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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: Three Young Ranchmen + or, Daring Adventures in the Great West + +Author: Ralph Bonehill + +Release Date: September 3, 2010 [EBook #33615] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YOUNG RANCHMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1>Three Young Ranchmen</h1> + +<h3>Or, Daring Adventures in the Great West</h3> + +<h2>By Captain Ralph Bonehill</h2> + +<h3>Author of "A Sailor Boy with Dewey," "For the Liberty of Texas," "The +Young Bandmaster," etc.</h3> + +<h4>Illustrated</h4> + + +<h4>New York and Boston<br /> +H. M. Caldwell Company<br /> +Publishers</h4> + +<h4><i>Copyright, 1901</i></h4> + +<h4><span class="smcap">By The Saalfield Publishing Company</span></h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="front" id="front"></a> +<img src="images/front.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>HORSE AND YOUTH WENT PLUNGING HEADLONG.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>"Three Young Ranchmen" relates the adventures of three brothers, Allen, +Chetwood and Paul Winthrop, who are left to shift for themselves upon a +lonely ranch home situated in the mountainous region of the beautiful +State of Idaho, near one of the numerous branches of the Salmon River.</p> + +<p>The lads, although sturdy and brave, have no easy time making a living, +and among other troubles, they are visited by horse thieves, and also by +a crafty prospector who wishes to take their claim away from them. In +the meantime an uncle of the lads has gone off to visit the city, and he +disappears entirely, adding to the complexity of the situation. What the +boys did to straighten out the trouble is told in the chapters which +follow.</p> + +<p>In writing this story I have tried to give my boy readers a fair idea of +life on a ranch of to-day, as well as of life in the wild mountains of +Idaho, with some idea of the ranch hands and miners to be met with in +these localities. The tale has been drawn as true to nature as possible, +and I trust its reading will prove both entertaining and useful.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Captain Ralph Bonehill.</span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">An Unpleasant Discovery</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">Allen on the Trail</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">A Dangerous Situation</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">The Man in the Sink Hole</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">Good Cause for Alarm</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">From One Peril to Another</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">The Cave in the Mountain</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">Into a Snake's Nest</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">A Visitor at the Ranch</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">The Captain's Setback</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">Ike Watson's Arrival</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">The Boys Talk It over</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">Caught in a Cyclone</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">Another Surprise</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">At Dottery's Ranch</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">An Encounter in the Dark</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">Something about a Letter</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">Allen Changes His Plans</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">Along the Water Course</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">Moving against Captain Grady</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. <span class="smcap">Shooting a Grizzly Bear</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. <span class="smcap">An Important Capture</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. <span class="smcap">News of Importance</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. <span class="smcap">Something about Barnaby Winthrop</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. <span class="smcap">Fighting a Wolverine</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. <span class="smcap">Disappearance of Slavin</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII. <span class="smcap">Allen Shows His Bravery</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII. <span class="smcap">A Buffalo Stampede</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX. <span class="smcap">The Long Lost Found</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX. <span class="smcap">Together at Last—Conclusion</span></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#front"><span class="smcap">Horse and Youth Went Plunging Headlong</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus1"><span class="smcap">The Man Caught the End of the Gun</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus2"><span class="smcap">Vainly He Put Out His Hands to Stay His Progress</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus3"><span class="smcap">Holding the Snake, He Leaped Out of the Circle of Reptiles</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus4"><span class="smcap">The Three Young Ranchmen Talked It Over</span></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THREE YOUNG RANCHMEN</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">An Unpleasant Discovery</span></h3> + + +<p>"When do you think Allen will be back, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"He ought to be back by two or three o'clock, Chet. His horse was fresh, +and the roads are very good just now."</p> + +<p>"I hope he brings good news, don't you? I am tired of waiting here."</p> + +<p>"We will have to content ourselves on the ranch another year, I am +afraid. Father left matters in a very unsettled condition, and what has +become of Uncle Barnaby the world only knows."</p> + +<p>"I don't care so much about the dullness—I like to hunt and fish and +round up the cattle just as well as any one—but what I'm complaining of +is the uncertainty of the way things are going to turn. For all we know, +we may be cast adrift, as the saying goes, any day."</p> + +<p>"That is true, although I imagine our title to the ranch is O. K. If +those title papers hadn't been burned up when one end of the house took +fire I wouldn't worry a bit."</p> + +<p>"Neither would I. But we all know what Captain Grady is—the meanest man +that ever drew the breath of life—and if he once learns that we haven't +the papers he'll be down on us quicker than a grizzly bear in the +spring."</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't let him know that the papers have been burned up. We +will continue to bluff him off."</p> + +<p>"We can't bluff him forever. To my mind——"</p> + +<p>The boy broke off short, and coming to a halt, pointed with his +disengaged hand toward the barn.</p> + +<p>"Did you leave that door unlocked?" he went on.</p> + +<p>"Certainly I didn't. Who opened it? Perhaps Allen is back."</p> + +<p>"And perhaps there are horse thieves around!" was the quick reply. "Come +on."</p> + +<p>Without a word more the two boys dropped their burdens and started for +the structure in which the horse belonging to each had been stabled.</p> + +<p>The boys were Chetwood and Paul Winthrop, two brothers, tall, +well-built, and handsome. The face of each was browned by exposure, and +showed the perfect health that only a life in the open can give.</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul lived with their elder brother Allen at a typical ranch +home in Idaho, on one of the numerous branches of the winding Salmon +River. The home was a rude but comfortable affair, with several +outbuildings close at hand, the whole surrounded by a rude but +substantial stockade, a relic of the time when troubles with the Indians +were numerous.</p> + +<p>It was a warm, sunshiny day in August, and the two boys had been down to +the river fishing at a favorite deep hole near the roots of a clump of +cottonwood trees. Each had a nice mess of fish strung on a brush branch, +showing that their quest of game had not been a vain one.</p> + +<p>For three years the three Winthrop boys had lived alone at the ranch +home. Their former history was a peculiar one, the particulars of which +will be given later. Just now we will follow Chet and Paul to the barn, +the door to which stood half open.</p> + +<p>"Gone!"</p> + +<p>The single word burst from the lips of both simultaneously. It was +enough, for it told the whole story. Their two animals, Jasper and Rush, +had vanished.</p> + +<p>"Thieves, as sure as fate!" ejaculated Paul, gazing rapidly on all +sides. "See how the lock has been broken open."</p> + +<p>"And they have taken all the extra harness as well," added Chet, his +black eyes snapping angrily. "I wonder how long ago this happened."</p> + +<p>"There's no telling, Chet. Let's see—we went off about eight o'clock, +didn't we?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then the rascals have had nearly four hours in which to do their dirty +work. By this time they are probably miles away. This is the worst luck +of all."</p> + +<p>"You are not going to sit down and suck your thumb, are you, Paul?" +questioned the younger brother, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Not if we can do anything. But we are tied fast here,—we can't follow +on foot,—they knew that when they came to rob us."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea who the thieves can be?"</p> + +<p>"Most likely a remnant of that old gang from Jordan Creek. I knew they +would spring up again, even after Sol Davids was lynched. Let us take a +look around, and see if we can't find some clew to their identity."</p> + +<p>"If only Allen would come——"</p> + +<p>"Fire off your gun. If he is in hearing that will hasten his movements."</p> + +<p>Thus directed, Chet hastened outside, and running to the house, quickly +brought forth his double-barreled shotgun. Two reports rent the air a +second later, and then the youth returned with the still smoking firearm +to the barn.</p> + +<p>"Have you found anything?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Here is a strap that doesn't belong to our outfit," replied Paul. "But +it's only a common affair that might belong to any one."</p> + +<p>"And here is a silver cross!" cried Chet, as he sprang forward to pick +up the object.</p> + +<p>The article which Chet had found embedded in the dirt flooring of the +barn was really of silver, but so unpolished that it did not shine. It +was not over an inch in length and height, with a round hole directly in +the center. At the four corners of the cross were the letters D A F G.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it?" asked Paul, impatiently, as he bent over to +examine the object as it lay in his younger brother's palm.</p> + +<p>"Nothing. It's a silver cross with letters on it; that's all. I never +saw one like it before."</p> + +<p>"Is there no name on the back?"</p> + +<p>Quickly the cross was turned over. There, dug into the metal, as if with +a jackknife, were the letters S. M.</p> + +<p>"S. M.," said Chet, slowly. "Who can they stand for?"</p> + +<p>"Sam somebody, I suppose," replied Paul. "I reckon there are a good many +folks in Idaho with the initials S. M."</p> + +<p>"That is true, too, but it's not likely many of them are mean enough to +turn horse thieves."</p> + +<p>Chet surveyed the cross for a few seconds longer. Then he rammed it into +his pocket and went on with the search, and Paul followed suit.</p> + +<p>But their further efforts remained unrewarded. Not another thing of +value was brought to light.</p> + +<p>They were on the point of giving up when a clatter of hoofs was heard +outside on the rocks leading from the trail back to the willows and +cottonwoods.</p> + +<p>"There is Allen now!" cried Paul, joyfully. "Hi, Allen! This way, +quick!" he added, elevating his voice.</p> + +<p>"All right, Paul, my boy!" came in a cheery voice from the elder of the +Winthrops, as he dashed up on his faithful mare. "What's wanted?"</p> + +<p>"The horses have been stolen!"</p> + +<p>"Phew!" It was a low and significant whistle that Allen Winthrop +emitted, and the pleasant look on his fine features gave way to one of +deep concern.</p> + +<p>"Stolen!" he said at last. "When? By whom?"</p> + +<p>"We don't know," replied Paul. "We just got back from the river a few +minutes ago and found the barn door broken open and both horses gone."</p> + +<p>"And no clew?"</p> + +<p>"We found this."</p> + +<p>Allen Winthrop caught up the silver cross quickly and gazed at it for +the fraction of a minute. Then he muttered something under his breath.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see this cross before?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"No, but I have heard father tell of it," was the answer. "It is the +cross the old Sol Davids gang used to wear. Do you see those letters—D +A F G? They stand for 'Dare All For Gold.' That was the gang's motto, +and they never hesitated to carry it out."</p> + +<p>"Then we were right in thinking that the horse thieves might be some +left-overs from the old gang," observed Paul.</p> + +<p>"Yes they are most likely of the same old crowd," said Allen. "The +hanging of old Sol did not drive them out of this district."</p> + +<p>"But what of the initials S. M.?" asked Chet. "I never heard of any +horse thief that those would fit."</p> + +<p>"We'll find out about that when we run the thieves down," said Allen. +"You say you discovered the robbery but a short while since?"</p> + +<p>"Less than a quarter of an hour ago."</p> + +<p>"Have you been up to the house?"</p> + +<p>"I went for my gun," began Chet. "I wonder if it were possible——" he +commenced, and then meeting his older brother's eyes stopped short. Not +one of the trio said more just then. All made a wild dash from the barn +to the house. They burst into the living room of the latter like a +cyclone.</p> + +<p>"It looks all right," began Paul.</p> + +<p>"But it isn't all right," burst out Chet. "See the side window has been +forced open!"</p> + +<p>Allen said nothing, having passed into one of the sleeping rooms. He +began to rummage around the apartment, into the closet and the trunks.</p> + +<p>"By gracious!" he burst out presently.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" questioned his two brothers in a breath.</p> + +<p>"It's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, every dollar is gone!" groaned Allen.</p> + +<p>He referred to three bags which had contained silver and gold to the +amount of seven hundred dollars—the Winthrop savings for several years.</p> + +<p>Paul and Chet gave a groan. Something like a lump arose in the throat of +the younger youth, but he cleared it away with a cough.</p> + +<p>"The mean, contemptible scoundrels!" burst out Paul. "We must get after +them somehow!"</p> + +<p>"I'll go after them," replied Allen, with swift determination. "Give me +my rifle. I already have my pistol."</p> + +<p>"You are not going alone, are you?" demanded Paul.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to. There is only my mare to be had."</p> + +<p>"It's foolhardy, Allen," urged Chet. "What could one fellow do against +two or more? They would knock you over at the first chance."</p> + +<p>"I won't give them the first chance," grimly replied Allen, as he ran +for his rifle. "As they used to say when father was young, I'll shoot +first and talk afterward."</p> + +<p>"Can't two of us ride on the mare?" asked Paul. "I am not so very +heavy."</p> + +<p>The older brother shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It can't be done, Paul; not with her all tired out after her morning's +jaunt. No, I'll go alone. Perhaps the trail will lead past some other +ranch and then I'll call on the neighbors for help."</p> + +<p>"Can you follow the trail?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I can; leastwise I can try. I won't lose it unless they take +to the rocks and leave the river entirely, and it ain't likely they'll +do that."</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul shook their heads. To them it seemed dangerous, and so it +was. But it was no use arguing with Allen when he had once made up his +mind, so they let him have his own way.</p> + +<p>Three minutes later Allen was off on the trail of the horse thieves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Allen on the Trail</span></h3> + + +<p>Although Allen Winthrop was but a young man in years, yet the fact that +he had had the care of the family on his shoulders since the death of +his parents had tended to make him older in experience and give him the +courage to face whatever arose before him in the path of duty.</p> + +<p>He was four years older than Chet and two years the senior of Paul, and +the others had always looked upon him as a guiding spirit in all +undertakings.</p> + +<p>Consequently but little was said by way of opposition when Allen +determined to go after the thieves alone, but nevertheless the hearts of +both the younger brothers were filled with anxiety when they saw Allen +disappear on the back of his mare up the trail that led to the +southwest.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad that we can't accompany him," was the way Chet expressed +himself. "I'd give all I possess for a good horse just now."</p> + +<p>"All you possess isn't much, seeing we've all been cleaned out," replied +Paul, with a trace of grim humor he did not really feel. "But I, too, +wish I had a horse and could go along."</p> + +<p>"Still, somebody ought to stay on the ranch," went on Chet, "we might +have more unprofitable visitors."</p> + +<p>"It's not likely that the gang will dare to show themselves in this +vicinity again in a hurry. Like as not they'll steer for Deadwood, sell +the horses, and then spend their ill-gotten gains around the gambling +saloons. That is their usual style. They can't content themselves in the +mountains or on the plains as long as they have the dust in their +pockets."</p> + +<p>After Allen had disappeared the two boys locked up the barn as well as +was possible, using a wooden pin in lieu of the padlock that had been +forced asunder, and then went back to the house. Chet brought in the +string of fish and threw them in a big tin basin.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I might as well fry a couple of these," he observed; "though, +to tell the truth, I am not a bit hungry."</p> + +<p>"I, too, have lost my appetite," replied Paul. "But we must eat, and +dinner will help pass away the time. I reckon there is no telling when +Allen will be back."</p> + +<p>"No. I don't care much, if he only keeps from getting into serious +trouble."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Allen had passed down the trail until the buildings of +the ranch were left far behind. He knew the way well, and had no +difficulty in finding the tracks—new ones—made by the hoofs of four +horses.</p> + +<p>"As long as they remain as fresh as they are now it will be easy enough +to follow them," was the mental conclusion which he reached, as he urged +forward his tired mare in a way that showed his fondness for the animal +and his disinclination to make her do more than could fairly be +expected.</p> + +<p>The belt of cottonwood was soon passed, and Allen emerged upon the bank +of a small brook which flowed into the river at a point nearly half a +mile further on.</p> + +<p>He examined the wet bank of the brook minutely and came to the +conclusion that here the horse thieves had stopped the animals for a +drink.</p> + +<p>"I imagine they came a long distance to get here," he thought, "and that +means they will go a long way before they settle down for the night. +Heigh-ho! I have a long and difficult search before me."</p> + +<p>The brook had been forded, and Allen crossed over likewise, and five +minutes later reached a bit of rolling land dotted here and there with +sage and other brush.</p> + +<p>Allen wondered if the trail would lead to Gold Fork, as the little +mining town at the foot of the mountains was called.</p> + +<p>"If they went that way I will have no trouble in getting help to run +them down," he said to himself. "I can get Ike Watson and Mat Prigley, +who will go willingly, and there is no better man to take hold of this +sort of thing than Ike Watson."</p> + +<p>Mile after mile was passed, and the trail remained as plain as before.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if they didn't anticipate being followed," was the way +Allen figured it, but he soon found out his mistake, when, on coming +around a rocky spur of ground, the trail suddenly vanished.</p> + +<p>The young ranchman came to a halt in some dismay, and a look of +perplexity quickly stole over his face. He looked to the right and the +left, and ahead, but all to no purpose. The trail was gone.</p> + +<p>"Here's a state of things," he murmured as he continued to gaze around. +"Where in the land of goodness has it gone to? They couldn't have taken +wings and flown away."</p> + +<p>Allen spent all of a quarter of an hour on the rocky spur. Then on a +venture he moved forward over the bare rocks, feeling pretty certain +that it was the only way they could have gone without leaving tracks +behind them.</p> + +<p>He calculated that he had traveled nearly ten miles. His mare showed +signs of being tired, and he spoke to her more kindly than ever.</p> + +<p>"It won't do, Lilly," he said, patting her soft neck affectionately. "We +have got to get through somehow or other. You must brace up and when it +is all over you can take the best kind of a long resting spell."</p> + +<p>And the faithful animal laid back her ears and appeared to understand +every word he said to her. She was a most knowing creature, and Allen +would have gone wild had she been one of those stolen.</p> + +<p>The barren, rocky way lasted for upward of half a mile, and came to an +end in a slight decline covered with rich grass and more brush. Allen +looked about him eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! there is the trail, true enough!" he cried, as the well +understood marks in the growth beneath his feet met his gaze. "That was +a lucky chance I took. On, Lilly, and we'll have Jasper and Rush back +before nightfall, or know the reason why."</p> + +<p>Away flew the mare once more over the plain that stretched before her +for several miles. Beyond were the mountains, covered with a purplish +haze.</p> + +<p>The vicinity of the mountains was gained at last, and now, more than +tired, the mare dropped into a walk as the first upward slope was +struck.</p> + +<p>Hardly had she done so than Allen saw something that made his heart +jump. It was a man, and he was riding Chet's horse!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">A Dangerous Situation</span></h3> + + +<p>It was not possible for Allen Winthrop to make any mistake regarding the +animal the man on the mountain trail was riding. Too often had he ridden +on Rush's back, and too well did he know the sturdy little horse's +characteristics.</p> + +<p>But the man was a stranger to the young ranchman, and he could not even +remember having seen the rascal's face before.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" called out Allen, as he struck Lilly to urge her on. "Stop! Do +you hear me?"</p> + +<p>The man caught the words and wheeled about quickly. He was evidently +much disturbed by the encounter. He had been looking ahead, and had +known nothing of Allen's approach.</p> + +<p>"Stop, do you hear?" repeated Allen.</p> + +<p>"Wot do yer want?" was the surly response, but the speaker did not draw +rein in the least.</p> + +<p>"I want you to stop!" exclaimed Allen, growing excited. "That horse +belongs to my brother!"</p> + +<p>"Reckon you air mistaken, stranger," was the cool reply. "This air hoss +is mine."</p> + +<p>This unexpected reply staggered Allen. He had expected the man to either +show fight or take to his heels. It was plainly evident that the fellow +intended, if possible, to bluff him off.</p> + +<p>"Your horse? Not much! Whoa, Rush, old boy!"</p> + +<p>Commanded by that familiar tongue, the horse came to a halt that was so +sudden it nearly pitched the rider out of his saddle. He muttered +something under his breath, straightened up and gave the reins a vicious +yank that made Rush rear up in resentment.</p> + +<p>"See here, youngster, keep your parley to yourself!" howled the man, +scowling at Allen.</p> + +<p>"I will—after you get down and turn that nag over to me," rejoined +Allen, as coolly as he could, although he was in an exceedingly high +state of suppressed excitement.</p> + +<p>"And whyfore should I turn him over to you, seein' as how he belongs to +me?" growled the man, as brazenly as he could.</p> + +<p>"You stole that horse from our barn not four hours ago," retorted Allen. +"I will waste no more words with you. Get down or take the +consequences."</p> + +<p>As he concluded the youth unslung his rifle in a suggestive manner. He +had lived out in those wilds long enough to know that to trifle in such +a case as this would be sheer foolishness.</p> + +<p>"You're a hot-headed youngster, tew say the least," was the reply, and +as he spoke the man scowled more viciously than ever. The sight of the +ready rifle in Allen's hands was not at all to his liking. He made a +movement toward his pistols, but a second glance at the youth made him +change his mind.</p> + +<p>"I said I would waste no more words with you," repeated Allen. "Get +down!"</p> + +<p>"But see here, youngster——"</p> + +<p>"Get down!" And up came the rifle in a motion that caused the man to +start back in terror.</p> + +<p>"There must be a mistake somewhar," he said, slowly, as soon as he could +recover. "My pard turned this critter over to me, and I reckoned it war +all right."</p> + +<p>"There is where you reckoned wrong. Are you going to get down now or +not?"</p> + +<p>"Supposin' we talk it over with my pard first? Thar he is now."</p> + +<p>The man pointed to the trail behind Allen. His manner was so natural +that for the instant the young ranchman was deceived. He looked about.</p> + +<p>With a dash and a clatter the horse thief urged Rush on, digging his +spurs deep into the little horse's flesh. As he did so he dropped partly +under the horse's neck, thus to shield himself from a chance shot, +should it be taken.</p> + +<p>But, although astonished and angered at being so easily duped, Allen did +not fire. Rush was moving along over the rocks too rapidly for him to +take the risk of killing his brother's favorite beast. Besides, only a +small portion of the rider could be seen at one time.</p> + +<p>"I'll follow him until I get a better chance," he thought, and he cried +to Lilly to follow in pursuit.</p> + +<p>Once again the gallant mare responded, although she was now thoroughly +jaded. Up the rocks they went, and around numerous bends, the clatter +ahead telling plainly that the race was about even for pursued and +pursuer.</p> + +<p>"I must be on my guard or that fellow may play me foul," thought Allen. +"He looks like a most desperate character, and he knows well enough +what capture by the law-abiding folks of this State means. They would +lynch him in a minute."</p> + +<p>Allen wondered what had become of the other thieves and the horse +Jasper. Surely they could not be far away.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that fellow is trying to reach the others, who may have gone on +ahead," he speculated mentally. "If he reaches them it will be so much +the worse for me, for I can never fight two or more among these rocks +and bushes. On Lilly. We must run him down at once!"</p> + +<p>But the little mare could be urged no longer. She had reached her limit, +and went forward with a doggedness that was pitiful to behold.</p> + +<p>In five minutes Allen heard the clatter ahead drawing away from him. +Soon it ceased entirely.</p> + +<p>But he did not give up. It was not in his nature to surrender a cause so +long as one spark of hope of success remained.</p> + +<p>The mountain trail now led downward for a few hundred yards, and then +wound through a rocky pass, dark and forbidding. Allen kept watch on +either side for a possible ambush, but none presented itself.</p> + +<p>"He has gone on, that is certain," he thought. "I rather guess he thinks +to tire me out, knowing the condition my mare is in; but if he thinks +that he is mistaken. I'll follow, if I have to do it on foot."</p> + +<p>At last the trail left the rocky pass and came out upon some shelving +rocks overlooking a deep canyon, at the bottom of which sparkled the +swift-running stream. Here a rude bridge led to the other side, a bridge +composed of slender trees and rough-hewn planks.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation, Allen rode upon the bridge. As he did so a derisive +laugh resounded from the other side of the canyon, and he saw the man he +was after and two others ride into view.</p> + +<p>Then, before he could turn back, Allen felt the bridge sagging beneath +him. Suddenly it parted in the center, and horse and youth went plunging +headlong toward the waters far beneath.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Man in the Sink Hole</span></h3> + + +<p>We will now return to the ranch and see how Chet and Paul were faring +during their elder brother's absence.</p> + +<p>Chet took the string of fish, and selecting two, began to clean them. He +was used to the work, and did it with a dexterity and quickness that +could not have been excelled. Ever since his mother had died it had +fallen upon Chet's young shoulders to do the culinary work about the +ranch home.</p> + +<p>While Chet was thus engaged Paul busied himself in looking over the +shotguns, cleaning and oiling them and then loading up.</p> + +<p>The fish cooked, Chet set the table, putting on three plates, although +he himself was almost certain Allen would not come back in time for the +meal.</p> + +<p>"It's queer, I've been thinking," remarked Paul, during the progress of +the meal, "Allen said nothing about the result of his morning trip."</p> + +<p>"He was too excited over the theft of the horses to think of anything +else, I reckon," was the reply Chet made. "It was enough to upset any +one's mind."</p> + +<p>"At least he might have said if he had heard from Uncle Barnaby," +grumbled Paul. "More particularly, as we were just dying to know."</p> + +<p>"I imagine if he had heard he would have said so and left us the letter, +Paul. Allen knows as well as you or I how anxious we really were."</p> + +<p>"It's queer the way Uncle Barnaby disappeared," mused Paul, as he mashed +the potatoes on his plate with a fork. "One would not think a man could +go to San Francisco and disappear forever."</p> + +<p>"He might if he went to Chinatown and got sandbagged or something like +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you don't really think such a thing would happen?"</p> + +<p>"It might. Uncle was a great hand to see the sights, and also to make a +show of his money, and the Chinese in San Francisco are, many of them, a +bloodthirsty set."</p> + +<p>"Do you really believe he discovered the rich mine he talked about?"</p> + +<p>"He discovered something, that is certain. And he had faith enough in it +to go to San Francisco in the hope of starting a company to develop the +claim."</p> + +<p>It was in this strain that the two boys talked on until long after the +meal was finished, and while they are conversing let us take a brief +glance at their former history.</p> + +<p>As I have said, the three brothers were orphans, their parents having +died several years before.</p> + +<p>The ranch had belonged to their father, who had willed it to his three +sons equally, and as none of them were yet of age, he had appointed his +brother, Barnaby, his executor.