yes, and I sent you a couple of bank men. I didn't have any idea, +however, that you'd get the whole town of Paloma by the ears." + +"I haven't, sir. I assure you of that. I've hurt only a few parasites--a +flock of human vultures. The decent people of the town don't side with +them." + +"I wish I could be sure that we haven't offended the town as a whole," +mused Mr. Ellsworth, "The good will of the people along our line is a +great asset." + +"You're acquainted with a lot of the real people in Paloma, aren't you, +Mr. Ellsworth?" + +"With some of them, yes." + +"Then, while you're here, sir, I'd be glad if you'd look up some of +these acquaintances in town and find out for yourself just how the +sentiment stands. We don't wish you to feel that we're a pair of +trouble-makers who are doing our best to ruin the road with its future +customers." + +"I believe I will go into town," mused Mr. Ellsworth. "Is there an +automobile anywhere about here?" + +"No, sir; but our telegraph operator can wire into town for one. It will +take but a few minutes to have a car here." + +"Send for it, then." + +"Would you like to see Mr. Hawkins while you're waiting, sir?" Tom +suggested, rising. "You know Hawkins, and probably you'll be satisfied +with his judgment." + +"Send Hawkins along." + +"Yes, sir; and we won't return for the present, unless you send for us," +Reade replied, going toward the forward end of the car. + +Superintendent Hawkins was closeted with the general manager until the +arrival of the automobile. There was a frown on Mr. Ellsworth's face as +they started townward. + +"Well," asked Harry Hazelton, with a grin on his face, as he watched the +departing car, "are we going to be fired or praised?" + +"We're going to lay the track across the Man-killer," returned Reade +resolutely. + +"How about the gambler and his bad crowd? Are we going to beat them?" + +"We're going to do whatever the general manager orders, just as long as +we remain here," replied Tom. "He's our only source of authority. If he +tells me to let Jim Duff bring a cityful of tents out here and run night +or day--then that's all there will be to it." + +"I'd sooner quit," growled Hazelton, "than knuckle to such a crew of +rascals." + +"So would I," nodded Tom good-humoredly, "if it were my quit. But, if +Mr. Ellsworth gives such orders it will be his quit, not ours." + +Harry walked restlessly up and down the little office, but Tom threw +himself down at full length on a cot in the corner. Within two minutes +he was sound asleep. + +"Humph!" growled Hazelton, as soon as he saw his chum's unconcern. Then +he went outside to finish his tramp. + +It was toward the close of the afternoon when Mr. Ellsworth returned. +Harry was out of sight as the general manager stepped directly into the +office. + +"Reade," he began. Deep breathing from the corner greeted him. General +Manager Ellsworth gazed down at the sleeping form, and a new light of +admiration dawned in his eyes. + +"So that's the young man whom they're talking of shooting, poisoning +or blowing into the next world with dynamite?" he thought. "A lot this +young man appears to think about his enemies! There's real courage in +this young man. Reade, wake up--if you can spare the time." + +Tom opened his eyes, rubbed them, then sat up, next springing to his +feet. + +"Not having any real work to do makes me sleepy," laughed Tom +good-naturedly. "I trust you didn't have to call me many times, Mr. +Ellsworth?" + +The general manager held out his hand. + +"Reade, I've just learned in town what a plucky thing you did, and +how coolly you went through it all. A young man with your courage and +purpose simply can't be fool enough to be very far wrong." + +"Then you learned that the real Arizona people over in Paloma don't find +any fault with what I did?" queried Tom. + +"Reade, what I discovered is that you have a lot of the finest manhood +in Arizona just wild with respect for you," declared Mr. Ellsworth. Then +the general manager lowered his voice before he resumed: + +"At the same time, Reade, I've also learned that you've stirred up such +an evil nest of rattlers that you'll be fortunate if you escape with +your life. Candidly, if you feel that you'd like to leave here--" + +"Do you want me to quit, sir?" demanded Tom, looking steadily into his +chief's eyes. + +"I don't," declared Mr. Ellsworth promptly. "If you and Hazelton were to +quit me now I don't know where I could get another pair of men who could +put into the work all the skill and energy that you two employ." + +"Did you have dinner in town, sir?" Tom asked. + +"No, for I came out to take you two young men in. Hawkins will also be +with us at dinner this evening. He has told me about the Mansion House +affair, so the Cactus House shall be the railway house hereafter. That +fellow Ashby is uneasy; I think he will be more than uneasy after a +while." + +The dinner party motored back to town. Dinner was more like a reception +that evening, for the news of Tom's plucky fight against the +rough element had spread through the town. Nearly two score of men +representing the better part of the population of Paloma called at the +hotel to shake hands with the young engineers. + +"They don't seem to care a hang about me, these men, do they, Hawkins?" +laughed the general manager, as he and the superintendent stood in the +background of the picture. + +"That's because they're Arizona men, sir," replied Hawkins. "Their +interest is in the man who has done the thing, not in the boss." + +"I can understand why President Newnham, of the S. B. & L., recommended +these young men so extravagantly. They're full of force and absolutely +free from self-conceit." + +Finally the party motored back towards the camp. As it was after dark +now, some of the citizens who had visited them escorted the slow moving +car as far as the edge of the town, but none of Jim Duff's followers +appeared on the streets through which they passed. + +"Why are we going back to camp, anyway?" demanded Mr. Ellsworth. "Why +not sleep at the hotel to-night?" + +"Why, I think it may be better for you to go back to the hotel, sir," +Tom proposed. "As for Harry and myself, after what has happened in town +to-day, it may be as well if we are on hand at the camp to-night. There +may be some attempt to stampede our men. The crowd in Paloma are capable +of offering our men free drink, just to do us mischief. We've a lot of +strong men in our force, but there are some weak vessels who would be +caught by a free offer, and some of our work gangs would be demoralized +to-morrow." + +Mr. Ellsworth thereupon decided to return to the camp also, and, +arriving there, dismissed the car. A tent was pitched for him close to +the office, and a cot rigged up in it. + +Then the party sat up, chatting, after most of the workmen had turned in +for the night. + +"I'll be thankful when the material gets here," sighed Tom. "I'm tired +of loafing." + +"It seems to me that you have been doing anything but loafing," smiled +the general manager. + +"I want to get to work on the Man-killer. Besides, idleness is costing +the road a lot of money in wages for these men." + +"I wired this afternoon," stated Mr. Ellsworth, "to have the material +trains rushed forward on express schedule as soon as the stuff strikes +our lines." + +"Then--" began Hawkins slowly. + +His next words were drowned out by a booming explosion to the westward +of the camp. + +"The scoundrels!" gasped Tom Reade, leaping up. "This is more of our +friends' work! They have dynamited the most ticklish part of the work on +the Man-killer!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. A DYNAMITE PUZZLE + + +"The scoundrels!" cried General Manager Ellsworth. + +He was a man who believed in working along easy lines when possible. +His career as a railroad man had taught him the value of meeting other +people half way. Now the general manager's white face and flashing eyes +revealed the fighter in him. + +From off to the south, beyond the quicksand, came a chorus of sharp, +shrill, gleeful whoops. + +"There go the curs!" flared Harry. + +Another volley of jeers reached the camp officials. + +"They are mounted on horses," spoke Tom judicially. "They couldn't +travel as fast on foot and yell at the same time." + +A third taunting chorus traveled over the desert. But Tom and his +friends, in the darkness of the night, could not make out the horsemen +nor judge how many there were of them. + +"You'd better turn out the camp, Mr. Hawkins," directed Tom in a calmer +voice. + +The superintendent ran over to where a night engineer almost dozed at +his post beside a stationary engine. + +Half a minute later a series of shrill blasts rang out over the camp. +Laborers came tumbling out of the tents. Many of them had slept so +soundly that even the noise of dynamiting they had regarded only as a +part of their dreams. But the whistle meant business. + +"Get the torches out, Mr. Rivers," called Tom, as one of the foremen +reported on a run. + +To Foreman Payson, Harry gave the order to marshal a hundred of the men +to remain in and around the camp, alertly watchful. + +"That's a good idea," nodded Mr. Ellsworth. "The explosion may be only a +trick to, empty the camp, as a prelude to further mischief." + +Scores of torches flared in the darkness as the workmen hurried +westward. At the head of all went Tom Reade and the general manager. + +Less than half a mile away they came upon the scene of mischief. + +"It's just what I expected," nodded Tom, as the leading party halted +under the flare of the torches. "You see, sir, here was the point +of greatest cave and drift in the quicksand. It's where your former +engineers found such a morass of the shifty stuff that they declared the +Man-killer never could have its appetite satisfied with dirt. There was +a good log and concrete foundation laid down there, and for thirty-six +hours the sand had not shifted a particle as far as the eye could +discover. Now, look at it!" + +Before them the top layer of desert sand had sunk away, revealing a well +or sink, one hundred and fifty feet across and the bottom at least forty +feet below the general level. + +"I always wondered why a suspension bridge wouldn't solve the problem +more easily and cheaply than any other construction," muttered Mr. +Ellsworth, after he had gotten over his first indignation. + +"To avoid every possibility of lurking quicksand the suspension bridge +would have to be more than a mile long," Reade answered. "Beyond, there +are other treacherous little patches of quicksand. It would cost the +road millions to put up a suspension bridge that would hold. + +"A short bridge would look all right and doubtless serve all right, for +a while. Then, some fine day, part of the structure would give, and a +trainload of passengers would be sucked down and out of sight by the +shifting sands of the Man-killer." + +Mr. Ellsworth turned aside with a shudder. + +"I'm glad I'm not an engineer," he said earnestly. "The responsibility +for safety of life at this point is all yours, Reade." + +"And I'm willing enough to take it, sir, if you don't run trains over +the Man-killer until the new roadbed has stood tests that I'll put upon +it." + +"It'll cost at least ten thousand dollars to repair the mischief that +the scoundrels have done to-night," figured Harry Hazelton thoughtfully. + +"Then, if we can find out the guilty wretches for certain, we'll see +that they earn more than that amount by enforced labor in prison,"' +retorted the general manager grimly. + +"Mr. Bell!" called Tom briskly. + +"Here, sir," reported the foreman, coming forward.. + +"Mr. Bell, I wish you'd pick out twenty-one good men. Make the brightest +of the lot head of the new force of night watchmen. Place the other +twenty under his orders. Your gangs will come into play here later +than the others, so I'll let your shift of men have the first chance at +night-watchman duty." + +"All right, sir," nodded Foreman Bell. "Any further orders?" + +"None, except that your watchmen will do their best to guard both the +line of roadbed and the camp. Further, tell the night engineer to be +sure to have steam up so that he can blow a lot of signals at anytime in +the night." + +"Very good, sir," and the foreman hurried away. + +"I'm disgusted with myself for having been caught in this fashion," Tom +admitted to Mr. Ellsworth. "But I hadn't an idea that Paloma held any +dynamite. I can't imagine how a frontier town on the alkali desert needs +dynamite." + +"It will probably be found that someone shipped it in a hurry," +suggested Mr. Ellsworth. + +"But how? Any fellow would be detected who had it brought in on our +trains. There has been no time to I stage I it from any other point +since the row with Duff started." + +"It's a puzzle," admitted Mr. Ellsworth. + +"It is, but it won't be for long," Reade declared confidently. "There +are ways of finding out how that dynamite got into Paloma, there must be +ways of finding out who caused it to be brought in." + +Then, suddenly, Tom's eyes grew wider open and brighter. + +"Mr. Ellsworth, I believe that dynamite was brought in before the +trouble opened." + +"But who would have wished to bring dynamite here until the trouble +started?" + +"Anyone might be interested in doing it who wanted to see trouble +start." + +"I'm afraid I don't follow you, Reade," observed the general manager, +frowning slightly. + +"There were others who wanted the job of blocking the Man-killer," Tom +went on earnestly. "They wanted a lot more money for the job than we +thought was necessary. I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am just a +trifle suspicious that the concern of Chicago contractors--" + +"The Colthwaite people!" broke in Mr. Ellsworth. + +"Yes; if they were bad people, and ugly business rivals--" + +"How would the Colthwaite people be able to foresee that you were going +to have a fight with Jim Duff?" interposed Mr. Ellsworth. + +"I'm going after the answer, if there is one. I hope to be able to tell +you the answer one of these days." + +Tom and Harry made two trips each, in different directions, to make sure +that the watch men were awake and alert. It was nearly eleven o'clock +when the general manager and his engineers turned in for a night's +rest--"subject to the approval of Jim Duff," as Tom dryly stated it. + +No more interruptions followed during the night, however. At daylight +the watchmen sought their tents and the day force began to stir soon +after. + +After the steam whistle bad blown the breakfast call, Reade slipped away +from his friends to inspect the laborers at the meal. + +"There are some of your men absent, Mr. Mendoza," Tom murmured to the +Mexican foreman. + +"Yes, Senor. Some of my men slipped away in the night." + +"Went off to Paloma, eh?" + +Mendoza shrugged his shoulders. + +"Gambling, drinking--both," nodded Tom. + +"Undoubtedly, Senor." + +"Get the names of your absent Mexicans, and report to me with them." + +Reade then went to the other foremen, with the same orders. + +Before Tom had seated himself at his own meal, with Harry and Mr. +Ellsworth, the foremen appeared, lists in their hands. Tom rapidly ran +his finger down the lists. + +"Twenty-eight Mexicans and fourteen Americans absent from camp," he +muttered. "Foremen, when these men come back you may tell them that they +are no longer needed." + +All four of the gang bosses looked somewhat astonished. + +"Merely for leaving camp in the night time?" Mendoza inquired. + +"Yes, under the circumstances," nodded Tom. "If any of these men declare +that they were properly absent, and did not visit the gambling and +the drinking dives, then such men may be reinstated after they have +satisfied Mr. Hazelton, Mr. Hawkins or myself of the truth of their +statements." + +"Some of these men will be very ugly when they find that they are +discharged, Senor," suggested Mendoza. + +"But you are loyal to us?" + +"Can you doubt it, Senor?" asked Mendoza proudly. + +"Then you will know how to handle your own fellow-countrymen. The +other foremen will be able to handle the rest of the disgruntled ones. +However, as I have told you, if any man claims that he is unjustly +treated, send him to headquarters for a chance at reinstatement." + +General Manager Ellsworth had heard the conversation, but had not +interfered. As soon as the young engineers were alone he joined them at +table, saying: + +"Aren't you afraid, Reade, that these discharged men will hasten to join +our enemies?" + +"That is very likely, sir," Tom answered. "These missing men, however, +have shown their willingness to become our enemies by leaving camp and +seeking their pleasures in the strongholds of the scoundrels who are +fighting to break us up." + +"That's another way of looking at the matter," assented the general +manager. + +"I'd much rather have our enemies outside of camp than inside," Reade +continued. "If we took these absentees back after they've been in the +company of rascals, then we wouldn't have any means of knowing how many +of the absentees had agreed to do treacherous things within the camp. +It would hardly be a wise plan to encourage the breeding of rattlesnakes +within the camp limits." + +It was nearly noon when the first batch of laborers, some American and +some Mexican, returned to camp. These men started to go by the checker's +hut at a distance, but keen-eyed Superintendent Hawkins saw them and +ordered them around to the hut. + +"You'll have to wait here until your foremen are called," declared the +checker. + +"Say, what's the trouble here!" demanded one American belligerently. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. READE MEETS A "KICKER" HALF WAY + + +"Who's your foreman?" asked the checker, a young fellow named Royal + +"Payson--if it's any of your business." replied the workman roughly. + +The others, seeing him take this attitude, were willing to let him talk +for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the foremen, and now sent +them to the checker's hut to deal with the men. + +"Some of you are my men," said Payson, looking the lot over. "You're +discharged." + +"What's that?" roared the same indignant spokesman, a big, bull-necked, +red-faced fellow. + +"Discharged," said Payson briefly. "All of you who belong to my gang. +Checker, I'll call their names off to you." + +While Payson, and then the other foremen, were calling the names, the +workmen stood by in sullen silence. When the last name had been entered +the same bull-necked spokesman flared up again. + +"Have we no rights?" he demanded. "Is there no such thing as the right +of appeal in this camp, or are we under a lot of domineering, petty +tyrants like you?" + +"I'm a poor specimen of tyrant,"' laughed Payson good-naturedly. "All +I'm doing, Bellas, is following orders. Any man who feels that he was +justified in being away, and that he ought to be kept on the pay rolls +here, may make his appeal to Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Hazelton or Mr. Reade." + +"I'll see Reade!" announced Bellas stiffly. "That youngster is doing all +the dirty work here. I'll go to him straight." + +"I'll take you over to his office," nodded Foreman Payson. + +"I'm going, too," announced another workman. + +"So'm I," added another. + +"One at a time, men," advised Payson. "I think Bellas feels that he's +capable of talking for all of you." + +The other foremen restrained the crowd, while Mr. Payson led Bellas over +to the headquarters shack. + +Tom looked up from a handful of old letters as the two men entered. + +"See here, you!" was Bellas's form of greeting. + +"Try it again," smiled Tom pleasantly. + +"You're the man I want to talk to," Bellas snarled. "What do you mean +by--" + +"What's your name?" asked Reade quickly. + +"None of your--" + +"We can never do business on that kind of courtesy," smiled Reade. "Mr. +Payson, show the man out and let him come back when he's cooler." + +"There isn't anyone here who can show me out!" blustered Bellas, +swinging his big arms and causing the heavy muscles to stand out. + +"If you don't care to behave in a businesslike way, and talk like a man, +we'll do our best to show you out," Tom retorted, still with a pleasant +smile. "What are you here for, anyway?" + +"Why have I been fired?" roared Bellas. + +"Can't you guess?" queried Tom. + +"Was it for going to town and being away all night?" + +"Yes, and also for not being on hand this morning." + +"There wasn't any work to do," growled Bellas. + +"You expected to be paid for your time, and you should have been in +camp, as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of purchase. +Bellas, you have been drinking over in town, haven't you?" + +"If I have, it's my own business. I'm no slave." + +"Ben gambling, too?" + +"None of your--" + +"You're in error," Tom answered pleasantly, though firmly. "The gamblers +over in Paloma are leagued with the dive keepers against us, Bellas. You +know what they did out at the big sink of the Man-killer last night. Any +man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for hours among those +who are trying to put us out of business shows himself to be a friend to +the enemies of this camp. Therefore the man who does that shows himself +to be one of our enemies, in sympathy if not in fact." + +"I'm no lawyer," growled Bellas sullenly, "and I can't follow your flow +of gab." + +"You know well enough what I'm saying to you, Bellas, and you know that +I'm right. Since you've been away and joined our enemies we don't want +you here. More, we don't intend to have you here. Mr. Payson has dropped +you from the rolls, and that cuts you off from this camp. Now, I think +you will understand that it is some of our business whether you have +been over in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If that +is what you have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won't have +you. If you haven't been hob-nobbing with our enemies, and paying all +you had for the privilege, then we'll look into any claims of better +conduct that you may make, and, if satisfied that you've been telling +the truth, we'll reinstate you." + +"Oh, you make me tired--you kid!" burst from Bellas's lips. + +"This isn't an experience meeting," Tom replied, not losing his smile, +"and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make +any statement advocating your right to be taken on the pay roll again?" + +"No, I don't!" roared the angry fellow. "All I want to do is to show you +my opinion of you, Tommy! I can do that best by rubbing your nose in the +dirt outside." + +Foreman Payson flung himself between the big, angry human bull and the +young chief engineer. + +"Don't waste any time or heat on him, Mr. Payson," Tom advised, slipping +his handful of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the +back of the room. "If Bellas has any grudge against me, I don't want to +stop him from making his last kick." + +Tom took a step forward, his open hands hanging at his sides. He didn't +look by any means alarmed, though Bellas appeared to be about twice the +young chief engineer's size. + +So prompt had been Reade's action that, for a moment, Bellas looked +astounded. Then, with a roar, he leaped forward, swinging both arms and +closing in. + +Tom Reade had had his best physical training on the football gridiron. +He dropped, instantly, as he leaped forward, making a low tackle and +rising with both arms wrapped around Bellas's knees. Tom took two swift +steps forward, then heaved his man, head first, out through the open +doorway. + +Bellas landed about eight feet away. He was not hurt, beyond a jolting, +and leaped to his feet, shaking both fists. + +"Not unless you really insist upon it," smiled Tom, shaking his head. +"It's too warm for exercise to-day." + +"You tricky little whipper-snapper!" roared Bellas, making an angry +bound for the doorway. + +Tom met his angry rush. Both went down, rolling over and over on the +ground. Bellas wound his powerful arms about the boy, and would have +crushed him. Though Tom hated to do it, there was no alternative but to +choke the powerful bully. Bellas soon let go, dazed and gasping. Ere the +big fellow came to his senses sufficiently to know what he was about, +Reade had hoisted Bellas to one shoulder. + +Down by the checker's hut the crowd of curious workmen gasped as they +saw Tom Reade jogging along with this great load over one shoulder. +Reaching the line, Tom gave another heave. Bellas rolled on the ground. +He was conscious and could have gotten up, but he chose to lay where he +had fallen and think matters over. + +"Don't think I'm peevish, men," Tom called pleasantly. "I wouldn't have +done that if Bellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now, +while I'm here, does any man wish to make a claim for justice? Does any +man feel that he has been discharged unfairly?" + +Three or four men answered, though none of the Mexicans was among the +number. When questioned as to whether they had spent the night among Jim +Duff's friends all the speakers admitted that they had. Tom then made +them the same explanation he had offered Bellas. + +"That's about all that can be said, isn't it, men?" Tom asked in +conclusion. "I am sorry for those of you who feel hurt, but while there +is bad blood in the air every man must choose between one camp or the +other. You men chose Jim Duff, and you'll have to abide by your choice." + +"But we haven't any money," declared one of the men sullenly. + +"Now you're just beginning to understand that Jim Duff won't be a very +good friend to a penniless man. Didn't you know that when you shook all +your change into his hat?" + +"Are you going to let us starve?" growled the man. + +"You won't starve, nor need you be out of work long," Tom retorted. "Any +man who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't +have to remain out of a job. Now, I'll ask you to get off the railroad's +ground." + +Tom turned and went back to the office, while Payson and the other +foremen saw to it that the discharged men left the railroad's property. +In less than half an hour the disgruntled ones were back in the worst +haunts of Paloma, spreading the news of Tom Reade's latest outrage. + +When Tom reached the office he found Mr. Ellsworth inside. + +"I saw what you did, Reade, though you didn't know I was about. You +handled it splendidly. You made it plain enough, too, to the men that +they had joined the enemy and thereby declared against us." + +"Message, Mr. Reade," called the operator from the doorway. + +"The construction material train, the first one, will be here within two +hours," cried Tom, looking up from the paper, his eyes dancing. "Now we +can do some of the real work that we've been waiting to do!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE MAN-KILLER CLAIMS A SACRIFICE + + +In the days that followed Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were more +continuously and seriously busy than they had ever been before in their +lives. + +Sometimes it happens that engineers come upon a quicksand that +apparently has no bottom. It will be filled and apparently the earth +on top is solid. After a few days there will follow either a gradual +shifting away or a sudden cave in, and the quicksand must once more be +attacked. + +This condition had been experienced more than a dozen times with the +Man-killer before Tom and Harry had been called to solve the problem. + +There is no definite way of attacking a quicksand. Much must depend +upon the local conditions. Where it is a small one, yet of seemingly +considerable depth, it is sometimes quickest and cheapest to cross +it with a suspension bridge, the terminal pillars resting on sure +foundations. Some quicksands are overcome by merely filling in new sand +or loam, patiently, until at last the trap is blocked and a permanently +solid foundation is laid. There are many other ways of overcoming the +difficulty. + +The method hit upon by Tom and Harry, after looking over the situation, +was one that was largely original with them. + +It consisted of laying logs, of different lengths, from twelve to +eighteen feet, in a transverse net work filling in earth on this and +allowing the structure gradually to sink where the quicksand shifted or +caved. The sideway drift, at some points, was overcome by hollow steel +piles, driven in as firmly as might be, and then filled with cement from +the top. A line of such piles when imbedded in the ground, helps to make +an effective block to side drift. + +At the outset a few feet of these steel piles were left exposed above +the surface, their gradual settling serving as a reliable index to the +evasive movements of the extensive quicksand underneath. At other points +wooden piles were driven in for the same purpose. + +General Manager Ellsworth did not spend all his time in camp. He could +not do so, in fact, for he had many other pressing duties. However, he +ran over frequently, and always appeared satisfied. + +"Of course it's too early to talk confidently, Reade," said Mr. +Ellsworth, one day when the work had been going on steadily for some +weeks, "but I believe you have the only right method. I have so reported +to our directors. You'll have disappointments, of course, but I hope +you'll encounter none that you can't overcome." + +"I shan't crow until I've seen the test applied to the roadbed over +the Man-killer," Tom replied thoughtfully. "After I've seen that test +applied a couple of times then I'm ready to go before any board and +swear that the Man-killer has been tamed for all time." + +"Speed the day!" replied Mr. Ellsworth, as he climbed into his private +car to return. "By the way, you haven't heard anything lately from Jim +Duff & Company?" + +"Not a word," Reade replied. "I don't believe we're yet through with +Rough-house camp, however. They're waiting only until our suspicions are +allayed. Once in a while we lose one of our workmen to the enemy, and +then we have to discharge the poor fellow. Some of our former men have +gone away, but there are about thirty of them left in Paloma, and I +imagine that they're ready to be ugly when the chance comes. The agent +of the Colthwaite Company is still in Paloma. He has been here ever +since we came." + +"Agent of the Colthwaite Company?" repeated the general manager, opening +his eyes. "What's his name?" + +"Fred Ransom," Tom replied half carelessly. + +"Ransom? Fred Ransom? I never heard of any Colthwaite agent of that +name." + +"He's one of the Colthwaite people's troublemakers," Tom went on, +opening his own eyes rather wide. + +"If you were sure of this why didn't you report it to me earlier?" + +"Why, I supposed your railroad detectives knew all about it. And that +you had heard of it long ago," Reade declared. + +"I haven't heard a word of it," continued Mr. Ellsworth, coming down the +steps of his car and standing on the ground once more. "What proof have +you of Ransom's business here?" + +"None whatever," Tom answered cheerfully, "but I had him spotted the +first time I heard him talking. He was too entirely positive that we'd +fail." + +"That was no proof against him." + +"No; but Ransom was also certain that the Colthwaite plan was the only +one that could bring the Man-killer to time." + +"Have you any other reason to suspect this main?" queried Mr. Ellsworth. + +"Only the fact that Ransom and Jim Duff have been close friends." + +"Where does Ransom stop?" + +"At the Mansion House. He has a suite of rooms there, and entertains +some kinds of people, including Duff, very lavishly." + +"Keep your eyes on that crowd as much as possible, Reade," directed the +general manager thoughtfully, as he once more climbed to the platform of +his car. + +"I will, sir; and it might not be a bad idea to have your detectives do +something of the sort, also." + +The general manager did not answer, except by a vague nod as his train +pulled out from the outskirts of the railway camp. + +Tom went back, called for his horse and rode to the westward for another +look at the Man-killer. He found Harry, also in saddle, beneath the +scanty shade of a struggling tree. Hazelton's quick eyes were taking +in every detail of the work being done by the several large gangs of +workmen. + +"Tom, if we're away from here by Christmas, there's one present you +needn't make me," smiled Hazelton wanly, as he caught sight of the +camera hanging in its leather field case at his chum's side. + +"What present is that?" Tom inquired. + +"Don't make me a present of a photograph of this awful place. It's +photographed on my brain now, and burned in and baked there. If we ever +get through with the Man-killer, and get our money, I never want to see +this spot again." + +"I'm not thinking at all of the money," Reade retorted lightly yet +seriously. "I don't care about the money at present. Nothing will ever +satisfy me in life again until I've beaten the Man-killer fairly and +squarely. It's the one thing I think about by day and dream of at +night." + +"I know it," sighed Harry half pityingly. + +"Well, what else should we think about?" Tom demanded in a low voice. +"Harry, we have the very job, the identical problem, that has thrown +down nearly a dozen engineers of fine reputation. Why, boy, this +place may be out on the blazing desert, and there may be a dozen +discouragements every hour, but we've the finest chance, the biggest +unsolved problem in engineering that we could possibly have. It's +glorious." + +Tom's eyes glowed. + +"Go away," grinned Hazelton mischievously, "or I'll catch some of your +enthusiasm." + +"You don't need any of it," Reade retorted laughingly. "You've tons of +enthusiasm stowed away for future use. You know you have." + +"I suppose I have enough enthusiasm," Harry admitted, "but I should +like to do some actual work. I ride out on the sands every day and sit +looking on while the real work is being done. This problem of conquering +the Man-killer is growing monotonous. I'm tired of pegging away at the +same old task day in and day out." + +"Not quite as bad as that," Tom declared. "There's always something +a bit new. If you want work to do right now, ride over and show those +teamsters where you want them to put the logs that they're bringing up." + +This was far too little to satisfy Harry's longing for "doing things," +but with a grunt he turned his horse's head and jogged away at a trot. + +Tom moved in under the shade of the tree. + +"Harry doesn't know enough to appreciate a good thing when he has it," +softly laughed Tom, grateful for the scant bit of shade. "Neither does +he yet know that often times the brain works best when the body is at +rest." + +Just then Tom heard a sudden shout from the distance, followed by a +chorus of excited voices. + +Instantly the young engineer's gaze turned toward the lately filled-in +edge of the big sink. + +A hundred feet beyond the light platform where some laborers had been +working Reade beheld only the head and shoulders of one of the workmen. + +"The foolish fellow--to go out so far beyond where the men are allowed +to go!" gasped the young chief engineer, setting spurs to his horse. + +In a few moments Tom had reached the edge of the sink. + +"A rope!" he shouted, and seized the thirty-foot lariat that was handed +him. With this, Tom, now on foot, ran within casting distance of the +unfortunate, who was being rapidly enveloped by the quicksand. + +"Come back, Mr. Reade!" bellowed Foreman Payson. "The drift is setting +in on this side of you. Back, like lightning, or you're a doomed man! +You'll be swallowed up by the Man-killer yourself!" + +But Tom, intent only on saving the unfortunate laborer beyond, was +wholly heedless of the fact that his own life was in as great danger. + + + + +CHAPTER X. HARRY FIGHTS FOR COMMAND + + +"Come back, Mr. Reade!" implored Foreman Payson. + +For Tom, who had made two casts with the lariat and failed, was +knee-deep in shifting sand himself. + +"Keep cool!" the young chief engineer called over his shoulder. "I'll be +back--both of us in a minute or two." + +The hapless laborer was now engulfed to his neck in the quicksand. + +"Save me! In Heaven's name get me out of this!" begged the poor fellow, +frenzied by dread of his seemingly sure fate. + +"I'm doing the best I can, friend!" Tom called, as he made a fresh cast. + +This time the noose of the raw-hide lariat dropped over the laborer's +head. + +"Fight your hands free, man!" Tom called encouragingly. "Fight your +hands and chest free, so that you can slip the noose down under your +armpits. Keep cool and work fast, and we'll have you out. Don't let +yourself get excited." + +In the meantime Tom was wholly unaware that the engulfing quicksand was +reaching up gradually toward his hips. + +Foreman Payson had ceased to try to attract Tom's attention. Whatever +was to be done to save the chief engineer must be done swiftly. There +was not another lariat, or any kind of rope at hand. + +Behind was a cloud of alkali dust. Harry Hazelton was riding as fast as +he could urge a spirited horse. + +In another moment Hazelton had reined up at the edge of the group, +dismounting and tossing the reins to one of the workmen. + +"My man, you get on that horse and fly for a rope!" ordered Harry. + +This last Hazelton shot back over his shoulder, for he was pushing his +way through the rapidly forming crowd to Payson's side. Another foreman +had just come up. + +"Mr. Bell," shouted Harry, "drive the men back who are not needed. We +don't want to put a lot of weight on the soil here and cause a further +cave-in." + +By this time Harry was at the edge of the platform. In a twinkling he +was out on the sand. + +Grip! Mr. Payson had a strong hold on the collar of the assistant +engineer. + +"Let go of me!" commanded Harry. + +"You can't go out there, Mr. Hazelton. No more lives are to be wasted." + +"Let go of me, I tell you!" + +"No, sir!" insisted Foreman Payson firmly. + +"Let go of me, or I'll fight you!" + +"You'll have to fight, then," retorted Payson doggedly, maintaining his +grip on the lad's coat collar. "Comeback here!" + +Aided by another man, the foreman dragged Hazelton back to the platform. + +"Payson, I'll discharge you, if you interfere with me!" stormed +Hazelton. + +"Don't be a fool, sir. You can't help Mr. Reade. Be cool, sir. Keep your +head and direct us like a man of sense." + +"Be a man of sense, and see my chum going under the sands of the +Man-killer?" flared Hazelton. + +He made a bound, doubling his fists threateningly. Then three or four +men, at a sign from Payson, seized the young assistant engineer and +threw him to the ground. + +"Tom," called Harry, "order these fools to let me go." + +Reade, however, who had just pulled in all the slack of the rawhide +lariat, and had made it fast about his own left arm, seemed wholly +unaware of his own great peril. + +Tom Reade was now submerged to his waistline in the engulfing sand. + +Unless rescued within five minutes the young chief engineer was plainly +doomed to be swallowed up in the treacherous sands of the Man-killer. +Only a few seconds below the shifting level of the sand would be enough +to smother the life out of him. Scores of strong men, powerless to help, +watched hopelessly within a few yards of the two whose lives were being +slowly but surely snuffed out. + +The laborer, whose carelessness or ignorance had caused all the trouble, +was now in the sand up to his mouth. The agonized watchers could see him +gradually sinking further. + +"Keep up your nerve, friend!" called Tom, in cool encouragement. "We'll +soon have you out of that." + +Gripping the lariat with both bands, Tom gave a strong, sudden wrench +and succeeded in drawing the imperiled man out of the sand a few inches. + +Then the poor fellow began to settle again moaning piteously as he saw a +hideous death staring him in the face. + +Tom Reade's own face was deathly white from a realization of the other's +peril. Of his own danger the young chief engineer had not once stopped +to think. + +Harry Hazelton was again on his feet. That much Foreman Payson had +permitted, but strong-armed laborers stood on either side of the boy, +and their detaining grips were on his arm. + +Out yonder the doomed man saw the engulfing sand creeping up on a level +with his eyes. He tried to scream, but the sand shifted into his mouth. +In pitiable terror the poor fellow closed his mouth in order to delay +death for another moment. Even to call for help would now be swiftly +fatal! + +Behind came the thunder of hoofs. + +"Ropes!" shouted the horseman on Harry's mount. + +He rode past the groups of men, close to the platform. Then, leaping +from the saddle, the rider tossed a small bundle of ropes at Harry's +feet. All were ropes and lines--not a raw-hide among them. + +"There he goes! He's gone!" roared a score of frantic voices, as the +engulfed laborer sank out of sight in the sand. + +Harry Hazelton feverishly uncoiled one of the ropes, gathering a few +folds in his right hand. + +"Catch, Tom!" Harry shouted, making a cast. + +The line swirled through the air, then settled on the sands. + +"O-o-o-oh!" groaned Hazelton, for the rope had fallen four feet to one +side of Reade, and the latter, hemmed in as he was, could not reach it. + +"Take your time and make a sure throw, Harry!" Tom called cheerily. + +Again Hazelton made a throw--and failed. + +"Let me, have that! My head's cooler," called Foreman Payson. + +He made two quick, steady throws, but each shot wide of the mark. + +"Let me have that!" screamed Harry, snatching the line away. + +"There are lines enough. Two men might be making throws," spoke a quiet +voice behind them. + +Payson nodded, and bent over for another line. + +All trace of the doomed laborer had now disappeared. As for Tom, the +sand was reaching up under his arm-pits. The young chief engineer had +had the presence of mind to keep his arms free, but soon they too must +be swallowed up. + +"Good throw--whoever sent it!" cheered Tom Reade, as a final +cast--Harry's--sent a line within six inches of his face. + +Tom could not see those back at the platform, for his back was turned to +the eastward, and he could no longer swing his body about. + +"Get it under your arms-quick, Tom, or you're done for, too!" screamed +Harry. + +"Keep cool, old chap!" came back the unconcerned answer. "It isn't half +bad out here. The sand feels really cool about one's body." + +"This is no time for nonsense!" ordered Hazelton hoarsely. "Have you the +line fast?" + +"Yes!" nodded Reade. "Haul away! Careful, but strong and steady!" + +Under Foreman Payson's direction a score of men seized the other end of +the line and then began to haul. + +Harry danced up and down in a frenzy. + +"Tom, you idiot," he gasped. "You haven't made the line fast about +yourself." + +"Not yet," came the cheery answer. "That wouldn't be fair play. Haul +away on our friend out yonder." + +Tom Reade had knotted the line fast to his end of the rawhide lariat +that was tied under the shoulders of the engulfed laborer. It was +magnificent, though seemingly a useless sacrifice of his own life for +one who must already be dead. + +From some of the workmen a faint cheer went up as the slowly incoming +line hauled the head of the unconscious laborer above the sand. A foot +at a time the body came toward them over the sand. + +Harry, however, scarcely noted the rescue. He was frantically working +with another line, knotting it in a sort of harness under his own +shoulders. + +"Come here, some of you men!" he called. "Bear a hand here! Lively!" + +Foreman Payson was instantly at the side of the young assistant +engineer. + +"What are you trying to do, Mr. Hazelton?" he demanded. + +"I'm going out on the sands," retorted Harry. "I'm going to reach Tom +Reade. If I go under the men can aid me." + +"But that isn't a rawhide line; it's hemp," objected Foreman Payson. + +"It's strong enough," retorted Hazelton impatiently. + +"I don't know about that." + +"It will have to do," insisted Hazelton. "You men get a good hold. Also, +one of you play out this other line that I'm taking with me for Tom +Reade." + +"Don't risk anything foolish, Harry!" called the voice of Tom Reade, who +now felt the sand under his chin. + +"I'm coming to you," Tom, shouted Harry. + +"It's too dangerous. Don't!" + +"I've got to come to you!" + +"I tell you don't! Maybe I can get myself out." + +"Yes, you can," jeered Hazelton. "Tom, if you went under, do you think I +could ever go back to our native town?" + +"Payson!" shouted Tom. + +"Yes, sir!" + +"Don't let Mr. Hazelton come--yet. Seize him!" + +"I've got him, sir!" + +Harry felt himself seized by the strong arms of the foreman. + +"You don't go, sir," Payson insisted. "It's a criminal waste of life." + +"Man, unhand me. Let me go, I tell you." + +"I won't, sir. I've Mr. Reade's orders." + +"He's helpless and no longer in command," Harry retorted. + +"He's in command enough for me, sir." + +"Payson!" Harry Hazelton's fierce gaze burned into the eyes of the +foreman. "If Tom Reade dies out yonder, and you've hindered me from +saving him--I'll have your life for forfeit!" + +Before that burning look even Payson shrank back. Harry Hazelton, +ordinarily the best natured of boys, was now in terrible earnest. + +"That's right," muttered Hazelton. "Men, I take command here. You +needn't heed any words from Reade. Now, you men on the lines watch close +and listen keenly for my orders." + +With that Hazelton darted out on the deadly, treacherous sands! + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. CHEATING THE MAN-KILLER + + +For the first few yards the assistant engineer ran almost as well as +though on a cinder track. Then his feet sank in. Soon he stumbled. + +Then there came a time, within ten feet of Tom, when Harry felt his feet +settling in the sand despite his efforts to pull himself out. + +In the meantime the haulers on the other line had forgotten to pull the +laborer nearer to safety. + +"You men get your eyes on the job!" sternly commanded Payson, who seemed +capable of having eyes everywhere. + +Harry got out, somehow. He made a bound, landing within arm's length of +Tom Reade. + +"I'm here, old chum!" gasped Hazelton. + +"I knew you'd be," returned Tom calmly, "if there were any way of doing +it." + +Harry pulled himself together and floundered still closer. + +Nor was there a moment to be lost. Tom was already reduced to the choice +between silence and having his mouth filled with sand. + +Harry's hands worked with lightning speed. Feverishly he dug out the +sand, until he had scooped away enough to bare Tom's shoulders and a few +inches beneath. + +Swoop! Down went the extra noose over Tom's lifted arms, and then down +to a snug noose under his armpits. + +From the platform a cheer went up, for the unconscious laborer had just +been hauled to safety. + +It was with a thrill of horror that Hazelton found his own legs firmly +embedded in the sand well up to his thighs. + +"Get Reade started first!" shouted the young assistant engineer. "Don't +bother with me until I give the word." + +How the line fastened to Tom tightened and strained! At times it seemed +as though it must give way. + +Presently Tom's shoulder and a part of his torso were free. + +In the meantime Harry Hazelton had sunk in up to the waist line. + +"We'll haul on you, too, now, Mr. Hazelton!" sounded the voice of +Foreman Payson. + +"Don't you dare do it until I give the word," thundered back the voice +of the assistant engineer. + +With a line securely about him, Harry felt that he could afford to take +the slight chance of waiting his turn. + +He saw Tom's knees coming up out of the sand before he called: + +"Now, Payson, you can give me a little boost if you like. Don't pull me +in ahead of Tom Reade, however." + +Presently deafening cheers went up. Both young engineers were being +slowly, surely hauled to safe ground. + +Then Tom and Harry reached a spot where they could rise to their own +feet and floundered. Tom started, then swayed dizzily. + +"Steady, there, old Gridley boy!" mumbled Hazelton, slipping an arm +around his recovered chum. + +Then the two young engineers reached the platform and a fresh tumult of +joyful cheering burst forth. + +"Payson," exclaimed Harry, going up to the foreman, and holding out his +hand, "will you accept my apologies for all I said to you? I had to use +strong language, or you'd have held me back from Reade." + +"I didn't believe he could be saved," returned the foreman, with a +sickly smile, as he grasped Hazelton's outstretched hand. + +Tom, too weak at first to stand, had dropped to his knees at the side of +the unconscious laborer, over whom some of the bystanders were working +in stupid fashion. + +"This man must have medical attention at once!" Tom declared. "Some +of you men lift him to your shoulders. Be careful not to jolt him, but +travel at a jog all the way to the office building. Harry, can you sit +on your horse?" + +"Surely," said the young assistant. + +"Lucky boy, then," smiled Reade. "I won't be able to sit in saddle for +some minutes. Ride into camp and tell the operator to wire swiftly for a +physician to come out and attend to that man." + +"But you--" + +"I'm here, am I not!" smiled Reade. + +"I should say you are, Mr. Reade!" came a hoarse, friendly roar from one +of the laborers. + +Hazelton did not delay. He was soon speeding back over the desert. + +As for Tom, there were many offers of assistance, but he explained that +all he needed was to keep quiet and have a chance to get his breath +back. + +Payson, in the meantime, had started the work going again, though most +of his men toiled with far less spirit than before the accident. + +Ten minutes later Tom mounted his horse and rode slowly back toward +camp. By the time he reached there he made out the automobile of a +Paloma physician coming in haste. + +Tom was still weak enough to tremble as Harry stepped outside and helped +him to the ground. + +"Harry," Reade remarked dryly, "I'm not going to bother to thank you for +such a simple little thing as saving my life out yonder. I am well aware +that you had the time of your life in doing it." + +"I might have had the time of my life," returned Harry, with an +imitation of his chum's calmness, "if there had been more excitement +about it. It was all rather dull, wasn't it, old chap?" + +Smiling, both stepped inside. Then Tom's face became grave when he saw +that the rescued laborer had not yet recovered consciousness. + +"Somewhere in the world," murmured Reade, as he dropped to one knee and +rested a finger-tip on the laborer's pulse, "there's someone--a woman, +or a child, or a white-haired old man--who wouldn't wish us to let this +man die. What have you men been doing for him?" + +Before the answer could be given a honk sounded at the door. Then a +young doctor clad in white duck and carrying a three-fold medicine case, +stepped inside. + +"Sucked down by the sand and hauled out again, Doc," Tom explained. + +The physician looked closely at his patient and Harry drove out the men +who had no especial business there. + +"A little pin-head of glonoin on his tongue for a beginning," decided +the physician, opening his case. From one of the vials he took a small +pellet, forcing it between the lips of the unconscious man. Then, with +his stethoscope, he listened for the heart beats. + +"Another glonoin, and then we'll start in to wake up our friend," said +the young doctor in white duck, after a pause. + +Two or three minutes later the laborer opened his eyes. + +"You've been trying not to hear the whistle," laughed the doctor gently. +"A big fellow like you must be up and doing." + +Ten minutes later the doctor found Tom outside. + +"The man will be all right now, with a little stuff that I'll leave for +him," smiled the visitor. "Of course there's some man in camp who can +look after a comrade to-night?" + +"Doc, couldn't you do a better job if you had the man in Paloma under +your own eyes tonight?" Tom questioned. + +"Yes; undoubtedly." + +"Can you take him?" + +"Yes." + +"Then do so. Give him all the attention he needs. Make out your bill +to the A. G. & N. M. Hand it to me, and I'll O.K. it and send it in to +headquarters for payment. If you think an automobile ride after dark +will do the poor chap good, give him one and put that in your bill, +too." + +"Reade, I want to shake hands with you," said the physician earnestly. +"I've looked after railroad hands before, but this is the first time I +was ever asked to be humane to one. Have no fear but I'll send this man +back to you strong and grateful. What's his name?" + +"I don't know," returned Reade. "I don't even know to whose gang he +belongs, though I think he's one of Payson's men." + +Late the following afternoon the laborer was brought back to camp. The +following morning he returned to his work as usual. + +During the next two weeks Tom and Harry directed all their energies, as +well as the labor of all of their men, to bridging over that bad spot in +the Man-killer that had so nearly claimed two lives. One after another +six different layers of log network were put down. The open box cars +brought up thousands of tons of good soil, which was dumped down into +the layers of interlaced logs. + +"The old Man-killer must feel tremendously flattered at finding himself +so persistently manicured," laughed Tom as he sat in saddle watching the +men putting down the sixth layer. + +Steel piles, hollow and filled with cement, were being driven here, the +cement not going in until the top of the pile was but four feet above +the level of the desert. + +"Look out yonder," nodded Harry, handing his field glass to his chum. +"You can just make out a glint on the sand. That's one of our steel +piles being sucked under." + +"The explorer of a few centuries hence may find a lot of these piles," +laughed Tom. "If he does, he'll most likely attribute them to the Pueblo +Indians or the Aztecs, and he'll write a learned volume about the high +state of civilization that existed among the savages here before the +white man came." + +"I'm mighty glad, Tom, that General Manager Ellsworth isn't out here +to see how many dozens of steel piles we're feeding hopelessly to the +Man-killer." + +"Not one of those piles is going down hopelessly," Tom retorted. "Some +of the piles may disappear, and never be seen again, but each one +will help hold the drift at some point, near the surface, or perhaps a +thousand feet below the surface." + +"Only a thousand feet below the surface!" Harry grunted. "Tom, I often +feel certain that the Man-killer extends away down to the center of the +earth and up again on the other side. Before I'm a very old man I expect +to hear that several of our steel piles have shot up above the surface +in China or India." + +Hearing the noise of horse's hoofs behind him, Tom turned. He beheld +Fred Ransom riding out to the spot on a mottled "calico" horse. + +"Look who's here," Reade murmured to his chum. + +"What are you going to do with him?" asked Hazelton, after a quick look. +"Run him off the line?" + +"I don't know," Tom answered slowly. "Ransom is trying hard to earn a +living, you know." + +Harry snorted. That sort of estimation of Ransom, even as a joke, was a +little too much for him. + +"Mighty hot day, Reade," called Ransom, as he reined in near the young +engineers. + +"Yes," said Tom slowly. "If I were enjoying myself beside a bottle of +cold soda on the Mansion House porch I don't believe I'd have the energy +to call for a horse and ride all the way out here in the heat." + +"Am I intruding?" demanded Ransom, with a swift, keen glance at the +young chief engineer. + +"Oh, no, indeed!" came Tom's response. "You're as welcome as the flowers +in spring." + +"Thank you. It's a fine job you're doing out here." + +"Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you," Tom drawled. "Your praise +is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor." + +"A competitor!" asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl. "I'm not an +engineer." + +"Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers," Reade rejoined. + +"My people? What do you mean, Reade? There isn't an engineer in our +family." + +"No; but the Colthwaite Company employs a good many engineers," Tom +suggested. + +"Colthwaite?" repeated Ransom, now on his guard. "I have nothing to do +with that concern." + +"No?" asked Tom, as though greatly astonished. "Why, that's strange." + +"Why is it strange?" + +"Why," Tom Reade rejoined amiably, "everyone connected with the A. G. +& N. M. who knows anything at all about you credits you with being a +member of the Colthwaite Company's gloom department." + +"Gloom department?" gasped Ransom, with a wholly innocent-looking face. +"Oh, all right. I'll bite. What is a gloom department, anyway?" + +"It's a comparatively recent piece of business apparatus," smiled Tom. +"It is employed by big corporations as a club with which to hit smaller +crowds that want some of the business of life. The gloom department +might be called the bureau of knocking, or the hit-in-the-neck shift." + +"Is that what you accuse me of doing for the Colthwaite Company?" asked +Fred Ransom, his scowl deepening. + +"Oh, the accusation isn't all mine," Tom assured him unconcernedly. +"Some of it belongs elsewhere." + +"Your suspicions are utterly unwarranted," retorted Ransom, choking +slightly. + +"It's a lot of comfort to hear you say so," Tom rejoined, as smilingly +as ever. + +"You're on the wrong track this time, anyway," Ransom asserted boldly. +"Still, I don't suppose you want me out here." + +"On the contrary, I greatly enjoy seeing you here," Tom declared. "I'm +very grateful for the praise you offered me a moment ago." + +"You're welcome," returned the Colthwaite agent, trying hard to smile. +"However, I won't take up your time. Good afternoon." + +"Good afternoon, then," nodded Tom. "Drop in again, won't you? Any time +within working hours." + +"Confound that fellow Reade!" muttered Ransom angrily as he rode back to +Paloma. "He knows altogether too much--or suspects it. I shall have to +call Jim Duff's attention to him!" + +"Why did you string the fellow so?" asked Harry when the chums were +alone once more. + +"I didn't," Reade retorted. "I came very close to giving him straight +information." + +"Now he'll be more on his guard." + +"That won't do him any good," Tom yawned. "He has been on his guard +all along, yet we found him out. For that matter, any man who lives +regularly at the Mansion House these days is open to our suspicion." + +For the Mansion House, ever since Tom's having been ordered away, had +been a losing proposition. Now and then a traveling salesman stopped +there, though not many. + +"By the way, Harry," predicted Tom, as the chums were riding back to +Paloma at the close of the afternoon, "look out, in about three of four +days, for a new and permanent guest at the Cactus House." + +"Who's coming?" inquired Hazelton. + +"Whatever man the Colthwaite Company decides to send to the Cactus House +as soon as headquarters in Chicago receives Ransom's report. I think +we'll know that new chap, too, when he shows up. Also, you'll find that +the new man is either an avowed enemy of Ransom, after a little, or else +he won't choose to know Ransom at all." + +"That's pretty wild guessing," scoffed Harry Hazelton. + +"Wait three or four days, and see whether it's guessing or one of the +fine fruits of logic," proposed Reade. "Incidentally, the Colthwaite +people will wonder why it didn't occur to them before to send one of +their gloom men to live at the Cactus. Fact is, I've been looking for +the chap for more than a fort-night." