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diff --git a/39433.txt b/39433.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6707bd --- /dev/null +++ b/39433.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10673 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Merriwell's Backers, by Burt L. Standish + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Frank Merriwell's Backers + The Pride of His Friends + + +Author: Burt L. Standish + + + +Release Date: April 12, 2012 [eBook #39433] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S BACKERS*** + + +E-text prepared by Roger Frank, Demian Katz, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S BACKERS + + * * * * * + +EXCELLENT BOOKS OF GENEROUS LENGTH + + +THE NEW MEDAL LIBRARY + + _Issued Every Week._ :: _Price, 15 Cents_ + +This is a line of books for boys that is of peculiar excellence. There +is not a title in it that would not readily sell big if published in +cloth-bound edition at $1.00. One of the best features about these books +is that they are all of the highest moral tone, containing nothing that +could be objectionable to the most particular parents. Next in +importance, comes interest, with which every one of these books fairly +teems. No more vigorous or better literature for boys has ever been +published. New titles by high-priced authors are constantly being added, +making it more and more impossible for any publisher to imitate this +line. + + +ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT + + TO THE PUBLIC:--These books are sold by news dealers everywhere. If + your dealer does not keep them, and will not get them for you, send + direct to the publishers, in which case four cents must be added to + the price per copy to cover postage. + + 150--Frank Merriwell's School Days By Burt L. Standish + 167--Frank Merriwell's Chums By Burt L. Standish + 178--Frank Merriwell's Foes By Burt L. Standish + 184--Frank Merriwell's Trip West By Burt L. Standish + 189--Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish + 193--Frank Merriwell's Bravery By Burt L. Standish + 197--Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour By Burt L. Standish + 201--Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish + 205--Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish + 209--Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield By Burt L. Standish + 213--Frank Merriwell's Races By Burt L. Standish + 217--Frank Merriwell's Bicycle Tour By Burt L. Standish + 225--Frank Merriwell's Courage By Burt L. Standish + 229--Frank Merriwell's Daring By Burt L. Standish + 233--Frank Merriwell's Athletes By Burt L. Standish + 237--Frank Merriwell's Skill By Burt L. Standish + 240--Frank Merriwell's Champions By Burt L. Standish + 244--Frank Merriwell's Return to Yale By Burt L. Standish + 247--Frank Merriwell's Secret By Burt L. Standish + 251--Frank Merriwell's Danger By Burt L. Standish + 254--Frank Merriwell's Loyalty By Burt L. Standish + 258--Frank Merriwell in Camp By Burt L. Standish + 262--Frank Merriwell's Vacation By Burt L. Standish + 267--Frank Merriwell's Cruise By Burt L. Standish + 271--Frank Merriwell's Chase By Burt L. Standish + 276--Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish + 280--Frank Merriwell's Struggle By Burt L. Standish + 284--Frank Merriwell's First Job By Burt L. Standish + 288--Frank Merriwell's Opportunity By Burt L. Standish + 292--Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck By Burt L. Standish + 296--Frank Merriwell's Protege By Burt L. Standish + 300--Frank Merriwell On the Road By Burt L. Standish + 304--Frank Merriwell's Own Company By Burt L. Standish + 308--Frank Merriwell's Fame By Burt L. Standish + 312--Frank Merriwell's College Chums By Burt L. Standish + 316--Frank Merriwell's Problem By Burt L. Standish + 320--Frank Merriwell's Fortune By Burt L. Standish + 324--Frank Merriwell's New Comedian By Burt L. Standish + 328--Frank Merriwell's Prosperity By Burt L. Standish + 332--Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit By Burt L. Standish + 336--Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme By Burt L. Standish + 340--Frank Merriwell in England By Burt L. Standish + 344--Frank Merriwell On the Boulevards By Burt L. Standish + 348--Frank Merriwell's Duel By Burt L. Standish + 352--Frank Merriwell's Double Shot By Burt L. Standish + 356--Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories By Burt L. Standish + 359--Frank Merriwell's Confidence By Burt L. Standish + 362--Frank Merriwell's Auto By Burt L. Standish + 365--Frank Merriwell's Fun By Burt L. Standish + 368--Frank Merriwell's Generosity By Burt L. Standish + 371--Frank Merriwell's Tricks By Burt L. Standish + 374--Frank Merriwell's Temptations By Burt L. Standish + 376--The Rockspur Eleven By Burt L. Standish + 377--Frank Merriwell on Top By Burt L. Standish + 379--The Young Railroader's Wreck By Stanley Norris + 380--Frank Merriwell's Luck By Burt L. Standish + 381--Chums of the Prairie By St. George Rathborne + 382--The Yankee Middy By Oliver Optic + 383--Frank Merriwell's Mascot By Burt L. Standish + 384--Saved by the Enemy By Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N. + 385--The Young Railroader's Victory By Stanley Norris + 386--Frank Merriwell's Reward By Burt L. Standish + 387--Brave Old Salt By Oliver Optic + 388--Jack Harkaway's Struggles By Bracebridge Hemyng + 389--Frank Merriwell's Phantom By Burt L. Standish + 390--Frank's Campaign By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 391--The Rockspur Rivals By Burt L. Standish + 392--Frank Merriwell's Faith By Burt L. Standish + 393--The Starry Flag By Oliver Optic + 394--The Young Railroader's Long Run By Stanley Norris + 395--Frank Merriwell's Victories By Burt L. Standish + 396--Jack Brown, the Hero By Herbert Strang + 397--Breaking Away By Oliver Optic + 398--Frank Merriwell's Iron Nerve By Burt L. Standish + 399--Jack Lightfoot, the Athlete By Maxwell Stevens + 400--Tom Temple's Career By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 401--Frank Merriwell in Kentucky By Burt L. Standish + 402--The Young Railroader's Comrade By Stanley Norris + 403--Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands Bracebridge Hemyng + 404--Frank Merriwell's Power By Burt L. Standish + 405--Seek and Find By Oliver Optic + 406--Dan, the Newsboy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 407--Frank Merriwell's Shrewdness By Burt L. Standish + 408--Young Tom Burnaby By Herbert Strang + 409--The Young Railroader's Promotion By Stanley Norris + 410--Frank Merriwell's Setback By Burt L. Standish + 411--Jack Lightfoot's Crack Nine By Maxwell Stevens + 412--Freaks of Fortune By Oliver Optic + 413--Frank Merriwell's Search By Burt L. Standish + 414--The Train-boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 415--Jack Harkaway's Return By Bracebridge Hemyng + 416--Frank Merriwell's Club By Burt L. Standish + 417--The Young Railroader's Chance By Stanley Norris + 418--Make or Break By Oliver Optic + 419--Frank Merriwell's Trust By Burt L. Standish + 420--Jack Lightfoot Trapped By Maxwell Stevens + 421--The Errand-boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 422--Frank Merriwell's False Friend By Burt L. Standish + 423--The Young Railroader's Luck By Stanley Norris + 424--Down the River By Oliver Optic + 425--Frank Merriwell's Strong Arm By Burt L. Standish + 426--Jack Lightfoot's Rival By Maxwell Stevens + 427--The Rockspur Nine By Burt L. Standish + 428--Frank Merriwell as Coach By Burt L. Standish + 429--Paul Prescott's Charge By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 430--Through by Daylight By Oliver Optic + 431--Frank Merriwell's Brother By Burt L. Standish + 432--The Young Railroader's Challenge By Stanley Norris + 433--The Young Inventor By G. Manville Fenn + 434--Frank Merriwell's Marvel By Burt L. Standish + 435--Lightning Express By Oliver Optic + 436--The Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 437--Frank Merriwell's Support By Burt L. Standish + 438--Jack Lightfoot in Camp By Maxwell Stevens + 439--The Young Railroader's Hard Task By Stanley Norris + 440--Dick Merriwell at Fardale By Burt L. Standish + 441--On Time By Oliver Optic + 442--The Young Miner By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 443--Dick Merriwell's Glory By Burt L. Standish + 444--Jack Lightfoot's Canoe Trip By Maxwell Stevens + 445--The Young Railroader's Sealed Orders By Stanley Norris + 446--Dick Merriwell's Promise By Burt L. Standish + 447--Switch Off By Oliver Optic + 448--Tom Thatcher's Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 449--Dick Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish + 450--Jack Lightfoot's Iron Arm By Maxwell Stevens + 451--The Young Railroader's Ally By Stanley Norris + 452--Dick Merriwell's Narrow Escape By Burt L. Standish + 453--Brake Up By Oliver Optic + 454--Tom Turner's Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 455--Dick Merriwell's Racket By Burt L. Standish + 456--Jack Lightfoot's Hoodoo By Maxwell Stevens + 457--The Go-ahead Boys By Gale Richards + 458--Dick Merriwell's Revenge By Burt L. Standish + 459--The Young Railroader's Mascot By Stanley Norris + 460--Bear and Forbear By Oliver Optic + 461--Dick Merriwell's Ruse By Burt L. Standish + 462--Ben Bruce By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 463--Jack Lightfoot's Decision By Maxwell Stevens + 464--Dick Merriwell's Delivery By Burt L. Standish + 465--The Young Railroader's Contest By Stanley Norris + 466--The Go-ahead Boys' Legacy By Gale Richards + 467--Dick Merriwell's Wonders By Burt L. Standish + 468--Bernard Brook's Adventures By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 469--Jack Lightfoot's Gun Club By Maxwell Stevens + 470--Frank Merriwell's Honor By Burt L. Standish + 471--Gascoyne, the Sandal Wood Trader By R. M. Ballantyne + 472--Paul Hassard's Peril By Matt Royal + 473--Dick Merriwell's Diamond By Burt L. Standish + 474--Phil, the Showman By Stanley Norris + 475--A Debt of Honor By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 476--Frank Merriwell's Winners By Burt L. Standish + 477--Jack Lightfoot's Blind By Maxwell Stevens + 478--Marooned By W. Clark Russell + 479--Dick Merriwell's Dash By Burt L. Standish + 480--Phil's Rivals By Stanley Norris + 481--Mark Manning's Mission By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 482--Dick Merriwell's Ability By Burt L. Standish + 483--Jack Lightfoot's Capture By Maxwell Stevens + 484--A Captain at Fifteen By Jules Verne + 485--Dick Merriwell's Trap By Burt L. Standish + 486--Phil's Pluck By Stanley Norris + 487--The Wreck of the _Grosvenor_ By W. Clark Russell + 488--Dick Merriwell's Defense By Burt L. Standish + 489--Charlie Codman's Cruise By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 490--Jack Lightfoot's Head Work By Maxwell Stevens + 491--Dick Merriwell's Model By Burt L. Standish + 492--Phil's Triumph By Stanley Norris + 493--A Two Years' Vacation By Jules Verne + 494--Dick Merriwell's Mystery By Burt L. Standish + 495--The Young Explorer By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 496--Jack Lightfoot's Wisdom By Maxwell Stevens + 497--Frank Merriwell's Backers By Burt L. Standish + 498--Ted Strong, Cowboy By Edward C. Taylor + 499--From Circus to Fortune By Stanley Norris + 500--Dick Merriwell's Back-stop By Burt L. Standish + 501--Sink or Swim By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 502--For the Right By Roy Franklin + 503--Dick Merriwell's Western Mission By Burt L. Standish + 504--Among the Cattlemen By Edward C. Taylor + 505--A Legacy of Peril By William Murray Graydon + 506--Frank Merriwell's Rescue By Burt L. Standish + 507--The Young Musician By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 508--"A Gentleman Born" By Stanley Norris + 509--Frank Merriwell's Encounter By Burt L. Standish + 510--Black Mountain Ranch By Edward C. Taylor + 511--The Boy Conjurer By Victor St. Clair + 512--Dick Merriwell's Marked Money By Burt L. Standish + 513--Work and Win By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 514--Fighting for Fortune By Roy Franklin + 515--Frank Merriwell's Nomads By Burt L. Standish + 516--With Rifle and Lasso By Edward C. Taylor + 517--For His Friend's Honor By Stanley Norris + 518--Dick Merriwell on the Gridiron By Burt L. Standish + 519--The Backwoods Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 520--The Young Range Riders By St. George Rathborne + 521--Dick Merriwell's Disguise By Burt L. Standish + 522--Lost in the Desert By Edward C. Taylor + 523--Building Himself Up By Oliver Optic + 524--Dick Merriwell's Test By Burt L. Standish + 525--Adrift in Midair By Ensign Clarke Fitch + 526--True to His Trust By Stanley Norris + 527--Frank Merriwell's Trump Card By Burt L. Standish + 528--Lyon Hart's Heroism By Oliver Optic + 529--Fighting the Rustlers By Edward C. Taylor + 530--Frank Merriwell's Strategy By Burt L. Standish + 531--Digging for Gold By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 532--Wyoming By Edward S. Ellis + 533--Frank Merriwell's Triumph By Burt L. Standish + 534--Louis Chiswick's Mission By Oliver Optic + 535--Facing the Music By Stanley Norris + 536--Dick Merriwell's Grit By Burt L. Standish + 537--Stemming the Tide By Roy Franklin + 538--Adrift in the City By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 539--Dick Merriwell's Assurance By Burt L. Standish + 540--Royal Tarr's Pluck By Oliver Optic + 541--Holding the Fort By Ensign Clarke Fitch + 542--Dick Merriwell's Long Slide By Burt L. Standish + 543--Two Ways of Becoming a Hunter By Harry Castlemon + 544--The Rival Miners By Edward C. Taylor + 545--Frank Merriwell's Rough Deal By Burt L. Standish + 546--The Professor's Son By Oliver Optic + 547--Frank Hunter's Peril By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 548--Dick Merriwell's Threat By Burt L. Standish + 549--Fin and Feather By Wallace Kincaid + 550--Storm Mountain By Edward S. Ellis + 551--Dick Merriwell's Persistence By Burt L. Standish + 552--Striving for His Own By Oliver Optic + 553--Winning by Courage By Roy Franklin + 554--Dick Merriwell's Day By Burt L. Standish + 555--Robert Coverdale's Struggle By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 556--The West Point Boys By Col. J. Thomas Weldon + 557--Frank Merriwell's Peril By Burt L. Standish + 558--The Last of the Herd By Edward C. Taylor + 559--Making a Man of Himself By Oliver Optic + 560--Dick Merriwell's Downfall By Burt L. Standish + 561--Winning Against Odds By Roy Franklin + 562--The Camp in the Foothills By Harry Castlemon + 563--Frank Merriwell's Pursuit By Burt L. Standish + 564--The Naval Academy Boys Commander Luther G. Brownell + 565--Every Inch a Boy By Oliver Optic + 566--Dick Merriwell Abroad By Burt L. Standish + 567--On a Mountain Trail By Edward C. Taylor + 568--The Plebes' Challenge By Col. J. Thomas Weldon + 569--Frank Merriwell in the Rockies By Burt L. Standish + 570--Lester's Luck By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 571--His Own Helper By Oliver Optic + 572--Dick Merriwell's Pranks By Burt L. Standish + 573--Bound to Get There By Roy Franklin + 574--An Annapolis Tangle By Commander Luther G. Brownell + 575--Frank Merriwell's Pride By Burt L. Standish + 576--Across the Prairie By Edward C. Taylor + 577--Honest Kit Dunstable By Oliver Optic + 578--Frank Merriwell's Challengers By Burt L. Standish + 579--The Runaway Cadet By Col. J. Thomas Weldon + 580--Jack Harkaway Around the World Bracebridge Hemyng + 581--Frank Merriwell's Endurance By Burt L. Standish + 582--Out for Big Game By Edward C. Taylor + 583--The Young Pilot By Oliver Optic + 584--Dick Merriwell's Cleverness By Burt L. Standish + 585--Oscar in Africa By Harry Castlemon + 586--Rupert's Ambition By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 587--Frank Merriwell's Marriage By Burt L. Standish + 588--The Pride of Annapolis By Com. Luther G. Brownell + 589--The Cruise of the "Dandy" By Oliver Optic + 590--Dick Merriwell, the Wizard By Burt L. Standish + 591--Captain Nemo's Challenge By Edward C. Taylor + 592--The Cabin in the Clearing By Edward S. Ellis + 593--Dick Merriwell's Stroke By Burt L. Standish + 594--Frank and Fearless By Horatio Alger, Jr. + 595--Three Young Silver Kings By Oliver Optic + 596--Dick Merriwell's Return By Burt L. Standish + 597--His Own Master By Roy Franklin + 598--An Annapolis Adventure By Com. Luther G. Brownell + 599--Dick Merriwell's Resource By Burt L. Standish + 600--Ted Strong's Close Call By Edward C. Taylor + + * * * * * + +LOOK FOR THE S. & S. IMPRINT + + +For fifteen years the S. & S. Novel has held first place in the +estimation of readers who want, first of all, good, clean, interesting +fiction and _then_ a sufficient number of "_words_" to make them feel +that the book is worth what they paid for it--if not more. + +Mere "_words_" do not make a story, nor should a colored cover and heavy +paper deceive the reading public into thinking that an imitation of the +S. & S. Novel is as good as the original. + +Unscrupulous publishers are now trying to defraud the reading public. +Taking certain of the S. & S. Novels, which are not protected by +copyright, they change the titles and authors' names, and sell books at +fifteen cents, the authentic editions of which may be had in the S. & S. +Edition for ten cents! Hence, a word of caution to our readers: + + +_LOOK FOR THE S. & S. IMPRINT_ + + It is a guarantee of quality and protects you + + Send a 2c. stamp for our complete catalogue + + +STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + * * * * * + +"ALGER" + + +What a pleasant sound the name of Horatio Alger, Jr., has to boys who +read clean, wholesome stories of adventure! + +His name on a book means that it is a "good one"; that the money +invested in it is well invested. + +Street & Smith publish the most complete list of his works in their +famous S. & S. novels--it contains nearly all of them. + +If you want your boys to read helpful books, buy the "Algers" in the +Medal and New Medal Libraries. + + +PRICE, 10c. and 15c. PER COPY + +AT ALL NEWSDEALERS + + + If sent by mail, add four cents per copy to cover postage. Complete + catalogue upon request. + + +STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + * * * * * + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S BACKERS + +Or + +The Pride of His Friends + +by + +BURT L. STANDISH + +Author of + +_The Celebrated "Merriwell Stories"_ + +Published Exclusively in the Medal Library, +in Paper-Covered Edition + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +Street & Smith, Publishers +79-89 Seventh Ave., New York City + +Copyright, 1903 +By Street & Smith + +Frank Merriwell's Backers + +All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign +languages, including the Scandinavian. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I--IN THE TRAP + II--IN THE HANDS OF CIMARRON BILL + III--INTO THE NIGHT + IV--IN THE OLD HUT + V--PINTO PEDE RECEIVES HIS LESSON + VI--INJUN JOE TO THE RESCUE + VII--MERRIWELL AND BIG MONTE + VIII--THE DEATH-SHOT + IX--FRANK MAKES A DECISION + X--MERRIWELL'S METHOD + XI--SMOKE SIGNALS AND A DECOY + XII--LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS + XIII--FRANK'S ESCAPE + XIV--MYSTERIOUS PABLO + XV--MERRY'S DISCOVERY + XVI--FRANK DETECTS TREACHERY + XVII--THE WAR-WHOOP OF OLD ELI + XVIII--A STRANGE FUNERAL + XIX--NEW ARRIVALS IN HOLBROOK + XX--MRS. ARLINGTON HAS A VISITOR + XXI--SEEN FROM THE WINDOW + XXII--A SENSATION IN TOWN + XXIII--BOXER CREATES A STIR + XXIV--BOXER TO THE RESCUE + XXV--UNTO DEATH! + XXVI--THE COMING OF CROWFOOT + XXVII--ARRESTED IN HOLBROOK + XXVIII--BILL HIKES OUT + XXIX--OLD JOE TAKES A DRINK + XXX--FRANK IN SUNK HOLE + XXXI--THE DANCE IN SUNK HOLE + XXXII--DEAD OR LIVING + XXXIII--THE RETURN TO HOLBROOK + + + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S BACKERS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +IN THE TRAP. + + +Millions of bright stars shone serenely through the clear Arizona night, +shedding their soft white light on the great arid plains and the +mysterious mesas and mighty mountains. + +Throughout the night Frank Merriwell lay ensconced behind some +sheltering rocks in a deep ravine, where he had been trapped by the +ruffians in the employ of the mining trust, who were determined to wrest +from him the precious papers they believed to be in his possession. + +Old Joe Crowfoot, the aged Indian friend of Merriwell, who had been +snared with him, had, shortly after nightfall, taken the precious +oilskin package, containing the papers, and crept forth on his stomach, +like a snake, from amid the rocks. + +Joe had promised to take the papers to the nearest registry post-office, +in case he escaped, and send them, according to directions, to Richard +Merriwell, Frank's brother, at Fardale. + +Frank had written a letter to Dick, and had securely tied up and +directed the package. He trusted the aged redskin, who declared that he +might find a method of escaping from the trap, yet could not take the +white youth with him. He had made certain that Joe understood the matter +of registering the package, in case he should reach the post-office with +it in his possession. + +Merriwell had become satisfied that this was the best course to pursue. +It was plain that he was in a very bad trap, and he knew those ruffians +could soon starve him out. There was no water or food for himself or his +horse. A day of thirst behind those rocks must surely do for him. + +If Joe carried out the plan successfully, the papers would be placed +beyond the reach of the ruffians, even though Frank fell into their +hands. And it was the papers they had been engaged to secure. Were they +to kill him, Dick would have the precious papers and be able to continue +the battle for his rights. + +Merry watched old Joe wiggle silently away, wondering that the Indian +could slip along in that manner with so very little effort. The old +redskin lay flat on the ground and took advantage of every little cover +he could find, and soon he vanished amid the rocks and passed into the +shadows, after which Merry saw him no more. + +Down the ravine a great mass of rocks and earth had been blown down by a +mighty blast and blocked the passage. + +Up the ravine armed and murderous men were waiting and watching, ready +to shoot down the youth they had trapped. + +There were also armed ruffians on the barrier to the southeast. They had +trailed Merry with the persistence of bloodhounds. + +A full hour passed. The men above were making merry in a boisterous way. +One of them began to sing. He had a musical voice, which rang out +clearly on the soft night air. Strangely enough he sang "Nearer My God +to Thee." + +Could they be watching closely? It did not seem so. + +Frank rigged his coat on the barrel of his rifle. On the muzzle of the +weapon he placed his hat. Then, he lifted coat and hat above the rocks. + +Crack! Ping! + +The ringing report of a rifle and the singing of a bullet. The hat and +coat dropped. In the coat Merriwell found a bullet-hole. That settled +it. There was no longer a doubt but that the desperadoes were watching +like wolves. + +Yet old Joe had been able to slip forth from the protection of those +rocks and creep away. + +More than ever Merriwell admired the skill of the Indian. Thinking that +the old fellow had instructed Dick in the craft which he knew so well, +Frank believed such knowledge had not been acquired in vain. Some time +Dick might find it very valuable to him. + +There was a hoarse burst of laughter from the watching ruffians. + +"Oh, Merriwell!" called a voice. + +"Well," sang back Frank, "what do you want?" + +"Stick that thing up again. We'd like a leetle target practise." + +"You'll have to provide your own target," Merry retorted. + +"Oh, we reckons not! We'll stand you up fer one sooner or later," was +the assurance. + +Still they had not discovered old Joe. It seemed marvelous. + +The night passed on. Another hour was gone when there came a sudden +commotion far up the ravine, as if on the further outskirts of the +ruffians. There were hoarse shouts, angry oaths, the rattle of shots, +and then the clatter of iron-shod hoofs. + +The ring and echo of those clattering hoofs receded into the night, +coming back clear and distinct at first, but growing fainter and +fainter. + +Frank Merriwell laughed and lay still until the sound of the galloping +horse had died out in the distance. + +"Old Joe is on his way to the post-office," muttered Merry. "He took a +fancy to acquire one of their horses in order to make better time." + +The ruffians were filled with more or less consternation. They continued +to wrangle angrily. At last, one cried: + +"Oh, Merriwell!" + +Frank lay perfectly still and made no answer. + +"Oh, Merriwell!" + +Peering forth from amid his rocky barrier, yet crouching where the +shadows hid him, Frank cocked his rifle and pushed it forward for use. + +There was a time of silence, during which he fancied the men were +consulting in whispers. Finally his keen eyes saw something move into +the dim white light above some boulders. He laughed a little in a +suppressed way and sent a bullet through the moving object. + +"Put it up again!" he called cheerfully. "I don't mind a little target +practise myself." + +He knew the thing had been thrust up there to draw his fire and settle +the question if he still remained in the trap. But he had shown those +ruffians that he could shoot as accurately as the best of them. + +After this he heard the men talking. He knew they were bewildered by +what had happened. They could not believe it possible that a human being +had crept forth from the snare. It seemed to them that the person who +had seized their horse and ridden away had come upon them from the rear +and was in no way connected with Merriwell. + +After a time they were silent. + +They were satisfied that the trap held fast. + +Then Frank found a comfortable place where he was perfectly hidden and +coolly went to sleep, with his hand on his cocked rifle. + +Merriwell needed sleep, and he did not hesitate to take it. It spoke +well for his nerves that he could sleep under such circumstances. It may +seem that it did not speak so well for his judgment. Still he knew that +he would awaken at any sound of an alarming nature, and he believed +those men would rest content, satisfied that they had him caged where +there was no possibility that he could give them the slip. + +After an hour or more, he awoke and demonstrated the fact that he was +still behind the rocks by exchanging a challenge with the watching +ruffians. + +Then he slept again. + +And so the night passed on. + +Frank was wide-awake with the coming of dawn. He saw the stars pale and +die in the sky. He saw the gentle gray of morning and the flush of +sunrise. Far up the ravine rose the smoke of a camp-fire, telling where +the ruffians were preparing breakfast. + +"Oh, Merriwell!" + +"Hello, yourself!" + +"Are you hungry?" + +"No, thank you. I have plenty to eat." + +"Are you thirsty?" + +"Not in the least. I have my canteen." + +"That'll be empty right soon. How would you like some steamin' hot +coffee?" + +"It wouldn't go bad. Send some in." + +"We'll exchange a pot of coffee for sartin papers you has with yer." + +"You're very kind!" laughed Merry derisively. + +"It's a right good offer. We're goin' to have them papers anyhow, an' +you may not even git coffee fer them." + +"You're due for the greatest disappointment of your lives, gentlemen," +declared Frank. "If you're looking this way for papers, you're barking +up the wrong tree." + +"Oh, you can't fool us!" was the answer. "We know you've got 'em, and +we'll have 'em." + +"Ever gamble?" asked Frank. + +"Oh, we sometimes take a chance." + +"I'll go you my horse and outfit against that of any one in your party +that you don't get the papers." + +"Done! It's a sure thing as far as we're consarned. We has yer foul, an' +we'll stay right yere till we starves ye out." + +"Too bad to waste your valuable time so foolishly. But, say!" + +"Say it." + +"I see no particular reason why my horse here should go hungry and +thirsty." + +"Not the least. Bring the pore critter right out." + +"Beg pardon if I seem a trifle lazy, but it's too much bother. However, +I'll send him out, and I'll look to you to see that he's properly cared +for." + +Without exposing himself, Frank managed to get the horse out from the +niche in the wall where he had been placed, headed the animal through a +break in the rocky barrier and sent him off, with a sharp crack of the +hand. + +The horse galloped up the ravine, finally saw human beings, stopped, +snorted, seemed about to turn back, but finally kept on and +disappeared. + +Then Frank settled down to wait, being resolved to give old Joe plenty +of time. + +The day grew hot in the ravine, where there was little air. The sun beat +down with great fierceness from the unclouded sky. Those mountains +seemed bare and baked. Little wonder that their repelling fastnesses had +presented little attraction for the prospector. Little wonder it had +often been reported that they contained no gold. + +But Frank Merriwell's "Queen Mystery" Mine lay in that range, and it had +developed so richly that the great Consolidated Mining Association of +America was straining every nerve to get possession of it--to wrest it +from its rightful owner. + +So Frank baked in the sun, taking care to keep well hidden, for he knew +those men would gladly end the affair by filling him full of lead, if +they were given the opportunity. + +Once or twice he caught glimpses of them. Several times they challenged +him. He was prompt to answer every challenge, and he did not wish to +shoot any of them. + +He had fully decided on the course he would pursue; but he was +determined to give Joe Crowfoot plenty of time to perform his part of +the program. + +Frank smiled in grim irony over his position. He took it +philosophically, satisfied that that was the best he could do. He did +not worry, for worry would do him no good. + +He was given plenty of time to reflect on the course pursued by the +syndicate, and it made him wonder that such high-handed things could +take place in the United States. + +It seemed rather remarkable that the head of the mighty syndicate, D. +Roscoe Arlington, was the father of Chester Arlington, Dick Merriwell's +bitterest enemy at Fardale. + +Frank had encountered Mr. Arlington. He had found him blunt, grim, +obstinate, somewhat coarse, yet apparently not brutal. Being a clever +reader of human nature, which many are not who pride themselves that +they are, Frank had become satisfied that there were many men in the +world who were far worse than D. Roscoe Arlington, yet were considered +models of virtue and justice. Arlington was not a hypocrite. He was +bluntly and openly himself. He had set out as a poor boy to make a +fortune, and now it seemed possible that he might become the richest man +in America. Comfortable riches had first been the object for which he +strived; but when his scheming poured wealth upon him, he set the mark +higher. He determined to be one of the very rich men of the United +States. That goal he had now arrived at; but the mark had been lifted +again, and now he was determined to become the richest. + +Arlington had not ordered those ruffians to take the papers from Frank. +Still he was back of it all. He had turned the matter over into the +hands of unscrupulous lieutenants, instructing them to employ any means +within their power to obtain possession of the Queen Mystery and San +Pablo Mines. Those lieutenants were directing the operations of the +ruffians. + +It is quite probable that Arlington did not wish to know the method +employed by his lieutenants. All he desired was the result. + +Frank had also met Mrs. Arlington, and he had seen in her a haughty, +domineering, icy woman, ready to do anything to gain her ends. She was +proud and high-headed, although she had once been a poor girl. She +looked down in scorn and contempt on all poor people. + +But Merry had not forgotten June Arlington, who had a truly high-bred +face of great attractiveness, and who was vivacious yet reserved, proud +yet considerate, high-spirited yet kind. He had not forgotten the girl, +and ever he thought of her with feelings of kindness, for with her own +hands she had restored to him the precious papers when they had been +stolen from him, by agents of the trust, assisted by her mother. + +He knew Dick admired June, and he did not wonder at it, for about June +Arlington there was such fascination as few girls possess. + +Still Merry could not help wondering if June would one day develop into +a woman like her mother. Such a result did not seem possible. + +Midday passed, and the afternoon waned, yet without any diminishing of +the scorching heat in the ravine. + +Frank's water was gone, and he began to feel the torments of thirst. + +He had counted the time as it passed. Finally he was satisfied that +Crowfoot had accomplished the task he had set out to perform. The papers +were mailed. Probably they were already on their way to Dick Merriwell +at Fardale. + +"Well," muttered Frank, "I think I'll go out and look these ruffians +over now." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +IN THE HANDS OF CIMARRON BILL. + + +A shout quickly brought an answer. + +"Gentlemen," said Frank, "I'm for a parley. What say you?" + +"We're willing. Parley away." + +"If you were to get those papers I suppose you would feel yourselves +perfectly well satisfied?" + +"I reckon you've hit it good an' fair." + +"Such being the case, if I come forth with hands up and empty, I take it +you won't take the trouble to shoot me up any?" + +"None at all," was the assurance promptly given. "If you comes out like +that, you has our promise not to do any shooting whatever." + +"And how about the gentlemen below?" + +"They'll do no shootin' unless you goes that way." + +"Is this all on the square?" + +"You bet! Bring out that old redskin with ye, an' let him keep his hands +up, too." + +"I think you've made a mistake, gentlemen; there is no redskin with me. +I am quite alone." + +"We knows better! Ye can't play any tricks on us!" + +"I am willing to convince you. Just keep your fingers off your +triggers. Watch me as close as you like. I'm coming!" + +Having said this, he left his rifle lying on the ground and rose to his +feet with his hands held open above his head. + +It must be confessed that he did not do this without some doubt +concerning the result, for he knew those ruffians were very treacherous; +but somehow he was satisfied that they had been instructed to obtain the +papers, if possible, without killing him, and that belief led him to run +the risk that he now faced. + +He was ready to drop instantly if they fired as he arose into view. A +moment he stood quite still, and then, as no shot rang out, he stepped +through amid the boulders and walked boldly up the ravine. + +In this manner, Frank walked straight into the midst of a party of nine +thoroughbred frontier desperadoes, who were waiting for him, with their +weapons in their hands. + +The leader was a thin, dark-faced, fierce-looking man, who covered Merry +with a revolver. + +"I rather 'lowed you'd come to it," he said, in satisfaction. "But I +told ye to bring that old Injun along." + +"And I told you there was no Indian with me. I spoke the truth." + +"Say, youngster, did you ever hear of Cimarron Bill?" + +Frank looked the fellow over with his calm eyes. He saw a cruel, +straight slit of a mouth, a thin black mustache, with traces of gray, +and sharp, cruel eyes, set altogether too near together. He had heard +of Cimarron Bill as the most dangerous "man-killer" in all the +Southwest. + +"Yes," he said quietly, "I have heard of him." + +"Well, you're lookin' at him. I'm Cimarron Bill. The butts of my guns +have seventeen notches in 'em. You may make the eighteenth." + +Merriwell knew what the ruffian meant, yet he showed no signs of fear. + +"I have heard," he said, "that Cimarron Bill has never yet shot a man in +cold blood or one who was unarmed." + +"I opine that's right, young man; but this case is a leetle different. +It's not healthy to irk me up under any conditions, and so I advise you +to go slow." + +Frank smiled. + +"I have no desire or intention of irking you up, sir," he said. "I am +giving you straight goods. There is no Indian with me." + +"There was last night." + +"Yes." + +"Well, I don't opine he's melted into the air or sunk into the ground, +an' tharfore he has to be yander behind them rocks." + +"I give you my word, sir, that he is not there, and has not been there +since last night." + +The ruffians had gathered about and were listening to this talk. +Picturesque scoundrels they were, armed to the teeth and looking fit for +any job of bloodshed or murder. They glared at the cool youth standing +so quietly in their midst; but he seemed perfectly at his ease. + +"Sam," said the leader, turning to one of them, "go out yander to them +thar rocks an' look round for that redskin." + +Sam, a squat, red-headed desperado, seemed to hesitate. + +"What ef the Injun is waitin' thar to shoot me up some as I comes +amblin' along?" he asked. + +"Go!" said Cimarron Bill, in a tone cold as ice. "If the Injun shoots +you, we'll riddle this here young gent with bullets." + +"Which won't do me good none whatever," muttered Sam; but he knew better +than to disobey or hesitate longer, and so, dropping his rifle into the +hollow of his left arm, he stepped out and advanced toward the spot +where Merriwell had been ensconced behind the boulders. + +The brutal band watched and waited. Cimarron Bill surveyed the face of +Frank Merriwell, more than half-expecting the youth would call for Sam +to come back, knowing the fate that would befall him in case the Indian +began to shoot. + +But Sam walked straight up to the boulders, clambered onto them, and +looked over into the hiding-place that had served Frank so well. + +"Derned ef thar's ary livin' critter hyer!" he shouted back. + +"Make sure," called the leader, in that metallic voice of his, which +was so hard on the nerves. "Don't make no mistake." + +Sam sprang down behind the boulders. They saw his head moving about, +but, very soon, he clambered back over them and came walking rapidly +away. + +"The varmint is sartin gone," he averred. + +Immediately Cimarron Bill thrust his cocked revolver against Frank +Merriwell's temple. + +"Tell us where the Injun is!" he commanded. "Speak quick and straight, +or I'll blow the top of your head off!" + +"I am unable to tell you just where he is at present," said Frank, with +that perfect coolness that so astonished the desperadoes. "He left me +last night." + +"Left you?" + +"Yes." + +"How? We had this side guarded, an' ther boys below kept close watch." + +"All the same, I think Joe Crowfoot passed you. How he did it I do not +know. He told me he could." + +The leader of the ruffians looked as if he was not yet willing to +believe such a thing had happened; but there no longer seemed much +chance for doubt. + +"Then it must have been that red whelp who stole one of our hosses!" he +said. + +"I think it was," nodded Merry. "Something like two hours after he left +me I heard a commotion this way, followed by some shooting and the sound +of a galloping horse, which died out in the distance." + +Some of the men began to swear, but Bill silenced them with one swift +look from his evil eyes. + +"Well, that sure is the limit!" he observed, trying to hide some of his +disgust. "We didn't opine a kitten could sneak past us without being +seen an' shot up." + +"A kitten might not," said Frank. "But old Joe Crowfoot should be +compared with a serpent. He has all the wisdom and craft of one. I +depended on him, and he did not fail me." + +"Where has he gone? State it--state it almighty sudden!" + +"If he followed instructions, he has gone to Holbrook." + +"For what?" + +"To send a message for me to my brother." + +"A message? What sort of a message?" + +"A letter and some papers." + +"Papers?" said Cimarron Bill, in a low, threatening tone. "What papers?" + +"Certain papers referring to the Queen Mystery and San Pablo Mines, +which I own." + +A look of disappointed rage contorted the cruel face of the murderous +ruffian. The lips were pressed together until they appeared to make one +straight line no wider than the thin blade of a knife. The eyelids +closed to narrow slits, while that dark face turned to a bluish tinge. + +Many times had Frank Merriwell stood in deadly peril of his life; but, +looking at that man then, he well knew that never had his danger been +greater. Still, if he regretted his act in walking forth and +surrendering himself into the hands of such a creature he effectually +concealed it. He betrayed not a whit of trepidation or alarm, which was +a masterly display of nerve. + +The ruffians began to murmur fiercely, like the growling of so many +wolves. Perhaps it was to this outbreak that Merry owed his life, for +the leader suddenly bade them be silent, and the sounds ceased. + +"So you sent those papers off by that old redskin, did you?" asked Bill. + +"I did." + +"And you have the nerve to come out here and tell me that! If you had +known me better, you would have stayed, and choked and starved, or even +shot yourself behind those rocks, before doing such a thing!" + +Merriwell made no retort, for he felt that too many words would be +indiscreet. This man was capable of any atrocity, and another straw +might break the camel's back. + +"Mr. Merriwell," said the ruffian, "I came here for them papers, and I'm +goin' to have them!" + +"You may take my life," said Merry; "but that will not give you the +papers. In fact, it will utterly defeat the object of those men who have +employed you to obtain them." + +"How do you figger that out? With you out of the way, they'll have less +trouble in takin' your mines." + +"On the contrary, if I am murdered, the fact will react against them. I +have written a full account of the facts concerning my position and +fight with the syndicate to my brother, to be used in case anything +serious happens to me. With that, and with the papers I have sent him, I +fancy he can so arouse public indignation against the syndicate that the +men who are pushing this thing will be glad enough to pull in their +horns and quit the battle. So you can see that by killing me you will +defeat the object of the syndicate and disgust it with your method of +procedure." + +Frank spoke those words convincingly, and certain it is that he made an +impression on Cimarron Bill. The other ruffians, however, who failed to +reason clearly, were fierce enough to shoot the captive where he stood. + +Bill stood still and looked the young man over, beginning to realize +that he was dealing with a youth of more than ordinary courage, resource +and sagacity. His respect for Merriwell was beginning to develop +amazingly. + +Frank could read the man well enough to feel that the danger-point had +been successfully passed, and he breathed more freely, although there +was no outward change in his manner. + +"I'm not yet satisfied that you're not lying to me," said the chief of +the ruffians; whereupon he ordered his satellites to search the captive. + +The closest search, which was supervised by Bill, failed to bring to +light the package of coveted papers. + +Bill seemed to pass a few moments in thought. Then he said: + +"We'll all go over yander and have a look round among the boulders." + +With Frank in their midst, they proceeded to the spot where he had +successfully held them off. As they went forward, they called to the men +down the ravine, and soon those ruffians came hastening to join them. + +"Have ye got the papers?" demanded one called Big Monte, a strapping +ruffian, who was the leader of the party. + +When he learned what had happened the giant swore in angry +disappointment. + +"However did you all happen to let the Injun slip ye that way?" he +demanded scornfully. + +Bill looked him over. + +"I opines you're not castin' reflections any whatever?" he said, in a +deadly manner. + +Big Monte looked large enough to eat the thin, dark-faced chap, but he +hastened to disclaim any intention of "casting reflections," whereupon +Bill gave him no further heed. + +The chief set them to searching amid the boulders, overseeing it all and +taking care that no possible place of concealment was neglected. But all +this search came to nothing, and the baffled wretches were finally +forced to confess that they were outwitted. + +But Merriwell was a captive in their hands, and in their disappointment +they might be led to revenging themselves upon him. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +INTO THE NIGHT. + + +Cimarron Bill was a man who disliked being outwitted and outdone, +especially by a youth of Frank Merriwell's years, and he was one who was +not at all likely to let such a thing pass without seeking to recover +and accomplish his object by some method, failing in which, he was +almost certain to take summary and tragic vengeance on the one who had +baffled him. + +Merriwell knew well enough in what peril he stood, and yet he maintained +his manner of composure. + +Bill spoke to two of the ruffians, of whom Big Monte was one, and Sam, +the red-headed rascal, the other. + +"You two take charge of this here altogether too smarty young gent," +said the leader of the desperadoes, "and look out for him a heap close. +Don't let him come none of his slick tricks on you, for you will be held +responsible for him, and I opines you know what that means." + +"Oh, we'll take care of him!" said Sam significantly, as he fingered the +butt of a pistol. "All I wants is a right good chance to do that!" + +Bill fixed the red-head with a look of his narrow black eyes. + +"At the same time," said he, "permit me to suggest that you lets no +special harm come to him, as I reckons him valuable property just about +now, and I may need him a whole lot later. If anything unnecessary +happens to the young gent, you'll deal with me for it!" + +It must be confessed that Merry felt somewhat safer in the hands of +those ruffians after that, for he began to perceive that, for some +reason, Bill wished to preserve him for the time being without harm. + +Apparently the captive gave little heed to these words, but in truth he +missed nothing. + +As the others drew aside with Bill, Big Monte took a picket rope, +observing: + +"I allows, Sam, that we'd better be keerful, jest as the boss suggests, +fer it ain't a whole lot healthy to have anything happen contrarywise to +his wishes. Such bein' the case, I propose we tie up this here young +gent some, so he'll not bring trouble on hisself an' us by tryin' to +lope out." + +Sam looked disappointed. + +"I was a-thinkin'," he said, "that I'd like to see him try to lope; but +sense the boss has put it so plain, I kind of changes my mind, an' I +thinks your propersition is kirect. Go ahead, Monte, while I keeps him +kivered with my shootin'-iron." + +Frank made no objection as Big Monte tied his hands behind him. He knew +it was quite useless, and so he submitted with a meekness that was +rather deceptive, for it seemed to indicate that he was quite awed by +his situation and the men who had taken him captive. + +"I judges that will do," said the big man, having bound the rope about +Merry's wrists until it was uncomfortable in its tightness. "He's good +an' fast now." + +Merriwell sat down on a rock, while the two ruffians flung themselves on +the ground in the shadow of the wall and waited the end of the +consultation between the chief and the remainder of the band. + +Bill was talking to his ruffians in his low, quiet way, and they were +listening. Frank wondered what was passing, but they were too far away +for him to hear. + +At last, one of the men, who had but one arm, started off from the +others, hurrying toward the horses. Bill had thrust something into this +man's hand, seeming to give him a final admonition. Five minutes later +the one-armed man, mounted on the very best horse he could find, rode +away at good speed. + +Even then Merry did not conceive that it was the desperate purpose of +One-hand Hank to follow those papers all the way to Fardale, if +necessary, in the attempt to gain possession of them. He fancied that +Hank meant to try to find the Indian, with the hope that the papers +still remained in old Joe's possession. + +Bill came back and stood looking Merriwell over. Several of the men had +departed toward the spot where the horses were kept. + +"I reckons you thinks yerself some slick, kid!" he said, with cold +contempt. "You'll git all over that before you're through dealin' with +Cimarron Bill. I'm sartin to take the conceit out of ye a whole lot." + +To which Merry vouchsafed no retort. + +"Bring him along," said the chief, to Sam and Monte. "We're goin' to +pull up stakes and hike." + +So Frank was marched up to the horses, among which was his own animal, +which had been captured by the ruffians. + +"If you don't mind, gentlemen," said Merry, "it would give me +considerable