</p> + +<p>Barnaby Winthrop was an old prospector, who had spent a life among the +hills, prospecting for gold and silver. As has been said, he was a +peculiar man, but warm and generous hearted to the last degree.</p> + +<p>As there was really little to do at the ranch but look after the cattle, +the uncle had left the place in charge of the three boys and continued +month in and month out ranging over the hills and among the mountains in +search of the precious metal which lay hidden beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>One day Uncle Barnaby had staggered into the house, weak and hungry. He +had made a perilous trip up to a point theretofore considered +unattainable. He announced that he had at last struck a mining spot that +if properly worked would prove a bonanza. He refused to state the exact +location and announced his intention of going at once to San Francisco +to organize a company to open up a mine.</p> + +<p>He started apparently in the best of health, and although he had been +gone now a number of months, and they had been anxiously awaiting his +reappearance, they had seen or heard nothing of him.</p> + +<p>During this period the boys had had considerable trouble at home, which +had occupied their attention. At the start some of the cattle had gone +astray, and it had taken a ten days' hunt over the long range to find +them. Then had come Captain Hank Grady, who had sought in various ways +to get possession of the ranch, stating that their father had borrowed +money from him and that it had not been paid back. The captain was known +to be both mean and unscrupulous, and all of the boys doubted very much +if he spoke the truth. But they had expected much more trouble from him +before the end was reached, and they were destined not to be +disappointed. Captain Grady knew the value of the ranch, even if the +boys did not, and he meant to gain possession of it, if not by fair +means, then by foul.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to take a look for the cattle this afternoon," said Paul, +some time after the conversation concerning Uncle Barnaby came to a +close. "We don't want any of them to get in the sink hole again."</p> + +<p>"That's so; we'll start at once, and we'll see to it that we lock up +good," laughed Chet. "No more thieves wanted."</p> + +<p>The house was soon tidied up, and then, after closing up everything well +and setting an alarm to scare away any newcomer, Chet and Paul set out +on foot over the rolling land which led from the river.</p> + +<p>Half a mile beyond the rolling land was a nasty bit of spongy soil known +as the sink hole. Not unfrequently the cattle would stray in this +direction and more than one had sunk to death in the mire.</p> + +<p>"Some cattle around there now!" cried Paul, as they drew close to the +spot. "It's lucky we came this way."</p> + +<p>"Go to the westward of them," said Chet. "We can drive them——" Chet +broke off short, for just then a piercing cry rang in their ears:</p> + +<p>"Help! help! For the sake of heaven, help!"</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul were thrilled to the heart to hear that wild, agonizing +cry for assistance which rang out so clearly on the afternoon air. +Plainly a human being was in distress, and needed immediate assistance.</p> + +<p>They looked around, but for several seconds saw nothing. Then the cry +rang out again, more sharply, more pitiably than ever.</p> + +<p>"Help! help! Save me from death!"</p> + +<p>"Do you see him?" demanded Paul, breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not," rejoined Chet. "But he must be near. Did not the cry +come from over there?" pointing with his finger to the right.</p> + +<p>"I believe it did. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Paul set off on a run around the edge of the sink hole, which was all of +several hundred feet in diameter. Close behind him came Chet, wondering +who the man could be and how they might assist him should he be beyond +their reach.</p> + +<p>Two dozen steps brought them in sight of the sufferer. He was a young +man and his general dress and appearance betokened that he was a +stranger in those parts, and, in fact, a stranger to the wilds; a city +fellow, born and bred.</p> + +<p>"Save me! Help!" cried the man for a third time. He was up to his middle +in the spongy soil and sinking rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Keep up your courage; we will assist you!" shouted Paul in return.</p> + +<p>"Thank God, somebody has heard my cry!" murmured the man, gratefully. +"You must be quick; I am sinking rapidly," he continued aloud.</p> + +<p>"Have you anything in the shape of a rope with you?" asked Paul of Chet.</p> + +<p>"I have not."</p> + +<p>This was a sad predicament, as the man was all of three yards from solid +ground. How to get to him was a question. But it was solved by Chet, as +he brought a bit of stout cord from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Tie the two stocks of the guns together," he said. "This way; let me +show you."</p> + +<p>He held the two stocks side by side, so that they overlapped each other +about eight or ten inches. The cord was hastily wound about them and +tied, and it was Chet who thrust one of the gun barrels toward the +sinking man, while he firmly grasped the other.</p> + +<p>"Catch hold," he said. "Paul, help me land him."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>THE MAN CAUGHT THE END OF THE GUN.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The man caught the end of the gun and Paul took hold of Chet's hand. Two +efforts were made, the first time the man letting the gun slip and +sinking deeper than ever. But the second effort was successful, and, +panting from his unusual exertion, the man reached the solid ground and +fell exhausted.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Good Cause for Alarm</span></h3> + + +<p>It was several minutes before the man who had been rescued from the sink +hole could sit up and talk. His hat was gone, and with a dirty face and +tangled, muddy hair, he presented a sorry spectacle.</p> + +<p>"I'm very thankful to you for what you have done," were his first words, +accompanied by a look that told plainly he felt what he said. "I thought +I was at the end of my string sure, as they say in these parts."</p> + +<p>"I allow that's a bad hole to get into," returned Chet. "I wouldn't +want to get into it myself."</p> + +<p>"And may I ask to whom am I indebted for my life?" continued the man.</p> + +<p>"My name is Chetwood Winthrop, and this is my brother Paul."</p> + +<p>"I am exceedingly glad to know you, boys. My name is Noel Urner, and I +am from New York. I am a stranger in Idaho, and I know nothing of such +treacherous places as this—at least I did not know of them until a short +while ago." And the man shuddered as the memory of his fearful experience +flashed over him.</p> + +<p>"It's one of the unpleasant things of the country," responded Paul, with +a little laugh. "But how came you in it?" with a glance down at the +spurs on the man's boots.</p> + +<p>"I see you are looking at my spurs. Yes, I had a horse, but he is gone +now."</p> + +<p>"Gone! In the sink hole?" ejaculated Chet.</p> + +<p>"No; he was stolen from me."</p> + +<p>"Stolen!" Both boys uttered the word simultaneously.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I was riding along when I came to a spot where I saw some flora +which particularly interested me, for I am a botanist, although for +pleasure only. I dismounted and tied my horse to a tree and climbed up +to secure the specimens which were on a shelf of rock some thirty feet +over my head. Soon I heard a clatter of horses' hoofs as they passed +along the road. I came down with my specimens to see who the riders +were, but they had already passed on, taking my horse with them."</p> + +<p>"The horse thieves!" cried Chet.</p> + +<p>And he told the man of the raid made on the ranch and how Allen had gone +off in pursuit of the thieves. The reader can well imagine with what +interest Noel Urner listened to the tale.</p> + +<p>"One would not believe it possible!" he exclaimed, when Chet had wound +up by saying he wished Allen would lay every one of the rascals low. "I +fancied horse thievery was a thing only permitted in the wildest +portions of the territories."</p> + +<p>"There are horse thieves everywhere," said Paul. "Every one living for a +hundred miles around has suffered during the past ten years. Sometimes +we think them wiped out, and then, all of a sudden they start up again."</p> + +<p>"Well, I trust your brother gets your horses back," said Noel Urner. +"It's a pity he won't know enough to take mine away from the thieves, +too!"</p> + +<p>"He'll collar the thieves and all they have, if he gets half a chance, +you can depend on that," said Chet. "But won't you come to our ranch +with us? You can clean up there and have something to eat if you are +hungry."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I will go gladly. Possibly you can sell me a headgear of +some sort too."</p> + +<p>"We can fit you out all right enough, sir."</p> + +<p>It did not take the boys long to chase the cattle away from the sink +hole, and this accomplished, they set off for the ranch with Noel Urner +between them.</p> + +<p>They found the young man an exceedingly bright and pleasant chap. He +said he had come west two months before and had been spending over a +month in San Francisco.</p> + +<p>"I came out at the invitation of an old prospector," he said. "We were +to meet in San Francisco, but when I arrived there I could not find my +man. He belongs somewhere in this neighborhood. His name is Barnaby +Winthrop. Perhaps you have heard of him?"</p> + +<p>"Heard of him!" cried Chet.</p> + +<p>"He is our uncle!" added Paul.</p> + +<p>"Your uncle!" And now it was Noel Urner's turn to be surprised.</p> + +<p>"Yes, our uncle, and he has been missing for several months," continued +Paul. "Oh, tell us what you know of him at once, for we are dying to +know!"</p> + +<p>"The Barnaby Winthrop I mean had an undeveloped gold and silver mine he +wished to open up."</p> + +<p>"It was our uncle, beyond the shadow of a doubt," said Chet. "Our name +is Winthrop, and Uncle Barnaby is our guardian. We can prove it to you +by the papers, if you wish."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to take your word, boys. But, you understand, one must be +careful about speaking of mines in this section; at least I have been +told so."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we know about that," returned Paul. "Many a man has lost the +chance of his life by advertising his knowledge too broadly. Others +would gain a clew of a mine, hunt it up, and put in a claim before the +original discoverer knew what was up."</p> + +<p>"Exactly, and that is why I was slow in saying anything. But when you +ask me to tell you about your uncle, I am sorry to say I know but very +little, although I suspect much, now you say he has been missing so +long."</p> + +<p>By this time the little party had reached the ranch house. They went +inside, and despite the fact that the boys were impatient to hear what +Noel Urner might have to say, they gave the young man time to wash up +and make himself otherwise presentable, Chet in the meanwhile frying +another fish and preparing a pot of coffee.</p> + +<p>"This is just what I wished, and no mistake," said Noel Urner, as he set +to with a hearty good will. "But I am sure you are impatient to learn +something of your uncle, so I will not keep you waiting. To make my +story plain, I will have to tell you something of myself also.</p> + +<p>"In the first place I am a broker and speculator from New York city. I +make a specialty of mining stocks, and own shares myself in half a dozen +mines.</p> + +<p>"About ten weeks or so ago I heard through a friend in San Francisco +that Barnaby Winthrop was trying to form a company to develop a new +strike in this vicinity. I wrote to him and he sent word back that if I +would come on he would prove to me that he had a big thing, well worth +looking into.</p> + +<p>"I had other business west, and so at once started for San Francisco. +Your uncle had given his address as the Golden Nugget House, a place I +afterward learned was frequented by old-time miners and prospectors.</p> + +<p>"I made inquiries at the Nugget House for your uncle, and to my +astonishment learned that he had disappeared very mysteriously one +night, leaving no trace behind him."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Paul, springing to his feet, and Chet was too astonished +to speak.</p> + +<p>"I do not wonder that you are astonished. Yes, he had disappeared, +leaving his valise and overcoat behind him.</p> + +<p>"I thought the matter so queer that I was on the point of notifying the +police. But on calling at the post office for letters I received one +from him stating that he was sorry, but he had come back to the place in +question and found it not what he had anticipated, so he wouldn't bother +me any more."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he came back!" ejaculated Chet. "If he had he would +have stopped at the ranch."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you."</p> + +<p>"Have you that letter?" asked Paul, his voice trembling with excitement.</p> + +<p>"I have."</p> + +<p>"I would like to see it, please."</p> + +<p>"Certainly." And Noel Urner brought forth a large flat pocketbook from +which he extracted the communication in question.</p> + +<p>Paul took it to the light and examined it closely.</p> + +<p>"This is a forgery! Uncle Barnaby never wrote it."</p> + +<p>"Let me see, Paul," ejaculated Chet.</p> + +<p>He also examined the letter with as much care as his brother had +displayed. There was not the slightest doubt of it. The letter was not +genuine.</p> + +<p>"It's certainly a bad state of affairs," said Noel Urner. "It makes the +disappearance of your uncle look decidedly bad."</p> + +<p>"It looks like foul play!" cried Paul. "Why should Uncle Barnaby leave +the hotel in that fashion if all was perfectly straight?"</p> + +<p>"It's like as not some mining town rascals got hold of his secret and +then put him out of the way, so that they might profit by it," said +Chet. "There are plenty of fellows mean enough for that."</p> + +<p>"At first I was satisfied by the receipt of the letter," continued Noel +Urner. "But the more I thought over the matter the more I became +convinced that something was wrong; but in a different way from what you +think. I imagined your uncle had found other speculators to go in with +him and they had persuaded him to cut me off. That is why I started off, +after settling my other business in California, to find your uncle and +learn the truth. I was willing to lose a few weeks' time out here +looking around, even if it didn't pay."</p> + +<p>"We are very glad you came and that we found you," answered Paul. "I am +sorry for only one thing, that Allen is not here to meet you."</p> + +<p>"I am in no hurry to continue my journey; indeed, I do not see how I can +without a horse. If you wish I will remain here until your brother +returns."</p> + +<p>"You are right welcome to do that," cried Chet. "As for not having a +horse, you are no worse off than ourselves, for we are without an animal +of any kind, outside of the cattle."</p> + +<p>"Then, being equally bad off, we ought to make good friends," smiled +Noel Urner. "I shall like staying on a ranch for a few days first rate, +and you can rely on my giving you all the assistance in my power when it +comes to finding out the fate of your uncle."</p> + +<p>"We can't do anything until Allen returns," sighed Paul.</p> + +<p>"Then we will hope that your brother returns speedily, and with good +news."</p> + +<p>"The best news will be his return with all our horses," returned Chet. +"We can do nothing without our animals."</p> + +<p>Alas! How little did both Chet and Paul dream of the terrible ordeal +through which Allen was at that moment passing!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">From One Peril to Another</span></h3> + + +<p>"I am lost! Nothing can save me!"</p> + +<p>Such was the agonizing thought which rushed into Allen Winthrop's mind +as he felt himself plunging madly downward to the glittering waters far +beneath him.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that the otherwise brave young ranchman was +fearfully frightened at the dreadful peril which confronted him. He and +his faithful mare were going down, and certain death seemed inevitable.</p> + +<p>"Heaven help me!" he murmured to himself, and shutting his teeth hard, +clung grimly to the saddle.</p> + +<p>Out of the sunlight into the gloom and mist below descended horse and +rider.</p> + +<p>Scarcely two seconds passed and then, with a resounding splash, the +animal and its living burden disappeared beneath the surface of the +river and out of the sight of the rascals on the opposite side of the +canyon.</p> + +<p>"That settles him," cried one of the horse thieves, grimly. "He was a +fool to follow us."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he'll escape," ventured a second.</p> + +<p>"Wot! Arfter sech a plunge?" returned the first speaker, sarcastically. +"Wall, hardly, ter my reckonin'."</p> + +<p>They shifted their positions on the brink of the opening, but try their +best, could see nothing more of the young man or the mare.</p> + +<p>It was now growing darker rapidly, and fifteen minutes later, satisfied +that Allen had really taken a fall to his death, they continued on their +way.</p> + +<p>And poor Allen?</p> + +<p>Down, down, down sank the mare and her hapless rider, until the very +bottom of the river was struck.</p> + +<p>The swiftly flowing tide caught both in its grasp, tumbled them over and +over and sent them spinning onward. Allen's grasp on the saddle relaxed, +and as it did so the young man lost consciousness.</p> + +<p>How long he remained in this state Allen never knew. When he came to he +was lying among brush, partly in the water and partly out.</p> + +<p>He attempted to sit up and in doing so, slipped back beyond his depth. +But the instinct of self-preservation still remained with him, and he +made a frantic clutch at the brush and succeeded in pulling himself high +and dry upon a grassy bank.</p> + +<p>Here he lay for several minutes exhausted. He could not think, for his +head felt as if it was swimming around in a balloon.</p> + +<p>At last he began to come to himself and after a bit sat up to gaze about +him. But all was dark and he could see little or nothing.</p> + +<p>He remembered the great plunge he had taken and wondered what had become +of Lilly. He called her with all the strength of his enfeebled lungs, +but received no response.</p> + +<p>"She must have been killed," he thought. "Poor Lilly! But had it not +been for the protection her body gave me it is more than likely that my +life would have been ended, too!" and he shuddered to think of his +narrow escape.</p> + +<p>It was nearly half an hour before Allen felt strong enough to rise up. +His head felt light, and for a while he staggered like an intoxicated +man.</p> + +<p>He knew he was down in the canyon, and some distance below where the +bridge had been. He wondered how he could ascend to the top of the +rocks which presented themselves on the two sides.</p> + +<p>"I can't climb up in this darkness," he said half aloud. "I might slip +and break my neck. I had better walk along and hunt for some natural +upward slope."</p> + +<p>He started off along the river side, the top of the canyon towering +nearly a hundred feet above his head as he proceeded. The opening +gradually grew narrower, and with this the distance between the rocks +and the water decreased, until there was hardly room left for Allen to +walk.</p> + +<p>"I must have made a mistake," was the mental conclusion which he arrived +at. "I should have gone up the river instead of down. The chances are +that I can't go over a hundred feet further, if as far."</p> + +<p>Soon Allen came to a halt. The ground between the wall of the canyon and +the water ceased just before him. Beyond the steep and bare rocks ran +directly downward into the stream.</p> + +<p>"That settles it," he muttered, in great disappointment. "All this +traveling for nothing. And it's getting night over head, too! It's a +shame!"</p> + +<p>Allen paused to rest, for in his weak condition the walk had tired him +greatly. Then he started to retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he taken a yard's advance, when his left foot slipped upon a +round stone. He was thrown over on his side, and before he could save +himself went plunging headlong into the stream!</p> + +<p>He essayed by every means in his power to regain the bank, but in vain. +The current of the river was extra strong at this point—the width of +the course having narrowed down—and before he could clutch the first +thing he was carried to where nothing but the steep and slippery rocks +presented themselves.</p> + +<p>Vainly he put out his hands to stay his progress, vainly he tried by +every means in his power to obtain some sort of hold on the rocks.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> +<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>VAINLY HE PUT OUT HIS HANDS TO STAY HIS PROGRESS</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>And now the surface of the river grew blacker as the rocks on both sides +began, seemingly, to close in over his head.</p> + +<p>He was almost tempted to cry out for help, and took a breath for that +purpose, but the sound was not uttered. What would be the use? Not a +soul would hear him.</p> + +<p>On and on went the young ranchman, the waters growing more cold each +instant and the prospects more gloomy. He was half tempted to give +himself up for lost.</p> + +<p>It was an easy matter to keep himself on the surface, for he was really +a good swimmer, but now the current was so strong that he could scarcely +touch either side of its rocky confines as he was swept along, he knew +not where. Allen had never explored this stream, and this to him made +the immediate future look blacker than ever.</p> + +<p>"If it ends in some sort of a sink hole, I'm a goner sure," he thought. +"But I never heard of such a hole up here among the mountains, so I +won't give up just yet."</p> + +<p>Hardly had the thought occupied his mind when, on looking up, he saw the +last trace of evening fade from sight. The river had entered a cavern! +He was now underground!</p> + +<p>It may well be imagined with what dismay Allen, stout-hearted as he was, +viewed the turn of the situation. Here he was being borne swiftly along +on an underground river, he knew not where. It was a situation +calculated to chill the bravest of hearts.</p> + +<p>All was pitch black around and overhead; beneath was the silent and cold +water, and the only sound that fell upon his ears was the rushing along +of the stream.</p> + +<p>As well as he was able, Allen put out his hands before him, to ward off +the shock of a sudden contact of any sort, for he did not know but that +he might be dashed upon a jagged rock at any instant. Then he prayed +earnestly for deliverance.</p> + +<p>On and on he swept, the stream several times making turns, first to one +side and then to the other. Once his hand came brushing up to a series +of rocks, but before he could grasp them he was hurled onward in an +awful blackness.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour went by—a time that to the young man seemed like +an age—and during that period he surmised that he must have traveled a +mile or more.</p> + +<p>Then the current appeared to slacken up, and he had a feeling come over +him as if the space overhead had become larger.</p> + +<p>"This must be an underground lake," he thought. "Now if I——Ah, +bottom!"</p> + +<p>His thought came to a sudden termination, for his feet had touched upon +a sloping rock but a few feet below the surface of the stream. The rock +sloped to his right, and, moving in that direction, Allen, to his great +joy, soon emerged upon a stony shore.</p> + +<p>He took several cautious steps in as many different directions and felt +nothing. He was truly high and dry at last.</p> + +<p>This fact was a cheering one, but there was still a dismal enough +outlook. Where was he and how would he ever be able to gain the outer +world once more?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Cave in the Mountain</span></h3> + + +<p>Allen was too exhausted to do more than move about cautiously. He felt +for the edge of the stream, and then moved away from it for several +yards.</p> + +<p>His hand came in contact with a dried bush and several sticks of wood, +all of which had probably floated in at one time on the stream, and +these at once made him think of a fire. What a relief a bit of light +would be!</p> + +<p>In his life on the long range, Allen had found a watertight matchbox +very useful. He felt in his pocket and found the article still safe. He +opened it with fingers that trembled a little; but the matches were +still dry, and in a trice one was struck and lit.</p> + +<p>He held the match under some of the driest of the brush, and had the +satisfaction of seeing it blaze up. He piled the stuff up, and on top +placed several heavy sticks. Soon he had a fire which blazed merrily.</p> + +<p>The light illumined the cavern, casting a ruddy glare on the rocks and +the rippling water. It was a weird and uncanny scene, and he shivered +involuntarily. He would have given a good deal to have been in the outer +world once more.</p> + +<p>Allen saw that the river had simply widened at the spot, and that a +hundred yards further on it flowed into a narrow channel, as before. +Only on the side which he occupied was there anything in the shape of a +shore. Opposite the rocks stood straight up, and were covered with moss +and slime.</p> + +<p>"If I am to get out, it must be from this shore upward," Allen thought +as he surveyed the situation. "I can never get back on the river. One +could never row even a boat against that current."</p> + +<p>The shore was not more than thirty or forty feet wide. It was backed up +by rocks, but Allen was glad to see that they did not present an +unbroken surface. There were numerous fissures, and in one place the +opening was a dozen feet in width.</p> + +<p>Selecting the brightest of the firebrands Allen, left the vicinity of +the stream and started to explore this opening. He was in great hopes +that it would lead upward and that he would thus be enabled to climb +out of his prison—for to him that damp, dark place was nothing less.</p> + +<p>The opening was filled with loose stones, and Allen had to be careful +for fear of spraining an ankle, or worse. He moved along slowly, halting +every few steps to survey the scene ahead.</p> + +<p>Twenty yards distant from the entrance to the fissure Allen came to a +turn to the left. Here was a narrow opening just large enough for him to +pass through. Beyond was another cavern-like spot not over ten yards in +width and height and of interminable length.</p> + +<p>Fearful of losing his way, Allen hesitated about advancing. But +presently he plucked up courage, and, holding down his firebrand, he +allowed it to burn up again and then proceeded along the chamber.</p> + +<p>The flooring was uneven and covered with loose rocks and stones. Huge +stalactites hung down from overhead, and in several spots the moisture +dripped down with weird hollow sounds.</p> + +<p>"I would like to know how far underground I really am," was Allen's +earnest mental speculation as he came to a halt beside a tiny stream +which flowed from one side of the cavern to the other. "If there was +only some slope which led upward it would be more encouraging. But it's +about as flat as a bit of prairie land."</p> + +<p>Allen hopped over the stream, and, assured that he could easily retrace +his steps if necessary, continued on his search, his firebrand held over +his head.</p> + +<p>It was a discouraging journey when the end was reached. Before him arose +a solid wall not less than twenty feet in height, at which elevation the +cavern appeared to continue. Allen gazed up at the wall with a hopeless +look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Humph! How in the name of creation am I to climb up there?" he +muttered. "It's as steep as the side of a house and twice as slippery. +If I can't find some sort of stepping places I reckon I'm beaten and +booked to go back to where I started from."</p> + +<p>Waving the firebrand to make it burn the brighter, Allen began to +scrutinize the face of the wall before him. He started at one end, +resolved that not a foot of the surface should escape him.</p> + +<p>He had traveled along some fifteen feet when he came to something that +made him start back in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Great Caesar!"</p> + +<p>Before him were a number of letters, cut in smooth rock, which was +apparently quite soft. The letters read:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Barnaby Winthrop's Mine.</span></p> + +<p>Allen stared at the letters on the rock as if he had not spelled out the +words aright. But there was no mistake. They really read "Barnaby +Winthrop's Mine."</p> + +<p>"Well, if this isn't the most wonderful discovery ever made!" ejaculated +the young man, finally. "So this is the place that Uncle Barnaby talked +of as being the richest claim in Idaho. I wonder how he ever found it?"</p> + +<p>While Allen stood close to the rocky wall he reached the conclusion that +his uncle must have come there by the river, but whether a voluntary or +involuntary passenger he could not decide. He knew Uncle Barnaby was +exceedingly fearless, but was there any human being who would take the +awful risk of a journey on that underground river, not knowing to where +it led?</p> + +<p>"He must have been caught, just as I was," said Allen to himself, at +last. "And that being so, the question is, how did he manage, after he +was once here, to get <i>out</i>?"</p> + +<p>While Allen was debating this question he cast his eyes about for some +means of scaling the wall. He walked along its face until the very end +was reached, and there, to his joy, discovered a dozen rudely cut +niches, some of them were close together and others nearly a yard apart, +but, with the end of the firebrand between his teeth, he had no great +difficulty in pulling himself up to the level of the flooring of the +cavern above.</p> + +<p>Allen now found himself in an opening not over fifty yards square. The +roofing was hardly out of reach, and the young man saw at a glance that +the quartz rock was full of virgin gold and silver. It was a veritable +bonanza.</p> + +<p>"A million dollars or more!" he cried, enthusiastically. "Uncle Barnaby +struck it rich for once. I wonder why he don't come back and begin +operations. It's queer I didn't get word from him."</p> + +<p>Allen could not help but spend some time in looking around, so +fascinating was the sight of the precious metal as it shimmered here and +there in the ruddy glare of the torch. His uncle would be rich indeed, +and he knew that he and his brothers would not be forgotten by their +generous guardian.</p> + +<p>But soon the thought of escape came back to him. Was there an opening to +the outer world, or was he entombed alive?</p> + +<p>At the far end of the chamber, after a long search, Allen came to a +narrow passageway, which he was compelled to enter on hands and knees. +It led upward and he had great hopes that ere long he would emerge into +the outer air once more.</p> + +<p>But he was doomed to disappointment. The passageway led around numerous +curves, and long before the end was reached his torch went out, and he +was left in total darkness. He crawled on and on, until finally he +brought up against a solid wall.