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. HOW THE TRAP WAS BAITED + + +It was the evening of the day after Harry, who had insisted on trudging +up and down the line all day, instead of using his horse, had a touch of +heat headache. + +He was not in a serious condition, but he needed rest. He dropped into +one of the chairs on the Cactus House porch and prepared to doze. + +"Is there anything I can get for you, or do for you, old chap?" inquired +Tom, coming out on the porch after supper and looking remarkably +comfortable and contented. + +"No; just let me doze," begged Harry. "I feel a trifle drowsy." + +"Then, if you're going to give a concert through your nose," smiled Tom, +"I may as well protect myself by going some distance away." + +"Go along." + +"I believe I'll take a walk. Probably, too, the ice cream man will be +richer when I get back." + +Tom went down into the street and sauntered along. He had walked but a +few blocks when he met another young man in white ducks. + +"Doc, I'm looking for the place where the ice cream flows," Reade +hinted. "Can I tempt you?" + +"Without half trying," laughed Dr. Furniss the young physician who had +gone out to camp to attend the Man-killer victim. + +As they were seated together over their ice cream, Dr. Furniss inquired: + +"By the way, do you ever see my one-time patient nowadays?" + +"The fellow we exhumed from the Man-killer?" + +"The same." + +"I see him every morning," laughed Tom. "Really, I can't help seeing +him, for the man puts himself in my way daily to say good morning. And +as yet I haven't learned his name." + +"His name is Tim Griggs," replied Dr. Furniss. "He's a fine fellow, too, +in his rough, manly way. He's wonderfully grateful to you, Reade. Do you +know why?" + +"Haven't an idea." + +"Well, Tim's sheet anchor in life is a little girl." + +"Sweetheart?" + +"After a fashion," laughed the young doctor. "The girl is his daughter, +eight years old. She's everything to Tim, for his wife is dead. The +child lives with somewhat distant relatives, in a New England town. +Tim sends all his spare money to her, and so the child is probably well +looked after. Tim told me, with a big choke in his voice, that, if the +Man-killer had swallowed him up, it would have been all up with the +little girl, too. When money stopped coming the relatives would probably +have set the child to being household drudge for the family. Tim has a +round dozen of different photos of the child taken at various times." + +"Then I'm extra glad we got him out of the Man-killer," said Tom rather +huskily. + +"I knew you'd be glad, Reade. You're that kind of fellow." + +"Tim Griggs, then, is probably one of our steady men," Tom remarked, +after a while. + +"Steady! Why the man generally sends all of his month's pay, except +about eight dollars, to his daughter. From what he tells me she is +a sharp, thrifty little thing. She pays her own board bill with her +relatives, chooses and pays for her own clothes, and puts the balance of +the money in bank for herself and her father." + +"Does Tim ever go to see her?" + +"Once in two years, regularly. He'd go east oftener, but it costs too +much money. He'd live near her, but he says he can earn more money down +here on the desert. Tim even talks about a college education for that +idolized girl. She looks out just as sharply for her daddy. Whenever Tim +is ready to make a trip east, she sends him the money for his fare. The +two have a great old time together." + +"Tim may marry again one of these days, and then the young lady may not +have as happy a time," remarked Tom thoughtfully. + +"I hinted as much to Griggs," replied Dr. Furniss, "but he told me, +pretty strongly, that there'll be no new wife for him until he has +helped the daughter to find her own place in life." + +"Say!" muttered Tom, with a queer little choke in his voice. "The heroes +in life generally aren't found on the high spots, are they?" + +"They're not," retorted the doctor solemnly. + +Half an hour later, after having eaten their fill of ice cream, Dr. +Furniss and Engineer Reade parted, Tom strolling on alone in the +darkness. + +"I can It get that fellow Griggs out of my mind," muttered Tom. "To +think that a splendid fellow like him is working as a laborer! I wonder +if he isn't fitted for something better--something that pays better? +Look out, Tom Reade, you old softy, or you'll be doing something +foolish, all on account of a primary school girl in New England whom +you've never seen, and never will! I wonder--hello!" + +As Tom had walked along his head had sunk lower and lower in thought. +His sudden exclamation had been brought forth by the fact that he had +bumped violently into another human being. + +"Cantch er look out where you're going?" demanded an ugly voice. + +"I should have been looking out, my friend," Tom replied amiably. "It +was very careless of me. I trust, that I haven't done you serious harm." + +"Quit yer sass!" ordered the other, who was a tall, broad-shouldered and +very surly looking fellow of thirty. + +"I don't much blame you for being peevish," Reade went on. "Still, I +think there has been no serious harm done. Good night, friend." + +"No, ye don't!" snarled the other. "Nothing of the slip-away-easy style, +like that!" + +"Why, what do you want?" I asked Tom, opening his eyes in genuine +surprise. + +"Ye thick-headed idiot!" rasped the surly stranger. "Ye--" + +From that the stranger launched into a strain of abuse that staggered +the young engineer. + +"Say no more," begged Reade generously. "I accept your apology, just as +you've phrased it." + +"Apology, ye fool!" growled the stranger. + +"That won't do. Put up your hands!" + +"Why?" + +"So ye can fight, ye--" + +"Fight?" echoed Tom, with a shake of his bead. "On a hot night like +this? No, sir! I refuse." + +Tom would have passed peaceably on his way, but the stranger suddenly +let go a terrific right-hander. Had Tom Reade received the blow he would +have gone to the ground. But the young engineer's athletic training +stood by him. He slid out, easily and gracefully, but was compelled to +wheel and face his assailant. + +"Don't," urged Tom. "It's too hot." + +"I'm hot myself," leered the stranger, dancing nearer. + +"You look it," Tom admitted. "If you don't stop dancing, you'll soon be +hotter. It makes me warm to look at you." + +"Stop this one, ye tin-horn!" snarled the stranger. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, blocking the blow. "However, I wish you +wouldn't be so strenuous. One of us may get hurt." + +This last escaped Reade as he blocked the blow, and again displayed a +neat little bit of footwork. + +"Let's see you stop this one!" taunted the bully. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, and did so. + +"And this one. And this! Here's another!" + +By this time the blows were raining in fast and thick. Tom's agile +footwork kept him out of reach of the hard, hammer-like fists of the +stranger. + +Tom had been bred in athletics. He was comparative master of boxing, +but before this interchange of blows had gone far the young engineer +realized that he had met a doughty opponent. + +What Tom didn't know was that his present foe was an ex-prizefighter, +who had sunk low in the scale of life. + +What the lad didn't even suspect was that the man had been hired to pick +a fight with him, and that the fight was for desperate stakes. + +"Have you pounded me all you think necessary?" asked Tom coolly, after +more than a minute's hard interchange of blows in which neither man had +gained any notable advantage. + +"No, ye slant-eared boob!" roared the assailant. "Ye--" + +Here he launched into another stream of abuse. + +"You said all that before," remarked Tom, with a new flash in his eyes. +Then fully aroused, he went to work in earnest, intending to drive his +opponent back and down him. + +The fighting became terrific. There was little effort now to parry, for +each fighter had become intent on bringing the other to earth. + +Tom was soon panting as he fought, for his opponent was heavier, taller +and altogether out of the youth's fistic class. + +"If I can only reach his wind once, and topple him over!" thought Reade. + +A blow aimed at his jaw he failed to block. The impact sent the young +engineer half staggering. Another blow, and Tom dropped, knocked out. + +At that very instant a street door near by opened noiselessly. + +"I've got him," leered the bully, bending over the senseless form of Tom +Reade. + +"Bring him in!" ordered a voice behind the open doorway. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. TOM HEARS THE PROGRAM + + +Throwing his arms around Tom, the bully lifted him and bore him inside, +dropping him on the floor in the dark. + +"He's some tough fighter," muttered Tom's assailant. "I didn't know but +he'd get me." + +"No; he couldn't," replied the other voice. "I was just opening the door +so I could slip out and give him a clip in the dark." + +"He's coming to," muttered the bully. "Ye'll have to tell me what you +want done with him." + +The speaker had knelt by Tom, with a hand roughly laid against the young +engineer's pulse. Neither plotter could see the boy, for no light had +been struck in the room. + +"Pick him up," ordered the one who appeared to be directing affairs. "If +he comes to while you're carrying him you can handle him easily enough, +can't you?" + +"Of course. Even after he knows pie from dirt he'll be dazed for a few +minutes." + +"Come along with him." + +"Strike a light." + +For answer the director of this brutal affair flashed a little glow from +a pocket electric lamp. + +The way led down a hallway, through to the back of the house, and thence +down a steep flight of stairs into a cellar. + +The man who appeared to be in charge of this undertaking had brought a +lantern, holding it ahead of the man who carried Tom's unconscious form. + +"Dump him there," ordered the man with the lantern. + +"He's stirring," reported the fighter, after having dropped young Reade +to the hard earthen floor. + +"Take this then," replied the other, who, having hung the lantern on +a hook overhead, had stepped off beyond the fringe of darkness. He now +returned with a shotgun, which he handed to the fighter who had attacked +the young chief engineer in the street. + +"Do you want me to shoot him?" whispered the other huskily. + +"If you have to, but I don't believe it will be necessary. The cub +will soon understand that his safety depends entirely on doing as he is +told." + +"Say," muttered Tom thickly. He stirred, opened his eyes, then sat up, +looking dazed. + +"Don't move or talk too much," advised the man with the shotgun. As he +spoke, he moved the muzzle close to Reade's face. + +"Hello!" muttered Tom, blinking rather hard. + +"Hello yourself. That's talking enough for you to do," snapped the +bully. + +"Was that the thing you hit me over the head with at the finish?" +inquired the young engineer curiously. + +"Careful! You're expected to think--not talk," leered his captor. "If +ye want something to think about ye can remember that I have fingers on +both triggers of this gun." + +"I can see that much," Tom assented. "Why do you think that it's +necessary to keep that thing pointed at me? Have you got me in a place +where you feel that facilities for escaping are too great?" + +The word "facilities" appeared too big for the mind of the bully to +grasp. + +"I don't know what ye're talkin' about," he grumbled. + +"Neither do I," Tom admitted cheerily. "My friend, I'm not going to +irritate you by pretending that I know more than you do. In fact, I know +less, for I have no idea what is about to happen to me here, and that's +something that you do know." + +"No; I don't," glared his captor, "and I don't care what is going to +happen to you." + +Back of the fringe between light and darkness steps were heard on the +cellar stairs. Then someone moved steadily forward until he came into +the light. + +"Hello, Jim!" Tom called good-humoredly. + +"Don't try to be too familiar with your betters, young man!" came the +stern reply. + +"Oh, a thousand pardons, Mr. Duff," Tom amended hastily. "I didn't +intend to insult your dignity. Indeed, I am only too glad to find you +resolved to be dignified." + +"If you try to get fresh with me," growled the gambler, "I'll knock your +head off." + +"Call it a slap on the wrist, and let it go at that," urged Tom. "I'm +very nervous to-night, and a blow on the head might make me worse." + +"Nothing could make you worse," growled, Duff, turning on his heel, "and +only death could improve you." + +"Then I'm distinctly opposed to the up-lift," grinned Tom, but Duff +had disappeared into a darker part of the cellar and the young engineer +could not tell whether or not his shaft had reached its mark. + +"Ye wouldn't be so fresh if ye had a good idea of what ye're up against +to-night," warned the bully with the gun. + +"I fancy a good many of us would tone down if we could look ahead for +three whole days," Tom suggested. + +Other steps were now heard on the stairs. The newcomers remained outside +the illuminated part of the cellar until still others arrived. + +"Now, gentlemen," proposed the voice of Jim Duff, "suppose we have a +look at the troublemaker." + +"They can't mean me," Tom hinted to his immediate captor. + +"Shut up!" came the surly answer. + +Fully a dozen men now moved forward. With the single exception of Duff, +each had a cloth, with eye-holes, tied in place over his face. + +"My, but this looks delightfully mysterious!" chuckled Tom. + +"You be still, boy, except when you answer something that calls for a +reply," ordered Jim Duff, who had dropped all of the surface polish of +manner that he usually employed. "This meeting need not last long, and +I'll do most of the talking." + +"Won't these other gentlemen present be allowed to do some of the +talking?" the young engineer inquired. + +"They don't want to," Duff explained gruffly. "That might lead to their +being recognized." + +"Oh, that's the game?" mused Tom Reade aloud. "Why, I thought they had +the handkerchiefs over their faces because--" + +"Shut up and listen!" warned Jim Duff. + +"...because," finished Tom, "they wanted me to feel that everything was +being done regularly and in good dime-novel form. My, but they do look +like some of the fellows that Hen Dutcher used to tell us about. Hen +used to waste more time on dime novels than--" + +"Shut up!" again commanded Duff. "These gentlemen feel that there is no +need of their being recognized." + +"Then why didn't Fred Ransom, of the Colthwaite Company, cover up the +scar on his chin?" retorted Reade. "Why didn't Ashby, of the Mansion +House, invent a new style of walking for the occasion?" + +Both men named drew hastily back into the shadow. Tom chuckled quietly. + +"I could name a few others," Tom continued carelessly. "In fact--I think +I know you all. Gentlemen, you might as well remove your masks." + +"Club him with the butt of the gun, if he talks too much," Duff directed +the bully, who had stepped back a few paces as the men formed a circle +around the young engineer. + +"Did you ever try to stop water from running down hill, Duff," Tom +inquired good-humoredly. + +"What has that to do with--" began the gambler angrily. + +"Nothing very much," Tom admitted. "Only it's a waste of time to try to +bind my tongue. The only thing you can do is to gag me; but, from some +things you've let drop, I judge that you want me to do some of the +talking presently." + +"We do," nodded Duff, seeking to regain his temper. "However, it won't +do you any good to attempt to do your talking before you've heard me." + +"If I've been interfering with your rights, then I certainly owe you an +apology," Tom answered, with mock gravity. "May I beg you to begin your +speech?" + +"I will if you'll keep quiet long enough, boy," Jim Duff retorted. + +"I'll try," sighed Reade. "Let's hear you." + +"This committee of gentlemen--" began the gambler. + +"All gentlemen?" Tom inquired gravely. + +"This committee," Duff started again, "have concerned themselves with +the fact that you have done much to make business bad here in Paloma. +You have prevented hundreds of workmen from coming into Paloma to spend +their wages as they otherwise would have done." + +"Some mistake there," Reade urged. "I can't control the actions of my +men after working hours." + +"You've persuaded them against coming into town," retorted Duff sternly. +"None of the A. G. & N. M. workmen come into Paloma with their wages." + +"I'm glad to hear that," Tom nodded. "It's the effect of taking good +advice, not the result of orders." + +Some of the masked listeners stirred impatiently. + +"It's all the same," Jim growled. "Your men don't come into town, and +Paloma suffers from the loss of that much business." + +"I'm sorry to hear it." + +"So this committee," the gambler went on, "has instructed me to inform +you that your immediate departure from Paloma will be necessary if you +care to go on living." + +"I can't go just yet," Tom declared, with a shake of his bead. "My work +here at Paloma isn't finished." + +"Your work will be finished before the night is over, if you don't +accept our orders to leave town," growled Duff. + +"Dear me! Is it as bad as that?" queried Reade. + +"Worse, as you'll find! What's your answer, Reade?" + +"All I can say then," Tom replied innocently, "is that it is too bad." + +Clip! Jim Duff bent forward, administering a smart cuff against the +right side of the sitting engineer's face. + +"Don't do that!" warned Tom, leaping lithely to his feet. He faced the +gambler coolly, but the lad's muscles were working under the sleeves of +his shirt. + +Duff drew back three steps, after which he faced the boy, eyeing him +steadily. + +"Reade, you've heard what we have to say to you. That you can't go on +living in Paloma. Are you ready to give us your word to leave Paloma +before daylight, and never come back?" + +"No," Tom replied flatly. + +"Then," sneered the gambler, fixing the gaze of his snake-like eyes on +the young chief engineer, "I'll tell you what we have provided for you. +We shall take you to the edge of the town, at once, and there hang you +by the neck to a tree. After you've ceased squirming we'll fasten this +card to you." + +From another man present Jim snatched a printed card, bearing this +legend: + +"Gone, for the good of the community!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB + + +"How soon are you going to carry out your plans?" Reade demanded. + +"Then you won't leave Paloma?" + +"I certainly won't--as far as my own decision goes," Reade replied +firmly. "Furthermore, I should feel the utmost contempt for myself if I +allowed you to drive me away from here before my work is completed." + +"You're a fool!" hissed Duff. + +"And you're a gambler," Tom shot back. "If you won't change your trade, +why should you expect me to change mine?" + +"I reckon, gentlemen," said Duff, turning to the others present, "that +there's no use in wasting any more time with this fellow. He'd rather +be hanged to a tree than take good advice. If the rest of you agree with +me, I propose that we take the cub to his tree at once." + +Several spoke in favor of this plan. Tom, seeing this, felt his heart +sink somewhat within him, though he was no more inclined than before to +accede to the demands of the rascals. + +"Grab him! Throw him down; tie and gag him," were the gambler's orders. + +Two men nearest the young engineer sprang at him. + +"We'll play this game right through to the finish, then!" burst from +Tom's lips, and there was something like fury in his voice. + +Biff! Thump! + +Two of the townsmen of Paloma, wholly unprepared for resistance, went +down before the engineer's telling blows. + +"Your turn, Duff!" rumbled Reade's voice, as he sprang forward and +launched a terrific blow at the gambler. + +Duff went down, almost doubling up as he struck. He had been hit +squarely on the jaw with a force that made even Tom Reade's hardened +knuckles ache. + +"Shoot him!" rose a snarl, as others moved toward the boy. + +"All right!" assented Tom, his voice ringing cheerily despite his anger. +"Be cowards, as comes natural to you. Yet, if you have the courage of +real men I'll agree to fight my way out of this place, meeting you one +at a time." + +"What's that noise up in the street?" suddenly demanded Ashby, in a tone +of sudden fear. + +"Run up and find out, if you want to know," proposed Tom, who stood +poised, ready for another assailant to come within reach of his fists. + +Stealthily, on tip-toe, the bully who had first engaged Reade in the +street fight, was now trying to get up behind the young engineer. The +bully held the shotgun ready to bring down on the lad's head. + +"There's some row up there," continued Ashby. "There, I heard shots!" + +"Brave, aren't you?" jeered Tom. + +Three or four of the masked cowards started for the steep stairway. + +Even the bully with the clubbed shotgun must have been seized with fear; +for, though in position to strike, he quickly lowered the weapon and +listened. + +Bump! smash! sounded, though not directly overhead. + +Then from the hallway above came the noise of the treading of many feet, +while a voice roared hoarsely: + +"Spread through the house, boys! If they've done anything to Mr. Reade, +then break the necks of every white-livered rascal you can find!" + +"Fine!" chuckled Tom, while the masked faces in the cellar turned even +whiter than the cloths covering them. "That voice sounds familiar to me, +too." + +Over the hubbub of voices above sounded some remonstrating tones, as +though others were urging a less violent course. + +"It's the workmen from the camp!" guessed Hotelman Ashby, in a voice +that shook as though from ague. + +"Sounds like it," chuckled Tom. "Cheer up, Ashby. If it's our railroad +crew I'll try to see to it that they don't do more than half kill you!" + +Then, raising his voice, Tom called gleefully: + +"Hello, there! You'll find us in the cellar." + +"Why don't you kill that fool!" muttered Jim Duff, who, still dazed, +struggled to sit up. + +"Hush, man, for goodness sake!" implored the badly frightened Ashby. + +Duff, with rapidly returning consciousness, now leaped to his feet, +drawing his pistol and springing at Reade. + +"Hold on!" Tom proposed coolly. "You're too late!" + +The sudden flooding of light into the place and the rush of hobnailed +shoes on the stairs recalled even the gambler's scattered senses. + +"There they are!" yelled a voice. "Grab 'em! Be careful you don't hit +Mr. Reade." + +In another instant the cellar was the center of a wild scene. Railway +laborers flooded the little place. While some held dark lanterns that +threw a bright glow over the scene, others leaped upon the masked ones, +tearing the cloths from their faces. + +"Serve 'em hot!" roared the same rough voice. + +"Stop!" commanded Tom Reade, leaping forward where the light was +brightest and into the thick of the struggling mass of humanity. + +"Stop, I tell you!" + +His commands fell upon deaf ears. It was impossible to restrain these +men. + +Here and there the lately masked men drew pistols, though not one of +them had a chance to use his weapon ere it was wrested from him. + +Pound! slam! bang! A medley of falling blows filled the air, nor was it +many seconds later when cries of pain and fear, and appeals for mercy +were heard on all sides. + +Tom had recognized his own railroad workers, and was throwing himself +among them, doing his utmost with hands and voice to stop the brief but +wild orgy of revenge on the part of the workmen who idolized him. In +their present rage, however, Tom could not at once restrain them. Time +and again he was swept back from reaching Tim Griggs, who was easily the +center of this volcanic outburst of human passion. + +"Boys!" roared Tim. "We'll want to know these coyotes to-morrow. Black +the left eye of each rascal. I'll black both of Jim Duff's." + +Two heavy, sodden impacts sounded during a brief pause in the noise, +attesting to the fact that the gambler had been decorated. + +"Stop all this! Stop!" roared Tom Reade. "Men, we're not savages, just +because these other fellows happen to be! Stop it, I tell you. Are there +no foremen here?" + +"I'm trying to reach you, Mr. Reade," called the voice of Superintendent +Hawkins. "But this is a heavy crush to get through." + +In truth it was. There were more than a hundred laborers in the cellar, +while the stairs were blocked by a mob of enraged workmen. + +"Stop it all, men!" Tom again urged, and this time there was silence, +save for his own strong voice. "We don't want to prove ourselves to be +as despicable as the enemy are. Bring 'em up to the street, but don't be +brutal about it. We'll look the scoundrels over so that we'll know them +to-morrow. Come along. Clear the stairs, if you please, men!" + +Tom was now once more in control, as fully as though he had his force of +toilers out on the desert at the Man-killer quicksand. + +So, after a few minutes, all were in the street. Here fully two hundred +more of the railroad men, many of them armed with stakes and other crude +weapons, held back a crowd of Paloma residents who swarmed curiously +about. + +"Let me through, men. Let me through, I tell you!" insisted the voice +of Harry Hazelton, as that young assistant engineer struggled with the +crowd. + +Then, on being recognized, Harry was allowed to reach the side of his +chum. + +"Mr. Reade!" called a husky-toned voice, "won't you order your men +to let me through to see you? I want to talk with you about tonight's +outrage." + +Tom recognized the speaker as a man named Beasley, one of Paloma's most +upright and courageous citizens. + +"Let Mr. Beasley through," Tom called. "Don't block the streets, men. +Remember, we've no right to do that." + +A resounding cheer ascended at the sound of Tom's voice. In the light of +the lanterns Tom was seen to be signaling with his hands for quiet, and +the din soon died down. + +"Mr. Reade," spoke Beasley, in a voice that shook with indignation, "the +real men of this town would like an account of what has been going on +here to-night. If Duff and his cronies have been up to anything that +hurts the good name of the town we'd like the full particulars. You men +there--don't let one of the rascals get away. Jim Duff and his gang will +have to answer to the town of Paloma." + +"Men," ordered Reade, "bring along the crew you caught in the cellar. +Don't hurt them--remember how cowardly violence would be when we have +everything in our own hands." + +"The men of Paloma will do all the hurting," Mr. Beasley announced +grimly. + +Tom's own deliberate manner, and his manifest intention of not abusing +his advantage impressed itself upon the decent men of Paloma, who now +swarmed about the frightened captives from the cellar. + +"I know 'em all," muttered Beasley. "I'll know 'em in the morning, too. +So will you, friends!" he added, turning to the pressing crowds. + +"Start Jim Duff on his travels now!" demanded one angry voice. + +"By the Tree & Rope Short Line!" proposed another voice. + +Jim was caught and held, despite his straggles. Active hands swarmed +over his clothing, seeking for weapons. + +"Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" appealed Tom sturdily, making his resonant voice +travel far over the heads of the throng. "Will you honor me with your +attention for three or four minutes?" + +"Yep!" shouted back one voice. + +"You bet!" came another voice. + +"Go ahead and spout, Reade. We'll have the hanging, right after!" + +There was nothing jovial in these responses. Tom Reade knew men +well enough to recognize this fact. Moreover, Tom knew the plain, +unvarnished, honest and deadly-in-earnest men of these south-western +plains well enough to know the genuine fury of the crowd. + +Arizona and New Mexico have long been held up as states where violence +and lynch law prevail. The truth is that Arizona and New Mexico have no +more lynchings than do many of the older states. An Arizona lynching can +only follow an upheaval of public sentiment, when honest men are angered +at having their fair fame sullied by the acts of blackguards. + +"Friends," Tom went on, as soon as he could secure silence, "I am a +newcomer among you. I have no right to tell you how to conduct your +affairs, and I am not going to make that mistake. What you may do with +Jim Duff, what you may do with others who damage the fair name of your +town, is none of my business. For myself I want no revenge on these +rascals. They have already been handled with much more roughness than +they had time to show to me. I am satisfied to call the matter even." + +"But we're not!" shouted an Arizona voice from the crowd. + +"That's your own affair, gentlemen," Reade went on. "I wish to +suggest--in fact, I beg of you--that you let these fellows go to-night. +In the morning, when the sun is up, and after you have thought over +the matter, you will be in a better position to give these fellows +fair-minded justice--if you then still feel that something must be done +to them. That is all I have to say, gentlemen. Now, Mr. Beasley, won't +you follow with further remarks in this same line?" + +Mr. Beasley looked more or less reluctant, but he presently complied +with Reade's request. Then Tom called upon another prominent citizen of +Paloma in the crowd for a speech. + +"Let the coyotes go--until daylight," was the final verdict of the +crowd, though there was an ominous note in the expressed decision. + +In stony silence the crowd now parted to let Jim Duff and his fellows go +away. + +Within sixty seconds the last of them had run the gauntlet of contempt +and vanished. + +"Someone told me," scoffed Beasley, "that a gambler is a man of courage, +polish, brains and good manners. I reckon Jim Duff isn't a real gambler, +then." + +"Yes, he is!" shouted another. "He's one of the real kind--sometimes +smooth, but always bound to fatten on the money that belongs to other +men." + +"Jim can leave town, I reckon," grimly declared another old settler. "We +have savings banks these days, and we don't need gamblers to carry our +money for us." + +"Speech, Reade! Speech!" insisted Mr. Beasley good-humoredly. + +From some mysterious place a barrel was passed along from hand to hand. +It was set down before the young chief engineer, and ready hands hoisted +him to the upturned end of the barrel. + +"Speech!" roared a thousand voices. + +Tom, grinning good-humoredly, then waved his arms as though to still the +tumult of voices. Gradually the cheering died down, then ceased. + +Bang! sounded further down the Street, and the flash of a rifle was +seen. + +Tom Reade, his speech unmade, fell from the barrel into the arms of +those crowded about him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. MR. DANES INTRODUCES HIMSELF + + +Daylight found Jim Duff and some of his cronies of the night before +either absent from Paloma, or else securely hidden. + +Fred Ransom, the Colthwaite Company's representative, had also vanished. + +Proprietor Ashby, of the Mansion House, was reported to be skulking in +his hotel, as he did not show his face on the streets. + +Morning also brought calmer counsel to the real men of Paloma. They were +now glad that they had not sullied themselves by acts of violence. + +No one, when daylight came, entertained the belief that Tom Reade would +suffer from any further attempts at violence, for now the little coterie +of so-called "bad men" in the town were thoroughly frightened. + +Tom had not been hit by the rifle shot. He had fallen as a matter of +precaution, fearing that a second shot would speed on the heels of the +first. + +The fellow who had fired that shot at Tom had not lingered long enough +to place himself in risk of Arizona vengeance. Even before some of +the men in the crowd had had time to discover that Reade, unhurt, was +laughing over his escape, a score or more had darted down the street, +only to find that the unknown whom they sought was safely out of the +way. + +"We'll search the town from one end to the other," one excited citizen +had proposed. + +"We'll make a night of it." + +"Don't do anything of the sort," Tom had urged. "You'll terrorize +hundreds of women and children, who have no knowledge of this affair. +Jim Duff's little evening of celebration is ended and now the wisest +thing for you to do is to return to your homes. Mr. Hawkins!" + +"Here, sir," answered the superintendent of construction. + +"Get our men together and return to camp. They'll need sleep against the +toil of to-morrow. Let every man who wants to do so sleep an hour or +two later in the morning. Men of the A., G. & N. M., accept my heartiest +thanks for the splendid manner in which you turned out to help me, +though as yet I'm ignorant of how it all came about." + +Nor was it until the next day that Tom Reade learned from Hazelton just +what had caused the laborers to tumble out of their beds and rush into +town to serve him. + +That night Tim Griggs had been prowling about the streets of Paloma, +suspicious of Reade's enemies, and watching for the safety of the +young chief engineer who had saved him from the savage appetite of the +Man-killer quicksand. + +It had chanced that Tim had caught a glimpse of the finish of the fight +on the street, and was just in time to see the young chief engineer +lifted and carried into that unoccupied house, the property of the hotel +man, Ashby. + +Tim's first instinct had been to seek help in town--in that very +neighborhood. Tim was suspicious, and afraid that he might by mistake +appeal to some of Tom's enemies. + +So, while running through the streets searching for Hazelton, Tim had +espied an automobile standing idle in front of a house. Having some +acquaintance with automobiles, Tim had cranked up and leaped into +the vehicle, speeding straight to camp, where he gave the alarm. Men +answered by hundreds, Mendoza keeping his Mexicans in camp to watch the +property there. + +Harry was aroused by the tumult, for he had just gone to his room, +intending to turn in. + +Having roused the camp, Tim ran the car back to town at the head of the +swarming little army and returned to the spot where he had seized the +automobile. + +"It's all over now, old fellow," Tom declared to his chum cheerily, +rising from his office chair as one of the whistles blew and the men +knocked off for their noonday meal. "What happened last night won't +happen again." + +"Just the same, Tom, I almost wish you'd carry a pistol after this," +Harry remarked, as the two engineers went to their horses, mounted and +started toward town for their own meal. + +"Bosh!" almost snapped Tom. "You know my opinion of pistols. They are +for policemen, soldiers and others who have real need to go armed. Only +a coward would pack a pistol day by day without needing it." + +So the matter was dropped for the time being. + +At the hotel Tom and Harry went to their accustomed seats in the dining +room. Their food was brought and the two young engineers fell to work +cheerfully. Just then a well-dressed man of perhaps thirty years entered +the dining, room, spoke to one of the waiters, and came over to the +engineers' table. + +"Messrs. Reade and Hazelton?" he inquired pleasantly. + +"Yes," Harry nodded. + +"May I make myself known?" asked the stranger. "My name is Danes--Frank +Danes." + +Harry in turn gave his own name and that of Tom. + +"I wonder if you would think it intruding if I invited myself to join +you at this table?" the stranger went on. + +"By no means," Tom responded cordially. "We'll be glad of your company. +It will stop Hazelton and myself from talking too much shop." + +"Oh, by all means talk shop," begged Danes, as he slipped into a chair +at one side of the table. "I shall enjoy it, for I am interested in +you both. In fact, I took the liberty of asking the waiter to point you +gentlemen out to me." + +"So?" Tom inquired. + +Danes had the appearance of being a well-to-do easterner, and announced +himself as a resident of Baltimore. + +For some minutes the three chatted pleasantly, Harry, however, doing +most of the talking for the engineers. When Tom spoke it was generally +to put some question. + +"Do you ever permit visitors to go out to the Man-killer?" Danes +inquired toward the end of the meal. + +"Sometimes," Tom answered. + +"I shall be very grateful if you will accord me that privilege." + +"We shall be very glad to invite you out there some time," Tom answered +pleasantly. + +"To-day?" pressed the stranger. "I have nothing to do this afternoon." + +"Some other day would suit better, if you can arrange it conveniently," +Reade suggested, as he rose. + +Then they left Danes, securing their horses and riding back over the +scorching desert. + +"How do you like Danes?" Harry asked, after they had ridden some +distance. "He seems a very pleasant fellow." + +"Very pleasant," Tom nodded. + +"Why didn't you let him come along?" + +"Because I don't like Danes' employers." + +"His employers?" Harry repeated, puzzled. + +"Yes; he is employed by the Colthwaite Company." + +"What?" Hazelton started in astonishment. "How do you know that, Tom?" + +"I don't know it, but I'm sure of it, just the same," was Reade's +answer. + +"It maybe so," Harry agreed. "What makes you suspect him?" + +"Well, in the first place, Danes, if that's his name--said he hailed +from Baltimore. Yet he had none of that soft, delightful southern accent +that you and I have noticed in the voices of real southern men. Danes +uses two or three words, at times, that are distinctly Chicago slang. +Moreover, I'm certain that the man knows a good deal about engineering +work, though he won't admit it." + +"We'll have to watch him, then," muttered Harry. + +"We don't need to tell him anything, nor do we need to bring him out +here to see how we are filling in the Man-killer. If we don't tell Danes +much he may not last long. The Colthwaite people ought soon to grow +tired of keeping agents here who don't succeed in hindering our work." + +"Whew! I shall be glad of a sleep to-night, after all the excitement of +last night," declared Hazelton, as the young engineers rode into Paloma +at the close of the day's work. + +On the porch, lolling in a reclining chair with his feet elevated to the +railing, sat Frank Danes. + +"Back from toil, gentlemen?" was his pleasant greeting. + +"Long enough to get sufficient sleep to carry us through to-morrow," was +Tom Reade's unruffled response. + +"You do look tired," assented Danes, rising and coming toward them. "Yet +I hear that, personally, you don't have hard work to do." + +"We don't work at all, if you take that view of it," Harry retorted. +"Yet there's a thing called responsibility, and many wise men have +declared that it takes more out of a man than hours of toiling with pick +and shovel." + +"Oh, I can believe that's so," agreed Danes. "Going into dinner now?" + +"After a bath and a change of clothing," Tom replied. + +"Then, if you really don't mind, I'll wait and dine at the same table +with you." + +"If you can wait that long we shall be charmed to have your company," +Tom assured him as the young engineers stepped inside. + +Frank Danes half started as they left him. + +"Reade's tone sounded a bit peculiar," muttered the newcomer to himself. +"I wonder why? Perhaps I have forced myself a little too much upon him +and Reade has taken a dislike to me." + +If Tom had taken a dislike to the newcomer, Danes could not be sure of +it from the young chief engineer's manner at table. Harry Hazelton, too, +was almost gracious during the meal. + +"They're a pair of half-smart, half-simple boobs," decided Danes, as he +smoked a cigar alone after dinner. + +"Tom, I think your great intellect has gone astray for once," remarked +Hazelton, in the privacy of their room upstairs. + +"I never knew that I had any great intellect," Reade laughed. "However, +I was born to be suspicious once in a while. I suppose you were +referring to Frank Danes." + +"Yes; and he appears to be a mighty decent fellow." + +"I'm sure I hope he is," yawned Tom. "I'm willing to give him the +benefit of the doubt. I'm going to bed, Harry. What do you say?" + +Hazelton was agreeable. Within twenty minutes both young engineers were +sound asleep. + +It was after midnight when cries of "fire!" from the street aroused +them. + +Tom Reade threw open the door to be greeted by a cloud of stifling +smoke. + +"Hustle, Harry!" he gasped, making a rush to get into his clothing. "We +can get out, I think, but we haven't any time to spare. This old trap is +ablaze. It won't last many minutes!" + +Trained in the alarms and the hurries of camp life, the young engineers +all but sprang into their clothes. + +"Come on, Harry!" urged Tom, throwing open the door. "We can make it." + +They started, when, from the floor above, a woman's frantic appeals for +help reached them. Children's cries were added to hers. + +"Get to the street, Harry!" shouted Tom. "I'm going upstairs. There'd be +no satisfaction for me in reaching the street if I abandoned that woman +and her babies to their fate. One of us can do the job as well as two!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. DANES SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT + + +Almost immediately after the cries of "fire" the bell at the fire +station pealed out. + +Paloma's volunteer fire department turned out quickly, running to the +scene with a hand engine, two hose reels and a ladder truck. + +By this time, however, the whole of Paloma appeared to be lighted up +with the brisk blaze. Tongues of flame shot skyward from the burning +hotel, while small blazing embers dropped freely into the street. + +"Is everyone out? Everyone safe? Anyone missing?" panted Carter, the +young proprietor of the Cactus House. + +The disturbed guests ranged themselves about Carter, who looked them +over swiftly. + +"Where are Mrs. Gerry and her two babies?" demanded the hotel man, his +cheeks blanching. + +None answered, for no one had seen the woman and her children. + +"They must be in the house," cried Carter. + +At that instant a woman's face appeared, briefly, at a window on the +third floor. Her piercing cry rang out, then her face vanished, a cloud +of smoke driving her from the open window. + +"Hustle the ladders along!" begged the hotel man hoarsely. "We must +rescue that woman and her children. Her husband will be here in morning. +What can we say to him if we allow his wife and children to perish in +the flames?" + +In a few moments a long ladder had been hauled off the track and brave +men rushed it to the wall, two men starting to ascend the moment it was +in place. + +In another moment they came sliding down, balked. Flames had enveloped +the upper end of the ladder. It had to be hauled down, buckets of water +being dashed over the blazing sides. + +"You can't get a ladder up on any part of that wall to the third floor," +called the chief of the fire department hoarsely, as he broke through a +thick veil of smoke. "You'll have to try the rear." + +"Where are Reade and Hazelton?" called a voice. + +"Reade!" + +"Hazelton!" + +There was no answer. A hundred men turned, looking blankly at their +nearest fellows. + +"They've gone down in the flames!" called another voice. + +"Reade and Hazelton have lost their lives!" + +"That'll make their enemies happy!" groaned one man, and other voices +took it up. + +"Carter," shouted one big man, running to the proprietor, "if this blaze +is the work of a fire-bug, then look for Reade and Hazelton's enemies. +They have the most to gain by the death of those young fellows!" + +A hoarse yell went up from the crowd. All of a sudden it seemed plain to +every man present that the hatred for Tom and Harry in certain quarters +fully accounted for the fire. + +"Get a rope! Lynch somebody!" shouted one voice after another. + +"First of all, let's find a way to get that woman and her babies out!" +Carter appealed, frantically. + +Scores of voices took up this cry, and numbers of men hastened around to +the rear of the little hotel in the wake of the laddermen. + +"We must find Reade and Hazelton, too," shouted others. + +"Then we'll lynch someone for this night's business!" + +The cry was taken up hoarsely. + +Two ladders were quickly hoisted at the rear. Almost before they had +begun to hoist, the laddermen and spectators felt that it was a useless +attempt. + +Nor did the doors and passages seem to offer any better avenue of +escape. + +Chug, chug, chug! sounded a touring car close at hand. An automobile +stopped, Dr. Furniss jumping out. + +"Anyone in danger!" shouted the young doctor. + +"Yes; a woman and her children. Also Reade and Hazelton!" + +"It's all right, then," nodded Furniss, looking relieved. "Tom Reade and +Harry Hazelton have gone to the aid of the woman." + +"If I could only believe that!" gasped Proprietor Carter. "We've tried +the ladders, and we've tried the corridors of the house. It's a raging +furnace in there." + +Dr. Furniss looked on rather calmly. + +"I'm merely wondering on which side of the house those two engineers +will appear with the woman and her children," he declared. + +For the fourth time a ladder was being vainly raised at the rear. +Suddenly a shout rang out. In the basement a window was unexpectedly +knocked out from the inside. + +Through the way thus cleared leaped a young man so blackened with smoke +as to be unrecognizable, though it was Hazelton. + +Before those who first espied the young man recovered from their +surprise, a pair of arms from the inside handed out the body of a child +to Hazelton. + +Then came another child. Next the senseless body of a woman was handed +out. + +Dr. Furniss was the first to recover, from delighted amazement. In a +bound he was on the spot, taking care of one of the children himself and +bawling to others to bring the rest of the family. + +Tom Reade, looking more like a burnt-cork minstrel in hard luck than +like his usual self, sprang through the window way and followed. + +"Here, you people--stand back!" roared Tom, elbowing his way along. "Dr. +Furniss and his patients want room and air. Stand back!" + +"It's Reade!" yelled a dozen men in delight. + +"Well, what of it?" asked Tom coolly, as he followed Furniss. "Was there +anyone here who expected that I'd be lost?" + +"Hurrah! Where's Hazelton?" + +"Who wants me?" demanded the other unrecognizable, smoke-blackened +figure. + +"They're both safe!" + +"Oh--cut it out," begged Tom good-humoredly. "You can't lose an engineer +or even kill him. Doc, what's the report?" + +"All three are alive," replied Dr. Furniss, "but they'll need care and +nursing. Here, help me place them in my car. Someone get in and ride +with me--I'll need help. You, Reade!" + +"No," responded Tom with emphasis, as he looked down at his discolored +self. "If the lady saw me when she opened her eyes, she'd faint again. +I'd scare the kiddies into convulsions. A bath for me!" + +A man from the crowd quickly stepped into the tonneau of the car, ready +to care for the woman and her children while the physician drove his car +home. + +"Hello, Reade! My congratulations on your getting out. 'Twas a brave +deed, too, to save that poor woman and her children." + +Frank Danes pressed through the crowd about the car, reaching out to +seize Reade's hand. + +Into Tom's face flashed a sudden look that few had ever seen there. + +It was a look full of contempt that the young chief engineer bent on the +man who had greeted him. + +"Your hand!" cried Danes, in a voice ringing with admiration. + +"Don't you touch me!" warned Reade, his voice vibrating with anger. + +"Why--what--" began Danes, then reached his own right hand for Tom's. + +"Make way for this 'gentleman' to fall!" roared Reade, then swung a +crushing blow that landed squarely in Danes's face. + +The latter went down in a heap. + +There had been no explanation of the seemingly unprovoked blow, but +the crowd surged forward, snatching Danes's body up as though he were +something of which these men were anxious to be rid. + +"Did he set the hotel afire?" demanded one man in husky tones. + +"Did he?" chorused the crowd. + +"Lemme through! Here's a rope!" + +Then followed wild sounds that could not be distinguished as words. +These men of Paloma seemed bent upon fighting for the possession of +Frank Danes, who, having now recovered his senses, emitted shrill +appeals for mercy. + +"Here's the fire-bug! Here's the human match!" + +"To the nearest tree!" + +"I've got the rope ready!" + +In another thirty seconds Frank Danes would have been dangling from a +limb of the nearest tree. Again Reade and Hazelton sprang into action. + +"Stand back, men--please do!" begged Tom, fighting his way through the +thinnest side of the crowd. "Don't kill any man without a trial." + +"You know that this tenderfoot fired the hotel, don't you?" asked one +man hoarsely. + +"I've reason to suspect that he did--" + +"That's enough for us!" roared a hundred voices. + +"But I've no positive proof of Danes' guilt," Tom insisted. + +"To the tree with him!" + +"Not while I've breath left in my body!" Tom blazed forth desperately. +"Come, Harry!" + +Hazelton sprang to his chum's side, the two fighting desperately to +drive away the men who held Frank Danes captive. + +"Wait a few hours at least, men!" Tom appealed earnestly. "Don't do +anything now that you'll be sorry for to-morrow." + +Other men of calm judgment began to see the force of Reade's remarks. + +Tom and Harry were swiftly backed by such reinforcements that the +trembling wretch was torn from his would-be destroyers. + +"Reade," sobbed Frank Danes, "as long as I live I'll never forget your +splendid conduct." + +"Shut up!" retorted Tom roughly. "I don't want to have to knock you down +again. It might start a riot that no man could quell." + +"Pass the skulking tenderfoot out to us!" implored some of the men on +the edge of the crowd, among whom was the man with the spare rope. + +"No! We won't disgrace the town with a lynching," Tom shot back. "Wait +until cool judgment has had time to do its work." + +"Bear a hand there!" roared Harry. "Help the firemen to save the next +building. Follow me!" + +Thus led, the fickle crowd started to the aid of the firemen. + +"Come with me, Danes," whispered Tom hoarsely, sternly. "Keep your +distance, however, or I shall lay violent hands on you." + +Once out of the glare of light cast by the burning of the hotel, Tom +Reade pointed down a dark side street. + +"There's your way, Danes," whispered Reade. "Skip! Be far from Paloma by +daylight--or nothing will save you." + +"Do you consider me responsible for that fire?" faltered Danes. + +"Hazelton and I went through that fire," Tom retorted sternly. "We had +a hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked +with the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I +couldn't swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your +coat and your hands have the odor of coal oil." + +Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him. + +"So, you see," continued Tom savagely, "you'll do well to escape before +anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you." + +"You've been mighty good to me--and I--" chattered Danes. + +"Shut up, as I advised you before!" rasped Tom Reade. "I've been as good +to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the men of +this town suspect--understand--you?" + +"I will," Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering. + +"Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world." + +"I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks--" + +"Shut up!" Tom insisted. "Thanks from you would make me feel like a +traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company, +however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the +others!" + +At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest. + +"That was their second attempt," muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back +to where the flames still held dominion. "I wonder if I shall be as +lucky when the third attempt against me is made?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. TIM GRIGGS "GETS HIS" + + +In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a +shapeless mass of smoking embers. + +The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her +children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging +for the night. + +The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough +achievement. + +Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the +dumbwaiter that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above. + +The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding +on the top of the wooden frame. Mrs. Gerry's rescue was delayed until +Harry could send the dumb-waiter up to the third floor, where she and +Tom awaited its return. Aided by Tom, she descended to the kitchen +without accident; then Tom followed, sliding down the rope. It was but +the work of a moment to break through the basement window and pass the +woman and her children out to safety. + +Morning found Proprietor Carter somewhat resigned to his loss. True, +the hotel had been destroyed and the embers must be removed, but both +building and contents had been fairly well insured. + +"I'm a few thousand out," said the hotel man philosophically, "but I +have my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild., +and put up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand dollars +in debt, to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned the +money that I've lost." + +"Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?" +demanded Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast. + +"Did I?" asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober. + +"There was a broad grin on your face?" + +"Carter didn't see it, did he?" + +"I don't know; but why, the grin, Tom?" + +"I'll tell you after I see what answer I receive to a telegram that I've +sent." + +"Tom Reade, you always were provoking!" + +"Now I'm doubly so, eh?" + +"Oh, well, I don't care," muttered Harry. "I can wait; I'm not very +nosey." + +By noon General Manager Ellsworth arrived on the scene of the labors of +the young engineers, out at the site of the big quicksand. + +"You can run the work here this afternoon, Harry," Tom declared. "I +shall want to put in my time with Mr. Ellsworth." + +"Was he the answer to your telegram?" + +Tom offered no further information, but hurried away to meet the general +manager, who had come out to camp in an automobile hired at Paloma. +Manager and chief engineer now toured slowly toward town, Harry watching +them as long as they were in sight. + +"Tom has something big in the wind," muttered Hazelton. "It must be +something about the hotel fire. What can it be? At any rate, I'll wager +it's something that pleases my chum wonderfully." + +Nor did Tom return until late in the afternoon. He came back alone. + +"Well?" demanded Harry. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "It's well." + +"What is?" + +"The game." + +"What is the game?" + +"When you hear about it--" Reade began. + +"Yes, yes--" + +"Then you'll know." + +"Tom Reade, do you know, I believe I'm quite ready and willing to thrash +you?" cried Harry in exasperation. + +"Please don't," Tom begged. + +"Then tell me what you've been so mightily mysterious about." + +"I will," returned Reade. "I'd have told you hours ago, Harry, only I'm +afraid you would have been demoralized with disappointment if the thing +had failed to go through. Harry, to-day I've been meddling in other +people's business. Congratulate me! I put it through without getting +myself thumped or even disliked, by anyone. Both sides to the deal are +'tickled to death,' as the saying runs." + +"You said you were going to tell me," remarked Hazelton, trying hard to +restrain his curiosity for a minute or two longer. + +"Sit down and listen," Tom urged his chum, handing him a chair in their +little shack of an office. + +Then, indeed, Tom did pour forth the whole story. As Harry listened a +broad grin of contentment appeared on his face, for one of Hazelton's +lovable weaknesses was his desire to see other people get ahead. + +Just as Tom finished, a figure darkened the doorway. + +"I'm ready to go, sir," announced Tim Griggs. + +"Go where?" inquired Harry. + +"I've fired Griggs," observed Tom Reade. + +"What! After all that he did for you the other night?" demanded +Hazelton, aghast. "After the man saved your--" + +"Oh, I'm quite satisfied to be fired, Mr. Hazelton," Tim Griggs broke +in. "In fact, I'm very grateful to Mr. Reade. He has certainly given me +a big boost forward in the world." + +"What are you going to do now, Griggs?" Harry asked. + +"You'd better address him as 'Mr. Griggs,' Harry," Tom hinted. "He is a +foreman now, at six dollars a day, and entitled to his Mister." + +"Foreman?" Harry repeated, while Gregg's grin broadened. + +"Yes," Tom continued. "Mr. Griggs is to be foreman on the new job that +I've just been telling you about in town. After this, if Mr. Griggs is +careful to behave himself, he's likely always to be a foreman on some +job or other for the A., G. & N. M." + +Harry sprang forward, seizing the hand of Tim Griggs and shaking it with +enthusiasm. + +"Bully old Griggs! Lucky old Griggs!" Hazelton bubbled forth. "Mr. +Griggs, you'll believe from now on what I've always believed--that it's +a great piece of luck in itself to be one of Tom Reade's friends." + +"It surely has been great luck for me, sir," Griggs answered. "The best +part of all," he added, with a husky note in his voice, "is what it +means to that little girl of mine. When I get into town to-night I in +going to sit down and write that little daughter a long letter all about +the grand news. She'll be proud of her dad's good luck! She's only eight +years old, but she's a great little reader, and she writes me letters +longer than my own." + +"If you'll wait a minute, Mr. Griggs," proposed Tom, "we'll be able to +give you a ride into town. The general manager gave me authority to rent +and use an automobile after this. It's out there waiting now." + +The new foreman gratefully accepted the invitation. Within five minutes +the chauffeur had stopped the car in Paloma and Tim Griggs got out to go +to his new boarding place in the town. + +"God bless you, Mr. Reade!" he said huskily, holding out his band. +"You've done a lot for me--and my little girl!" + +"No more than you've done for me," smiled Tom. "Anyway, you haven't +received more than you deserve, and you never will in this little old +world of ours." + +"I don't know about that," replied the new foreman, a sudden flush +rising to his weather-beaten face. "It all seems too good to be true." + +"You'll find it to be true enough when you draw your next pay, Griggs," +laughed Tom. "Then you'll realize that you aren't dreaming. In the +meantime your dinner is getting cold at your boarding place. Don't let +your new job spoil your appetite." + +When Tom and Harry rode into town at noon the following day they beheld +a scene of great activity at the site of the destroyed Cactus House. All +the blackened debris had been carted away during the morning by a +large force of men. Now, derricks lay in place, to be erected in +the afternoon. A steam shovel had been all but installed and a large +stationary engine rested on nearly completed foundations. + +George Ashby, proprietor of the Mansion House, who had dared, during the +last two days, to show himself a little more openly on the streets of +Paloma, halted just as Tom and Harry stepped out of the automobile to +look over the scene of Foreman Griggs's morning labors. + +"Looks as if the Cactus House might be rebuilt," remarked Ashby, burning +with curiosity. + +"No," said Tom briefly. + +"Carter is going to change the name?" inquired Ashby. + +"No. Carter doesn't own this land any more." + +"He doesn't own the land?" Ashby asked. "What's going to be put up here, +then? A business block?" + +For a moment Ashby thrilled with joy. Of late the Cactus House had +seriously cut in on the profits of the Mansion House. Ashby had, +in fact, been running behind. Now, if the Mansion House were to be +henceforth the only hotel in town, Ashby saw a chance to prosper on a +more than comfortable scale. + +"Ashby," Tom went on, rather frigidly, "I won't waste many words, for +I'm afraid I don't like you well enough to talk very much to you. The +A., G. & N. M. has bought this land from Mr. Carter. The railroad is +going to erect here one of the finest hotels in this part of Arizona. It +will have every modern convenience, and will make your hotel look like a +mill boarding house by contrast. When the new hotel is completed it will +be leased to Mr. Carter. With his insurance money, and the price of +the land in bank, Carter will have capital for embarking in the hotel +business on a scale that will make this end of Arizona sit up and do +some hard looking." + +As he listened Proprietor Ashby's jaw dropped. His color came and went. +He swallowed hard, while his hands worked convulsively. With the fine +new hotel that was coming to Paloma the owner of the Mansion House saw +himself driven hopelessly into the background. "Reade, this new hotel +game is some of your doings," growled the hotel man. + +"I'm proud to say that it is partly my doing," Tom admitted, with a +smile. "Harry, let's go along to the restaurant. I'm hungry." + +As the two young engineers stepped into the car and were driven away, +Ashby dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands. + +"So I'm to be beaten out of the hotel game here, am I!" the hotel man +asked himself, gritting his teeth. "I'm to be driven out by Reade, the +fellow whom I once kicked out of my hotel! Oh--well, all right!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. TRAGEDY CAPS THE TEST + + +"Pass the signal!" directed Tom. + +A railroad man with a flag made several swift moves. Down the track an +engineman, in his cab, answered with a short blast of, the whistle. Then +he threw over the lever, and a train of ten flat cars started along in +the engine's wake. + +It was the first test--the "small test," Tom called it--of the track +that now extended across the surface of the Man-killer. + +On each flat car were piled ten tons of steel rails, to be used further +along in the construction work. With engine, cars and all, the load +amounted to one hundred and fifty tons, the pressure of which would +be exerted over a comparatively short strip of the new track that now +glistened over the Man-killer. + +Mounted on his pony, Harry Hazelton had galloped a considerable distance +down the track. Now, halted, he had turned his pony's head about, +watching eagerly the on-coming train. + +For two weeks the laborers had been working on the roadbed now running +over the Man-killer. Ties had been laid and rails fastened down. +Apparently the Man-killer had done its worst and had been balked, a +seemingly secure roadbed now resting on the once treacherous quicksand. + +Construction trains, short and lightly laden, had been moving out over +the newly filled in soil for many days, but the train now starting at +the edge of the terrible Man-killer was heavier than any equipment that +had before been run over the ground. + +The president of the A., G. & N. M. R. R. was there, flanked by half a +dozen of the leading directors of the road. There were other officials +there, including General Manager Ellsworth. + +"I see Hazelton out yonder," murmured the president of the road. "But +where's that young man Reade, now at the moment when the success of his +work is being tested?" + +"Goodness knows," rejoined Mr. Ellsworth. "As likely as not he's back in +the office, taking a nap after having given the engineman his signal." + +"Asleep!" repeated the president. "Can he be so indolent or so +indifferent as that?" + +"You may always depend upon Tom Reade to do something that wouldn't be +expected of him," laughed Mr. Ellsworth. "It isn't that he slights big +duties, or even pretends to do. If he has vanished, and has gone to +sleep, then it is because he feels so sure of his work that he takes no +further interest in the test that is being made." + +"But if an accident should happen?" asked the president of the A. G. & +N. M. R. R. + +"Then I can promise you that you'd see Reade, on his pony, shooting +ahead as fast as he could go to the scene of the trouble." + +These more important railroad officials had come out to camp in +automobiles. Now they followed on foot as the train rolled on to the +land reclaimed from the Man-killer. + +Superintendent Hawkins and his foremen also went along on foot to +observe whether the track sank ever so little at any point. + +It was none of Harry Hazelton's particular business to watch whether the +tracks sank slightly. That duty could be better performed by the foremen +who had had charge of the track laying. Yet Hazelton, as he watched, +found himself growing impatient. + +"Here!" Harry called to a near-by laborer. "Take my horse, please." + +In another instant the young assistant engineer was on foot, following +the slowly moving train as it rolled along over the ground where, months +before, not even a man could have strolled with safety. + +"Do you see any sagging of the track, Mr. Rivers?" Harry called. + +"No, sir. Not as much as a sixteenth of an inch at any point," responded +the foreman. "The job has been a big success." + +"We can tell that better after the track has held loads of from five to +eight hundred tons," Harry rejoined. "I believe, however, that we have +the tricks of the savage old Man-killer nailed." + +Exultation throbbed in Harry's heart. Outwardly, he did not trust +himself to reveal his great delight. He still followed, watching +anxiously, until the train had passed safely over the Man-killer. + +Then a great cheer went up from more than a thousand throats, for many +people had come out from Paloma to watch the test. + +The train had gone a quarter of a mile past the western edge of the +huge and once treacherous quicksand. Now the engine was on a temporary +turn-table, waiting to be turned and switched back to bring the train +back over the Man-killer at a swift gait. + +"Where's Mr. Reade?" called the president of the road, gazing backward. +"Someone go for him. I wish him to be here to see the test made with the +train under fast speed." + +"I'll get Reade, sir," answered Harry, motioning to have his pony +brought to him. + +Hazelton vanished in a cloud of desert dust. + +When he next appeared there was another pony, and Reade astride it. + +"You sent for me, sir," said Tom, riding close to the president, then +dismounting. + +"Yes," Mr. Reade. "I believed that you should be here to see the test +train return." + +"Very good, sir," was Tom's quiet reply. He signaled for a workman to +come and take charge of his pony. + +In a few minutes the short but heavy train started, gaining headway +rapidly. By the time it struck the edge of the possibly conquered +quicksand it was moving at the rate of forty miles an hour. + +Across the Man-killer the train continued for a mile in the direction of +Paloma. + +"Now, let us all inspect the track," suggested the president of the +railroad company. "Call up the autos." + +"Will you let me make a suggestion, sir!" queried Tom. + +"Go ahead, Mr. Reade." + +"Then, sir, let Mr. Hazelton and myself ride out along the track first, +that we may see if the whole course is safe." + +"That heavy train just went over at fast speed and nothing disastrous +happened," protested the president. + +"Probably the entire course is still safe, sir?" Tom assented. "Yet, +on the other hand, it is possible that the fast moving train may have +started the quicksand at some point. The next object that passes over, +even if no heavier than an automobile, may meet with disaster. Mr. +Hazelton and I can soon satisfy ourselves as to whether the roadbed has +sagged at any point along the way. We shall ride nothing heavier than +mustangs." + +"There is something in what you say, Mr. Reade. Go ahead. We will wait +until we have your report." + +Tom and Harry accordingly mounted, riding off at a trot. Yet at +some sections of the line they rode so slowly, studying the ground +attentively, that it was fully half an hour before they had crossed the +further edge of the Man-killer. + +"The engineers are signaling us, Mr. President," reported General +Manager Ellsworth. "They are motioning us to go forward." + +Accordingly the party of railway officials entered their automobiles and +started slowly off over the Man-killer. + +"Ride back and meet them, Harry," Tom suggested. "Show them that one +point that we noticed." + +Hazelton accordingly dug his heels into the flank of his pony, starting +off at a gallop. + +Two or three minutes passed. Then Mr. Ellsworth leaped from his seat +in the foremost automobile, standing erect in the car and pointing +excitedly. + +"Look there!" he shouted lustily. "What's happening?" + +Away off, at the further side of the Man-killer, a horseman had suddenly +ridden into sight from behind a sand pile. His swiftly moving pony +had gotten within three hundred yards of the chief engineer before Tom +looked up to behold the newcomer. + +From where the railroad officials watched they could hear nothing, +though they saw a succession of indistinct spittings from something in +the right hand of the horseman. + +"It's a revolver the fellow's shooting at Mr. Reade!" gasped +Superintendent Hawkins, leaping into the car beside the general manager. +"Turn your speed on, man--make a lightning lash across the Man-killer!" + +Away shot the automobile, not wholly to the liking of two eastern men +who sat in the directors' car. + +Tom Reade had realized his danger. Having nothing with which to fight, +Reade had sprung his horse eastward and was racing for life. + +The unknown had emptied his weapon, but that did not deter him, for, +continuing his wild pursuit, the stranger could be seen to draw another +automatic revolver. + +The bullets striking all about Tom's pony ploughed up the sand. + +Within a minute the men in the speeding automobile were close enough to +hear the sputtering crackle of the pistol shots. + +"There goes Hazelton right into the face of death!" gasped Mr. +Ellsworth, who remained in a standing position. "Foolish of the boy, but +magnificent!" + +Harry had turned some time before, but now those in the automobile saw +that Hazelton was riding squarely to Tom's side, despite the constant +fusillade of bullets. + +Both pistols were now emptied, but the pursuer, letting his reins fall +on the neck of his madly galloping pony, was inserting fresh cartridges +in the magazine chambers of his pistols. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. THE SECRET OF ASHBY'S CUNNING + + +At a considerable distance behind the automobile came another rescue +party. This was made up of about two score of Arizona horsemen. Many of +these men were armed. At the saddle bows of some of the hung raw-hide +lariats that the owners unwound as they sped forward. + +Tom Reade, with the pursuer slowly, but steadily gaining upon him, had +discovered the identity of the man who seemed bent on his destruction. + +As Hazelton drew nearer Tom waved his left hand frantically at his chum. + +"Turn about, Harry! Ride back like the wind!" shouted Tom. "It's Ashby, +and he's shooting to kill. About face--you young idiot!" + +Harry took no notice of the warning, reining in only slightly, then +wheeling and riding in a line with Reade, though about forty feet to one +side of him. + +Ashby, a wild light in his eyes, heavily armed, and riding madly, kept +up a continuous fire in his effort to destroy the young chief engineer. + +Honk! Honk! honk! came the warning from the automobile horn. The car +dashed at full speed toward the vengeful rider, as though about to run +him down. + +George Ashby, however, was not easily intimidated. One swift glance had +assured him that the automobile bore no armed men. He therefore merely +swung his horse out of the path of the on-coming car and continued to +aim at Reade, though he now took more time between shots. On Hazelton he +did not waste a shot. + +Helplessly and vainly the automobile whizzed by pursuer and pursued. + +"Ashby, stop this madness!" cried Mr. Ellsworth hoarsely. + +The pursuing rider never faltered. Now the party of Arizona horsemen +were riding nearer. Two or three of the leaders drew revolvers, opening +fire on the mad hotel man, though the range was as yet too great for +effective work. + +In another thirty seconds George Ashby would doubtless have dropped to +the dust of the dessert, riddled with lead. Suddenly, however, he gave +his horse's head a sharp turn to the right. In an instant he was riding +back, shooting no more, and Tom Reade had passed safely out of range. + +With wild whoops the Paloma horsemen dashed on. Their mounts were not +spent as was that of the hotel man. + +"Don't shoot the fellow, if you can help it!" Tom Reade had called, as +the horsemen swept by him. "Rope Ashby if you can." + +Suddenly the hotel man's mount was seen to stagger slightly. It was +sufficient to pitch Ashby, who was not on his guard. + +With wilder whoops the Arizona men spurred their ponies on. There was +a whirring of lariats and no less than three nooses had fallen over the +hotel man's head. + +There came a brief interval in which the men, swooping down on the +captive, concealed him from the view of others. + +Out of this crush soon came order. Then it was seen that Ashby had been +roped securely and was being led back to the railroad camp. + +"We've got the scoundrel, with four ropes hitched to him," called one of +the captors. + +"One rope will be enough as soon as we can find a tree." + +The party was riding into the railroad camp now, and a dense crowd +pressed forward to see the face of the keeper of the Mansion House. + +Ashby was chuckling gleefully. If any fear of the consequences of his +lawless behavior oppressed him, he was far from betraying the fact. + +"Be gentle with him, friends," Tom urged, riding forward. + +"Yes; we ought to be gentle with every rattlesnake," came an answer from +the crowd. + +Ashby laughed harshly. + +"You can't hurt me, neighbors," declared the hotel man. "I'm bullet +proof. Any man who fires at me will find that the bullet will rebound +and bit him. Tie me up to a tree, if you like. You'll find that I won't +choke. I'll just slide back to earth as often as you tie me up." + +"Just what I thought," murmured Tom. + +"What do you think?" demanded Mr. Ellsworth from the car. + +"The man's as mad as a March hare," replied Reade. + +"Humph! He's merely shamming," retorted the general manager. + +"Stow the funny business, Ashby!" came the advice from the crowd. "You +can't fool us into believing that you're crazy." + +"Crazy?" repeated the hotel man, a look of amazement creeping into his +face. "Of course I'm not crazy. I'm the only sane man in this crowd." + +Men began to look wonderingly at the hotel man, though many still +believed that Ashby was cleverly shamming insanity in order to save his +neck from being stretched. + +"Doe Furniss! Come over here!" called Reade. "Gentlemen, this is a +question for Doe Furniss. Don't think of doing anything to the fellow +until you've heard from Doc. Make way for the doctor, gentlemen." + +At a sign from Dr. Furniss the captors led Ashby's horse onward until +the office shack was reached. Here two men freed the captive from his +horse and led him inside. Dr. Furniss followed them and the door was +closed. + +"Let's get away from here," urged Tom Reade. "A big crowd hanging about +is sure to excite the poor fellow." + +"Reade, you're too soft and easy," grunted a Paloma man in the crowd. +"The only thing that makes Ashby crazy is that he didn't get you." + +"He did 'get' me, however," laughed Tom, displaying four bullet holes +through his shirtsleeves, and two more that pierced his hat. "Ashby got +as much of me as I'd want any marksman to get." + +Having withdrawn to a distance, the crowd waited. + +It was nearly half an hour before Dr. Furniss stepped outside. Now he +walked swiftly over to the edge of the crowd. + +"Gentlemen," remarked the physician, "you are justified in feeling very +well pleased that you didn't lynch Ashby. The poor fellow is as insane +as a man could well be. He imagines Mr. Reade has hurt his business and +is determined to kill him. I'll send for a straightjacket and then we'll +hustle him away to the asylum." + +At this moment a wild yell sounded from the shack, to be echoed from the +crowd. George Ashby, seemingly possessed of the strength of half a +dozen men, had wrenched himself free of his captors, felling both like +a flash. Then the hotel man leaped to his horse, freeing it and starting +off at a mad gallop. + +Instantly a score of men set off after the fugitive, swinging their +lariats as they rode. + +Crack! Crack! Bang! + +Snatching still another automatic revolver from one of his saddle bags, +Ashby was now firing at those riding behind him. + +The line of horsemen wavered somewhat. They might have fired in return, +and have brought down their quarry, but no brave man likes to think of +shooting a lunatic. + +So, still firing as he went, Ashby once more reached the edge of the +quicksand. + +Now, riding as fast as he could urge his pony, the hotel man dashed out +on the Man-killer. + +Nor was he riding over the part that had been rendered safe by the young +engineers. + +Instead, he was riding to the southward of the railroad +property--straight out where he was likely to find a speedy death in the +engulfing sands. + +"Stop, Ashby! Come back!" shouted a dozen voices. "You'll be swallowed +up in the quick-sands." + +Brave as they were, the pursuers now rein up sharply. It seemed to them +sheer madness to ride out thus to their certain deaths. + +"Ashby is crazy, all right," remarked bronzed man. "None but an insane +man would ride out there." + +Somewhat tardily automobile parties started in pursuit. These vehicles +were halted at the edge of the quicksand. Tom and Harry had also come +this far. + +In the background the halted crowd watched in suspense as George Ashby +galloped over the treacherous sand. + +Several times the pony's hoofs were seen to sink, yet each time the +animal seemed able to draw his feet out of the sand and go on again. + +"It's a crazy man's luck," cried an Arizona man thickly. "Of course, +here and there on the Man-killer there are safe, sound spots, and Ashby +is having the luck of his life in hitting all the sound spots in getting +across. But I wouldn't follow him for a thousand dollars a minute!" + +The mad hotel man was soon lost to view on the other side of one of the +little hills of sand. + +There would have been little sense in trying to follow him or to head +him off, even by more roundabout courses. Ashby was now far enough away +to elude any pursuit that might start. + +"I wonder if Reade has any idea of what he's up against now?" murmured +the mayor of Paloma. "That crazy man is loose, and sooner or later he'll +be heard from again." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. DUFF PROMISES THE "SQUARE DEAL" + + +Altogether the day had been a hugely satisfactory one to the young chief +engineer. + +The first test had been made, and, all had passed off well, for, in Tom +Reade's easy-going, fearless mind the peculiar doings of George Ashby +did not figure at all as a part of the day's work. + +"Harry, we've every reason to feel proud of ourselves" mused Tom aloud, +as he undressed in the shack that night. + +"You feel pretty certain that we've conquered the Man-killer, do you?" +Hazelton asked, as he laid down the book he had been reading. + +Of late, since the burning of the Cactus House, the chums had slept in +the shack, though still getting many of their meals in town. + +"Oh, of course you know that we haven't won, the whole fight yet," Reade +went on. "We've plenty of work to do here still before we pronounce +the job finished. But to-day's shows that our plan for filling in this +particular, kind of quicksand was a sound one. You know the president of +the road said that words failed to express his complete approbation of +our work." + +"We certainly have been remarkably fortunate--so far," Harry admitted. +"Yet I must confess, Tom, that I'm still nervous." + +"Then it must be over Ashby," Tom laughed. + +"Ashby be hanged!" Hazelton retorted. "I haven't given him a thought +this evening. No, I'm still nervous about our job here. The first test +was all right--that is, it was all right to-day. But these quicksands +are treacherous. Our roadbed may be all right for a fortnight, and may +seem as safe as we could wish it to be. Then, all of a sudden, within +sixty seconds, it may sink before our very eyes. Suppose it were to sink +while a trainload of human beings was passing over it!" + +"You might as well dismiss all such thoughts," Reade counseled. "I tell +you, Harry, we've proved that our principle is sound. Now, we will go +ahead and finish the job. When we go away from here I, for one, shall +feel certain that the Man-killer must behave for all time to come. +Harry, there's a limit to the shifting tendency of a quicksand, and +to-day's test proves to me that we've found it. We've won. I wish I were +as sure of a dozen other things as I am that we've won out here to-day." + +"All right, then," smiled Hazelton. "You're a smarter engineer than I +am, Tom, old fellow. If you're satisfied, then I'm bound to be, for I'll +back your judgment in engineering against my own." + +"That's rather more praise, Harry, than I expect or wish," Reade +rejoined soberly. "But I don't see how the Man-killer can ever again +assert himself against the A. G. & N. M.'s roadbed." + +"Oh, I'm only an old croaker, I know," Harry confessed. "I've got a blue +streak on to-night. Or else it's a fit of apprehension about something +or other. I feel as if--" + +Crack! crack! + +Outside two shots rang suddenly out, to be followed by a dozen swift, +scattering reports. + +"Mr. Reade! They--" began a voice outside, then stopped abruptly. + +Tom hustled on his clothing again with a speed that seemed to partake +of magic. Then, with Harry close upon his heels, he rushed to the door, +jerking it open. + +"Just the pair we want!" snarled a voice that proceeded from behind a +mask. + +A dozen masked men pressed into the room. Tom and Harry put their fists +into instant action, but it availed them nothing. + +In a twinkling they were borne to the floor. At lightning speed both +were rolled over and bound. + +From the tents of the laborers, beyond hoarse voices sounded as the men +were awakened by the shots. + +"Get back there, you idiots!" commanded a voice outside. "If you don't, +you'll think that a Gatling gun factory has blown up about your ears." + +Reports rang out sharply as a dozen revolver shots were fired into the +air. + +Now, dazed with the suddenness of the attack, Reade and Hazelton were +dragged into the open. + +Their two night watchmen, who had gone down bravely, now lay wounded on +the ground, their weapons snatched from them. + +"Hoist 'em along, boys," ordered a gruff voice. + +Tom and Harry were carried on the shoulders of men, and moved along at +a swift pace. Only half a dozen of the raiders needed to remain somewhat +in the rear, firing an occasional shot to prevent the unarmed laborers +from swarming to the attack. + +"Hoist 'em up! Tie 'em on! Get under way quick! There'll be a big noise +raised after us soon," declared the same directing voice. + +Tom and Harry were fairly thrown upon the backs of horses, and there +lashed fast. + +"Mount and get away," ordered the commander of this strangest of night +raids. + +Two men, each leading a pony to which a captive was lashed, rode off in +one direction. Groups of two or three rode away in other directions, the +blackness of the night swallowing them up. + +It was going to be a difficult task for pursuers to know which direction +to take in order to come up with Reade and Hazelton in time to save them +from the fate that lay just ahead of them! + +For audacity and dash the raid could not have been better planned. + +From camp not a shot was fired, for the watchmen had had the only +weapons and these had been seized by the invaders. + +"Our foremen might telegraph to camp," thought Tom swiftly, as he felt +himself being carried away. "But I'll wager that these smart scoundrels +didn't forget to cut the wire before springing the raid." + +For the first two or three minutes Harry's, slower moving mind hardly +grasped more than the fact that their enemies appeared to have won a +complete triumph. + +"There isn't much doubt as to what they'll do with us," thought +Hazelton, with a slight shudder. "These rascals will move too fast for +pursuit to overtake them early. What they in intend to do with us can be +done in a very few minutes." + +Neither young engineer really expected to live to see daylight. From the +first, after having incurred the anger of a certain lawless element +in Paloma, the young engineers had understood fully that threats of +lynching them had not been idly made. + +"There'll be a stir, though," Tom Reade muttered to himself. "The A. G. +& N. M. officials won't let this crime go by without a determined effort +to bring the offenders to justice. Detectives will search this community +in squads, and everyone of these masked gentlemen is likely to get his +deserts." + +Within the next half hour the galloping horses had covered fully five +miles. Now the leader of the crowd led the way down into a deep gully in +the sand. + +"Hold up, men," ordered the leader, and the cavalcade came to a stop, +horses panting. + +"Tumble the cattle off into the dirt," was the next order, and it was +obeyed, Tom and Harry rolling in the bitter alkali dust. + +"Now, gentlemen, I believe I will take command," spoke one of the +party of horsemen, in his most suave voice, as he removed his mask. The +speaker, as Reade knew at once, was Jim Duff, the gambler. + +"That's all right, Jim," nodded the former leader. + +"Jake, ride back a few hundred yards and keep a sharp lookout," +suggested Duff blandly. "The pursuers may come in automobiles. We'll cut +the ceremonies here short and leave nothing but lifeless bodies for the +rescue parties to find." + +Stakes were driven and the horses picketed. + +"Bring along our guests," suggested Jim Duff, with a touch of humor that +the occasion rendered grisly. + +Thereupon Tom and Harry were once more jerked to their feet. + +"Ye can walk, I reckon, and don't have be toted," observed one of the +scoundrels. + +"We're wholly at your service, sir," rejoined Tom mockingly. + +"And equally at your pleasure," Harry suggested dryly. + +Two hundred yards further on the halted close to a pair of stunted trees +of about the same size. + +"Gentlemen, you may as well remove your masks on this hot evening," +suggested Jim Duff. The face coverings came off. Reade and Hazelton +surveyed their captors as the chance offered, being careful not to +betray too great curiosity. + +"I see one gentleman here whom I had expected to find," remarked Tom +quietly. + +"Me?" hinted Duff. + +"Well, yes; you, for one, but I refer to that excellent host, Mr. Ashby, +of the Mansion House." + +With a start George Ashby turned on Reade, coming closer and grinning +ferociously into the face of the young chief engineer. Tom, however, +managed to muster a smile as he went on: + +"How do you do, Mr. Ashby? Your performance of this afternoon mystified +me a good deal. I had never expected to find myself on a shooting +acquaintance with you." + +Three or four of the rascals chuckled at this way of putting it, but +Proprietor Ashby snarled like a wild animal. + +"As for you, Mr. Duff," Reade resumed, "I confess that I have never been +able to understand you." + +"You will to-night," smiled Duff, with bland ferocity. "I can promise +you, as a gambler, that I am going to give you a square deal." + +"Fine!" glowed Tom. "I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, +then." + +This' time there was a general laugh. Jim Duff flushed angrily. + +"Reade, what you never understood about me is that I belong to the ranks +of the square gamblers." + +"I didn't believe there were any such gamblers," Tom replied in a voice +of surprise. "It is still hard for me to believe. How can any man be +square and honorable when he won't work, but fattens on the earnings of +others? Has that idea any connection with honor?" + +"Stop that line of talk, you young hound!" ordered Duff, striding up to +this bold young enemy. All the slight veneer of polish that Duff usually +affected had vanished now. His eyes blazed with rage as he doubled his +fist and struck Reade full in the face, knocking him down. One of the +bystanders jerked Tom to his feet. + +"Speaking of the square deal," Tom observed, "I now insist upon it. +Duff, you knocked me down when my hands were tied. If you're not a +coward I request that you order my hands freed--and then repeat your +blow if you dare." + +"You'll stay tied," retorted Duff grimly. + +"I knew it," sighed Reade. "What's the use of talking about honor and +square dealing where a gambler is concerned? Loaded dice, marked cards +or tying a man before you dare to hit him--it's all the same to your +kind." + +"Shut up that talk, you hound, or I'll pound you stiff before we go +on with what's been arranged for you!" raged the gambler, shaking his +clenched fist in the face of the young engineer. + +"Go slowly, Jim," advised one of the men present. "Of course we know +what we're to do to this young pup, and we all know what he thinks +of you. But some of the rest of us have different ideas as to how a +helpless enemy ought to be treated." + +"You, Rafe Bodson!" snarled Duff, turning on the last speaker. "Are you +one of us? Do you belong to our side, or are you a spy for the other +crowd?" + +"Got your gun with you, Duff?" inquired Bodson calmly. + +"Yes," snapped the gambler. + +"Get it out in your hand, then, before, you talk to me any more in that +fashion." + +"He won't," mocked Tom. "He doesn't dare, Bodson. Your hands are not +tied." + +"Cut it out, Rafe! Quit it!" ordered one of the other men in the crowd. +"We won't let this tenderfoot split our ranks. You're one of us, and +you'll stand by us." + +"Not if there's going to be any more hitting of tied men," retorted +Bodson sulkily. "There's a limit to what a man can stand." + +"Thank you, my friend," broke in Tom Reade mildly. "But don't go to any +trouble on our account. There are few if any others in this crowd who +can understand the meaning of fair play--the gambler least of all." + +"I'll take that out of you, Reade!" blazed Jim Duff. "I'll--" + +"You'll do nothing while the kid's hands are tied," objected Bodson, +stepping between the pair. "Act fair and square, Jim, as a man should +act." + +"That's the argument, Rafe," remarked another man, also stepping +forward. + +"Bully for you, Jeff Moore," replied Rafe. "Now, remember, friends, +we're not calling for anything except that Jim Duff live up to the +program he just published for himself--the square deal." + +Several murmurs of protest came from the other raiders. + +"I reckon, Rafe, you and Jeff had better step back and let the rest of +us handle this thing," advised one of the party. "The pair of you are +too chicken-livered for us." + +"It's a lie, as anyone in Paloma knows," Rafe retorted coolly. "No--put +up your shooters," as the hands of five or six men slid to their belts. +"There's no need of bad blood between us. All I ask is for Jim Duff to +step back out of this." + +"Am I the leader here or am I not?" demanded Duff boldly. "Wasn't it my +interests that were first assailed by these fresh tenderfeet! Didn't you +gentlemen come out to-night, to help me attend to my affair? Didn't +you turn also to avenge the blow that has been dealt these cubs to poor +George Ashby's prosperity?" + +At hearing himself so sympathetically referred to, Ashby threw himself +forward, a short, double-barreled shotgun in his hands. + +"Yes, you, get back, you white-livered cowards!" commanded Ashby +hoarsely. "You let Duff and myself and the rest of us here handle these +young hounds as they deserve to be treated. You, Rafe and Jeff, get out +of this. You've no business here. You belong to the enemies of business +interests in Paloma. The rest of us will settle with these business +destroyers." + +Ashby's eyes glowed with the unbridled fury of the lunatic. Yet Rafe +Bodson did not waver. + +"Gentlemen," he demanded coldly, "for what purpose did you bring these +young fellows out here?" + +"To lynch 'em!" came the hoarse murmur. + +"Then go ahead and do it, like men," ordered Bodson. "There are the +trees. You have your ropes, and your men are ready. Remember, no +cowardly treatment of young fellows whose hands are tied. Go on with the +lynching and get it over with!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. A SPECIALIST IN "HONOR" + + +"Sir! Stop it, I tell you," quivered Duff, again stepping to the front. +"These young hounds shan't die until I've made them apologize for every +insulting word they've said to me." + +"Fine!" glowed Tom with enthusiasm. + +"Great!" + +"What ails you now, Reade?" demanded Duff, his face again darkening. + +"You've just promised us that we shall live forever," returned Tom +dryly. + +Then he added, with a sigh: + +"But I suppose that's only another lie--another specimen of a gambler's +honor." + +"Stand aside, Bodson! Moore, you get out of the way!" snarled the +gambler, his anger again depriving him of all reason. "I'll have my way +with these young hounds before we string 'em up." + +"Let me at 'em!" implored Ashby, fingering his shotgun nervously. "Get +out of my way. I don't want to pepper anyone else." + +But Bodson and Moore, bad as they were some respects, stood their +ground. + +"Are you going to let us at them?" insisted Duff, his voice now broken +and harsh from anger. + +"Not for the purpose of bullying them!" insisted Rafe, without moving. +"Jeff, you're with me, aren't you?" + +"Right by your side, pardner." + +"Come on, then, boys!" called Duff, the note of rally in his tone. "Help +me to drive this pair of traitors out of your company." + +Like a flash Bodson's revolver was in his band. The muzzle covered the +gambler. + +"Jim Duff, down on your knees before I blow your bead off!" + +The gambler started back, his face paling. + +In the same instant Jeff Moore had also drawn his revolver, and held it +ready for the first hostile sign from anyone in the group. + +"What's the matter with you, Rafe?" demanded the gambler, in a +half-coaxing tone. + +"Nothing," Bodson assured him calmly, "except that I'm going to blow +your head off if you aren't down on your knees before I've counted +three! One--two--th--" + +Duff dropped to his knees, holding his hands high in air. + +"Now apologize for calling us traitors," admonished Rafe. "Do it +handsomely, too, while you're about it." + +"Rafe," protested Jim Duff, "you, know that I said what I did only +because I was angry. I know you're a gentleman, and you know that I know +it. If I've hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, a thousand times over." + +"Jim, you're a good deal of a sneak, aren't you?" inquired Rafe, in a +voice that sounded pleasant enough, but which carried a warning in its +tone. + +"Yes," Duff admitted. "I guess I'm a good deal of a sneak." + +"Get up on your feet, then. We understand one another," said Bodson. "Go +ahead, if you want to, and carry out your plans for a merry evening. But +don't make the mistake of calling ugly names again, and don't forget all +you've said about the square deal. Hang these tenderfeet, if that's what +you want to do, but don't hit men without first giving them a chance to +hit back." + +Duff, shaking partly from fear, though more from a sense of his +humiliation, rose to his feet. For a moment he stood choking down his +varied emotions. Then, with an attempt at his old-time, suave banter, he +inquired: + +"Are you young gentlemen ready for the collar and neck-tie party that +we've planned to give you?" + +"As ready as you are," observed Tom dryly. + +"And you?" asked Duff, turning to Hazelton. "Are you ready?" + +"I'm not particular about feeling a lariat around my neck," Harry +answered, "but I'll follow my friend Reade anywhere--even where you +propose to send us." + +"Ay, but that's courage of the kind you don't expect to find in a blamed +tenderfoot!" remarked Jeff Moore, resting a hand first on Tom's shoulder +and then on Harry's. + +"Why?" asked Tom. "Does it surprise you?" + +"It shore does," replied Jeff. + +"Is courage a matter of geography, then?" Tom inquired. + +"I--I--pardner, you've got me there," Jeff admitted, looking puzzled. +"Yet, somehow, I never looked for much courage in a fellow who hailed +from east of the Mississippi." + +George Ashby had been looking on during the last few moments, his eyes +glittering strangely. Yet, as he said nothing, the attention of the +others had turned from him. + +Jeff Moore happened to turn just in time to see the muzzle of the +shotgun turned fully on Tom Reade's waist line, and Ashby's forefinger +resting on one of the triggers. + +Bang! spoke the gun, a sheet of flame leaped forth. + +Tom Reade did not even start. All his nerve had come to the surface in +that instant. He was unharmed, for Jeff's sweeping arm had knocked aside +the muzzle of the gun and the shot had entered the leg of one of the +raiders. + +"What'd you do that for, Jeff?" groaned the injured man, sinking to the +alkali dust. + +But Moore was busy with the mad hotel keeper, having clinched with him, +and now being engaged in taking away the shotgun, one barrel of which +was still loaded. + +"Stand back there, friends," warned Rafe Bodson, who still held his +revolver in his right hand. "We don't want to see any more of the party +hurt." + +Jeff had the gun in a moment, despite the insane fury with which Ashby +fought. + +"Take care of this, Rafe," requested Jeff, turning over the gun, which +Bodson received with his left hand. + +Ashby, momentarily free, sprang at the new bolder of the weapon, but +Moore tripped him and fell upon him. + +The other men stood by as though fascinated, not interfering. Perhaps +they felt that their safety depended upon Ashby's being disarmed. + +There was a short, sharp scuffle on the ground after which Moore rose, +leaving the hotel man with his hands tied behind his back. + +"And I request," remarked Moore, "that no gentleman present cut the +knots that I have tied. It'll be a favor to me to have Ashby left alone +for the present." + +"Now, then, Rafe or Jeff," spoke the gambler, mustering up what remained +of his courage, "since you two have taken charge of affairs, won't you +be good enough to inform us what your pleasure is?" + +"We're not in charge," retorted Bodson sullenly. "All we've undertaken +to do is to look out for the square deal that you promised, Duff, and +which you didn't exhibit in a way that we liked. As for the rest, go +ahead when you like--but don't do any more hitting with your fists." + +"We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?" hinted Duff eagerly. + +"If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen," Bodson agreed, bowing +slightly. + +To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters. + +"Bring up lariats, two of you," Duff ordered, turning around to the +others. "And don't waste time over it." + +The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses, +testing them to see that they ran freely. + +"Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees," was Duff's next order, +which was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands, +followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted. + +"Any choice of trees Reade?" inquired Jin Duff. + +"None," answered Tom shortly. His face was pallid and set, though he did +not show any other sign of fear. + +"Hazelton?" + +"One tree is as good as another," Harry answered in a strangely quiet +voice. + +In the midst of an impressive silence, and with motions that seemed +oddly unreal to the tended victims, Duff placed the two young engineers. +A lariat was thrown over a low limb of each of the trees. Then, with +slightly trembling hands the gambler adjusted a over the neck of each +bound boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. TOM AND HARRY VANISH + + +"How d'ye like that, Rafe?" queried Jeff Moore, as Jim Duff stepped back +and viewed the young engineers with a diabolical smile before giving the +fatal signal. + +"I don't like it," muttered Bodson. + +"No more do I." + +"Shall we stop it?" + +"Yes. I'm sick of Jim Duff. This night has turned me against the +smooth-tongued coward." + +"Get busy, then, Rafe!" + +"Shall we stand the crowd off and set the boys free?" + +"Pump both of your shooting-irons loose into the air--I'll do the rest," +replied Moore. + +Cr-r-r-rack! Pointing his weapons skyward, Bodson had quickly obeyed +Moore's command. + +"Now, what--" began one of the raiders, wheeling instantly. + +"Rafe's going to give 'em a proper send off," grinned one of Duff's men. + +"No!" shouted the other. "That's a bluff. He and Jeff are trying to +queer the whole game." + +With cries of anger, several of the men sprang toward Jeff, who had +bared his sheath knife and was about to free Tom and Harry. + +"Here--stop that, you traitors!" roared Duff, leaping forward. + +"I've four shots left, Jim," remarked Rafe Bodson calmly, as he ceased +firing. "Call me names, if you think it wise." + +Like a flash Duff drew one of his own revolvers. Before he had time +to fire, however, three men threw themselves between Bodson and the +gambler. + +"Stop talking gun play, Rafe," warned one of the three. "Act like a +gentleman." + +"I've forgotten how to do that," Rafe remarked. "I've traveled with this +outfit too long." + +"Put up your guns. Then we'll attend to this pair of youngsters." + +"My guns remain in my hands," Bodson declared coolly. "I expect to die +with my boots on to-night. I reckon Jeff has figured it out the same +way." + +"I have," Moore answered coolly, as he stepped over beside Bodson. +Then deliberately, yet with an indescribably swift motion, he drew two +revolvers. + +"Stand out, Jim Duff! Be a man, for once in your miserable career," +ordered Rafe Bodson. "Don't try to protect yourself by hiding behind the +bodies of men who don't know any better than to follow your lead." + +Jim Duff didn't accept the challenge. Instead, he crouched behind two of +his followers, taking deliberate aim with his revolver at Bodson. + +But he never fired that cowardly shot. Like a flash from the sky came an +interruption that created panic among the assembled scoundrels. + +"Here we have 'em, gentlemen," announced the steady voice of +Superintendent Hawkins from the western end of the gully. "Get 'em all +rounded up. If they've done Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton any injury then +don't let one of them get away alive." + +The low sand piles near by seemed swarming with men. The steel barrels +of firearms glistened even in the darkness. + +The scout had been sent out to the eastward. None had thought of +watching the western approach to the gully. + +"Shoot, boys!" screamed Jim Duff, wheeling in a sudden frenzy of +desperation. He fired straight in the direction of Hawkins's voice. + +In another instant the air was rent with the sound of shots. Flashes +from many revolvers lit up the darkness almost as well as torches could +have done. + +Jim Duff, having started his followers to firing, stole off in the +darkness, leaving them to bear the brunt of the return fire of Hawkins +and his men. + +George Ashby lay on the ground bound as he had been left, his sawed-off +shotgun not far away and his belt full of shells. + +"Rouse yourself, Ash!" muttered the gambler, as he slashed the hotel +man's bonds with his knife. "Get your gun, but don't use it now. Move +quickly, and we'll get away from here and take Reade and Hazelton with +us. Put your mind on your work, Ash, and follow my orders. Don't try to +think too much for yourself. Here, this way!" + +The scene of the fighting had already shifted from the immediate +neighborhood of the twin trees. Duff guided his mad companion along in +the darkness until they halted close to where the two engineers stood +bound, powerless to join in the fray. + +"Shall we shoot them here and now?" whispered Ashby, a wild light +glittering in his eyes. + +"No," returned Duff. "We'll sneak up behind them, club them with +revolvers and carry, them off. Then we can do as we please with them. +You quiet Hazelton and I'll attend to Reade." + +The two scoundrels crept up behind their victims. + +A moment later Duff quickly cut the lariat about the neck of Tom Reade, +who had been rendered unconscious from the terrific blow dealt him by +the gambler. Ashby had been equally successful in "quieting" Hazelton. + +"Now hustle," ordered Duff. "You pick up Hazelton. I'll take Reade. +Carry 'em over your shoulder--that's the way to do. Now, follow me and +don't make a sound. We'll please ourselves this night with what we'll do +to the meddling pair!" + +With Tom Reade over his shoulder, senseless and inert, Duff started off +in the darkness, while the rattle of firearms continued. + +George Ashby, muttering to himself, followed with Harry Hazelton. + +The gambler staggered slightly under the weight of his human burden. Yet +he moved rapidly, a strange eagerness lighting up his eyes. + +Jim Duff knew that he would never again dare to enter the town of +Paloma, yet the gambler thirsted, before fleeing to new scenes, to be +revenged on Tom Reade. With that object in view, Duff was willing to +take great risks. + +As for Ashby, who, still clutching his shotgun in his left hand, +staggered along under the burden of Hazelton's weight, the hotel man was +no longer responsible for his actions. Rage and wickedness had made him +a maniac, who might be restrained but could not be punished by law. + +Within two minutes the firing behind them died out. Soon there were +distant sounds of searching. Plainly Hawkins and the other friends of +the young engineers were hunting diligently for Tom and Harry. + +"Dump your man, Ashby," commanded Jim Duff, halting at last. "It will +be a mistake to go too far. Their friends won't expect to find 'em so +close, and they'll soon be searching farther away." + +So Ashby dropped Harry on to the sand beside Tom. Then the wickedest +possible gleam came into the hotel man's eyes as he loaded his shotgun. + +"We'll fill 'em full of lead right here and now," whispered the hotel +keeper. "Then we'll be sure that they can't get away from us again." + +"Not so fast!" retorted Duff warningly. "We can't shoot now. If we do, +there'll be no way to get out of this alive. Look yonder!" + +Duff swung his mad friend around, pointing to a gleam of light that +shone out over the desert. + +"An automobile," muttered the gambler. "And there's another--and +another! There must be six or eight of them out to-night, and all of 'em +crammed with fighting men. A shot would bring two or three carloads of +ugly fellows down upon us." + +"What are we going to do, then?" demanded the hotel keeper, in a +menacing tone. + +"Wait awhile," urged the gambler. "You're seeing what the plan of the +enemy is. They're circling about, but they're further out from the gully +than we are. The cars will go on cutting larger and larger circle, and +all the time getting farther away from us. In half an hour the cars and +the men will be so far away that we need give no thought to them. Then +we can attend to Reade and Hazelton." + +"What are you going to do with them?" demanded Ashby in a whisper, his +cunning eyes lighting with a fire of added eagerness. + +"We'll get 'em awake, first of all," nodded Jim Duff. "Then we'll attend +to them." + +"Remember, they ruined my business!" whispered the hotel man. + +"Well, didn't they ruin my business, too?" snarled Duff. "Didn't they +cant like a pair of hypocrites, and turn hundreds of their workmen +against coming in to play in my place? Didn't these young hounds keep +me from winning thousands of dollars of railroad money? Ash, I tell you, +these young fellows have hit me hard! First, they broke up my games. +Next, they talked their men out of going into Paloma and spending +money for drink. Why, Ash, next thing you know, they would have brought +missionaries to Paloma to convert men and to build churches!" + +As Ashby glared at the unconscious boys from under his black brows he +looked as though he believed them capable of all the wickedness that Jim +Duff's imagination had charged against them. + +"I can't wait!" groaned the hotel man. "Just one barrel of shot apiece +into each of 'em!" + +"No, no, no, Ash! Haven't I always been your good friend?" + +"You surely have, Jim Duff," admitted the mad hotel man. "You're the one +man alive to-night that I'd trust." + +"Then trust me a little further," coaxed the gambler virtuously. "Trust +to my brains tonight, George, and you'll feast on revenge!" + +"But you keep me waiting so long for it!" complained the lunatic. + +"Don't you trust me, George?" + +"You know I do, Jim Duff." + +"Then trust me a little longer. Be quiet, and be patient." + +"But--" + +"Sh!" warned Duff suddenly, throwing himself flat on the ground. "Down +with you, Ash!" + +"What is it?" whispered the hotel man in the gambler's ear as he too +sank to the ground. + +"Sh!" once more warned the gambler. "Use your eyes, George. Look out +over the sand in the darkness. Do you see two men prowling this way?" + +"Yes," assented the hotel man, after a pause. + +"They're looking for us--enemies, George. Use all your cunning. Above +all, be silent and lie low! Don't make a move, unless I tell you to do +so. Show your trust in me, Ash, as you've never shown it before. If you +don't, we'll be cheated out of our revenge!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. RAFE AND JEFF MISCALCULATE + + +The two men whom the craven gambler had sighted were coming slowly +onward, their movements suggesting a good deal of care and watchfulness. + +Nor did they come in a wholly straight line. That they did not suspect +the nearness of Jim Duff and his mad companion was plain at a glance. + +"Burrow in the sand!" whispered the gambler in Ashby's ear. "Quiet! Be +ready, but don't do anything unless I give you the word." + +"When you do give me the word," trembled the hotel man, "I'll kill 'em +both." + +"Not unless we have to do so--remember!" ordered the gambler. "We want, +if possible, to take 'em alive." + +Let us now go back to the two men whom Duff and Ashby were watching so +closely. + +They were Rafe Bodson and Jeff Moore. + +Both had come out of the recent fighting unharmed. Neither Rafe nor Jeff +had fired a shot at the invading forces led by Hawkins. Instead, the +pair had slipped stealthily away, until they had gotten out of the +immediate zone of the hot firing. Then they hid under some bushes. + +"An hour ago I'd have felt like a sneak, not standing by the gang any +better," whispered Jeff uneasily. + +"Same here," Rafe admitted. "In fact, I'm wondering whether I acted +straight in running off like this." + +"Aren't you sure about it in your own mind?" asked Jeff slowly. + +"Almost," Rafe returned. "All that bothers me is not sticking by the +same crowd that we started out with to-night. As for Jim Duff--" + +"He's poison, and deadly poison at that," broke in Jeff. + +"That's just what he is, pardner." + +"Yet I used to like Duff pretty well." + +"So did I," nodded Jeff. "But that was when I thought he had some sand." + +"The fellow's a skulking coyote!" + +"A coyote is brave, compared with Jim Duff," contended Jeff Moore. + +"Reade and Hazelton showed the real sand!" + +"I never thought tenderfeet could be as brave," glowed Moore. + +"Jeff, I reckon Reade and Hazelton aren't real tenderfeet any more. +They've been west some time. But, then, such fellows wouldn't be +tenderfeet even if they lived in New Jersey all the time. Courage +belongs in some fellows, no matter where they work." + +"The fighting seems to be over," observed Jeff Moore. + +"Then the friends of the two engineers must have found them," suggested +Bodson. + +"It doesn't sound like it over there. The newcomers seem to be doing a +lot of hunting in the gully." + +"Let's move in closer," proposed Rafe. + +Crawling on their stomachs, the pair moved in closer. As they arrived, +unseen, they were in time to see the late fighting men clamber into +their automobiles. Hawkins could be heard giving directions for the +further search for Reade and Hazelton. + +Then the cars started away. + +"What do you reckon?" demanded Jeff, looking at Bodson. + +"I reckon some of Duff's crowd slipped out of the fight, got the two +youngsters, and slipped away with them," Bodson answered. + +"Then it was Duff--he was one of 'em," returned Jeff, with a strong +conviction. "From what I've seen of Duff to-night he'd rather do a +running trick than a fighting one." + +"It would take two to carry both youngsters away. Who was the other +one?" Rafe wondered aloud. + +"Most likely the fellow who'd mind Duff best." + +"That must mean poor George Ashby." + +"Let's slip into the gully and see what we can find." + +One fact learned in the gully astonished both investigators. Despite the +volleys that had been fired no dead or wounded men lay about. Of course +Hawkins could have taken any injured men away in the automobiles. +Plainly the raiders had been equally fortunate in getting their wounded +away on their horses. Mounted men familiar with the desert would know +many paths where horses could travel, but where automobiles could not +follow. + +"Our hosses are gone," discovered Jeff a few moments. + +"Of course," nodded Rafe. "The crowd we were out with wouldn't be slow +in a simple little piece of every-day honesty like stealing hosses!" + +"I'm through with any such gang after this, Rafe. How about you?" + +"I'm shore going to be careful about the kind of company I pick. But, +Jeff, we'll have to travel away from these parts. No good company around +here would welcome us. They wouldn't like the only references we could +give, Jeff." + +"Oh, shore, we'll have to travel," agreed Moore. "That is, if the +sheriff doesn't take up our tickets before we get started." + +"All this talk isn't showing us what became of Reade and Hazelton," +remarked Rafe Bodson. "Let's go back under the trees and see if we +can find what has become of Reade and Hazelton. Before I change my +post-office box I'm going to try to do those two youngsters a good +turn." + +So the pair had started off. Yet, like the automobile searchers, Jeff +and Rafe did not expect to run across Tom and Harry and their captors so +close to the gully. + +For this reason the pair proceeded without very much caution at the +outset. + +Even now, after Duff and Ashby had sighted them, Moore and Bodson halted +twice to light matches and examine the trail that their keen eyes had +discovered as moving westward from the gully. + +"Now, I reckon we've got the general direction," muttered Rafe Bodson +when, after having once more discovered the tracks he turned and got the +general course. "We know the way to head." + +"Then we won't light any more matches," suggested Jeff. "It might get us +into trouble." + +Accordingly they kept on, guiding themselves now by their general +knowledge of the country. + +Jim Duff and Ashby were well concealed, not only by the sand, but by a +little fringe of brush as well. + +Hence it is not to be wondered at that Bodson and Moore went forward to +be astonished by a sudden movement in the sand, followed by a hail of +"Gentlemen, get your hands up, or take your medicine!" + +The command came in Jim Duff's tones. + +He was barely thirty feet away from the surprised pair, one of his +revolvers leveled so to drop Bodson at a touch of the trigger. + +George Ashby's sawed-off shotgun looked squarely at the region bounded +by Jeff Moore's belt. + +"It's your turn, gentlemen," agreed Rafe, he put his hands in the air. + +"You've got us--be decent," grinned Jeff, as he, too, raised his hands +upward. + +"Get your hands up higher!" ordered Jim Duff in his deadliest tone. +These men were now helpless, and the gambler merely chuckled inwardly at +the thought. + +"Is this where we shoot them?" queried the mad hotel keeper. + +"Yes--after a minute or two!" nodded Jim Duff, who wished first to +determine whether the automobiles of the searching party were moving too +near to them. + +"I can hardly wait for the word!" quivered Ashby. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION + + +"How long are we to keep our hands up, Duff?" questioned Jeff. + +"Quiet," hissed the gambler. "I'm listening." + +"If it's for friends of ours," grimaced Rafe Bodson, "you needn't listen +any longer. We haven't any friends in either crowd now." + +"Quiet, I tell you!" snarled Duff. + +No noise of moving automobiles came to the gambler's keen ears in the +darkness of the night. + +"Ready," faintly whispered Duff, giving Ashby a slight nudge. + +"Shoot 'em?" whispered the mad hotel man. + +"Yes; you hit Jeff. I'll take care of Rafe!" + +Just then darkness fell upon the gambler. He was knocked flat and +senseless by a blow of a fist from behind. + +In the same instant a man leaped upon George Ashby, bearing him to +earth. + +Bang! The noise of the discharging shotgun broke on the night's +stillness. Bang! crashed the other barrel. + +The muzzle had been pointed skyward, however, and both charges of +buckshot had been driven off into space, to fall to the earth many yards +beyond. + +"Reade! Hazelton!" choked Rafe Bodson, leaping forward. "You fellows +certainly have grit! Here, Hazelton, let me help you with that loco +(crazy) hotel man." + +Jeff, in the meantime had rolled Jim Duff over on his back, then sat on +him. When Duff returned to consciousness he found himself gazing into +the muzzle of an automatic revolver. + +Harry and Bodson made a quick, sure job of tying Ashby's wrists with a +cord that Rafe supplied. + +"You think you've stopped me, don't you?" snarled the hotel man, wild +with rage. + +"We stopped you in time to keep you from shooting down two men who were +at your mercy," retorted Harry sternly. + +"What's that?" gasped Rafe. + +"They were going to shoot you with your hands in the air," Tom declared. + +"That's another of your lies, Reade," snarled the gambler. + +"It's you who are doing the lying, Duff," rejoined Tom stiffly. "I came +to my senses just in time to hear you tell Ashby to kill one man while +you killed the other." + +"So that was the game, was it?" said Jeff. + +"No, it wasn't," snapped Jim Duff. + +"Shut up," ordered Jeff unbelievingly. "Duff, we've seen enough of you +to-night to know that an Apache has ten times as much honor as you +have, and a rattlesnake has twenty times as much decency. You lying, +miserable, white-livered, smooth-tongued, poisonous reptile in human +form. If you open your mouth to say another word you'll have me so wild +that I'll pull the trigger of this automatic before I intend to do so." + +"Thank goodness you had become conscious too, Harry!" breathed Tom +fervently. "I don't believe I could have knocked both men over in time +to prevent a killing. I managed to get my hands free just in time to get +on the job." + +"I had known for some moments what was going on around me," Hazelton +replied. "But I was lying with my eyes closed, and keeping mighty quiet. +I was trying to hear your breathing, so I could decide whether you had +come to your senses, when all of a sudden you sat up and freed my hands. +Ugh!" he added with disgust, as he reached up and slipped the remnant of +rawhide noose from around his neck. + +"What'll we do with this snake and, his weak-minded brother?" asked Jeff +dryly. "Tie 'em up and ship 'em into Paloma?" + +"Fire off your revolver two or three times," suggested Tom, who had +caught a faint, far away sound of an automobile. "That may bring a +machine over here." + +"You shoot, Rafe," urge Moore. "I'll want to keep my weapon handy for +this crooked card-sharp." + +Rafe obligingly emptied one of his revolvers into the air. From a +distance came the honk of an automobile horn, as though in answer to +the signal shots. Soon the noise of an automobile engine became more +distinct. Finally the body of a large car loomed up in the darkness. A +few shouts brought the car to the spot. + +"This you, Mr. Reade?" called the joy voice of Superintendent Hawkins. +"And Hazelton, safe, also?" + +All five seats in this car were occupied. Six more men had to be crowded +in somehow, after Jim Duff had been tied with his hands behind him. Most +of them had to stand. + +"Back to Paloma, as fast as you can go with safety," ordered Mr. +Hawkins, as soon as all were inside. "Gracious, but there'll be a joyful +demonstration back in camp as soon as the good word is received." + +As the car sped along over the desert the story was told of how the +pursuit had been made. + +It was Mr. Hawkins who had tried to wire from camp into town, calling +for cars and posses to go in pursuit of the raiders. + +As Tom had imagined at the outset, the raiders had cut the railroad +telegraph wire. Discovering this, Mr. Hawkins had leaped on to the bare +back of a horse at camp and had covered the distance at a gallop. + +Men had been quickly rounded up within the very few minutes that were +needed in getting the cars out and ready to run. There were hundreds of +men in Paloma who had grown to despise Duff and all the evil crew behind +the gambler. + +From the outset the leaders of the posse, on hearing, of the direction +first taken by the fleeing raiders, had calculated on the gully as the +probable place of halting. + +While the posse was still on the way out to the gully, and at some +distance away, the sound of Ashby's discharging gun had reached them. +Reasoning that the raiders would probably place a guard only on the town +end of the gully, the posse had made a wide detour, so as to approach +the gully from the westward. Leaving the cars at a considerable +distance, the pursuers, with Mr. Hawkins at their head, had made quick +time on foot. + +In the fighting that had followed five men of the posse had been hit, +though none dangerously. These wounded men, after the fight, had been +sent back to Paloma in one of the automobiles. + +"We saw some of the raiders fall during the lighting," said Mr. Hawkins, +"but their friends made a quick retreat and got all hands back to their +horses. We felt sure they didn't have you, Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton, +so we let the raiders slip away and spent our time in trying to find +where you had been taken or if you had escaped. Well, it's all right +now!" + +As the automobile party approached the town, searchlights from other +cars showed the remaining pursuers had heard the signals sounded by the +horn of the first automobile and were returning. + +As the returning men entered the outlaying streets the little town was +found to be anything but a quiet community. Despite the early morning +hour, the streets were crowded. + +"Where's the chief of police?" inquired Mr. Hawkins, as the first car +entered the town and pulled up. + +"I'll find him for you, Cap," offered a man on horseback. + +"If you will be so good." + +As the horseman galloped away Hawkins signed to the others to step out. + +"Duff, we're not going to be troubled with your company much longer," +smiled Hawkins. + +Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler +was helped to alight. Duff's hands were still behind his back though, +unknown to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free. + +With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a +revolver from another man's holster. + +Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at +Tom Reade. + +Crack! + +It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first. That officer +had been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired +instantly. + +Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly +explained the cause of his firing. A loaded revolver was still gripped +in Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much +pain to fire. + +Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the +popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the +wounded man to examine him. "Duff," said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a +brief examination, "I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your +last card. Have you any wishes to express before we move you?" + +"I--want to--talk to--Reade," groaned the injured man. + +"Certainly," replied Tom, when the request was repeated to him. Stepping +softly to where the gambler lay on the sidewalk, Reade bent over him. + +"Duff," said Reade gravely, "you and I haven't always been the best +of friends, but I can say honestly that I'm sorry to see you in this +plight. I hope that you may recover, yet get some happiness out of +life." + +But the gambler's eyes blazed with ferocity. + +"Don't waste any soft soap on me, Reade," he said slowly, and with many +pauses. "The Doc is a fool. I'm going to get well, and there will be +just one happiness ahead of me. That will be to find you, wherever you +may be, and to what I tried to do to you to-night." + +"Can't you forget that sort of thing, Duff?" asked Tom gravely. "Not +that I'm afraid of you; you've seen enough of me to-night to know that +I'm not afraid of you. But I'm afraid for you. You're close to eternity, +Duff, and I'd like to see you go to your death with a calm, hopeful, +decent mind. I'd like to see you go with a hope of a better life +hereafter." + +"Don't give me any of your canting talk, Reade," snarled the gambler +weakly. + +"I'm not going to do so," sighed Tom, rising. "I'm afraid it would be +useless. Try to remember, Duff, that I allow myself to have no hard +feelings against you. If you possibly can recover I shall be glad to +hear that you've done so." + +Then Tom stepped over to Dr. Furniss' side, whispering to him: + +"Doc, you'll see to it that some clergyman is called, won't you? Any +clergyman that is the most likely to reach the heart and the soul of a +hardened fellow like Jim Duff." + +Dr. Furniss nodded. Men appeared with an old door that was to be used as +a stretcher. On this the gambler was placed, and the physician gave him +such immediate attention as could be supplied on the sidewalk, for Jim +Duff had been shot through the right lung. Then the bearers lifted the +door, bearing the gambler back to the now gloomy Mansion House, +the doctor following. Ashby, who had been strangely quiet after the +shooting, was taken to the local police station and placed in a cell. + +Just after the two had been taken care of, and while the crowd still +lingered, a young man pushed his way through to the center of the crowd. + +"I heard that Jim Duff had returned to town," began the young man. The +speaker was Clarence Farnsworth, the foolish young easterner who had +been sadly fleeced by the gambler. + +"Yes; Duff came back," said Mr. Hawkins, quietly. + +"Where is he?" asked Farnsworth. "I must leave in the morning, and I owe +Duff seven hundred dollars. I want to pay it to him." + +"Money you lost gambling with Duff?" questioned Hawkins. + +"It's a debt of honor that I owe Mr. Duff," Farnsworth replied, flushing +considerably. + +"Son, take one little hint from me," continued Hawkins. "No money ever +lost to a gambler in card playing is a debt of honor. It's merely the +liability of a chump and a fool. No gambler ever uses any real honor. +Men of honor work for the money that they need or want. Duff had a +smooth way of talking, an agreeable manner with his profitable victims, +but he never had a shred of honor. It isn't possible to be a gambler and +a man of honor. If you've seven hundred dollars that you lost to Duff at +cards, put it in your pocket and get out of Paloma as soon as you can. +Duff won't need the money, anyway. He's down at the Mansion House, dying +of a bullet wound that he got through his last piece of trickery. I hate +to speak harshly of a dying man, but I'd like to see you get a grain or +two of common sense into your head, boy." + +Again Farnsworth flushed, but three or four seasoned Arizona men who +stood near by added their advice, in line with that of Mr. Hawkins. +Clarence soon edged away. + +An hour after daylight Jim Duff died. Dr. Furniss and the others who +were with the gambler at the last were unable to state that Duff had +offered any expression of regret for his evil life, or for his last +wicked acts. + +Jim Duff died as he had lived. + +George Ashby was sent to an asylum and his property sold for his +benefit. After a year he was discharged as cured. He has vanished, +swallowed up in some other community, and nothing more has been heard of +him. + +Trailed by detectives of a fire insurance company, Frank Danes was soon +caught and brought back to Arizona. He was fairly convicted of having +set the old Cactus House on fire, though he could not be persuaded to +admit himself an agent of the Colthwaite Company. Fred Ransom, the other +agent, is believed to be still in the employ of the Colthwaite Company's +"gloom department." + +Mr. Hawkins is still in the employ of the A., G. & N. M. So are foremen +Bell, Rivers and Mendoza. + +Tim Griggs proved himself so thoroughly while foreman at the building +of the new rail-road hotel in Paloma, that he has gone on to other and +better work. Griggs is now a prosperous man, and, best of all, he has +his little daughter with him. + +Lessee Carter has flourished in the new railroad hotel. Rafe Bodson and +Jeff Moore are his clerks. + +The day came when Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were able to apply the +final and most severe test to the roadbed that ran across the Man-killer +quicksand. Their work was finished, and finished splendidly, adding +another great triumph to their record as young engineers. + +"These hot countries are fine, for a while," grunted Harry Hazelton, as +the young engineers left Paloma in a special Pullman car that General +Manager Ellsworth had sent for their use. + +"They are fine, in fact; but one gets tired of working on a blistering +desert. I hope our next long undertaking will be in a country where ice +grows as one of the natural fruits." + +"Greenland, for instance?" smiled Tom Reade. + +"Alaska, at all events," responded Harry hopefully. + +"Do you know where I'm figuring on making my next stop?" Tom inquired. + +"Where?" + +"In good old Gridley, the town where we were born, boy! I'm fairly +aching for a sight of the good old town. Will you go with me?" + +"For a few weeks, yes," Harry agreed. "But after that little rest?" + +"After our visit to the good old home town," Tom Reade replied, "we'll +go anywhere on earth where a good, big chance for engineering offers. +Harry, we've yet nearly all of our work ahead of us to do if we're ever +going to be real, Class A engineers!" + +That our young engineers found still greater work awaiting them will be +discovered in the next volume in this series, which is published under +the title, "The Young Engineers in Nevada; or, Seeking Fortune on the +Turn of a Pick." + +In this narrative we find our young friends wholly away from railroad +work, but engaged in an even greater undertaking. The adventures +awaiting them were more exciting than any they had yet encountered. Fame +and fortune, too, offered a greater opportunity. How the young engineers +embraced the opportunity will be made plain to our readers. + +THE END + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Engineers in Arizona, by +H. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Young Engineers in Arizona + Laying Tracks on the Man-killer Quicksand + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: May, 2005 [EBook #8153] +[This file was first posted on June 20, 2003] +[Date last updated: May 1, 2005] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + + + + +The Young Engineers in Arizona Or Laying Tracks on the Man-killer +Quicksand + +By H. Irving Handcock + + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN OF "CARD HONOR" + + +"I'll wager you ten dollars that my fly gets off the mirror before yours +does." + +"I'll take that bet, friend." + +The dozen or so of waiting customers lounging in Abe Morris's barber +shop looked up with signs of renewed life. + +"I'll make it twenty," continued the first speaker. + +"I follow you," assented the second speaker. + +Truly, if men must do so trivial a thing as squander their money on idle +bets, here was a novel enough contest. + +Each of the bettors sat in a chair, tucked up in white to the chin. +Each was having his hair cut. + +At the same moment a fly had lighted on each of the mirrors before the +two customers. + +The man who had offered the bet was a well known local character--Jim +Duff by name, by occupation one of the meanest and most dishonorable +gamblers who had ever disgraced Arizona by his presence. + +There is an old tradition about "honest gamblers" and "players of square +games." The man who has been much about the world soon learns to +understand that the really honest and "square" gambler is a creature of +the imagination. The gambler makes his living by his wits, and he who +lives by anything so intangible speedily finds the road to cheating and +trickery. + +Jim Duff had been no exception. His reputation was such that he could +find few men among the residents of this part of Arizona who would meet +him at the gaming table. He plied his trade mostly among simple-minded +tourists from the east--the class of men who are known in Arizona as +"tenderfeet." + +Rumor had it that Jim Duff, in addition to his many years of unblushing +cheating for a living, had also shot and killed three men in the past on +as many different occasions. + +Yet he was a sleek, well-groomed fellow, tall and slim, and, in the +matter of years, somewhere in his forties. Duff always dressed well-- +with a foundation of the late styles of the east, with something of the +swagger of the plains added to his raiment. + +"Stranger, you might as well hand me your money now," drawled Duff, +after a few moments had passed. "It'll save time." + +"Your fly hasn't hopped yet," retorted the second man, with the air and +tone of one who could afford to lose thousands on such stupid bets. + +The second man was of the kind on which Jim Duff fattened his purse. +Clarence Farnsworth, about twenty-five years of age, was as verdant a +"tenderfoot" as had lately graced Paloma, Arizona, with his presence. + +Even the name of Clarence had moved so many men to laughter in this +sweltering little desert town that Farnsworth had lately chopped his +name to "Clare." Yet this latter had proved even worse; it sounded too +nearly like a girl's name. + +So far as his financial condition went, Clarence had the look of one who +possessed money to spend. He was well-dressed, lived at the Mansion +House, often hired automobiles, entertained his friends lavishly, and +was voted a good enough fellow, though a simpleton. + +"My fly's growing skittish, stranger," smiled Jim Duff. "He's on the +point of moving. You'd better whisper to your fly." + +"I believe, friend," rejoined Clarence, "that my fly is taking nap. He +appears to be sound asleep. You certainly picked the more healthy fly." + +Jim Duff gave his barber an all but imperceptible nudge in one elbow. +Though he gave no sign in return, that barber understood, and shifted +his shears in a way that, even at distance, alarmed the fly on the +mirror before Duff. + +"Buzz-zz!" The fly in front of the gambler took wing and vanished +toward the rear of the store. + +Some of the Arizona men looking on smiled knowingly. They had realized +from the start that young Farnsworth had stood no show of winning the +stupid wager. + +"You win," stated young Clarence, in a tone that betrayed no annoyance. + +Drawing a roll of bills from his pocket, he fumbled until he found a +twenty. This he passed to Duff, sitting in the next chair. + +"You're not playing in luck to-day," smiled Duff gently, as he tucked +away the money in one of his coat pockets. "You're a good sportsman, +Farnsworth, at any rate." + +"I flatter myself that I am," replied Clarence, blushing slightly. + +Jim Duff continued calmly puffing at the cigar that rested between his +teeth. They were handsome teeth, though, in some way, they made one +think of the teeth of a vicious dog. + +"Coming over to the hotel this afternoon?" continued Duff. + +"I--I--" hesitated Clarence. + +"Coming, did you say?" persisted Duff gently. + +"I shall have to see my mail first. There may be letters--" + +"Oh," nodded Duff, with just a trace of irony as the younger man again +hesitated. + +"Life is not all playtime for me, you know," Farnsworth continued, +looking rather shamer-faced. "I--er--have some business affairs +attention at times." + +"Oh, don't try to join me at the hotel this if you have more interesting +matters in prospect," smiled the gambler. + +Again Clarence flushed. He looked up to Jim Duff as a thorough "man of +the world," and wanted to stand well in the gambler's good opinion. +Clarence Farnsworth was, as yet, too green to know that, too often, the +man who has seen much of the world has seen only its seamy and worthless +side. Possibly Farnsworth was destined to learn this later on--after the +gambler had coolly fleeced him. + +"Before long," Farnsworth went on, changing the subject, "I must get out +on the desert and take a look at the quicksand that the railroad folks +are trying to cross." + +"The railroad people will probably never cross that quicksand," remarked +Jim Duff, the lids closing over his eyes for a moment. + +"Oh, I don't know about that," continued Farnsworth argumentatively. + +"I think I do," declared Jim Duff easily. "My belief, Farnsworth, is +that the railroad people might dig up the whole of New Mexico, transport +the dirt here and dump it on top of that quicksand, and still the +quicksand would settle lower and lower and the tracks would still break +up and disappear. There's no bottom to that quicksand." + +"Of course you ought to know all about it, Duff," Clarence made haste to +answer. "You've lived here for years, and you know all about this +section of the country." + +That didn't quite suit the gambler. What he sought to do was to raise +an argument with the young man--who still had some money left. + +"What makes you think, Farnsworth, that the railroad can win out with +the desert and lay tracks across the quicksand? That's a bad quicksand, +you know. It has been called the 'Man-killer.' Many a prospector or +cow-puncher has lost his life in trying to get over that sand." + +"The real Man-killer quicksand is a mile to the south of where the +tracks go, isn't it?" asked Farnsworth. + +"Yes; and the first party of railway surveyors who went over the line +for their track thought they had dodged the Man-killer. Yet what +they'll find, in the end, is that the Man-killer is a bad affair, and +that it extends, under the earth, in many directions and for long +distances. I am certain that railway tracks will never be laid over any +part of the Man-killer." + +"Perhaps not," assented Clarence meekly. + +"What makes you think that the railroad can ever get across the Man- +killer?" persisted Duff. + +"Why, for one thing, the very hopeful report of the new engineers who +have taken charge." + +"Humph!" retorted Duff, as though that one word of contempt disposed of +the matter. + +"Reade and Hazelton are very good engineers, are they not?" inquired +young Farnsworth. + +"Humph! A pair of mere boys," sneered Jim Duff. + +"Young fellows of about my age, you mean?" asked Farnsworth. + +"Of your age?" repeated Duff, in a tone of wonder. "No! You're a man. +Reade and Hazelton, as I've told you, are mere boys. They're not of +age. They've never voted." + +"Oh, I had no idea that they were as young as that," replied Clarence, +much pleased at hearing himself styled a man. "But these young +engineers come from one of the Colorado, railroads, don't they!" + +"I wouldn't be surprised," nodded the gambler. "However, the Man-killer +is no task for boys. It is a job for giants to put through, if the job +ever can be finished." + +"Then, if it's so difficult, why doesn't the road shift the track by two +or three miles?" inquired Clarence. + +"You certainly are a newcomer here," laughed Duff easily. "Why, my son, +the railroad was chartered on condition that it run through certain +towns. Paloma, here, is one of the towns. So the road has to come +here." + +"But couldn't the road shift, just after it leaves here?" insisted +Clarence. + +"Oh, certainly. Yet, if the road shifted enough to avoid any +possibility of resting on the big Man-killer, then it would have to go +through the range beyond here--would have to tunnel under the hills for +a distance of three miles. That would cost millions of dollars. No, +sir; the railroad will have to lay tracks across the Man-killer, or else +it will have to stand a loss so great as to cripple the road." + +"Excuse me, sir," interrupted a keen, brisk, breezy-looking man, who had +entered the shop only a moment or two before. "There's a way that the +railroad can get over the Man-killer." + +"What is that?" asked Duff, eyeing the newcomer's reflected image in the +mirror. + +"The first thing to do," replied the stranger, "is to drop these boy +engineers out of the game. These youngsters came down here four days +ago, looked over the scene, and promised that they could get the tracks +laid-safely--for about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars." + +"Pooh!" jeered Duff, with a sidelong glance at young Farnsworth. + +"Of course it is pooh!" laughed the stranger. "The thing can it be done +for any such amount as that, and it is a crazy idea, to take the +opinions of boys, anyway, on any such subject as that. Now, there's a +Chicago firm of contractors, the Colthwaite Construction Company, which +has proposed to take over the whole contract for laying tracks across +the Man-killer. These boys figure on using dirt and then more dirt, and +still more, until they've satisfied the appetite of the Man-killer, +filled up the quicksand and laid a bed of solid earth on which the +tracks will run safely for the next hundred years. The Colthwaite +people have looked over the whole proposition. They know that it can't +be done. The two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be wasted, and +then the Colthwaite Company will have to come in, after all, drive its +pillars of steel and concrete, lay well-founded beds and get a basis +that will hold the new earth above it. Then the track will be safe, and +the people of this part of Arizona will have a railroad of which they +can be proud. But these boys--these kids in railroad building--humph!" + +"Humph!" agreed Jim Duff dryly. + +The gambler using the mirror before him, continued to study keenly this +stranger, even after the latter had ceased talking and had gone to one +of the chairs to wait his turn. + +"You're through, sir," announced the barber who had been trying to +improve the gambler's appearance. "Thank you, sir. Next." + +Clarence, wholly crushed by the weight of opinion, was not yet through +with his barber. Duff, after lighting a fresh cigar, stepped over to +where the newcomer was seated. + +"Are you stopping at the Mansion House?" inquired the gambler. + +"Yes," answered the stranger, looking up. + +"So am I," nodded the gambler. "So I shall probably have the pleasure +of meeting you again." + +"Why, yes; I trust so," replied the stranger, after a quick, keen look +at Duff. Undoubtedly this newcomer was accustomed to judging men +quickly after seeing them. + +"These boy engineers!" chucked Duff. "Humph!" + +"Humph!" agreed the stranger. + +At this moment two bronzed-looking, erect young men came tramping down +the sidewalk together. Each looked the picture of health, of courage, +of decision. Both wore the serviceable khaki now so common in surveying +camps in warm climates. Below the knee the trousers were confined by +leggings. Above the belt blue flannel shirts showed, yet these were of +excellent fabric and looked trim indeed. To protect their heads and to +shade their eyes as much as possible from the glare of Arizona desert +sand, these young men wore sombreros of the type common in the Army. + +"This looks like a good place, Harry," said the taller of the two young +men. "Suppose we go inside." + +They stepped into the barber shop together, nodding pleasantly to all +inside. Then, hanging up their sombreros, they passed on to unoccupied +chairs. + +Just in the act of passing out, Jim Duff had stepped back to admit them. + +"They're Reade and Hazelton, the very young engineers that the railroad +has just put in charge of the Man-killer job," whispered one knowing +citizen of Paloma. The news quickly spread about the barber shop. + +Jim Duff already knew the boys by sight, since they were stopping at the +Mansion House. He uttered an almost inaudible "humph!" then passed on +outside. + +Neither Tom Reade nor Harry Hazelton heard this exclamation, nor would +they have paid any heed to it if they had. + +Yes; the two young men were our friends of old, the young engineers. +Our readers are wholly familiar with Tom and Harry as far back as their +grammar school days in the good old town of Gridley. Tom and Harry were +members of that famous sextet of schoolboy athletes known at home as +Dick & Co. The exploits of Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, as of Dick +Prescott, Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes and Dan Dalzell, have been fully +told, first in the "Grammar School Boys Series," and then in the "High +School Boys Series." + +After the close of the "High School Boys Series" the further adventures +of Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes are told in the "West Point Series," +while all that befell Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell has already been found +in the pages of the "Annapolis Series." + +In the preceding volume of this series, "The Young Engineers in +Colorado," our readers were made familiar with the real start in working +life made by Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. Back in the old High School +days Reade and Hazelton had been fitting themselves to become civil +engineers. They began their real work in the east, and had made good in +sterner work in the mountains in Colorado. + +Our readers all know how Tom and Harry opened their careers in Colorado +by becoming "cub engineers" with one of the field camps of the S. B. & +L. railroad. Taken only on trial, they had rapidly made good, and had +earned the confidence of the chief engineer in charge of the work. +When, owing to the sudden illness of both the chief engineer and his +principal assistant the road's work had been crippled, Tom and Harry had +had the courage as well as the opportunity to take hold, assume the +direction, and complete the building of the S. B. & L. within the time +required by the road's charter. + +Had the young engineers failed, the S. B. & L., under the terms granted +by the state, might have been seized and sold at public auction. In +that case, the larger, and rival road, the W. C. & A., stood ready to +buy out the S. B. & L. and reap the profits that the latter road had +planned to earn. Not only had the young engineers succeeded in +overcoming all natural obstacles, but, in a series of wonderful +adventures, they had defeated the plots of agents of the W. C. & A. +From that time on Tom and Harry had been famous in Colorado railroad +circles. + +After the S. B. & L. had been finished and put in operation, Tom Reade +had remained with the railroad for several months, still serving as +chief engineer, with Harry Hazelton as his trusted and dependable +assistant. + +Now, at last, they had been lured away from the S. B. & L. by the offer +of a new chance to overcome difficulties of the sort that all fighting +engineers love to encounter. The Arizona, Gulf & New Mexico Railroad-- +more commonly known as the A., G. & N. M.--while laying its tracks in an +attempt at record-beating, had come afoul of the problem of the +quicksand, as already outlined. Three different sets of engineers had +attempted the feat of filling up the quicksand, only to abandon it. + +There was little doubt that the Colthwaite Construction Company, a +contracting firm with years of successful experience, could have, +"stopped" the quicksand, but this Chicago firm wanted far more money for +the job than the railroad people felt they could afford to spend. + +So, in a moment of doubt, and harassed by troubles, one of the directors +of the A., G. & N. M. had remembered the names and the performances of +Tom and Harry. This director of the Arizona road, being a friend of +President Newnham, of the S. B. & L. road, had written the latter, +asking whether the services of Tom and Harry could be secured. The +reply had been in the affirmative, and Tom and Harry had speedily +traveled down into Arizona. In the few days they had been at this +little town of Paloma, they had gone thoroughly over the ground, they +had studied the problem, and had expressed their opinion that the job +could be put through creditably at a cost not exceeding a quarter of a +million dollars. + +"Go to it, then!" General Manager Curtis had replied. "You have our +road's credit at your command, and we look to you to make good. You are +both very young, but Newnham's word is quite good enough for us." + +The day before this story opens this general manager had boarded one of +the rough-looking construction trains and had gone back to the road's +headquarters. + +As they sat in the barber shop now Tom and Harry were quite unaware of +the interested notice they were receiving. This was not surprising, for +both were good, sane, wholesome American boys, with no more than the +average share of conceit, and neither believed himself to be as much of +a wonder as some experienced railroad men credited them with being. + +"Stranger, excuse me, but you're Reade, aren't you?" inquired one of the +men of Paloma who was present. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Tom, looking up pleasantly from the weekly paper that +he had been scanning. + +"You're head of the new job on the Man-killer, aren't you?" questioned +the same man. By this time every man in the barber shop was secretly +watching the young engineers, a fact that was plain to Harry Hazelton, +as he glanced up from a magazine. + +"Yee, sir," Tom answered again. "In a way I'm at the head of it, but my +friend, Hazelton, is really as much at the head as I am. We are +partners, and we work together in everything." + +"Do you think, Reade, that you're going to win out on the job?" inquired +another man. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Tom. + +"You seem very confident about it," smiled another. + +"It's just a way we have," Tom assented good-naturedly. "We always try +to keep our nerve and our confidence with us." + +"Yet you are really sure?" + +"Oh! yes," Reade answered. "We have looked the quicksand over, and we +feel sure that we see a way of stopping the Man-killer, and forcing it +to sustain railroad ties and steel rails." + +"How are you going; to go about it?" questioned still another interested +citizen. These men of Paloma had good reason for being interested. +When the iron road was finished, Paloma would be an intimate part of the +now outside world. It was certain that Paloma real estate would rise to +three or four times its present value. + +"I know you'll excuse us," replied Tom, still speaking pleasantly, "if +we don't go into precise details." + +"Then you are going to make a secret of your plans?" inquired another +barber-shop idler. His tone expressed merely curiosity; Arizona men are +proverbially as polite as they are frank. + +"We're somewhat secretive--yes, sir," Tom replied. "That is only +because we regard the method we are going to use as being mainly the +concern of the A., G. & N. M. No offense meant, sir, either." + +"No offense taken," replied the late questioner. + +Tom had already, within a few minutes, made an excellent impression on +the majority of these Arizona men present. + +As to the other newcomer, who had lately spoken so warmly of the +Colthwaite Company, he was now silent, apparently greatly absorbed in a +three-days-old newspaper that he had picked up. Yet he managed to cast +more than one covert glance at the boys. + +"I have heard both of you young men spoken of most warmly, as real +engineers who are going to solve the problem of the Man-killer," +declared Clarence Farnsworth, as, alighting from the barber's chair, he +strolled past the pair. + +"Thank you," nodded Tom, with all his usual simple good nature. + +"If you make a successful job of it is will be a splendid thing for you +in your professional careers," continued Farnsworth, rather aimlessly. + +"Undoubtedly," nodded Harry. + +The stranger who had held so much converse with Jim Duff was through +with the barber at last. Though the day was scorchingly hot in this +desert town, the stranger stepped along briskly until he had reached the +hotel. + +The Mansion House would scarcely have measured up to the hotel standards +of large cities. Yet it was a very good hotel, indeed, for this part of +Arizona, and the proprietor did all in his power for the comfort of his +guests. + +As the stranger ascended the steps to the broad porch he caught sight of +Jim Duff, approaching the doorway from the inside. + +"Oh, how do you do?" was Duff's greeting. "Hot, isn't it?" + +"Very," nodded the stranger. + +"I usually have my luncheon in my room, which is large and airy," +continued Duff. "As I dislike to eat alone, I have ordered the table +spread for two. I shall be very glad of your company, stranger, if you +care to honor me." + +"That is kind of you," nodded the other. "I shall accept with much +pleasure, for I, too, like to eat in good company." + +After a little more conversation the two ascended to Duff's room on the +next floor. Certainly it was the largest and most comfortable guest +room in the hotel, and was furnished in good taste. The main apartment +was set as a gentlemen's lounging room, Duff's bedroom furniture being +in a little room at the rear. + +Hardly had Duff pressed the bell button before there came a tap at the +door. One waiter brought in a table for two, with the napery. This he +quickly arranged. As he turned toward the door two other waiters +entered with dishes containing a dainty meal for a hot day. + +"You may arrange everything and then leave us, John," directed Duff. +Soon the two new acquaintances were alone together, the gambler serving +the light meal with considerable grace. + +"How long have you been with the Colthwaite Company?" asked Jim Duff +presently. + +"I didn't say that I had ever been with the Colthwaite Company," smiled +the stranger. + +"No," admitted the gambler; "but I took that much for granted." + +Again the eyes of the two men met in an exchange of keen looks, Then the +stranger laughed. + +"Mr. Duff, I realize that it is a waste of time to try to conceal rather +evident facts from you. I am Frederick Ransom, a special agent for the +Colthwaite Company." + +"You are down here to get the contract for filling up the Man-killer +quicksand?" Duff continued, with an air of polite curiosity. + +"The contract is not to be awarded," Ransom answered. "The A., G. & N. +M. has decided to do the work itself, with the assistance of two young +engineers who have been retained." + +"Reade and Hazelton," nodded Jim Duff. + +"Yes." + +"They may fail--are almost sure to do so. Then, of course, Mr. Ransom, +you will have a very excellent chance of securing the contract for the +Colthwaite Company." + +"Why, yes; if the young men do fail." + +"Will you pardon a stranger's curiosity, Mr. Ransom? Have you laid your +plans yet for the way in which the young men are to fail?" + +From most strangers this direct questioning would have been offensive. +Jim Duff, however, from long experience in fleecing greenhorns, had +acquired a manner and way, of speaking that stood him in good stead. + +After a moment's half-embarrassed silence Fred Ransom burst into a laugh +that was wholly good-natured. + +"Mr. Duff, You are unusually clever at reading other's motives," he +replied. + +"I went to school as a youngster, and learned how to read the pages of +open books," the gambler confessed modestly. "So you have, as yet, no +plan for compelling the young engineers to fail and quit at the Man- +killer?" + +This was such a direct, comprehensive question that Fred Ransom remained +silent for some moments before he admitted: + +"No; as yet I haven't been able to form a plan." + +"Then engage me to help you," spoke Jim Duff slowly, coolly. "I know +the country here, and the people. I know where to lay my finger on men +who can be trusted to do unusual things. I shall come high, Mr. Ransom, +but I am really worth the money. Talk it over with me, and convince me +that your company will be sufficiently liberal in return for large +favors." + +"Oh, the Colthwaite Company would be liberal enough," protested Ransom, +"and quick to hand out the cash, at that." + +"I took that for granted," smiled Duff, showing his white teeth. "Your +people, the Colthwaites, have always been accustomed to paying for +favors that require unusual talent, some courage-and perhaps a +persistency of the shooting kind." + +Then the two rascals, who now thoroughly understood each other, fell to +plotting. An hour later the outlook was dark, indeed, for the success of +Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +DUFF ASSERTS HIS "RIGHTS" + + +"We've a hard afternoon ahead of us, Harry," remarked Tom Reade, as the +engineer chums finished the noonday meal in the public dining room of +the Mansion House. + +"Pshaw! We'll have more real work to do after our material arrives," +rejoined young Hazelton. "We're promised the material in four days. If +we get it in a fortnight we will be lucky." + +"That might be true on some railroads," smiled Tom. "But Mr. Ellsworth, +the general manager of the A., G. & N. M., is a hustler, if I ever met +one. When we wired to him what we needed, he wired back that enough of +the material would be here within four days to keep us busy for some +time. I believe Mr. Ellsworth never talks until he knows what he's +talking about." + +"Well, I hope you can find some work for the men to do this afternoon," +murmured Harry, as the two young engineers rose from table. "Hawkins, +our superintendent of construction, has about five hundred mechanics and +laborers who will soon need work." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "The men took the jobs with the understanding that +their pay would run on." + +"The day's wages for five hundred workmen is a big item of loss when +we're delayed," mused Hazelton. + +"There's another consideration that's even worse than the loss," Tom +went on in a low voice. "The pay train will be here this afternoon and +the men will have a lot of money by evening. This town of Paloma is +going to be wide open to-night in the effort to get the money away from +our five hundred men." + +"We can't stop that," sighed Harry. "We have no control over the way in +which the workmen choose to spend their money." + +"Want me to tell you a secret?" whispered Tom mysteriously. + +"Yes, if it's an interesting one," smiled Harry. + +"Very good, then. I know I can't actually interfere with the way the +men spend their money. But I'm going to give them some earnest advice +about avoiding fellows who would fleece them out of their wages." + +"Go slowly, Tom!" warned Hazelton, opening his eyes rather wide. "Don't +put yourself in bad with the men, or they may quit you in a body." + +"Let them," retorted Tom, with one of his easy smiles. "If these men +throw up their work General Manager Ellsworth will know where to find +others for us. Few of our men are skilled workers. We can find +substitutes for most of them anywhere that laborers can be found." + +"But you've no right--" + +"Of one thing you may be very sure, Harry. I'll take pains not to step +over the line of my own rights, and not to step on the rights of the men +who are working for us. What I mean to do is to offer them some very +straight talk. I shall also warn them that we are quite ready to +discharge any foolish fellows who may happen to go on sprees and unfit +themselves for our work. I've one surprise to show you, Harry. Wait +until Johnson, the paymaster, gets in. Then you'll see who else is with +him." + +"Are you gentlemen ready for your horses?" asked a stable boy, coming +around to the front of the hotel. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. + +Two tough, lean, wiry desert ponies were brought around. Tom and Harry +mounted, riding away at a slow trot at first. + +From an upper window Fred Ransom looked down upon them, then called Duff +to his side. + +"There is your game, Duff," hinted the agent. + +"They'll be easy to a man of my experience," laughed the gambler. "I've +a clever scheme for starting trouble with them." + +He whispered a few words in his companion's ears, at which Ransom +laughed with apparent enjoyment. + +"You're a keen one, Duff," grinned the agent from Chicago. + +"I've seen enough of life," boasted the gambler quietly, "to be able to +judge most people at first sight. You shall soon see whether I don't +succeed in starting some hard feeling with Reade and Hazelton." + +The nearer edge of the treacherous Man-killer was something more than +two miles west of the town of Paloma. In the course of a quarter of an +hour Tom and Harry drew rein near a portable wooden building that served +as an office in the field. + +Mr. Hawkins, a solid-looking, bearded man of fifty, with snapping eyes +that contrasted with his drawling speech, stepped from the building. + +"Hawkins," called Tom, as a Mexican boy led the horses away to the shade +of a stable tent, "I see you have some men idle." + +"Nine-tenths of 'em are idle," replied the superintendent of +construction. "I warned you, Mr. Reade, that our gangs would soon eat up +the little work that you left us. Out there, by the last cave-in you'll +see that Foreman Payson, has about fifty men going. They'll be through +within an hour." + +"And the material, even if delivered within the promised time, is still +two days away," remarked Reade. "I'll confess that I don't like to see +the railroad lose so much through paying men for idle time." + +"It can't be helped, sir," replied the superintendent. "Of course, if +you like, you can set the laborers at work shoveling in more dirt at the +points where the last slide of the quicksand occurred. But, then, +shoveling dirt in, without the timbers and the hollow steel piles will +do no good," continued Hawkins, with a shake of his head. "It would be +worse than wasted work." + +"I know all that," Tom admitted. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Hawkins, I +wouldn't mind the men's idleness quite so much if it weren't that the +pay train comes in this afternoon. An idle man, not over-nice about his +habits, and with a lot of money in his pockets, is a source of danger. +We're going to have five hundred such danger spots as soon as the men +are paid off." + +"Don't know that, sir!" demanded Superintendent Hawkins. "The town of +Paloma is just dancing on sand-paper, it's so uneasy about getting its +hand into the pile of more than thirty-eight thousand dollars that the +pay train is going to bring in this afternoon." + +"I know," nodded Tom rather gloomily. "I hate to see the men fleeced as +they're likely to be fleeced to-night. Some of our men will be so badly +done up that it will be a week before they get back to work--unless +there is some way that we can stop the fleecing." + +"There isn't any such way," declared Superintendent Hawkins, with an air +of conviction. + +"You've surely been around rough railroading camps enough to know that, +Mr. Reade." + +"I've seen a good deal of the life, Hawkins," Tom answered, "but of +course I don't know it all." + +"Yet you know that you can't hope to stop railroad jacks from spending +their money in their own way. The saloons in Paloma will take in +thousands of dollars from our lads to-night and all day to-morrow. The +gamblers will swindle them out of a whole lot more. Day after to-morrow, +Mr. Reade, you wouldn't be able to borrow twenty dollars from +our whole force." + +"It's a shame," burst from Tom indignantly, as the three turned to gaze +westward across the desert. "These men work as hard as any toilers in +the world. They receive good wages. Yet where do you find a railroad +jack who, after years and years of toil on these burning deserts, has +two or three hundred dollars of his own saved?" + +Hawkins shrugged his shoulders. + +"I know all about it," he responded, "and I grow angry every time I +think about it. Yet how is one going to protect these, men against +themselves?" + +"I believe there's a way," spoke Tom confidently. + +"I hope you can find it, then, Mr. Reade," retorted Hawkins skeptically. + +"At any rate, I'm going to try." + +"What are you going to do, Mr. Reade?" demanded the superintendent +curiously. + +"You'll be with me, won't you?" coaxed Tom. + +"You'll stand with us, shoulder to shoulder." + +"I certainly will, Mr. Reade!" + +"And the foremen? You can depend upon them?" + +"On every one of them," declared Hawkins promptly. "Even to the Mexican +foreman, Mendoza. He's a greaser, but he's a brick, and a white man all +the way through!" + +"Call the foremen in, then--all except Payson, who is with his gang." + +Tom and Harry stepped inside the office. Mr. Hawkins strolled away, but +within ten minutes he was back again, followed by Foremen Bell, Rivers +and Mendoza. + +"Two wagons have driven up, east of here," announced Mr. Hawkins, as he +entered the office building. "They've stopped a quarter of a mile below +here and have dumped two tents. I think they're about to raise them." + +Tom stepped hastily outside, glancing eastward, where they saw what the +superintendent had described. One of the tents had just been raised, +though the pitching of it had not yet been thoroughly done. + +"What crowd is that?" Reade asked. "Who is at the head of it?" + +"I see one man there--the only man in good clothes--who looks like Jim +Duff," replied the superintendent, using his field glasses. + +"The gambler?" asked Tom sharply. + +"The same." + +"He's pitching his tent on the railroad's dirt, isn't he!" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Come along. We'll have a look at that place." + +A few minutes of brisk walking brought the young engineers, the +superintendent and the three foremen to the spot. + +Tent number one had been pitched. It was a circular tent, some forty +feet in diameter. The second tent, only a little smaller, was now being +hoisted. + +"Who's in charge of this work?" asked Tom in his usual pleasant tone. + +"My manager, Mr. Bemis--Dock Bemis," answered Jim Duff suavely, as he +moved forward to meet the party. "Dock, come here. I want you to know +Mr. Reade, the engineer in charge of this job." + +Duff's manners were impudently easy and assured. The fellow known as +Dock Bemis, an unprepossessing, shabbily dressed man of thirty-five, +with a mean face and an ugly-looking eye, came forward. + +"I'll take Mr. Bemis's acquaintance for granted," Tom continued, with an +easy smile. "You own this outfit, don't you, Mr. Duff?" + +"I've rented it, if you mean the tents, tables and chairs," assented the +gambler. "I've a stock of liquors coming over as soon as I send one of +the wagons back." + +"What do you propose to do with all this?" Tom inquired. + +"Why, of course, you see," smiled Duff, with all the suavity in the +world, "as your boys are going to be paid off this afternoon they'll +want to go somewhere to enjoy themselves. As the day is very hot I +thought it would be showing good intentions if I brought an outfit over +here. I'll have everything ready within an hour." + +"So that you can get our men intoxicated and fleece them more easily?" +asked Tom, with his best smile. "Is that the idea?" + +Jim buff flushed angrily. Then his face became pale. + +"It's a crude way you have of expressing it, Mr. Reade, if you Ill allow +me to say so," the gambler answered, in a voice choked with anger. "I +am going to offer your men a little amusement. It's what they need, and +what they'll insist upon. Do you see? There's a small mob coming this +way now." + +Tom turned, discovering about a hundred railroad laborers coming down +the road. + +"Mr. Duff," asked the young chief engineer, "can you show any proof of +your authority to erect tents on the railroad's land?" + +"What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?" +demanded the gambler. + +"I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for +erecting tents here?" + +"Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?" + +"You know very well what I mean, Duff." + +Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as +ever. + +"I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here," the +gambler replied evasively. + +"Have you any authority to be on the railroad's land's?" persisted Tom +Reade. "Yes or no?" + +"No-o-o-o, I haven't, unless I can persuade you to see how reasonable it +is that your men should be provided with enjoyment right at their own +camp." + +"Take the tents down, then, as quickly as you can accomplish it," +directed Tom, though in a quiet voice. + +"And--if I don't?" asked Duff, smiling dangerously and displaying his +white, dog-like teeth. + +"Then I shall direct one of the foremen to call a sufficient force, Mr. +Duff, to take down your tents and remove them from railroad property. I +am not seeking trouble with you, sir; I don't want trouble. But, as +long as I remain in charge here no gambling or drinking places are going +to be opened on the railroad's land." + +"Mr. Reade," inquired the gambler, his smile fading, "do you object to +giving me a word in private?" + +"Not at all," Tom declared. "But it won't help your plans." + +"I'd like just a word with you alone," coaxed the gambler. + +Nodding, Reade stepped away with the gambler to a distance of a hundred +feet or so from the rapidly increasing crowd. + +"I expect to make a little money out of this tent outfit, of course," +explained Jim Duff. + +"I expect that you won't make a dollar out of it--on railway property," +returned Reade steadily. + +"I'm going to make a little money--not much," Duff went on. "Now, if I +can make the whole deal with you, and if no one else is allowed to +bother me, I can afford to pass you one hundred dollars a day for the +tent privilege." + +Before even expectant Tom realized what was happening, Duff had pressed +a wad of paper money into his hand. + +"What is this?" demanded Reade. + +"Don't let everyone see it," warned the gambler. "You'll find two +hundred dollars there, in bills. That's for the first two days of our +tent privilege here." + +"You contemptible hound!" exclaimed Tom angrily. + +Whish! The tightly folded wad of bank notes left Tom's hand, landing +squarely in Jim Duff Is face. + +In an instant the gambler's face turned white. His hand flew back to a +pocket in which he carried a pistol. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +TOM MAKES A SPEECH ON GAMBLING + + +"Cut out the gun-play! That doesn't go here!" Tom uttered warningly. + +One swift step forward, and one hand caught Jim Duff by the throat. +With the other hand Tom caught Duff's right wrist and wrenched away the +pistol that instantly appeared in the gambler's hand. + +The weapon Tom threw on the ground, some feet away. Then, with eyes +blazing with contempt, Tom Reade struck the gambler heavily across the +face with the flat of his hand. Hard work had added to the young +engineer's muscle of earlier days, and the gambler was staggered. + +Another instant, and Superintendent Hawkins who, with Hazelton and the +foremen, had run up to them, seized Duff roughly from behind, holding +his arms pinioned. + +Harry Hazelton picked up the revolver. Quickly opening it, he drew out +the cartridges. + +"Mr. Bell!" called Harry, and the foreman of that name hastened to him. + +"Take this thing back to the office and break it up with a hammer," +directed young Hazelton, as he passed the revolver to the foreman. The +latter sped away on his errand. + +"Let Duff go, Mr. Hawkins," directed Tom. "I'm not afraid of him. +Duff, I wish to apologize to you for striking you in the face. I +wouldn't allow any man to do that to me. But your action in reaching +for a pistol was so childish--or cowardly, whichever you prefer to call +it--that I admit I forgot myself for a moment. Now, you are not going +to erect any tents for gambling or other unworthy purposes on the +railroad's property. It's bad business to let you do anything of the +sort. I trust that there will be no hard feeling between us." + +"Hard feeling?" hissed Jim Duff, his wicked-looking face paler than +ever. "Boy, you needn't try to crawl back into my good graces after the +way you acted toward me!" + +"I'm not trying to crawl into your esteem, or to get there by any other +means," Tom answered quietly, though with a firmness that caused +superintendent and foremen to feel a new respect for their young chief +engineer. "At the same time, Duff, I don't believe in stirring up bad +blood with anyone. You and I haven't the same way of regarding your +line of business. That's the main difficulty. As I can't see your +point of view, it would be hardly fair to expect you to understand my +way of regarding what you wished to do here. Your tents will have to +come down and be moved, but I have no personal feeling in the matter. +How soon can you get your tents down?" + +"They are not coming down, I tell you!" snarled the gambler. + +"That's where you and I fail once more to agree," replied Tom steadily, +looking the other straight in the eyes. "It's merely a question of +whether you will take them down, or whether I shall set our own men to +doing it." + +Jim Duff had brought with him about a dozen men of his own. They were a +somewhat picturesque-looking crowd, though not necessarily dangerous +men. They were mostly men who had been hired to run the gaming tables +under the canvas. A judge of men would have immediately classified them +as inferior specimens of manhood. + +So far these men had not offered to take any part in the dispute. Now +Duff moved over to them quickly, muttering the words: + +"Stand by me!" + +As for Tom Reade, he was backed by five men, including his chum. Though +none of Reade's force was armed, the young engineer knew that he could +depend upon them. + +Followed by his adherents, Duff took a few quick strides forward. This +brought him face to face with Reade's labors, of whom now more than two +hundred were present. + +"Are you men or squaws?" called, Duff loudly. "I have brought the stuff +over here for a merry night of it. This boy says you can't have your +enjoyment. Are you going to let him rule you in that fashion, or are +you going to throw him out of here?" + +There came from the crowd a gradually increasing murmur of rage. + +"Throw this boy out, if you're men!" Duff jeered. "Throw him out, I +say, and send word to your railroad people to put a man here in his +place." + +The murmurs increased, especially from the Mexicans, for the Mexican +peon, or laborer, is often a furious gambler who will stake even the +shirt on his back. + +Foreman Mendoza, who understood his own people, started forward, but +Tom, with a signal, caused him to halt. + +"Throw him out, I say!" yelled Duff shrilly. "Duff, I'm afraid you're +making a fool of yourself," remarked Tom, stepping forward, smiling +cheerfully. + +Yet another murmur, now growing to a yell, rose from some of the men--a +few of the men, too, who were not Mexicans, and a half-hearted rush was +made in the young engineer's direction. + +"Throw him out! Hustle the boy out!" Duff urged. + +"Stop! Stop right in your tracks!" thundered Tom Reade, taking still +another step toward the now angrier crowd. "Men, listen to me, and +you'll get a proper understanding of this affair. Jim Duff wants me +thrown out of here--" + +"Yes! And out you'll go!" roared a voice from the rear of the crowd. + +"That's a question that the next few minutes will settle," Tom rejoined, +with a smile. "If Jim Duff wants me thrown out of here, why don't you +men tell him to do it himself?" + +The force of this suggestion, with the memory of what they had recently +seen, struck home with many of the men. A shout of laughter went up, +followed by yells of: + +"That's right--dead right!" + +"Sail in, Jim!" + +"Throw him out, Jim! We'll see fair play!" + +Tom made an ironical bow in the direction of the gambler. + +"Have you men gone crazy!" yelled Jim Duff hoarsely. + +"Have you lost your nerve, Jim?" bawled a lusty American laborer. "You +want this boy, as you call him, thrown out, and we're waiting to see you +do it. It you haven't the nerve to tackle the job, then you're not a +man to give us orders!" + +Tom's smiling good humor and his fair proposition had swung the balance +of feeling against the gambler. Duff saw that he had lost ground. + +"Boy," called a few voices, "if Duff won't throw you out, then you turn +the tables and throw him out." + +"It isn't necessary," laughed Tom. "After the tents are gone Duff won't +have any desire to remain around here. Mr. Duff, I ask you for the last +time, will you have your men take down the tents and remove them?" + +"I won't!" snarled the gambler. + +"Mr. Rivers!" called Tom. + +"Yes, sir," replied the foreman, stepping forward. + +"Mr. Rivers, take twenty-five laborers and bring the tents down at once. +Be careful to see that no damage is done. As soon as they are down you +will load them on the wagons." + +"Yes, sir." + +"On second thought, you had better take fifty men. See that the work is +done as promptly as possible." + +The Mexicans, who were in the majority, and nearly all of whom were +wildly eager to gamble as soon as their money arrived, stirred uneasily. +They might have interfered, but Foreman Mendoza ran among his +countrymen, calling out to them vigorously in Spanish, and with so much +emphasis that the men sullenly withdrew. + +Foreman Rivers speedily had his fifty men, together, none of whom were +Mexicans. + +"Touch a single guy-rope at your peril!" warned Jim Duff menacingly, but +big Superintendent Hawkins seized the gambler by the shoulders, gently, +though, firmly, removing him from the vicinity of the tents. + +All in a flash the work was done. Canvas and poles were loaded on to +the wagons. Mr. Rivers's men had entered so thoroughly into the spirit +of the thing that, they forced the drivers to start off, and the +gambler's men to follow. + +Goaded to the last ditch of desperation, Jim Duff now strode over to +where Tom stood. No one opposed him, nor did Reade's smile fail. + +"Boy, you've had your laugh, just now," announced the gambler, in his +most threatening, tone. "It will be your last laugh." + +"Oh, I hope not," drawled Tom. + +"You will know more within twenty-four hours. You have treated me, with +your own crowd about you, like a dog." + +"You're wrong again," laughed Tom.. "Jim is fond of dogs. They are +fine fellows." + +"You may laugh as much as you want, just now," jeered Jim Duff. "You've +made an enemy, and one of the worst in Arizona! I won't waste any more +talk on you--except to warn you." + +"Warn me? About what?" asked Tom curiously. + +Instead of answering, Jim Duff turned on his heel, stalking off with a +majesty that, somehow, looked sadly damaged. + +"He has warned you," murmured Superintendent Hawkins in an undertone. +"That is your hint that Duff will fight you to the death at the first +opportunity." + +"May it be long in coming!" uttered Tom devoutly. + +Then, as he turned about and saw scores of laborers coming in his +direction, Reade remembered what he wished to do. + +"Mr. Hawkins," he continued, turning toward the superintendent, "I see +that Mr. Payson's gang is coming in from work. As all our men are now +idle, I wish you would direct the foremen to see that all hands assemble +here. I have something to say to them." + +Within ten minutes the five hundred laborers and mechanics had been +gathered in a compact crowd. Now that the excitement of hustling the +gambler off the scene had died away, many of the men were sorry that +they had not made their disapproval plainer. Though Tom Reade plainly +understood the mood of the men, he mounted a barrel, holding up both +hands as a sign for silence. + +"Now, men," he began, "you all know that the pay train is due here this +afternoon. You are all eager to get your money--for what? It is a +strange fact that gold is the carrion that draws all of the vultures. A +few minutes ago you saw one of the vultures here, preparing to get his +supposed share of your money away from you. Does Jim Duff care a hang +about any of you? Do any of you care anything whatever for Jim Duff? +Then why should you be so eager to get into one of his tents and let him +take your money away from you? + +"It is true that, once in a while, a solitary player gets a few dollars +away from a gambler. Yet, in the end, the gambler has every dollar of +the crowd that patronizes him. You men have been out in the hot sun for +weeks, working hard to earn the money that the pay train is bringing +you. Has Jim Duff done any work in the last few weeks? While you men +have been toiling and sweating, what has Duff been doing? Hasn't he +been going around wearing the clothes and the air of a gentleman, while +you men have been giving all but your lives for your dollars, while you +have been denied most of the comforts of living. Hasn't Duff been up at +the Mansion House, living on the fat of the land and smiling to himself +every time he thought of you men, who would be ready to hand him all of +your money as soon as it came to you? Is the gambler, who grows fat on +the toil of others, but never toils himself, any better than the vulture +that feeds upon the animals killed by others? Isn't the gambler a +parasite, pure and simple? On whose lifeblood does the gambler feed, +unless it's on yours?" + +Tom continued his harangue, becoming more and more intense, yet carrying +his talk along in all simplicity, and with a directness that made scores +of the workmen look sheepish. + +"Whenever you find a man anywhere who professes to be working for your +good, or for your amusement, and who gets all the benefit in the end, +why don't you open your eyes to him?" Tom inquired presently. "Over in +Paloma there are saloon keepers who are cleaning up their dives and +opening new lots of liquor that they feel sure they're going to sell you +to-night. These dive keepers are ready to welcome you with open arms, +and they'll try to make you feel that you're royal good fellows and that +they are the best friends you have in the world. Yet, to-morrow +morning, how will the property be divided? The keepers of these saloons +and Jim Duff will have all your money and what will you have?" + +Tom paused, whipping out a white handkerchief that he deftly bound +around his head, meanwhile looking miserable. + +"That's what you men will have--and that's all that you'll have left," +croaked the young chief engineer dismally. "Now, friends, is the game +worth a candle of that sort? How many of you have money in the bank? +Let every man here who has put up his hand. Not one of you? Who's +keeping your money in bank for you? Jim Duff and the sellers of +poisons? Will they ever hand your money back to you? Some of you men +have dear ones at home. If one of these dear ones sends a hurried, +frenzied appeal for money in time of sickness or death what will your +answer have to be? Just this: 'I have been working like a slave for a +year, but I can send you only my love. Jim Duff, who hasn't worked in +all his life, won't let me send you any money.' Friends, is that what +you're burning yourselves black on the desert for?" + +While Tom Reade spoke Foreman Mendoza had marshaled his Mexicans and was +translating the young engineer's words into Spanish. + +Nor was it long ere Tom's fine presentation of the matter caught the men +in the nobler part of their feelings. + +"Don't blame Duff so much," Tom finally went on. "He may be a parasite, +a vulture, a feeder on blood, but you and men just like you have helped +to make the Duffs. You're not going to do so after this, are you, my +friends? You're not going to keep the breath of life in monsters who +drain you dry of life and manhood?" + +"No!" came a thunderous shout, even though all of Reade's hearers did +not join in it. + +Even the Mexicans, listening to Mendoza's translation, became +interested, despite their lesser degree of intelligence. + +Tom continued to talk against time, though he wasted few words. All +that he said went home to many of the laborers. While he was still +talking the whistle of the pay train was heard. + +Reade quickly sent his foremen and a few trusted workmen to head off any +"runners" who might attempt to come in from Paloma while the men were +being paid off. + +As the train came to a stop Tom leaped upon a flat car behind the engine +and introduced one of the newcomers--the vice president of a savings +bank over in Tucson. This man, who knew the common people, talked for +fifteen minutes, after which a clerk appeared from the pay car with a +book in which to register the signatures of those who wished to open +bank accounts. Then the paymaster and his assistants worked rapidly in +paying off. + +That railroad pay day proved a time of gloom to many in the town of +Paloma. The returning pay train carried the bank officials and twenty- +four thousand dollars that had been deposited as new accounts from the +men. Of the money that remained in camp much of it was carried in the +pockets of men who meant to keep it there until they received something +worth while it exchange. + +True, this did not trouble the majority of people in Paloma, who were +sober, decent American citizens engaged in the proper walks of life. + +But Jim Duff and a few others held an indignation meeting that night. + +"We've been robbed!" complained one indignant saloon keeper. + +"Gentlemen," observed Jim Duff, in his oiliest tones, though his face +was ghastly white, "you have a new enemy, who threatens your success in +business. How are you going to deal with him?" + +"We'll run him off the desert, or bury him there!" came the snarling +response. + +"I can't believe that boy, Reade, will ever succeed in laying the +railroad tracks across the Man-killer," smiled Jim Duff darkly within +himself. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SOMEBODY STIRS THE MUD + + +The next morning only a few of the men, some of those who had refused to +open bank accounts, failed to show up at the railroad camp. + +"There is really nothing to do this morning," Tom remarked to +Superintendent Hawkins. "However, I think you had better dock the +missing men for time off. If you find that any missing man has been +gone on a proper errand of rest or enjoyment, and has not been making a +beast of himself, you can restore his docked pay on the lists." + +"That's a very good idea," nodded Hawkins. "It always angers me to see +these poor, hardworking fellows go away and make fools of themselves +just as soon as they get a bit of pay in their pockets. Still, you +can't change the whole face of human nature, Mr. Reade." + +"I don't expect to do so," smiled Tom. "Yet, if we can get a hundred or +two in this outfit to take a sensible view of pay day, and can drill it +into them so that it will stick, there will be just that number of +happier men in the world. How long have you been in this work on the +frontier, Mr. Hawkins?" + +"About twenty years, sir." + +"Then it must have angered you, many a time, to see the vultures and the +parasites fattening on the men who do the real work in life." + +"It has," nodded the superintendent. "However, I haven't your gift with +the tongue, Mr. Reade, and I've never been able to lead men into the +right path as you did yesterday." + +Over in the little village of tents where the idle workmen sat through +the forenoon there was some restlessness. These men knew that there was +nothing for them to do until the construction material arrived, and that +they were required only to report in order to keep themselves on the +time sheets. Having reported to their foremen and the checkers, they +were quite at liberty to go over into Paloma or elsewhere. A few of +them had gone. Some others had an uneasy feeling that they wouldn't like +to face the contempt in the eyes of the young chief engineer if he +happened to see them going away from camp. + +"It's none of the business of that chap Reade," growled one of the +workmen. + +"Of course it isn't," spoke up another. "He talked to us straight +yesterday, however, and showed us that it was our own business to keep +out of the tough places in Paloma. I've worked under these engineers +for years, and I never before knew one of them to care whether I had a +hundred dollars or an empty stomach. Boys, I tell you, Reade, has the +right stuff in him, if he is only a youngster. He knows the enemies he +has made over in Paloma, and he understands the risks be has been taking +in making such enemies. He proved to us that he can stand that sort of +thing and be our friend. Look at this thing, will you?" + +With something of a look of wonder the speaker drew out the bankbook +that he had acquired the afternoon before. + +"I've got forty dollars in bank," he continued, in something of a tone +of awe. "Forty friends of mine that I've put away to work and do good +things for me! If I don't touch this money for some years then I'll +find that this money has grown to be a lot more than forty dollars!" + +"Or else you'll find that some bank clerk is up in Canada spending it," +jeered a companion. + +"I don't care what the clerk does. The bank will be still good for the +money. Joe, you read the papers as often as any come into camp." + +"Yes." + +"All right. The next time you find anything about a savings bank that +has failed and left the people in the lurch for their money, you show it +to me. Savings banks don't fail nowadays! No, Sir!" + +Other men through the camp were taking sly peeps at their bankbooks, as +though they were half ashamed at having such possessions. Yet many a +hard toiler in camp felt a new sense of importance that morning. He +began to look upon himself as a part of the moneyed world as, indeed, he +was! + +"Telegram for Mr. Reade," called one of the two camp operators, coming +forward. + +Tom tore the envelope open, then stared at the following message: + +"Reade, Chief Engineer. + +"Have complaint from merchants of Paloma that you have effectually +stopped the men from spending any money in the town. Not our policy to +make enemies of the towns along our line. Explain immediately. + +"(Signed) ELLSWORTH, + +"General Manager." + +"Hmmm!" smiled Tom, then passed the message over to Superintendent +Hawkins. + +"Your newly made enemies have gotten after you quickly, Sir," commented +the superintendent grimly. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "And, of course, I can't follow any course that +isn't approved by the general manager. I'll wire him the truth and see +what he has to say. Operator!" + +"Yes, Sir," replied the young man, turning and coming back. + +"Wait for a message," directed Tom; then seated himself and wrote the +following reply: + +"Ellsworth, General Manager. + +"Have not interfered in any way with honest merchants of Paloma. Men +are at liberty to spend their money any way they choose. I did give the +men a talk about the foolishness of spending their wages in buying +liquor or in gambling. Result was that men banked about two thirds of +the total pay roll with the bank people you sent on pay train yesterday +at my request. Also drove off a gambler who tried to erect two tents on +railroad property in order to fleece the men more speedily. + +"(Signed) READE, + +"Chief Engineer." + +"That will tell the general manager about the kind of merchants that +I've been injuring," smiled Tom, first showing the sheet to +Superintendent Hawkins and then handing it to the waiting messenger. + +"I hope Ellsworth, will be satisfied," nodded Hawkins. "Good will is an +asset for a railway, and your enemies in Paloma may be able to stir up a +good deal of trouble for you. Mr. Reade, I stood with you yesterday, +and I'm still with you. If Ellsworth is so cranky that you feel like +throwing the job here, then I'll walk out with you." + +"Oh, I'm not going to give up the work here," predicted Reade +cheerfully. "I'm too much interested in it. Neither am I going to have +my hands tied by any clique of gamblers and dive keepers. If Mr. +Ellsworth isn't satisfied, then I'll run up to headquarters and talk to +him in person. I'm not going to quit; neither am I going to be +prevented from winning and deserving the friendship of the men who are +here working for us." + +"Telegram for Mr. Reade," grinned the operator, again looking in at the +doorway. + +After reading it, Tom passed over to Hawkins this message from General +Manager Ellsworth: + +"Unable to judge merits of case at this distance. Will be with you +soon." + +"That's all right," Reade declared. + +"It looks all right," muttered Hawkins, who knew something about the +ways of railroads. + +Up the track the whistle on a stationary engine blew the noon signal. + +"Feel like eating, Harry?" Tom called to his chum, who had been mildly +dozing in a chair in one corner of the room. + +"Always," declared Hazelton, sitting up and yawning. + +"Are you going to eat in town this noon, or in camp?" Tom inquired of +the superintendent of construction. + +Hawkins was about to answer that he'd eat in camp, when he suddenly +reconsidered. + +"I guess I'll ride along with you, Mr. Reade," he said dryly. + +Horses were brought, and the three mounted and rode away. In such +sizzling heat as beat down from the noonday sun Tom had not the heart to +urge his mount to speed. The trio were soon at the edge of Paloma, +which they had to enter through one of the streets occupied by the +rougher characters. + +Just as they rode down by the first buildings a low whistle sounded on +the heavy, dead air. + +"Signal that the locomotive is headed this way," announced Hawkins +grimly. "Look out for the crossing, Mr. Reade!" + +Hardly had the superintendent finished speaking when a sharp hiss +sounded from an open window. Then another and more hisses, from +different buildings. + +"A few snakes left in the grass," Tom remarked jokingly. + +"Oh, you've stirred up a nest of 'em, Mr. Reade," rejoined the +superintendent. + +Tom laughed as Harry added: + +"Let's hope that there are no poisonous reptiles among them. It would +be rough on poisonous snakes to have Tom find them." + +Then the three horsemen turned the corner near the Mansion House. +Superintendent Hawkins looked grave as he noted a crowd before the +hotel. + +"Mr. Reade, I believe those men are there waiting to see you. I'm +certain they've not gathered just to talk about the weather." + +There was a movement in the crowd, and a suppressed, surly murmur, as +the engineer party was sighted. + +Tom Reade, however, rode forward at the head of his party, alighting +close to the crowd, which numbered fifty or sixty men. The young chief +engineer signed to one of the stable boys, who came forward, half +reluctantly, and took the bridles of the three horses to lead them away. + +Jim Duff, backed by three other men, stepped forward. There was a world +of menace in the gambler's wicked eyes as he began, in a soft, almost +purring tone: + +"Mr. Reade," announced Jim Duff, "we are a committee, appointed by +citizens, to express our belief that the air of Paloma is not going to +be good for you. At the same time we wish to ask you concerning your +plans for leaving the town." + +There could be no question as to the meaning of the speaker. Tom Reade +was being ordered out of town. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TOM HAS NO PLANS FOR LEAVING TOWN + + +"My plans for leaving town?" repeated Tom pleasantly. "Why, gentlemen, +I'll meet your question frankly by saying that I haven't made any such +plans." + +"You're going to do so, aren't?" inquired Duff casually. + +"By the time that my partner and I have finished our work for the road, +Mr. Duff, I imagine that we shall be making definite plans to go away, +unless the railroad officials decide to keep us here with Paloma as +headquarters for other work." + +"We believe that it would be much better for your health if you went +away at once," Duff insisted, with a mildness that did not disguise his +meaning in the least. + +Tom deemed it not worth while to pretend any longer that he did not +understand. + +"Oh, then it's a case of 'Here's your hat. What's your hurry?'" asked +Reade smilingly. + +"Something in that line," assented Jim Duff. "I venture to assure you +that we are quite in earnest in our anxiety for your welfare, Mr. +Reade." + +"Whom do you men represent?" asked Tom. + +"The citizens of Paloma," returned Duff. + +"All of them?" Reade insisted. + +"All of them--with few exceptions." + +"I understand you, of course," Tom nodded. + +"Now, Mr. Duff, I'll tell you what I propose. I'm curious to know just +how many there are on your side of the fence. Pardon me, but I really +can't quite believe that the better citizens of this town are behind +you. I know too many Arizona men, and I have too good an opinion of +them. Your kind of crowd makes a lot of noise at times, and the other +kind of Arizona crowd rarely makes any noise. I know, of course, the +element in the town that your committee represents, but I don't believe +that your element is by any means in the majority here." + +"I assure you that we represent the sentiment of the town," Duff +retorted steadily. + +"Much as I regret the necessity for seeming to slight your opinion," Tom +went on with as pleasant a smile as at first, "I call for a showing of +hands or a count of noses. I'll tell you what we'll do, Mr. Duff, if it +meets with your approval. We'll hire a hall, sharing the expense. +We'll state the question fairly in the local newspaper, and we'll invite +all good citizens to turn out, meet in the hall, hear the case on both +sides, and then decide for themselves whether they want the railroad +engineers to leave the town or--" + +"They do want you to leave town!" the gambler insisted. + +"Or whether they want Jim Duff and some of his friends to leave town," +Tom Reade continued good-humoredly. + +Jim Duff turned, gazing back at the men with him. They represented the +roughest element in the town. + +"No use arguing with a mule, Jim!" growled a red-faced man at the rear +of the crowd. "Get a rail, boys, and we'll start the procession right +now." + +"Bring a rope along, too!" called another man hoarsely. + +"Get two rails and one rope!" proposed a third bad character. "The +other kid doesn't seem to be sassy enough to need a rope." + +"Gentlemen," broke in Harry Hazelton gravely, "if anyone of you imagines +that I'm holding my tongue because I disapprove of my partner's course, +let me assure you that I back every word he says." + +"Make it two ropes, then!" jeered another voice. + +"Reade," continued Jim Duff, "we all try to be decent men here, and the +friends with me are a good and sensible lot of men. You have carried +matters just a little too far. Think over what you've heard and noticed +here, and then tell me again about your plans, for quitting Paloma." + +As he spoke Jim made a gesture that kept some of the men near him from +rushing forward. Tom did not appear to notice the demonstration at all. +Certainly he did not flinch. + +"I haven't any such plans," Tom laughed. "I'm hungry and I'm going +inside to eat." + +With that, he turned his back on the crowd, with Harry behind him, both +making for the steps of the hotel. Superintendent Hawkins stepped in +after the boys. + +"Gentlemen, I can't do anything more," spoke up Jim Duff, with an air of +resignation. + +"But we can!" roared some of the roughs in the crowd. A dozen of them +surged forward. The first of them swung a lariat to slip it over Tom +Reade's neck. + +Bump! Hawkins's sledge-hammer right hand shot out, landing on that +fellow's face. With a moan the fellow collapsed on the sidewalk, his +jaw broken. + +Then Tom and Harry wheeled like a flash, eyeing the idlers and roughs +sternly. + +"Don't go any further," proposed Tom, his eyes growing steely, "unless +you mean it." + +Something in the attitude of the trio of athletic figures standing ready +before them disquieted the crowd of roughs. There were armed men in +that crowd, but all felt that they had been put in the wrong, so far, +and none of them dared draw the first weapon or fire the first shot. + +"Take that injured man to a surgeon and have his jaw set," spoke Tom +quietly. "Let the surgeon send me the bill. I'm sorry for the fellow, +for I'm indirectly the cause of his being hurt. The main cause of his +misfortune was due to his being in bad company." + +"Come out of that hotel," ordered Jim Duff, his eyes blazing as he +stepped forward, though with Hawkins's cold, hard eyes on him the +gambler was careful to keep his hands at his sides. "You can't get +anything to eat in there!" + +"Do you own the hotel?" Tom inquired coolly. + +"No; but you can't eat there." + +"Join us at lunch, Mr. Hawkins!" Tom invited, turning away from the +gambler. The superintendent nodded, for he had no intention of leaving +the young engineers for the present. + +All three entered the hotel, while the small mob outside hooted and +jeered. Tom led the way to a table in the dining room, signing to one of +the waiters. + +Hardly had the waiter reached them when Jim Duff and the proprietor of +the Mansion House came in. Jim, after saying a few words in a low tone, +halted, while the proprietor came forward. + +"Good morning, Mr. Ashby," nodded Tom, when he saw the proprietor headed +their way. The latter looked rather embarrassed, but he moved a hand to +signal the waiter to withdraw. + +"I'm sorry, Mr. Reade, but I can't have you any longer at this hotel," +began Ashby. + +"Any particular reason?" Tom inquired, looking the man straight in the +eye. + +"Yes; some of my other guests object to your presence here." + +"Meaning Jim Duff?" questioned Reade coolly. + +"I don't care to discuss the matter with you, Mr. Reade, but I can't +entertain you here any longer." + +"Does that apply even to this meal, Mr. Ashby?" + +"It does." + +"Very good," nodded Tom, rising. Harry and Hawkins shoved their chairs +back, too, and stood up. + +"Say, but I don't like the looks of that!" announced a voice from +another table. There were five men seated there, all of them well- +dressed and prosperous-looking traveling salesmen, who had arrived that +morning. + +"This is a very regrettable necessity on my part, gentlemen," began +Proprietor Ashby hurriedly, and plainly ill at ease. "Some of my +regular guests object to the presence of these young men, and so--" + +"These young gentlemen have gotten in bad by objecting to having their +men fleeced here in town, haven't they?" inquired the boldest of the +drummers. "I heard something about it this morning." + +"Perhaps you haven't heard all the circumstances," suggested Ashby in +growing embarrassment. + +"We've heard enough, anyway," replied the same drummer briskly. "So +these young men, who are a credit to their profession and to their home +towns, are ordered to leave here? Boys, I guess we leave, too, don't +we?" + +The other traveling salesmen assented emphatically. + +Now Proprietor Ashby felt dismal, indeed. These five men were occupying +the best quarters in his hotel, outside of those occupied by Jim Duff. +It was not the loss of patronage from these men alone that troubled +Ashby. Traveling salesmen have their own ways of "passing around the +word" and downing any hotel that depends largely on their patronage. + +"You can have all our rooms, then, Mr. Ashby," proposed the same +drummer. "We'll have our things out and be ready for our bills within +twenty minutes." + +"But, gentlemen, be calm about this," begged Ashby. "Finish your meals +first. There may be some way of arranging--" + +"There is," returned the drummer, with a smile that was a fine duplicate +of Tom's own. "We know just where to arrange for the kind of +accommodations that we want. Mr. Reade," turning to Tom and Harry, +"will you allow me to introduce ourselves. We are aching to shake hands +with you, for we've heard all about you." + +Proprietor Ashby fidgeted at the side, while the eight departing guests +paused long enough to make their names known to each other. + +Jim Duff had vanished early, leaving the hotel man to his own +humiliation. + +The introductions concluded, Hawkins followed the young engineers to +their room while the drummers went to their own more costly quarters and +hastily packed their belongings. + +Fifteen minutes later the party stood in the office and porters were +bringing down trunks. Tom and Harry, keeping most of their belongings +at camp, had only suit cases to carry. + +"Gentlemen, I think you are making a mistake," began Mr. Ashby, as he +met the salesmen in the lobby near the clerk's desk. + +"We made a mistake in coming here," retorted the leader of the salesmen, +pleasantly as to tone, "but we're rectifying it now. Are our bills +ready?" + +The proprietor went behind the desk to make change, while the clerk +receipted seven bills. Ashby's hands shook as he manipulated the money. + +"Dobson," he said, in a low tone to one of the drummers, "I had intended +ordering a ton of hams from you. Now, of course, I can't--" + +"Quite right," nodded Mr. Dobson cheerfully. "You couldn't get them +from our house at four times the market price. We wouldn't want our +brand served here." + +The last bill was paid. Proprietor Ashby stiffened, his backbone, +trying to look game. + +"Gentlemen," he inquired, "where are you going from here? Won't you let +me call the 'bus to take you?" + +"Never mind the, 'bus, Ash," smilingly replied the leader of the +drummers, a man named Pritchard. "If you'll send the 'bus over to the +Cactus House with our trunks we'll be greatly obliged." + +"Certainly, gentlemen, it's a pleasure to oblige you," murmured Ashby, +with a ghastly effort to look pleasant. He watched the eight men step +outside. Duff and his crowd had vanished. It would never do to try any +mob tricks on so many strangers who had done nothing. The most easy- +going citizens of an Arizona town would turn out to punish such a mob. + +The three railroad men had their horses brought around, but they rode +slowly, chatting with the salesmen on the sidewalk. + +In this order they reached the Cactus House, which, thirty years ago, +had been famous in and around the old Paloma of the frontier days. The +proprietor, a young man named Carter, had succeeded his father in the +ownership of the property. It was a neat hotel, but a small one. The +elder Carter had lost a good deal of money before his death, and the son +was now trying to build up the property with hardly any reserve capital. + +At the Cactus there was a great flurry when five such important guests +arrived and the young railroad engineers were also most heartily +welcomed. + +"Our meal time is nearly over, but I'll have something special cooked +for you right away, gentlemen," cried young Carter, bustling about, his +eyes aglow. + +"Before you get that meal ready," said Pritchard, drawing young Carter +aside, "I want to ask you whether any man can ever be driven from this +hotel, just for being decent?" + +"He certainly cannot," replied Proprietor Carter with emphasis. + +"Live up to that, son," advised the drummer, "and I half suspect that +you'll prosper." + +The meal finished, the three men from the railroad camp took leave of +their new salesmen friends, mounted and rode back to camp. + +"The snakes are not all dead yet," mused Tom quizzically, as, in riding +through the "tough" street again they heard hisses from open windows at +which no heads appeared. + +"There's a letter here for you, Mr. Reade," announced Foreman Payson, +who was sitting alone in the office. + +"Who brought it?" + +"I don't know his name. Never saw him before. He rode out here on +horseback." + +The envelope, though a good one as to quality, was dirty on the outside. +Tom Reade hastily broke the seal and read: + +"If you don't get away from Paloma pretty soon your presence will hold +the railroad up for a longtime to come! Get out, if you're wise, or the +railroad will suffer with you!" + +"I reckon the fellow who wrote that was sincere enough," said Tom, as he +passed the letter over to his chum. "However, I don't like to feel that +I can be seared by any man who's too cowardly to sign his name to a +letter." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE GENERAL MANAGER "LOOKS IN" + + +Neither Tom nor Harry was stupid enough to be wholly unafraid over the +threats of the day. Both realized that Jim Duff and the latter's +associates were ugly and treacherous men who would fight sooner than be +deprived of their chance to fleece the railway workmen. Yet neither +young engineer had any intention of being scared into flight. + +"They'll put up a lot of trouble for us," said Tom that afternoon, as +the two chums talked the matter over. "They may even go to extremities, +and--" + +"Shoot us?" smiled Hazelton, though there was a serious look under his +smile. + +"Yes; they may even try that," I nodded Tom. "Though they won't make an +open attempt. They may try to get us from ambush at night. They will +be desperate, though not over brave. Recollect, Harry, that the better +element in Paloma won't stand much nonsense. There are no braver men in +the world than are found right in Arizona, and no men more decent." + +"Barring Duff and his gang," laughed Hazelton. + +"They're not real Arizona men. They're the kind of human vultures who +flock after large pay rolls in any place where men work without having +their families in near-by homes. If Duff had enough men of his own way +of thinking, they might try to ride out here to camp and clean us out. +If they did, then all the decent men in this part of Arizona would take +to the saddle and drive Duff and his crew into hiding. After what +happened to-day you won't find Duff daring to do anything too open." + +"Excuse me, Sir, but there's a train coming," reported Foreman Rivers, +thrusting his head in at the doorway of the little office building. + +"Not a construction train?" Reade asked. + +"Can't make it out yet, sir. The whistle was reported a minute ago." + +Tom and Harry, chafing a good deal under their enforced idleness while +waiting for materials, hastened outdoors. Soon the train was close +enough to be made out. It consisted of an engine, baggage car and one +private car. + +"It's one or more of the road's officials," murmured Harry. + +"I hope it's Mr. Ellsworth," replied Reade, as the chums walked briskly +down to the spot where the train would have to halt. + +It turned out to be the general manager, a big and capable-looking man +of fifty, with a belt-line just a trifle too large for comfort, who +swung himself to the ground the instant that the train stopped. + +"I'm glad you're here, Reade," nodded the general manager, as he caught +sight of his two young engineers. "Come back into my car. We can talk +better there." + +Tom and Harry mounted to the platform of the car, following Mr. +Ellsworth down the carpeted aisle of a very comfortable private Pullman +car. The general manager pointed to seats, threw himself into another, +and then said: + +"Now, tell me all about the row that you've started with the town." + +Harry's lips closed tightly, but Tom launched at once into a plain, +truthful account of the affair, bringing it down to the noonday meal of +the present day. + +"It's not clear to me just why you should feel called upon to interfere +so forcefully," said the general manager, a little fretfully. "The +workmen are all twenty-one years of age and upwards. Couldn't they +protect themselves if they wanted protection?" + +"Yes, sir, certainly," Tom admitted. "However, letting that fellow Duff +put up his tents right on the railroad property would almost make it +look as though the road shared, or at least approved, his enterprise." + +"Oh, doubtless you were right to order the fellow off the railroad +property," assented Mr. Ellsworth. "But why did you go to such trouble +to get the men to start new bank accounts and thus send most of their +money out of town?" + +"May I answer that question, sir, by asking another?" asked Reade +respectfully. "Did you wish the men to spend it in Paloma?" + +"I don't care a hang what they do with it," retorted the general manager +half peevishly. "It's their own money." + +"It was you, Mr. Ellsworth, whom I wired yesterday morning, asking that +you send down a representative of a savings bank who could open accounts +with such of the men as desired." + +"Yes, and I sent you a couple of bank men. I didn't have any idea, +however, that you'd get the whole town of Paloma by the ears." + +"I haven't, sir. I assure you of that. I've hurt only a few parasites +--a flock of human vultures. The decent people of the town don't side +with them." + +"I wish I could be sure that we haven't offended the town as a whole," +mused Mr. Ellsworth, "The good will of the people along our line is a +great asset." + +"You're acquainted with a lot of the real people in Paloma, aren't you, +Mr. Ellsworth?" + +"With some of them, yes." + +"Then, while you're here, sir, I'd be glad if you'd look up some of +these acquaintances in town and find out for yourself just how the +sentiment stands. We don't wish you to feel that we're a pair of +trouble-makers who are doing our best to ruin the road with its future +customers." + +"I believe I will go into town," mused Mr. Ellsworth. "Is there an +automobile anywhere about here?" + +"No, sir; but our telegraph operator can wire into town for one. It +will take but a few minutes to have a car here." + +"Send for it, then." + +"Would you like to see Mr. Hawkins while you're waiting, sir?" Tom +suggested, rising. "You know Hawkins, and probably you'll be satisfied +with his judgment." + +"Send Hawkins along." + +"Yes, sir; and we won't return for the present, unless you send for us," +Reade replied, going toward the forward end of the car. + +Superintendent Hawkins was closeted with the general manager until the +arrival of the automobile. There was a frown on Mr. Ellsworth's face as +they started townward. + +"Well," asked Harry Hazelton, with a grin on his face, as he watched the +departing car, "are we going to be fired or praised?" + +"We're going to lay the track across the Man-killer," returned Reade +resolutely. + +"How about the gambler and his bad crowd? Are we going to beat them?" + +"We're going to do whatever the general manager orders, just as long as +we remain here," replied Tom. "He's our only source of authority. If +he tells me to let Jim Duff bring a cityful of tents out here and run +night or day--then that's all there will be to it." + +"I'd sooner quit," growled Hazelton, "than knuckle to such a crew of +rascals." + +"So would I," nodded Tom good-humoredly, "if it were my quit. But, if +Mr. Ellsworth gives such orders it will be his quit, not ours." + +Harry walked restlessly up and down the little office, but Tom threw +himself down at full length on a cot in the corner. Within two minutes +he was sound asleep. + +"Humph!" growled Hazelton, as soon as he saw his chum's unconcern. Then +he went outside to finish his tramp. + +It was toward the close of the afternoon when Mr. Ellsworth returned. +Harry was out of sight as the general manager stepped directly into the +office. + +"Reade," he began. Deep breathing from the corner greeted him. General +Manager Ellsworth gazed down at the sleeping form, and a new light of +admiration dawned in his eyes. + +"So that's the young man whom they're talking of shooting, poisoning or +blowing into the next world with dynamite?" he thought. "A lot this +young man appears to think about his enemies! There's real courage in +this young man. Reade, wake up--if you can spare the time." + +Tom opened his eyes, rubbed them, then sat up, next springing to his +feet. + +"Not having any real work to do makes me sleepy," laughed Tom good- +naturedly. "I trust you didn't have to call me many times, Mr. +Ellsworth?" + +The general manager held out his hand. + +"Reade, I've just learned in town what a plucky thing you did, and how +coolly you went through it all. A young man with your courage and +purpose simply can't be fool enough to be very far wrong." + +"Then you learned that the real Arizona people over in Paloma don't find +any fault with what I did?" queried Tom. + +"Reade, what I discovered is that you have a lot of the finest manhood +in Arizona just wild with respect for you," declared Mr. Ellsworth. +Then the general manager lowered his voice before he resumed: + +"At the same time, Reade, I've also learned that you've stirred up such +an evil nest of rattlers that you'll be fortunate if you escape with +your life. Candidly, if you feel that you'd like to leave here--" + +"Do you want me to quit, sir?" demanded Tom, looking steadily into his +chief's eyes. + +"I don't," declared Mr. Ellsworth promptly. "If you and Hazelton were +to quit me now I don't know where I could get another pair of men who +could put into the work all the skill and energy that you two employ." + +"Did you have dinner in town, sir?" Tom asked. + +"No, for I came out to take you two young men in. Hawkins will also be +with us at dinner this evening. He has told me about the Mansion House +affair, so the Cactus House shall be the railway house hereafter. That +fellow Ashby is uneasy; I think he will be more than uneasy after a +while." + +The dinner party motored back to town. Dinner was more like a reception +that evening, for the news of Tom's plucky fight against the rough +element had spread through the town. Nearly two score of men +representing the better part of the population of Paloma called at the +hotel to shake hands with the young engineers. + +"They don't seem to care a hang about me, these men, do they, Hawkins?" +laughed the general manager, as he and the superintendent stood in the +background of the picture. + +"That's because they're Arizona men, sir," replied Hawkins. "Their +interest is in the man who has done the thing, not in the boss." + +"I can understand why President Newnham, of the S. B. & L., recommended +these young men so extravagantly. They're full of force and absolutely +free from self-conceit." + +Finally the party motored back towards the camp. As it was after dark +now, some of the citizens who had visited them escorted the slow moving +car as far as the edge of the town, but none of Jim Duff's followers +appeared on the streets through which they passed. + +"Why are we going back to camp, anyway?" demanded Mr. Ellsworth. "Why +not sleep at the hotel to-night?" + +"Why, I think it may be better for you to go back to the hotel, sir," +Tom proposed. "As for Harry and myself, after what has happened in town +to-day, it may be as well if we are on hand at the camp to-night. There +may be some attempt to stampede our men. The crowd in Paloma are +capable of offering our men free drink, just to do us mischief. We've a +lot of strong men in our force, but there are some weak vessels who +would be caught by a free offer, and some of our work gangs would be +demoralized to-morrow." + +Mr. Ellsworth thereupon decided to return to the camp also, and, +arriving there, dismissed the car. A tent was pitched for him close to +the office, and a cot rigged up in it. + +Then the party sat up, chatting, after most of the workmen had turned in +for the night. + +"I'll be thankful when the material gets here," sighed Tom. "I'm tired +of loafing." + +"It seems to me that you have been doing anything but loafing," smiled +the general manager. + +"I want to get to work on the Man-killer. Besides, idleness is costing +the road a lot of money in wages for these men." + +"I wired this afternoon," stated Mr. Ellsworth, "to have the material +trains rushed forward on express schedule as soon as the stuff strikes +our lines." + +"Then--" began Hawkins slowly. + +His next words were drowned out by a booming explosion to the westward +of the camp. + +"The scoundrels!" gasped Tom Reade, leaping up. "This is more of our +friends' work! They have dynamited the most ticklish part of the work +on the Man-killer!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A DYNAMITE PUZZLE + + +"The scoundrels!" cried General Manager Ellsworth. + +He was a man who believed in working along easy lines when possible. +His career as a railroad man had taught him the value of meeting other +people half way. Now the general manager's white face and flashing eyes +revealed the fighter in him. + +From off to the south, beyond the quicksand, came a chorus of sharp, +shrill, gleeful whoops. + +"There go the curs!" flared Harry. + +Another volley of jeers reached the camp officials. + +"They are mounted on horses," spoke Tom judicially. "They couldn't +travel as fast on foot and yell at the same time." + +A third taunting chorus traveled over the desert. But Tom and his +friends, in the darkness of the night, could not make out the horsemen +nor judge how many there were of them. + +"You'd better turn out the camp, Mr. Hawkins," directed Tom in a calmer +voice. + +The superintendent ran over to where a night engineer almost dozed at +his post beside a stationary engine. + +Half a minute later a series of shrill blasts rang out over the camp. +Laborers came tumbling out of the tents. Many of them had slept so +soundly that even the noise of dynamiting they had regarded only as a +part of their dreams. But the whistle meant business. + +"Get the torches out, Mr. Rivers," called Tom, as one of the foremen +reported on a run. + +To Foreman Payson, Harry gave the order to marshal a hundred of the men +to remain in and around the camp, alertly watchful. + +"That's a good idea," nodded Mr. Ellsworth. "The explosion may be only a +trick to, empty the camp, as a prelude to further mischief." + +Scores of torches flared in the darkness as the workmen hurried +westward. At the head of all went Tom Reade and the general manager. + +Less than half a mile away they came upon the scene of mischief. + +"It's just what I expected," nodded Tom, as the leading party halted +under the flare of the torches. "You see, sir, here was the point of +greatest cave and drift in the quicksand. It's where your former +engineers found such a morass of the shifty stuff that they declared the +Man-killer never could have its appetite satisfied with dirt. There was +a good log and concrete foundation laid down there, and for thirty-six +hours the sand had not shifted a particle as far as the eye could +discover. Now, look at it!" + +Before them the top layer of desert sand had sunk away, revealing a well +or sink, one hundred and fifty feet across and the bottom at least forty +feet below the general level. + +"I always wondered why a suspension bridge wouldn't solve the problem +more easily and cheaply than any other construction," muttered Mr. +Ellsworth, after he had gotten over his first indignation. + +"To avoid every possibility of lurking quicksand the suspension bridge +would have to be more than a mile long," Reade answered. "Beyond, there +are other treacherous little patches of quicksand. It would cost the +road millions to put up a suspension bridge that would hold. + +"A short bridge would look all right and doubtless serve all right, for +a while. Then, some fine day, part of the structure would give, and a +trainload of passengers would be sucked down and out of sight by the +shifting sands of the Man-killer." + +Mr. Ellsworth turned aside with a shudder. + +"I'm glad I'm not an engineer," he said earnestly. "The responsibility +for safety of life at this point is all yours, Reade." + +"And I'm willing enough to take it, sir, if you don't run trains over +the Man-killer until the new roadbed has stood tests that I'll put upon +it." + +"It'll cost at least ten thousand dollars to repair the mischief that +the scoundrels have done to-night," figured Harry Hazelton thoughtfully. + +"Then, if we can find out the guilty wretches for certain, we'll see +that they earn more than that amount by enforced labor in prison,"' +retorted the general manager grimly. + +"Mr. Bell!" called Tom briskly. + +"Here, sir," reported the foreman, coming forward.. + +"Mr. Bell, I wish you'd pick out twenty-one good men. Make the +brightest of the lot head of the new force of night watchmen. Place the +other twenty under his orders. Your gangs will come into play here +later than the others, so I'll let your shift of men have the first +chance at night-watchman duty." + +"All right, sir," nodded Foreman Bell. "Any further orders?" + +"None, except that your watchmen will do their best to guard both the +line of roadbed and the camp. Further, tell the night engineer to be +sure to have steam up so that he can blow a lot of signals at anytime in +the night." + +"Very good, sir," and the foreman hurried away. + +"I'm disgusted with myself for having been caught in this fashion," Tom +admitted to Mr. Ellsworth. "But I hadn't an idea that Paloma held any +dynamite. I can't imagine how a frontier town on the alkali desert +needs dynamite." + +"It will probably be found that someone shipped it in a hurry," +suggested Mr. Ellsworth. + +"But how? Any fellow would be detected who had it brought in on our +trains. There has been no time to I stage I it from any other point +since the row with Duff started." + +"It's a puzzle," admitted Mr. Ellsworth. + +"It is, but it won't be for long," Reade declared confidently. "There +are ways of finding out how that dynamite got into Paloma, there must be +ways of finding out who caused it to be brought in." + +Then, suddenly, Tom's eyes grew wider open and brighter. + +"Mr. Ellsworth, I believe that dynamite was brought in before the +trouble opened." + +"But who would have wished to bring dynamite here until the trouble +started?" + +"Anyone might be interested in doing it who wanted to see trouble +start." + +"I'm afraid I don't follow you, Reade," observed the general manager, +frowning slightly. + +"There were others who wanted the job of blocking the Man-killer," Tom +went on earnestly. "They wanted a lot more money for the job than we +thought was necessary. I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am just a +trifle suspicious that the concern of Chicago contractors--" + +"The Colthwaite people!" broke in Mr. Ellsworth. + +"Yes; if they were bad people, and ugly business rivals--" + +"How would the Colthwaite people be able to foresee that you were going +to have a fight with Jim Duff?" interposed Mr. Ellsworth. + +"I'm going after the answer, if there is one. I hope to be able to tell +you the answer one of these days." + +Tom and Harry made two trips each, in different directions, to make sure +that the watch men were awake and alert. It was nearly eleven o'clock +when the general manager and his engineers turned in for a night's rest +--"subject to the approval of Jim Duff," as Tom dryly stated it. + +No more interruptions followed during the night, however. At daylight +the watchmen sought their tents and the day force began to stir soon +after. + +After the steam whistle bad blown the breakfast call, Reade slipped away +from his friends to inspect the laborers at the meal. + +"There are some of your men absent, Mr. Mendoza," Tom murmured to the +Mexican foreman. + +"Yes, Senor. Some of my men slipped away in the night." + +"Went off to Paloma, eh?" + +Mendoza shrugged his shoulders. + +"Gambling, drinking--both," nodded Tom. + +"Undoubtedly, Senor." + +"Get the names of your absent Mexicans, and report to me with them." + +Reade then went to the other foremen, with the same orders. + +Before Tom had seated himself at his own meal, with Harry and Mr. +Ellsworth, the foremen appeared, lists in their hands. Tom rapidly ran +his finger down the lists. + +"Twenty-eight Mexicans and fourteen Americans absent from camp," he +muttered. "Foremen, when these men come back you may tell them that +they are no longer needed." + +All four of the gang bosses looked somewhat astonished. + +"Merely for leaving camp in the night time?" Mendoza inquired. + +"Yes, under the circumstances," nodded Tom. "If any of these men +declare that they were properly absent, and did not visit the gambling +and the drinking dives, then such men may be reinstated after they have +satisfied Mr. Hazelton, Mr. Hawkins or myself of the truth of their +statements." + +"Some of these men will be very ugly when they find that they are +discharged, Senor," suggested Mendoza. + +"But you are loyal to us?" + +"Can you doubt it, Senor?" asked Mendoza proudly. + +"Then you will know how to handle your own fellow-countrymen. The other +foremen will be able to handle the rest of the disgruntled ones. +However, as I have told you, if any man claims that he is unjustly +treated, send him to headquarters for a chance at reinstatement." + +General Manager Ellsworth had heard the conversation, but had not +interfered. As soon as the young engineers were alone he joined them at +table, saying: + +"Aren't you afraid, Reade, that these discharged men will hasten to join +our enemies?" + +"That is very likely, sir," Tom answered. "These missing men, however, +have shown their willingness to become our enemies by leaving camp and +seeking their pleasures in the strongholds of the scoundrels who are +fighting to break us up." + +"That's another way of looking at the matter," assented the general +manager. + +"I'd much rather have our enemies outside of camp than inside," Reade +continued. "If we took these absentees back after they've been in the +company of rascals, then we wouldn't have any means of knowing how many +of the absentees had agreed to do treacherous things within the camp. +It would hardly be a wise plan to encourage the breeding of rattlesnakes +within the camp limits." + +It was nearly noon when the first batch of laborers, some American and +some Mexican, returned to camp. These men started to go by the +checker's hut at a distance, but keen-eyed Superintendent Hawkins saw +them and ordered them around to the hut. + +"You'll have to wait here until your foremen are called," declared the +checker. + +"Say, what's the trouble here!" demanded one American belligerently. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +READE MEETS A "KICKER" HALF WAY + + +"Who's your foreman?" asked the checker, a young fellow named Royal + +"Payson--if it's any of your business." replied the workman roughly. + +The others, seeing him take this attitude, were willing to let him talk +for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the foremen, and now +sent them to the checker's hut to deal with the men. + +"Some of you are my men," said Payson, looking the lot over. "You're +discharged." + +"What's that?" roared the same indignant spokesman, a big, bull-necked, +red-faced fellow. + +"Discharged," said Payson briefly. "All of you who belong to my gang. +Checker, I'll call their names off to you." + +While Payson, and then the other foremen, were calling the names, the +workmen stood by in sullen silence. When the last name had been entered +the same bull-necked spokesman flared up again. + +"Have we no rights?" he demanded. "Is there no such thing as the right +of appeal in this camp, or are we under a lot of domineering, petty +tyrants like you?" + +"I'm a poor specimen of tyrant,"' laughed Payson good-naturedly. "All +I'm doing, Bellas, is following orders. Any man who feels that he was +justified in being away, and that he ought to be kept on the pay rolls +here, may make his appeal to Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Hazelton or Mr. Reade." + +"I'll see Reade!" announced Bellas stiffly. "That youngster is doing +all the dirty work here. I'll go to him straight." + +"I'll take you over to his office," nodded Foreman Payson. + +"I'm going, too," announced another workman. + +"So'm I," added another. + +"One at a time, men," advised Payson. "I think Bellas feels that he's +capable of talking for all of you." + +The other foremen restrained the crowd, while Mr. Payson led Bellas over +to the headquarters shack. + +Tom looked up from a handful of old letters as the two men entered. + +"See here, you!" was Bellas's form of greeting. + +"Try it again," smiled Tom pleasantly. + +"You're the man I want to talk to," Bellas snarled. "What do you mean +by--" + +"What's your name?" asked Reade quickly. + +"None of your--" + +"We can never do business on that kind of courtesy," smiled Reade. "Mr. +Payson, show the man out and let him come back when he's cooler." + +"There isn't anyone here who can show me out!" blustered Bellas, +swinging his big arms and causing the heavy muscles to stand out. + +"If you don't care to behave in a businesslike way, and talk like a man, +we'll do our best to show you out," Tom retorted, still with a pleasant +smile. "What are you here for, anyway?" + +"Why have I been fired?" roared Bellas. + +"Can't you guess?" queried Tom. + +"Was it for going to town and being away all night?" + +"Yes, and also for not being on hand this morning." + +"There wasn't any work to do," growled Bellas. + +"You expected to be paid for your time, and you should have been in +camp, as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of purchase. +Bellas, you have been drinking over in town, haven't you?" + +"If I have, it's my own business. I'm no slave." + +"Ben gambling, too?" + +"None of your--" + +"You're in error," Tom answered pleasantly, though firmly. "The +gamblers over in Paloma are leagued with the dive keepers against us, +Bellas. You know what they did out at the big sink of the Man-killer +last night. Any man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for +hours among those who are trying to put us out of business shows himself +to be a friend to the enemies of this camp. Therefore the man who does +that shows himself to be one of our enemies, in sympathy if not in +fact." + +"I'm no lawyer," growled Bellas sullenly, "and I can't follow your flow +of gab." + +"You know well enough what I'm saying to you, Bellas, and you know that +I'm right. Since you've been away and joined our enemies we don't want +you here. More, we don't intend to have you here. Mr. Payson has +dropped you from the rolls, and that cuts you off from this camp. Now, +I think you will understand that it is some of our business whether you +have been over in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If +that is what you have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won't +have you. If you haven't been hob-nobbing with our enemies, and paying +all you had for the privilege, then we'll look into any claims of better +conduct that you may make, and, if satisfied that you've been telling +the truth, we'll reinstate you." + +"Oh, you make me tired--you kid!" burst from Bellas's lips. + +"This isn't an experience meeting," Tom replied, not losing his smile, +"and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make +any statement advocating your right to be taken on the pay roll again?" + +"No, I don't!" roared the angry fellow. "All I want to do is to show +you my opinion of you, Tommy! I can do that best by rubbing your nose +in the dirt outside." + +Foreman Payson flung himself between the big, angry human bull and the +young chief engineer. + +"Don't waste any time or heat on him, Mr. Payson," Tom advised, slipping +his handful of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the +back of the room. "If Bellas has any grudge against me, I don't want to +stop him from making his last kick." + +Tom took a step forward, his open hands hanging at his sides. He didn't +look by any means alarmed, though Bellas appeared to be about twice the +young chief engineer's size. + +So prompt had been Reade's action that, for a moment, Bellas looked +astounded. Then, with a roar, he leaped forward, swinging both arms and +closing in. + +Tom Reade had had his best physical training on the football gridiron. +He dropped, instantly, as he leaped forward, making a low tackle and +rising with both arms wrapped around Bellas's knees. Tom took two swift +steps forward, then heaved his man, head first, out through the open +doorway. + +Bellas landed about eight feet away. He was not hurt, beyond a jolting, +and leaped to his feet, shaking both fists. + +"Not unless you really insist upon it," smiled Tom, shaking his head. +"It's too warm for exercise to-day." + +"You tricky little whipper-snapper!" roared Bellas, making an angry +bound for the doorway. + +Tom met his angry rush. Both went down, rolling over and over on the +ground. Bellas wound his powerful arms about the boy, and would have +crushed him. Though Tom hated to do it, there was no alternative but to +choke the powerful bully. Bellas soon let go, dazed and gasping. Ere +the big fellow came to his senses sufficiently to know what he was +about, Reade had hoisted Bellas to one shoulder. + +Down by the checker's hut the crowd of curious workmen gasped as they +saw Tom Reade jogging along with this great load over one shoulder. +Reaching the line, Tom gave another heave. Bellas rolled on the ground. +He was conscious and could have gotten up, but he chose to lay where he +had fallen and think matters over. + +"Don't think I'm peevish, men," Tom called pleasantly. "I wouldn't have +done that if Bellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now, +while I'm here, does any man wish to make a claim for justice? Does +any man feel that he has been discharged unfairly?" + +Three or four men answered, though none of the Mexicans was among the +number. When questioned as to whether they had spent the night among +Jim Duff's friends all the speakers admitted that they had. Tom then +made them the same explanation he had offered Bellas. + +"That's about all that can be said, isn't it, men?" Tom asked in +conclusion. "I am sorry for those of you who feel hurt, but while there +is bad blood in the air every man must choose between one camp or the +other. You men chose Jim Duff, and you'll have to abide by your choice." + +"But we haven't any money," declared one of the men sullenly. + +"Now you're just beginning to understand that Jim Duff won't be a very +good friend to a penniless man. Didn't you know that when you shook all +your change into his hat?" + +"Are you going to let us starve?" growled the man. + +"You won't starve, nor need you be out of work long," Tom retorted. "Any +man who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't +have to remain out of a job. Now, I'll ask you to get off the +railroad's ground." + +Tom turned and went back to the office, while Payson and the other +foremen saw to it that the discharged men left the railroad's property. +In less than half an hour the disgruntled ones were back in the worst +haunts of Paloma, spreading the news of Tom Reade's latest outrage. + +When Tom reached the office he found Mr. Ellsworth inside. + +"I saw what you did, Reade, though you didn't know I was about. You +handled it splendidly. You made it plain enough, too, to the men that +they had joined the enemy and thereby declared against us." + +"Message, Mr. Reade," called the operator from the doorway. + +"The construction material train, the first one, will be here within two +hours," cried Tom, looking up from the paper, his eyes dancing. "Now we +can do some of the real work that we've been waiting to do!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MAN-KILLER CLAIMS A SACRIFICE + + +In the days that followed Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were more +continuously and seriously busy than they had ever been before in their +lives. + +Sometimes it happens that engineers come upon a quicksand that +apparently has no bottom. It will be filled and apparently the earth on +top is solid. After a few days there will follow either a gradual +shifting away or a sudden cave in, and the quicksand must once more be +attacked. + +This condition had been experienced more than a dozen times with the +Man-killer before Tom and Harry had been called to solve the problem. + +There is no definite way of attacking a quicksand. Much must depend +upon the local conditions. Where it is a small one, yet of seemingly +considerable depth, it is sometimes quickest and cheapest to cross it +with a suspension bridge, the terminal pillars resting on sure +foundations. Some quicksands are overcome by merely filling in new sand +or loam, patiently, until at last the trap is blocked and a permanently +solid foundation is laid. There are many other ways of overcoming the +difficulty. + +The method hit upon by Tom and Harry, after looking over the situation, +was one that was largely original with them. + +It consisted of laying logs, of different lengths, from twelve to +eighteen feet, in a transverse net work filling in earth on this and +allowing the structure gradually to sink where the quicksand shifted or +caved. The sideway drift, at some points, was overcome by hollow steel +piles, driven in as firmly as might be, and then filled with cement from +the top. A line of such piles when imbedded in the ground, helps to +make an effective block to side drift. + +At the outset a few feet of these steel piles were left exposed above +the surface, their gradual settling serving as a reliable index to the +evasive movements of the extensive quicksand underneath. At other +points wooden piles were driven in for the same purpose. + +General Manager Ellsworth did not spend all his time in camp. He could +not do so, in fact, for he had many other pressing duties. However, he +ran over frequently, and always appeared satisfied. + +"Of course it's too early to talk confidently, Reade," said Mr. +Ellsworth, one day when the work had been going on steadily for some +weeks, "but I believe you have the only right method. I have so +reported to our directors. You'll have disappointments, of course, but +I hope you'll encounter none that you can't overcome." + +"I shan't crow until I've seen the test applied to the roadbed over the +Man-killer," Tom replied thoughtfully. "After I've seen that test +applied a couple of times then I'm ready to go before any board and +swear that the Man-killer has been tamed for all time." + +"Speed the day!" replied Mr. Ellsworth, as he climbed into his private +car to return. "By the way, you haven't heard anything lately from Jim +Duff & Company?" + +"Not a word," Reade replied. "I don't believe we're yet through with +Rough-house camp, however. They're waiting only until our suspicions +are allayed. Once in a while we lose one of our workmen to the enemy, +and then we have to discharge the poor fellow. Some of our former men +have gone away, but there are about thirty of them left in Paloma, and I +imagine that they're ready to be ugly when the chance comes. The agent +of the Colthwaite Company is still in Paloma. He has been here ever +since we came." + +"Agent of the Colthwaite Company?" repeated the general manager, opening +his eyes. "What's his name?" + +"Fred Ransom," Tom replied half carelessly. + +"Ransom? Fred Ransom? I never heard of any Colthwaite agent of that +name." + +"He's one of the Colthwaite people's troublemakers," Tom went on, +opening his own eyes rather wide. + +"If you were sure of this why didn't you report it to me earlier?" + +"Why, I supposed your railroad detectives knew all about it. And that +you had heard of it long ago," Reade declared. + +"I haven't heard a word of it," continued Mr. Ellsworth, coming down the +steps of his car and standing on the ground once more. "What proof have +you of Ransom's business here?" + +"None whatever," Tom answered cheerfully, "but I had him spotted the +first time I heard him talking. He was too entirely positive that we'd +fail." + +"That was no proof against him." + +"No; but Ransom was also certain that the Colthwaite plan was the only +one that could bring the Man-killer to time." + +"Have you any other reason to suspect this main?" queried Mr. Ellsworth. + +"Only the fact that Ransom and Jim Duff have been close friends." + +"Where does Ransom stop?" + +"At the Mansion House. He has a suite of rooms there, and entertains +some kinds of people, including Duff, very lavishly." + +"Keep your eyes on that crowd as much as possible, Reade," directed the +general manager thoughtfully, as he once more climbed to the platform of +his car. + +"I will, sir; and it might not be a bad idea to have your detectives do +something of the sort, also." + +The general manager did not answer, except by a vague nod as his train +pulled out from the outskirts of the railway camp. + +Tom went back, called for his horse and rode to the westward for another +look at the Man-killer. He found Harry, also in saddle, beneath the +scanty shade of a struggling tree. Hazelton's quick eyes were taking in +every detail of the work being done by the several large gangs of +workmen. + +"Tom, if we're away from here by Christmas, there's one present you +needn't make me," smiled Hazelton wanly, as he caught sight of the +camera hanging in its leather field case at his chum's side. + +"What present is that?" Tom inquired. + +"Don't make me a present of a photograph of this awful place. It's +photographed on my brain now, and burned in and baked there. If we ever +get through with the Man-killer, and get our money, I never want to see +this spot again." + +"I'm not thinking at all of the money," Reade retorted lightly yet +seriously. "I don't care about the money at present. Nothing will ever +satisfy me in life again until I've beaten the Man-killer fairly and +squarely. It's the one thing I think about by day and dream of at +night." + +"I know it," sighed Harry half pityingly. + +"Well, what else should we think about?" Tom demanded in a low voice. +"Harry, we have the very job, the identical problem, that has thrown +down nearly a dozen engineers of fine reputation. Why, boy, this place +may be out on the blazing desert, and there may be a dozen +discouragements every hour, but we've the finest chance, the biggest +unsolved problem in engineering that we could possibly have. It's +glorious." + +Tom's eyes glowed. + +"Go away," grinned Hazelton mischievously, "or I'll catch some of your +enthusiasm." + +"You don't need any of it," Reade retorted laughingly. "You've tons of +enthusiasm stowed away for future use. You know you have." + +"I suppose I have enough enthusiasm," Harry admitted, "but I should like +to do some actual work. I ride out on the sands every day and sit +looking on while the real work is being done. This problem of +conquering the Man-killer is growing monotonous. I'm tired of pegging +away at the same old task day in and day out." + +"Not quite as bad as that," Tom declared. "There's always something a +bit new. If you want work to do right now, ride over and show those +teamsters where you want them to put the logs that they're bringing up." + +This was far too little to satisfy Harry's longing for "doing things," +but with a grunt he turned his horse's head and jogged away at a trot. + +Tom moved in under the shade of the tree. + +"Harry doesn't know enough to appreciate a good thing when he has it," +softly laughed Tom, grateful for the scant bit of shade. "Neither does +he yet know that often times the brain works best when the body is at +rest." + +Just then Tom heard a sudden shout from the distance, followed by a +chorus of excited voices. + +Instantly the young engineer's gaze turned toward the lately filled-in +edge of the big sink. + +A hundred feet beyond the light platform where some laborers had been +working Reade beheld only the head and shoulders of one of the workmen. + +"The foolish fellow--to go out so far beyond where the men are allowed +to go!" gasped the young chief engineer, setting spurs to his horse. + +In a few moments Tom had reached the edge of the sink. + +"A rope!" he shouted, and seized the thirty-foot lariat that was handed +him. With this, Tom, now on foot, ran within casting distance of the +unfortunate, who was being rapidly enveloped by the quicksand. + +"Come back, Mr. Reade!" bellowed Foreman Payson. "The drift is setting +in on this side of you. Back, like lightning, or you're a doomed man! +You'll be swallowed up by the Man-killer yourself!" + +But Tom, intent only on saving the unfortunate laborer beyond, was +wholly heedless of the fact that his own life was in as great danger. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HARRY FIGHTS FOR COMMAND + + +"Come back, Mr. Reade!" implored Foreman Payson. + +For Tom, who had made two casts with the lariat and failed, was knee- +deep in shifting sand himself. + +"Keep cool!" the young chief engineer called over his shoulder. "I'll +be back--both of us in a minute or two." + +The hapless laborer was now engulfed to his neck in the quicksand. + +"Save me! In Heaven's name get me out of this!" begged the poor fellow, +frenzied by dread of his seemingly sure fate. + +"I'm doing the best I can, friend!" Tom called, as he made a fresh cast. + +This time the noose of the raw-hide lariat dropped over the laborer's +head. + +"Fight your hands free, man!" Tom called encouragingly. "Fight your +hands and chest free, so that you can slip the noose down under your +armpits. Keep cool and work fast, and we'll have you out. Don't let +yourself get excited." + +In the meantime Tom was wholly unaware that the engulfing quicksand was +reaching up gradually toward his hips. + +Foreman Payson had ceased to try to attract Tom's attention. Whatever +was to be done to save the chief engineer must be done swiftly. There +was not another lariat, or any kind of rope at hand. + +Behind was a cloud of alkali dust. Harry Hazelton was riding as fast as +he could urge a spirited horse. + +In another moment Hazelton had reined up at the edge of the group, +dismounting and tossing the reins to one of the workmen. + +"My man, you get on that horse and fly for a rope!" ordered Harry. + +This last Hazelton shot back over his shoulder, for he was pushing his +way through the rapidly forming crowd to Payson's side. Another foreman +had just come up. + +"Mr. Bell," shouted Harry, "drive the men back who are not needed. We +don't want to put a lot of weight on the soil here and cause a further +cave-in." + +By this time Harry was at the edge of the platform. In a twinkling he +was out on the sand. + +Grip! Mr. Payson had a strong hold on the collar of the assistant +engineer. + +"Let go of me!" commanded Harry. + +"You can't go out there, Mr. Hazelton. No more lives are to be wasted." + +"Let go of me, I tell you!" + +"No, sir!" insisted Foreman Payson firmly. + +"Let go of me, or I'll fight you!" + +"You'll have to fight, then," retorted Payson doggedly, maintaining his +grip on the lad's coat collar. "Comeback here!" + +Aided by another man, the foreman dragged Hazelton back to the platform. + +"Payson, I'll discharge you, if you interfere with me!" stormed +Hazelton. + +"Don't be a fool, sir. You can't help Mr. Reade. Be cool, sir. Keep +your head and direct us like a man of sense." + +"Be a man of sense, and see my chum going under the sands of the Man- +killer?" flared Hazelton. + +He made a bound, doubling his fists threateningly. Then three or four +men, at a sign from Payson, seized the young assistant engineer and +threw him to the ground. + +"Tom," called Harry, "order these fools to let me go." + +Reade, however, who had just pulled in all the slack of the rawhide +lariat, and had made it fast about his own left arm, seemed wholly +unaware of his own great peril. + +Tom Reade was now submerged to his waistline in the engulfing sand. + +Unless rescued within five minutes the young chief engineer was plainly +doomed to be swallowed up in the treacherous sands of the Man-killer. +Only a few seconds below the shifting level of the sand would be enough +to smother the life out of him. Scores of strong men, powerless to +help, watched hopelessly within a few yards of the two whose lives were +being slowly but surely snuffed out. + +The laborer, whose carelessness or ignorance had caused all the trouble, +was now in the sand up to his mouth. The agonized watchers could see +him gradually sinking further. + +"Keep up your nerve, friend!" called Tom, in cool encouragement. "We'll +soon have you out of that." + +Gripping the lariat with both bands, Tom gave a strong, sudden wrench +and succeeded in drawing the imperiled man out of the sand a few inches. + +Then the poor fellow began to settle again moaning piteously as he saw a +hideous death staring him in the face. + +Tom Reade's own face was deathly white from a realization of the other's +peril. Of his own danger the young chief engineer had not once stopped +to think. + +Harry Hazelton was again on his feet. That much Foreman Payson had +permitted, but strong-armed laborers stood on either side of the boy, +and their detaining grips were on his arm. + +Out yonder the doomed man saw the engulfing sand creeping up on a level +with his eyes. He tried to scream, but the sand shifted into his mouth. +In pitiable terror the poor fellow closed his mouth in order to delay +death for another moment. Even to call for help would now be swiftly +fatal! + +Behind came the thunder of hoofs. + +"Ropes!" shouted the horseman on Harry's mount. + +He rode past the groups of men, close to the platform. Then, leaping +from the saddle, the rider tossed a small bundle of ropes at Harry's +feet. All were ropes and lines--not a raw-hide among them. + +"There he goes! He's gone!" roared a score of frantic voices, as the +engulfed laborer sank out of sight in the sand. + +Harry Hazelton feverishly uncoiled one of the ropes, gathering a few +folds in his right hand. + +"Catch, Tom!" Harry shouted, making a cast. + +The line swirled through the air, then settled on the sands. + +"O-o-o-oh!" groaned Hazelton, for the rope had fallen four feet to one +side of Reade, and the latter, hemmed in as he was, could not reach it. + +"Take your time and make a sure throw, Harry!" Tom called cheerily. + +Again Hazelton made a throw--and failed. + +"Let me, have that! My head's cooler," called Foreman Payson. + +He made two quick, steady throws, but each shot wide of the mark. + +"Let me have that!" screamed Harry, snatching the line away. + +"There are lines enough. Two men might be making throws," spoke a quiet +voice behind them. + +Payson nodded, and bent over for another line. + +All trace of the doomed laborer had now disappeared. As for Tom, the +sand was reaching up under his arm-pits. The young chief engineer had +had the presence of mind to keep his arms free, but soon they too must +be swallowed up. + +"Good throw--whoever sent it!" cheered Tom Reade, as a final cast-- +Harry's--sent a line within six inches of his face. + +Tom could not see those back at the platform, for his back was turned to +the eastward, and he could no longer swing his body about. + +"Get it under your arms-quick, Tom, or you're done for, too!" screamed +Harry. + +"Keep cool, old chap!" came back the unconcerned answer. "It isn't half +bad out here. The sand feels really cool about one's body." + +"This is no time for nonsense!" ordered Hazelton hoarsely. "Have you +the line fast?" + +"Yes!" nodded Reade. "Haul away! Careful, but strong and steady!" + +Under Foreman Payson's direction a score of men seized the other end of +the line and then began to haul. + +Harry danced up and down in a frenzy. + +"Tom, you idiot," he gasped. "You haven't made the line fast about +yourself." + +"Not yet," came the cheery answer. "That wouldn't be fair play. Haul +away on our friend out yonder." + +Tom Reade had knotted the line fast to his end of the rawhide lariat +that was tied under the shoulders of the engulfed laborer. It was +magnificent, though seemingly a useless sacrifice of his own life for +one who must already be dead. + +From some of the workmen a faint cheer went up as the slowly incoming +line hauled the head of the unconscious laborer above the sand. A foot +at a time the body came toward them over the sand. + +Harry, however, scarcely noted the rescue. He was frantically working +with another line, knotting it in a sort of harness under his own +shoulders. + +"Come here, some of you men!" he called. "Bear a hand here! Lively!" + +Foreman Payson was instantly at the side of the young assistant +engineer. + +"What are you trying to do, Mr. Hazelton?" he demanded. + +"I'm going out on the sands," retorted Harry. "I'm going to reach Tom +Reade. If I go under the men can aid me." + +"But that isn't a rawhide line; it's hemp," objected Foreman Payson. + +"It's strong enough," retorted Hazelton impatiently. + +"I don't know about that." + +"It will have to do," insisted Hazelton. "You men get a good hold. +Also, one of you play out this other line that I'm taking with me for +Tom Reade." + +"Don't risk anything foolish, Harry!" called the voice of Tom Reade, who +now felt the sand under his chin. + +"I'm coming to you," Tom, shouted Harry. + +"It's too dangerous. Don't!" + +"I've got to come to you!" + +"I tell you don't! Maybe I can get myself out." + +"Yes, you can," jeered Hazelton. "Tom, if you went under, do you think +I could ever go back to our native town?" + +"Payson!" shouted Tom. + +"Yes, sir!" + +"Don't let Mr. Hazelton come--yet. Seize him!" + +"I've got him, sir!" + +Harry felt himself seized by the strong arms of the foreman. + +"You don't go, sir," Payson insisted. "It's a criminal waste of life." + +"Man, unhand me. Let me go, I tell you." + +"I won't, sir. I've Mr. Reade's orders." + +"He's helpless and no longer in command," Harry retorted. + +"He's in command enough for me, sir." + +"Payson!" Harry Hazelton's fierce gaze burned into the eyes of the +foreman. "If Tom Reade dies out yonder, and you've hindered me from +saving him--I'll have your life for forfeit!" + +Before that burning look even Payson shrank back. Harry Hazelton, +ordinarily the best natured of boys, was now in terrible earnest. + +"That's right," muttered Hazelton. "Men, I take command here. You +needn't heed any words from Reade. Now, you men on the lines watch +close and listen keenly for my orders." + +With that Hazelton darted out on the deadly, treacherous sands! + + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CHEATING THE MAN-KILLER + + +For the first few yards the assistant engineer ran almost as well as +though on a cinder track. Then his feet sank in. Soon he stumbled. + +Then there came a time, within ten feet of Tom, when Harry felt his feet +settling in the sand despite his efforts to pull himself out. + +In the meantime the haulers on the other line had forgotten to pull the +laborer nearer to safety. + +"You men get your eyes on the job!" sternly commanded Payson, who seemed +capable of having eyes everywhere. + +Harry got out, somehow. He made a bound, landing within arm's length of +Tom Reade. + +"I'm here, old chum!" gasped Hazelton. + +"I knew you'd be," returned Tom calmly, "if there were any way of doing +it." + +Harry pulled himself together and floundered still closer. + +Nor was there a moment to be lost. Tom was already reduced to the +choice between silence and having his mouth filled with sand. + +Harry's hands worked with lightning speed. Feverishly he dug out the +sand, until he had scooped away enough to bare Tom's shoulders and a few +inches beneath. + +Swoop! Down went the extra noose over Tom's lifted arms, and then down +to a snug noose under his armpits. + +From the platform a cheer went up, for the unconscious laborer had just +been hauled to safety. + +It was with a thrill of horror that Hazelton found his own legs firmly +embedded in the sand well up to his thighs. + +"Get Reade started first!" shouted the young assistant engineer. "Don't +bother with me until I give the word." + +How the line fastened to Tom tightened and strained! At times it seemed +as though it must give way. + +Presently Tom's shoulder and a part of his torso were free. + +In the meantime Harry Hazelton had sunk in up to the waist line. + +"We'll haul on you, too, now, Mr. Hazelton!" sounded the voice of +Foreman Payson. + +"Don't you dare do it until I give the word," thundered back the voice +of the assistant engineer. + +With a line securely about him, Harry felt that he could afford to take +the slight chance of waiting his turn. + +He saw Tom's knees coming up out of the sand before he called: + +"Now, Payson, you can give me a little boost if you like. Don't pull me +in ahead of Tom Reade, however." + +Presently deafening cheers went up. Both young engineers were being +slowly, surely hauled to safe ground. + +Then Tom and Harry reached a spot where they could rise to their own +feet and floundered. Tom started, then swayed dizzily. + +"Steady, there, old Gridley boy!" mumbled Hazelton, slipping an arm +around his recovered chum. + +Then the two young engineers reached the platform and a fresh tumult of +joyful cheering burst forth. + +"Payson," exclaimed Harry, going up to the foreman, and holding out his +hand, "will you accept my apologies for all I said to you? I had to use +strong language, or you'd have held me back from Reade." + +"I didn't believe he could be saved," returned the foreman, with a +sickly smile, as he grasped Hazelton's outstretched hand. + +Tom, too weak at first to stand, had dropped to his knees at the side of +the unconscious laborer, over whom some of the bystanders were working +in stupid fashion. + +"This man must have medical attention at once!" Tom declared. "Some of +you men lift him to your shoulders. Be careful not to jolt him, but +travel at a jog all the way to the office building. Harry, can you sit +on your horse?" + +"Surely," said the young assistant. + +"Lucky boy, then," smiled Reade. "I won't be able to sit in saddle for +some minutes. Ride into camp and tell the operator to wire swiftly for +a physician to come out and attend to that man." + +"But you--" + +"I'm here, am I not!" smiled Reade. + +"I should say you are, Mr. Reade!" came a hoarse, friendly roar from one +of the laborers. + +Hazelton did not delay. He was soon speeding back over the desert. + +As for Tom, there were many offers of assistance, but he explained that +all he needed was to keep quiet and have a chance to get his breath +back. + +Payson, in the meantime, had started the work going again, though most +of his men toiled with far less spirit than before the accident. + +Ten minutes later Tom mounted his horse and rode slowly back toward +camp. By the time he reached there he made out the automobile of a +Paloma physician coming in haste. + +Tom was still weak enough to tremble as Harry stepped outside and helped +him to the ground. + +"Harry," Reade remarked dryly, "I'm not going to bother to thank you for +such a simple little thing as saving my life out yonder. I am well +aware that you had the time of your life in doing it." + +"I might have had the time of my life," returned Harry, with an +imitation of his chum's calmness, "if there had been more excitement +about it. It was all rather dull, wasn't it, old chap?" + +Smiling, both stepped inside. Then Tom's face became grave when he saw +that the rescued laborer had not yet recovered consciousness. + +"Somewhere in the world," murmured Reade, as he dropped to one knee and +rested a finger-tip on the laborer's pulse, "there's someone--a woman, +or a child, or a white-haired old man--who wouldn't wish us to let this +man die. What have you men been doing for him?" + +Before the answer could be given a honk sounded at the door. Then a +young doctor clad in white duck and carrying a three-fold medicine case, +stepped inside. + +"Sucked down by the sand and hauled out again, Doc," Tom explained. + +The physician looked closely at his patient and Harry drove out the men +who had no especial business there. + +"A little pin-head of glonoin on his tongue for a beginning," decided +the physician, opening his case. From one of the vials he took a small +pellet, forcing it between the lips of the unconscious man. Then, with +his stethoscope, he listened for the heart beats. + +"Another glonoin, and then we'll start in to wake up our friend," said +the young doctor in white duck, after a pause. + +Two or three minutes later the laborer opened his eyes. + +"You've been trying not to hear the whistle," laughed the doctor gently. +"A big fellow like you must be up and doing." + +Ten minutes later the doctor found Tom outside. + +"The man will be all right now, with a little stuff that I'll leave for +him," smiled the visitor. "Of course there's some man in camp who can +look after a comrade to-night?" + +"Doc, couldn't you do a better job if you had the man in Paloma under +your own eyes tonight?" Tom questioned. + +"Yes; undoubtedly." + +"Can you take him?" + +"Yes." + +"Then do so. Give him all the attention he needs. Make out your bill +to the A. G. & N. M. Hand it to me, and I'll O.K. it and send it in to +headquarters for payment. If you think an automobile ride after dark +will do the poor chap good, give him one and put that in your bill, +too." + +"Reade, I want to shake hands with you," said the physician earnestly. +"I've looked after railroad hands before, but this is the first time I +was ever asked to be humane to one. Have no fear but I'll send this man +back to you strong and grateful. What's his name?" + +"I don't know," returned Reade. "I don't even know to whose gang he +belongs, though I think he's one of Payson's men." + +Late the following afternoon the laborer was brought back to camp. The +following morning he returned to his work as usual. + +During the next two weeks Tom and Harry directed all their energies, as +well as the labor of all of their men, to bridging over that bad spot in +the Man-killer that had so nearly claimed two lives. One after another +six different layers of log network were put down. The open box cars +brought up thousands of tons of good soil, which was dumped down into +the layers of interlaced logs. + +"The old Man-killer must feel tremendously flattered at finding himself +so persistently manicured," laughed Tom as he sat in saddle watching the +men putting down the sixth layer. + +Steel piles, hollow and filled with cement, were being driven here, the +cement not going in until the top of the pile was but four feet above +the level of the desert. + +"Look out yonder," nodded Harry, handing his field glass to his chum. +"You can just make out a glint on the sand. That's one of our steel +piles being sucked under." + +"The explorer of a few centuries hence may find a lot of these piles," +laughed Tom. "If he does, he'll most likely attribute them to the +Pueblo Indians or the Aztecs, and he'll write a learned volume about the +high state of civilization that existed among the savages here before +the white man came." + +"I'm mighty glad, Tom, that General Manager Ellsworth isn't out here to +see how many dozens of steel piles we're feeding hopelessly to the Man- +killer." + +"Not one of those piles is going down hopelessly," Tom retorted. "Some +of the piles may disappear, and never be seen again, but each one will +help hold the drift at some point, near the surface, or perhaps a +thousand feet below the surface." + +"Only a thousand feet below the surface!" Harry grunted. "Tom, I often +feel certain that the Man-killer extends away down to the center of the +earth and up again on the other side. Before I'm a very old man I +expect to hear that several of our steel piles have shot up above the +surface in China or India." + +Hearing the noise of horse's hoofs behind him, Tom turned. He beheld +Fred Ransom riding out to the spot on a mottled "calico" horse. + +"Look who's here," Reade murmured to his chum. + +"What are you going to do with him?" asked Hazelton, after a quick look. +"Run him off the line?" + +"I don't know," Tom answered slowly. "Ransom is trying hard to earn a +living, you know." + +Harry snorted. That sort of estimation of Ransom, even as a joke, was a +little too much for him. + +"Mighty hot day, Reade," called Ransom, as he reined in near the young +engineers. + +"Yes," said Tom slowly. "If I were enjoying myself beside a bottle of +cold soda on the Mansion House porch I don't believe I'd have the energy +to call for a horse and ride all the way out here in the heat." + +"Am I intruding?" demanded Ransom, with a swift, keen glance at the +young chief engineer. + +"Oh, no, indeed!" came Tom's response. "You're as welcome as the +flowers in spring." + +"Thank you. It's a fine job you're doing out here." + +"Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you," Tom drawled. "Your +praise is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor." + +"A competitor!" asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl. "I'm not +an engineer." + +"Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers," Reade rejoined. + +"My people? What do you mean, Reade? There isn't an engineer in our +family." + +"No; but the Colthwaite Company employs a good many engineers," Tom +suggested. + +"Colthwaite?" repeated Ransom, now on his guard. "I have nothing to do +with that concern." + +"No?" asked Tom, as though greatly astonished. "Why, that's strange." + +"Why is it strange?" + +"Why," Tom Reade rejoined amiably, "everyone connected with the A. G. & +N. M. who knows anything at all about you credits you with being a +member of the Colthwaite Company's gloom department." + +"Gloom department?" gasped Ransom, with a wholly innocent-looking face. +"Oh, all right. I'll bite. What is a gloom department, anyway?" + +"It's a comparatively recent piece of business apparatus," smiled Tom. +"It is employed by big corporations as a club with which to hit smaller +crowds that want some of the business of life. The gloom department +might be called the bureau of knocking, or the hit-in-the-neck shift." + +"Is that what you accuse me of doing for the Colthwaite Company?" asked +Fred Ransom, his scowl deepening. + +"Oh, the accusation isn't all mine," Tom assured him unconcernedly. +"Some of it belongs elsewhere." + +"Your suspicions are utterly unwarranted," retorted Ransom, choking +slightly. + +"It's a lot of comfort to hear you say so," Tom rejoined, as smilingly +as ever. + +"You're on the wrong track this time, anyway," Ransom asserted boldly. +"Still, I don't suppose you want me out here." + +"On the contrary, I greatly enjoy seeing you here," Tom declared. "I'm +very grateful for the praise you offered me a moment ago." + +"You're welcome," returned the Colthwaite agent, trying hard to smile. +"However, I won't take up your time. Good afternoon." + +"Good afternoon, then," nodded Tom. "Drop in again, won't you? Any +time within working hours." + +"Confound that fellow Reade!" muttered Ransom angrily as he rode back to +Paloma. "He knows altogether too much--or suspects it. I shall have to +call Jim Duff's attention to him!" + +"Why did you string the fellow so?" asked Harry when the chums were +alone once more. + +"I didn't," Reade retorted. "I came very close to giving him straight +information." + +"Now he'll be more on his guard." + +"That won't do him any good," Tom yawned. "He has been on his guard all +along, yet we found him out. For that matter, any man who lives +regularly at the Mansion House these days is open to our suspicion." + +For the Mansion House, ever since Tom's having been ordered away, had +been a losing proposition. Now and then a traveling salesman stopped +there, though not many. + +"By the way, Harry," predicted Tom, as the chums were riding back to +Paloma at the close of the afternoon, "look out, in about three of four +days, for a new and permanent guest at the Cactus House." + +"Who's coming?" inquired Hazelton. + +"Whatever man the Colthwaite Company decides to send to the Cactus House +as soon as headquarters in Chicago receives Ransom's report. I think +we'll know that new chap, too, when he shows up. Also, you'll find that +the new man is either an avowed enemy of Ransom, after a little, or else +he won't choose to know Ransom at all." + +"That's pretty wild guessing," scoffed Harry Hazelton. + +"Wait three or four days, and see whether it's guessing or one of the +fine fruits of logic," proposed Reade. "Incidentally, the Colthwaite +people will wonder why it didn't occur to them before to send one of +their gloom men to live at the Cactus. Fact is, I've been looking for +the chap for more than a fort-night." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOW THE TRAP WAS BAITED + + +It was the evening of the day after Harry, who had insisted on trudging +up and down the line all day, instead of using his horse, had a touch of +heat headache. + +He was not in a serious condition, but he needed rest. He dropped into +one of the chairs on the Cactus House porch and prepared to doze. + +"Is there anything I can get for you, or do for you, old chap?" inquired +Tom, coming out on the porch after supper and looking remarkably +comfortable and contented. + +"No; just let me doze," begged Harry. "I feel a trifle drowsy." + +"Then, if you're going to give a concert through your nose," smiled Tom, +"I may as well protect myself by going some distance away." + +"Go along." + +"I believe I'll take a walk. Probably, too, the ice cream man will be +richer when I get back." + +Tom went down into the street and sauntered along. He had walked but a +few blocks when he met another young man in white ducks. + +"Doc, I'm looking for the place where the ice cream flows," Reade +hinted. "Can I tempt you?" + +"Without half trying," laughed Dr. Furniss the young physician who had +gone out to camp to attend the Man-killer victim. + +As they were seated together over their ice cream, Dr. Furniss inquired: + +"By the way, do you ever see my one-time patient nowadays?" + +"The fellow we exhumed from the Man-killer?" + +"The same." + +"I see him every morning," laughed Tom. "Really, I can't help seeing +him, for the man puts himself in my way daily to say good morning. And +as yet I haven't learned his name." + +"His name is Tim Griggs," replied Dr. Furniss. "He's a fine fellow, +too, in his rough, manly way. He's wonderfully grateful to you, Reade. +Do you know why?" + +"Haven't an idea." + +"Well, Tim's sheet anchor in life is a little girl." + +"Sweetheart?" + +"After a fashion," laughed the young doctor. "The girl is his daughter, +eight years old. She's everything to Tim, for his wife is dead. The +child lives with somewhat distant relatives, in a New England town. Tim +sends all his spare money to her, and so the child is probably well +looked after. Tim told me, with a big choke in his voice, that, if the +Man-killer had swallowed him up, it would have been all up with the +little girl, too. When money stopped coming the relatives would probably +have set the child to being household drudge for the family. Tim has a +round dozen of different photos of the child taken at various times." + +"Then I'm extra glad we got him out of the Man-killer," said Tom rather +huskily. + +"I knew you'd be glad, Reade. You're that kind of fellow." + +"Tim Griggs, then, is probably one of our steady men," Tom remarked, +after a while. + +"Steady! Why the man generally sends all of his month's pay, except +about eight dollars, to his daughter. From what he tells me she is a +sharp, thrifty little thing. She pays her own board bill with her +relatives, chooses and pays for her own clothes, and puts the balance of +the money in bank for herself and her father." + +"Does Tim ever go to see her?" + +"Once in two years, regularly. He'd go east oftener, but it costs too +much money. He'd live near her, but he says he can earn more money down +here on the desert. Tim even talks about a college education for that +idolized girl. She looks out just as sharply for her daddy. Whenever +Tim is ready to make a trip east, she sends him the money for his fare. +The two have a great old time together." + +"Tim may marry again one of these days, and then the young lady may not +have as happy a time," remarked Tom thoughtfully. + +"I hinted as much to Griggs," replied Dr. Furniss, "but he told me, +pretty strongly, that there'll be no new wife for him until he has +helped the daughter to find her own place in life." + +"Say!" muttered Tom, with a queer little choke in his voice. "The +heroes in life generally aren't found on the high spots, are they?" + +"They're not," retorted the doctor solemnly. + +Half an hour later, after having eaten their fill of ice cream, Dr. +Furniss and Engineer Reade parted, Tom strolling on alone in the +darkness. + +"I can It get that fellow Griggs out of my mind," muttered Tom. "To +think that a splendid fellow like him is working as a laborer! I wonder +if he isn't fitted for something better--something that pays better? +Look out, Tom Reade, you old softy, or you'll be doing something +foolish, all on account of a primary school girl in New England whom +you've never seen, and never will! I wonder--hello!" + +As Tom had walked along his head had sunk lower and lower in thought. +His sudden exclamation had been brought forth by the fact that he had +bumped violently into another human being. + +"Cantch er look out where you're going?" demanded an ugly voice. + +"I should have been looking out, my friend," Tom replied amiably. "It +was very careless of me. I trust, that I haven't done you serious +harm." + +"Quit yer sass!" ordered the other, who was a tall, broad-shouldered and +very surly looking fellow of thirty. + +"I don't much blame you for being peevish," Reade went on. "Still, I +think there has been no serious harm done. Good night, friend." + +"No, ye don't!" snarled the other. "Nothing of the slip-away-easy +style, like that!" + +"Why, what do you want?" I asked Tom, opening his eyes in genuine +surprise. + +"Ye thick-headed idiot!" rasped the surly stranger. "Ye--" + +From that the stranger launched into a strain of abuse that staggered +the young engineer. + +"Say no more," begged Reade generously. "I accept your apology, just as +you've phrased it." + +"Apology, ye fool!" growled the stranger. + +"That won't do. Put up your hands!" + +"Why?" + +"So ye can fight, ye--" + +"Fight?" echoed Tom, with a shake of his bead. "On a hot night like +this? No, sir! I refuse." + +Tom would have passed peaceably on his way, but the stranger suddenly +let go a terrific right-hander. Had Tom Reade received the blow he +would have gone to the ground. But the young engineer's athletic +training stood by him. He slid out, easily and gracefully, but was +compelled to wheel and face his assailant. + +"Don't," urged Tom. "It's too hot." + +"I'm hot myself," leered the stranger, dancing nearer. + +"You look it," Tom admitted. "If you don't stop dancing, you'll soon be +hotter. It makes me warm to look at you." + +"Stop this one, ye tin-horn!" snarled the stranger. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, blocking the blow. "However, I wish you +wouldn't be so strenuous. One of us may get hurt." + +This last escaped Reade as he blocked the blow, and again displayed a +neat little bit of footwork. + +"Let's see you stop this one!" taunted the bully. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, and did so. + +"And this one. And this! Here's another!" + +By this time the blows were raining in fast and thick. Tom's agile +footwork kept him out of reach of the hard, hammer-like fists of the +stranger. + +Tom had been bred in athletics. He was comparative master of boxing, +but before this interchange of blows had gone far the young engineer +realized that he had met a doughty opponent. + +What Tom didn't know was that his present foe was an ex-prizefighter, +who had sunk low in the scale of life. + +What the lad didn't even suspect was that the man had been hired to pick +a fight with him, and that the fight was for desperate stakes. + +"Have you pounded me all you think necessary?" asked Tom coolly, after +more than a minute's hard interchange of blows in which neither man had +gained any notable advantage. + +"No, ye slant-eared boob!" roared the assailant. "Ye--" + +Here he launched into another stream of abuse. + +"You said all that before," remarked Tom, with a new flash in his eyes. +Then fully aroused, he went to work in earnest, intending to drive his +opponent back and down him. + +The fighting became terrific. There was little effort now to parry, for +each fighter had become intent on bringing the other to earth. + +Tom was soon panting as he fought, for his opponent was heavier, taller +and altogether out of the youth's fistic class. + +"If I can only reach his wind once, and topple him over!" thought Reade. + +A blow aimed at his jaw he failed to block. The impact sent the young +engineer half staggering. Another blow, and Tom dropped, knocked out. + +At that very instant a street door near by opened noiselessly. + +"I've got him," leered the bully, bending over the senseless form of Tom +Reade. + +"Bring him in!" ordered a voice behind the open doorway. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TOM HEARS THE PROGRAM + + +Throwing his arms around Tom, the bully lifted him and bore him inside, +dropping him on the floor in the dark. + +"He's some tough fighter," muttered Tom's assailant. "I didn't know but +he'd get me." + +"No; he couldn't," replied the other voice. "I was just opening the +door so I could slip out and give him a clip in the dark." + +"He's coming to," muttered the bully. "Ye'll have to tell me what you +want done with him." + +The speaker had knelt by Tom, with a hand roughly laid against the young +engineer's pulse. Neither plotter could see the boy, for no light had +been struck in the room. + +"Pick him up," ordered the one who appeared to be directing affairs. +"If he comes to while you're carrying him you can handle him easily +enough, can't you?" + +"Of course. Even after he knows pie from dirt he'll be dazed for a few +minutes." + +"Come along with him." + +"Strike a light." + +For answer the director of this brutal affair flashed a little glow from +a pocket electric lamp. + +The way led down a hallway, through to the back of the house, and thence +down a steep flight of stairs into a cellar. + +The man who appeared to be in charge of this undertaking had brought a +lantern, holding it ahead of the man who carried Tom's unconscious form. + +"Dump him there," ordered the man with the lantern. + +"He's stirring," reported the fighter, after having dropped young Reade +to the hard earthen floor. + +"Take this then," replied the other, who, having hung the lantern on a +hook overhead, had stepped off beyond the fringe of darkness. He now +returned with a shotgun, which he handed to the fighter who had attacked +the young chief engineer in the street. + +"Do you want me to shoot him?" whispered the other huskily. + +"If you have to, but I don't believe it will be necessary. The cub will +soon understand that his safety depends entirely on doing as he is +told." + +"Say," muttered Tom thickly. He stirred, opened his eyes, then sat up, +looking dazed. + +"Don't move or talk too much," advised the man with the shotgun. As he +spoke, he moved the muzzle close to Reade's face. + +"Hello!" muttered Tom, blinking rather hard. + +"Hello yourself. That's talking enough for you to do," snapped the +bully. + +"Was that the thing you hit me over the head with at the finish?" +inquired the young engineer curiously. + +"Careful! You're expected to think--not talk," leered his captor. "If +ye want something to think about ye can remember that I have fingers on +both triggers of this gun." + +"I can see that much," Tom assented. "Why do you think that it's +necessary to keep that thing pointed at me? Have you got me in a place +where you feel that facilities for escaping are too great?" + +The word "facilities" appeared too big for the mind of the bully to +grasp. + +"I don't know what ye're talkin' about," he grumbled. + +"Neither do I," Tom admitted cheerily. "My friend, I'm not going to +irritate you by pretending that I know more than you do. In fact, I +know less, for I have no idea what is about to happen to me here, and +that's something that you do know." + +"No; I don't," glared his captor, "and I don't care what is going to +happen to you." + +Back of the fringe between light and darkness steps were heard on the +cellar stairs. Then someone moved steadily forward until he came into +the light. + +"Hello, Jim!" Tom called good-humoredly. + +"Don't try to be too familiar with your betters, young man!" came the +stern reply. + +"Oh, a thousand pardons, Mr. Duff," Tom amended hastily. "I didn't +intend to insult your dignity. Indeed, I am only too glad to find you +resolved to be dignified." + +"If you try to get fresh with me," growled the gambler, "I'll knock your +head off." + +"Call it a slap on the wrist, and let it go at that," urged Tom. "I'm +very nervous to-night, and a blow on the head might make me worse." + +"Nothing could make you worse," growled, Duff, turning on his heel, "and +only death could improve you." + +"Then I'm distinctly opposed to the up-lift," grinned Tom, but Duff had +disappeared into a darker part of the cellar and the young engineer +could not tell whether or not his shaft had reached its mark. + +"Ye wouldn't be so fresh if ye had a good idea of what ye're up against +to-night," warned the bully with the gun. + +"I fancy a good many of us would tone down if we could look ahead for +three whole days," Tom suggested. + +Other steps were now heard on the stairs. The newcomers remained +outside the illuminated part of the cellar until still others arrived. + +"Now, gentlemen," proposed the voice of Jim Duff, "suppose we have a +look at the troublemaker." + +"They can't mean me," Tom hinted to his immediate captor. + +"Shut up!" came the surly answer. + +Fully a dozen men now moved forward. With the single exception of Duff, +each had a cloth, with eye-holes, tied in place over his face. + +"My, but this looks delightfully mysterious!" chuckled Tom. + +"You be still, boy, except when you answer something that calls for a +reply," ordered Jim Duff, who had dropped all of the surface polish of +manner that he usually employed. "This meeting need not last long, and +I'll do most of the talking." + +"Won't these other gentlemen present be allowed to do some of the +talking?" the young engineer inquired. + +"They don't want to," Duff explained gruffly. "That might lead to their +being recognized." + +"Oh, that's the game?" mused Tom Reade aloud. "Why, I thought they had +the handkerchiefs over their faces because--" + +"Shut up and listen!" warned Jim Duff. + +"...because," finished Tom, "they wanted me to feel that everything was +being done regularly and in good dime-novel form. My, but they do look +like some of the fellows that Hen Dutcher used to tell us about. Hen +used to waste more time on dime novels than--" + +"Shut up!" again commanded Duff. "These gentlemen feel that there is no +need of their being recognized." + +"Then why didn't Fred Ransom, of the Colthwaite Company, cover up the +scar on his chin?" retorted Reade. "Why didn't Ashby, of the Mansion +House, invent a new style of walking for the occasion?" + +Both men named drew hastily back into the shadow. Tom chuckled quietly. + +"I could name a few others," Tom continued carelessly. "In fact--I +think I know you all. Gentlemen, you might as well remove your masks." + +"Club him with the butt of the gun, if he talks too much," Duff directed +the bully, who had stepped back a few paces as the men formed a circle +around the young engineer. + +"Did you ever try to stop water from running down hill, Duff," Tom +inquired good-humoredly. + +"What has that to do with--" began the gambler angrily. + +"Nothing very much," Tom admitted. "Only it's a waste of time to try to +bind my tongue. The only thing you can do is to gag me; but, from some +things you've let drop, I judge that you want me to do some of the +talking presently." + +"We do," nodded Duff, seeking to regain his temper. "However, it won't +do you any good to attempt to do your talking before you've heard me." + +"If I've been interfering with your rights, then I certainly owe you an +apology," Tom answered, with mock gravity. "May I beg you to begin your +speech?" + +"I will if you'll keep quiet long enough, boy," Jim Duff retorted. + +"I'll try," sighed Reade. "Let's hear you." + +"This committee of gentlemen--" began the gambler. + +"All gentlemen?" Tom inquired gravely. + +"This committee," Duff started again, "have concerned themselves with +the fact that you have done much to make business bad here in Paloma. +You have prevented hundreds of workmen from coming into Paloma to spend +their wages as they otherwise would have done." + +"Some mistake there," Reade urged. "I can't control the actions of my +men after working hours." + +"You've persuaded them against coming into town," retorted Duff sternly. +"None of the A. G. & N. M. workmen come into Paloma with their wages." + +"I'm glad to hear that," Tom nodded. "It's the effect of taking good +advice, not the result of orders." + +Some of the masked listeners stirred impatiently. + +"It's all the same," Jim growled. "Your men don't come into town, and +Paloma suffers from the loss of that much business." + +"I'm sorry to hear it." + +"So this committee," the gambler went on, "has instructed me to inform +you that your immediate departure from Paloma will be necessary if you +care to go on living." + +"I can't go just yet," Tom declared, with a shake of his bead. "My work +here at Paloma isn't finished." + +"Your work will be finished before the night is over, if you don't +accept our orders to leave town," growled Duff. + +"Dear me! Is it as bad as that?" queried Reade. + +"Worse, as you'll find! What's your answer, Reade?" + +"All I can say then," Tom replied innocently, "is that it is too bad." + +Clip! Jim Duff bent forward, administering a smart cuff against the +right side of the sitting engineer's face. + +"Don't do that!" warned Tom, leaping lithely to his feet. He faced the +gambler coolly, but the lad's muscles were working under the sleeves of +his shirt. + +Duff drew back three steps, after which he faced the boy, eyeing him +steadily. + +"Reade, you've heard what we have to say to you. That you can't go on +living in Paloma. Are you ready to give us your word to leave Paloma +before daylight, and never come back?" + +"No," Tom replied flatly. + +"Then," sneered the gambler, fixing the gaze of his snake-like eyes on +the young chief engineer, "I'll tell you what we have provided for you. +We shall take you to the edge of the town, at once, and there hang you +by the neck to a tree. After you've ceased squirming we'll fasten this +card to you." + +From another man present Jim snatched a printed card, bearing this +legend: + +"Gone, for the good of the community!