satisfaction to imbibe a little water." + +"You'll choke plumb to death afore ye ever gits a drap from me," averred +Sam. + +Whereupon Bill looked at the red-head sharply, saying: + +"Sam, give him a drink from your canteen." + +And Sam did so. + +"Thanks," said Merry easily. "It was the desire for water that led me to +saunter out from my place among the rocks earlier than I intended. I +feel much better now." + +His saddle had been brought along, and, when it was strapped upon his +horse, he was tossed into it by Big Monte and another. The rest of the +band had prepared to move, with the exception of those who had come from +down the ravine and one fellow who seemed to have taken the place of the +departed fellow with one arm. These men had horses beyond the rocky +barrier that had been blown down to prevent Merriwell from escaping in +that direction, and it was necessary for them to return and pursue +another course, as the horses could not be brought over that barrier. + +There was little delay when everything was ready. Bill took the lead, +and those who were to follow did so, the captive in their midst; his +horse led by one of them. + +The others had turned back. + +The sun was descending peacefully behind the barren mountains, and night +was spreading her sable pinions over the land. There was gold in the +western sky. The heat yet seemed unabated, save in the valleys and +gorges; but later it would become unpleasantly cool. + +In silence those men rode onward, with their dark, cruel-faced leader at +their head. The hoofs of the horses clinked and rang, bestirring the +echoes; and, when the gloom of night had stolen upward from the gulches, +there came an occasional spark like a firefly when the iron of a hoof +struck a flinty rock. + +So night came on, and still they went forward. Frank wondered what their +destination could be; but he saw they were taking a course that must +bring them nearer the Queen Mystery Mine. + +He wasted no words in seeking to engage any of them in conversation. All +the while, however, his thoughts were busy. He wondered much if he +could come safely through this perilous mischance and how it was to be +accomplished. For Frank had not given up, and he had confidence that +somehow he would find a way, or one would be opened to him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN THE OLD HUT. + + +In a valley amid the hills that lay at the base of the barren mountains +stood an old hut. Who had built it there? It seemed that it had, beyond +doubt, been erected by some prospector. What fate had befallen the +builder no man knew. The hut remained, weather-worn and falling to +pieces. + +The coming of another day found Frank Merriwell a captive in that hut, +closely guarded. The ruffians had stopped there, for in the vicinity +could be found wood and water, and feed for the horses. + +Some time during the night they had been joined by Big Monte and the +others who had turned back to secure the horses beyond the barrier in +the ravine. + +In the morning the men lay about in the vicinity of the hut. Two fires +had been built, and breakfast was preparing. + +Inside the hut an armed man kept guard over the captive. At intervals +the guard was changed, but always a man was near with a pistol ready to +shoot Merry down if he offered to make a break for freedom. + +But Frank seemed strangely contented. After the ride through the night, +he asked for a blanket to make himself comfortable, suggested in a +pleasant way that it would be agreeable to have the cords about his +wrists loosened a little, as they were chafing him and his wrists were +swollen, and, when the ropes were entirely removed, then lay down on the +blanket and went calmly to sleep. + +Merry slept until one of the men brought him some breakfast. This fellow +kicked him to awaken him, whereupon Frank looked up and observed: + +"Gently, partner--gently! You don't have to kick in a rib in order to +get my eyes open." + +"Ef it wasn't fer ther boss," said the fellow, "I'd take a heap o' +satisfaction in kickin' ev'ry dern rib outer ye!" + +"Then I am thankful for the boss." + +"Hush! Mebbe ye thinks so now; but wait till he gits round ter deal with +ye. I opines he'll disterb ye some." + +"Well, don't lead me into worriment before it is necessary," entreated +Frank, with a smile. "As long as I'm comfortable, I see no reason to +disturb myself over what may happen--for there is always a chance that +it may not happen." + +"Waal, not in this case. Ye've robbed us outer a clean two hundred +dollars apiece by sendin' off them papers." + +"Only that? Why, you seem to be cheap men! I should fancy it would take +at least five hundred each to hire men to go out to commit robbery and +murder." + +"Thar ain't no robbery about it." + +"Now, you don't tell me? Perhaps you are right, but the object was +robbery, all right enough." + +"Nary robbery! Ther papers belongs to ther gents what wants to git 'em +an' what engaged Bill to do the job." + +"Possibly I might convince you to the contrary if I had time; but just +now I will admit that I'm remarkably hungry. Put down the feed right +here on the floor, and I'll turn to directly." + +As the man stooped to put down the stuff, as directed, he brought his +head quite close to Frank's lips. In the fellow's ear Merry whispered: + +"I'll make it one thousand dollars in your fist if you find a way to +help me out of this scrape." + +The man started a little, gave Frank a look, then glanced toward the +armed guard, who had heard nothing. + +Merry touched a finger to his lips, thus enjoining silence. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed. "Thank Bill for me! This coffee smells most +satisfactory. It will serve finely to wash down the hard bread and beef. +To a healthy appetite, like mine, this will be a feast fit for an +epicurean." + +The ruffian looked at him in apparent wonderment. + +"Fer a cool galoot, you sure are the limit!" he exclaimed. + +Then he went out. + +Frank wondered if his proposal to the fellow would bear fruit. He knew +well enough that these men stood in great awe of Cimarron Bill; but +would the greed of this one overcome his fears of the chief and lead him +to attempt to set Frank at liberty? + +That was a serious question. + +Having eaten heartily, Merry once more made himself comfortable and +slept. + +When next he was awakened, Cimarron Bill himself was sitting near, +smoking a Spanish cigarette. + +"Good morning," said Frank. + +"It's a long distance past morning," said the leader of the ruffians. +"You've slept away the whole morning. You seem to be takin' it a heap +easy and comfortable like." + +"Just bottling up a little sleep in case of need," said Merry, sitting +up and placing his back against the wall. "There's no telling when I may +have to keep awake a whole lot, you know." + +"Instead of keeping awake," said Bill, in a sinister manner, "you're a +heap more likely to fall asleep some of these yere times an' never wake +up." + +"In that case, it will be of no consequence, so I am not losing anything +by sleeping while I may." + +The man surveyed Merry long and intently, as if trying to probe the +nature of this cool youth. At last, he turned to the sentinel and +dismissed him. + +The sentinel went out, closing the door. + +Bill lighted a fresh cigarette. + +"Young man," he said, "I want to inform you right yere and now that it +will do you no good whatever to try to bribe any of my men." + +"Possibly not," said Frank noncommittally. + +"You bet your life it won't!" said Bill emphatically. "Thar ain't one of +them but what knows me, an', knowin' me, thar ain't one what would dare +play me crooked. Savvy?" + +"It's quite plain." + +"It's straight goods, Merriwell. A while ago you offered one of 'em a +thousan' dollars if he would find a way to get you out of this." + +"Correct," admitted Merry immediately. "And had he accepted the offer +and accomplished the job, I should have congratulated myself on getting +off very cheap." + +He had seen at once that it was useless to try deception or denial with +Bill, and so he spoke frankly. + +"That's right," nodded Bill. "A thousan' would be small money fer such a +job; but it ain't no use, for none of them will take the job at that or +five times as much. 'Cause why? 'Cause they knows me, Cimarron Bill, +right well. They know I'd sure settle up with 'em if they done any +crooked work. They have seen the notches in my guns. Some of 'em has +seen me shoot." + +"Well, my dear sir," smiled Merry, "I don't presume you fancied I would +remain here like a man in a trance without trying to get away in some +fashion?" + +"I hardly opined that would be your style. But I has to warn ye that you +has about one chance in fourteen million of gettin' off with a hull +hide. I keep a guard inside and outside, besides another over the +hosses. I don't want to shoot ye--now--but it sure will be done if you +breaks an' runs fer it." + +"Of course I'd have to take chances on that." + +"Don't! But your offer to Jake has set me thinkin'. Somehow I kinder +take to your style." + +"Thanks!" laughed Merriwell. + +"You has a heap of nerve for a youngster." + +"Thanks again!" + +"And I opine we'd make a pretty strong team together. Such bein' the +case, I has a propersition to make to ye, whereby, in case you accepts, +you gits outer this scrape in a hurry an' none the worse for wear." + +"Let it drive," said Frank. "I'm listening." + +"Like 'most ev'rybody," said Bill, "I'm out fer the dust. That's what +brought me up against you. I opined you'd be easy meat. I've sorter +changed my mind. You look an' talk like a tenderfoot, but I take it that +you has your eye-teeth cut, an' this yere ain't the first time you've +seen Arizona." + +"I have been in Arizona before. I have likewise been in various parts of +the West." + +"I knowed it," nodded Bill. "I likewise opine you has a whole lot of +fight in ye." + +"Well, I rather enjoy the strenuous life." + +"But you're certain up against a right powerful combination in this yere +gang what means to have your mines." + +"Without doubt." + +"You needs assistance to hold them there mines. Such bein' the case, +suppose we strikes a partnership, you an' I, an' stan's by each other. +You'll find me a right handy partner when it comes to fightin', an' I +kin back ye up with a gang what will wade through gore fer me. Under +them circumstances, I reckons we kin give this yere minin' trust a run +fer its money." + +"Your offer is very interesting, not to say fascinating," confessed +Frank. "But there is something behind it. Come out with the whole +matter." + +"There's nothing to come out with, save that I'm to be taken in a +half-partner in your mines." + +"Only that?" smiled Merry scornfully. + +Bill did not like the manner in which the youth spoke those two words. + +"I 'lows," he said, "that you'll be gettin' off a heap cheap at that. If +you fails to accept, it's almost certain your friends never hears of you +no more. You'll be planted somewhere yereabouts. Arter that, the minin' +trust will have easy goin'." + +"Well," said Merry, "I presume you will give me time to think this +matter over?" + +"Certainly. I gives ye till to-morrer mornin'." + +"All right." + +Again Bill lighted a fresh cigarette. + +"But, without 'pearin' to press ye too hard, which might cause ye +onpleasant rememberances in the futer, I hints that I'll be a heap riled +up if you fails to accept my offer." + +Then Bill called the guard and sauntered out. + +Frank had no thought of permitting the desperado to force him into such +a partnership, but he believed that it would be well to appear to take +time to consider it. + +That afternoon, toward nightfall, he was permitted to go outside in the +open air, with two armed guards watching over him. + +Frank inhaled the open air with a sense of gratitude, for the hut had +become stuffy and oppressive. He looked around, noting the surroundings, +without betraying any great interest in the location. He saw that all +about the hills rose to enclose the valley, but conjectured that the +party had entered from the south or southeast. + +By this time the men were interested in him, and they looked him over +curiously. Four of them were playing cards, and Merry sat down on the +ground where he could watch the game. + +"You don't want to be makin' no remarks about what keerds ye sees in +anybody's hand, young man," growled one of them, whose cards Merry could +see. + +Frank smiled. + +"I'm not quite that fresh," he said. "I have played the game +occasionally myself. If I had a chance to sit in, I might give you some +points." + +They laughed derisively at that, for the idea that this smooth-faced +youth could give them points at poker seemed preposterous. + +"Why, ef you got inter this game we'd skin the eye-teeth outer ye!" +declared one. + +"You'd be easy pluckin'," said another. + +"It would be a shame to rob ye," sneered a third. "But seein's you +ain't got no dust we won't have that pleasure." + +"If it's dust that bars me," said Merry, "I might have enough to last a +hand or two. I see you're playing five dollars limit, with a two bits +edge." + +"Why, you're plumb skinned dry!" said Big Monte. "You ain't got no +stuff." + +Whereupon Frank displayed a little thin wad of bank-bills, amounting to +about twenty-five dollars in all. + +They were astounded, for no money had been found on him when he was +searched for the papers. + +"How is this?" growled Monte. "Whar did ye keep it hid?" + +"That's my business," said Merry. "If you're anxious to teach me this +game let me in." + +They made a place for him, assuring him that he would "last quick." + +Now Merry was a most adept poker-player, although he let the game +entirely alone, not believing in gambling. He was also a clever +magician, and he could do tricks with cards to astonish far more astute +men than these ruffians. + +It was Pinto Pede's deal, and the Mexican handled the cards in a slick +manner. Without pretending to watch him, Merry really kept a close eye +on the fellow's movements. + +Pede looked his cards over carelessly. Big Monte chipped a dollar, the +next man raised him a dollar, and it was up to Frank, who immediately +raised five. + +Monte laughed hoarsely. + +"Throwin' yer money away right off, eh?" he said. + +The man after Frank dropped out. + +Pinto Pede raised five dollars. + +The fellow whose edge it was dropped his cards, but Monte came in, as +did the next man and Frank. + +"How men' card?" asked the Mexican. + +"I'll take two," said Monte. + +"Better draw to the strength o' yer hand," advised the next man. "Gimme +three." + +Pede looked inquiringly at Merry. + +"One card," said Frank. + +Pede frowned and looked annoyed. He had stacked the cards, and +everything had worked perfectly up to Merriwell, who had been given +three jacks on the deal, and whom the Mexican had expected would draw +two. + +"You take da two card!" exclaimed Pede. "Yo' no fool anybod' with da +side card." + +"I'll take one!" said Frank grimly. "If I choose to hold a side card to +threes that is my business. Perhaps I have two pairs." + +The Mexican had betrayed his trick by his anger at Merry's style of +drawing. Writhing with anger, he tossed Frank one card. + +"I tak' two," he said. + +Merry leaned forward and watched the Mexican's fingers so closely that +Pede was given no chance to perform any crooked work, if he had +contemplated it. + +"Now we're off," said Frank. "Go ahead and do your betting." + +Then he glanced at his cards. He had held up a five spot with his three +jacks. To his satisfaction, he found Pede had given him another five +spot. + +Merry had conceived that it was the Mexican's plan to give him threes +and then to fill his hand with a small pair, but to take a pair himself, +having on the deal secured threes of a higher denomination than those in +Merry's hand. For that very reason, Frank had decided to draw one card, +instead of two, thinking to defeat Pede's object in securing a full. + +By a strange chance, Frank had held up a five spot, while all the time +Pede had been intending to give him a pair of fives. This being the +case, the youth secured his full hand just the same, but without the +knowledge of the dealer. At the same time, he spoiled Pede's draw, for +the pair the Mexican had counted on getting had been divided, he getting +instead one of the fives intended for Merriwell. This left Pede with +three queens, a five, and a nine. + +But the Mexican believed that Merriwell had secured only threes, as he +did not dream for an instant that the side card held up with the three +jacks could be a five spot. + +In case Frank had three jacks only, Pede's three queens were "good." + +The betting began. + +Monte started it with a dollar. + +The next man had failed to improve his hand, and he fell out. + +Frank raised five. + +Pede shoved in six dollars, and added another five. + +"I tak' dis pot," he said. + +Monte looked his cards over. Then he looked at Pede. He knew the +Mexican. + +"You oughter be shot!" he said. And he threw his cards down, turning to +Frank. + +"You ain't got a ghost of a show agin' that greaser, youngster," he +averred. + +"Well, as long as my money lasts I'll stay with him," smiled Merry. + +He did. Having thrust the last of his money into the pot, he finally +called. + +Pede spread out his three queens, smiling with crafty triumph. + +"You no fool me," he said. "My t'ree bigger dan your t'ree. I tak' da +mon'." + +"Wait a minute," said Merry. "I happen to have more than threes here." + +And he displayed his full hand, coolly raking the money over to his side +of the blanket. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +PINTO PEDE RECEIVES HIS LESSON. + + +Pinto Pede was the most disgusted Mexican in all Arizona. At the same +time he was thoroughly thunderstruck. That Merriwell had secured the +pair of fives with his three jacks for all of his style of drawing +seemed like legerdemain. + +Big Monte gave a shout of surprise, that was not entirely unmingled with +delight. + +"Waal, say!" he roared; "that's the furst time I ever seen Pede done up +on his own deal by a tenderfoot! Haw! haw! haw!" + +As the game continued Frank soon demonstrated that he was quite capable +of holding his own with those men. On his deal he simply played "hob" +with them. In less than thirty minutes he had won over a hundred and +fifty dollars. + +Cimarron Bill had sauntered up and was standing near, his arms folded, +silently watching the progress of the game. + +"Gentlemen," said Frank finally, "you're too easy for me. Just to show +you how easy you are, I'll deal a hand around and then tell you what you +have." + +"Not if you lets me cut," declared Monte. + +Merry had gathered the cards and was shuffling them. + +"You may cut," he said. + +He put the cards down on the blanket, and Monte divided them into two +parts, after which he watched Frank to see that he picked them up right. + +Merry picked them up with one hand, doing so swiftly. He picked them up +all right, but he cleverly made the pass, which restored the cards to +their original positions, as they were before Monte had cut. + +Then he dealt. + +When they picked up their cards, he began at the left and called off the +cards each man held, going around the entire circle. + +Monte threw his down, with a cry of amazement. + +"An' this yere is what we takes for an easy mark!" he exclaimed. + +"He cheat!" grated Pinto Pede. "Dat how he win all da mon'." + +"I don't want your money," said Merry. "I find it too easy to make money +off such chaps as you. You talk about tenderfeet, but the East is full +of tenderfeet who could skin you fellows to death. If you ran into a New +York bunco man he'd have your boots off your feet in less than thirty +minutes. In fact, gentlemen, you need to get your eye-teeth filed." + +He was laughing at them, as they plainly saw. This made Pinto Pede +furious, and, with a cry of rage, the Mexican snatched out a knife, +flung himself forward on his knees, clutched the captive's throat and +seemed about to finish him. + +Quick as a flash, Merriwell had seized Pede's wrist, which he gave a +twist that made the bones crack and brought a yell from the yellow-faced +fellow's lips. The knife dropped. Merry tossed it over his shoulder, and +then flung Pede backward, groaning over his wrenched arm. + +"The only safe way to play such tricks on me," said the undisturbed +captive, "is to catch me when I'm asleep." + +Then Cimarron Bill spoke, and they saw he had a pistol in his hand. + +"It sure is a good thing for Pede that the gent stopped his play just as +he did, for if Pede had done any cuttin' I'd sartin shot him up a whole +lot. I has told you boys that Mr. Merriwell is to be kept safe an' +unharmed until I gits ready to finish with him, an' when I says a thing +like that, I generally has a way o' meanin' it. If Pede had used his +knife, I'd a-let daylight through him instanter." + +Now they all knew Bill spoke the truth, and so Pede was doubly +humiliated. + +"He was a trifle hasty," said Merriwell coolly. "I was about to explain +that I never keep money won at cards, as I do not believe in gambling. I +sat in this game to illustrate to you fellows that it doesn't always pay +to get puffed up and look contemptuously on a tenderfoot. Having made +the lesson plain, I will withdraw my own money, which will leave the +amount I have won. You may divide it equally among you and go on with +your game." + +This Frank did exactly as he said, taking himself out of the game. + +There would have been a quarrel over the division of the money had not +Bill interfered. + +Possibly Frank was counting on that quarrel, for a fight among the men +might have given him an opportunity to escape. However, if such was his +plan, it miscarried, for Bill acted as judge and saw that the matter was +settled without further dispute or bloodshed. + +Merry turned away, his hands in his pockets, seeming to take no further +interest in the gambling ruffians. They looked after his fine, supple, +manly figure, and Big Monte said: + +"Gents, he shore is a hummer! I admits it now. He's put up a heap +different from any tenderfoot I ever struck afore. We knows he kin +shoot, fer didn't he perforate Sam's coat back yander in the raveen when +Sam h'isted it on his rifle. We know he kin play keerds, fer didn't he +jest demonstrate it to our complete satisfaction. We know he has a heap +of nerve, fer he sure has showed it all the way through. An' I'm bettin' +he's goin' ter make it a right hot fight afore the galoots what are +arter his mines gits what they wants." + +"You forgits he's dealin' with Bill," said one of the others; "an' Bill +shore has the keerds stacked on him." + +"That's all right," said Monte; "but you got ter do somethin' more than +stack the keerds on that young chap. Didn't Pede do that, an' didn't he +beat Pede a-plenty at his own game? That showed me that you never kin +tell when you has Frank Merriwell beat fer fair." + +Frank had known all the time that Bill was watching. He had played the +game more for the benefit of the chief of the rascals than any one else. +At the same time, it had served to pass away a little time and had been +a diversion for the moment. + +The guards also were near, watching every move closely. + +Frank had satisfied himself that there was no chance of making a break +to escape without throwing his life away, and so he seemed to return to +the hut with perfect content. Indeed, his nonchalance and apparent lack +of fretfulness and dissatisfaction over his misfortune was most amazing +to the rough men. + +Merry ate supper heartily. + +There was a clay fireplace in the hut, and, the night coming on cool, a +fire was built there. Merry lolled before the fire on the hard-packed +earth, which served as a floor to the hut. Bill came in, sat down on the +ground, and rolled a cigarette. + +"Well," he finally said, "how do you find yourself to-night?" + +"Oh, comfortable," carelessly answered Frank. + +"Smoke?" + +"Never do." + +"Drink?" + +"Out of my line." + +"Still you can shoot and play poker! I certain admits you're a queer +one!" + +After a little silence, Bill again dismissed the guard. Then he said: + +"I'm in a leetle hurry to know what your answer is to that there +propersition I made ye. I sw'ar, partner, I sure reckons we'd make a hot +pair. I takes to you!" + +"You're very complimentary!" + +"I'm givin' it to ye straight. You're my style. Now, I wants ye ter know +that I kin be of great service to ye, so I reckons it was well enough to +tell ye what has been done. You sent them papers to your brother in the +East. Well, I has sent one of my best men a-chasin' the papers, an' +he'll be sure to get 'em if it kin be did. If he succeeds, you'll be +plumb out in the cold. Howsomever, in case we rigs up a partnership, it +won't be nohow so bad, fer my man he brings me the papers, an' that +fixes it all right. Savvy?" + +"That is the way you look at it." + +"Sure. You may have thought you was a-givin' me too much to let me have +a half-share in your mines; but when you reckons that you gits your +liberty, my friendship, and you has your papers saved, which same +otherwise would go to the minin' trust, I opine you'll come to see that +you're not makin' such a powerful bad trade after all." + +"But it is not at all certain that you'll get possession of those +papers. In fact, everything is against such a thing happening." + +"Is that so?" + +"It is." + +"How do ye make it out?" + +"My brother knows his business, and he will take care of the papers." + +"How did you send them?" + +"Registered mail." + +"So I opined. Now you knows it takes things registered a heap sight +longer to travel than it takes other mail." + +"Well?" + +"Such bein' the case, One-hand Hank is powerful sartin to git thar ahead +o' the letter." + +"He may." + +"In which case he watches the post-office close. When he sees your kid +brother take out the package, he follers the boy, taps him on the +kebeza, knocks him stiff, takes the papers and ambles. See how easy it +is to be did?" + +"It is easy enough to talk about it; but my brother is pretty shrewd, +and One-hand Hank will have the time of his life getting those papers." + +"You don't know Hank. He's perfectly familiar with the East, an' that +was why he was sent. One time he escaped from Sing Sing. That was when +he had two good arms. He's a mighty bad man, an' he'll eat up that +brother of yours but he'll have the papers." + +"I give you my assurance that Dick will sit hard on Hank's stomach. I +am not greatly worried, for all of what you have told me." + +Bill frowned. + +"All right," he said. "I did have some intentions of usin' persuasive +measures on ye, such as puttin' your feet to the fire, or things like +that; but I holds them things off to the last finish, as I opine a +partnership brought about that there way would be onpleasant to us +both." + +"Rather," laughed Frank. + +"Still," said Bill; "I may have to be rather harsh, which certain would +grieve me up a lot with such a fine young fellow as you are. I hopes you +don't bring me none to that. Thar's no chance fer you to give me the +slip. I've taken mighty good keer of that p'int. It will save ye a great +amount of trouble if you decides to-night that we becomes pards. I'll +jest walk out with ye an' interduce ye to ther boys as equal with me, +an' ev'rything will be lovely. I don't reckon you'd be fool enough to go +back on any sech arrangement you made, fer Cimarron Bill ain't the man +to be throwed down in such a way." + +"There is no need of even suggesting a threat," said Merry. "If I enter +into such a partnership with you, you can be sure I'll stand by it." + +Bill urged him to make the agreement at once, but still Merry declined. + +"Time is right precious," said the leader of the ruffians. + +"Perhaps I'll give you an answer to-morrow." + +And that was all Bill could get out of him then. So the chief fell to +talking of other things, and they chatted agreeably for some time. + +When the ruffian was ready to retire, he called the guard. Then he bade +Frank good night and went out. + +Merry slept with the same amazing peacefulness. But some time in the +night he started wide-awake, seeming to feel near him the presence of +some one. + +The fire had died out, save for a few glowing coals on the hearth. The +sentinel sat rigid in his corner. Merry could not tell if he slept or +not. + +Outside the cabin something seemed to brush lightly against the wall. + +This gentle sound was not repeated. After listening a long time, Frank +fell asleep once more. + +In the morning he found a black feather where it had fallen to the +ground after being thrust through a crack in the wall. + +At sight of the feather he started. Then he hastened to pick it up and +conceal it. + +For that feather told him that old Joe Crowfoot was near. It promised +escape from the hands of the ruffians, and caused Merry to suddenly +cease planning himself and trust things wholly to Crowfoot. He knew old +Joe would find an opportunity to try to aid him to escape. + +That morning Frank was asked by Bill to come out and take breakfast with +the rest of the men, an invitation which he willingly accepted, as he +was beginning to thirst for the open air. + +It was a glorious morning, just as all mornings in that land of eternal +sunshine seem to be glorious. The elevation was sufficient to give the +air a pleasant coolness. The sun shone down brightly. The horses fed in +the valley. The men were lazing about, as usual. Never had Merry seemed +so perfectly at his ease as he was on this morning. He was in a jovial +mood. Some of the men attempted to chaff him. + +"You're right peert fer a tenderfoot," said Red Sam. "But the effeet +East is ruther slow as compared with the West, you knows." + +"I'm sure I don't know," smiled Frank, sipping his coffee. "In what way +is the East behind the West?" + +"Waal, when it comes to fast trains, we lays away over the East out +yere." + +"I have my doubts." + +"Waal, you see it's this a-way," said Sam, winking at some of his +companions, "the trains out yere don't hev to stop ev'ry few miles, an' +so, havin' once got started, they kin keep increasin' an' a-pilin' on +speed till they literally tears along. Now, thar's the Overland Express. +Why, I was a-ridin' on that train oncet when she was jest running at +comfortable speed, and the telygraft-poles beside the track seemed as +nigh together as teeth in a fine-tooth comb." + +"That's speedy," confessed Frank. + +"You bate. But it warn't northin' to what she did later. A hot box, or +somethin', kind o' delayed us, an' we hed to make up lost time. Sir, +it's a fact that arter she got on full head the telygraft-poles looked +presactly like a solid fence along beside the track!" + +"But you see," said Frank, "you confess that your trains out here have +to take time to get up such high speed. That is where they are behind +the trains in the East." + +"How?" demanded Sam contemptuously. + +"Why, having to stop often, the Eastern trains make it a practise to +start quick and at high speed. They don't have to pump away for fifteen +or twenty miles in order to get to going at a comfortable rate of speed. +Instead of that they start right off at full speed. Now there is a train +runs between New York and Washington. I got aboard at the station in +Jersey City. My girl had come along to see me off. I opened the car +window and leaned out to kiss her good-by, and, so help me, I kissed a +colored woman in Philadelphia!" + +There was a moment of silence, and then Big Monte gave a roar of +delighted laughter. This was the kind of humor he could appreciate, and +the fact that Red Sam had been doubly outdone by the tenderfoot gave him +great joy. + +The others laughed, also, and their respect for their captive rose +several notches. + +Cimarron Bill thoroughly appreciated Merry's cleverness in getting ahead +of Red Sam. + +"That youngster'd make the greatest pard a man could tie to!" thought +Bill. + +After breakfast Merry coolly sauntered about the hut. He was followed +everywhere by the two guards, but he gave them no heed whatever. He +looked for some further sign of old Joe, but saw nothing. + +Merry wondered how the redskin would go to work to accomplish what he +meant to attempt. + +Bill let Frank alone until after dinner. Then he sat down with Merry, +they being by themselves, and again broached the subject that seemed +uppermost in his mind. + +"See here," said Frank, "I offered one of your men a thousand dollars to +get me out of this. The same offer stands good with you." + +The dark face of Cimarron Bill flushed and he looked deadly. + +"Mebbe you don't know you're insultin' me a heap!" he said. "Such bein' +the probable case, I resents it none. The minin' trust has promised me +five thousan' when I turns them papers over." + +"Which you will never do." + +"Which I'll sure do if you gits foolish an' refuses to tie up with me." + +"Well," said Frank, "I'm not bidding against the mining trust. I have +refused to recognize that organization." + +"Then you refuses my proposal?" said Bill, in that cold, dangerous voice +of his. + +"Not that. I want until to-morrow morning to think it over. Just till +to-morrow." + +"You'll give me my answer to-morrer mornin'?" + +"Yes." + +"Then it's settled that you has that much more time. I won't ask ye no +more about it until to-morrer morning; an' then you must sure give an +answer. I knows what that answer will certain be if you has the level +head I thinks." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +INJUN JOE TO THE RESCUE. + + +Along in the middle of the night Frank awoke. Again he was overcome by +that strange feeling that some person was near him. Then he felt a +touch, light as a feather, and saw at his side a dark figure. + +The starlight came in at the small, square window. + +A hand grasped Frank's wrist and gave it a gentle pull. There was not +even a whisper. Merry knew what was wanted. + +Without making a sound, he crept across the ground to the wall, where a +timber had been removed from the lower portion, making an opening large +enough for a man to slip through. + +Some one passed noiselessly through this opening ahead of him. Frank +followed as silently as he could. + +Outside he found at his side the one who had entered the cabin in that +manner. This person lay flat on the ground and moved away with amazing +deftness and silence. + +Frank could not follow as easily, but he wormed along as best he could. +In that manner they finally passed to the shelter of some scrubby +bushes. + +There Frank found a dark form sitting on the ground. + +"Heap all right," whispered a voice. "You no make a row when Joe him +come. Joe he know you be ready if you find feather." + +It was Crowfoot, the faithful old redskin. + +"All right now. Make um no noise. Foller Joe," continued the Indian. + +The old fellow did not hurry. He took his time to crawl along on hands +and knees until they were far from the hut. At last he arose, and Frank +followed his example. They bent low and went on like two dark shadows. + +"Can we get out of the valley all right?" asked Merry. + +"One man him guard this way to go out," said Joe. + +"How do we pass him?" + +"Joe know. Leave it to him." + +The valley narrowed at last. They slipped along between rocky walls. +Joe's feet made absolutely no sound. + +"Stop here," advised the redskin. "Joe him come back in minute." + +So Frank stopped and waited. The minute was long. Indeed, it became ten +minutes at least. But the old fellow returned, saying: + +"All right. Coast clear." + +"What's that?" exclaimed Frank, as they nearly stumbled over a dark +figure, as they were hurrying on again. + +"Him guard," said Joe. + +"Guard? What's the matter with him?" + +"Him sleep." + +Merry shuddered a bit, for he fancied he knew the sort of sleep meant by +the old fellow. + +Cimarron Bill would receive his answer in the morning. It would be a +great surprise to him, and would please him not at all. + +More than two miles had been traversed when they came, in a deep gully, +upon old Joe's horse. + +"No keep him so near," said the Indian. "Bring him here to have him +ready to-night. You ride." + +Frank did not fancy the idea of riding, but the old fellow insisted, and +Merry finally mounted. So they passed through the silent night, Joe +leading for a time. + +"Did you get the package off all right?" Merry asked. + +"Him go," said Joe. "No worry." + +"Joe, I don't know how I can repay you; but anything I have in this +world is yours. You want to remember that. Take what you want that +belongs to me." + +"Joe him not need much. He soon go off to the long hunt." + +Frank thought of the time when this old redskin had been his bitter +enemy, when Joe had seemed treacherous and deadly as a rattlesnake, and +smiled somewhat over the transformation. He had won the confidence of +the Indian, who was now as faithful as he had once been dangerous. + +"Did you see anything of the one-armed man who was with my pursuers?" +asked Merry. + +"No see him after leave you." + +"He was sent away to follow you." + +"No see him. He no bother me." + +Frank was thoroughly well satisfied with the work of the faithful +redskin. + +They took turns at riding throughout the night. Three hours after dawn +they came into a large, wooded valley amid the mountains. As they +approached this valley they heard afar a rumbling, jarring sound that +brought a smile to the face of Frank Merriwell. + +"The stamps are in operation," he said. + +Riding up the valley, through which flowed a stream of water, they saw +reared against the bold face of a high mountain, looking like +ant-mounds, some buildings, four or five in number. In the side of the +mountain opened the black mouth of a shaft. + +"Hurrah!" Merry cried, waving his hat over his head. "There, Joe, is the +Queen Mystery, and it is in full blast!" + +The Queen Mystery mine was located a long distance from the nearest +railroad, but Merriwell had been to the expense and trouble of having +the very latest machinery brought there and set up. He had in his employ +Jim Tracy, as a foreman, said to be thoroughly capable and reliable. +Only about fifty men were employed in the mine at that time; but Merry +contemplated increasing the force extensively. + +There was talk of a branch railroad being constructed to pass within ten +or fifteen miles of the Queen Mystery. + +Were the mine to fall into the hands of the mining trust, without doubt +that railroad would be constructed, and it would run direct to Camp +Mystery and onward. The influence of the great railroad magnate would +easily bring about the running of the railroad to suit his fancy. + +The mining trust had been completely baffled in its first efforts to get +the best of Merriwell. + +Frank was welcomed at the mine, where he made himself comfortable. + +Old Joe disappeared within six hours after arriving there. He vanished +without saying a word to Merry about his intentions. + +Two days later he reappeared, Frank finding him sitting, in the morning, +with his back against one of the buildings, his red blanket pulled about +him, serenely smoking. + +"Hello, Joe!" cried Merry. "So you're back?" + +"Ugh!" grunted Joe, as he continued to smoke. + +"What's your report, Joe?" + +"Bad men heap gone." + +"Cimarron Bill and his gang?" + +"Joe mean um." + +"They have gone?" + +"Git out. They go heap quick after Strong Heart he git away." + +"Well, that looks as if Bill had given up the fight, but it seems hardly +possible." + +"No can tell," said the old fellow. "May come 'gain with great lot many +more bad men." + +Frank sat down and talked with the old redskin for some time. Then Joe +was given a square meal, and he ate heartily. + +Merry had some business to look after in the mine, and he departed, at +last, with the idea that he would find Joe and have another talk with +him after the business was done. + +But when Merry came to look again for the Indian, Joe had disappeared +once more in his usual mysterious fashion. + +Merry was not at all satisfied that Cimarron Bill had given up the +struggle. In any event, he was confident that the syndicate had not +given up, and experience had taught him that the organization would +resort to any desperate means to accomplish its purpose. + +So Merriwell, having seen that all things were going well at the mine, +set out the following day for Holbrook, in which place he mailed a +letter to Dick, informing him of his fortune in escaping from the +ruffians. + +In Holbrook Merry purchased a supply of rifles and cartridges, also +small arms. This stock he had boxed and contracted with a man to deliver +everything with the least possible delay at the Queen Mystery mine. + +Having attended to this matter, Merry rested over night and set out with +the first hint of coming day for the mine. + +Through the hottest part of the day he rested in a ravine where there +was some shade. Then he traveled again until after nightfall. + +The following forenoon found him in a part of the mountains that seemed +familiar. He had diverged somewhat from the regular trail between +Holbrook and the mine. + +Riding through a narrow pass, he came into a valley that was somewhat +wooded and had a decidedly familiar aspect. Five minutes later he drew +rein, uttering an exclamation of surprise. + +Before him, at a distance, stood an old hut. + +It required no second glance to show Merriwell that it was the very hut +where he had been held a captive by Cimarron Bill and his gang. + +Frank looked around keenly, but the valley seemed desolate, and +apparently he and his horse were the only living creatures within its +confines. + +"The very place!" said Merry. "I wonder how Bill liked my answer to his +proposition. He must have been decidedly surprised when he found me +missing in the morning." + +He rode forward toward the hut, having a fancy to look around the place. + +As he drew nearer, suddenly his horse plunged forward and fell, while a +shot rang out. + +Merry had seen a puff of smoke come from the window of the hut. He +managed to jerk his feet from the stirrups and drop to the ground behind +the body of the horse, where he lay quite still. + +The animal had been shot through the brain, and it did not even kick +after falling. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MERRIWELL AND BIG MONTE. + + +As he lay behind his stricken horse, Merriwell pulled his rifle around +and got it ready for use. Peering over the body of the animal, he +watched the hut. + +The sun, which was dropping toward the west, was still decidedly +uncomfortable. It blazed upon him with a feeling like the heat from a +bake-oven. + +Frank knew his peril. He knew better than to lift his head high and give +his hidden foe another chance at him. He could not jump up and rush for +cover, as cover lay too far away. Only one thing could he do, and that +was to remain quietly there and watch and wait. + +After a time it is likely the man who had fired the shot began to +believe Merriwell seriously hurt. Frank caught a glimpse of him within +the hut. + +"He's coming out!" Merry decided. + +He was mistaken. Time dragged on and the sun dipped lower toward the +mountain-peaks; but still no person issued from the old hut. The +situation was anything but comfortable. + +"Confound him!" muttered Frank. "Who is he, and what does he mean?" + +Even as he asked the question, he again saw the man moving beyond the +window. + +Frank thrust the rifle across the horse, resting it on the animal's +body. Then he got into a position where he could take good aim, and then +waited again. + +The sun was touching the mountain-tops when beyond the window Merry saw +the head of a man. + +Then the clear report of his rifle rang through the valley. The puff of +smoke from the muzzle blotted out the window for a moment. When it +floated away the window was empty. + +"Did I reach him?" thought Frank anxiously. + +He felt that he had not missed, and still he could not be sure. He did +not venture to rise from behind the horse. In case he had missed, he +might fall before a second bullet from the hut. + +The sun went down behind the mountains, flinging a hundred golden and +crimson banners into the sky. Finally these began to fade, and a few +stars peeped forth palely. + +"If somebody's watching for me there," thought Merry, "it's going to be +dangerous to move, at best." + +But something told him his lead had not gone astray. + +As the light faded still more he arose quickly, rifle in hand, and +started on a run for the hut. As he ran he felt that it was far from +impossible that another shot might bring sudden death to him. Still he +did not hesitate, and, running steadily, he came up to the hut. + +The door swung open before his hand. He looked in. It was not so dark +as to hide a black figure that lay sprawled on the dirt floor. + +Frank shuddered a little, and felt like turning away at once. + +"He brought it on himself!" he whispered. "It was my life or his. But +I'm sorry I had to do it." + +Then he entered the hut. Striking a match, he bent over the prostrate +figure. The reflected light, coming from his hollowed hands, showed him +a familiar face. + +"Big Monte!" he cried, starting back and dropping the match. + +It was in truth the big man who had been one of Cimarron Bill's paid +satellites. + +He found the man's wrist and felt for his pulse. + +"Good Lord!" Merry cried. + +Big Monte's pulse flickered beneath his fingers. The ruffian still +lived. + +Frank knew where there was some wood, and this he soon had piled in a +little heap in the open fireplace. He applied a match, and soon a blaze +sprang up. + +By the growing light of the fire he examined Monte's wound. + +"Creased him as fine as can be!" he muttered. "Maybe there is a chance +for him, after all." + +It may be explained that by "creased" Frank meant that the bullet had +passed along the man's skull, cutting his scalp, yet had not penetrated +the bone. This had rendered Big Monte unconscious. + +Merry removed the fellow's revolvers and knife and stood his rifle in a +far corner. Then he brought some water in his drinking-cup and set about +the effort of restoring the wretch to consciousness, which did not prove +such a hard task as he had anticipated. + +After a little Monte's eyes opened and he lay staring at the youth. He +seemed bewildered, and it was plain he could not readily collect his +scattered wits. + +"Well, Monte," said Frank coolly, "that was a pretty close call for you. +I came near shooting off the top of your head, which I would have been +justified in doing. All the same, I'm glad I failed." + +The big man continued to stare at Frank. Already Merry had bound up the +ruffian's wound. + +"Ho!" came hoarsely from Monte's lips. "Back! Back to the depths! You +are dead!" + +"If I am dead," said Frank, "I'm just about the liveliest dead man you +ever saw." + +A strange smile came to the lips of the wounded man. + +"If you are not yet dead," he said, "I opines you soon will be a heap." + +"Never count chickens before they are hatched, Monte." + +"When you come back you'll find your mine in the hands of the syndicate. +Bill will have it." + +"That's interesting! How will Bill get it?" + +"He will take it while you are away. He has gathered a right good gang, +and he's a-goin' to jump the mine to-night." + +"Monte," said Frank, "you interest me extensively. How does it happen +you are not with the gang?" + +"I am one of the watchers. I watch to see that you do not get back. I +reckons I have done my part o' the job, for I shot you dead a while +ago." + +The big ruffian was not in his right mind, but already he had said +enough to stir Frank Merriwell's blood. So Cimarron Bill had been +watching his movements from some place of cover, and had hastened to +gather his ruffians the moment Frank left the mine. Without doubt Bill +had counted on Frank remaining away longer. However, this night he was +to strike, with his gang. The mine was to be seized. + +"I must be there!" muttered Merriwell. + +Fortunately Big Monte had a horse hidden not far from the cabin, and +Frank was able to find the animal. + +The wounded ruffian was raving at intervals. He seemed quite deranged. + +"I can't leave him like this," thought Merry. "He might wander off into +the mountains and perish." + +Still he disliked to be encumbered with the wretch. Some would have +deserted the wounded man without delay and ridden with all haste to +reach the mine. + +It must be confessed that such a thought passed through the head of +Frank Merriwell. + +"No!" murmured Frank. "He's a human being. It is my duty to do what I +can to save him." + +So it came about that two men rode Monte's big horse away from that +valley. One of them muttered, and laughed, and talked wildly. + +"Riding with the dead!" he said. "We're on the road to Purgatory! Ha! +Ha! Ha! Whip up the horse! Gallop on!" + +It was a strange ride through the starlight night. The clicking clatter +of the horse's hoofs aroused the big man at intervals, and he laughed +and shouted. + +"I'm dead!" he finally declared. "I am a dead man! Two dead men are +riding together! And we're on