</p> + +<p>Much frightened, he lit a match to survey the situation. Saving in his +rear, the rocks arose on all sides. But overhead was open, and up he +went, very much as a sweep might climb a half-choked up chimney, up +through weeds and brush and dirt.</p> + +<p>He was half smothered by the dust which filled his nose and mouth, and +he was forced to keep his eyes closed for fear of being blinded.</p> + +<p>At last, after he was nearly ready to give up in despair, he felt a +breath of cooling air blow over him. This was encouraging, and he +commenced to climb harder than ever. Up and up he went, until suddenly +opening his eyes, he found himself at the top of the hole, and looking +almost directly into the face of the rising sun!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Into a Snake's Nest</span></h3> + + +<p>"All night underground!" murmured Allen to himself as he surveyed the +scene before him in intense surprise. "Heaven be thanked for my escape!"</p> + +<p>His climb had so exhausted him that for a long while he sat on the +ground, unable to move. He felt both cold and hungry, but paid no heed. +It was blessing enough for the time being to be safe.</p> + +<p>When he felt stronger, he began to speculate upon where he was and how +far he would have to travel to reach the ranch. The face of the country +looked new and strange to him.</p> + +<p>"I must mark this spot, so I can find the mine again," he thought. +"Uncle Barnaby may not know of this opening."</p> + +<p>Close at hand was a tall tree, and upon this Allen cut his initials in +large letters. Then he walked to all the trees in the vicinity and cut +hands on them pointing to the first tree.</p> + +<p>"Now, I reckon it's all right," he said to himself. "And the next best +thing is to strike out for home."</p> + +<p>Climbing the tree, Allen took his bearings as well as he was able, and +then struck off as rapidly as his tired legs and sore feet would permit.</p> + +<p>He had covered perhaps half a mile when he came to a steep decline. He +tried to proceed down this with care, but slipped and rolled with a +crash through the brush to the bottom.</p> + +<p>It was a bad fall and hurt him not a little, but that was not the worst +of it.</p> + +<p>The passage through the brush aroused half a score of snakes, some small +and others a yard and over in length, and now they came after him, +hissing angrily and several preparing to dart at him.</p> + +<p>It was small wonder that Allen gave a yell. He knew the reptiles were, +many of them, poisonous, and he had not the first thing with which to +defend himself. He leaped back to retreat, but only to find himself +surrounded.</p> + +<p>No one who has never been surrounded by snakes can realize the terrible +feeling which awakens in one's breast at such an experience. It is a +feeling that, once realized, is never forgotten. Allen said afterward +he felt as if his hair had lifted from his head and his heart had had a +bath in ice water.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" were the words which escaped from his lips. "This is the +worst yet!"</p> + +<p>He had no time to say more, for at that moment one of the snakes leaped +through the air directly for his hand. He threw his hand up, caught the +reptile by the tail and flung it, hissing, among its fellows.</p> + +<p>Then he essayed to leap over those in front of him. But before he could +do so one wound itself around the instep of his boot. It was a poisonous +snake. Allen saw that at a glance. He tried to kick it off, but missed +it.</p> + +<p>Then out darted the terrible fang and up came that ugly head, with +diamond-like eyes, toward the young man's knee!</p> + +<p>For one brief second Allen fancied his last hour on earth had come. A +single bite from that snake and all would be over, for it would be all +out of the question to get rid of the poison.</p> + +<p>But with a strength and courage born of despair he bent down, and, +reaching out, caught the reptile around the neck. The bright eyes +almost paralyzed his nerve, and he was compelled to turn from them in +order to accomplish his purpose.</p> + +<p>Holding the snake with a grasp of iron, he leaped out of the circle of +reptiles. Then he bent down and forcing the snake's head against a rock, +ground it to pieces under his heel.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> +<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>HOLDING THE SNAKE HE LEAPED OUT OF THE CIRCLE OF REPTILES.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>It was a highly dangerous bit of work, and when it was over the great +beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. To him it was as if the +last few seconds had been an age.</p> + +<p>The other snakes had not followed him, but, nevertheless, he lost no +time in leaving the spot on a run. Five minutes later he was nearly a +quarter of a mile from the vicinity.</p> + +<p>He had gone at right angles to the course he imagined would take him +back to the ranch, and now he found he must make a detour around a hill +covered with cactus and other prickly plants.</p> + +<p>By this time Allen was thoroughly worn out and hungry to the last +degree. Bitterly he regretted the loss of his favorite mare, Lilly.</p> + +<p>"If I had her I imagine I could strike home inside of a couple of +hours," he said to himself. "But on foot it will take me until noon or +longer."</p> + +<p>But there was no use to grumble, and after resting a spell the young man +again started on his weary tramp through thicket and brush, over hills +and through hollows. More than once he stumbled and fell, and it was all +he could do at times to regain his feet.</p> + +<p>"It's no fun to be afoot on the long range," he soliloquized. "A mile +seems three times as long as when on horseback."</p> + +<p>But there was no help for it; he must go on, and on he went, his feet +now so sore in his wet boots that he could hardly take a regular step.</p> + +<p>As he proceeded, he looked about for something to eat, but outside of a +few half-green berries, found nothing. Birds were numerous, but without +firearms they were out of his reach.</p> + +<p>A less experienced person than Allen would have been much frightened by +the solitude and loneliness. But the young ranchman was accustomed to +being out alone for days at a time, and he did not mind it. He wished to +get home more for bodily comforts than aught else.</p> + +<p>At last, when Allen was beginning to congratulate himself that the +roughest portion of the journey would soon be over he came face to face +with a most unexpected difficulty. Emerging from a thicket, he found +himself at the very brink of a gully all of ten feet wide and of great +depth.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" he muttered, as he came to a halt. "I can't jump that. How am I +to get over?"</p> + +<p>This question was not easy to answer.</p> + +<p>Looking up and down the opening, no bridge, either natural or +artificial, was presented to view.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to cut a pole and use that," he thought. "There is no use to +tramp up and down looking for a spot to cross."</p> + +<p>His pocketknife was still safe, and he drew it out and went to work with +a will on a sapling growing some distance from the gully's edge.</p> + +<p>The sapling had just been laid low and Allen was on the point of +dragging it away when sounds broke upon his ear that filled him with +surprise. He heard human voices, and one of them was that of a man he +had encountered on the road, the fellow who had been riding Chet's +horse!</p> + +<p>"I reckon you have missed the road, Saul," said the man in a disgusted +tone.</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't missed nuthin'," was the reply. "So don't you go for to +croak so much, Darry."</p> + +<p>"Well, we don't appear to be makin' much headway," growled the fellow +addressed as Darry.</p> + +<p>"We'll come out all right, never fear. It's this yere blamed gully +bothers me. We might git over afoot, but we can't cross it on the +hosses."</p> + +<p>Allen crouched back behind a bush, and a moment later the two men +appeared in the opening near the gully. The fellow called Darry still +rode Chet's horse, while he addressed as Saul was astride of Paul's +animal. Behind the pair came a tall negro, riding a mustang and leading +two others, little animals looking much the worse for constant and hard +usage.</p> + +<p>"Dis yere ditch doan' seem ter git no narrower, nohow," said the colored +man, with a good-natured grin. "I dun racken we might as well build a +bridge an done with it."</p> + +<p>"By the boots, but I reckon Jeff is about half right," cried Darry. +"This split may last clear across the hill."</p> + +<p>"It's not so easy to build a bridge," grumbled he called Saul, who +appeared to be the leader of the trio. "We ain't got no axes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I move we take a rest, anyway," said Darry. "I'm tired of riding +a strange hoss over these yere hills."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll lay off and have a bite of the stuff in Jeff's +haversack," replied the leader of the crowd.</p> + +<p>They dismounted not over two rods from where Allen lay hidden in the +brush, hardly daring to breathe. Being unarmed and knowing the temper of +the rascals only too well, the young man kept himself covered and made +not the slightest sound.</p> + +<p>The negro brought forth an old army haversack and from it produced some +crackers, jerked meat, and several other articles. Soon the trio were +eating voraciously.</p> + +<p>The horses had been tied to several trees in the vicinity, and while the +men were eating and talking in low tones, Allen conceived the idea of +gaining possession of one of the animals and riding off with it. He knew +it would do no good to confront the thieves unarmed.</p> + +<p>"I'll get on Paul's horse," he thought, "and if I can, I'll take Chet's +animal with me. Then I'll have their horses back, even if I won't have +my own."</p> + +<p>Watching for a chance, when the backs of the men were turned, Allen +crept from his cover and wormed his way toward Paul's horse. His knife +was in his hand, and noiselessly he cut the halter. Another cut and +Chet's animal was also free.</p> + +<p>The horses stamped as they recognized Allen, who always made pets of all +in the stable. Then Jasper let out a loud neigh of welcome.</p> + +<p>The sound reached the ears of the leader of the horse thieves. He sprang +to his feet, and a second later, Allen was discovered!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">A Visitor at the Ranch</span></h3> + + +<p>Let us once more go back to the ranch, where Chet and Paul, as well as +the newcomer, Noel Urner, anxiously awaited Allen's return.</p> + +<p>The night had been a long one to the two boys, neither of whom had slept +a whole hour at a time. As Chet expressed it, "they felt it in their +bones" that something was wrong.</p> + +<p>At daybreak both rushed up to the roof of the ranch house, and with a +field glass which Mr. Winthrop had left them, scanned eagerly in all +directions.</p> + +<p>"Not a man or horse in sight," said Chet in deep disappointment. "The +chase must have been a long one indeed."</p> + +<p>"Like as not Allen has gone on to some town," rejoined Paul. "But he +ought to be back by noon; he knows we will be anxious to hear how he +made out."</p> + +<p>The two went below to meet Noel, who had just finished dressing. They +set to work and a smoking hot breakfast was soon on the table.</p> + +<p>"Well, I see nothing for me to do but to calmly wait for your brother's +return," said the young man from New York. "I don't want to start out +anywhere on foot, especially as I know nothing of the roads."</p> + +<p>"Yes, don't go anywhere till Allen gets back," said Paul. "I want you to +tell him yourself all you know concerning Uncle Barnaby."</p> + +<p>The morning dragged by slowly, and at the passage of each hour the boys +grew more anxious.</p> + +<p>"It's a dangerous proceeding, this chasing horse thieves," explained +Chet to Noel Urner. "A fellow is apt to get shot, unless he is careful. +That is what worries us so."</p> + +<p>"Unless something turns up right after dinner, I'm going off on foot +with my rifle," put in Paul. "I may not discover anything, but it will +ease my mind trying to do something."</p> + +<p>It lacked half an hour of noon when the boys heard a cheery voice from +the road hail them. They looked out and beheld Ike Watson, the hunter, +from Gold Fork, resting in the saddle just outside of the +semi-stockade.</p> + +<p>"Whoop! Hullo thar!" cried the old fellow, who was hearty in both mind +and body and full of fun. "Wot's the meanin' o' two healthy boys +a-bummin' around the ranch sech an all-fired fine day as this yere?"</p> + +<p>"O, Ike; I'm so glad you happened along!" cried Paul, as he ran out to +meet him. "We were hoping some friend would come."</p> + +<p>"Thet so?" Ike Watson's face grew sober on the instant. "Wot's the +trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Our horses have been stolen——"</p> + +<p>"Gee, shoo! Hoss thieves ag'in! Wall, I'll be eternally blowed!" +exclaimed Ike Watson, in a rage. "Who be they, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"We don't know. Allen has gone after them."</p> + +<p>"How many animiles did they git?"</p> + +<p>"Only two—that is here—Chet's and mine. But they also stole the horse +belonging to this gentleman, Mr. Noel Urner. Mr. Urner, this is our +friend, Ike Watson."</p> + +<p>"Hoss thieves is worse 'n pizen," growled Watson, as he sprang down and +gave Noel Urner a hearty shake of the hand. "Thar ought ter be a law to +hang every one o' 'em, say I!"</p> + +<p>"Allen went off yesterday afternoon, and as we have not heard from him +since, we are getting anxious," put in Chet. "We would have followed, +but we haven't a single beast left in the barn."</p> + +<p>"I see. Which way did the thieves go?"</p> + +<p>"Allen took the trail over the brook," replied Paul.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" Ike Watson scratched his head for a moment. "Wot's ter prevent +me goin' after him, boys?"</p> + +<p>"Will you?" asked Paul eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Sartin. I ain't got nuthin' ter do, an' if I had, I reckon I could drop +it putty quick ter do a favor fer Granville Winthrop's orphans. Give me +a bite ter eat an' I'll be off ter onct."</p> + +<p>"Are you sufficiently armed?" questioned Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>"Armed? Well, I reckon," and from his belt Ike Watson produced an old +'49 horse pistol nearly two feet long. "Thet air's my best friend, +barrin' the rifle."</p> + +<p>Chet soon had dinner for the hunter, which was as quickly devoured, and +then, after receiving some of the particulars of the case on hand, Ike +Watson started off.</p> + +<p>"You'll hear from me before another sun smiles on ye!" he called back. +"An' don't ye worry too much in the between time!" And he then +disappeared.</p> + +<p>The boys felt much more comfortable after Watson had started off to hunt +up Allen. They knew the old man would do all in his power to help their +elder brother, no matter in what difficulty he might find him.</p> + +<p>"A rather odd character, truly," observed Noel, as they again passed +into the house.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but with a heart of steel and gold," returned Chet. "Idaho does +not contain a braver or better hunter than old Ike Watson."</p> + +<p>Shortly after this Chet and Paul went out to care for the cattle about +the place, for quite a few head had already been penned up ready for the +early fall drive. The ranch did not boast of many cattle, and such as +there was they desired to keep in the best possible condition.</p> + +<p>Noel Urner accompanied them and was much interested in all to be seen +and what was done.</p> + +<p>"Such a difference between life out here and in the city," he remarked. +"Actually, it is like another world!"</p> + +<p>"You're right there," replied Paul. "And when you size it up all around, +it's hard to tell which is the best—providing, of course, you can get +a comfortable living at either place."</p> + +<p>Just as the three were walking back to the ranch the sounds of a horse's +hoofs broke upon their ears.</p> + +<p>"Can it be Allen?" burst out Chet, but then his face fell. "No, it's not +his style of riding."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw!" whispered Paul a second later. "If it isn't Captain Grady!"</p> + +<p>"And who is he?" queried Noel.</p> + +<p>"An old prospector who wants to get possession of this ranch. He claims +that our title to it is defective, or not good at all. I wonder what he +wants now?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's got more evidence to prove his claim to the place," +groaned Chet. "Oh, dear! Troubles never come singly, true enough!"</p> + +<p>With anxious hearts the two brothers walked forward to meet the new +arrival, whose face bore a look of insolence and self-satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Captain Hank Grady was a tall, evil-looking man of forty years of age. +His title was merely one of favor, for he had neither served in the army +nor the navy. But little was known of his past by the people of the +section, and he never took the pains to enlighten those who were +curious enough to know.</p> + +<p>For years he had wanted the Big Bear ranch, as the Winthrop homestead +was called, for neither by fair means nor foul had he heretofore been +able to obtain possession of the property. But now he had been working +in secret for a long while, and he came prepared to make an announcement +that was designed to trouble the boys not a little.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, there, young fellers," he called out roughly, as he dismounted. +"I reckon you didn't expect to see me quite so soon again, did you?"</p> + +<p>"We did not," rejoined Paul, coldly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I confess I fixed matters up quicker than I first calculated to +do," went on the captain. "I thought I was going to have a good bit more +trouble to establish my claim."</p> + +<p>"As far as I know you have no claim here to establish," put in Chet, +sharply. "You may pretend——"</p> + +<p>"See here, I ain't talking to you," retorted Captain Grady, cutting him +short. "Your big brother is the feller I want to see—him or Barnaby +Winthrop."</p> + +<p>"Both of them are away," replied Paul, "and Chet and I are running the +ranch just now."</p> + +<p>"And if you do not like my manner of speech you need not stay here," +cried Chet, warmly, his temper rising at the newcomer's aggressive +manner.</p> + +<p>"Ho! you young savage, don't you speak that way to me," roared Captain +Grady. "I didn't come here to deal with a kid."</p> + +<p>"I may be young, but I have my rights here, just the same," retorted +Chet.</p> + +<p>"My brother is right," added Paul. "If you wish to talk business you +must do so with both of us."</p> + +<p>The captain growled out something under his breath. He was about to +speak when he caught sight of Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>He started back as though a ghost had confronted him, and the words died +on his lips. The young man from New York saw the action, but could not +in the least account for it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Captain's Setback</span></h3> + + +<p>Captain Grady recovered in a few seconds. He glanced suspiciously about +to see if there were others with Noel. Seeing the young man was alone, +he plucked up fresh courage.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll talk business with both," he said. "Who is this?" and +he jerked his thumb toward Noel.</p> + +<p>"A friend of ours from New York," replied Paul.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Didn't know you had friends so far off."</p> + +<p>"We don't know everything in this world," retorted Chet, pointedly.</p> + +<p>"You're right, we don't," replied the captain with equal emphasis.</p> + +<p>He tied his horse fast to the doorpost and strode into the house. Paul +motioned Chet to follow, and then buttonholed Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>"This is Captain Grady," he whispered. "We have told you a little about +him. He is trying to get this ranch away from us."</p> + +<p>"And he has no real claim to it?"</p> + +<p>"I do not believe he has. But he is so slippery a customer he will +swindle us if he can. Will you give us some advice how best to proceed? +You know more about claims and legal papers than we do."</p> + +<p>"Certainly I'll do what I can for you," and then both entered the ranch +home.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I ain't got your older brother to deal with," began the +captain. "I reckon he is the one who will understand my talk best."</p> + +<p>"Then, perhaps you had best wait till he gets back," said Chet quickly.</p> + +<p>"And when will that be?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot say exactly."</p> + +<p>"I'm not in the humor to wait. I've waited too long already." The +captain paused and cleared his throat. "I believe you said you had the +original title papers to the ranch, didn't you?" he went on.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we did say that."</p> + +<p>"I would like to see 'em."</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul looked at each other. They had expected and dreaded this +request.</p> + +<p>"Supposing we don't care to show them to you?" said Paul cautiously.</p> + +<p>"What's the reason you don't care?" retorted the captain, angrily.</p> + +<p>"We are not called on to explain all our actions to you," said Chet.</p> + +<p>"See here, I don't want to quarrel, but I'm a-goin' to see them ere +papers," blustered Captain Grady, with a decided shake of his head. "I +came all the way from Deadwood to see 'em."</p> + +<p>"Well, you won't see them," returned Paul, boldly. It would never do in +the wide world to acknowledge that they had been burned up.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I reckon I'm free to speak what's on my mind," roared the +captain, "an' that is, that you never had no papers at all."</p> + +<p>"You can say what you please," said Chet, as calmly as he could.</p> + +<p>"An' that ain't all I've got to say," went on the captain. "I've got +more to say to you. This ere claim o' land originally belonged to Sam +Slater, o' Deadwood——"</p> + +<p>"We know that."</p> + +<p>"Slater died, an' left no will——"</p> + +<p>"That may all be true, too."</p> + +<p>"An' he left this land——"</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't. It was sold to my father before that!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"No such thing. Old Slater left it as part o' his estate——"</p> + +<p>"He did not."</p> + +<p>"He did, an' I can take my affidavy to it, if it's necessary," exclaimed +Captain Grady. "But that ain't all yet wot I hev got to tell. Slater +left it to his heirs, an' I bought it from them only last week."</p> + +<p>"It can't be true!" gasped Chet, faintly.</p> + +<p>"It is true, an' I hev the papers to prove it. This here ranch belongs +to me, an' the sooner you boys pack up your duds an' git out the better +it will please me," and Captain Grady smiled maliciously at the blow his +news had brought to the boys.</p> + +<p>Both Paul and Chet were much dismayed by the unexpected announcement +Captain Grady had made.</p> + +<p>For the moment they stared at the speaker as if they had not heard +aright.</p> + +<p>It was Paul who spoke first.</p> + +<p>"You bought the ranch, and have the papers to prove it?" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"That's just wot I said, boy."</p> + +<p>"Your claim will not hold water," put in Chet, faintly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon it will," retorted Captain Grady. "I allow as how I know +wot I'm a-doin'."</p> + +<p>"My father bought this ranch, and that settles it," said Paul. "We will +not give up our rights here just on what you say."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you had better look at his papers," suggested Noel Urner, who +had thus far remained silent.</p> + +<p>"It won't be necessary for them to look at 'em," returned the captain, +doggedly. "I have 'em and that's enough. I ain't got to show my papers +no more than they hev got to show theirs."</p> + +<p>"What shall we do?" whispered Paul to the young man from New York, as he +led him a little to one side.</p> + +<p>"Stick to your resolve to stand up for your rights," was Noel's reply. +"Remember, possession is nine points of the law. He cannot dispossess +you unless he starts a lawsuit to recover the property he claims."</p> + +<p>"I ain't a-goin' to wait for your Uncle Barnaby or Allen to return," +went on Captain Grady, sullenly. "I want you to leave at once, bag and +baggage."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," returned Paul, coldly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. I've been kept out of this place long enough—seeing as +how the original owner gave me a half hold on it long before he died."</p> + +<p>"What makes you so anxious for the place?" asked Noel Urner with sudden +interest.</p> + +<p>"That's my business," growled the captain.</p> + +<p>"Is there any concealed wealth upon it?"</p> + +<p>"No, there ain't," exclaimed Captain Grady, almost so quick that it did +not sound natural.</p> + +<p>"You seem to be awfully anxious——"</p> + +<p>"I own the next ranch, that's why. I want to turn my cattle an' sech in +the two. Besides that, it ain't natural for a man to stand by an' see +others a-usin' of his things."</p> + +<p>"You talk very positively, Captain Grady," said Paul. "But it will do +you no good. We shall not budge for the present."</p> + +<p>"You won't?"</p> + +<p>"Not a step. We claim this property and you will have to get the law to +put us out if we are to be put out."</p> + +<p>"You young highflyers!" growled the captain. He had a dread of the law +and would do anything to keep out of court. "Do you think I'll stand +sech talk?"</p> + +<p>"You will have to stand it," put in Chet. "I agree with Paul. We won't +budge until the sheriff or a constable puts us out."</p> + +<p>For the moment Captain Grady was speechless. His face grew dark with +gathering wrath, and he looked as if he wanted to eat some one up.</p> + +<p>"You won't budge, hey?" he roared at last.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I'll put ye out!"</p> + +<p>"I don't think you will," retorted Paul.</p> + +<p>"Not without a big fight," added Chet.</p> + +<p>"The boys have a right to stay here until put out," said Noel Urner. +"The property is in dispute, and the only way to settle the matter is by +going to law."</p> + +<p>"I didn't ask for your advice," growled the captain, fiercely. "I own +this ranch, an' I'm a-goin' to have it, an' putty quick, too!"</p> + +<p>And without another word he turned on his heel, strode out of the house, +sprang on his horse, and rode away at top speed.</p> + +<p>"Phew! but isn't he mad!" exclaimed Chet, as the rider disappeared up +the river trail.</p> + +<p>"You bet!" returned Paul, dropping into a bit of slang. "But he can stay +mad as long as he pleases; he can't bulldoze us."</p> + +<p>"He is not so sure of his rights as he pretends to be," remarked Noel +Urner, who, in the course of his city life, had met many men similar to +Captain Grady. "If he knew all was right he wouldn't bluster so much."</p> + +<p>"That's my idea of it, too," rejoined Chet. "I am half inclined to think +he never bought the land—that is, paid for what he supposed was a title +to it—for he couldn't really buy it except it was sold by Uncle +Barnaby."</p> + +<p>"Well, by the time he pays another visit your brother will be back most +likely. It is a pity that your uncle should just now be missing."</p> + +<p>The afternoon wore away, and anxiously the two boys awaited the coming +of Allen. Several times they went up to the roof of the house and swept +all points of the compass with their field glass.</p> + +<p>At last the shades of night began to fall, and with heavy hearts the two +began the round of evening work, feeding the chickens and pigs and +seeing that everything was secure for the night. There were also a +couple of cows to milk and a dozen or more of eggs to gather.</p> + +<p>Noel Urner went around with them as before, and he was greatly +interested. When they returned to the house he began to question them +as to the extent of the ranch.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's pretty big," replied Paul. "It runs up and down the river +nearly half a mile, and as far back as what we call the second +foothills. If we had horses I could ride you around and show you."</p> + +<p>"Are there any mines in the foothills?" was the young man's next +question.</p> + +<p>"There used to be a few, but they have all been abandoned because they +did not pay."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps this Captain Grady has struck something that will pay."</p> + +<p>"Hardly. My father and Uncle Barnaby went over every foot of the ground +half a dozen times, and they were both better prospectors than the +captain."</p> + +<p>Noel Urner was about to ask more questions, but a sound outside of the +stockade caused him to pause. They all listened, and then Chet gave a +shout.</p> + +<p>"Somebody is coming! It must be Allen or Ike Watson! Come on out and +see!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Ike Watson's Arrival</span></h3> + + +<p>Let us go back to Allen.</p> + +<p>We left him just as the sound made by Paul's horse aroused the leader of +the horse thieves, whose full name was Saul Mangle.</p> + +<p>"The feller that went over into the river, as sure as fate!" burst from +the lips of Mangle, and he started back in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" cried Darry, the second man. "That feller must have been +killed!"</p> + +<p>"See for yourself."</p> + +<p>With these words Saul Mangle sprang forward to stop Allen, who was about +to mount Jasper. He reached the young man's side as Allen gained the +saddle.</p> + +<p>"Come down out of that!" he cried, roughly.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" returned the young man. "Clear the track, unless you want to +be run down!"</p> + +<p>He urged the horse forward. Jasper started, but ere he had taken three +steps, Mangle caught him by the bridle.</p> + +<p>"Whoa!" he cried. "Whoa, I say!"</p> + +<p>"Let the horse go, do you hear?" ejaculated Allen, sharply.</p> + +<p>"I won't do it! Darry! Jeff! Come here, why don't you?"</p> + +<p>The others leaped into the brush. Allen saw that affairs were turning +against him. He leaned forward to Jasper's neck.</p> + +<p>Smack! Mangle caught a sharp blow full across his mouth. It came so +quickly that he staggered back and his hold was loosened.</p> + +<p>"On, Jasper, on, my boy!" cried Allen, slapping the animal with his +palm. "Come, Rush! Come, Rush!" he added to Chet's horse, which stood +close beside.</p> + +<p>Off went Jasper with a bound, and Rush followed at his heels.</p> + +<p>"Stop him! Hang the measly luck!" roared Saul Mangle. "Darry! Jeff! What +are you at?"</p> + +<p>As he cried out, the leader of the horse thieves felt for his pistol. +But before the weapon could be drawn both horses and Allen had +disappeared behind a clump of cottonwoods.</p> + +<p>"We had bettah follow him on de mustangs," suggested the negro. "He +can't ride——"</p> + +<p>"Of course, we'll follow him!" growled Mangle. "Don't stand and talk +about it. Come on! He'll be out of hearing in another minute! This is +the worst luck yet!"</p> + +<p>He leaped for one of the mustangs. In another second all three of the +men were mounted and riding after Allen as rapidly as the nature of the +land and growth would allow.</p> + +<p>"How do you think he escaped?" asked Darry, as they pushed on.</p> + +<p>"Can't make it out," replied Mangle. "We'll make him tell the story when +we catch him. Ha! what was that?"