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB + + +"How soon are you going to carry out your plans?" Reade demanded. + +"Then you won't leave Paloma?" + +"I certainly won't--as far as my own decision goes," Reade replied +firmly. "Furthermore, I should feel the utmost contempt for myself if I +allowed you to drive me away from here before my work is completed." + +"You're a fool!" hissed Duff. + +"And you're a gambler," Tom shot back. "If you won't change your trade, +why should you expect me to change mine?" + +"I reckon, gentlemen," said Duff, turning to the others present, "that +there's no use in wasting any more time with this fellow. He'd rather +be hanged to a tree than take good advice. If the rest of you agree +with me, I propose that we take the cub to his tree at once." + +Several spoke in favor of this plan. Tom, seeing this, felt his heart +sink somewhat within him, though he was no more inclined than before to +accede to the demands of the rascals. + +"Grab him! Throw him down; tie and gag him," were the gambler's orders. + +Two men nearest the young engineer sprang at him. + +"We'll play this game right through to the finish, then!" burst from +Tom's lips, and there was something like fury in his voice. + +Biff! Thump! + +Two of the townsmen of Paloma, wholly unprepared for resistance, went +down before the engineer's telling blows. + +"Your turn, Duff!" rumbled Reade's voice, as he sprang forward and +launched a terrific blow at the gambler. + +Duff went down, almost doubling up as he struck. He had been hit +squarely on the jaw with a force that made even Tom Reade's hardened +knuckles ache. + +"Shoot him!" rose a snarl, as others moved toward the boy. + +"All right!" assented Tom, his voice ringing cheerily despite his anger. +"Be cowards, as comes natural to you. Yet, if you have the courage of +real men I'll agree to fight my way out of this place, meeting you one +at a time." + +"What's that noise up in the street?" suddenly demanded Ashby, in a tone +of sudden fear. + +"Run up and find out, if you want to know," proposed Tom, who stood +poised, ready for another assailant to come within reach of his fists. + +Stealthily, on tip-toe, the bully who had first engaged Reade in the +street fight, was now trying to get up behind the young engineer. The +bully held the shotgun ready to bring down on the lad's head. + +"There's some row up there," continued Ashby. "There, I heard shots!" + +"Brave, aren't you?" jeered Tom. + +Three or four of the masked cowards started for the steep stairway. + +Even the bully with the clubbed shotgun must have been seized with fear; +for, though in position to strike, he quickly lowered the weapon and +listened. + +Bump! smash! sounded, though not directly overhead. + +Then from the hallway above came the noise of the treading of many feet, +while a voice roared hoarsely: + +"Spread through the house, boys! If they've done anything to Mr. Reade, +then break the necks of every white-livered rascal you can find!" + +"Fine!" chuckled Tom, while the masked faces in the cellar turned even +whiter than the cloths covering them. "That voice sounds familiar to +me, too." + +Over the hubbub of voices above sounded some remonstrating tones, as +though others were urging a less violent course. + +"It's the workmen from the camp!" guessed Hotelman Ashby, in a voice +that shook as though from ague. + +"Sounds like it," chuckled Tom. "Cheer up, Ashby. If it's our railroad +crew I'll try to see to it that they don't do more than half kill you!" + +Then, raising his voice, Tom called gleefully: + +"Hello, there! You'll find us in the cellar." + +"Why don't you kill that fool!" muttered Jim Duff, who, still dazed, +struggled to sit up. + +"Hush, man, for goodness sake!" implored the badly frightened Ashby. + +Duff, with rapidly returning consciousness, now leaped to his feet, +drawing his pistol and springing at Reade. + +"Hold on!" Tom proposed coolly. "You're too late!" + +The sudden flooding of light into the place and the rush of hobnailed +shoes on the stairs recalled even the gambler's scattered senses. + +"There they are!" yelled a voice. "Grab 'em! Be careful you don't hit +Mr. Reade." + +In another instant the cellar was the center of a wild scene. Railway +laborers flooded the little place. While some held dark lanterns that +threw a bright glow over the scene, others leaped upon the masked ones, +tearing the cloths from their faces. + +"Serve 'em hot!" roared the same rough voice. + +"Stop!" commanded Tom Reade, leaping forward where the light was +brightest and into the thick of the struggling mass of humanity. + +"Stop, I tell you!" + +His commands fell upon deaf ears. It was impossible to restrain these +men. + +Here and there the lately masked men drew pistols, though not one of +them had a chance to use his weapon ere it was wrested from him. + +Pound! slam! bang! A medley of falling blows filled the air, nor was it +many seconds later when cries of pain and fear, and appeals for mercy +were heard on all sides. + +Tom had recognized his own railroad workers, and was throwing himself +among them, doing his utmost with hands and voice to stop the brief but +wild orgy of revenge on the part of the workmen who idolized him. In +their present rage, however, Tom could not at once restrain them. Time +and again he was swept back from reaching Tim Griggs, who was easily the +center of this volcanic outburst of human passion. + +"Boys!" roared Tim. "We'll want to know these coyotes to-morrow. Black +the left eye of each rascal. I'll black both of Jim Duff's." + +Two heavy, sodden impacts sounded during a brief pause in the noise, +attesting to the fact that the gambler had been decorated. + +"Stop all this! Stop!" roared Tom Reade. "Men, we're not savages, just +because these other fellows happen to be! Stop it, I tell you. Are +there no foremen here?" + +"I'm trying to reach you, Mr. Reade," called the voice of Superintendent +Hawkins. "But this is a heavy crush to get through." + +In truth it was. There were more than a hundred laborers in the cellar, +while the stairs were blocked by a mob of enraged workmen. + +"Stop it all, men!" Tom again urged, and this time there was silence, +save for his own strong voice. "We don't want to prove ourselves to be +as despicable as the enemy are. Bring 'em up to the street, but don't +be brutal about it. We'll look the scoundrels over so that we'll know +them to-morrow. Come along. Clear the stairs, if you please, men!" + +Tom was now once more in control, as fully as though he had his force of +toilers out on the desert at the Man-killer quicksand. + +So, after a few minutes, all were in the street. Here fully two hundred +more of the railroad men, many of them armed with stakes and other crude +weapons, held back a crowd of Paloma residents who swarmed curiously +about. + +"Let me through, men. Let me through, I tell you!" insisted the voice +of Harry Hazelton, as that young assistant engineer struggled with the +crowd. + +Then, on being recognized, Harry was allowed to reach the side of his +chum. + +"Mr. Reade!" called a husky-toned voice, "won't you order your men to +let me through to see you? I want to talk with you about tonight's +outrage." + +Tom recognized the speaker as a man named Beasley, one of Paloma's most +upright and courageous citizens. + +"Let Mr. Beasley through," Tom called. "Don't block the streets, men. +Remember, we've no right to do that." + +A resounding cheer ascended at the sound of Tom's voice. In the light +of the lanterns Tom was seen to be signaling with his hands for quiet, +and the din soon died down. + +"Mr. Reade," spoke Beasley, in a voice that shook with indignation, "the +real men of this town would like an account of what has been going on +here to-night. If Duff and his cronies have been up to anything that +hurts the good name of the town we'd like the full particulars. You men +there--don't let one of the rascals get away. Jim Duff and his gang +will have to answer to the town of Paloma." + +"Men," ordered Reade, "bring along the crew you caught in the cellar. +Don't hurt them--remember how cowardly violence would be when we have +everything in our own hands." + +"The men of Paloma will do all the hurting," Mr. Beasley announced +grimly. + +Tom's own deliberate manner, and his manifest intention of not abusing +his advantage impressed itself upon the decent men of Paloma, who now +swarmed about the frightened captives from the cellar. + +"I know 'em all," muttered Beasley. "I'll know 'em in the morning, too. +So will you, friends!" he added, turning to the pressing crowds. + +"Start Jim Duff on his travels now!" demanded one angry voice. + +"By the Tree & Rope Short Line!" proposed another voice. + +Jim was caught and held, despite his straggles. Active hands swarmed +over his clothing, seeking for weapons. + +"Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" appealed Tom sturdily, making his resonant +voice travel far over the heads of the throng. "Will you honor me with +your attention for three or four minutes?" + +"Yep!" shouted back one voice. + +"You bet!" came another voice. + +"Go ahead and spout, Reade. We'll have the hanging, right after!" + +There was nothing jovial in these responses. Tom Reade knew men well +enough to recognize this fact. Moreover, Tom knew the plain, +unvarnished, honest and deadly-in-earnest men of these south-western +plains well enough to know the genuine fury of the crowd. + +Arizona and New Mexico have long been held up as states where violence +and lynch law prevail. The truth is that Arizona and New Mexico have no +more lynchings than do many of the older states. An Arizona lynching +can only follow an upheaval of public sentiment, when honest men are +angered at having their fair fame sullied by the acts of blackguards. + +"Friends," Tom went on, as soon as he could secure silence, "I am a +newcomer among you. I have no right to tell you how to conduct your +affairs, and I am not going to make that mistake. What you may do with +Jim Duff, what you may do with others who damage the fair name of your +town, is none of my business. For myself I want no revenge on these +rascals. They have already been handled with much more roughness than +they had time to show to me. I am satisfied to call the matter even." + +"But we're not!" shouted an Arizona voice from the crowd. + +"That's your own affair, gentlemen," Reade went on. "I wish to suggest +--in fact, I beg of you--that you let these fellows go to-night. In the +morning, when the sun is up, and after you have thought over the matter, +you will be in a better position to give these fellows fair-minded +justice--if you then still feel that something must be done to them. +That is all I have to say, gentlemen. Now, Mr. Beasley, won't you follow +with further remarks in this same line?" + +Mr. Beasley looked more or less reluctant, but he presently complied +with Reade's request. Then Tom called upon another prominent citizen of +Paloma in the crowd for a speech. + +"Let the coyotes go--until daylight," was the final verdict of the +crowd, though there was an ominous note in the expressed decision. + +In stony silence the crowd now parted to let Jim Duff and his fellows go +away. + +Within sixty seconds the last of them had run the gauntlet of contempt +and vanished. + +"Someone told me," scoffed Beasley, "that a gambler is a man of courage, +polish, brains and good manners. I reckon Jim Duff isn't a real +gambler, then." + +"Yes, he is!" shouted another. "He's one of the real kind--sometimes +smooth, but always bound to fatten on the money that belongs to other +men." + +"Jim can leave town, I reckon," grimly declared another old settler. +"We have savings banks these days, and we don't need gamblers to carry +our money for us." + +"Speech, Reade! Speech!" insisted Mr. Beasley good-humoredly. + +From some mysterious place a barrel was passed along from hand to hand. +It was set down before the young chief engineer, and ready hands hoisted +him to the upturned end of the barrel. + +"Speech!" roared a thousand voices. + +Tom, grinning good-humoredly, then waved his arms as though to still the +tumult of voices. Gradually the cheering died down, then ceased. + +Bang! sounded further down the Street, and the flash of a rifle was +seen. + +Tom Reade, his speech unmade, fell from the barrel into the arms of +those crowded about him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MR. DANES INTRODUCES HIMSELF + + +Daylight found Jim Duff and some of his cronies of the night before +either absent from Paloma, or else securely hidden. + +Fred Ransom, the Colthwaite Company's representative, had also vanished. + +Proprietor Ashby, of the Mansion House, was reported to be skulking in +his hotel, as he did not show his face on the streets. + +Morning also brought calmer counsel to the real men of Paloma. They +were now glad that they had not sullied themselves by acts of violence. + +No one, when daylight came, entertained the belief that Tom Reade would +suffer from any further attempts at violence, for now the little coterie +of so-called "bad men" in the town were thoroughly frightened. + +Tom had not been hit by the rifle shot. He had fallen as a matter of +precaution, fearing that a second shot would speed on the heels of the +first. + +The fellow who had fired that shot at Tom had not lingered long enough +to place himself in risk of Arizona vengeance. Even before some of the +men in the crowd had had time to discover that Reade, unhurt, was +laughing over his escape, a score or more had darted down the street, +only to find that the unknown whom they sought was safely out of the +way. + +"We'll search the town from one end to the other," one excited citizen +had proposed. + +"We'll make a night of it." + +"Don't do anything of the sort," Tom had urged. "You'll terrorize +hundreds of women and children, who have no knowledge of this affair. +Jim Duff's little evening of celebration is ended and now the wisest +thing for you to do is to return to your homes. Mr. Hawkins!" + +"Here, sir," answered the superintendent of construction. + +"Get our men together and return to camp. They'll need sleep against +the toil of to-morrow. Let every man who wants to do so sleep an hour +or two later in the morning. Men of the A., G. & N. M., accept my +heartiest thanks for the splendid manner in which you turned out to help +me, though as yet I'm ignorant of how it all came about." + +Nor was it until the next day that Tom Reade learned from Hazelton just +what had caused the laborers to tumble out of their beds and rush into +town to serve him. + +That night Tim Griggs had been prowling about the streets of Paloma, +suspicious of Reade's enemies, and watching for the safety of the young +chief engineer who had saved him from the savage appetite of the Man- +killer quicksand. + +It had chanced that Tim had caught a glimpse of the finish of the fight +on the street, and was just in time to see the young chief engineer +lifted and carried into that unoccupied house, the property of the hotel +man, Ashby. + +Tim's first instinct had been to seek help in town--in that very +neighborhood. Tim was suspicious, and afraid that he might by mistake +appeal to some of Tom's enemies. + +So, while running through the streets searching for Hazelton, Tim had +espied an automobile standing idle in front of a house. Having some +acquaintance with automobiles, Tim had cranked up and leaped into the +vehicle, speeding straight to camp, where he gave the alarm. Men +answered by hundreds, Mendoza keeping his Mexicans in camp to watch the +property there. + +Harry was aroused by the tumult, for he had just gone to his room, +intending to turn in. + +Having roused the camp, Tim ran the car back to town at the head of the +swarming little army and returned to the spot where he had seized the +automobile. + +"It's all over now, old fellow," Tom declared to his chum cheerily, +rising from his office chair as one of the whistles blew and the men +knocked off for their noonday meal. "What happened last night won't +happen again." + +"Just the same, Tom, I almost wish you'd carry a pistol after this," +Harry remarked, as the two engineers went to their horses, mounted and +started toward town for their own meal. + +"Bosh!" almost snapped Tom. "You know my opinion of pistols. They are +for policemen, soldiers and others who have real need to go armed. Only +a coward would pack a pistol day by day without needing it." + +So the matter was dropped for the time being. + +At the hotel Tom and Harry went to their accustomed seats in the dining +room. Their food was brought and the two young engineers fell to work +cheerfully. Just then a well-dressed man of perhaps thirty years +entered the dining, room, spoke to one of the waiters, and came over to +the engineers' table. + +"Messrs. Reade and Hazelton?" he inquired pleasantly. + +"Yes," Harry nodded. + +"May I make myself known?" asked the stranger. "My name is Danes--Frank +Danes." + +Harry in turn gave his own name and that of Tom. + +"I wonder if you would think it intruding if I invited myself to join +you at this table?" the stranger went on. + +"By no means," Tom responded cordially. "We'll be glad of your company. +It will stop Hazelton and myself from talking too much shop." + +"Oh, by all means talk shop," begged Danes, as he slipped into a chair +at one side of the table. "I shall enjoy it, for I am interested in you +both. In fact, I took the liberty of asking the waiter to point you +gentlemen out to me." + +"So?" Tom inquired. + +Danes had the appearance of being a well-to-do easterner, and announced +himself as a resident of Baltimore. + +For some minutes the three chatted pleasantly, Harry, however, doing +most of the talking for the engineers. When Tom spoke it was generally +to put some question. + +"Do you ever permit visitors to go out to the Man-killer?" Danes +inquired toward the end of the meal. + +"Sometimes," Tom answered. + +"I shall be very grateful if you will accord me that privilege." + +"We shall be very glad to invite you out there some time," Tom answered +pleasantly. + +"To-day?" pressed the stranger. "I have nothing to do this afternoon." + +"Some other day would suit better, if you can arrange it conveniently," +Reade suggested, as he rose. + +Then they left Danes, securing their horses and riding back over the +scorching desert. + +"How do you like Danes?" Harry asked, after they had ridden some +distance. "He seems a very pleasant fellow." + +"Very pleasant," Tom nodded. + +"Why didn't you let him come along?" + +"Because I don't like Danes' employers." + +"His employers?" Harry repeated, puzzled. + +"Yes; he is employed by the Colthwaite Company." + +"What?" Hazelton started in astonishment. "How do you know that, Tom?" + +"I don't know it, but I'm sure of it, just the same," was Reade's +answer. + +"It maybe so," Harry agreed. "What makes you suspect him?" + +"Well, in the first place, Danes, if that's his name--said he hailed +from Baltimore. Yet he had none of that soft, delightful southern +accent that you and I have noticed in the voices of real southern men. +Danes uses two or three words, at times, that are distinctly Chicago +slang. Moreover, I'm certain that the man knows a good deal about +engineering work, though he won't admit it." + +"We'll have to watch him, then," muttered Harry. + +"We don't need to tell him anything, nor do we need to bring him out +here to see how we are filling in the Man-killer. If we don't tell +Danes much he may not last long. The Colthwaite people ought soon to +grow tired of keeping agents here who don't succeed in hindering our +work." + +"Whew! I shall be glad of a sleep to-night, after all the excitement of +last night," declared Hazelton, as the young engineers rode into Paloma +at the close of the day's work. + +On the porch, lolling in a reclining chair with his feet elevated to the +railing, sat Frank Danes. + +"Back from toil, gentlemen?" was his pleasant greeting. + +"Long enough to get sufficient sleep to carry us through to-morrow," was +Tom Reade's unruffled response. + +"You do look tired," assented Danes, rising and coming toward them. +"Yet I hear that, personally, you don't have hard work to do." + +"We don't work at all, if you take that view of it," Harry retorted. +"Yet there's a thing called responsibility, and many wise men have +declared that it takes more out of a man than hours of toiling with pick +and shovel." + +"Oh, I can believe that's so," agreed Danes. "Going into dinner now?" + +"After a bath and a change of clothing," Tom replied. + +"Then, if you really don't mind, I'll wait and dine at the same table +with you." + +"If you can wait that long we shall be charmed to have your company," +Tom assured him as the young engineers stepped inside. + +Frank Danes half started as they left him. + +"Reade's tone sounded a bit peculiar," muttered the newcomer to himself. +"I wonder why? Perhaps I have forced myself a little too much upon him +and Reade has taken a dislike to me." + +If Tom had taken a dislike to the newcomer, Danes could not be sure of +it from the young chief engineer's manner at table. Harry Hazelton, +too, was almost gracious during the meal. + +"They're a pair of half-smart, half-simple boobs," decided Danes, as he +smoked a cigar alone after dinner. + +"Tom, I think your great intellect has gone astray for once," remarked +Hazelton, in the privacy of their room upstairs. + +"I never knew that I had any great intellect," Reade laughed. "However, +I was born to be suspicious once in a while. I suppose you were +referring to Frank Danes." + +"Yes; and he appears to be a mighty decent fellow." + +"I'm sure I hope he is," yawned Tom. "I'm willing to give him the +benefit of the doubt. I'm going to bed, Harry. What do you say?" + +Hazelton was agreeable. Within twenty minutes both young engineers were +sound asleep. + +It was after midnight when cries of "fire!" from the street aroused +them. + +Tom Reade threw open the door to be greeted by a cloud of stifling +smoke. + +"Hustle, Harry!" he gasped, making a rush to get into his clothing. "We +can get out, I think, but we haven't any time to spare. This old trap +is ablaze. It won't last many minutes!" + +Trained in the alarms and the hurries of camp life, the young engineers +all but sprang into their clothes. + +"Come on, Harry!" urged Tom, throwing open the door. "We can make it." + +They started, when, from the floor above, a woman's frantic appeals for +help reached them. Children's cries were added to hers. + +"Get to the street, Harry!" shouted Tom. "I'm going upstairs. There'd +be no satisfaction for me in reaching the street if I abandoned that +woman and her babies to their fate. One of us can do the job as well as +two!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +DANES SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT + + +Almost immediately after the cries of "fire" the bell at the fire +station pealed out. + +Paloma's volunteer fire department turned out quickly, running to the +scene with a hand engine, two hose reels and a ladder truck. + +By this time, however, the whole of Paloma appeared to be lighted up +with the brisk blaze. Tongues of flame shot skyward from the burning +hotel, while small blazing embers dropped freely into the street. + +"Is everyone out? Everyone safe? Anyone missing?" panted Carter, the +young proprietor of the Cactus House. + +The disturbed guests ranged themselves about Carter, who looked them +over swiftly. + +"Where are Mrs. Gerry and her two babies?" demanded the hotel man, his +cheeks blanching. + +None answered, for no one had seen the woman and her children. + +"They must be in the house," cried Carter. + +At that instant a woman's face appeared, briefly, at a window on the +third floor. Her piercing cry rang out, then her face vanished, a cloud +of smoke driving her from the open window. + +"Hustle the ladders along!" begged the hotel man hoarsely. "We must +rescue that woman and her children. Her husband will be here in +morning. What can we say to him if we allow his wife and children to +perish in the flames?" + +In a few moments a long ladder had been hauled off the track and brave +men rushed it to the wall, two men starting to ascend the moment it was +in place. + +In another moment they came sliding down, balked. Flames had enveloped +the upper end of the ladder. It had to be hauled down, buckets of water +being dashed over the blazing sides. + +"You can't get a ladder up on any part of that wall to the third floor," +called the chief of the fire department hoarsely, as he broke through a +thick veil of smoke. "You'll have to try the rear." + +"Where are Reade and Hazelton?" called a voice. + +"Reade!" + +"Hazelton!" + +There was no answer. A hundred men turned, looking blankly at their +nearest fellows. + +"They've gone down in the flames!" called another voice. + +"Reade and Hazelton have lost their lives!" + +"That'll make their enemies happy!" groaned one man, and other voices +took it up. + +"Carter," shouted one big man, running to the proprietor, "if this blaze +is the work of a fire-bug, then look for Reade and Hazelton's enemies. +They have the most to gain by the death of those young fellows!" + +A hoarse yell went up from the crowd. All of a sudden it seemed plain +to every man present that the hatred for Tom and Harry in certain +quarters fully accounted for the fire. + +"Get a rope! Lynch somebody!" shouted one voice after another. + +"First of all, let's find a way to get that woman and her babies out!" +Carter appealed, frantically. + +Scores of voices took up this cry, and numbers of men hastened around to +the rear of the little hotel in the wake of the laddermen. + +"We must find Reade and Hazelton, too," shouted others. + +"Then we'll lynch someone for this night's business!" + +The cry was taken up hoarsely. + +Two ladders were quickly hoisted at the rear. Almost before they had +begun to hoist, the laddermen and spectators felt that it was a useless +attempt. + +Nor did the doors and passages seem to offer any better avenue of +escape. + +Chug, chug, chug! sounded a touring car close at hand. An automobile +stopped, Dr. Furniss jumping out. + +"Anyone in danger!" shouted the young doctor. + +"Yes; a woman and her children. Also Reade and Hazelton!" + +"It's all right, then," nodded Furniss, looking relieved. "Tom Reade +and Harry Hazelton have gone to the aid of the woman." + +"If I could only believe that!" gasped Proprietor Carter. "We've tried +the ladders, and we've tried the corridors of the house. It's a raging +furnace in there." + +Dr. Furniss looked on rather calmly. + +"I'm merely wondering on which side of the house those two engineers +will appear with the woman and her children," he declared. + +For the fourth time a ladder was being vainly raised at the rear. +Suddenly a shout rang out. In the basement a window was unexpectedly +knocked out from the inside. + +Through the way thus cleared leaped a young man so blackened with smoke +as to be unrecognizable, though it was Hazelton. + +Before those who first espied the young man recovered from their +surprise, a pair of arms from the inside handed out the body of a child +to Hazelton. + +Then came another child. Next the senseless body of a woman was handed +out. + +Dr. Furniss was the first to recover, from delighted amazement. In a +bound he was on the spot, taking care of one of the children himself and +bawling to others to bring the rest of the family. + +Tom Reade, looking more like a burnt-cork minstrel in hard luck than +like his usual self, sprang through the window way and followed. + +"Here, you people--stand back!" roared Tom, elbowing his way along. +"Dr. Furniss and his patients want room and air. Stand back!" + +"It's Reade!" yelled a dozen men in delight. + +"Well, what of it?" asked Tom coolly, as he followed Furniss. "Was +there anyone here who expected that I'd be lost?" + +"Hurrah! Where's Hazelton?" + +"Who wants me?" demanded the other unrecognizable, smoke-blackened +figure. + +"They're both safe!" + +"Oh--cut it out," begged Tom good-humoredly. "You can't lose an +engineer or even kill him. Doc, what's the report?" + +"All three are alive," replied Dr. Furniss, "but they'll need care and +nursing. Here, help me place them in my car. Someone get in and ride +with me--I'll need help. You, Reade!" + +"No," responded Tom with emphasis, as he looked down at his discolored +self. "If the lady saw me when she opened her eyes, she'd faint again. +I'd scare the kiddies into convulsions. A bath for me!" + +A man from the crowd quickly stepped into the tonneau of the car, ready +to care for the woman and her children while the physician drove his car +home. + +"Hello, Reade! My congratulations on your getting out. 'Twas a brave +deed, too, to save that poor woman and her children." + +Frank Danes pressed through the crowd about the car, reaching out to +seize Reade's hand. + +Into Tom's face flashed a sudden look that few had ever seen there. + +It was a look full of contempt that the young chief engineer bent on the +man who had greeted him. + +"Your hand!" cried Danes, in a voice ringing with admiration. + +"Don't you touch me!" warned Reade, his voice vibrating with anger. + +"Why--what--" began Danes, then reached his own right hand for Tom's. + +"Make way for this 'gentleman' to fall!" roared Reade, then swung a +crushing blow that landed squarely in Danes's face. + +The latter went down in a heap. + +There had been no explanation of the seemingly unprovoked blow, but the +crowd surged forward, snatching Danes's body up as though he were +something of which these men were anxious to be rid. + +"Did he set the hotel afire?" demanded one man in husky tones. + +"Did he?" chorused the crowd. + +"Lemme through! Here's a rope!" + +Then followed wild sounds that could not be distinguished as words. +These men of Paloma seemed bent upon fighting for the possession of +Frank Danes, who, having now recovered his senses, emitted shrill +appeals for mercy. + +"Here's the fire-bug! Here's the human match!" + +"To the nearest tree!" + +"I've got the rope ready!" + +In another thirty seconds Frank Danes would have been dangling from a +limb of the nearest tree. Again Reade and Hazelton sprang into action. + +"Stand back, men--please do!" begged Tom, fighting his way through the +thinnest side of the crowd. "Don't kill any man without a trial." + +"You know that this tenderfoot fired the hotel, don't you?" asked one +man hoarsely. + +"I've reason to suspect that he did--" + +"That's enough for us!" roared a hundred voices. + +"But I've no positive proof of Danes' guilt," Tom insisted. + +"To the tree with him!" + +"Not while I've breath left in my body!" Tom blazed forth desperately. +"Come, Harry!" + +Hazelton sprang to his chum's side, the two fighting desperately to +drive away the men who held Frank Danes captive. + +"Wait a few hours at least, men!" Tom appealed earnestly. "Don't do +anything now that you'll be sorry for to-morrow." + +Other men of calm judgment began to see the force of Reade's remarks. + +Tom and Harry were swiftly backed by such reinforcements that the +trembling wretch was torn from his would-be destroyers. + +"Reade," sobbed Frank Danes, "as long as I live I'll never forget your +splendid conduct." + +"Shut up!" retorted Tom roughly. "I don't want to have to knock you +down again. It might start a riot that no man could quell." + +"Pass the skulking tenderfoot out to us!" implored some of the men on +the edge of the crowd, among whom was the man with the spare rope. + +"No! We won't disgrace the town with a lynching," Tom shot back. "Wait +until cool judgment has had time to do its work." + +"Bear a hand there!" roared Harry. "Help the firemen to save the next +building. Follow me!" + +Thus led, the fickle crowd started to the aid of the firemen. + +"Come with me, Danes," whispered Tom hoarsely, sternly. "Keep your +distance, however, or I shall lay violent hands on you." + +Once out of the glare of light cast by the burning of the hotel, Tom +Reade pointed down a dark side street. + +"There's your way, Danes," whispered Reade. "Skip! Be far from Paloma +by daylight--or nothing will save you." + +"Do you consider me responsible for that fire?" faltered Danes. + +"Hazelton and I went through that fire," Tom retorted sternly. "We had +a hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked +with the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I +couldn't swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your +coat and your hands have the odor of coal oil." + +Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him. + +"So, you see," continued Tom savagely, "you'll do well to escape before +anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you." + +"You've been mighty good to me--and I--" chattered Danes. + +"Shut up, as I advised you before!" rasped Tom Reade. "I've been as +good to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the +men of this town suspect--understand--you?" + +"I will," Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering. + +"Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world." + +"I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks--" + +"Shut up!" Tom insisted. "Thanks from you would make me feel like a +traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company, +however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the +others!" + +At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest. + +"That was their second attempt," muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back +to where the flames still held dominion. "I wonder if I shall be as +lucky when the third attempt against me is made?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TIM GRIGGS "GETS HIS" + + +In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a +shapeless mass of smoking embers. + +The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her +children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging +for the night. + +The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough +achievement. + +Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the +dumbwaiter that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above. + +The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding +on the top of the wooden frame. Mrs. Gerry's rescue was delayed until +Harry could send the dumb-waiter up to the third floor, where she and +Tom awaited its return. Aided by Tom, she descended to the kitchen +without accident; then Tom followed, sliding down the rope. It was but +the work of a moment to break through the basement window and pass the +woman and her children out to safety. + +Morning found Proprietor Carter somewhat resigned to his loss. True, +the hotel had been destroyed and the embers must be removed, but both +building and contents had been fairly well insured. + +"I'm a few thousand out," said the hotel man philosophically, "but I +have my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild., +and put up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand +dollars in debt, to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned +the money that I've lost." + +"Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?" +demanded Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast. + +"Did I?" asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober. + +"There was a broad grin on your face?" + +"Carter didn't see it, did he?" + +"I don't know; but why, the grin, Tom?" + +"I'll tell you after I see what answer I receive to a telegram that I've +sent." + +"Tom Reade, you always were provoking!" + +"Now I'm doubly so, eh?" + +"Oh, well, I don't care," muttered Harry. "I can wait; I'm not very +nosey." + +By noon General Manager Ellsworth arrived on the scene of the labors of +the young engineers, out at the site of the big quicksand. + +"You can run the work here this afternoon, Harry," Tom declared. "I +shall want to put in my time with Mr. Ellsworth." + +"Was he the answer to your telegram?" + +Tom offered no further information, but hurried away to meet the general +manager, who had come out to camp in an automobile hired at Paloma. +Manager and chief engineer now toured slowly toward town, Harry watching +them as long as they were in sight. + +"Tom has something big in the wind," muttered Hazelton. "It must be +something about the hotel fire. What can it be? At any rate, I'll +wager it's something that pleases my chum wonderfully." + +Nor did Tom return until late in the afternoon. He came back alone. + +"Well?" demanded Harry. + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "It's well." + +"What is?" + +"The game." + +"What is the game?" + +"When you hear about it--" Reade began. + +"Yes, yes--" + +"Then you'll know." + +"Tom Reade, do you know, I believe I'm quite ready and willing to thrash +you?" cried Harry in exasperation. + +"Please don't," Tom begged. + +"Then tell me what you've been so mightily mysterious about." + +"I will," returned Reade. "I'd have told you hours ago, Harry, only I'm +afraid you would have been demoralized with disappointment if the thing +had failed to go through. Harry, to-day I've been meddling in other +people's business. Congratulate me! I put it through without getting +myself thumped or even disliked, by anyone. Both sides to the deal are +'tickled to death,' as the saying runs." + +"You said you were going to tell me," remarked Hazelton, trying hard to +restrain his curiosity for a minute or two longer. + +"Sit down and listen," Tom urged his chum, handing him a chair in their +little shack of an office. + +Then, indeed, Tom did pour forth the whole story. As Harry listened a +broad grin of contentment appeared on his face, for one of Hazelton's +lovable weaknesses was his desire to see other people get ahead. + +Just as Tom finished, a figure darkened the doorway. + +"I'm ready to go, sir," announced Tim Griggs. + +"Go where?" inquired Harry. + +"I've fired Griggs," observed Tom Reade. + +"What! After all that he did for you the other night?" demanded +Hazelton, aghast. "After the man saved your--" + +"Oh, I'm quite satisfied to be fired, Mr. Hazelton," Tim Griggs broke +in. "In fact, I'm very grateful to Mr. Reade. He has certainly given me +a big boost forward in the world." + +"What are you going to do now, Griggs?" Harry asked. + +"You'd better address him as 'Mr. Griggs,' Harry," Tom hinted. "He is a +foreman now, at six dollars a day, and entitled to his Mister." + +"Foreman?" Harry repeated, while Gregg's grin broadened. + +"Yes," Tom continued. "Mr. Griggs is to be foreman on the new job that +I've just been telling you about in town. After this, if Mr. Griggs is +careful to behave himself, he's likely always to be a foreman on some +job or other for the A., G. & N. M." + +Harry sprang forward, seizing the hand of Tim Griggs and shaking it with +enthusiasm. + +"Bully old Griggs! Lucky old Griggs!" Hazelton bubbled forth. "Mr. +Griggs, you'll believe from now on what I've always believed--that it's +a great piece of luck in itself to be one of Tom Reade's friends." + +"It surely has been great luck for me, sir," Griggs answered. "The best +part of all," he added, with a husky note in his voice, "is what it +means to that little girl of mine. When I get into town to-night I in +going to sit down and write that little daughter a long letter all about +the grand news. She'll be proud of her dad's good luck! She's only +eight years old, but she's a great little reader, and she writes me +letters longer than my own." + +"If you'll wait a minute, Mr. Griggs," proposed Tom, "we'll be able to +give you a ride into town. The general manager gave me authority to +rent and use an automobile after this. It's out there waiting now." + +The new foreman gratefully accepted the invitation. Within five minutes +the chauffeur had stopped the car in Paloma and Tim Griggs got out to go +to his new boarding place in the town. + +"God bless you, Mr. Reade!" he said huskily, holding out his band. +"You've done a lot for me--and my little girl!" + +"No more than you've done for me," smiled Tom. "Anyway, you haven't +received more than you deserve, and you never will in this little old +world of ours." + +"I don't know about that," replied the new foreman, a sudden flush +rising to his weather-beaten face. "It all seems too good to be true." + +"You'll find it to be true enough when you draw your next pay, Griggs," +laughed Tom. "Then you'll realize that you aren't dreaming. In the +meantime your dinner is getting cold at your boarding place. Don't let +your new job spoil your appetite." + +When Tom and Harry rode into town at noon the following day they beheld +a scene of great activity at the site of the destroyed Cactus House. +All the blackened debris had been carted away during the morning by a +large force of men. Now, derricks lay in place, to be erected in the +afternoon. A steam shovel had been all but installed and a large +stationary engine rested on nearly completed foundations. + +George Ashby, proprietor of the Mansion House, who had dared, during the +last two days, to show himself a little more openly on the streets of +Paloma, halted just as Tom and Harry stepped out of the automobile to +look over the scene of Foreman Griggs's morning labors. + +"Looks as if the Cactus House might be rebuilt," remarked Ashby, burning +with curiosity. + +"No," said Tom briefly. + +"Carter is going to change the name?" inquired Ashby. + +"No. Carter doesn't own this land any more." + +"He doesn't own the land?" Ashby asked. "What's going to be put up +here, then? A business block?" + +For a moment Ashby thrilled with joy. Of late the Cactus House had +seriously cut in on the profits of the Mansion House. Ashby had, in +fact, been running behind. Now, if the Mansion House were to be +henceforth the only hotel in town, Ashby saw a chance to prosper on a +more than comfortable scale. + +"Ashby," Tom went on, rather frigidly, "I won't waste many words, for +I'm afraid I don't like you well enough to talk very much to you. The +A., G. & N. M. has bought this land from Mr. Carter. The railroad is +going to erect here one of the finest hotels in this part of Arizona. +It will have every modern convenience, and will make your hotel look +like a mill boarding house by contrast. When the new hotel is completed +it will be leased to Mr. Carter. With his insurance money, and the +price of the land in bank, Carter will have capital for embarking in the +hotel business on a scale that will make this end of Arizona sit up and +do some hard looking." + +As he listened Proprietor Ashby's jaw dropped. His color came and went. +He swallowed hard, while his hands worked convulsively. With the fine +new hotel that was coming to Paloma the owner of the Mansion House saw +himself driven hopelessly into the background. "Reade, this new hotel +game is some of your doings," growled the hotel man. + +"I'm proud to say that it is partly my doing," Tom admitted, with a +smile. "Harry, let's go along to the restaurant. I'm hungry." + +As the two young engineers stepped into the car and were driven away, +Ashby dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands. + +"So I'm to be beaten out of the hotel game here, am I!" the hotel man +asked himself, gritting his teeth. "I'm to be driven out by Reade, the +fellow whom I once kicked out of my hotel! Oh--well, all right!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +TRAGEDY CAPS THE TEST + + +"Pass the signal!" directed Tom. + +A railroad man with a flag made several swift moves. Down the track an +engineman, in his cab, answered with a short blast of, the whistle. +Then he threw over the lever, and a train of ten flat cars started along +in the engine's wake. + +It was the first test--the "small test," Tom called it--of the track +that now extended across the surface of the Man-killer. + +On each flat car were piled ten tons of steel rails, to be used further +along in the construction work. With engine, cars and all, the load +amounted to one hundred and fifty tons, the pressure of which would be +exerted over a comparatively short strip of the new track that now +glistened over the Man-killer. + +Mounted on his pony, Harry Hazelton had galloped a considerable distance +down the track. Now, halted, he had turned his pony's head about, +watching eagerly the on-coming train. + +For two weeks the laborers had been working on the roadbed now running +over the Man-killer. Ties had been laid and rails fastened down. +Apparently the Man-killer had done its worst and had been balked, a +seemingly secure roadbed now resting on the once treacherous quicksand. + +Construction trains, short and lightly laden, had been moving out over +the newly filled in soil for many days, but the train now starting at +the edge of the terrible Man-killer was heavier than any equipment that +had before been run over the ground. + +The president of the A., G. & N. M. R. R. was there, flanked by half a +dozen of the leading directors of the road. There were other officials +there, including General Manager Ellsworth. + +"I see Hazelton out yonder," murmured the president of the road. "But +where's that young man Reade, now at the moment when the success of his +work is being tested?" + +"Goodness knows," rejoined Mr. Ellsworth. "As likely as not he's back +in the office, taking a nap after having given the engineman his +signal." + +"Asleep!" repeated the president. "Can he be so indolent or so +indifferent as that?" + +"You may always depend upon Tom Reade to do something that wouldn't be +expected of him," laughed Mr. Ellsworth. "It isn't that he slights big +duties, or even pretends to do. If he has vanished, and has gone to +sleep, then it is because he feels so sure of his work that he takes no +further interest in the test that is being made." + +"But if an accident should happen?" asked the president of the A. G. & +N. M. R. R. + +"Then I can promise you that you'd see Reade, on his pony, shooting +ahead as fast as he could go to the scene of the trouble." + +These more important railroad officials had come out to camp in +automobiles. Now they followed on foot as the train rolled on to the +land reclaimed from the Man-killer. + +Superintendent Hawkins and his foremen also went along on foot to +observe whether the track sank ever so little at any point. + +It was none of Harry Hazelton's particular business to watch whether the +tracks sank slightly. That duty could be better performed by the +foremen who had had charge of the track laying. Yet Hazelton, as he +watched, found himself growing impatient. + +"Here!" Harry called to a near-by laborer. "Take my horse, please." + +In another instant the young assistant engineer was on foot, following +the slowly moving train as it rolled along over the ground where, months +before, not even a man could have strolled with safety. + +"Do you see any sagging of the track, Mr. Rivers?" Harry called. + +"No, sir. Not as much as a sixteenth of an inch at any point," +responded the foreman. "The job has been a big success." + +"We can tell that better after the track has held loads of from five to +eight hundred tons," Harry rejoined. "I believe, however, that we have +the tricks of the savage old Man-killer nailed." + +Exultation throbbed in Harry's heart. Outwardly, he did not trust +himself to reveal his great delight. He still followed, watching +anxiously, until the train had passed safely over the Man-killer. + +Then a great cheer went up from more than a thousand throats, for many +people had come out from Paloma to watch the test. + +The train had gone a quarter of a mile past the western edge of the huge +and once treacherous quicksand. Now the engine was on a temporary turn- +table, waiting to be turned and switched back to bring the train back +over the Man-killer at a swift gait. + +"Where's Mr. Reade?" called the president of the road, gazing backward. +"Someone go for him. I wish him to be here to see the test made with +the train under fast speed." + +"I'll get Reade, sir," answered Harry, motioning to have his pony +brought to him. + +Hazelton vanished in a cloud of desert dust. + +When he next appeared there was another pony, and Reade astride it. + +"You sent for me, sir," said Tom, riding close to the president, then +dismounting. + +"Yes," Mr. Reade. "I believed that you should be here to see the test +train return." + +"Very good, sir," was Tom's quiet reply. He signaled for a workman to +come and take charge of his pony. + +In a few minutes the short but heavy train started, gaining headway +rapidly. By the time it struck the edge of the possibly conquered +quicksand it was moving at the rate of forty miles an hour. + +Across the Man-killer the train continued for a mile in the direction of +Paloma. + +"Now, let us all inspect the track," suggested the president of the +railroad company. "Call up the autos." + +"Will you let me make a suggestion, sir!" queried Tom. + +"Go ahead, Mr. Reade." + +"Then, sir, let Mr. Hazelton and myself ride out along the track first, +that we may see if the whole course is safe." + +"That heavy train just went over at fast speed and nothing disastrous +happened," protested the president. + +"Probably the entire course is still safe, sir?" Tom assented. "Yet, on +the other hand, it is possible that the fast moving train may have +started the quicksand at some point. The next object that passes over, +even if no heavier than an automobile, may meet with disaster. Mr. +Hazelton and I can soon satisfy ourselves as to whether the roadbed has +sagged at any point along the way. We shall ride nothing heavier than +mustangs." + +"There is something in what you say, Mr. Reade. Go ahead. We will wait +until we have your report." + +Tom and Harry accordingly mounted, riding off at a trot. Yet at some +sections of the line they rode so slowly, studying the ground +attentively, that it was fully half an hour before they had crossed the +further edge of the Man-killer. + +"The engineers are signaling us, Mr. President," reported General +Manager Ellsworth. "They are motioning us to go forward." + +Accordingly the party of railway officials entered their automobiles and +started slowly off over the Man-killer. + +"Ride back and meet them, Harry," Tom suggested. "Show them that one +point that we noticed." + +Hazelton accordingly dug his heels into the flank of his pony, starting +off at a gallop. + +Two or three minutes passed. Then Mr. Ellsworth leaped from his seat in +the foremost automobile, standing erect in the car and pointing +excitedly. + +"Look there!" he shouted lustily. "What's happening?" + +Away off, at the further side of the Man-killer, a horseman had suddenly +ridden into sight from behind a sand pile. His swiftly moving pony had +gotten within three hundred yards of the chief engineer before Tom +looked up to behold the newcomer. + +From where the railroad officials watched they could hear nothing, +though they saw a succession of indistinct spittings from something in +the right hand of the horseman. + +"It's a revolver the fellow's shooting at Mr. Reade!" gasped +Superintendent Hawkins, leaping into the car beside the general manager. +"Turn your speed on, man--make a lightning lash across the Man-killer!" + +Away shot the automobile, not wholly to the liking of two eastern men +who sat in the directors' car. + +Tom Reade had realized his danger. Having nothing with which to fight, +Reade had sprung his horse eastward and was racing for life. + +The unknown had emptied his weapon, but that did not deter him, for, +continuing his wild pursuit, the stranger could be seen to draw another +automatic revolver. + +The bullets striking all about Tom's pony ploughed up the sand. + +Within a minute the men in the speeding automobile were close enough to +hear the sputtering crackle of the pistol shots. + +"There goes Hazelton right into the face of death!" gasped Mr. +Ellsworth, who remained in a standing position. "Foolish of the boy, +but magnificent!" + +Harry had turned some time before, but now those in the automobile saw +that Hazelton was riding squarely to Tom's side, despite the constant +fusillade of bullets. + +Both pistols were now emptied, but the pursuer, letting his reins fall +on the neck of his madly galloping pony, was inserting fresh cartridges +in the magazine chambers of his pistols. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE SECRET OF ASHBY'S CUNNING + + +At a considerable distance behind the automobile came another rescue +party. This was made up of about two score of Arizona horsemen. Many of +these men were armed. At the saddle bows of some of the hung raw-hide +lariats that the owners unwound as they sped forward. + +Tom Reade, with the pursuer slowly, but steadily gaining upon him, had +discovered the identity of the man who seemed bent on his destruction. + +As Hazelton drew nearer Tom waved his left hand frantically at his chum. + +"Turn about, Harry! Ride back like the wind!" shouted Tom. "It's +Ashby, and he's shooting to kill. About face--you young idiot!" + +Harry took no notice of the warning, reining in only slightly, then +wheeling and riding in a line with Reade, though about forty feet to one +side of him. + +Ashby, a wild light in his eyes, heavily armed, and riding madly, kept +up a continuous fire in his effort to destroy the young chief engineer. + +Honk! Honk! honk! came the warning from the automobile horn. The car +dashed at full speed toward the vengeful rider, as though about to run +him down. + +George Ashby, however, was not easily intimidated. One swift glance had +assured him that the automobile bore no armed men. He therefore merely +swung his horse out of the path of the on-coming car and continued to +aim at Reade, though he now took more time between shots. On Hazelton +he did not waste a shot. + +Helplessly and vainly the automobile whizzed by pursuer and pursued. + +"Ashby, stop this madness!" cried Mr. Ellsworth hoarsely. + +The pursuing rider never faltered. Now the party of Arizona horsemen +were riding nearer. Two or three of the leaders drew revolvers, opening +fire on the mad hotel man, though the range was as yet too great for +effective work. + +In another thirty seconds George Ashby would doubtless have dropped to +the dust of the dessert, riddled with lead. Suddenly, however, he gave +his horse's head a sharp turn to the right. In an instant he was riding +back, shooting no more, and Tom Reade had passed safely out of range. + +With wild whoops the Paloma horsemen dashed on. Their mounts were not +spent as was that of the hotel man. + +"Don't shoot the fellow, if you can help it!" Tom Reade had called, as +the horsemen swept by him. "Rope Ashby if you can." + +Suddenly the hotel man's mount was seen to stagger slightly. It was +sufficient to pitch Ashby, who was not on his guard. + +With wilder whoops the Arizona men spurred their ponies on. There was a +whirring of lariats and no less than three nooses had fallen over the +hotel man's head. + +There came a brief interval in which the men, swooping down on the +captive, concealed him from the view of others. + +Out of this crush soon came order. Then it was seen that Ashby had been +roped securely and was being led back to the railroad camp. + +"We've got the scoundrel, with four ropes hitched to him," called one of +the captors. + +"One rope will be enough as soon as we can find a tree." + +The party was riding into the railroad camp now, and a dense crowd +pressed forward to see the face of the keeper of the Mansion House. + +Ashby was chuckling gleefully. If any fear of the consequences of his +lawless behavior oppressed him, he was far from betraying the fact. + +"Be gentle with him, friends," Tom urged, riding forward. + +"Yes; we ought to be gentle with every rattlesnake," came an answer from +the crowd. + +Ashby laughed harshly. + +"You can't hurt me, neighbors," declared the hotel man. "I'm bullet +proof. Any man who fires at me will find that the bullet will rebound +and bit him. Tie me up to a tree, if you like. You'll find that I won't +choke. I'll just slide back to earth as often as you tie me up." + +"Just what I thought," murmured Tom. + +"What do you think?" demanded Mr. Ellsworth from the car. + +"The man's as mad as a March hare," replied Reade. + +"Humph! He's merely shamming," retorted the general manager. + +"Stow the funny business, Ashby!" came the advice from the crowd. "You +can't fool us into believing that you're crazy." + +"Crazy?" repeated the hotel man, a look of amazement creeping into his +face. "Of course I'm not crazy. I'm the only sane man in this crowd." + +Men began to look wonderingly at the hotel man, though many still +believed that Ashby was cleverly shamming insanity in order to save his +neck from being stretched. + +"Doe Furniss! Come over here!" called Reade. "Gentlemen, this is a +question for Doe Furniss. Don't think of doing anything to the fellow +until you've heard from Doc. Make way for the doctor, gentlemen." + +At a sign from Dr. Furniss the captors led Ashby's horse onward until +the office shack was reached. Here two men freed the captive from his +horse and led him inside. Dr. Furniss followed them and the door was +closed. + +"Let's get away from here," urged Tom Reade. "A big crowd hanging about +is sure to excite the poor fellow." + +"Reade, you're too soft and easy," grunted a Paloma man in the crowd. +"The only thing that makes Ashby crazy is that he didn't get you." + +"He did 'get' me, however," laughed Tom, displaying four bullet holes +through his shirtsleeves, and two more that pierced his hat. "Ashby got +as much of me as I'd want any marksman to get." + +Having withdrawn to a distance, the crowd waited. + +It was nearly half an hour before Dr. Furniss stepped outside. Now he +walked swiftly over to the edge of the crowd. + +"Gentlemen," remarked the physician, "you are justified in feeling very +well pleased that you didn't lynch Ashby. The poor fellow is as insane +as a man could well be. He imagines Mr. Reade has hurt his business and +is determined to kill him. I'll send for a straightjacket and then +we'll hustle him away to the asylum." + +At this moment a wild yell sounded from the shack, to be echoed from the +crowd. George Ashby, seemingly possessed of the strength of half a +dozen men, had wrenched himself free of his captors, felling both like a +flash. Then the hotel man leaped to his horse, freeing it and starting +off at a mad gallop. + +Instantly a score of men set off after the fugitive, swinging their +lariats as they rode. + +Crack! Crack! Bang! + +Snatching still another automatic revolver from one of his saddle bags, +Ashby was now firing at those riding behind him. + +The line of horsemen wavered somewhat. They might have fired in return, +and have brought down their quarry, but no brave man likes to think of +shooting a lunatic. + +So, still firing as he went, Ashby once more reached the edge of the +quicksand. + +Now, riding as fast as he could urge his pony, the hotel man dashed out +on the Man-killer. + +Nor was he riding over the part that had been rendered safe by the young +engineers. + +Instead, he was riding to the southward of the railroad property-- +straight out where he was likely to find a speedy death in the engulfing +sands. + +"Stop, Ashby! Come back!" shouted a dozen voices. "You'll be swallowed +up in the quick-sands." + +Brave as they were, the pursuers now rein up sharply. It seemed to them +sheer madness to ride out thus to their certain deaths. + +"Ashby is crazy, all right," remarked bronzed man. "None but an insane +man would ride out there." + +Somewhat tardily automobile parties started in pursuit. These vehicles +were halted at the edge of the quicksand. Tom and Harry had also come +this far. + +In the background the halted crowd watched in suspense as George Ashby +galloped over the treacherous sand. + +Several times the pony's hoofs were seen to sink, yet each time the +animal seemed able to draw his feet out of the sand and go on again. + +"It's a crazy man's luck," cried an Arizona man thickly. "Of course, +here and there on the Man-killer there are safe, sound spots, and Ashby +is having the luck of his life in hitting all the sound spots in getting +across. But I wouldn't follow him for a thousand dollars a minute!" + +The mad hotel man was soon lost to view on the other side of one of the +little hills of sand. + +There would have been little sense in trying to follow him or to head +him off, even by more roundabout courses. Ashby was now far enough away +to elude any pursuit that might start. + +"I wonder if Reade has any idea of what he's up against now?" murmured +the mayor of Paloma. "That crazy man is loose, and sooner or later +he'll be heard from again." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DUFF PROMISES THE "SQUARE DEAL" + + +Altogether the day had been a hugely satisfactory one to the young chief +engineer. + +The first test had been made, and, all had passed off well, for, in Tom +Reade's easy-going, fearless mind the peculiar doings of George Ashby +did not figure at all as a part of the day's work. + +"Harry, we've every reason to feel proud of ourselves" mused Tom aloud, +as he undressed in the shack that night. + +"You feel pretty certain that we've conquered the Man-killer, do you?" +Hazelton asked, as he laid down the book he had been reading. + +Of late, since the burning of the Cactus House, the chums had slept in +the shack, though still getting many of their meals in town. + +"Oh, of course you know that we haven't won, the whole fight yet," Reade +went on. "We've plenty of work to do here still before we pronounce the +job finished. But to-day's shows that our plan for filling in this +particular, kind of quicksand was a sound one. You know the president +of the road said that words failed to express his complete approbation +of our work." + +"We certainly have been remarkably fortunate--so far," Harry admitted. +"Yet I must confess, Tom, that I'm still nervous." + +"Then it must be over Ashby," Tom laughed. + +"Ashby be hanged!" Hazelton retorted. "I haven't given him a thought +this evening. No, I'm still nervous about our job here. The first test +was all right--that is, it was all right to-day. But these quicksands +are treacherous. Our roadbed may be all right for a fortnight, and may +seem as safe as we could wish it to be. Then, all of a sudden, within +sixty seconds, it may sink before our very eyes. Suppose it were to +sink while a trainload of human beings was passing over it!" + +"You might as well dismiss all such thoughts," Reade counseled. "I tell +you, Harry, we've proved that our principle is sound. Now, we will go +ahead and finish the job. When we go away from here I, for one, shall +feel certain that the Man-killer must behave for all time to come. +Harry, there's a limit to the shifting tendency of a quicksand, and +to-day's test proves to me that we've found it. We've won. I wish I were +as sure of a dozen other things as I am that we've won out here to-day." + +"All right, then," smiled Hazelton. "You're a smarter engineer than I +am, Tom, old fellow. If you're satisfied, then I'm bound to be, for +I'll back your judgment in engineering against my own." + +"That's rather more praise, Harry, than I expect or wish," Reade +rejoined soberly. "But I don't see how the Man-killer can ever again +assert himself against the A. G. & N. M.'s roadbed." + +"Oh, I'm only an old croaker, I know," Harry confessed. "I've got a +blue streak on to-night. Or else it's a fit of apprehension about +something or other. I feel as if--" + +Crack! crack! + +Outside two shots rang suddenly out, to be followed by a dozen swift, +scattering reports. + +"Mr. Reade! They--" began a voice outside, then stopped abruptly. + +Tom hustled on his clothing again with a speed that seemed to partake of +magic. Then, with Harry close upon his heels, he rushed to the door, +jerking it open. + +"Just the pair we want!" snarled a voice that proceeded from behind a +mask. + +A dozen masked men pressed into the room. Tom and Harry put their fists +into instant action, but it availed them nothing. + +In a twinkling they were borne to the floor. At lightning speed both +were rolled over and bound. + +From the tents of the laborers, beyond hoarse voices sounded as the men +were awakened by the shots. + +"Get back there, you idiots!" commanded a voice outside. "If you don't, +you'll think that a Gatling gun factory has blown up about your ears." + +Reports rang out sharply as a dozen revolver shots were fired into the +air. + +Now, dazed with the suddenness of the attack, Reade and Hazelton were +dragged into the open. + +Their two night watchmen, who had gone down bravely, now lay wounded on +the ground, their weapons snatched from them. + +"Hoist 'em along, boys," ordered a gruff voice. + +Tom and Harry were carried on the shoulders of men, and moved along at a +swift pace. Only half a dozen of the raiders needed to remain somewhat +in the rear, firing an occasional shot to prevent the unarmed laborers +from swarming to the attack. + +"Hoist 'em up! Tie 'em on! Get under way quick! There'll be a big +noise raised after us soon," declared the same directing voice. + +Tom and Harry were fairly thrown upon the backs of horses, and there +lashed fast. + +"Mount and get away," ordered the commander of this strangest of night +raids. + +Two men, each leading a pony to which a captive was lashed, rode off in +one direction. Groups of two or three rode away in other directions, +the blackness of the night swallowing them up. + +It was going to be a difficult task for pursuers to know which direction +to take in order to come up with Reade and Hazelton in time to save them +from the fate that lay just ahead of them! + +For audacity and dash the raid could not have been better planned. + +From camp not a shot was fired, for the watchmen had had the only +weapons and these had been seized by the invaders. + +"Our foremen might telegraph to camp," thought Tom swiftly, as he felt +himself being carried away. "But I'll wager that these smart scoundrels +didn't forget to cut the wire before springing the raid." + +For the first two or three minutes Harry's, slower moving mind hardly +grasped more than the fact that their enemies appeared to have won a +complete triumph. + +"There isn't much doubt as to what they'll do with us," thought +Hazelton, with a slight shudder. "These rascals will move too fast for +pursuit to overtake them early. What they in intend to do with us can +be done in a very few minutes." + +Neither young engineer really expected to live to see daylight. From +the first, after having incurred the anger of a certain lawless element +in Paloma, the young engineers had understood fully that threats of +lynching them had not been idly made. + +"There'll be a stir, though," Tom Reade muttered to himself. "The A. G. +& N. M. officials won't let this crime go by without a determined effort +to bring the offenders to justice. Detectives will search this +community in squads, and everyone of these masked gentlemen is likely to +get his deserts." + +Within the next half hour the galloping horses had covered fully five +miles. Now the leader of the crowd led the way down into a deep gully +in the sand. + +"Hold up, men," ordered the leader, and the cavalcade came to a stop, +horses panting. + +"Tumble the cattle off into the dirt," was the next order, and it was +obeyed, Tom and Harry rolling in the bitter alkali dust. + +"Now, gentlemen, I believe I will take command," spoke one of the party +of horsemen, in his most suave voice, as he removed his mask. The +speaker, as Reade knew at once, was Jim Duff, the gambler. + +"That's all right, Jim," nodded the former leader. + +"Jake, ride back a few hundred yards and keep a sharp lookout," +suggested Duff blandly. "The pursuers may come in automobiles. We'll +cut the ceremonies here short and leave nothing but lifeless bodies for +the rescue parties to find." + +Stakes were driven and the horses picketed. + +"Bring along our guests," suggested Jim Duff, with a touch of humor +that the occasion rendered grisly. + +Thereupon Tom and Harry were once more jerked to their feet. + +"Ye can walk, I reckon, and don't have be toted," observed one of the +scoundrels. + +"We're wholly at your service, sir," rejoined Tom mockingly. + +"And equally at your pleasure," Harry suggested dryly. + +Two hundred yards further on the halted close to a pair of stunted trees +of about the same size. + +"Gentlemen, you may as well remove your masks on this hot evening," +suggested Jim Duff. The face coverings came off. Reade and Hazelton +surveyed their captors as the chance offered, being careful not to +betray too great curiosity. + +"I see one gentleman here whom I had expected to find," remarked Tom +quietly. + +"Me?" hinted Duff. + +"Well, yes; you, for one, but I refer to that excellent host, Mr. Ashby, +of the Mansion House." + +With a start George Ashby turned on Reade, coming closer and grinning +ferociously into the face of the young chief engineer. Tom, however, +managed to muster a smile as he went on: + +"How do you do, Mr. Ashby? Your performance of this afternoon mystified +me a good deal. I had never expected to find myself on a shooting +acquaintance with you." + +Three or four of the rascals chuckled at this way of putting it, but +Proprietor Ashby snarled like a wild animal. + +"As for you, Mr. Duff," Reade resumed, "I confess that I have never been +able to understand you." + +"You will to-night," smiled Duff, with bland ferocity. "I can promise +you, as a gambler, that I am going to give you a square deal." + +"Fine!" glowed Tom. "I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, +then." + +This' time there was a general laugh. Jim Duff flushed angrily. + +"Reade, what you never understood about me is that I belong to the ranks +of the square gamblers." + +"I didn't believe there were any such gamblers," Tom replied in a voice +of surprise. "It is still hard for me to believe. How can any man be +square and honorable when he won't work, but fattens on the earnings of +others? Has that idea any connection with honor?" + +"Stop that line of talk, you young hound!" ordered Duff, striding up to +this bold young enemy. All the slight veneer of polish that Duff +usually affected had vanished now. His eyes blazed with rage as he +doubled his fist and struck Reade full in the face, knocking him down. +One of the bystanders jerked Tom to his feet. + +"Speaking of the square deal," Tom observed, "I now insist upon it. +Duff, you knocked me down when my hands were tied. If you're not a +coward I request that you order my hands freed--and then repeat your +blow if you dare." + +"You'll stay tied," retorted Duff grimly. + +"I knew it," sighed Reade. "What's the use of talking about honor and +square dealing where a gambler is concerned? Loaded dice, marked cards +or tying a man before you dare to hit him--it's all the same to your +kind." + +"Shut up that talk, you hound, or I'll pound you stiff before we go on +with what's been arranged for you!" raged the gambler, shaking his +clenched fist in the face of the young engineer. + +"Go slowly, Jim," advised one of the men present. "Of course we know +what we're to do to this young pup, and we all know what he thinks of +you. But some of the rest of us have different ideas as to how a +helpless enemy ought to be treated." + +"You, Rafe Bodson!" snarled Duff, turning on the last speaker. "Are you +one of us? Do you belong to our side, or are you a spy for the other +crowd?" + +"Got your gun with you, Duff?" inquired Bodson calmly. + +"Yes," snapped the gambler. + +"Get it out in your hand, then, before, you talk to me any more in that +fashion." + +"He won't," mocked Tom. "He doesn't dare, Bodson. Your hands are not +tied." + +"Cut it out, Rafe! Quit it!" ordered one of the other men in the crowd. +"We won't let this tenderfoot split our ranks. You're one of us, and +you'll stand by us." + +"Not if there's going to be any more hitting of tied men," retorted +Bodson sulkily. "There's a limit to what a man can stand." + +"Thank you, my friend," broke in Tom Reade mildly. "But don't go to any +trouble on our account. There are few if any others in this crowd who +can understand the meaning of fair play--the gambler least of all." + +"I'll take that out of you, Reade!" blazed Jim Duff. "I'll--" + +"You'll do nothing while the kid's hands are tied," objected Bodson, +stepping between the pair. "Act fair and square, Jim, as a man should +act." + +"That's the argument, Rafe," remarked another man, also stepping +forward. + +"Bully for you, Jeff Moore," replied Rafe. "Now, remember, friends, +we're not calling for anything except that Jim Duff live up to the +program he just published for himself--the square deal." + +Several murmurs of protest came from the other raiders. + +"I reckon, Rafe, you and Jeff had better step back and let the rest of +us handle this thing," advised one of the party. "The pair of you are +too chicken-livered for us." + +"It's a lie, as anyone in Paloma knows," Rafe retorted coolly. "No--put +up your shooters," as the hands of five or six men slid to their belts. +"There's no need of bad blood between us. All I ask is for Jim Duff to +step back out of this." + +"Am I the leader here or am I not?" demanded Duff boldly. "Wasn't it my +interests that were first assailed by these fresh tenderfeet! Didn't +you gentlemen come out to-night, to help me attend to my affair? +Didn't you turn also to avenge the blow that has been dealt these cubs +to poor George Ashby's prosperity?" + +At hearing himself so sympathetically referred to, Ashby threw himself +forward, a short, double-barreled shotgun in his hands. + +"Yes, you, get back, you white-livered cowards!" commanded Ashby +hoarsely. "You let Duff and myself and the rest of us here handle these +young hounds as they deserve to be treated. You, Rafe and Jeff, get out +of this. You've no business here. You belong to the enemies of business +interests in Paloma. The rest of us will settle with these business +destroyers." + +Ashby's eyes glowed with the unbridled fury of the lunatic. Yet Rafe +Bodson did not waver. + +"Gentlemen," he demanded coldly, "for what purpose did you bring these +young fellows out here?" + +"To lynch 'em!" came the hoarse murmur. + +"Then go ahead and do it, like men," ordered Bodson. "There are the +trees. You have your ropes, and your men are ready. Remember, no +cowardly treatment of young fellows whose hands are tied. Go on with +the lynching and get it over with!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A SPECIALIST IN "HONOR" + + +"Sir! Stop it, I tell you," quivered Duff, again stepping to the front. +"These young hounds shan't die until I've made them apologize for every +insulting word they've said to me." + +"Fine!" glowed Tom with enthusiasm. + +"Great!" + +"What ails you now, Reade?" demanded Duff, his face again darkening. + +"You've just promised us that we shall live forever," returned Tom +dryly. + +Then he added, with a sigh: + +"But I suppose that's only another lie--another specimen of a gambler's +honor." + +"Stand aside, Bodson! Moore, you get out of the way!" snarled the +gambler, his anger again depriving him of all reason. "I'll have my way +with these young hounds before we string 'em up." + +"Let me at 'em!" implored Ashby, fingering his shotgun nervously. "Get +out of my way. I don't want to pepper anyone else." + +But Bodson and Moore, bad as they were some respects, stood their +ground. + +"Are you going to let us at them?" insisted Duff, his voice now broken +and harsh from anger. + +"Not for the purpose of bullying them!" insisted Rafe, without moving. +"Jeff, you're with me, aren't you?" + +"Right by your side, pardner." + +"Come on, then, boys!" called Duff, the note of rally in his tone. +"Help me to drive this pair of traitors out of your company." + +Like a flash Bodson's revolver was in his band. The muzzle covered the +gambler. + +"Jim Duff, down on your knees before I blow your bead off!" + +The gambler started back, his face paling. + +In the same instant Jeff Moore had also drawn his revolver, and held it +ready for the first hostile sign from anyone in the group. + +"What's the matter with you, Rafe?" demanded the gambler, in a half- +coaxing tone. + +"Nothing," Bodson assured him calmly, "except that I'm going to blow +your head off if you aren't down on your knees before I've counted +three! One--two--th--" + +Duff dropped to his knees, holding his hands high in air. + +"Now apologize for calling us traitors," admonished Rafe. "Do it +handsomely, too, while you're about it." + +"Rafe," protested Jim Duff, "you, know that I said what I did only +because I was angry. I know you're a gentleman, and you know that I +know it. If I've hurt your feelings, I'm sorry, a thousand times over." + +"Jim, you're a good deal of a sneak, aren't you?" inquired Rafe, in a +voice that sounded pleasant enough, but which carried a warning in its +tone. + +"Yes," Duff admitted. "I guess I'm a good deal of a sneak." + +"Get up on your feet, then. We understand one another," said Bodson. +"Go ahead, if you want to, and carry out your plans for a merry evening. +But don't make the mistake of calling ugly names again, and don't forget +all you've said about the square deal. Hang these tenderfeet, if that's +what you want to do, but don't hit men without first giving them a +chance to hit back." + +Duff, shaking partly from fear, though more from a sense of his +humiliation, rose to his feet. For a moment he stood choking down his +varied emotions. Then, with an attempt at his old-time, suave banter, +he inquired: + +"Are you young gentlemen ready for the collar and neck-tie party that +we've planned to give you?" + +"As ready as you are," observed Tom dryly. + +"And you?" asked Duff, turning to Hazelton. "Are you ready?" + +"I'm not particular about feeling a lariat around my neck," Harry +answered, "but I'll follow my friend Reade anywhere--even where you +propose to send us." + +"Ay, but that's courage of the kind you don't expect to find in a blamed +tenderfoot!" remarked Jeff Moore, resting a hand first on Tom's shoulder +and then on Harry's. + +"Why?" asked Tom. "Does it surprise you?" + +"It shore does," replied Jeff. + +"Is courage a matter of geography, then?" Tom inquired. + +"I--I--pardner, you've got me there," Jeff admitted, looking puzzled. +"Yet, somehow, I never looked for much courage in a fellow who hailed +from east of the Mississippi." + +George Ashby had been looking on during the last few moments, his eyes +glittering strangely. Yet, as he said nothing, the attention of the +others had turned from him. + +Jeff Moore happened to turn just in time to see the muzzle of the +shotgun turned fully on Tom Reade's waist line, and Ashby's forefinger +resting on one of the triggers. + +Bang! spoke the gun, a sheet of flame leaped forth. + +Tom Reade did not even start. All his nerve had come to the surface in +that instant. He was unharmed, for Jeff's sweeping arm had knocked +aside the muzzle of the gun and the shot had entered the leg of one of +the raiders. + +"What'd you do that for, Jeff?" groaned the injured man, sinking to the +alkali dust. + +But Moore was busy with the mad hotel keeper, having clinched with him, +and now being engaged in taking away the shotgun, one barrel of which +was still loaded. + +"Stand back there, friends," warned Rafe Bodson, who still held his +revolver in his right hand. "We don't want to see any more of the party +hurt." + +Jeff had the gun in a moment, despite the insane fury with which Ashby +fought. + +"Take care of this, Rafe," requested Jeff, turning over the gun, which +Bodson received with his left hand. + +Ashby, momentarily free, sprang at the new bolder of the weapon, but +Moore tripped him and fell upon him. + +The other men stood by as though fascinated, not interfering. Perhaps +they felt that their safety depended upon Ashby's being disarmed. + +There was a short, sharp scuffle on the ground after which Moore rose, +leaving the hotel man with his hands tied behind his back. + +"And I request," remarked Moore, "that no gentleman present cut the +knots that I have tied. It'll be a favor to me to have Ashby left alone +for the present." + +"Now, then, Rafe or Jeff," spoke the gambler, mustering up what remained +of his courage, "since you two have taken charge of affairs, won't you +be good enough to inform us what your pleasure is?" + +"We're not in charge," retorted Bodson sullenly. "All we've undertaken +to do is to look out for the square deal that you promised, Duff, and +which you didn't exhibit in a way that we liked. As for the rest, go +ahead when you like--but don't do any more hitting with your fists." + +"We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?" hinted Duff eagerly. + +"If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen," Bodson agreed, bowing +slightly. + +To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters. + +"Bring up lariats, two of you," Duff ordered, turning around to the +others. "And don't waste time over it." + +The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses, +testing them to see that they ran freely. + +"Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees," was Duff's next order, which +was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands, +followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted. + +"Any choice of trees Reade?" inquired Jin Duff. + +"None," answered Tom shortly. His face was pallid and set, though he +did not show any other sign of fear. + +"Hazelton?" + +"One tree is as good as another," Harry answered in a strangely quiet +voice. + +In the midst of an impressive silence, and with motions that seemed +oddly unreal to the tended victims, Duff placed the two young engineers. +A lariat was thrown over a low limb of each of the trees. Then, with +slightly trembling hands the gambler adjusted a over the neck of each +bound boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +TOM AND HARRY VANISH + + +"How d'ye like that, Rafe?" queried Jeff Moore, as Jim Duff stepped back +and viewed the young engineers with a diabolical smile before giving the +fatal signal. + +"I don't like it," muttered Bodson. + +"No more do I." + +"Shall we stop it?" + +"Yes. I'm sick of Jim Duff. This night has turned me against the +smooth-tongued coward." + +"Get busy, then, Rafe!" + +"Shall we stand the crowd off and set the boys free?" + +"Pump both of your shooting-irons loose into the air--I'll do the rest," +replied Moore. + +Cr-r-r-rack! Pointing his weapons skyward, Bodson had quickly obeyed +Moore's command. + +"Now, what--" began one of the raiders, wheeling instantly. + +"Rafe's going to give 'em a proper send off," grinned one of Duff's men. + +"No!" shouted the other. "That's a bluff. He and Jeff are trying to +queer the whole game." + +With cries of anger, several of the men sprang toward Jeff, who had +bared his sheath knife and was about to free Tom and Harry. + +"Here--stop that, you traitors!" roared Duff, leaping forward. + +"I've four shots left, Jim," remarked Rafe Bodson calmly, as he ceased +firing. "Call me names, if you think it wise." + +Like a flash Duff drew one of his own revolvers. Before he had time to +fire, however, three men threw themselves between Bodson and the +gambler. + +"Stop talking gun play, Rafe," warned one of the three. "Act like a +gentleman." + +"I've forgotten how to do that," Rafe remarked. "I've traveled with +this outfit too long." + +"Put up your guns. Then we'll attend to this pair of youngsters." + +"My guns remain in my hands," Bodson declared coolly. "I expect to die +with my boots on to-night. I reckon Jeff has figured it out the same +way." + +"I have," Moore answered coolly, as he stepped over beside Bodson. Then +deliberately, yet with an indescribably swift motion, he drew two +revolvers. + +"Stand out, Jim Duff! Be a man, for once in your miserable career," +ordered Rafe Bodson. "Don't try to protect yourself by hiding behind +the bodies of men who don't know any better than to follow your lead." + +Jim Duff didn't accept the challenge. Instead, he crouched behind two +of his followers, taking deliberate aim with his revolver at Bodson. + +But he never fired that cowardly shot. Like a flash from the sky came +an interruption that created panic among the assembled scoundrels. + +"Here we have 'em, gentlemen," announced the steady voice of +Superintendent Hawkins from the western end of the gully. "Get 'em all +rounded up. If they've done Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton any injury then +don't let one of them get away alive." + +The low sand piles near by seemed swarming with men. The steel barrels +of firearms glistened even in the darkness. + +The scout had been sent out to the eastward. None had thought of +watching the western approach to the gully. + +"Shoot, boys!" screamed Jim Duff, wheeling in a sudden frenzy of +desperation. He fired straight in the direction of Hawkins's voice. + +In another instant the air was rent with the sound of shots. Flashes +from many revolvers lit up the darkness almost as well as torches could +have done. + +Jim Duff, having started his followers to firing, stole off in the +darkness, leaving them to bear the brunt of the return fire of Hawkins +and his men. + +George Ashby lay on the ground bound as he had been left, his sawed-off +shotgun not far away and his belt full of shells. + +"Rouse yourself, Ash!" muttered the gambler, as he slashed the hotel +man's bonds with his knife. "Get your gun, but don't use it now. Move +quickly, and we'll get away from here and take Reade and Hazelton with +us. Put your mind on your work, Ash, and follow my orders. Don't try +to think too much for yourself. Here, this way!" + +The scene of the fighting had already shifted from the immediate +neighborhood of the twin trees. Duff guided his mad companion along in +the darkness until they halted close to where the two engineers stood +bound, powerless to join in the fray. + +"Shall we shoot them here and now?" whispered Ashby, a wild light +glittering in his eyes. + +"No," returned Duff. "We'll sneak up behind them, club them with +revolvers and carry, them off. Then we can do as we please with them. +You quiet Hazelton and I'll attend to Reade." + +The two scoundrels crept up behind their victims. + +A moment later Duff quickly cut the lariat about the neck of Tom Reade, +who had been rendered unconscious from the terrific blow dealt him by +the gambler. Ashby had been equally successful in "quieting" Hazelton. + +"Now hustle," ordered Duff. "You pick up Hazelton. I'll take Reade. +Carry 'em over your shoulder--that's the way to do. Now, follow me and +don't make a sound. We'll please ourselves this night with what we'll +do to the meddling pair!" + +With Tom Reade over his shoulder, senseless and inert, Duff started off +in the darkness, while the rattle of firearms continued. + +George Ashby, muttering to himself, followed with Harry Hazelton. + +The gambler staggered slightly under the weight of his human burden. +Yet he moved rapidly, a strange eagerness lighting up his eyes. + +Jim Duff knew that he would never again dare to enter the town of +Paloma, yet the gambler thirsted, before fleeing to new scenes, to be +revenged on Tom Reade. With that object in view, Duff was willing to +take great risks. + +As for Ashby, who, still clutching his shotgun in his left hand, +staggered along under the burden of Hazelton's weight, the hotel man was +no longer responsible for his actions. Rage and wickedness had made him +a maniac, who might be restrained but could not be punished by law. + +Within two minutes the firing behind them died out. Soon there were +distant sounds of searching. Plainly Hawkins and the other friends of +the young engineers were hunting diligently for Tom and Harry. + +"Dump your man, Ashby," commanded Jim Duff, halting at last. "It will +be a mistake to go too far. Their friends won't expect to find 'em so +close, and they'll soon be searching farther away." + +So Ashby dropped Harry on to the sand beside Tom. Then the wickedest +possible gleam came into the hotel man's eyes as he loaded his shotgun. + +"We'll fill 'em full of lead right here and now," whispered the hotel +keeper. "Then we'll be sure that they can't get away from us again." + +"Not so fast!" retorted Duff warningly. "We can't shoot now. If we do, +there'll be no way to get out of this alive. Look yonder!" + +Duff swung his mad friend around, pointing to a gleam of light that +shone out over the desert. + +"An automobile," muttered the gambler. "And there's another--and +another! There must be six or eight of them out to-night, and all of 'em +crammed with fighting men. A shot would bring two or three carloads of +ugly fellows down upon us." + +"What are we going to do, then?" demanded the hotel keeper, in a +menacing tone. + +"Wait awhile," urged the gambler. "You're seeing what the plan of the +enemy is. They're circling about, but they're further out from the +gully than we are. The cars will go on cutting larger and larger +circle, and all the time getting farther away from us. In half an hour +the cars and the men will be so far away that we need give no thought to +them. Then we can attend to Reade and Hazelton." + +"What are you going to do with them?" demanded Ashby in a whisper, his +cunning eyes lighting with a fire of added eagerness. + +"We'll get 'em awake, first of all," nodded Jim Duff. "Then we'll +attend to them." + +"Remember, they ruined my business!" whispered the hotel man. + +"Well, didn't they ruin my business, too?" snarled Duff. "Didn't they +cant like a pair of hypocrites, and turn hundreds of their workmen +against coming in to play in my place? Didn't these young hounds keep +me from winning thousands of dollars of railroad money? Ash, I tell +you, these young fellows have hit me hard! First, they broke up my +games. Next, they talked their men out of going into Paloma and +spending money for drink. Why, Ash, next thing you know, they would have +brought missionaries to Paloma to convert men and to build churches!" + +As Ashby glared at the unconscious boys from under his black brows he +looked as though he believed them capable of all the wickedness that Jim +Duff's imagination had charged against them. + +"I can't wait!" groaned the hotel man. "Just one barrel of shot apiece +into each of 'em!" + +"No, no, no, Ash! Haven't I always been your good friend?" + +"You surely have, Jim Duff," admitted the mad hotel man. "You're the +one man alive to-night that I'd trust." + +"Then trust me a little further," coaxed the gambler virtuously. "Trust +to my brains tonight, George, and you'll feast on revenge!" + +"But you keep me waiting so long for it!" complained the lunatic. + +"Don't you trust me, George?" + +"You know I do, Jim Duff." + +"Then trust me a little longer. Be quiet, and be patient." + +"But--" + +"Sh!" warned Duff suddenly, throwing himself flat on the ground. "Down +with you, Ash!" + +"What is it?" whispered the hotel man in the gambler's ear as he too +sank to the ground. + +"Sh!" once more warned the gambler. "Use your eyes, George. Look out +over the sand in the darkness. Do you see two men prowling this way?" + +"Yes," assented the hotel man, after a pause. + +"They're looking for us--enemies, George. Use all your cunning. Above +all, be silent and lie low! Don't make a move, unless I tell you to do +so. Show your trust in me, Ash, as you've never shown it before. If you +don't, we'll be cheated out of our revenge!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +RAFE AND JEFF MISCALCULATE + + +The two men whom the craven gambler had sighted were coming slowly +onward, their movements suggesting a good deal of care and watchfulness. + +Nor did they come in a wholly straight line. That they did not suspect +the nearness of Jim Duff and his mad companion was plain at a glance. + +"Burrow in the sand!" whispered the gambler in Ashby's ear. "Quiet! Be +ready, but don't do anything unless I give you the word." + +"When you do give me the word," trembled the hotel man, "I'll kill 'em +both." + +"Not unless we have to do so--remember!" ordered the gambler. "We want, +if possible, to take 'em alive." + +Let us now go back to the two men whom Duff and Ashby were watching so +closely. + +They were Rafe Bodson and Jeff Moore. + +Both had come out of the recent fighting unharmed. Neither Rafe nor +Jeff had fired a shot at the invading forces led by Hawkins. Instead, +the pair had slipped stealthily away, until they had gotten out of the +immediate zone of the hot firing. Then they hid under some bushes. + +"An hour ago I'd have felt like a sneak, not standing by the gang any +better," whispered Jeff uneasily. + +"Same here," Rafe admitted. "In fact, I'm wondering whether I acted +straight in running off like this." + +"Aren't you sure about it in your own mind?" asked Jeff slowly. + +"Almost," Rafe returned. "All that bothers me is not sticking by the +same crowd that we started out with to-night. As for Jim Duff--" + +"He's poison, and deadly poison at that," broke in Jeff. + +"That's just what he is, pardner." + +"Yet I used to like Duff pretty well." + +"So did I," nodded Jeff. "But that was when I thought he had some +sand." + +"The fellow's a skulking coyote!" + +"A coyote is brave, compared with Jim Duff," contended Jeff Moore. + +"Reade and Hazelton showed the real sand!" + +"I never thought tenderfeet could be as brave," glowed Moore. + +"Jeff, I reckon Reade and Hazelton aren't real tenderfeet any more. +They've been west some time. But, then, such fellows wouldn't be +tenderfeet even if they lived in New Jersey all the time. Courage +belongs in some fellows, no matter where they work." + +"The fighting seems to be over," observed Jeff Moore. + +"Then the friends of the two engineers must have found them," suggested +Bodson. + +"It doesn't sound like it over there. The newcomers seem to be doing a +lot of hunting in the gully." + +"Let's move in closer," proposed Rafe. + +Crawling on their stomachs, the pair moved in closer. As they arrived, +unseen, they were in time to see the late fighting men clamber into +their automobiles. Hawkins could be heard giving directions for the +further search for Reade and Hazelton. + +Then the cars started away. + +"What do you reckon?" demanded Jeff, looking at Bodson. + +"I reckon some of Duff's crowd slipped out of the fight, got the two +youngsters, and slipped away with them," Bodson answered. + +"Then it was Duff--he was one of 'em," returned Jeff, with a strong +conviction. "From what I've seen of Duff to-night he'd rather do a +running trick than a fighting one." + +"It would take two to carry both youngsters away. Who was the other +one?" Rafe wondered aloud. + +"Most likely the fellow who'd mind Duff best." + +"That must mean poor George Ashby." + +"Let's slip into the gully and see what we can find." + +One fact learned in the gully astonished both investigators. Despite +the volleys that had been fired no dead or wounded men lay about. Of +course Hawkins could have taken any injured men away in the automobiles. +Plainly the raiders had been equally fortunate in getting their wounded +away on their horses. Mounted men familiar with the desert would know +many paths where horses could travel, but where automobiles could not +follow. + +"Our hosses are gone," discovered Jeff a few moments. + +"Of course," nodded Rafe. "The crowd we were out with wouldn't be slow +in a simple little piece of every-day honesty like stealing hosses!" + +"I'm through with any such gang after this, Rafe. How about you?" + +"I'm shore going to be careful about the kind of company I pick. But, +Jeff, we'll have to travel away from these parts. No good company +around here would welcome us. They wouldn't like the only references we +could give, Jeff." + +"Oh, shore, we'll have to travel," agreed Moore. "That is, if the +sheriff doesn't take up our tickets before we get started." + +"All this talk isn't showing us what became of Reade and Hazelton," +remarked Rafe Bodson. "Let's go back under the trees and see if we can +find what has become of Reade and Hazelton. Before I change my post- +office box I'm going to try to do those two youngsters a good turn." + +So the pair had started off. Yet, like the automobile searchers, Jeff +and Rafe did not expect to run across Tom and Harry and their captors so +close to the gully. + +For this reason the pair proceeded without very much caution at the +outset. + +Even now, after Duff and Ashby had sighted them, Moore and Bodson halted +twice to light matches and examine the trail that their keen eyes had +discovered as moving westward from the gully. + +"Now, I reckon we've got the general direction," muttered Rafe Bodson +when, after having once more discovered the tracks he turned and got the +general course. "We know the way to head." + +"Then we won't light any more matches," suggested Jeff. "It might get +us into trouble." + +Accordingly they kept on, guiding themselves now by their general +knowledge of the country. + +Jim Duff and Ashby were well concealed, not only by the sand, but by a +little fringe of brush as well. + +Hence it is not to be wondered at that Bodson and Moore went forward to +be astonished by a sudden movement in the sand, followed by a hail of +"Gentlemen, get your hands up, or take your medicine!" + +The command came in Jim Duff's tones. + +He was barely thirty feet away from the surprised pair, one of his +revolvers leveled so to drop Bodson at a touch of the trigger. + +George Ashby's sawed-off shotgun looked squarely at the region bounded +by Jeff Moore's belt. + +"It's your turn, gentlemen," agreed Rafe, he put his hands in the air. + +"You've got us--be decent," grinned Jeff, as he, too, raised his hands +upward. + +"Get your hands up higher!" ordered Jim Duff in his deadliest tone. +These men were now helpless, and the gambler merely chuckled inwardly at +the thought. + +"Is this where we shoot them?" queried the mad hotel keeper. + +"Yes--after a minute or two!" nodded Jim Duff, who wished first to +determine whether the automobiles of the searching party were moving too +near to them. + +"I can hardly wait for the word!" quivered Ashby. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +"How long are we to keep our hands up, Duff?" questioned Jeff. + +"Quiet," hissed the gambler. "I'm listening." + +"If it's for friends of ours," grimaced Rafe Bodson, "you needn't listen +any longer. We haven't any friends in either crowd now." + +"Quiet, I tell you!" snarled Duff. + +No noise of moving automobiles came to the gambler's keen ears in the +darkness of the night. + +"Ready," faintly whispered Duff, giving Ashby a slight nudge. + +"Shoot 'em?" whispered the mad hotel man. + +"Yes; you hit Jeff. I'll take care of Rafe!" + +Just then darkness fell upon the gambler. He was knocked flat and +senseless by a blow of a fist from behind. + +In the same instant a man leaped upon George Ashby, bearing him to +earth. + +Bang! The noise of the discharging shotgun broke on the night's +stillness. Bang! crashed the other barrel. + +The muzzle had been pointed skyward, however, and both charges of +buckshot had been driven off into space, to fall to the earth many yards +beyond. + +"Reade! Hazelton!" choked Rafe Bodson, leaping forward. "You fellows +certainly have grit! Here, Hazelton, let me help you with that loco +(crazy) hotel man." + +Jeff, in the meantime had rolled Jim Duff over on his back, then sat on +him. When Duff returned to consciousness he found himself gazing into +the muzzle of an automatic revolver. + +Harry and Bodson made a quick, sure job of tying Ashby's wrists with a +cord that Rafe supplied. + +"You think you've stopped me, don't you?" snarled the hotel man, wild +with rage. + +"We stopped you in time to keep you from shooting down two men who were +at your mercy," retorted Harry sternly. + +"What's that?" gasped Rafe. + +"They were going to shoot you with your hands in the air," Tom declared. + +"That's another of your lies, Reade," snarled the gambler. + +"It's you who are doing the lying, Duff," rejoined Tom stiffly. "I +came to my senses just in time to hear you tell Ashby to kill one man +while you killed the other." + +"So that was the game, was it?" said Jeff. + +"No, it wasn't," snapped Jim Duff. + +"Shut up," ordered Jeff unbelievingly. "Duff, we've seen enough of you +to-night to know that an Apache has ten times as much honor as you have, +and a rattlesnake has twenty times as much decency. You lying, +miserable, white-livered, smooth-tongued, poisonous reptile in human +form. If you open your mouth to say another word you'll have me so wild +that I'll pull the trigger of this automatic before I intend to do so." + +"Thank goodness you had become conscious too, Harry!" breathed Tom +fervently. "I don't believe I could have knocked both men over in time +to prevent a killing. I managed to get my hands free just in time to +get on the job." + +"I had known for some moments what was going on around me," Hazelton +replied. "But I was lying with my eyes closed, and keeping mighty +quiet. I was trying to hear your breathing, so I could decide whether +you had come to your senses, when all of a sudden you sat up and freed +my hands. Ugh!" he added with disgust, as he reached up and slipped the +remnant of rawhide noose from around his neck. + +"What'll we do with this snake and, his weak-minded brother?" asked Jeff +dryly. "Tie 'em up and ship 'em into Paloma?" + +"Fire off your revolver two or three times," suggested Tom, who had +caught a faint, far away sound of an automobile. "That may bring a +machine over here." + +"You shoot, Rafe," urge Moore. "I'll want to keep my weapon handy for +this crooked card-sharp." + +Rafe obligingly emptied one of his revolvers into the air. From a +distance came the honk of an automobile horn, as though in answer to the +signal shots. Soon the noise of an automobile engine became more +distinct. Finally the body of a large car loomed up in the darkness. A +few shouts brought the car to the spot. + +"This you, Mr. Reade?" called the joy voice of Superintendent Hawkins. +"And Hazelton, safe, also?" + +All five seats in this car were occupied. Six more men had to be +crowded in somehow, after Jim Duff had been tied with his hands behind +him. Most of them had to stand. + +"Back to Paloma, as fast as you can go with safety," ordered Mr. +Hawkins, as soon as all were inside. "Gracious, but there'll be a +joyful demonstration back in camp as soon as the good word is received." + +As the car sped along over the desert the story was told of how the +pursuit had been made. + +It was Mr. Hawkins who had tried to wire from camp into town, calling +for cars and posses to go in pursuit of the raiders. + +As Tom had imagined at the outset, the raiders had cut the railroad +telegraph wire. Discovering this, Mr. Hawkins had leaped on to the bare +back of a horse at camp and had covered the distance at a gallop. + +Men had been quickly rounded up within the very few minutes that were +needed in getting the cars out and ready to run. There were hundreds of +men in Paloma who had grown to despise Duff and all the evil crew behind +the gambler. + +From the outset the leaders of the posse, on hearing, of the direction +first taken by the fleeing raiders, had calculated on the gully as the +probable place of halting. + +While the posse was still on the way out to the gully, and at some +distance away, the sound of Ashby's discharging gun had reached them. +Reasoning that the raiders would probably place a guard only on the town +end of the gully, the posse had made a wide detour, so as to approach +the gully from the westward. Leaving the cars at a considerable +distance, the pursuers, with Mr. Hawkins at their head, had made quick +time on foot. + +In the fighting that had followed five men of the posse had been hit, +though none dangerously. These wounded men, after the fight, had been +sent back to Paloma in one of the automobiles. + +"We saw some of the raiders fall during the lighting," said Mr. Hawkins, +"but their friends made a quick retreat and got all hands back to their +horses. We felt sure they didn't have you, Mr. Reade and Mr. Hazelton, +so we let the raiders slip away and spent our time in trying to find +where you had been taken or if you had escaped. Well, it's all right +now!" + +As the automobile party approached the town, searchlights from other +cars showed the remaining pursuers had heard the signals sounded by the +horn of the first automobile and were returning. + +As the returning men entered the outlaying streets the little town was +found to be anything but a quiet community. Despite the early morning +hour, the streets were crowded. + +"Where's the chief of police?" inquired Mr. Hawkins, as the first car +entered the town and pulled up. + +"I'll find him for you, Cap," offered a man on horseback. + +"If you will be so good." + +As the horseman galloped away Hawkins signed to the others to step out. + +"Duff, we're not going to be troubled with your company much longer," +smiled Hawkins. + +Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler +was helped to alight. Duff's hands were still behind his back though, +unknown to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free. + +With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a +revolver from another man's holster. + +Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at +Tom Reade. + +Crack! + +It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first. That officer +had been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired +instantly. + +Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly +explained the cause of his firing. A loaded revolver was still gripped +in Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much +pain to fire. + +Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the +popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the +wounded man to examine him. "Duff," said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a +brief examination, "I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your +last card. Have you any wishes to express before we move you?" + +"I--want to--talk to--Reade," groaned the injured man. + +"Certainly," replied Tom, when the request was repeated to him. +Stepping softly to where the gambler lay on the sidewalk, Reade bent +over him. + +"Duff," said Reade gravely, "you and I haven't always been the best of +friends, but I can say honestly that I'm sorry to see you in this +plight. I hope that you may recover, yet get some happiness out of +life." + +But the gambler's eyes blazed with ferocity. + +"Don't waste any soft soap on me, Reade," he said slowly, and with many +pauses. "The Doc is a fool. I'm going to get well, and there will be +just one happiness ahead of me. That will be to find you, wherever you +may be, and to what I tried to do to you to-night." + +"Can't you forget that sort of thing, Duff?" asked Tom gravely. "Not +that I'm afraid of you; you've seen enough of me to-night to know that +I'm not afraid of you. But I'm afraid for you. You're close to +eternity, Duff, and I'd like to see you go to your death with a calm, +hopeful, decent mind. I'd like to see you go with a hope of a better +life hereafter." + +"Don't give me any of your canting talk, Reade," snarled the gambler +weakly. + +"I'm not going to do so," sighed Tom, rising. "I'm afraid it would be +useless. Try to remember, Duff, that I allow myself to have no hard +feelings against you. If you possibly can recover I shall be glad to +hear that you've done so." + +Then Tom stepped over to Dr. Furniss' side, whispering to him: + +"Doc, you'll see to it that some clergyman is called, won't you? Any +clergyman that is the most likely to reach the heart and the soul of a +hardened fellow like Jim Duff." + +Dr. Furniss nodded. Men appeared with an old door that was to be used +as a stretcher. On this the gambler was placed, and the physician gave +him such immediate attention as could be supplied on the sidewalk, for +Jim Duff had been shot through the right lung. Then the bearers lifted +the door, bearing the gambler back to the now gloomy Mansion House, the +doctor following. Ashby, who had been strangely quiet after the +shooting, was taken to the local police station and placed in a cell. + +Just after the two had been taken care of, and while the crowd still +lingered, a young man pushed his way through to the center of the crowd. + +"I heard that Jim Duff had returned to town," began the young man. The +speaker was Clarence Farnsworth, the foolish young easterner who had +been sadly fleeced by the gambler. + +"Yes; Duff came back," said Mr. Hawkins, quietly. + +"Where is he?" asked Farnsworth. "I must leave in the morning, and I +owe Duff seven hundred dollars. I want to pay it to him." + +"Money you lost gambling with Duff?" questioned Hawkins. + +"It's a debt of honor that I owe Mr. Duff," Farnsworth replied, flushing +considerably. + +"Son, take one little hint from me," continued Hawkins. "No money ever +lost to a gambler in card playing is a debt of honor. It's merely the +liability of a chump and a fool. No gambler ever uses any real honor. +Men of honor work for the money that they need or want. Duff had a +smooth way of talking, an agreeable manner with his profitable victims, +but he never had a shred of honor. It isn't possible to be a gambler +and a man of honor. If you've seven hundred dollars that you lost to +Duff at cards, put it in your pocket and get out of Paloma as soon as +you can. Duff won't need the money, anyway. He's down at the Mansion +House, dying of a bullet wound that he got through his last piece of +trickery. I hate to speak harshly of a dying man, but I'd like to see +you get a grain or two of common sense into your head, boy." + +Again Farnsworth flushed, but three or four seasoned Arizona men who +stood near by added their advice, in line with that of Mr. Hawkins. +Clarence soon edged away. + +An hour after daylight Jim Duff died. Dr. Furniss and the others who +were with the gambler at the last were unable to state that Duff had +offered any expression of regret for his evil life, or for his last +wicked acts. + +Jim Duff died as he had lived. + +George Ashby was sent to an asylum and his property sold for his +benefit. After a year he was discharged as cured. He has vanished, +swallowed up in some other community, and nothing more has been heard of +him. + +Trailed by detectives of a fire insurance company, Frank Danes was soon +caught and brought back to Arizona. He was fairly convicted of having +set the old Cactus House on fire, though he could not be persuaded to +admit himself an agent of the Colthwaite Company. Fred Ransom, the +other agent, is believed to be still in the employ of the Colthwaite +Company's "gloom department." + +Mr. Hawkins is still in the employ of the A., G. & N. M. So are foremen +Bell, Rivers and Mendoza. + +Tim Griggs proved himself so thoroughly while foreman at the building of +the new rail-road hotel in Paloma, that he has gone on to other and +better work. Griggs is now a prosperous man, and, best of all, he has +his little daughter with him. + +Lessee Carter has flourished in the new railroad hotel. Rafe Bodson and +Jeff Moore are his clerks. + +The day came when Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were able to apply the +final and most severe test to the roadbed that ran across the Man-killer +quicksand. Their work was finished, and finished splendidly, adding +another great triumph to their record as young engineers. + +"These hot countries are fine, for a while," grunted Harry Hazelton, as +the young engineers left Paloma in a special Pullman car that General +Manager Ellsworth had sent for their use. + +"They are fine, in fact; but one gets tired of working on a blistering +desert. I hope our next long undertaking will be in a country where ice +grows as one of the natural fruits." + +"Greenland, for instance?" smiled Tom Reade. + +"Alaska, at all events," responded Harry hopefully. + +"Do you know where I'm figuring on making my next stop?" Tom inquired. + +"Where?" + +"In good old Gridley, the town where we were born, boy! I'm fairly +aching for a sight of the good old town. Will you go with me?" + +"For a few weeks, yes," Harry agreed. "But after that little rest?" + +"After our visit to the good old home town," Tom Reade replied, "we'll +go anywhere on earth where a good, big chance for engineering offers. +Harry, we've yet nearly all of our work ahead of us to do if we're ever +going to be real, Class A engineers!" + +That our young engineers found still greater work awaiting them will be +discovered in the next volume in this series, which is published under +the title, "The Young Engineers in Nevada; or, Seeking Fortune on the +Turn of a Pick." + +In this narrative we find our young friends wholly away from railroad +work, but engaged in an even greater undertaking. The adventures +awaiting them were more exciting than any they had yet encountered. +Fame and fortune, too, offered a greater opportunity. How the young +engineers embraced the opportunity will be made plain to our readers. + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Engineers in Arizona +by H. 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