</p> + +<p>A sudden crash ahead had arrested their attention. He listened. A dead +silence followed.</p> + +<p>"The hosses and young feller have gone into some sort of a hole," cried +Darry. "We'll have him now, all right enough."</p> + +<p>On they went through the brush, Mangle leading the way. Suddenly the +leader came to a halt. Before him was a sheer descent of eight or ten +feet.</p> + +<p>"Here's where he and the hosses went down," he said to his followers.</p> + +<p>"But where is he?" questioned Darry.</p> + +<p>"Not far off, I'll warrant ye. Come on."</p> + +<p>"Dis yere mustang won't take dat leap," put in Jeff, drawing back.</p> + +<p>"And I won't venture it," added Darry, "I don't want to land on my +head."</p> + +<p>"Cowards!" howled Saul Mangle. "Well, then, there is a trail to the +right; take that. Here goes!"</p> + +<p>He spoke to his animal, and an instant later rider and mustang went down +in a graceful curve. They landed in a bunch of brush, none the worse for +the leap.</p> + +<p>Darry and Jeff followed by way of the trail. They could hear Allen +pushing through the brush not over a hundred yards ahead.</p> + +<p>The young man was having a hard time of it. He was going it blindly, and +was so faint from want of sleep and something to eat that he could +hardly sit up in the saddle.</p> + +<p>Yet he realized his peril and clung on desperately, meanwhile urging the +horse and his mate to do their best to place distance between them and +their pursuers.</p> + +<p>But now the slight trail he was pursuing became rougher, and it was with +difficulty that any progress could be made. The horses labored along +bravely, but were no match on such ground for the nimble-footed +mustangs.</p> + +<p>"Halt! Do you hear?" were the first unpleasant words which greeted +Allen's ears, and looking back he saw that Saul Mangle was in plain +sight.</p> + +<p>Allen attempted to dodge out of sight. To frighten him Mangle fired off +his pistol, the bullet cutting through the brush under Jasper's feet.</p> + +<p>"Will you stop now?" yelled Mangle.</p> + +<p>Allen was in a quandary. He did not wish to be shot, and yet——</p> + +<p>But the young man was not called on to solve the dreadful question. +While he hesitated there was a loud shout from some distance to his +right, and looking up the rocks he saw to his great joy Ike Watson, the +hunter, sitting astride of his horse, rifle in hand.</p> + +<p>"Wall, wall!" shouted the old man. "And what's the row, Allen, I want to +know?"</p> + +<p>"Horse thieves, Ike! Save me!" was the quick reply. "There are three of +them after me!"</p> + +<p>"Saul Mangle, as I'm a nateral born sinner, and Darry Nodley and Jeff +Jones! Wall! wall! wall! Turn about, before it is too late, ye +sarpints!"</p> + +<p>The loud cry from Ike Watson caused the gang of horse thieves to come to +a sudden halt. Every one of them knew old Ike Watson only too well—knew +him for a man of quaint humor, but with a sense of justice that no one +dared to question.</p> + +<p>"Hang the measly luck!" muttered Saul Mangle. "There's Ike Watson!"</p> + +<p>"Then the jig's up for the present, and we had better vamoose!" returned +Nodley.</p> + +<p>"Clar out, do ye hear me?" yelled Ike Watson to the crowd of three. +"Don't wait for me to git riled up."</p> + +<p>"Come on!" whispered Saul Mangle, with a scowl, and like magic the trio +of villains turned about and disappeared down a side trail, leaving poor +exhausted Allen safe in friendly hands at last.</p> + +<p>"By the grasshoppers of Kansas, but ye look fagged out, Allen!" +exclaimed old Ike Watson as he sprang down and caught Allen in his arms. +"What's the matter with ye, boy?"</p> + +<p>"I've had an awful experience, Ike," replied the young ranchman as soon +as he could recover sufficiently to speak. "I've been underground +several miles, and I haven't had a mouthful to eat since yesterday +morning!"</p> + +<p>"Gee shoo, Allen! Wall! wall! wall! If I didn't know ye so well I'd be +apt ter think ye war tellin' me a fairy tale. But I allow as how +Granville Winthrop's son couldn't lie if he tried."</p> + +<p>"I speak the truth, Ike. But where are those villains?"</p> + +<p>"Gone, boy, gone. They knowed better nor to stay whar Ike Watson was, +ho! ho!"</p> + +<p>"They are horse thieves, and ought to be locked up."</p> + +<p>"Thet Saul Mangle ought to be strung up, ye mean. And Darry Nodley and +that coon, Jeff Jones, ain't much better. But they are gone now."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have Paul's horse and Chet's, too, anyway," returned Allen, +with a slight smile of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Whar's your own horse?"</p> + +<p>"Dead, I reckon. We went off the Upas Pass bridge together into the +river, and I suppose she was drowned. Poor Lilly!"</p> + +<p>"Off the bridge! Gee shoo! Then ye war carried down the Black Rock +River?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" Allen gave a shudder. "It was fearful, Ike. But come, let us get +to the ranch, and I can tell my story to all at once!"</p> + +<p>"That's the best way, sure. But down that air stream! Great snakes and +turkey buzzards!"</p> + +<p>"I know it hardly can be believed, but that is not the worst or most +wonderful part of it. But come; I am nearly famished."</p> + +<p>"Here's a bite I have in my pouch; eat that," returned Ike Watson, and +he passed over some crackers and meat which Allen devoured with keen +relish.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Boys Talk It over</span></h3> + + +<p>Allen and Ike Watson were soon on the way back to the ranch. Fortunately +Ike Watson knew every foot of the ground, and led by the most direct +route.</p> + +<p>As the reader knows, Paul and Chet heard them approaching and received +their elder brother with open arms.</p> + +<p>"You look like a ghost!" declared Chet, starting back on catching sight +of Allen's pale face.</p> + +<p>"And I feel like a shadow," responded Allen with a weary laugh. "But a +good dinner and a nap will make me as bright as a dollar again."</p> + +<p>"He has our horses!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not my own," returned Allen.</p> + +<p>He walked into the house and was here introduced to Noel Urner. The +table was at once spread, and soon both Allen and Ike Watson were +regaling themselves to their heart's content.</p> + +<p>During the progress of the meal Allen related all of his wonderful story +of the fall from the bridge, the journey on the underground river, and +of his struggle to reach the open air once more. He said nothing about +the wealth which lay exposed in the cavern or of the fact that it was +Uncle Barnaby's mine, for he felt he had no right to mention those +matters before Ike Watson and Noel Urner, friends though they might be. +Uncle Barnaby had guarded his secret well and he would do the same.</p> + +<p>All listened with deep interest to what he had to say.</p> + +<p>"It was a wonder the fall into the water didn't kill you," said Paul. +"Such a distance as it was!"</p> + +<p>"Lilly saved my life—but it cost her her own," returned Allen, and he +sighed, for Lilly had been his favorite for several years.</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul were eager that Allen should hear Noel Urner's story and +the young man from New York related it without delay. Allen was as much +surprised as his brothers had been, and so was Ike Watson.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a> +<img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>THE THREE YOUNG RANCHMEN TALKED IT OVER</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"I am afraid somebody has played Uncle Barnaby foul," cried Allen, his +face full of anxiety. "If he had left of his own accord we would have +heard from him."</p> + +<p>"That's just my idea of it," said Paul. "But the thing of it is, who met +him in San Francisco, and what did they do?"</p> + +<p>To that question Allen could only shake his head.</p> + +<p>"I am too tired to say much about it to-night," he said at last. "I must +sleep on it."</p> + +<p>Allen wished to retire early, but before he did so Chet told him of +Captain Grady's visit.</p> + +<p>"We won't stir," said Allen, briefly. "Let him sue Uncle Barnaby. We +have nothing to do with it. Our first duty is to find uncle."</p> + +<p>And both Paul and Chet agreed with him on this point.</p> + +<p>Ike Watson was on his way up the Salmon River to visit a new gold +diggings. He refused to stay all night, and set off in the dark, with +Allen's thanks ringing in his ears for what he had done.</p> + +<p>Despite the excitement through which he had passed, Allen slept "like a +log" that night, and did not awaken until long after the others were up +and Chet and Paul had the morning chores done.</p> + +<p>"Now I feel like myself once more," he said when he came down. "And I am +ready for business."</p> + +<p>"So am I," laughed Noel Urner. "But the trouble is, I do not know how to +turn without horse or conveyance. I am not used to tramping about on +foot."</p> + +<p>"If we had horses we might lend you one," said Allen. "But two nags for +four people are two short," and he laughed.</p> + +<p>During the morning Paul went out on horseback, accompanied by Noel, to +see if the cattle were safe. While they were gone Allen told Chet of the +hidden mine.</p> + +<p>"It is worth a million," he said. "But it is Uncle Barnaby's secret, +remember."</p> + +<p>"I will remember," said Chet, "but we must tell Paul."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; tell him after I am gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone? Why, Allen, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I am going to leave home this afternoon, Chet."</p> + +<p>"You are fooling," remarked the younger brother.</p> + +<p>"Never more serious in my life, Chet."</p> + +<p>"And you are going——" Chet hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Direct to San Francisco to hunt up tidings of Uncle Barnaby."</p> + +<p>Of course, Chet was taken completely back by Allen's announcement.</p> + +<p>"To San Francisco!" he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Chet. I feel that it is my duty to discover what has become of +uncle, if possible, at once."</p> + +<p>"I know, but it's such a journey——"</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid to take it. I will ride to the nearest station on the +railroad, which is not over a hundred and forty miles, and then take the +train. The journey on the cars will not take over a couple of days, all +told."</p> + +<p>"And the cost——"</p> + +<p>"I will have to take what we have saved from the thieves. But surely, +Chet, you do not regret taking that for such a purpose?"</p> + +<p>"No! no! take it all! I was thinking if it would be enough."</p> + +<p>"I will make it do. I will buy a cut-rate ticket from Ogden, if I can."</p> + +<p>"And what shall Paul and I do in the meantime?" questioned Chet in some +dismay.</p> + +<p>"Do nothing but guard the cattle and the place generally. I will be +back, or let you hear from me just as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>Paul was equally astonished at Allen's sudden determination. It was, +however, what Noel Urner had expected.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would go if I were you," said the latter. "And if you want me +to, I will go with you," he added. "I must confess I am deeply +interested in this strange case."</p> + +<p>"I would like you to go with me first rate," returned Allen. "And +whether uncle is found or not, I will promise that you shall be well +paid for all the trouble you will be put to."</p> + +<p>"I want no pay for helping you. I will enjoy the bit of detective work, +as one might call it. But how am I to get to the railroad station +without a horse?"</p> + +<p>"You can take both horses, if necessary," suggested Chet.</p> + +<p>"That's so; although we ought to have at least one animal on the ranch," +added Paul.</p> + +<p>"We can both ride one animal as far as Dottery's ranch," said Allen, +"and there we can either borrow or hire another animal."</p> + +<p>"How far is Dottery's?"</p> + +<p>"Only about twenty-five miles. We ought to reach it by dark, if we start +shortly."</p> + +<p>"We can start at once, as far as I am concerned," laughed Noel.</p> + +<p>So it was decided to lose no time, and Chet at once set to work to +prepare dinner and also some food to be carried along.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Caught in a Cyclone</span></h3> + + +<p>Less than an hour later Jasper was brought out and Noel Urner sprang +into the saddle, with Allen behind him on the blanket.</p> + +<p>"Keep a close watch for more thieves while I am gone!" cried Allen.</p> + +<p>"We will!" shouted Paul. "And you take care for more doctored bridges!"</p> + +<p>A parting wave of the hand and the ranch was left behind, and Allen was +off on a journey that was to be filled with adventures and excitement +from start to finish.</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul watched the horse and his two riders out of sight, and +then with rather heavy hearts returned to the house. The place seemed +more lonely than ever with both Allen and Noel Urner gone.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be a long time waiting for Allen's return," sighed Paul.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," returned Chet. "He left me with a secret to tell you, +Paul."</p> + +<p>And Chet lost no time in relating Allen's story of the hidden mine of +great wealth.</p> + +<p>"And perhaps we can explore the place during his absence," Paul said, +after he had expressed his astonishment and asked half a dozen +questions.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that, Paul. We may not be able to find the opening +Allen mentioned, and then, again, he may not wish us to do so."</p> + +<p>"Why should he object?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"We'll have ten days or two weeks on our hands, at the very least. We +might as well take a look at that wealth as not."</p> + +<p>"Supposing somebody followed us and found out the secret? They would +locate a claim before we could turn a hand."</p> + +<p>"We will make sure that we are not followed," said Paul, who was anxious +to see if all Allen had told could really be true.</p> + +<p>Chet continued to demur, but after Allen and Noel had been gone the +whole of the next day he gave in, and seemed as anxious as Paul to do +something which would make it less lonely. Apparently the horse thieves +had left the vicinity, so there was nothing to be feared in that +direction during an absence that they meant should not last more than +one whole day.</p> + +<p>Sunday came between, and on Monday morning they arose early and had +breakfast ere it was yet daylight. They decided to take Rush, both to +ride when on a level and each to take a turn at walking when on the +uphill trails.</p> + +<p>Allen had left Chet minute directions as to how the opening to the +hidden mine could be located, he having fixed the locality well in his +mind before leaving it.</p> + +<p>It was rather a gloomy day, but this the two boys did not mind.</p> + +<p>"It's better than being so raging hot," said Paul. "It makes my head +ache to ride when it's so fearfully hot."</p> + +<p>"If it only don't rain," returned Chet. "We need it bad enough, goodness +knows, but it has held off so long it might as well hold off twenty-four +hours longer."</p> + +<p>"I doubt if we get rain just yet. It hasn't threatened long enough," +replied his brother.</p> + +<p>Before the two left the ranch they saw to it that every building was +locked up tight, and an alarm, in the shape of a loaded gun, set to the +doors and windows.</p> + +<p>"That ought to scare would-be thieves away," said Chet. "They'll imagine +somebody is firing at them."</p> + +<p>The rest for a couple of days had done Rush much good, and he made no +work of carrying the two boys along the trail that led to the second +foothills.</p> + +<p>Long before noon they reached the hills, and here stopped for lunch.</p> + +<p>"And now for the wonderful mine!" cried Chet. Then, happening to glance +across the plains below, he added: "Gracious, Paul! What is that?"</p> + +<p>The attention of both young ranchmen was at once drawn to a round, black +cloud on the horizon to the east. It was hardly a yard in diameter, +apparently, when first seen, but it increased in size with great +rapidity.</p> + +<p>It was moving directly toward them, and in less than two minutes from +the time Chet uttered his cry it had covered fully a third of the +distance.</p> + +<p>"From what I have heard I should say that was a cyclone cloud," +exclaimed Paul. "And still——"</p> + +<p>"Who ever heard of a cyclone up here among the foothills," returned +Chet. "I don't believe they ever strike this territory."</p> + +<p>"I certainly never heard of their doing so," returned Paul. "But still, +you must remember, that cyclones are erratic things at the best."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if it were coming directly this way."</p> + +<p>"So it does, and I reckon the best thing we can do is to make tracks for +some place of safety."</p> + +<p>"That is true. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Both boys sprang into the saddle and started up the trail. Hardly had a +hundred feet of the way been covered than a strange rush and roar of +wind filled the air.</p> + +<p>"It's coming," shouted Paul. "Quick, Chet, down into that hollow before +it strikes us!"</p> + +<p>He plunged into the basin he had designated, which was six or eight feet +below the level of the trail and not over ten yards in diameter. Chet +followed, ducking low as he did so, for already was the air filled with +flying branches.</p> + +<p>"None too soon!" ejaculated Paul. "Down, Rush!"</p> + +<p>Between them they managed to get the horse to lie down close to a wall +of dirt and rocks. They lay near, waiting almost breathlessly for that +awful time of peril to pass.</p> + +<p>No one who has not experienced the dreadful effects of a cyclone can +imagine it, be the description of it ever so fine. That strange rush and +roar, that density of the air, accompanied by a feeling as if the very +breath was about to be drawn from one's lungs, the flying débris, all +unite to chill the stoutest heart and make one wonder if the next moment +will not be the last.</p> + +<p>The cyclone was short and sharp. From the time it first struck the +foothills until the time it spent itself in the distance was barely four +minutes, yet, what an effect did it leave behind!</p> + +<p>On all sides of them many trees were literally torn up by the roots, +brush was leveled as if cut by a mowing machine, and dirt and pebbles +which had been perhaps carried for miles were deposited here, there, and +everywhere. Ranch boys though they were, and accustomed to many things +strange and wonderful, Chet and Paul could only gaze at the work of +destruction in awe, and silently thank heaven that their lives had been +spared.</p> + +<p>They had escaped with slight injury. Several sharp sticks and stones had +scratched Chet's neck as he lay prostrate, and Paul's arm was greatly +lamed by a blow from the branch of a tree which fell directly across +the opening, pinning the horse down in such a fashion that he could not +rise.</p> + +<p>"We must liberate Rush first of all," cried Chet. "Poor fellow! Whoa, +Rush, we'll soon help you," he added, and patted the animal on the neck +to soothe him.</p> + +<p>Evidently Rush understood, for he lay quiet. Then Chet and Paul, using +all of their strength, raised up one end of the tree, which, +fortunately, was not large. As soon as he felt himself free, Rush +scrambled up out of harm's way, and they let the tree fall back again.</p> + +<p>"That is the kind of an adventure I never want to experience again," +said Paul when he had somewhat recovered his breath. "My, how the wind +did tear things!"</p> + +<p>"It was a full-fledged cyclone and no mistake," returned his brother. +"Had that struck a town it would have razed every building in it."</p> + +<p>"That's true, and oh!" went on Paul suddenly, "I wonder if it has +destroyed the marks Allen left whereby the mine is to be found?"</p> + +<p>Chet stared at him speechless.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps!" he gasped at last. "Come, let us go on and see!"</p> + +<p>There was considerable difficulty in getting out of the hollow into +which they had so unceremoniously thrust themselves. Rush was somewhat +frightened still, and instead of riding him, they led him out by a +circuitous way which took them nearly a hundred yards out of their path.</p> + +<p>They found the trail almost impassable in spots, and more than once were +compelled to make a wide detour in order to avoid fallen trees and +gathered brush.</p> + +<p>"A cyclone like that can do more damage than can be repaired in ten +years," observed Chet as they labored along on foot. "I wonder where it +started from?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhere out on the flat lands near the river, I reckon," returned +Paul.</p> + +<p>On they went around trees and rocks and brush, until the way grew so bad +that both came to an involuntary halt.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the very trail had been swept away," said Paul. "I can't +see anything of it ahead."</p> + +<p>"Nor I. Whoever would have thought of such a thing when we left home?"</p> + +<p>"We can't go on in this direction, that's sure. What's best to be +done?"</p> + +<p>Both looked around for several minutes and then decided to cross a rocky +stretch to the right. They had to do this with great care, as the road +was full of sink holes and crevices, and they did not want to break a +leg or have the horse injured.</p> + +<p>The stretch crossed, they found themselves on a little hill. All about +them could be seen the effects of the cyclone, not a tree or bush had +escaped its ravages.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the landmarks Allen had mentioned had been swept away," +said Paul, as he gazed around hopelessly. "I can't see the first of +them."</p> + +<p>"It would certainly seem so," rejoined Chet. "If they are, they won't be +able to locate the mine again, excepting to sail down the underground +river."</p> + +<p>"That is so—excepting Uncle Barnaby turns up with another and better +way of locating it," replied Paul very seriously.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Another Surprise</span></h3> + + +<p>The desolation on all sides of them and the failure to locate the marks +Allen had mentioned caused Paul and Chet to become much downcast. They +had had their long and tedious journey from the ranch home for nothing.</p> + +<p>"I suppose there isn't anything to do but to go back," remarked Chet +dismally, as he thrashed around in the brush with a stick he had picked +up. "We are as far away from the mine as we were when we started."</p> + +<p>"Let us be in no hurry to return," rejoined Paul. "We'll give Rush a +chance to get back his wind."</p> + +<p>Leaving the trusty animal to roam about as pleased him, the two boys +threw themselves on the grass and gave themselves up to their +reflections.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I would like to do," remarked Chet. "I would like to +find the chap who cleaned us out of that seven hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"I wonder that Allen didn't get Watson to stop the horse thieves and +search them," mused Paul. "He must have known they had the money."</p> + +<p>"He was too played out to think of much just then, I reckon. It was a +good deal to escape with the horses without getting shot."</p> + +<p>"The cross we found in the barn belonged to that Saul Mangle beyond a +doubt. The initials prove that."</p> + +<p>"I believe you."</p> + +<p>"We must watch out for that Mangle, and if we can ever get our hands on +him, make him give up our money and then have him locked up."</p> + +<p>"It is not so easy to lock up a man when you are miles and miles away +from a jail."</p> + +<p>An hour went by, and the boys thought it time to start on the return. +Rush was called back from a thicket into which he had wandered and both +mounted, for the trail now lead almost entirely down hill.</p> + +<p>After the cyclone the sun had come out strong and hot, and halfway back +to the ranch the brothers were glad enough to stop beside the bank of a +tiny mountain stream and obtain a drink and water the horse.</p> + +<p>They were about to depart when Rush pricked up his ears and gave a +peculiar whinny.</p> + +<p>"Hush! What does that mean?" Paul asked in quick alarm.</p> + +<p>"Draw behind the brush and see," replied Chet, cautiously. "Those horse +thieves may be still in the vicinity."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they would not remain here," said Paul.</p> + +<p>Yet he followed his brother behind the brush. They tried to make Rush +come, too, but for once the animal would not obey.</p> + +<p>"Come, Rush, come," whispered Chet. "Why he never acted this way +before."</p> + +<p>"The cyclone upset his mind, I reckon," said Paul, with a faint show of +humor. "Make him come."</p> + +<p>But the more Chet tried the more obstinate did the animal become. +Finally he broke away altogether and ran off, kicking up his heels +behind him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I never!" gasped Chet.</p> + +<p>"Quick, after him! I believe he means to run away!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"Rush run away!" said Chet reproachfully. It hurt him a good deal to +have Paul speak in that fashion of the horse he so loved.</p> + +<p>Both boys leaped from the thicket and after Rush, who was now running up +the bank of the stream at top speed. A turn was made and the brothers +burst out into a loud and joyous shout.</p> + +<p>There, not fifty feet away, was Lilly, the faithful mare Allen had +fancied was drowned in the Black Rock River. Rush stood beside her, +licking her neck affectionately.</p> + +<p>"Allen's horse!" cried Chet.</p> + +<p>"And as well as ever almost," added Paul, as he rushed up and began an +examination.</p> + +<p>The mare was evidently glad to see both the boys and her mate. She stood +trembling as Chet and Paul examined her.</p> + +<p>"A few slight bruises, that is all," said Paul. "Won't Allen be glad +when he hears of it?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed he will be. He loves Lilly as if she was his best girl. It's a +good thing for us, too, Paul," he went on. "Now each can have a mount +home."</p> + +<p>"Right you are—if Lilly can carry me."</p> + +<p>Paul was speedily on the mare's back. She seemed willing enough to carry +him; in fact, glad to be in the keeping of a human being she knew.</p> + +<p>"If she could only talk what a tale she would have to tell," observed +Paul as they rode homeward. "I wonder how she got out of the river?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll never know, unless Allen makes her talk. He can make her +do most everything," laughed Chet.</p> + +<p>On they went over the rocks and the level prairie beyond. The sun was +now sinking in the west, and ere long the evening shadows would be upon +them.</p> + +<p>"Well, we found a horse even if we didn't find a mine, and that's +something," said Paul, as they reached the trail beside the river.</p> + +<p>"But I hope that the mine isn't lost for good," replied Chet, quickly. +"The mine is worth a good deal more than even Lilly."</p> + +<p>"Maybe you can't tell that to Allen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes I can; for he saw the wealth there, you know."</p> + +<p>"If only he finds Uncle Barnaby," sighed Paul. "Do you know, the more I +think of it, the more I become convinced that something dreadful has +happened to him."</p> + +<p>"And that is the way I look at it, too, Paul. If we could——"</p> + +<p>Chet stopped short and stared ahead. They had come in sight of the +semi-stockade around their ranch house.</p> + +<p>"Our furniture and trunks!" gasped Paul, following the direction of +Chet's stare. "What on earth does it mean?"</p> + +<p>There on the grass lay their furniture in a confused mass—tables, +chairs, trunks, clothing, one on top of another. And in another heap +were the farming implements from the barn.</p> + +<p>"Captain Grady's dirty work!" cried Paul. "He has come here and taken +possession during our absence."</p> + +<p>Paul was right, for at that moment Captain Grady appeared at the +stockade gate, gun in hand.</p> + +<p>The sarcastic smile on the captain's face told plainly that he rather +enjoyed the situation. He gazed at the boys without saying a word.</p> + +<p>His left hand was tied up in a bandage, showing that he had not entirely +escaped the gun traps which had been set. As a matter of fact, half a +dozen bird shot still remained in the fleshy part of his thumb.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" demanded Paul at length. He spoke as calmly as he +could, although tremendously excited.</p> + +<p>"Reckon you have eyes an' can see," growled Captain Grady. "I told you +that you hadn't seen the end of this, an' that I would have this place +in my possession putty quick."</p> + +<p>"You had no right to break into our house and fire our things out!" +cried Chet.</p> + +<p>"I deny as how it's your house, youngster. It belongs to me, as does the +whole ranch property. There be your traps, an' the quicker you git them +off this ground the better it will suit me."</p> + +<p>"We won't move a thing until we put them back into that house," retorted +Chet hot-headedly. "This is no way to gain possession, and you know it."</p> + +<p>"Halt where you are!" Captain Grady raised his gun and pointed it at +Chet, who was in advance. "You'll not come near this gate, mind that!"</p> + +<p>"I'm going in, and you won't stop me," retorted Chet.</p> + +<p>"Don't be rash, Chet," whispered Paul, riding up and plucking his +younger brother by the sleeve.</p> + +<p>"You try and cross this gateway and I'll fire on you, sure as fate," +went on the captain.</p> + +<p>Urged by Paul, Chet brought Rush to a stand. The boys were about thirty +feet from where Captain Grady stood on guard.</p> + +<p>"Now, the best thing you fellers can do," said the captain, sharply, "is +to ride over to Dottery's ranch, an' git a wagon an' tote these traps +away. If they are left more 'n a week I'll pitch them into the river, +mind you. If you ain't satisfied at the way matters have turned, you can +go to law, just as you advised me to do," and again the man smiled +sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"We certainly will go to law," replied Paul. "Are you alone here?"</p> + +<p>"That's not for you to ask."</p> + +<p>"I presume you hung around here and saw my brother go off first and then +waited for us to go away."</p> + +<p>"I ain't standing here as a target for questions," growled Captain +Grady.</p> + +<p>"You are a sneak and worse, Captain Grady!" burst out Chet. "If there is +any law in Idaho you shall have your full dose of it, mark my word!"</p> + +<p>"Hi! you young bantam, don't talk to me in that fashion," roared the man +in a rage. "Come, I've told you what is best to do. Now clear out. I +shall keep watch, an' if you attempt to play any trick in the dark on me +you'll find yourself running up against a charge of buckshot."</p> + +<p>That Captain Grady was in dead earnest was very evident. He scowled +viciously and walked a step forward.</p> + +<p>Yet the boys were not daunted. They held their ground, and Paul even +took a slight move forward on Lilly's back.</p> + +<p>"Supposing we go to Dottery's ranch," said the youth. "If we tell our +story, don't you imagine Dottery will turn in and help us bounce you out +of here?"</p> + +<p>"No, you'll get no help at Dottery's."</p> + +<p>"He is our friend, and he will not stand up for your doings, even if you +do own the ranch over the river."</p> + +<p>"Well, why don't you go an' see Dottery," snapped Captain Grady.</p> + +<p>"We will—and some other people, too," cried Chet.</p> + +<p>"And in the meantime, if any of our stuff is lost, you'll pay for it," +added Paul.</p> + +<p>"I won't be responsible for anything. Now clear out an' leave me +alone."</p> + +<p>The two brothers looked at each other. Neither knew exactly what to do. +Paul finally made a sign to withdraw, and they turned and rode down the +river trail to the belt of cottonwoods.</p> + +<p>Captain Grady remained at the gateway, his baneful eyes on them until +the trees hid them from view. Then he shut the heavy gate and walked +slowly toward the house, rubbing his grizzled chin reflectively.</p> + +<p>"They won't come back to-night, I'm pretty certain of that," he said to +himself. "An' by to-morrow I'll be better fixed to hold my own."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">At Dottery's Ranch</span></h3> + + +<p>"It's a shame, Paul!" ejaculated Chet, almost crying with rage. "We +ought to have shot him where he stood."</p> + +<p>"I suppose many a man would have done it," returned Paul, somewhat +moodily. "But we must get him out."</p> + +<p>"He won't go out without a fight."</p> + +<p>"I think he will—when we get enough of a crowd against him. I more than +half believe he is totally alone, although the furniture and other stuff +look as if he had had somebody to help him."</p> + +<p>"He's been hanging around watching his chance," went on Chet. "Who knows +but what he has been spying on us ever since his last visit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I trust not, Chet!" Paul looked much disturbed. "He may have +overheard some of our talk about Uncle Barnaby's mine, you know."</p> + +<p>"That's so! What if he did! He is rascal enough to try to locate it and +set up a claim, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly. Come on; the best we can do is to ride to Dottery's and +try to obtain help. It's a long journey by night, but there's nothing +else to do."</p> + +<p>"I won't mind it—if only Dottery will turn in and help us. He ought to, +but he always was a peculiar fellow. He may not want to make an enemy of +Captain Grady, seeing as the ranches adjoin. But come on, while daylight +lasts."</p> + +<p>And off the two brothers struck, along the river trail, and then down +the road Allen and Noel Urner had pursued on their way to the far-away +railroad station. They realized that in another hour darkness would be +upon them.</p> + +<p>The boys knew the way well, having traveled it a dozen times in search +of stray cattle. They rode on, side by side, urging on the tired horses +and discussing the situation in all its various phases.</p> + +<p>Slowly the sun faded from view behind the distant mountains, casting +long shadows over the foothills and the level stretches beyond. The +night birds sang their parting song, and then came the almost utter +silence of the night.</p> + +<p>"When do you suppose we'll reach Dottery's?" questioned Chet, after +several miles had been covered.</p> + +<p>"If all goes well, we'll get there by one or two o'clock," returned his +brother. "You must remember we have Demon Hollow to cross, and that's no +fool of a job in the dark."</p> + +<p>"Especially if the Demon is abroad," laughed Chet. He was only joking, +and did not believe in the old trappers' stories about the ghost in +hiding at the bottom of the rocky pass.</p> + +<p>When darkness fell the hoofstrokes of the horses sounded out doubly loud +on the semi-stony road. Yet, to the boys, even this was better than that +intense stillness, which made one feel, as Chet expressed it, "a hundred +miles from nowhere at all."</p> + +<p>So tired were the horses that the boys had their hands full making them +keep their gait. They would trot a few steps and then drop into a stolid +walk.</p> + +<p>"I don't blame them much," said Chet, sympathetically. "It's doing two +days' work in one. But never mind, they shall have a good rest when it's +all over."</p> + +<p>By ten o'clock it was pitch dark. To be sure the stars were shining, but +they gave forth but a feeble light. The boys had to hold their animals +at a tight rein to keep them from stumbling into unexpected holes.</p> + +<p>"It will be nearer three o'clock than two before we get there at this +rate," grumbled Paul. "Just look ahead and see how dark and forbidding +the Hollow looks."</p> + +<p>"Not the most cheerful spot in the world truly," rejoined Chet, as he +strained his eyes to pierce the heavy shadows. "Let us get past it as +soon as we can."</p> + +<p>"Afraid, Chet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, only I—I would rather be on the level trail beyond the pass."</p> + +<p>Paul said no more, having no desire to hurt his younger brother's +feelings. To tell the exact truth, he himself felt a bit "off." It was +growing toward midnight.</p> + +<p>Down and down led the road, between two rocky crags. Soon the last trace +of light was left behind, and they had to let the horses pick their own +way as best they might.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Chet gave a start and a cry.</p> + +<p>"O, Paul, what is that?"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Over to the left."</p> + +<p>Paul turned in his saddle. As he did so an object not over two feet in +length and of a gray and white color, with some black, swept to one side +of them.</p> + +<p>"Can it be a pig?" gasped Chet.</p> + +<p>"A pig? No, it's a badger, out on the forage. Don't you smell him?"</p> + +<p>Chet recovered and unslung his gun. He tried to take aim in the gloom.</p> + +<p>"Don't fire!" said Paul. "What is the use? It's only a waste of +ammunition. The badger isn't hurting anything, and he's a good distance +from the ranch. Let him go."</p> + +<p>By the time Chet had listened to all this the badger had disappeared. +The animal was not used to being aroused and was more frightened than +any one.</p> + +<p>They passed on. The very bottom of the Hollow was at hand. The horses +proceeded slowly, realizing the peril of the place.</p> + +<p>Once Rush went down into a hole nearly throwing Chet over his head. But +the youth held on, and Rush arose all right, with nothing but a slight +scrape on his left foreleg.</p> + +<p>They peered with watchful eyes up and down the silent pass. Not a sign +of any life was there. The water flowed on with a muffled murmur and +the wind sighed through the deep opening, and that was all. In another +five minutes the pass was left behind.</p> + +<p>For some reason both boys drew a long breath of relief when the high +ground beyond was reached. The strain was gone, and now, by contrast, +the road looked as bright to them as if the sun was about to rise.</p> + +<p>"Come to think of it, we may as well take it easy," remarked Paul. "It +isn't likely that Dottery will care to make a move before daylight."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but if we get there sooner, we'll have a chance to rest up a bit, +and we need that, and so do the horses."</p> + +<p>"I didn't think of that. Well, forward we go."</p> + +<p>An hour passed and then another. Soon after Chet gave a joyous cry.</p> + +<p>"There are Dottery's outbuildings! We'll soon be there now!"</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Chet. I wonder——" Paul stopped short. "Oh, look over +there!" he cried.</p> + +<p>He pointed to a barn not a great distance back from the road.</p> + +<p>The door of the structure was open and within flashed the light of a +lantern.</p> + +<p>"Dottery must be up, or else——" began Chet.</p> + +<p>"Horse thieves!"</p> + +<p>Both boys uttered the word simultaneously. Could it be possible that the +thieves were raiding their nearest neighbor?</p> + +<p>"Wait. Let us dismount and investigate," whispered Paul. "Don't do +anything rash," this as Chet started to run toward the barn.</p> + +<p>Thus cautioned, the younger boy paused. The horses were tied up behind +some brush, and, guns in hand, the pair crept across the road and over a +wire fence into the field.</p> + +<p>Hardly had they advanced a dozen steps when three men came out of the +barn, leading four horses. They made for an opening in the fence not a +rod from where the boys flung themselves flat on the grass.</p> + +<p>From the description they had received, the lads made up their minds +that the men were Saul Mangle, Darry Nodley, and Jeff Jones.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">An Encounter in the Dark</span></h3> + + +<p>Chet and Paul could hardly suppress their excitement as they saw the +horse thieves move toward the opening in the fence. Chet drew up his gun +and pointed it at the leader.</p> + +<p>"Don't fire! Wait!" cautioned Paul. "There are three of them, remember."</p> + +<p>"I wonder where Dottery is?" questioned the younger boy, with his hand +still on the trigger.</p> + +<p>"Asleep, most likely."</p> + +<p>"We ought to arouse him. Run, Paul, while I keep watch."</p> + +<p>"I will, but don't do anything rash during my absence," replied Paul +Winthrop.</p> + +<p>He sneaked along in the tall grass until the outbuildings were left a +hundred feet and sped like a deer toward the ranch home, showing dimly +in the grim shadows ahead.</p> + +<p>Less than sixty seconds passed, and he was pounding vigorously on the +front door of the heavy log building. Not content with using his fist +he banged away with the toe of his cowhide boot.</p> + +<p>"Who's thar?" came from within presently.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dottery!"</p> + +<p>"That's me, stranger."</p> + +<p>"Come out. It's Paul Winthrop. There are horse thieves at your barn."</p> + +<p>"What!" roared Dottery. He was a heavy-built man, with a voice like a +giant. "The same chaps ez robbed you?"</p> + +<p>He unbarred the door and came out on a run, gun in hand and a long +pistol in his belt. He was an old settler, and rarely took the trouble +to undress when he went to rest for the night.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the same, unless I am very much mistaken. My brother Chet is down +there now on the watch."</p> + +<p>"I'll fix 'em. Go back and call Jack, my man."</p> + +<p>Paul hesitated and then did as directed. It took some time to arouse the +cowboy, Jack Blowfen, but once aroused, the man quickly took in the +situation, and arming himself, joined the boy in a rush after Dottery.</p> + +<p>"The pesky rascals!" he muttered. "Yer brother told us about 'em when he +stopped here on his way to the railroad station. It's a pity Ike Watson +didn't plug every one of 'em when he had the chance. Next thing yer know +they'll be runnin' off with a bunch o' cattle."</p> + +<p>"Be careful when you shoot; my brother Chet is there," continued Paul, +not wishing Chet to be mistaken for a horse thief in the dark.</p> + +<p>"I know the lad, and I also know this Saul Mangle and his crowd," +returned Jack Blowfen. "I owe Mangle one for the way he treated me in +Deadwood one day."</p> + +<p>He ran so swiftly that Paul had hard work to keep up with him. Dottery +had already disappeared in the darkness of the night.</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang! The shots came from behind the barn, while Paul was some +distance away. It was Dottery firing at the thieves. Jack Blowfen was +chasing them down by the wire fence.</p> + +<p>"Paul! Paul! Hold on!"</p> + +<p>It was Chet's voice. As he cried out the lad arose from the grass and +caught his brother by the sleeve. Paul had passed so close that he had +almost trodden on Chet.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Chet."</p> + +<p>"I'm coming. But hadn't we better look to our horses?"</p> + +<p>"In a minute. Let us find out what that firing means."</p> + +<p>Paul led the way in the direction of the barn. There, in the gloom, they +saw two men struggling violently. They were Dottery and the negro, Jeff +Jones. The other horse thieves and Jack Blowfen were nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>Two horses were running about wildly, alarmed by the shots in the dark. +Both were bridled but had no saddles.</p> + +<p>"Catch the hosses!" yelled Dottery, as he made out the forms of the +boys. "Don't let 'em get out of that break in the fence!"</p> + +<p>"Have you that man?" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"I will have in a second."</p> + +<p>The brothers ran for the animals as directed. It was no light work to +secure them. When it was accomplished they ran the horses into the barn +and closed the doors. As they came out panting from their exertions, +they heard a gunshot from the brush on the opposite side of the road, +and then the voice of Jack Blowfen calling out:</p> + +<p>"Let them hosses go, you rascals! Take that, Saul Mangle, fer the trick +yer played me in Deadwood!"</p> + +<p>"Rush and Lilly!" gasped Chet. He said no more, but started in the +direction of the encounter. He was determined his horse should not be +taken again. Paul came on his heels. Both boys were now sufficiently +aroused to fight even with their firearms. The wire fence was cleared at +a single bound and into the brush they dove pell-mell.</p> + +<p>That Jack Blowfen was having a fierce hand-to-hand contest with his +antagonist was plain. The boys could hear both men thrashing around at a +lively rate.</p> + +<p>"You've hit me in the leg, and I'll never forgive you for it!" they +heard Saul Mangle exclaim. "How do you like that, you milk-and-water cow +puncher?"</p> + +<p>"I don't like it, and ain't going ter stand it, yer low down hoss thief +and gambler," returned Jack Blowfen, and then came the fall of one body +over another, just as Paul and Chet leaped into the little opening where +the battle was taking place.</p> + +<p>They saw Jack Blowfen on his back with Saul Mangle on top of him. The +horse thief had the butt of a heavy pistol raised threateningly. He +looked alarmed at the unexpected appearance of the boys.</p> + +<p>"Let up there!" sang out Paul. "Let up at once!"</p> + +<p>The cry and the glint of the boys' weapons decided Mangle. With a low +muttering he gave Jack Blowfen's body a kick and sprang for the bushes.</p> + +<p>Chet and Paul went after him, leaving the cowboy to stagger to his feet +and regain his pistols.</p> + +<p>The boys followed Mangle not over a dozen feet. Then they came upon +Darry Nodley, who had several horses in a bunch, among them Rush and +Lilly. The man had been waiting for the leader of the gang to finish his +row with Blowfen.</p> + +<p>Saul Mangle was ahead of the two boys, but ere he could leap upon the +back of the nearest animal Paul ran up to him and seized him by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" he ordered. "You cannot take those horses. We will shoot you +both if you attempt it!"</p> + +<p>"The Winthrop youngsters," muttered Darry Nodley. "How did they find +their way here?"</p> + +<p>He attempted to move on, thinking Mangle would follow. But now Chet +barred the way.</p> + +<p>The ranch boy had his gun up to his shoulder and there was a determined +look on his sunburnt face. He was fighting for Rush as much as for +anything else.</p> + +<p>"Get down!" was all he said, but the tone in which the words were +uttered left no room for argument.</p> + +<p>Darry Nodley hesitated and thought at first to feel for his own gun. But +then he changed his mind. He saw that Chet was thoroughly aroused, and +saw, too, that Jack Blowfen was coming up.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to make tracks," he cried to Saul Mangle, and leaped to the +ground, putting the horse between himself and Chet, and ran for the +bushes.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Paul and Saul Mangle were having a hand-to-hand fight. +The boy fought well, and the wounded man had all he could do to defend +himself. Finally he went limping after Nodley, but not before Paul had +relieved him of his gun. The brave lad could have shot the thief with +ease, but could not bring himself to take the risk of killing his +antagonist.</p> + +<p>"Where are they?" roared Jack Blowfen, coming up. "Which way did they +go?"</p> + +<p>Paul pointed in the direction. At once Blowfen ran off. In another +second Chet and Paul were left alone with the horses. The sounds from +the distance told them that Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley were doing +their best to escape from the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"Our money!" cried Chet. "We ought to have made an effort to get that +seven hundred dollars!"</p> + +<p>"That's so—but it's too late now, unless we go after the pair on +horseback."</p> + +<p>"Let us return Dottery's horses to the barn first and see how he has +made out with the negro."</p> + +<p>They took the horses in charge and passed with them across the road and +through the break in the wire fence. At the barn they found the ranch +owner in the act of making Jeff Jones a close prisoner by tying his +hands and legs with odd bits of harness straps.</p> + +<p>"Got this one, anyway," growled Dottery. "Whar are the others?"</p> + +<p>"Jack Blowfen has gone after them," replied Paul. "Here are your +horses."</p> + +<p>"Good enough. Say, will you watch this man if I follow Jack?" went on +the ranch owner, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Of course," exclaimed Chet. "If you can capture Saul Mangle, do so. We +believe he has seven hundred dollars belonging to us."</p> + +<p>"So Allen told me."</p> + +<p>The boys took charge of the negro, and mounting one of the horses Caleb +Dottery rode out of the inclosure. He took the lantern with him, thus +leaving those behind in darkness.</p> + +<p>"Strike a light, Chet, and see if you can't find another lantern in the +barn," said Paul. "I'll watch Jones so he don't get away."</p> + +<p>"Dis am werry hard on a poah man," moaned the negro. He was fearfully +frightened, for he knew full well how stern was the justice usually +meted out to horse thieves in that section of the country.</p> + +<p>"You ought to have thought of that before you started in this business," +replied Paul.</p> + +<p>"It was Mangle coaxed me into de work, sah. He said as how he had a +right to de hosses."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I suppose he said he had a right to our horses, too," went on +the youth, with a sarcasm that was entirely lost on the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah."</p> + +<p>"In that case you will have to suffer for your simpleness," was Paul's +short response. He did not believe the colored man.</p> + +<p>"No lantern in the barn, so far as I can see," called out Chet. "Better +march the fellow up to the house."</p> + +<p>"He can't march with his legs tied."</p> + +<p>"I reckon he can hobble a bit."</p> + +<p>Jeff Jones was unwilling to move, thinking he had a better chance of +escape while out in the open. But Chet and Paul each caught him by the +arm, and groaning and trembling the colored man was forced to move +slowly toward the ranch home.</p> + +<p>Before moving to the house Chet had driven the horses into the barn and +locked the door, so now the animals were safe, at least for the time +being.</p> + +<p>It was found that Jeff Jones had received an ugly wound in the shoulder. +This Paul set to work to dress, taking good care, however, that the +prisoner should be allowed no chance of escape.</p> + +<p>"Wot is yo' gwine to do wid me?" asked Jeff Jones as the work +progressed. "Ain't gwine ter tote me ter town, is yo'?"</p> + +<p>"That depends upon what Mr. Dottery says," replied Chet. "He's the boss +of this ranch."</p> + +<p>"Better let me go," urged the colored man. "If yo' don't dar will be big +trouble ahead."</p> + +<p>"Don't imagine we are to be scared so easily," returned Chet, smartly. +"We have a bigger rascal to deal with even than you," he added.</p> + +<p>"Yo' mean Saul Mangle?"</p> + +<p>"No, I mean Captain Hank Grady," replied the boy, without stopping to +think.</p> + +<p>"Captain Hank Grady! Wot yo' know ob him?" ejaculated Jeff Jones. "Did +yo' know about him and yo' Uncle Barnaby——" the colored man broke off +short.</p> + +<p>"My Uncle Barnaby!" exclaimed Chet. "What made you think of him in +connection with Captain Grady?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know a lot about him an' de captain," said Jeff Jones +suggestively. "A heap dat maybe yo' boys would gib a lot ter know +about."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Something about a Letter</span></h3> + + +<p>Allen Winthrop knew full well that he had a long journey before him and +one that would, perhaps, be full of peril, yet his heart did not fail +him as he and Noel Urner rode away, bound first for Dottery's ranch, and +then for the railroad station, over a hundred miles away.</p> + +<p>"You must keep up a stout heart, Allen," said the young man from the +east. "Perhaps all is well with your uncle in spite of appearances."</p> + +<p>"I am not daunted by what lies ahead," said the young ranchman. "But I +am convinced that Uncle Barnaby has been led into some great trouble. +Were it otherwise we would surely have heard from him ere this."</p> + +<p>At Dottery's they put up over night, and set off at sunrise in the +morning; Allen riding the animal from the ranch and Noel using a large +and powerful beast hired to him by Dottery.</p> + +<p>"Thirty-five miles to-day," observed Allen, as they pushed on along a +somewhat hilly trail, lined on either side by cactus and other low +plants.</p> + +<p>"Is that the distance to Daddy Wampole's hotel, as you call it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—by the roads. The direct route would not make it over thirty +miles, but we can't fly as the birds do."</p> + +<p>"We ought to make thirty-five miles easily enough."</p> + +<p>"We could on a level. But you must remember we have several hills to +climb and half a dozen water courses to ford. I imagine, too, you will +get tired of the saddle before nightfall."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can stand it," laughed Noel Urner, "thanks to my experience in +the riding schools in New York and my frequent exercises in Central +Park."</p> + +<p>"A big difference between Central Park and this, eh? I would like to see +the park some time," returned Allen.</p> + +<p>On they went, taking advantage of the early morning while the sun was +still low. The level stretch was passed and then they came to a +good-sized brook. Beyond was a belt of timber and the first of the +hills.</p> + +<p>They watered the horses and took a drink themselves, and pushed on +without stopping further. Allen knew they must keep on the move if they +expected to reach Daddy Wampole's crossroads ranch before the evening +shadows fell.</p> + +<p>On through the forest of spruce and hemlock, with here and there a tall +cottonwood, they spurred their horses. The foot of the hill was soon +reached, and up they toiled.</p> + +<p>"A grand country," murmured Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>"And big room for improvements," returned Allen, grimly. "It will take a +deal of labor to put this land in shape for use."</p> + +<p>"We never realize what the pioneers had to contend with when they first +settled this country until we see things as they are here. To cut down +forests, level the land, build houses and barns, and fix roads—it's an +immense amount of labor, truly."</p> + +<p>At noon they halted near the top of a second hill, and here started up +just enough of a fire to boil themselves a pot of coffee. They had +brought jerked meat and crackers from home and made a comfortable, if +not luxurious meal. In twenty minutes they were again on the way, the +horses in the meantime having also been fed.</p> + +<p>"Daddy Wampole's ranch is our post office," explained Allen, as they +rode along side by side. "The mail comes down from Deadwood once a week. +It's not very extensive and Wampole usually puts everything in a soap +box and lets every comer pick out whatever belongs to him."</p> + +<p>Noel laughed. "I've heard of such doings before," he said. "I suppose he +has another box of letters to be mailed."</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"It's not a very safe way to do. Letters might easily be stolen or taken +by mistake. Who knows but what some communication from your uncle was +carried off by another?"</p> + +<p>Allen's face grew serious. "I never thought of that. But who would be +mean enough to do it?"</p> + +<p>"The man who sent that forged letter to me would be mean enough."</p> + +<p>"So he would! I must ask Wampole if he remembers any letter addressed to +us."</p> + +<p>It was now the hottest part of the day. The road was dry and dusty and +the horses hung out their tongues as they toiled onward. All were glad +when they reached a portion of the road overhung by huge rocks a hundred +feet or more in height.</p> + +<p>"A day in the saddle seems a long while," said Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>"And we have four more days to follow," smiled Allen. "I was afraid it +would tire you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am all right yet, Allen. But look, what is that ahead, a +building?"</p> + +<p>"That's the crossroads hotel. Come, we have less than a mile more to +go."</p> + +<p>The sight of the rude building ahead raised Noel Urner's spirits. Off he +went on a gallop, with Allen close at his heels. In ten minutes they +drew up at the rude horse block and dismounted.</p> + +<p>Old Daddy Wampole, then a well-known character throughout Idaho, came +out on the porch of his ranch to greet them.</p> + +<p>"Back ag'in, hey?" he called out to Allen. "Wall, thar ain't no new mail +in sense ye war here afore."</p> + +<p>"I know that, Daddy," replied the young man. "I didn't come for the +mail, exactly. My friend and I are bound for the railroad station."</p> + +<p>"Goin' ter San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we want to stop here to-night."</p> + +<p>"Ye air welcome ter do thet," and Daddy Wampole gave Noel a friendly +nod.</p> + +<p>The young man was introduced and all three entered the ranch, one room +of which did duty as a general store, barroom, and post office. Before +anything else could be spoken of, Allen questioned Wampole concerning +the letters which had been in the box for several weeks back, and the +people who had called for them.</p> + +<p>"I don't remember much about the letters, but I recerlect thet Cap'n +Grady took most all ez came in," was the suggestive reply from the +so-styled postmaster.</p> + +<p>"So he took most of the letters, did he?" said Allen, slowly. "How many +of them, on a rough guess?"</p> + +<p>"Seven or eight."</p> + +<p>"And you can't remember if any of them were addressed to me?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't recerlect thet, Allen, but hold on—do ye suspect the cap'n +o' tamperin' with yer mail?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he is above such an action," replied the young man, +bluntly.</p> + +<p>"Wall, neither do I, privately speakin'. I was goin' ter say," went on +the ranch owner slowly, "when the cap'n got the letters he walked over +there to the old place and tore 'em open. Maybe——"</p> + +<p>There was no need for the man to go on. Allen had already left the +apartment and was hurrying across the road to what had in former days +been the only house in the section.</p> + +<p>It was a rude affair, now half fallen into decay. Outside, under the +overhanging logs of the roof, was situated a bench sometimes used by +travelers as a resting place. Here many a yarn had been told, and many a +"hoss deal" talked over and closed.</p> + +<p>Straight to the bench went Allen, and in the fading light looked eagerly +on all sides for bits of paper of any kind. He found a great number and +gathered them all into his empty dinner pouch. When he was sure there +were no more scraps in the vicinity he returned to the house.</p> + +<p>"Well, what have you?" asked Noel Urner, with interest.</p> + +<p>"I have nearly fifty scraps of letters," said Allen. "I must look them +over at once."</p> + +<p>A lamp was lit, and, spreading out the scraps on a large, flat board, +Allen set to work to sort out the various pieces. It was tedious work +and Noel Urner assisted him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the young ranchman uttered a low cry.</p> + +<p>"Look! Here is part of a letter that was addressed to me," he said.</p> + +<p>And he held up a scrap which bore the words: "—you and Chet can meet me +and Paul——"</p> + +<p>"Is it in your uncle's handwriting?" questioned the young man from the +east.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then it would seem as if some one had stolen your letter, certainly."</p> + +<p>"That's just what was done!" ejaculated Allen. "I wonder——" he stopped +short.</p> + +<p>"What do you wonder?"</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Captain Grady had anything to do with Uncle Barnaby's +disappearance."</p> + +<p>"The cap'n air a slick one," put in Daddy Wampole. "I never liked him +from the day I fust sot eyes onto him. An' seem' as how he's achin' ter +git thet ranch from ye boys, why, it ain't surprisin' he took thet +letter and would do more, if 'twas fer his own benefit."</p> + +<p>"It won't be for his benefit if I find he is playing such an underhand +game," rejoined Allen, grimly. The thought that Captain Grady had stolen +his letter angered him thoroughly. "He fancies that we are only three +boys, but he'll find out that even boys can do something when they are +put to it."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity you didn't find the rest of the letter," observed Noel +Urner. "No doubt that letter was of great importance. It might be best +to hunt up this Captain Grady and learn the truth from him before we +push further for the railroad station."</p> + +<p>"The trouble is the cap'n air hard to find," said Daddy Wampole. "He +ain't on his ranch more 'n a quarter o' his time. Ye know he's as much +interested in mines ez he is in cattle."</p> + +<p>The mention of mines gave a new turn to Allen's thoughts. Had that +communication from Uncle Barnaby contained any reference to the valuable +claim over by the Black Rock River?</p> + +<p>"If it did, then Captain Grady will rob Uncle Barnaby as sure as fate," +thought the young ranchman, with an inward groan.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Allen Changes His Plans</span></h3> + + +<p>A moment later a clatter of horse's hoofs on the road outside betokened +another arrival. Catching up his gun, Daddy Wampole strode out to see +who it was.</p> + +<p>"Ike Watson! Wot brings ye here?" Allen heard him cry, and then ran out +to greet the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"Allen, by all the good fortunes o' the Rockies!" ejaculated Ike Watson. +"Jes' the boy I'm pinin' ter see."</p> + +<p>"And I'm mighty glad to see you, too, Ike," returned the young ranchman. +"I want a bit of advice, and you are just the man to give it to me."</p> + +<p>"Advice? I'm ready to give ye bushels o' it, if it will do ye the least +bit o' good, lad. But wot are ye doin' here? Why ain't ye hum?"</p> + +<p>"I came here on my way to the railroad station, I am bound for San +Francisco to hunt up Uncle Barnaby."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! Now thet's what I call fortunate! If I hadn't a cotched ye, +ye would be goin' off on a wild goose chase, with no end to the trail."</p> + +<p>"A wild goose chase? O, Ike, have you word from my uncle?"</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't got no word from him, but I got word in a way thet two +rascals didn't dream on."</p> + +<p>"But what do you know?" questioned Allen impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Not much, ter tell the truth, an' yet a good deal. It happened this +mornin', when I wuz down to Casey's Fork. I wuz ridin' along the old +B'ar Trail when along comes a couple o' the worst lookin' bad men ye +ever seed. Sez one to tudder, 'If we can make him tell us whar the mine +is, we will all become millionaires.' Then sez tudder, 'We'll make him +speak. We didn't trap Barnaby Winthrop inter leavin' San Francisco fer +nuthin'.' The fellers wuz on the bottom trail, while I wuz up on the +rocks. I tried to git to 'em to make 'em tell me wot wuz the meanin' of +it all, when they spied me comin' down, an' by the grasshoppers o' +Kansas! ye ought ter hev seed 'em put an' scoot. They got out o' sight +in a jiffy, an' I couldn't locate 'em, try my best. I hung around an +hour, an' then I made up my mind ter ride over an' tell ye wot I hed +heard."</p> + +<p>Not only Allen, but also Noel Urner and Daddy Wampole were astonished by +the revelation Ike Watson made.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Barnaby trapped into leaving San Francisco!" gasped Allen. "Did +they say where they had taken him?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't say nuthin' more'n I told ye," responded the hunter from Gold +Fork. "Leas'wise, didn't say nuthin' ez I could hear."</p> + +<p>"Who were the men?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, 'ceptin' I seed 'em hangin' around Jordan Creek about six +months ago. Like ez not they belong to the old Sol Davids gang. Nearly +every one up thet water course belonged to thet gang."</p> + +<p>"Would you know them if you saw them again?"</p> + +<p>"Sartinly—I'm powerful good at recerlectin' faces onct I see 'em."</p> + +<p>"Where do you suppose the men went to?"</p> + +<p>"Rode off in the direction o' Black Rock River Canyon."</p> + +<p>Allen started. Could it be possible they suspected the claim was up in +that neighborhood? It was more than possible.</p> + +<p>The young ranchman turned to Noel Urner. "Noel, I'm going to change my +plans. I am going after those two men instead of going to San +Francisco."</p> + +<p>"It would certainly seem a useless trip now," replied the young man from +New York, slowly. "There is not the slightest doubt but what your uncle +was decoyed away from San Francisco. Where he is now is a mystery which +those two men must solve for you—they or——"</p> + +<p>"Captain Grady," finished Allen, impulsively. "I feel it in my bones +that he is in this plot against Uncle Barnaby."</p> + +<p>"It would seem so."</p> + +<p>"How do ye make that out?" asked Ike Watson.</p> + +<p>In a few words Allen told the old hunter about the missing letter.</p> + +<p>"Gee, shoo! He are one o' the gang, sartin!" cried Ike Watson. "The best +ye can do is to start in an' round 'em all up."</p> + +<p>"Thet's the talk," put in Daddy Wampole. "The state would be a hundred +per cent better off with 'em fellers out o' it."</p> + +<p>Allen gazed at Ike Watson earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Will you help me in this work?" he asked. "You know more about these +bad men than I do."</p> + +<p>"Will I help ye? Allen ye ought ter know better than ter axt sech a +question. O' course I'll help ye. I ain't got much ter do. Them new +claims up the Salmon kin wait well enough."</p> + +<p>"I would help ye, too, if I could git away," said Daddy Wampole. "Thet +gang worried me enough for six years, goodness knows!"</p> + +<p>"And what of you?" Allen turned to Noel. "You see how matters stand. I +don't want to ask you to go, for we may have some rough times, and——"</p> + +<p>"I came out to see rough times," interrupted the young man from the +east. "So unless you think I'll be too much of a hindrance, I would like +greatly to accompany you wherever you go. You must remember that I, too, +am anxious to find your uncle."</p> + +<p>"Then, thet's settled," said Ike Watson. He did not much fancy having +the company of a "tenderfoot," but Noel's manner pleased him.</p> + +<p>A long discussion followed. While it was in progress Mrs. Wampole +prepared a hot supper, to which later on Allen and the others did full +justice.</p> + +<p>It was decided to remain at the crossroads hotel all night, and the +three retired early, that they might make a start before sunrise.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that the young ranchman slept but little. His mind +was in a whirl over all he had discovered, and he shuddered whenever he +thought that his uncle might possibly be in peril of his life.</p> + +<p>"Those men would indeed dare all for gold, as those initials on the +cross imply," he said to himself. "What a pity they were not +exterminated the time old Sol Davids was lynched."</p> + +<p>Toward morning Allen dropped off into a troubled slumber, to be awakened +with a start by a touch from Ike Watson's hand an hour later.</p> + +<p>"Time ter climb below an' feed up, Allen," cried the old hunter. "We hev +a long ride afore us, ez ye know."</p> + +<p>"That's true!" cried the young ranchman, springing to his feet; and Ike +went off to arouse Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>The young man from New York felt rather stiff from his ride of the day +previous. Yet he did not complain, and did all he could to make the +others believe he felt in perfect trim for another day in the saddle.</p> + +<p>After a substantial but hasty breakfast the horses were saddled and they +were off, Daddy Wampole waving his hand after them and wishing them the +best of luck.</p> + +<p>"We'll make for Casey's Fork fust o' all," said Ike Watson. "Perhaps I +can pick up the trail thar. If I can't we kin push on toward the Salmon +an' trust ter luck."</p> + +<p>Allen was doubtful if the old hunter could pick up the trail after +having once lost it, but in lieu of something better, he agreed to +Watson's plan. Noel, of course, was willing to go wherever the others +led.</p> + +<p>It was high noon when Casey's Fork, a rough lot of rocks in a bend of +the Umihalo Creek, was reached. Allen and Noel were glad enough to +dismount in the shadow of the rocks while Ike Watson went off on a tour +of inspection.</p> + +<p>The old hunter was gone so long that Allen at last grew alarmed.</p> + +<p>"Something is wrong, or he would be back ere this," he said. "Let us go +after him."</p> + +<p>But hardly had they mounted when they heard a shout ahead. Looking +beyond a belt of bushes they saw Ike Watson waving his hand to them.</p> + +<p>"Found it!" he cried as they came up. "They took the creek road over ter +the forest trail. The marks are fresh, showin' they didn't move on until +dark last night."</p> + +<p>"Then they can't be many miles ahead!" cried Allen. "Oh, if we can only +keep the trail till we catch up to them!"</p> + +<p>"No time ter lose," said Ike Watson, and once more they continued the +pursuit, this time faster than before.</p> + +<p>Yet at the end of two miles they came to a sudden halt. The trail led +down to the bank of a shallow stream and there disappeared from view.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Along the Water Course</span></h3> + + +<p>"Gone!" burst from Allen's lips.</p> + +<p>"What's to do now?" asked Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>Ike Watson halted in perplexity for fully a minute. Then he dismounted +and waded into the stream, which was scarcely a foot to a foot and a +half in depth.</p> + +<p>"Ho! ho! ho!" he laughed, suddenly. "I thought so! No, ye can't play +thet game hyer.".</p> + +<p>"What now, Ike?" questioned the young ranchman.</p> + +<p>"They went up in the middle o' this yere stream, thinkin' they could +throw me off the trail. See, hyer are the marks ez plain ez the nose on +Cap'n Grady's face." And the old hunter pointed into the clear water.</p> + +<p>Leaving Allen to bring his horse, Watson walked slowly along the bed of +the stream, taking good care not to step into any deep holes. In this +manner half a mile was covered, when, at a point where the brush along +the bank was thin, the trail led out once more on the dirt and rocks.</p> + +<p>"An old trick, but it didn't work this trip," chuckled Ike Watson to +himself, as he once more resumed his seat in the saddle.</p> + +<p>"What I am thinking of is, what made them suspicious, after they were so +far from Casey's Forks," said Allen.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps their guilty consciences," laughed Noel.</p> + +<p>"Thet, an' because they thought I might be follerin' 'em," added Ike +Watson. "Hullo! What does this mean?"</p> + +<p>He had followed the trail around a belt of timber. Beyond was a wall of +rocks, and here were traces of a recent camp—a smoldering fire and some +odds and ends of crackers and meat.</p> + +<p>"We ain't far behind 'em, boys!" he went on. "This fire wuz tended ter +less than a couple o' hours ago."</p> + +<p>"Then let us push on, by all means," returned Allen. "If we can catch +those two men before they have a chance to join any of their evil +companions, so much the better."</p> + +<p>"The trail leads along the rocks," observed Noel. "Have you any idea +where we are going?"</p> + +<p>"Idee! I know this yere country like a book," said Ike Watson. "Don't ye +git 'feered o' bein' lost so long ez ye stay nigh me."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean that. I mean, do you know where the men went from here?"</p> + +<p>"Up to Grizzly Pass, most likely, an' then along over ter the Black Rock +Canyon. Eh, Allen?"</p> + +<p>"It would seem so," responded Allen seriously.</p> + +<p>"Grizzly Pass; rather a suggestive name," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"Ye-as; especially when a big grizzly shows hisself," drawled Watson, +and there the conversation dropped.</p> + +<p>Despite the fierce sunshine, it was deliciously cool along the base of +the rocky wall, and the horses made good progress over the hard but +level trail. Here and there immense brier bushes overhung the way, but +these were easily avoided by the animals, who were more afraid of them +than were their riders.</p> + +<p>Presently the trail took an upward course, leading between a split in +the rocks.</p> + +<p>"Ye want ter be careful hyer," cautioned Ike Watson. "It's a mighty +slippery spot fer the best o' hoss flesh."</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he spoken when Noel Urner gave a cry of alarm.</p> + +<p>He was in the rear, and both the old hunter and Allen turned quickly to +see what was the matter.</p> + +<p>They found Noel's horse on his knees, having slipped to one side of the +trail.</p> + +<p>The young man was on the ground, one foot caught in the stirrup.</p> + +<p>"Stop the hoss!" cried Watson. "If ye don't he'll bang the young man's +head off!"</p> + +<p>Before he had ceased speaking Allen was on the ground. He ran back and +caught Noel's horse by the bridle. The young man from the east was +partly stunned, and it was several seconds before he could recover +sufficiently to disengage his foot and arise from his dangerous +position.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Allen!" he cried, as he stood by, while the young +ranchman assisted the horse to a safe spot in the trail. "I was afraid I +was in for it."</p> + +<p>"Ye did jes' the right thing, Allen," put in Ike Watson. "Dunno but wot +ye hed better walk a brief spell," he went on to Noel, who was only too +glad to do so.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the top of the rocks was reached, and they moved back +to where the way was smooth and safe. A lunch was had from the pouches, +and on they went as fast as the fatigued horses would carry them.</p> + +<p>"I can see no trail," said Noel, as he rode abreast of his companions.</p> + +<p>"There ain't no need ter see a trail hyer," replied Ike Watson. "This +yere way is a blind pocket fer all o' these three miles. Ye couldn't go +no different if ye tried. Byme-by, when we come out on Sampson's flats, +we'll look for the trail ag'in."</p> + +<p>"We ought to catch up to those men before we reach the flats," remarked +Allen. "They must be tired out by that climb."</p> + +<p>"We ain't fur off," rejoined Watson. "Jes' keep silent half an hour +longer, an' we'll——"</p> + +<p>He broke off short, reigned in his steed, and pointed ahead.</p> + +<p>Allen looked eagerly in the direction. Under the spreading branches of a +giant pine rested two men. Not far from them two horses were hoppled. +The men looked thoroughly tired. Both were smoking pipes and leaning +against the tree with their eyes closed.</p> + +<p>"Let us dismount and tiptoe our way to them," whispered Allen. "If we +secure their horses first they will have no chance to get away from us."</p> + +<p>"A good plan, lad," returned Watson, in an equally low tone. "Supposin' +ye an' I leave our nags with Mr. Urner?"</p> + +<p>This was agreed upon, and after dismounting the horses were led behind +some heavy brush by the young man from the east.</p> + +<p>Then, with their weapons ready for use, Allen and old Ike Watson stole +cautiously forward to where were grazing the animals belonging to the +two bad men from Jordan Creek.</p> + +<p>Allen and the old hunter from Gold Fork went about their work as +silently as possible. The horses were somewhat in the rear, and so they +made a detour, coming up behind the dozing men as softly as twin +shadows.</p> + +<p>The animals reached, the next thing was to release them. This was +speedly accomplished, and it was Allen who led them off, while Ike +Watson still remained on guard with his trusty gun ready should the +occasion arise to make use of the firearm.</p> + +<p>In less than three minutes the young ranchman was back, having left the +captured animals in Noel's care.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's to do?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we hed better git a few ropes ready, in case we want ter bind +'em," began Ike Watson, but ere this idea could be put into execution +one of the men dropped his pipe, and the hot tobacco, falling on his +hand, brought him upright with a start. He opened his eyes, and with a +loud exclamation, which awoke his companion, leaped to his feet.</p> + +<p>"What does this mea——" he began.</p> + +<p>"Hands up, ye rascal!" ordered Ike Watson, so sternly that instantly +both arms were raised high overhead. The horse thief, for the man was +nothing less, if not much worse, fully understood that his opponent had +the "drop" on him and would not stop to parley unless the order to +elevate his hands was obeyed.</p> + +<p>The second rascal, in his sitting position, attempted to draw a pistol, +but Allen, producing his own weapon, forced the man to remain +stationary.</p> + +<p>"We hev ye, stranger," remarked Watson after a second of silence. "Do ye +acknowledge the corn?"</p> + +<p>"What's the meaning of this outrage?" growled the fellow who was +standing, and he scowled fiercely, first at the old hunter and then at +the young ranchman.</p> + +<p>"It means firstly that ye are in our power," chuckled Watson. It was +evident that he thoroughly enjoyed the situation.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Then ye acknowledge thet, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'll have to."</p> + +<p>"It's Ike Watson from Gold Fork," put in the man who was sitting.</p> + +<p>"Ike Watson!" the face of the speaker grew quite disturbed. It was plain +he had heard of Watson before and did not relish being held up by the +well-known old man.</p> + +<p>"Ye-as, I'm Ike Watson," drawled the old hunter. "Now, strangers, give +me yer handles, and let me have 'em straight."</p> + +<p>"My name is Roe Bluckburn," came from the standing man.</p> + +<p>"Mine is Lou Slavin, and I'm not ashamed of it," came from the other.</p> + +<p>"Jes' so," mused Watson. "I've heard o' both o' yeez belongin' to the +old Sol Davids gang o' hoss thieves."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. We are not thieves of any sort," said Bluckburn, who +appeared the leader of the pair.</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't quarrel about that, seein' ez how we are on another +trail ter day. We want ye ter up an' tell us ter onct whar Barnaby +Winthrop is."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and tell us the truth," put in Allen, sternly.</p> + +<p>The men were both taken aback by the request. They exchanged glances and +each waited for the other to speak.</p> + +<p>"Come, out with it, Bluckburn!" cried Watson.</p> + +<p>"Dunno the man you are talking about."</p> + +<p>"Ye can't come it thet way. Didn't I hear ye talkin' it over down ter +Casey's Forks only yesterday? Come, out with the truth, or take the +consequences!" and to scare the horse thief Ike Watson tapped his gun +barrel suggestively.</p> + +<p>"Must be some mistake. We wasn't near Casey's Fork in a month. Eh, Lou?"</p> + +<p>"Nixy."</p> + +<p>"Ye tell it so smooth I would most believe ye, if I hadn't follered ye +up," growled Watson. "But we know ye air in the deal ag'in Barnaby +Winthrop, an' I am hyer ter help his nevvy thar, Allen Winthrop. So ye +hed better ease yer mind ter onct. Understand?"</p> + +<p>The two men turned their attention to Allen curiously. They wished to +hold a consultation, but Watson would not permit it.</p> + +<p>At that moment Noel Urner came forward, having succeeded in tying all of +the horses in a little grove not far distant.</p> + +<p>He eyed both of the prisoners keenly, and then gave a start.</p> + +<p>"I saw that man in San Francisco!" he ejaculated, pointing to Roe +Bluckburn. "He was hanging around the very hotel at which Mr. Barnaby +Winthrop stopped."</p> + +<p>"It ain't so," growled Bluckburn, but his face proclaimed that Noel +Urner had spoken the truth.</p> + +<p>"If that is the case, then he is the one who decoyed my uncle away," put +in Allen. "For there is no longer any doubt in my mind that he was +spirited away in some fashion."</p> + +<p>"Air ye fellers goin' ter speak?" roared Ike Watson, impatiently. "Ye +can't expect me ter stand hyer with a gun the rest o' the day!"</p> + +<p>"Unless you do speak, we shall bind you and hand you over to the +sheriff," said Allen. "We believe we have a good case against you—and +will have a better after Captain Grady is placed under arrest," he +added, struck with a sudden thought.</p> + +<p>"Captain Grady!" groaned the man named Lou Slavin. "I reckon the jig is +up, Roe."</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" growled Bluckburn.</p> + +<p>"But if the captain is known wot show have we got?" grumbled Slavin. +"Say?" he continued eagerly. "I went into this thing ag'in my will, an' +I wish I was out of it. Supposin' I tell yer the truth about the hull +gang, does that save me?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you say a word, Lou!" shouted Bluckburn, warningly, but ere he +could speak further the muzzle of Ike Watson's gun caused him to retreat +up to the tree, where he stood, not daring to say another word.</p> + +<p>"Go on and have yer say!" cried the old hunter to Lou Slavin. "And, ez I +said before, give it ter us straight. Whar is Barnaby Winthrop?"</p> + +<p>"He is a prisoner, about ten miles from here," was Slavin's flat and +sudden confession.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Moving against Captain Grady</span></h3> + + +<p>Both Paul and Chet Winthrop were deeply interested in the words uttered +by Jeff Jones, the colored member of the horse thieves' gang.</p> + +<p>"So you know something of Captain Grady and our uncle, Barnaby +Winthrop?" cried Chet, excitedly. "What do you know?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's fer you two fellers ter find out—onless yer let's me go," +replied Jeff Jones, suggestively.</p> + +<p>"You mean you won't speak unless we grant you your liberty?" put in +Paul.</p> + +<p>"Dat's de way to figure it."</p> + +<p>Paul looked at Chet inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"We can't promise anything until Mr. Dottery gets back," said Chet. "But +if you know anything about our uncle you had better speak out, if you +wish us to do anything at all for you."</p> + +<p>"I won't say a word," growled the colored man.</p> + +<p>Chet bit his lip in vexation.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know what it is to have us able to speak a word for you?" +said Paul. "Supposing we let Jack Blowfen take you over to the next camp +and tell the men that you are a downright horse thief? Would you fancy +that?"</p> + +<p>Jeff Jones began to tremble. He knew what Paul meant—that he would be +lynched inside the hour. In that section of the country, at that time, +horse stealing was considered almost as bad as murder.</p> + +<p>"No! no! doan let him take me down ter de Fork!" howled Jeff Jones. +"Anyt'ing but dat, boys!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you, had better talk, then," returned Paul, severely.</p> + +<p>"I doan know much, but I'll tell yo' all I do know," said the prisoner, +after a short pause, "and yo' is ter do de best yo' can fo' me, promise +me dat?"</p> + +<p>"We will," said Chet. He was very impatient for Jeff Jones to proceed.</p> + +<p>"Well, den, Captain Grady has been a-spottin' yo' uncle fer seberal +weeks—eber sence he got Massah Winthrop ter leave San Francisco."</p> + +<p>"Got him to leave San Francisco?" queried Paul.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I doan know how de t'ing was done, but he got yo' uncle ter leave +de city an' now he's tryin' ter make him gib up de secret ob a mine, or +sumfin like dat."</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" burst from Chet's lips. "That explains it all. Uncle Barnaby +must be in Captain Grady's power."</p> + +<p>"And by getting us out of the ranch he thought to make us leave the +neighborhood," added Paul. "Do you know," he went on, "I believe he is +at the head of a band who wish to obtain entire control of this +section."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it, Paul," Chet turned to the prisoner. "Where is our +uncle now?"</p> + +<p>"Dat I can't say."</p> + +<p>"Captain Grady must know."</p> + +<p>"Suah he does."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll make him tell, never fear," Chet began to walk up and down. +"I wish Mr. Dottery would come back."</p> + +<p>"I hear somebody down the road," said Paul as he walked to the door. "It +must be the two coming back now."</p> + +<p>Paul was right. There was a clatter beyond in the dark, and a moment +later Caleb Dottery appeared, followed by Jack Blowfen.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't catch 'em in the dark," said Dottery, as he strode into the +house and dropped into a rude but comfortable chair. "But thank fortune, +the stock is safe!"</p> + +<p>"Slick rascals, Mangle and Nodley," continued Jack Blowfen. "But we'll +round 'em up some day, I'll bet my <i>sombrero</i> on it."</p> + +<p>"We have just heard important news," said Paul, and he instantly +proceeded to repeat what Jeff Jones had said.</p> + +<p>Caleb Dottery and his cowboy helper listened with interest. The former +gave a long, low whistle of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Must say I didn't quite think it of Captain Grady, though I allow as +how he's a slick one," he remarked. "Wot's ter do about it?"</p> + +<p>"We came here to obtain your aid," said Chet. "Captain Grady has taken +possession of our ranch. You know he sets up some sort of a claim to +it."</p> + +<p>"Got yer papers, ain't ye?"</p> + +<p>"No; they were burned up when we had our little fire."</p> + +<p>"Humph! thet's bad!"</p> + +<p>"But the place is ours—father bought and paid for it," added Paul, +warmly. "And we intend to get Captain Grady out, even if we have to +fight him."</p> + +<p>"Good fer ye!" shouted Jack Blowfen. "Thet's the way ter talk. I'm right +hyer ter help ye. I love grit, I do!" and he held out his big brown hand +to Paul as if to bind a bargain.</p> + +<p>"I'll certainly help ye, too," said Dottery. "Ye have done a good turn +this night which I'm not likely to forgit in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"This colored man told us about our uncle and Captain Grady of his own +free will," said Paul. "So, if you can be a little easy on him on that +account I wish you would be."</p> + +<p>"Stealin' hosses ain't no light crime," growled Dottery.</p> + +<p>"An' it don't improve a man's reputation to become a sneak," added Jack +Blowfen.</p> + +<p>Yet, after some talk, it was agreed to hold Jeff Jones merely as a +prisoner for the present, instead of carrying him to the nearest camp to +be turned over to the vigilance committee.</p> + +<p>It was now so near morning that to think of retiring was out of the +question. The men began to smoke, and Blowfen stirred about getting +breakfast. At six o'clock they dined.</p> + +<p>"I'll chain Jones up as a prisoner in the house till we git back," +observed Dottery, when the meal was finished. "He'll keep quiet if he +knows when he is well off."</p> + +<p>This was done, and then both house and outbuildings were made as secure +as possible.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Paul, Chet, and the two men were on their way on +horseback to the Winthrop ranch. All were armed and ready for anything +that might turn up.</p> + +<p>But not one of the number dreamed of the several surprises in store for +them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Shooting a Grizzly Bear</span></h3> + + +<p>"I wonder if Captain Grady is alone or if he has a number of the gang +with him?" observed Paul, as he rode alongside of his younger brother, +and just in front of the two men.</p> + +<p>"Most likely he is expecting trouble and has help at hand," returned +Chet. "He knows well enough we won't give up our claim without a fight."</p> + +<p>"It's possible he thought to frighten us off until Allen got back from +San Francisco."</p> + +<p>"Don't make any difference how much help he has," broke in Jack Blowfen. +"He ain't no right to put ye out like a couple o' dogs, an' he knows +it."</p> + +<p>In this manner the talk went on until a little after noon, when the +locality known as Demon Hollow was reached.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember the badger, Paul?" laughed Chet. "The Hollow looks +different in the daylight, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, but still—what was that?"</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' June bugs!" cried Jack Blowfen. "Dottery, did ye hear that?"</p> + +<p>"I did," replied the old ranch owner, and he clutched his gun +apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"I heard something," said Chet. "What was it?"</p> + +<p>"A bar, boy, sure ez ye are born—a grizzly!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>At once the little party came to a halt. To the right of them was a tall +overhanging rock, to the left a number of prickly bushes. Ahead and +behind was the winding and uneven road along which their animals had +come on a walk.</p> + +<p>"Do ye see old Ephraim?" asked Jack Blowfen, as he, too, got his gun in +readiness.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything," declared Paul.</p> + +<p>Bang! It was Chet's gun which spoke. He fired up toward the top of the +overhanging rock. Scarcely had the shot rung out than a fearful roar of +mingled pain and rage rent the air.</p> + +<p>"Shot him, by Jupiter!" cried Caleb Dottery. "Stand from under, quick!"</p> + +<p>Hardly had the word been given than there was another roar. Then a heavy +weight filled the air and down into the road leaped a big brown and +gray grizzly weighing all of eight hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>He came down between the boys and the two men, and no sooner had he +landed than Dottery and Blowfen opened fire on him, both striking the +beast in the shoulder, and, consequently, doing but little damage, for a +grizzly bear is tough and can stand many shots which do not touch his +vital parts.</p> + +<p>The horses, much scared, backed in all directions, some going into the +bushes and others up against the rocks.</p> + +<p>More angry than before the grizzly half turned, and then, without +warning, raised up on his hind legs and made for Chet, whose horse was +now flat upon the rocks, having stumbled in his hasty retreat, Chet +himself was partly in and partly out of the saddle when the charge was +made.</p> + +<p>"Run, Chet, run!" yelled Paul. "He is coming for you!"</p> + +<p>In alarm he came up on foot, his horse refusing to budge in the +direction of the bear.</p> + +<p>The bear heard Paul's voice and for the second paused and turned, as if +to make sure he was in no immediate danger from that quarter. Then he +continued to advance upon Chet.</p> + +<p>Almost overcome with fear, Paul raised his gun and fired at the bear's +head. It was a chance shot, but luckily it hit the huge beast in the +ear. The bear howled with pain, staggered forward a few feet and rolled +over on his side.</p> + +<p>By this time Dottery and Blowfen had their pistols out. Leaping to the +roadway, they ran forward, and in less than a minute the bear had +received six pistol balls and was kicking in his death agony.</p> + +<p>It was Paul who helped Chet to his feet. The boy was as white as a sheet +and trembled so he could scarcely stand.</p> + +<p>"I—I thought I was a goner!" he stammered. "What a big fellow he is!"</p> + +<p>"The bar we war arfter last spring," said Jack Blowfen to Dottery as +they examined the brute. "See those marks on his side where we tipped +him? A good job that he is out of the way."</p> + +<p>It was the second grizzly bear the boys had seen since they had lived in +that section and they gazed at him curiously. What white teeth he had, +and how powerful he looked! Even now that he was still and all was over, +Chet hardly cared to touch him.</p> + +<p>"I want to see no more of him," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon he's the last in this neighborhood," said Caleb Dottery. +"He's the only one I've seen around in nigh on six years."</p> + +<p>It was decided to leave the bear where he was until they returned. Of +course, it was possible some wild animal might come up and make a feast +in the meanwhile, but this could not be helped. To skin the animal and +hang up the meat would take too long.</p> + +<p>Leaving Demon Hollow, they pushed along as rapidly as the horses would +carry them.</p> + +<p>At the creek they stopped to water the animals, and here also partook of +the lunch which Blowfen had packed up before starting.</p> + +<p>It was nightfall when they at last came in sight of the ranch home. All +seemed deserted. Every building was tightly closed and so was the gate +to the stockade.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he has thought better of it and skipped out," said Chet.</p> + +<p>"There is our stuff still in the road," returned Paul, pointing ahead.</p> + +<p>In a moment more they had reached the stockade. All four rode straight +up to the heavy wooden gate.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to jump over and unbar it," said Paul.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," was Caleb Dottery's caution. "This may be a trap and——"</p> + +<p>He had no need to say more.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" came from the yard behind the stockade. "Stop where you are or +I'll fire on you!"</p> + +<p>It was Captain Grady himself who spoke.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">An Important Capture</span></h3> + + +<p>Of course Paul made a prompt retreat. It would have been worse than +useless, just then, to have remained where he was, with his hands on the +stockade gate.</p> + +<p>The party outside could not see Captain Grady, but from the direction of +his voice they knew he was on the other side of the stockade at a point +where several peep and gun holes covered the entrance.</p> + +<p>"That's right, you better git back!" went on the captain, as Paul +retreated.</p> + +<p>"See here, Grady, what does this mean?" demanded Caleb Dottery, as he +advanced in the direction of the guard openings.</p> + +<p>"It means that I have got possession of this ranch, which rightfully +belongs to me, and I mean to keep it," was the grim reply, delivered +with great force and distinctness.</p> + +<p>"The Winthrop boys deny yer rights."</p> + +<p>"That makes no difference. I know what's what."</p> + +<p>"Open the gate and let us talk it over quietly," went on Dottery, who +was naturally a peaceably inclined individual.</p> + +<p>"I'm not opening the gate just now. Those boys can go away. I don't mind +you coming around, but I don't want those boys here."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll have to put up with us," cried Chet, angrily. "Now, open +the gate, or we'll smash it down!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be rash, Chet!" whispered Paul.</p> + +<p>"You monkey!" roared Captain Grady. "Fall back, before I let you have a +dose of buckshot!"</p> + +<p>"There will be no shooting here, Captain, unless ye want ter get wiped +out," broke in Jack Blowfen. "Open the gate fer yer neighbors and let us +hev a powwow."</p> + +<p>"I've told you wot I'll do—open up when the boys go away."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Chet," whispered Paul to his younger brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but Paul——"</p> + +<p>"Come on, I say," and Paul whispered something into Chet's ear.</p> + +<p>At once, with a wink at Jack Blowfen, the two boys started off on a +gallop toward the river.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we can do it?" asked Chet, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I think so. We can try, anyway."</p> + +<p>Dismounting, the brothers made their way to where a deep ditch drained +from the ranch home under the stockade into the river. The ditch was +almost dry and was all but choked up with weeds and brush.</p> + +<p>"Now, Chet, it is a serious undertaking, but you know we must take some +chances," went on Paul, as they let themselves down into the ditch. "The +captain may really shoot at us, although I think he will hardly dare do +it with Blowfen and Mr. Dottery at hand to see that justice is done."</p> + +<p>"If he shoots, we'll shoot back," replied Chet. "He has no right on our +land, and, besides, we must do something for Uncle Barnaby's sake."</p> + +<p>Full of determination, and realizing that a crisis was at hand, the two +boys wormed their way along the ditch until the stockade was reached.</p> + +<p>Here a few wooden bars blocked the way. But one of the bars was loose +and was wrenched aside, and they went on.</p> + +<p>"We must be careful, in case any one is in the house," said Paul in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>The ditch led around to the rear of the ranch home. But here it went +underground and they were compelled to leave it and take to the grass.</p> + +<p>They gave a brief look and saw Captain Grady down by the opening in the +stockade, still arguing with Dottery and Blowfen. He looked anxious.</p> + +<p>"He don't see us," whispered diet. "Come, the front door is open!" and +he made a quick dash for the house, followed closely by Paul.</p> + +<p>The door was closing on the pair when Captain Grady started around and +beheld Paul's form from the rear. He gave a quick cry of alarm.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Come out!"</p> + +<p>"Too late, Captain Grady!" called back Paul, facing about and aiming at +the man with his gun. "Now, just you go and open the stockade gate!"</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't no need o' thet!" cried the voice of Jack Blowfen. "Well +done, boys; I give ye credit."</p> + +<p>And over the stockade vaulted the cowboy, leaping from his saddle to the +grass on the other side.</p> + +<p>Captain Grady knew not which way to turn, and before he could decide the +gate was unbarred and Caleb Dottery rode in.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Chet had taken a hasty glance through the house and +satisfied himself that Captain Grady was really alone. There was +evidence that several visitors had been there but recently—a number of +unwashed dishes and drinking glasses.</p> + +<p>Chet returned to the doorway and beheld Captain Grady in Jack Blowfen's +strong grasp. The firearm had been wrenched from the captain and hurled +a dozen feet away.</p> + +<p>"This—this is an outrage!" puffed the captain in a great rage.</p> + +<p>"So is the way ye set up to treat neighbors," replied the cow puncher, +coolly. "Why didn't ye leave us in like gentlemen an' thus avoid all +trouble?"</p> + +<p>The captain glared at him.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" he demanded sullenly after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Can you hold him, Blowfen?" asked Paul, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I reckon, Paul; but maybe ye might better keep him covered with yer +gun."</p> + +<p>"This means that we have come to take possession of our own," put in +Chet. "We told you that we would be back."</p> + +<p>"It's ag'inst the law, and I'll have the sheriff on you!" shouted +Captain Grady wrathfully.</p> + +<p>"We'll chance that," said Paul. "March into the house, please. We want +to question you a bit on another matter," he continued.</p> + +<p>Captain Grady started. "What matter?" he asked in a lower tone of voice.</p> + +<p>"About our uncle, Barnaby Winthrop."</p> + +<p>"Don't know nothing of him," was the reply, and as he spoke Captain +Grady's hand moved up to his inside breast pocket.</p> + +<p>Instantly Jack Blowfen leaped upon the rascal and bore him to the +earth.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">News of Importance</span></h3> + + +<p>"Don't be alarmed; he is not going to shoot," cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"Don't ye make too shure o' thet," ejaculated the cowboy. "Wot's he +puttin' his hand into his pocket fer?"</p> + +<p>"He has something there I fancy he wishes to conceal," went on Paul. +"Empty the pocket, please."</p> + +<p>"Let me go! This is highway robbery!" stormed Captain Grady.</p> + +<p>He struggled fiercely to regain his feet. But Blowfen was the stronger +of the pair and he easily held the rascal down with one hand, while with +the other he brought several letters from his inside pocket.</p> + +<p>Paul eagerly snatched the letters, in spite of the captain's protest. He +glanced at them, with Chet looking over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you make out?" asked Caleb Dottery. He didn't quite like +the way matters were turning.</p> + +<p>"I think we will be safe in making Captain Grady a prisoner," replied +Paul slowly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, make him a prisoner by all means," put in Chet. "He is a villain +if ever there was one. If we can't prove it I think my Uncle Barnaby +can."</p> + +<p>At the reference to Barnaby Winthrop Captain Grady grew pale. It was +evident that his sins were at last finding him out.</p> + +<p>It did not take Jack Blowfen long to act upon Paul's suggestion. He +disarmed the captain and made him march into the house, where he bound +the fellow in very much the same manner as Dottery had bound Jeff Jones.</p> + +<p>While he was doing so Paul showed the letters taken from the prisoner to +Caleb Dottery. Chet, while a second reading was going on, commenced to +ransack the house.</p> + +<p>The captain had moved but a few things into the ranch home—a couple of +chairs, a table, a bed, and an old hair trunk. The trunk Chet opened +without ceremony.</p> + +<p>More letters were found there—documents which told only too plainly +what manner of man the captain was. Chet smiled to himself to think how +foolish the rascal had been not to have destroyed the epistles.</p> + +<p>"But the greatest of villains occasionally over-reach themselves," he +said to Paul. "I fancy this is proof enough to show what an awfully bad +man Captain Grady is."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Chet," said Dottery, after a careful examination. "He is +a hoss thief as great as was old Sol Davids, and he is trying to rob yer +uncle out of a mine claim as well."</p> + +<p>"Not only that, but as Jeff Jones said, he is with the crowd who holds +my uncle a prisoner, sir. That, to me is the worst part of it."</p> + +<p>"I don't know but what ye are right."</p> + +<p>The captain was raising such a row that to quiet him Jack Blowfen threw +him bodily into a dark closet and turned the key on him.</p> + +<p>"Now if ye don't quit yer noise, I'll gag ye in the bargain," said the +cowboy, and thereupon the captain became quiet at once.</p> + +<p>It was now quite in line to hold a council of war, as Paul termed it. +But before this was done all hands went to work to move the Winthrop +household effects back to where they belonged.</p> + +<p>This was accomplished in a short space of time, and was productive of an +accident which, while not excessively serious, was still of sufficient +importance to cause a decided change in their plans.</p> + +<p>In moving in an old, heavy bedstead Caleb Dottery allowed the end he +held to slip from his grasp. A sharp corner came down on his ankle, +twisting it severely. He cried with pain and work was at once suspended.</p> + +<p>The ankle was bandaged, but it was found the old ranch owner could not +walk, nor could he move about with any degree of comfort. He was placed +on a couch and there he remained.</p> + +<p>The four talked matters over for a long while. In one of Captain Grady's +letters was mentioned a certain cave in the vicinity of what was then +known as the Albany Claim. The boys fancied that their uncle might be a +prisoner in that cave.</p> + +<p>"Well, I dunno but what ye are right," mused Jack Blowfen. "It's +sartinly wuth going to see."</p> + +<p>"Then you advise us to go?" asked Paul, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll go with ye."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Dottery," began Chet.</p> + +<p>"I'll stay whar I am an' watch the captain," groaned the old ranch +owner. "It's about all I'm good for jes' now."</p> + +<p>"The old Albany Claim is a good stiff forty miles an' more from hyer," +said Jack Blowfen. "But I know the road over the second foothills +perfectly. So if ye say the word any time we'll start."</p> + +<p>"It looks like rain just now," said Paul.</p> + +<p>"An' ye'll catch it heavy, too," put in Dottery.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to look after the cattle, too," added Chet. "Like as not +half of them are in the sink hole."</p> + +<p>"I'll help ye with the stock," said Blowfen.</p> + +<p>That evening it rained in torrents, but only for a short while. By +midnight it was as clear as it could be. Long before sunrise the boys +and Blowfen were out on the range looking up the heads belonging to the +Winthrops.</p> + +<p>They were gratified to find that all the stock was safe with a single +exception. That was an old cow who had been caught in the cyclone and +killed. Not one of the four-footed beasts had gone anywhere near the +sink hole.</p> + +<p>When let out of the closet Captain Grady begged hard for his liberty. +But the boys were obdurate and Caleb Dottery backed them up, as did +Jack Blowfen.</p> + +<p>"Ye have done wrong an' must suffer," said the latter, and there the +matter rested.</p> + +<p>By nine o'clock the two boys and Blowfen were off. They took with them +enough provisions to last several days, as the journey upon which they +were about to enter would be for the greater part through a dry and +unproductive section. This same section has now been made, by a system +of irrigation, very productive.</p> + +<p>"And now to find Uncle Barnaby and bring our enemies to terms!" cried +Paul, as they rode out of the stockade.</p> + +<p>"So say I, and may uncle be found well," added Chet.</p> + +<p>"Amen," murmured Jack Blowfen.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Something about Barnaby Winthrop</span></h3> + + +<p>"My uncle a prisoner about ten miles from here?" repeated Allen +Winthrop, after Lou Slavin had made his confession.</p> + +<p>"Will you shut up?" howled Bluckburn, savagely. "You'll spoil +everything."</p> + +<p>"An' he'll save hisself from bein' lynched," added old Ike Watson, +suggestively.</p> + +<p>"We haven't done anything—you can't hold us," spluttered Bluckburn. He +found himself in a bad corner.</p> + +<p>"Holding a man a prisoner is nothing, I presume," said Allen, in deep +anger. "Go on," he continued to Slavin. "Where is my uncle?"</p> + +<p>Thus urged, Lou Slavin blurted out a full confession, telling how +Barnaby Winthrop had been followed to San Francisco by Bluckburn, who +wanted to learn the secret of the new claim, which Bluckburn realized +must be valuable.</p> + +<p>Slavin said it was Bluckburn who had sent to Barnaby Winthrop a forged +letter calling the old prospector back to the ranch. The rascal had also +forged the note received by Noel Urner.</p> + +<p>Word had been sent by telegraph to the other members of the thieving +band, and when Barnaby Winthrop got off at the nearest railroad station +to the ranch he was followed and waylaid.</p> + +<p>"The crowd had a mighty hard time o' it with him, he fit so," went on +Slavin. "Onct he nearly got away, but Captain Grady tripped him up an' +then he war bound tight."</p> + +<p>"Captain Grady!" ejaculated Allen.</p> + +<p>"Thet's his size," cried old Watson. "I allers allowed as how he war one +o' the shady class."</p> + +<p>"He—he led the whole business," put in Bluckburn. He began to think it +time to clear himself. "I only acted under his orders."</p> + +<p>"It's too late fer ye ter open yer mouth," was the way Ike Watson cut +him short. "Go on, Slavin. Whar's Barnaby Winthrop? Straight, now, +remember."</p> + +<p>Thus admonished, Slavin told the location of the cave in which the old +prospector was held, as well as he was able.</p> + +<p>"I don't know the lay o' the land exactly, but I'm comin' purty nigh +it."</p> + +<p>"Would you know the spot if you were in the vicinity?" asked Allen, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I think I would."</p> + +<p>"Then we must take him along," said the young ranchman to Ike Watson. +"But what shall we do with Bluckburn?"</p> + +<p>"He ought ter be lynched right now," was the old hunter's stern reply. +During his days among the rough characters of the mountains he and his +companions had had small use for jails and lockups. The law of the land, +so called, was administered on the spot.</p> + +<p>A long discussion followed, which ended in a determination to take +Bluckburn back to Daddy Wampole's place. They would leave him there a +prisoner, and then take Slavin along with them, that he might locate +Barnaby Winthrop's place of confinement.</p> + +<p>Bluckburn was secured on his horse's back, and Slavin was disarmed, and +in less than half an hour the return to the crossroads hotel was begun.</p> + +<p>It was a long and tedious ride to Allen who was impatient to be off to +find his uncle. But it could not be helped, and Allen bore it as +patiently as he was able.</p> + +<p>Daddy Wampole was as much surprised as he well could be to see them ride +up with their prisoner. He listened with deep interest to the tale +Allen, Watson, and Noel Urner had to tell.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll keep him a prisoner," he said at the conclusion. "An' take my +word on it, he shan't escape."</p> + +<p>"And it won't be long before we have Captain Grady, too," said Allen, +never dreaming of what was taking place at home in the meanwhile.</p> + +<p>Bluckburn was exceedingly downcast over his turn of fortune. He insisted +that Captain Grady was totally to blame, but this statement no one felt +inclined to believe.</p> + +<p>Slavin showed himself more than willing now to do all in his power to +redeem himself and his reputation. Yet neither Ike Watson nor Allen +could trust him with so much as a pistol.</p> + +<p>"You jes' ride on ahead, an' if thar's any trouble we'll look out fer +ye," was the way Watson put it, and with this Slavin had to be content.</p> + +<p>A long and exceedingly rough journey now lay before the three, a journey +destined to try their patience to the utmost.</p> + +<p>"But we will have to make the best of it," said Allen. "And I don't care +what we have to put up with so long as we find my uncle safe and sound."</p> + +<p>"Thet's the talk," answered Watson. "Can't expect ter have every comfort +out in these yere parts nohow."</p> + +<p>The sun had been shining brightly, but presently the sky became +overcast.</p> + +<p>"Unless I am mistaken we are close to a storm," observed Noel, as he +surveyed the heavens anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Thet's wot," came from Watson. "An' I allow as how it will be a putty +heavy one when it comes."</p> + +<p>"We've had storms enough lately," said Allen. "I want no more of them."</p> + +<p>They continued on their way as rapidly as the nature of the ground to be +covered permitted. Occasionally Slavin grumbled at being pushed on so +fast but Watson soon put a stop to his mutterings.</p> + +<p>"No ust ter grumble, Slavin," he said. "Ye kin be thankful thet ye +wasn't shot down like a dog."</p> + +<p>"But I'm not feelin' well," pleaded the evil doer.</p> + +<p>"Ain't ye? Wall, what ye want is exercise," was Watson's sarcastic +rejoinder. "So trot along, an' no more parley about it," and Slavin went +along, but with a face that looked far from pleasant.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the raindrops began to fall, at first scatteringly +and then in a steady downpour. It was a cold rain and made one and +another of the little party shiver.</p> + +<p>"I must say I don't like this," said Allen, when he was more than half +soaked through. "I wonder if we can't find shelter until the worst of +this is over?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can," said Noel. "Although I don't see many large trees +handy."</p> + +<p>"Might be as how's thar's a cave around," said Watson. "Anyway, we'll +keep our eyes peeled fer one."</p> + +<p>This they did and a quarter of a mile further on came to something of a +cliff overlooking a rocky valley. At the base of the cliff were a number +of rough openings and one of these openings led to a cave of no mean +size.</p> + +<p>"Jes' the ticket!" cried Watson, as he dismounted and entered the +opening. "We can stay here all night an' by thet time the storm will be +a thing o' the past. We ain't none too soon either," he added.</p> + +<p>Watson was right, for scarcely had all of the party entered the cavern +than the storm let down in all of its fury. The landscape was blotted +out and all became darker than ever.</p> + +<p>"Ye set down on thet rock," commanded Watson to Slavin. "An' don't ye +dare ter stir if ye know when yer well off."</p> + +<p>"I ain't stirrin'," growled the prisoner.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, although he spoke thus, Slavin had his eyes wide open. He +intended to escape if it were possible to do so, fearing that all would +not go well with him even though he had confessed to his captors.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Fighting a Wolverine</span></h3> + + +<p>"I think we had better make a fire," suggested Allen, after the horses +had been tied up in a place that was comparatively dry.</p> + +<p>"Right ye air, Allen," returned Watson. "Pervidin' we can find some +firewood."</p> + +<p>"Here is a tree branch," said Noel, pointing it out in a dark corner of +the cavern. "But we may have some trouble in breaking it up."</p> + +<p>"Ho! ho!" laughed Watson. "It's easy ter see ye ain't very strong. We'll +break thet up in a jiffy; eh, Slavin?"</p> + +<p>"What do ye want?" growled the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Want ye ter help break up some firewood."</p> + +<p>"Me?"</p> + +<p>"Persackly, Slavin. Reckon as how ye want ter git as warm as anybody. +Wall, ye kin start in by doin' some work."</p> + +<p>Slavin demurred but his protest was unavailing and soon he and Watson +were breaking up the large part of the tree branch, Noel looking on in +wonder and Allen assisting on the smaller portions.</p> + +<p>"My, but you are strong," said Noel, in open admiration. "I'd give a +good deal for your muscles."</p> + +<p>"Ye'll get the same, if ye stay out hyer long enough," answered Watson, +"It's the mountain air as does it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, come, Watson, you know you are extra strong," put in Allen. "Why, +he can do some wonderful things when he wants to." To this Watson made +no reply, but the grin on his face showed that he appreciated the +compliment.</p> + +<p>Soon they had a roaring fire, which threw grotesque shadows on the +cavern walls. All drew closer to enjoy the warmth, and they prepared a +meal to which even Slavin did full justice.</p> + +<p>They questioned the prisoner closely and he said he felt certain he was +on the right trail. But he was shy about saying more. He was wondering +if the coming night would offer any opportunity of escaping.</p> + +<p>"I'll get away if I can," he thought. "And if so I must lose no time in +warning Mangle and Nodley. If I don't they'll be running into a trap, +and my share of that stolen money will be lost."</p> + +<p>After the meal Allen and Watson remained near the entrance to the cave, +to talk over the situation and speculate upon what the day following +would bring forth.</p> + +<p>Slavin wanted to join them, but Allen ordered him back.</p> + +<p>"You go back to the fire," he said. "If you want to go to sleep you may +do so."</p> + +<p>"Don't trust me even yet, do ye?" muttered the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"I do not."</p> + +<p>"Ye're rather hard on a chap wot is trying ter do ye a good turn."</p> + +<p>"It remains to be seen if it is a good turn or not, Slavin. You may be +putting up a job on us."</p> + +<p>"No, I swear it's all right, Winthrop. Ye'll find everything jest as I +told ye."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. But you go back to the fire," and Slavin went back, but with a +look on his face that rivaled the black clouds in the heavens outside.</p> + +<p>Soon the prisoner was curled up close to the fire and he closed his eyes +as if in slumber, but he kept as wide awake as before.</p> + +<p>While Allen and Watson were talking at the entrance to the cavern, Noel, +out of idle curiosity, procured a torch from the camp fire and went on a +tour of observation.</p> + +<p>The cavern proved to be a narrow and rambling affair, being nothing more +or less than a split in the mountain side. The floor was uneven and back +from the entrance arose in a series of rough steps.</p> + +<p>Up these steps climbed the young man until he had gained a position +fully fifty feet above the mouth of the cavern.</p> + +<p>At a great distance he heard the falling of water, as the rain swept +over some rocks at a rear entrance to the cavern.</p> + +<p>Curious to see where the cavern led to be continued his climbing until +the light of the camp fire was left far behind.</p> + +<p>His torch was burning low but he whirled it into a blaze and went on +once more.</p> + +<p>Occasionally he slipped, for the rocks were now wet, but this did not +daunt him.</p> + +<p>At last he reached a spot where the water was flowing in a miniature +waterfall. There was an opening over his head but it was out of reach.</p> + +<p>"This must be a pretty place in the daylight," he mused. "What grand +scenery on every hand throughout this State!"</p> + +<p>Of a sudden more than the usual amount of water came down and some of it +hit the torch, extinguishing it instantly.</p> + +<p>"Confound the luck," he murmured, and felt in his pocket for a match.</p> + +<p>While he was searching for the article, he heard a strange noise +overhead, close to the waterfall.</p> + +<p>He listened and the noise was followed by the unmistakable growl of a +wild beast.</p> + +<p>A wolverine had strayed close to the waterfall and had slipped on the +rocks to a shelf below.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds the ferocious beast clung to the ledge, then slipped +again and landed at Noel's feet!</p> + +<p>The wolverine is one of the most ferocious beasts to be met with +anywhere. It is not unlike the bear in general make-up, but has a more +pointed head and a bushy tail. It is said that, generally speaking, a +wolverine will not eat anything else if it can get meat.</p> + +<p>As soon as the wolverine smelled the presence of a human being he let +out a growl that seemed to strike to Noel's very backbone.</p> + +<p>Letting the match he had pulled from his pocket drop, the young man felt +for his pistol and brought forth the weapon with all possible speed.</p> + +<p>Bang! The weapon was discharged and the bullet clipped the wolverine on +the left side of the head. Then with a snarl that was almost a scream, +the ferocious animal hurled itself upon Noel.</p> + +<p>"Help! help!" cried the young man.</p> + +<p>He felt that he was in an exceedingly perilous position and that +assistance was absolutely necessary. In the darkness he thought he had +been attacked by a mountain bear.</p> + +<p>The wolverine managed to reach his shoulder, but Noel made a quick twist +and freed himself. Then the young man fired a second shot.</p> + +<p>The wolverine was now hit in the side, but the wound was far from fatal +or even serious, and it only made the creature scream louder. With +blazing eyes and gleaming teeth, it crouched low and prepared to spring +for Noel's throat.</p> + +<p>The young man knew that almost all wild beasts are fearful of fire but +he did not know how the beast before him regarded water. Yet as he fired +a third shot he stepped close up to the rocks, so that the water from +the fall might pour over his person.</p> + +<p>The third report echoed throughout the cavern as loudly as had the +others, while the bullet flew a foot over the wolverine's head. Then the +savage beast made a second leap at Noel and caught the young man by the +arm. The weight of the animal made Noel lose his balance, and man and +wolverine rolled over on the cavern floor together.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Disappearance of Slavin</span></h3> + + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>The exclamation came from Allen as he broke off short in his +conversation with Watson.</p> + +<p>The cry from Noel had reached his ears and the cry was quickly followed +by the first of the pistol shots.</p> + +<p>"He's in trouble, thet's wot!" cried the old hunter. "Hark, thar's +another shot!"</p> + +<p>He bounded back to the camp fire, but quick as was his movement, Allen +was ahead of him. Both felt that Noel's peril must be extreme.</p> + +<p>"Get a torch!" cried Watson, and caught up a burning brand.</p> + +<p>"What of Slavin?" questioned Allen, but then, as the second shot rang +out, he waited no longer, but with a torch in one hand and his gun in +the other, he darted up the rocky steps as fast as he could. Watson was +beside him, with pistol drawn, his gun resting on the side of the cave +below.</p> + +<p>It took but a few seconds to gain the vicinity of the little waterfall +but before they came up they heard the third shot and another yell from +Noel.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" burst from Allen's throat, as he beheld the awful scene.</p> + +<p>Noel was lying partly on his back, with one foot pressed against the +wolverine's stomach. The wild beast still held the young man by the arm.</p> + +<p>Allen realized that whatever good was to be done must be done instantly, +and without stopping to think twice he blazed away at the wolverine, +twice in quick succession. Watson likewise fired, and the creature was +struck each time. With a yelp that was almost human the wolverine +turned, let go his hold on Noel, and leaped for Allen.</p> + +<p>"Take care!" yelled Watson, and then fired another shot, just as the +wolverine, unable to reach Allen's throat, made a clutch at his left +leg. The shot from the old hunter took the beast directly in the right +eye, piercing his brain, and he fell over like a lump of lead, to move +no more.</p> + +<p>"A close shave fer ye," remarked Watson, when he saw that Allen was +uninjured. "A big one, too," he went on, shoving the wolverine with his +foot. "How are ye, Urner?"</p> + +<p>"I—I guess I am not much hurt!" gasped Noel, when he felt able to +speak. "The beast bit me in the arm though."</p> + +<p>"It's lucky he wasn't after gittin' at yer throat. I knowed a man onct +as got a nip in the throat from a wolverine that made him pass in his +checks then an' thar."</p> + +<p>"It was a terrible encounter! I thought I was a goner sure."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you have a torch?" questioned Allen.</p> + +<p>"I did, but the water struck it and put it out."</p> + +<p>"The darkness was what made the critter so bold," remarked Watson. +"They're afeered o' fire, jes' like most o' wild beasts."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my, we forgot Slavin!" burst suddenly from Allen's lips. "I'll +wager a horse he has dusted out!"</p> + +<p>"Ye're right," returned Watson, and began to make his way back to the +camp fire with all speed, and with Allen close beside him. Noel was too +weak to run and had to walk. He was still very white and his limbs +trembled under him because of the unusual excitement.</p> + +<p>The camp fire gained, it needed but a single glance around to convince +them that Slavin had indeed gone.</p> + +<p>"Took my shootin' iron, too, consarn him!" ejaculated Ike Watson. "What +fools we wuz ter leave him yere alone!"</p> + +<p>"We saved Noel's life by the operation," answered Allen.</p> + +<p>"Thet's so, too, but——"</p> + +<p>"You hate to see him get away. So do I, and—Look!"</p> + +<p>"What now?"</p> + +<p>"He has taken one of the horses, too!"</p> + +<p>Allen was right, the best of the horses was gone.</p> + +<p>"He ain't got much o' a start," said Watson. "So let us git arfter him +hot-footed."</p> + +<p>"I am with you on that, Watson; he must not get away under any +circumstances. If he does——"</p> + +<p>"We won't be able to git on the trail o' yer uncle."</p> + +<p>"That's it."</p> + +<p>Both were soon in the saddle, and shouted back to Noel to keep the fire +burning and wait for their return. Then away they dashed into the +midnight darkness.</p> + +<p>The storm still continued and the rain poured down with a steadiness +that was dismal enough to contemplate. But to the discomfort Allen gave +scant heed.</p> + +<p>"He must not get away," he said, to himself, over and over again. "We +must capture him and make him take us to where the gang have Uncle +Barnaby a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Right ye air, Allen."</p> + +<p>To follow a trail under such circumstances was not easy, yet they found +some tracks in the soft dirt directly in front of the cliff and these +led on the back trail and then to where there was a deep ravine between +the rocky slopes of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Half a mile was covered and Watson called a halt.</p> + +<p>"Ye want ter go slow yere," he cautioned, "I don't like the looks o' +this territory nohow."</p> + +<p>"What is wrong with it?"</p> + +<p>"Full o' holes, fer one thing, and water under the surface. We'll go +slow," and they did.</p> + +<p>Occasionally it lightened and by the flashes of light they made out a +fringe of woods skirting the hollow. The wind was coming up and this +swept through the trees with a mournful sound.</p> + +<p>They were moving with care when they heard a sudden yell ahead. It was +Slavin calling to his horse.</p> + +<p>"Back up!" they heard him cry. "Back, hang ye! De ye want ter pitch me +in a hole?" And then followed a savage muttering they could not make +out.</p> + +<p>"We've got him!" cried Watson. "Come—but be careful, be careful."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to dismount," said Allen, and did so and led his steed +forward along the trail which the rain had made slippery and +treacherous.</p> + +<p>Watson likewise got down and they now had to wait for another flash of +lightning to show them just where they were. As the flash came Allen +gave a look ahead.</p> + +<p>"Well, I never!" he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"Wot did ye see?" came quickly from the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"Slavin has tumbled down and the horse with him."</p> + +<p>"Then we've got the rascal sure!"</p> + +<p>They plunged forward again. The trail was narrower than ever and the +gully, or hollow, was on one side, and a fringe of mountain brush on the +other.</p> + +<p>Presently they heard something which served to increase their surprise. +Slavin was groaning as if in extreme pain.</p> + +<p>"The fall hurt him," said Allen, "Look after my horse, will you? I am +going ahead."</p> + +<p>He hurried on around a slight turn of the trail and through a clump of +bushes and trees growing close to the edge of the hollow. As he emerged +from the bushes a sight met his gaze that thrilled him to the backbone.</p> + +<p>Slavin had fallen over the edge of the trail at a point where lay a huge +half-rotted trunk of a tree. The trunk of the tree had slipped in the +wet, rolled partly over the man, and was slowly but surely crushing the +life out of him!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Allen Shows His Bravery</span></h3> + + +<p>"Slavin!"</p> + +<p>"Hel-help!" gasped the poor wretch. "Help! For the love of Heaven, help +me!"</p> + +<p>"How did you get under the tree trunk?"</p> + +<p>"My horse kicked me and I fell. I tried to save myself from going into +the hollow. Please help me!"</p> + +<p>"Thet's wot ye git fer runnin' away," put in Watson, who had appeared on +the scene.</p> + +<p>"Don't—don't talk! Save me!" was Slavin's only answer.</p> + +<p>"We'll do what we can for you," returned Allen.</p> + +<p>Yet even as he spoke he realized how difficult, not to say dangerous, +was the task which lay before him.</p> + +<p>Should he attempt to roll the log over it might catch him just as it had +caught the suffering wretch now under it.</p> + +<p>"Take care, Allen!" warned Watson. "The bank here is mighty slippery."</p> + +<p>"I know it," was the answer. "Watson, can you hold yonder branch?"</p> + +<p>"Wait till I tether the hosses."</p> + +<p>This was done as quickly as possible and then the old hunter caught hold +of the branch Allen had mentioned.</p> + +<p>Allen got down under the lower end of the fallen tree and caught Slavin +by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Can't you turn over?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I—I—can't budge!" was the low answer. And then with a groan the +prisoner became insensible.</p> + +<p>"He has fainted!" cried Allen, to Watson. "Pull on that branch for all +you are worth."</p> + +<p>"I'm a-pullin'."</p> + +<p>Still the tree trunk did not budge, for one end was embedded in the mud +lying on the edge of the bank.</p> + +<p>Allen was determined to save the poor wretch who was slowly but surely +having his chest crushed in by the sinking tree. Finding he could not +move the tree he called on Watson to hold fast as before.</p> + +<p>"Ye can't do nothin', Allen," protested the old hunter. "Come away +afore the tree rolls over an' crushes ye too!"</p> + +<p>"It won't roll if you hold fast," Allen answered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it will, when it starts. I can't git nothin' ter brace ag'in +here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to do my best and you must hold back as long as you +can," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Getting down on his knees, Allen began to scoop away the loose dirt with +his hands, working directly under Slavin's body. It was hard work and +broke his finger nails, but he kept on and at last had quite a hole +made.</p> + +<p>"Now hold hard, I'm going to pull!" he shouted to Watson, and the old +hunter held as hard as he could. Then Allen pulled with might and main +and at last had the satisfaction of getting the senseless body of Slavin +free from its awful pressure.</p> + +<p>"Quick, the tree is a-goin'!" came from Watson. "Give me yer hand!"</p> + +<p>He reached forth and at the same time the tree began to slide down the +hollow, directly in Allen's pathway. Allen had Slavin in his arms by +this time. He made a leap and got on top of the tree, and just as the +trunk went down Watson caught him and held tight.</p> + +<p>"A close call an' no error!" cried Watson, when Allen was safe on the +trail once more. "Ye came within an ace o' goin' into the hollow with +the tree on top o' ye!"</p> + +<p>"I guess Slavin's pretty badly hurt," said Allen, when he could get back +his breath. "That trunk had him pinned down for fair. He would have been +crushed in another minute or two. What shall we do with him?"</p> + +<p>"Wait till I catch his hoss an' we'll take him back to the cave," +answered Watson.</p> + +<p>To catch the animal was not difficult and close at hand they found the +gun Slavin had stolen. Then while Allen carried the firearms and led one +horse and rode another, Watson took up the unconscious man in his arms +and followed on his own steed to the cave.</p> + +<p>They found Noel sitting by the fire nursing his lacerated arm. The wound +was an ugly affair but by no means dangerous, and after it was washed +and bandaged it felt a great deal better, although the arm was bound to +be stiff for several weeks to come and sore in the bargain.</p> + +<p>"Got him, I see," remarked the young man, as he glanced at Slavin. +"What's the trouble, did you have to shoot him?"</p> + +<p>"No, he got under a fallen tree," answered Allen.</p> + +<p>The unconscious man was placed in a comfortable position near the fire, +which was heaped up with fresh wood, that all might dry themselves, and +Watson went to work to restore Slavin.</p> + +<p>This was no mean task and it was a good half hour before the man opened +his eyes to stare about him.</p> + +<p>"I—I—where am I?" he stammered.</p> + +<p>"Yer safe," answered Watson, laconically.</p> + +<p>"That tree—Did I go over into the hollow?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"How did I escape?"</p> + +<p>"Allen Winthrop saved ye."</p> + +<p>"He did!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Slavin; he's yer best friend, if ye only know it," went on the old +hunter warmly.</p> + +<p>"But I—don't—don't understand."</p> + +<p>In a few words Watson explained the situation to which Slavin listened +with much interest. Then his eyes rested on Allen.</p> + +<p>"I'm much erbliged ter ye," he said slowly, and his manner showed he +meant it.</p> + +<p>"You were a fool ter try ter git away," went on Watson.</p> + +<p>"I know thet—now," muttered the hurt one.</p> + +<p>"Don't ye know I would have plugged ye on sight?"</p> + +<p>"Would ye?"</p> + +<p>"Sartain shur, Slavin."</p> + +<p>"Wall, I won't give ye another chance," responded Slavin, with a heavy +sigh.</p> + +<p>"Ye won't git the chance, ye mean," said the old hunter, significantly.</p> + +<p>"All right, jes' as ye please, Watson. But if thet young feller saved my +life why I'm——"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make it up ter him, thet's all."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that you will lead us without any further trouble?" +questioned Allen eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Thet's wot I do mean, an' I'll swear ter it if ye want me ter," added +Slavin, solemnly.</p> + +<p>"You needn't swear, Slavin."</p> + +<p>"But I mean it, Winthrop. I may be a bad man, but I ain't so all-fired +bad as ter forgit a man when he does me a good turn," went on the +sufferer, with increased earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will take you at your word."</p> + +<p>"But I can't go on just yet. I've got a terrible pain in my breast, +here."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have. We shan't move to-night and maybe not to-morrow. It +will depend upon how Noel Urner feels."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll go on," said Noel. "But I think a little rest here will do us +all good," he added, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ye all need it," put in Watson. "An' now I want all o' ye to turn +in an' git some sleep. I'll stay on guard."</p> + +<p>"But not all night," insisted Allen. "Wake me at two or three o'clock."</p> + +<p>And so it was arranged.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">A Buffalo Stampede</span></h3> + + +<p>Allen went on duty at three o'clock and remained on guard until six, +when the others awoke.</p> + +<p>The sun was showing itself in the east and all that remained of the +storm were a few scattering drops.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel?" asked Allen of Noel.</p> + +<p>"Fairly well, although the arm is stiff, Allen." And the young man +continued: "What shall we do with the wolverine?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, unless you want the pelt."</p> + +<p>"I never want to see the beast again," said Noel, with a shudder for +which Allen could not blame him.</p> + +<p>"Then let him lie for the other wild beasts to feed upon."</p> + +<p>When Watson arose Allen had breakfast ready and all ate without delay. +Even Slavin got around, but it was plain to see that he was suffering.</p> + +<p>"I want ter show ye I mean ter do what I said," he told Allen. "I'll go +on if I drop in my tracks."</p> + +<p>"We won't start just yet, Slavin," answered Allen, "and when we do we'll +take it rather easy, both for your benefit and for Mr. Urner's."</p> + +<p>It was past ten o'clock when they left the cave. Their horses were much +refreshed by the rest taken, and despite Slavin's hurts fair progress +was made along the foothills.</p> + +<p>It was a lonely section of the State through which they were traveling +and Allen could not help mentioning this fact to Ike Watson. But at his +words the old hunter merely laughed.</p> + +<p>"Lonely," he snorted. "Gosh all hemlock, Allen, it ain't half as lonely +as it used ter be, not by a jugful. Why, I remember the time ye could +ride fer days an' days an' see nuthin' but buffalo or some other wild +critters."</p> + +<p>"The buffalo are almost all gone now, aren't they?"</p> + +<p>"Putty much, an' it's a great shame, too, fer they were fine game. But +them sports used ter come out west an' kill 'em off by the score, worse +luck! Didn't want 'em fer nuthin' either!" And Watson shook his head +sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>"Were you ever caught in a buffalo stampede, Ike?"</p> + +<p>"Onct, Allen, onct, an' it's an experience I'll never fergit as long as +I live."</p> + +<p>"I should like to hear the particulars."</p> + +<p>"Thet ain't really much ter tell, Allen. I wuz out on Crazy Tom Mountain +at the time. Reckon ye know the place."</p> + +<p>"Fairly well."</p> + +<p>"Well, it wuz while the buffalo had been over to the Fork. Grazin' +wuzn't very good thet season an' the critters wuz rather ugly in +consequence."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've heard they get bad when their feed is cut short."</p> + +<p>"As I wuz sayin', I wuz up alongside o' Crazy Tom Mountain, looking fer +b'ar, an' I had jes' struck a fine trail when I heered a curious sound +on the tudder side o' the hill. I couldn't make it out nohow at fust, +but byme-by I thought it must be buffalo, an' I wuz right."</p> + +<p>"Did they come right down on you?"</p> + +<p>"No, worse luck, they didn't. If they hed I might have scooted to one +side or tudder. But instead o' comin' straight over the +mountain—'tain's high, ye remember—they came around on both sides, +an' afore I knowed it, I wuz right in the middle o' 'em."</p> + +<p>"What did you do?" asked Allen, as Watson paused reflectively.</p> + +<p>"At fust I didn't know what ter do persackly. I shot one of 'em, but +bless ye, thet wuzn't nuthin', and I calkerlated as how I'd have ter +ride fer it. Then of a sudden my hoss got scared and shot me over his +head into a big thorn bush and made off like a streak o' greased +lightnin', leaving me alone."</p> + +<p>"With the buffalo all around you?"</p> + +<p>"Jes' so, more'n twenty o' 'em, an' more'n a hundred others comin' up +fast as they could leg it. I kin tell ye I wuz in a fix an' no error."</p> + +<p>"It must have hurt you to land in the thorn bush?"</p> + +<p>"Hurt? Wall say, it wuz like bein' dumped into a pit full o' daggers, +that wuz! Hain't fergot the awful stickin' pain yit an' never will! But +bein' chucked into thet thorn bush saved my life."</p> + +<p>"Didn't the buffalo touch the bush?"</p> + +<p>"Nary a one. They would come up close, on a dead run, an' then shy like +a skittish hoss afore a bit o' white paper. Time an' ag'in I thought +one would heave hisself atop o' me an' squash me, but the time didn't +come. Say, but it wuz a sight, that wuz!" went on Watson earnestly. +"Them buffalo was mad, clean stark mad, and trampled all over each +other. The stampede at thet p'int didn't last more 'n three minutes an' +arfter it wuz over thar wuz five buffalo dead less than four yards away +from me!"</p> + +<p>"Tramped to death by the others?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, smashed up too. Ye never saw sech a sight. Arfter thet ye can +calkerlate I keep clear o' all other stampedes," concluded the old +hunter.</p> + +<p>Talking over one thing and another the party moved along until about one +o'clock, when a halt was made for dinner.</p> + +<p>Allen found that Noel was suffering but little but his arm was well +bandaged. Slavin, however, was pale.</p> + +<p>"You need a rest, Slavin," he said, kindly.</p> + +<p>"I reckon ye air right," was the faint response. "Didn't calkerlate ter +git sech an all-gone feelin'."</p> + +<p>"We'll rest until the worst of the heat is over; eh, Ike?"</p> + +<p>"Jes' as ye say," answered the old hunter.</p> + +<p>They found an inviting spot in a small grove of trees close to a spring +and a brook, and proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Slavin was +glad enough to drop into a light doze.</p> + +<p>"He's a changed man, unless I miss my guess," said Allen to Noel.</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, Allen. That adventure took him so close to death +I fancy it rather awakened his conscience."</p> + +<p>"I hope he does turn over a new leaf. He doesn't appear such a bad +fellow at heart."</p> + +<p>"You are right. I suppose some men get bad out here simply because they +haven't any good example to follow. They cut loose from their old +associates and fall in with the wrong sort."</p> + +<p>"That's just it, and it's so much easier to find the wrong sort than the +right sort. Some men think life altogether too slow unless they are +doing something against the law."</p> + +<p>Allen, as he rested, could not help but think of his two brothers. What +were Chet and Paul doing? He sincerely trusted all was going well with +them.</p> + +<p>"They ought to be old enough to take care of themselves," said Noel. +"You mustn't worry too much on their account."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have to be on guard out here night and day, Noel. You really +don't know who to trust."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know that."</p> + +<p>"Just think of what my uncle has suffered, and of what he may be +suffering this minute. It is enough to make one's blood boil!"</p> + +<p>"It may not be as bad as you imagine, Allen. Your uncle must know a +thing or two."</p> + +<p>"Of course, but one man can't do much against three or four, or half a +dozen. Those rascals will do all in their power to bring him to terms, +rest assured of that."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am willing to push on at any time you say."</p> + +<p>"I'll push on as fast as Slavin can travel. I can't do more than that. +If he caves in on our hands we'll have no means of finding out anything +more about my uncle's whereabouts."</p> + +<p>"He can't be shamming, can he?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. He was caught under the tree and I wouldn't have been +in his position for a thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Then don't push him any harder than you dare. To me he looks like a +fellow who might be getting a fever."</p> + +<p>"I noticed that. But I hope he doesn't," concluded Allen.</p> + +<p>But the fever was coming and by nightfall all of the others saw that +Slavin was in a bad way. He sat up and began to talk wildly.</p> + +<p>"Let me go! Take the tree from me!" he cried. "I haven't got the money! +Oh, how do ye do Mr. Winthrop. Glad to see me, eh? And how is that new +mine, an' what kind of a trade are ye goin' to make with Captain Grady, +eh? Ha! ha! The cave by the seven pines! A good hiding place, the seven +pines! Let me go, the tree is crushing me!" And then he fell back almost +exhausted.</p> + +<p>"He won't travel any more, not jes' yet," said Watson, soberly. "He's up +ag'in a long spell o' sickness."</p> + +<p>"Did you hear what he said about Captain Grady?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"I did. He must be in this game, too. An' the seven pines."</p> + +<p>"The cave must be at a place called the seven pines," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"If it is I think I know the spot," answered Ike Watson. "I ran across +'em seven pines two years ago. They air about two miles from here, on +the other side o' the mountain. We'll have ter go around ter git ter +'em."</p> + +<p>An hour later Allen and Watson left Slavin in Noel Urner's care and +struck out for the place on the other side of the mountain which the old +hunter had mentioned.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Long Lost Found</span></h3> + + +<p>Before leaving camp both Allen and Ike Watson saw to it that their +weapons were in good condition and ready for immediate use.</p> + +<p>"No tellin' what we may run up ag'inst," said the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am ready to fight, if it comes to that," returned Allen, +grimly. "But I would rather take the enemy by surprise."</p> + +<p>"Thet would be the best way, Allen. But fust we must locate thet cave."</p> + +<p>The ride around the mountain was a rather trying one and from a gallop +they had to slow down to a walk. In some spots the trail was much cut up +and the mud was deep, while in others they had to pick their way over +rocks which were as smooth as they were dangerous.</p> + +<p>"Look thar," said Watson, as he paused on a spur of the rocks. "Thar's a +tumble fer ye!"</p> + +<p>He pointed to a canyon all of five hundred feet deep and Allen had to +draw back after looking into the awful depth.</p> + +<p>"If a fellow should tumble here he would never live to tell it," said +the young ranchman. "This would be a bad trail to follow in the dark."</p> + +<p>Moving away from the spur of rocks overlooking the canyon, they turned +to the northwest and plunged through a forest of cedar and hemlock. Here +the wild birds were numerous and Allen was tempted to bring some of them +down with his gun, but Watson demurred.</p> + +<p>"No use o' makin' too much noise," he explained. "Remember, somebody may +be on guard up at thet cave."</p> + +<p>"Slavin said he thought only an old woman had been left in charge—a +woman who claimed to be Darry Nodley's wife."</p> + +<p>"Didn't know as how thet rascal hed a wife."</p> + +<p>"That is what Slavin said."</p> + +<p>"It might be the truth, and then ag'in, it might not. We don't want ter +believe too much, Allen."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, Ike. But I think Slavin was really anxious to help us +after we did him that good turn."</p> + +<p>The old hunter shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps; but I've seen too much +foul play in my time ter trust everybody. Thar may be a woman up thar, +an' thar may be some men-folks too."</p> + +<p>So the talk ran on and they gradually drew closer to where the old +hunter had once seen the seven pine trees. To one not used to a life in +the open, to remember such a locality after two years' absence would +have been difficult, but it was not so with Ike Watson.</p> + +<p>"Can't fool me on a thing like this," he said, flatly. "Onct I see a +place it hangs in my mind forever. Same way with a trail. Why onct I +struck a trail in the south o' the State, kind o' a mixed trail too. I +didn't see thet trail fer nigh onto six years, but when I did see it +ag'in I knew it jes' as quick as I clapped eyes on it."</p> + +<p>"I believe you," replied the young ranchman. "You have an eye like a +hawk," and in that Allen was right.</p> + +<p>The sun was sinking low in the west when they came out of a defile in +the rocks and the old hunter pointed to a valley on the opposite side of +the foothills below them.</p> + +<p>"Do ye see them, over thar?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>Allen gave a long look.</p> + +<p>"I do—seven pines, sure enough!"</p> + +<p>"Told ye I'd remember the spot!" cried Watson, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"But where is the cave?" went on the young ranchman.</p> + +<p>"Like as not it's close by. Come, before the sun goes down an' it gits +too dark."</p> + +<p>Soon they were making their way along the foothills at the lower side of +the mountain. They had to pass through considerable brush and while they +were doing this Watson suddenly halted and pointed to his side.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Allen, as he also halted.</p> + +<p>"If thet ain't a putty fresh trail then I miss my guess."</p> + +<p>"It does look fresh, Ike."</p> + +<p>"Ain't over twenty-four hours old, nohow," went on the old hunter. +"Allen, I reckon we have struck it about right."</p> + +<p>"But I see nothing of a cave."</p> + +<p>"Let us follow the trail. The cave may not be persackly by the pines but +in sight o' them, do ye see?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Thet trail is almost in the direction I wuz goin'," continued Watson. +"So we won't miss much if we go wrong. Forward it is!"</p> + +<p>And again they struck out, this time with increased confidence. As they +progressed the old hunter examined the hoof marks from time to time and +said he was certain two horsemen had passed that way.</p> + +<p>But just as they were coming to the end of the foothills they reached a +mountain water course and here the trail came to an abrupt end.</p> + +<p>"We are stumped now," said Allen, after both had crossed to the other +side of the stream.</p> + +<p>"I ain't a-givin' up jes' yet," answered Watson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, neither am I. But where has the trail gone to?"</p> + +<p>"Let us move down the stream a bit," suggested the old hunter. "I don't +think the hossmen who made thet trail would stick ter the water very +long."</p> + +<p>On they went once more, and now in silence, for both felt that the cave +might be close at hand. The seven pines were still in view, standing +upon a hillock by themselves.</p> + +<p>At last they came to a spot where the water course broadened out into a +tiny lake. At this point there was another brook, coming down from a +spring upon the hillside.</p> + +<p>"The trail!" cried Allen, presently, and pointed it out.</p> + +<p>"Right ye air, Allen," returned Watson. "An' I reckon we air gittin' +close ter the end on it too," he added suggestively.</p> + +<p>But little more was said and they quickly followed the trail up to where +a wall of rocks arose, standing boldly out from the foothills and facing +the seven pines.</p> + +<p>"If I ain't mistaken thar's a cave over yonder," whispered Watson, +pointing with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Forward we go!" cried Allen, and dashed ahead, with his weapon ready +for use. Two minutes later a turn of the trail brought them into plain +view of a large cave in the cliff side.</p> + +<p>"Eureka!" began Watson, when Allen checked his speech.</p> + +<p>"Somebody is coming!" he whispered. "A woman! Get behind the brush!"</p> + +<p>He led the way and Watson followed, and both waited with bated breath. +Presently a woman passed them, carrying an empty water bucket. She was +bound for the spring just mentioned.</p> + +<p>"That must be the woman Slavin mentioned," went on Allen, in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>"Like as not," whispered the old hunter in return. "Shall we capture +her?"</p> + +<p>"No—wait."</p> + +<p>They waited and presently the woman came back with the bucket full of +water. She entered the cavern without looking around her.</p> + +<p>"Let us follow her on foot," suggested Allen, and they tied up their +horses. Soon the entrance to the cave was gained and they peered inside.</p> + +<p>For the moment they could see but little, for there was only a low fire +burning in the cavern. Then of a sudden Allen let out a wild cry:</p> + +<p>"Look! look! There is my Uncle Barnaby, tied fast to the rear wall!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Together at Last—Conclusion</span></h3> + + +<p>Allen spoke the truth. There, tied by strong ropes to a projecting rock, +was the uncle of the Winthrop boys.</p> + +<p>His face was pale and haggard, showing he had suffered much since his +confinement.</p> + +<p>Forgetting the woman, Allen dashed forward.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Barnaby! How glad I am that we have found you!" he cried loudly.</p> + +<p>"Who is that?" The prisoner sprang up from where he was resting. +"Allen!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, uncle! Are you not glad to see me?"</p> + +<p>"Glad is not a strong enough word, my boy!" was the reply from Barnaby +Winthrop, and as soon as Allen had released him he caught his nephew in +his arms. "I was praying to be rescued."</p> + +<p>"They have not treated you well, I can see that, uncle."</p> + +<p>"They have used me worse than a dog. They wanted to get my secret from +me, and used every means in their power to accomplish their purpose."</p> + +<p>"But they did not succeed, did they?"</p> + +<p>"No. I told them I would die rather than allow the scoundrels to get +rich through my instrumentality."</p> + +<p>A scuffle behind them stopped the conversation. Ike Watson was trying to +secure the woman, who was struggling desperately to get away.</p> + +<p>By biting and scratching the desperate female at last freed herself from +the old hunter's grasp. Then she bounded for the cave entrance. Watson +aimed his gun at her and then lowered the weapon.</p> + +<p>"Reckon I won't," he drawled. "Never did shoot at a woman, an' I'm too +old ter begin now. She don't count, anyhow!"</p> + +<p>And thus the woman was allowed to escape. She lost no time in quitting +the vicinity.</p> + +<p>The old hunter shook hands warmly with Barnaby Winthrop, who was profuse +in his thanks to Watson for what he had accomplished.</p> + +<p>"You shall lose nothing by what you have done, Ike," he said. "Just wait +till I open up that new claim."</p> + +<p>"Speaking of the claim, there is somebody else to see you," began Allen, +when the talk was interrupted by the clattering of horses' hoofs on the +rocks outside.</p> + +<p>"Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley!" exclaimed Allen, as he glanced down the +stony trail. "They are coming here, too!"</p> + +<p>"They belong to the gang," said Barnaby Winthrop.</p> + +<p>"Reckon ez how we can receive 'em all right," put in Ike Watson, dryly.</p> + +<p>As quickly as possible Barnaby Winthrop was provided with firearms.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!"</p> + +<p>It was Allen who let out the cry, loud enough for those who were +approaching to hear.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" asked his uncle.</p> + +<p>"Look back of them."</p> + +<p>All did so, and then a shout went up. There only a few hundred yards to +the rear, were Chet and Paul, trying their best to run down the horse +thieves, whom they had discovered but a short five minutes before.</p> + +<p>"We've got 'em corralled!" said Watson, grimly.</p> + +<p>"Look, there is Jack Blowfen, too!" ejaculated Allen, as the cowboy also +came into view.</p> + +<p>"Halt!"</p> + +<p>Ike Watson uttered the command.</p> + +<p>He ran into the open, followed by the others.</p> + +<p>A shout went up from Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley, and then another from +those in the rear.</p> + +<p>"There is Allen!"</p> + +<p>"There is Uncle Barnaby!"</p> + +<p>"Capture the horse thieves!"</p> + +<p>The two rascals were bewildered and paused, not knowing which way to +turn.</p> + +<p>They were quickly surrounded, and it was old Ike Watson who commanded +them to throw down their weapons.</p> + +<p>At first they felt inclined to refuse, but a glance at the stern faces +about them caused them to comply.</p> + +<p>"The jig is up!" muttered Saul Mangle, and Nodley groaned inwardly.</p> + +<p>There was another joyous greeting between uncle and nephews when Paul +and Chet rode up.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Jack Blowfen assisted Ike Watson in making prisoners of +Mangle and Nodley. The latter asked for his wife and seemed disappointed +to learn she could not share his captivity.</p> + +<p>Allen and Barnaby Winthrop were glad to learn that Captain Grady was a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"When I am done with him I warrant he'll not give any of us further +trouble," said the uncle of the boys.</p> + +<p>Before the party left the vicinity, Saul Mangle and Nodley were +searched, and from them were taken the seven hundred dollars which had +been stolen from the ranch home, as related at the beginning of this +story.</p> + +<p>The prisoners were removed to Daddy Wampole's hotel, and later on were +placed in the hands of the sheriff. The sheriff also took into custody +Captain Hank Grady and Lou Bluckburn. The colored man, Jeff Jones, was, +by the advice of Chet and Paul, allowed to go his own way on promise to +turn over a new leaf. Slavin was taken to a hospital and later on let +go.</p> + +<p>Several years have passed since the events above recorded took place. In +that period of time many important changes have occurred.</p> + +<p>The horse thieves and would-be claim stealers were all duly tried +according to law, and are now serving various terms of imprisonment. The +ranch belonging to Captain Grady was confiscated by creditors from +Deadwood and sold to Barnaby Winthrop, who turned it over to the three +boys to add to the ranch already belonging to them.</p> + +<p>The Winthrop mine is now in operation and is paying very well. It is +managed by Barnaby Winthrop himself, and Noel Urner owns a large block +of stock, which he considers the best investment he ever made.</p> + +<p>Caleb Dottery and Jack Blowfen manage the ranch jointly in connection +with their former work, doing this on shares for the Winthrop boys. As +for old Ike Watson, he still roams the hills and mountains. He can have +a good home with Barnaby Winthrop any time he wishes, but says he is not +yet ready to settle down.</p> + +<p>And Allen, Paul, and Chet? The three boys are all in San Francisco. +Allen is in college, and his two brothers are preparing to follow at a +well-known private school. Allen is to be a lawyer, and privately has a +notion he may enter politics as the State of Idaho grows in importance. +Paul is inclined to be a doctor. Chet has not yet settled the question +of a future occupation.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go in with Uncle Barnaby," he said a few days ago. "I love +the mountains too well to stick in any city. I'll become a mine owner +and speculator in claims and cattle."</p> + +<p>They are all happy together, and, come what may, will never forget their +adventures when they were left alone on the ranch to combat their many +unknown enemies.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Young Ranchmen, by Ralph Bonehill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YOUNG RANCHMEN *** + +***** This file should be named 33615-h.htm or 33615-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/6/1/33615/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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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