the road to the burnin' pit! But it's +getting a heap cold! I'm beginnin' to freeze. The fire will be good an' +hot!" + +"Shut up!" said Merry. "We're getting near the Queen Mystery. You may +get shot up some more if you keep your jaw wagging." + +As they came nearer to the valley, Merry slackened the pace of the +foam-flecked horse. Fortunately the animal had been big and strong, for +once Frank had seemed to have little mercy on the beast he bestrode. + +Monte continued to talk. He had grown so weak that Merry was compelled +to partly support him. + +"Look here," Frank said, in a commanding way, "you are not to say +another word until I give you permission. Do you understand that?" + +"Yes." + +"Then close up. Not another word from you." + +Monte closed up, obeying like a child. + +They were entering the valley. Suddenly there came a challenge. + +"Hold up, thar! Who goes yander?" + +Not a word from Merriwell's lips, but he drove the spurs to the horse, +clutched Big Monte tighter, and they shot forward into the valley. + +Instantly sounded a shot, followed by several more. Bullets whistled +past them. Frank felt Monte give a great start and lurch sideways, but +he held the man steady. + +There were cries of rage from the men who had fired the shots. + +Not a word did Frank speak, but he held straight on toward the head of +the valley and Camp Mystery. + +As he approached he saw lights gleaming ahead, seeming to indicate that +the sound of shooting had come up the valley and aroused the miners. + +He was challenged, but gave an answer that caused the men to welcome him +with a shout. It was Crowfoot who seized the lather-white horse by the +bit, but it was another who caught Big Monte as the ruffian plunged from +the saddle on being released from Frank's arms. + +"I 'lows he'd got it good an' plenty," said the man who caught Monte. +"Ef he ain't dead a'ready, he'll be so right soon." + +"Take him inside somewhere," directed Frank. "Every man who can find a +weapon wants to get ready to fight. We're going to have a gang of +ruffians down on us here, and we'll have to fight to hold this mine." + +"We're all ready, Mr. Merriwell," said Jim Tracy, the foreman. "Joe +Crowfoot came and warned us what was doin'. I opine them galoots must +'a' bin shootin' at you some down yander?" + +"That's right," said Frank. "I had to ride through them, and they banged +away at me to their satisfaction. I was lucky to come out with a whole +skin." + +"Which the other gent didn't. Who is he?" + +"Big Monte." + +"What? Not that galoot? Why, he's one o' the wust devils unhung in +Arizona!" + +The men began to murmur. + +"Big Monte!" cried another. "Why I has a score to settle with that thar +varmint! He shot my partner, Luke Brandt." + +"An' I has a score to settle with him, too!" declared another. "He stole +a hoss off me!" + +Many others claimed grievances against Monte, and suddenly there was a +rush toward the room into which the wounded man had been conveyed. + +Somehow Frank Merriwell was ahead of them all. + +As they came crowding in at the door, Merry stood beside the blanket on +which the wounded ruffian was stretched. + +"Hold on, men!" he called quietly. "Monte is dying!" + +"What do we keer fer that!" cried one. "All the more reason fer us to +hurry an' swing the varmint afore he crokes!" + +"Let him die in peace." + +"That's escapin' what's his due." + +Frank lifted one hand. + +"There is One above who will judge him," he said. "It is not for us to +do that." + +But those men did not fancy the idea of being robbed of their vengeance. +Big Monte was helpless in their hands, and they were for swinging him +before he could escape them by giving up the ghost. + +"Mr. Merriwell, sir," said one, "we respects you all right, an' we don't +like to run contrarywise to anything you says here; but in this yere +case we has to, most unfortunate. It is our sollum duty to hang this +onery hoss-thief, an' that is what we proposes to do. Arter that we'll +be ready ter fight fer you an' your mine as long as it's necessary." + +"That's right!" shouted others, as they again crowded forward. "Let us +have him! We'll make it right short work! Then we'll be ready fer his +pards!" + +Some of them flourished weapons. They were an ugly-looking crew. + +Quick as a flash Frank Merriwell whipped out a pair of revolvers and +leveled them at the crowd. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "I have just one thing to observe: If you don't, +one and all, get out of here instanter and leave Monte to shuffle off in +peace I shall open on you! If I open on you, I shall reduce you so that +Cimarron Bill and his crowd will have no trouble whatever in taking this +mine." + +They did not doubt but he meant it, remarkable though it seemed. If they +attempted to seize Monte, Merriwell would begin shooting. It was +astonishing that he should choose to defend this ruffian that had been +one of his worst enemies. + +As the men were hesitating, old Joe Crowfoot suddenly appeared. + +"Com'ron Bill he come!" said the Indian. "There be a heap fight in a +minute! Come quick!" + +"Come on!" cried Jim Tracy. + +And the men rushed forth to meet and repulse Cimarron Bill and his +gang. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE DEATH-SHOT. + + +Frank was about to follow, when Big Monte clutched weakly at his foot. + +"Pard," said the ruffian, "I may never git another chanct to say it. +You're the white stuff! They'd shore hanged me a whole lot but for you. +Now I has a chanct to die comfortable an' respectable like. Thankee, +Frank Merriwell." + +"Don't mention it!" said Frank. "Die as comfortably as you can. I have +to go out to help the boys shoot a few of your pards." + +"I ain't got northin' agin' them," said Monte; "but I wishes ye luck. +They're in the wrong, an' you're right." + +At this moment the sound of shooting outside startled Merry, and, +without another word, he rushed forth, leaving Monte lying there. + +Cimarron Bill had counted on capturing the mine by strategy and meeting +with very little resistance. When Frank had returned and ridden into the +valley Bill knew that it would not do to delay longer, and he had led +his men in swift pursuit. + +But old Joe Crowfoot, faithful as ever, had prepared the miners for the +attack; so it came about that the ruffians were met with a volley of +lead that dismayed and demoralized them. This was not the kind of work +they relished. + +Thus it happened that Frank Merriwell came hurrying forth, only to find +the enemy already repulsed and retreating in disorder. + +The starlight showed two men and a horse stretched on the ground, while +another horse was hobbling about. At a distance down the valley the +mine-seizers were fleeing. + +"They git heap hot time!" said old Joe, in Frank's ear. + +"What?" cried Merry. "Have they quit it as quick as this?" + +"It looks that way, sir," said Jim Tracy. + +"And I didn't get into the game." + +"You was too busy defending Big Monte. I hopes you pardons me, sir, but +I thinks that was a mistake." + +"You have a right to think whatever you like, but I object to your +freedom in expressing yourself." + +This was plain enough, and it told Tracy that Frank would not tolerate +any criticism from him. + +"It's your own game," muttered Tracy, turning away. + +"I see you have dropped two of those chaps." + +"Yes." + +Revolver in hand, Frank walked out toward the spot where the two figures +lay. He was followed by Crowfoot and several others. + +The first man was stone-dead. + +The next proved to be the Mexican, Pinto Pede, who was sorely wounded. + +"That cursed greaser!" growled one of the men. "Give me lief to finish +him, Mr. Merriwell!" + +He placed the muzzle of a pistol against Pede's head. + +Frank knew that a word from him would send the Mexican into eternity. + +"None of that!" he said sternly and commandingly. "Pick the fellow up +and take him in yonder. He may not be shot up too bad to recover." + +But they drew back. + +"Sir," said Tracy, "I don't opine thar is a man here but what thinks +hisself too good to be after handlin' the onery greaser." + +"And you would let him remain here to die?" + +"I reckons that's correct." + +In another moment Merry had stooped and lifted the slender body of Pinto +Pede in his arms. With long strides, he bore the Mexican toward the +building in which Big Monte lay. + +The miners looked on in amazement. + +"Waal, he's the limit!" said Jim Tracy, in disgust. + +Crowfoot followed Frank, who took Pede into the room and placed him +beside Big Monte. The redskin stopped at the door, where he stood on +guard. + +"Well, Pede," said Frank, "we'll examine and see just how hard you're +hit." + +The Mexican was shot in the side. At first it seemed that the wound +might be fatal, but, examining with the skill of an amateur surgeon, +Frank made a discovery. + +"She struck a rib, Pede," he said. "She followed around and came out +here. Why, you're not in such a bad way! You may pull through this thing +all right. You'd be almost sure to if you had the right sort of +treatment." + +The Mexican said nothing, but certain it is that he was bewildered when +he found Merry dressing the wound. This Frank did with such skill as he +possessed, making the fellow comfortable. + +Big Monte had watched all this, and he spoke for the first time when the +job was done. + +"I reckon," he said, "that they don't raise galoots like you ev'rywhere. +Why, it shore was up to you to finish the two o' us! Why you didn't do +it is something I don't understand none at all. An' you keeps them gents +from takin' me out an' swingin' me. You shore air plenty diffrunt from +any one I ever meets up with afore!" + +Old Joe Crowfoot had been watching everything. The Indian understood +Frank not at all, but whatever "Strong Heart" did Joe was ready to stand +by. + +"Don't worry over it," laughed Merry. "I owe you something, Monte." + +"I fail to see what." + +"Why, you warned me that Bill and the others meant to jump the mine +to-night." + +"Did I?" + +"Sure thing." + +"I don't remember. But I tried ter shoot ye. Bill said you was ter be +shot ef you comes a-hustlin' back afore he gits around to doin' his part +o' the job." + +"You got the worst of it in that little piece of shooting, so we'll call +that even." + +"If you says even, I'm more'n willin'." + +"Now," said Frank, "I'm going out with the men to watch for a second +attack from Bill. I have to leave you, and some of the boys may take a +fancy to hang you, after all. That bein' the case, I don't want to leave +you so you won't have a show. Here, take this gun. With it you may be +able to defend yourself until I can reach you. But don't shoot any one +if you can help it, for after that I don't believe even I could save +you." + +So he placed a revolver in the hand of Big Monte and went out, leaving +the wounded ruffians together. + +When Frank was gone the two wounded wretches lay quite still for some +time. Finally Pinto Pede stirred and looked at Big Monte. + +"How you get shot?" he asked. + +"The gent who jest went out done a part o' the job," said Monte, in +reply. + +"Heem--he shoot you?" + +"Yes." + +"Ha! You lik' da chance to shoot heem?" + +"Waal, I had it, but I missed him. He fooled me a whole lot, fer he jest +kept still behind his hoss, what I had salted, an' then he got in at me +with his own bit o' lead." + +"That mak' you hate heem! Now you want to keel heem?" + +"Oh, I don't know! I don't opine I'm so mighty eager." + +"Beel says he gif one thousan' dol' to man who shoot Frank Mer'well." + +"That's a good lot." + +"Beel he do it." + +"No doubt o' that, I reckons." + +"Mebbe you an' I haf the chance." + +"Waal, not fer me! I quits! When a chap keeps my neck from bein' +stretched arter all I has done ter him--waal, that settles it! I opines +I has a leetle humanity left in me. An' he thought I was dyin', too. I +kinder thought so then, but I'm managin' ter pull along. Mebbe I'll come +through." + +The face of Pinto Pede showed that he was thinking black thoughts. + +"Gif me da chance!" he finally said. "You no haf to do eet. Gif me da +chance. I do eet, an' we divvy da mon'. Ha?" + +"Don't count me into your deviltry." + +"No count you?" + +"No." + +"What matter? You no too good. I see you shoot man in back." + +"Mebbe you did; but he hadn't kept me from bein' lynched." + +"Bah! Why he do eet? You fool! He want to turn you ofer to law." + +"Mebbe you're right; I don't know." + +"You safe yourself if you help keel him." + +"Looker hyer, Pede, I'm a low-down onery skunk; but I reckon thar's a +limit even fer me. I've struck it. This hyer Frank Merriwell made me +ashamed a' myself fer the fust time in a right long time. I know I'm too +onery to reform an' ever be anything decent, even if I don't shuffle off +with these two wounds. All the same, I ain't the snake ter turn an' soak +pisen inter Merriwell, an' you hear me. Others may do it, but not Big +Monte." + +"Bah! All right! You not get half! Yes; you keep steel, you get eet." + +"What are you driving at?" + +"Wait. Mebbe you see. All you haf to do is keep steel." + +"Waal, I'm great at keepin' still," said Monte. + +It was not far from morning when Merriwell re-entered that room. + +Pinto Pede seemed to be sleeping, but Big Monte was wide-awake. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Frank. "So you're still on these shores. I didn't +know but you had sailed out." + +"Pard, I opine mebbe I may git well enough to be hanged, after all," +grinned the big ruffian. + +"Possibly you may," said Frank. "And the chances are you would be if I +were to leave you alone long enough. I heard some of the boys talking. +They contemplate taking you out and doing things to you after I'm +asleep. But they did not reckon that I would come here to sleep, where +they cannot get their hands on you without disturbing me." + +"That was right kind of you," said Monte. "How's Bill?" + +"I think that Bill has had his fill for the present. Indications are +that he has left the valley with his whole force, and we are not looking +for further trouble from him in some time to come." + +"Bill shore found hisself up against the real thing," said Monte. + +Frank placed a blanket near the door, wrapped himself in it, and was +soon sleeping soundly. + +Big Monte seemed to fall asleep after a time. + +Finally the Mexican lifted his head and listened. He looked at Monte, +and then at Frank. Seeming to satisfy himself, he gently dropped aside +his blanket and began creeping across the floor, making his way toward +Merriwell. He moved with the silence of a serpent. + +Now, it happened that Big Monte was not asleep, although he had seemed +to be. The Mexican had not crept half the distance to Frank when the big +man turned slightly, lifted his head, and watched. As the creeping +wretch drew nearer to the sleeping youth the hand of Big Monte was +gently thrust out from the folds of his blanket. + +Pede reached Frank, and then arose to his knees. Suddenly he lifted +above his head a deadly knife, which he meant to plunge into the breast +of the unconscious sleeper. + +At that instant a spout of fire leaped from something in the hand which +Big Monte had thrust from beneath the blanket, and with the crashing +report of the revolver Pede fell forward across the body of his intended +victim, shot through the brain! + +Frank was on his feet in an instant. + +"What does this mean?" he cried, astounded, stirring the body of the +Mexican with his foot. + +"You gave me a gun," said Big Monte, "so that I might defend myself. It +came in handy when I saw Pede gittin' keerless with his knife an' goin' +fer to cut you up." + +"Was that it?" exclaimed Frank. "Why, he was going to stab me! And you +saved my life by shooting him!" + +"Which mebbe makes us some nearer square than we was," said Monte, "as +you saved my life a leetle time ago." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +FRANK MAKES A DECISION. + + +Frank leaned against the door-jamb of his cabin and looked out into the +sunny valley. To his ears came the roar of the stamp-mills of the mine, +which was in full blast. Before him lay the mine-buildings about the +mouth of the tunnel, from which rich ore was being brought to be fed to +the greedy stamps. + +It was now something like ten days since the ruffians under Cimarron +Bill tried to carry the mine by assault. + +Frank had remained watchful and alert, well knowing the nature of +Cimarron Bill and believing he would not be content to abandon the +effort thus easily. Still the second attack, which he had so fully +expected, had not come. + +He was wondering now if the ruffians had given it up. Or had they been +instructed by the trust to turn their attention to the San Pablo Mine? + +If the latter was the case, Frank felt that they would find the San +Pablo prepared. He had taken pains before hastening to the Queen Mystery +to fortify his mine in Mexico, leaving it in charge of a man whom he +fully trusted. + +Nevertheless, Frank felt that it would be far better were he able to +personally watch both mines at the same time. Just now he was +meditating on the advisability of leaving the Queen Mystery and +journeying southward to the San Pablo. + +As he thought this matter over, something seemed to whisper in his ear +that such an action on his part was anticipated by the enemy, who were +waiting for him to make the move. Then, while he was away, they would +again descend on the Queen Mystery. + +Again the old Indian, Crowfoot, had disappeared, after his usual manner, +without telling Frank whither he was going. Merry knew he might be in +the vicinity, or he might be hundreds of miles away. Still, Joe had a +remarkable faculty of turning up just when he was most needed. + +Merry turned back into the little cabin, leaving the door open. He had +been feeling of his chin as he stood in the doorway, and now he thought: + +"A shave will clean me up. Great Scott! but I'm getting a beard! This +shaving is becoming a regular nuisance." + +Indeed, Frank was getting a beard. Every day it seemed to grow heavier +and thicker, and he found it necessary to shave frequently to maintain +that clean appearance in which he so greatly delighted. + +Frank could wear old clothes, he could rough it with joy, he minded +neither wind nor weather, but personal cleanliness he always maintained +when such a thing was in any manner possible. To him a slovenly person +was offensive. He pitied the man or boy who did not know the pleasure of +being clean, and he knew it was possible for any one to be clean, no +matter what his occupation, provided he could obtain a cake of soap and +sufficient water. + +So Frank was shaving every day when possible. He now turned back into +the cabin and brought out his shaving-set. On the wall directly opposite +the open door hung a small square mirror, with a narrow shelf below it. + +Here Merry made preparations for his shaving. Over a heater-lamp he +prepared his water, whistling the air of the Boola Song. This tune made +him think of his old friends of Yale, some of whom he had not heard from +for some time. + +A year had not yet passed since he had gathered them and taken his +baseball-team into the Mad River region to play baseball. In that brief +space of time many things had occurred which made it evident that never +again could they all be together for sport. The days of mere sport were +past and over; the days of serious business had come. + +Frank thought, with a sense of sadness, of Old Eli. Before him rose a +vision of the campus buildings, in his ears sounded the laughter and +songs, and he saw the line of fellows hanging on the fence, smoking +their pipes and chaffing good-naturedly. + +With some men it is a sad thing that they cannot look back with any +great degree of pleasure on their boyhood and youth. They remember that +other boys seemed to have fine times, while they did not. Later, other +youths chummed together and were hail-fellow-well-met, while they +seemed set aloof from these jolly associates. With Frank this was not +so. He remembered his boyhood with emotions of the greatest pleasure, +from the time of his early home life to his bidding farewell to Fardale. +Beyond that even unto this day the joy of life made him feel that it was +a million fold worth living. + +There are thousands who confess that they would not be willing to go +back and live their lives over. Had the question been put to Frank +Merriwell he would have said that nothing could give him greater +pleasure. + +When the water was hot, Frank carefully applied his razor to the strop +and made it sharp enough for his purpose. Then he arranged everything +needed on the little shelf beneath the mirror. + +Now, it is impossible to say what thing it was that led him to remove +his revolver from the holster and place it on the shelf with the other +things, but something caused him to do so. + +Then he applied the lather to his face, and was about to use the razor, +when he suddenly saw something in the mirror that led him to move with +amazing quickness. + +Behind him, at the open door, was a man with a rifle. This man, a +bearded ruffian, had crept up to the door with the weapon held ready for +use. + +But for the fact that the interior of the cabin seemed somewhat gloomy +to the eyes of the man, accustomed as they were to the bright glare of +the sun outside, he might have been too swift for Frank. + +Another thing added to Frank's fortune, and it was that he had drawn his +revolver and placed the weapon on the little shelf in front of him. For +this reason it was not necessary for him to reach toward the holster at +his hip, an action which must have hurried the ruffian to the attempted +accomplishment of his murderous design. For Merriwell had no doubt of +the fellow's intention. He saw murder in the man's eyes and pose. + +The rifle was half-lifted. In another moment Frank Merriwell would have +been shot in the back in a most dastardly manner. + +He snatched the revolver from the little shelf and fired over his +shoulder without turning his head, securing such aim as was possible by +the aid of the mirror into which he was looking. Frank had learned to +shoot in this manner, and he could do so as skilfully as many of the +expert marksmen who gave exhibitions of fancy shooting throughout the +country. + +His bullet struck the hand of the man, smashing some of the ruffian's +fingers and causing him to drop the rifle. + +Merry wheeled and strode to the door, his smoking revolver in his hand, +a terrible look in his eyes. + +The wretch was astounded by what had happened. Blood was streaming from +his wounded hand. He saw Merriwell confront him with the ready pistol. + +"You treacherous cur!" said Frank indignantly. "I think I'll finish +you!" + +He seemed about to shoot the man down, whereupon the ruffian dropped on +his knees, begging for mercy. + +"Don't--don't shoot!" he gasped, holding up his bleeding hand, "Don't +kill me!" + +"Why shouldn't I? You meant to kill me." + +"No, no--I swear----" + +"Don't lie! Your soul may start on its long trail in a moment! Don't lie +when you may be on the brink of eternity!" + +These stern words frightened the fellow more than ever. + +"Oh, I'm telling you the truth--I sw'ar I am!" he hastened to say. + +"You crept up to this door all ready to fill me full of lead." + +"No, no! Nothing of the sort! I was not looking for you! It--it was some +one else! I swear it by my honor!" + +A bitter smile curled the lips of the young man. + +"Honor!" he said--"your honor! Never mind. How much were you to receive +for killing me?" + +"It was not you; it was another man." + +"What other?" + +"Tracy." + +"My foreman?" + +"Yes." + +"You were looking for him?" + +"Yes." + +"Why?" + +"Him and me have had a fallin' out, and he cussed me. He threatened to +shoot me, too." + +"What was the matter?" + +"Oh, he didn't like the way I done my work. It's true; ask him. I swore +I'd fix him." + +"Well, what brought you here to my cabin to shoot the foreman?" + +"I thought I saw him coming this way." + +Frank pressed his lips together and looked the man over. Somehow he +believed the ruffian was lying, in spite of all these protests. + +"See here, Anson," he said, "you were hired by the mining trust, or by +some of its tools, to shoot me, and you tried to earn your money. Don't +deny it, for you can't fool me. Just own up to the truth and it will be +better for you. Tell me who made the deal with you and how much you were +to receive. If you come out honestly and confess all, I'll spare you. +Your hand is bleeding pretty bad, and it should be attended to at once. +I'll see to that, but upon condition that you confess." + +Still the ruffian continued to protest, insisting that it was Tracy he +was looking for. In the midst of this he suddenly stopped, seeming to be +badly frightened. + +"Oh, Lord!" he choked. "Here comes Tracy! Don't tell him! I can't defend +myself! Don't tell him, or he'll sure shoot me up and finish me!" + +Jim Tracy was coming with long strides. He saw Frank and the wretch with +the bleeding hand. + +"Whatever is this?" he demanded. "I heard the shooting. What has this +yaller dog been up to?" + +"I shot him," said Frank quietly. "He came walking into my door in a +careless manner with his rifle in his hand, and I shot him in a hurry. +He was foolish; he should have been more careful. It's dangerous to walk +in on me that way, even with the most peaceable intentions." + +There was a strange look on Tracy's face. + +"So that's how it happened?" he exclaimed, in a harsh voice. "Well, it's +pretty certain that Hop Anson needs to have his worthless neck +stretched, and all I ask is permission to attend to the job. I'll +dispose of him very quickly." + +"I told you, Mr. Merriwell!" muttered the wounded man. + +"You have had some trouble with him, have you, Tracy?" asked Frank. + +"Confound his hide! yes, I have. He has no business here at this time. +His place is discharging the rock as it comes out. The fact that he's +here counts against him. Turn him over to me." + +"Instead of that," said Frank, thrusting his revolver into his holster, +"I think I'll take care of him. Come in here, Anson." + +Tracy seemed astonished and disgusted. + +"What are you going to do?" he asked. + +"I'm going to see if I can't dress that hand and keep him from bleeding +to death," was Merriwell's answer. + +"Well, by thunder!" muttered the foreman. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MERRIWELL'S METHOD. + + +It was not easy for such men to understand Frank Merriwell. Hop Anson +was as much astonished as was Jim Tracy. He entered the cabin at Frank's +command, and Merriwell proceeded to wash and examine the wound. + +"You'll have to lose two fingers and part of another one," said +Merriwell. "I can do the job for you right here, if you say so. Or I'll +patch them up, stop the bleeding, and let you get to a regular +saw-bones." + +"You go ahead," said Anson. + +So Frank opened a trunk which sat behind a curtain in one corner of the +room, bringing out a case, which, on being opened, revealed a complete +set of surgical instruments. These he spread out on the rough table, and +soon he was ready to operate on Hop Anson's mangled hand. + +Jim Tracy, his hands on his hips and his feet rather wide apart, stood +looking on in silence. + +Frank spent the greater part of an hour about his task, impressing Tracy +as an assistant, and when he had finished two of the ruffian's fingers +and a part of the third were gone, but the amputation and dressing had +been done in a manner that was anything but bungling. Frank had been as +careful as possible to preserve cleanliness about his work. + +"Well, you're certain a wonder!" exclaimed Tracy admiringly. "But you +makes a big mistake in wastin' so much trouble on a dog like this." + +Anson did not retort, save with a sullen flash of his treacherous eyes +in the direction of the foreman. + +"Permit me to know my business, Tracy," said Merry shortly. "You may go +now, Anson." + +"What? You're not going to let him go where he likes?" + +"Yes." + +So Hop Anson walked out of the cabin, picked up his rifle, and +disappeared. + +"I don't want to criticise you, Mr. Merriwell," said the foreman. "You +know I am devoted to your interests. But I feel confident that you will +be very sorry you treated that man in such a decent way and then let him +off. He's a snake. I still believe he crept up to the door to shoot you +in the back." + +"Perhaps he did," nodded Frank, cleansing his instruments with the +utmost coolness. "If so, he got the worst of it." + +"But would you let him off like that if you knew it was so?" + +"No. He swore it was not. I had no proof, so I let him go." + +"You're altogether too easy with your enemies," asserted Tracy. "Just +you turn them over to me. I'll take care of them, and they'll never +bother you again, be right sure of that." + +"I'll think about it," smiled Frank, returning the instruments to the +case. + +"You came mighty near being killed by that greaser because you were easy +with him." + +"And my life was saved by Big Monte because I had been easy with him. +That balances things, I fancy. In fact, for me, it more than balances +things. I'd rather let a dozen bad men escape punishment than strike one +who is innocent." + +"But neither Big Monte nor Pinto Pede was innocent." + +"And Pinto Pede provided a subject with which to start a graveyard here. +Big Monte seemed repentant. Pede would have knifed me, but Monte shot +him just as he was ready to strike." + +"Well, where's Big Monte now?" + +"I don't know," confessed Frank. + +"He skipped out." + +"Sure thing. He took a walk the first chance he got." + +"And it's certain he's gone back to his pals. When they strike at you +ag'in, if they do, Monte will be with 'em." + +"All right. Perhaps he has an idea he'll be fighting fair that way." + +"And he may kill you yet." + +"Possibly." + +"Well," said Tracy, "I must admit that I don't understand you none +whatever! Hop Anson left his work, got a rifle and came sneakin' up to +your door. You shoots him in the hand, then doctors him and lets him go. +That's right peculiar. But I have him to deal with somewhat, and I +propose to deal. If you hear before night that Hop has hopped the divide +don't be any surprised." + +Tracy seemed about to depart. + +"Look here," said Frank, "before you go, I have some things to say. +Unless Hop Anson gives you good and sufficient cause, you are not to +lift your hand against him. I don't want any shooting to get started +here at the mine. I want these men to dwell together peaceably. The +first shooting is likely to lead to other work in the same line." + +"You're too much against such things," said Tracy; "and still I notice +you don't hesitate any whatever to use a gun at times." + +"When forced to it; never at any other time. I am decidedly against it. +It would be dead easy to start an affair here that would lead to +disturbances that might get the men to quarreling. That would put the +men in condition to revolt, and an assault upon the mine would find us +weakened. I trust you, Tracy, to be careful about this matter. Much +depends on you. You have proved satisfactory in every way." + +"Thankee," said the foreman, somewhat awkwardly. "I've tried to do my +best, sir." + +"That is all I ask of any man. That is all any man can do. You should +understand why I wish no disturbance. But, at the same time, let me +warn you to watch Hop Anson closely--for your own benefit. If you have +to do any shooting, well and good." + +"I think I understand," said Tracy, as he walked out. At the door he +paused and half-turned, as if to say something more. Already Frank was +facing the little mirror on the wall, ready to resume his shaving. He +stood exactly as he had stood when he shot at Anson, and his revolver +lay on the shelf beneath the mirror. + +Tracy went on. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SMOKE SIGNALS AND A DECOY. + + +Frank grew restless. On the day following the shooting of Anson he +called Tracy and said: + +"Tracy, I want you to keep your eyes open and be on your guard while I +am away." + +"Are you going away, sir?" asked the foreman. + +"Yes." + +"For a long time?" + +"That is uncertain. I may return by night, and I may not be back for +several days." + +The foreman looked as if he wished to ask where Frank thought of going, +but held himself in check. + +"I wish to satisfy myself if any of my enemies are in this vicinity," +said Merriwell. "I leave things in your hands here, and I believe I can +trust you." + +"You can, sir, fully." + +Merry attended to the saddling of his horse. When he rode forth from the +mine he was well armed and prepared for almost anything. Behind him the +roar of the ore-crushers died out, and he passed into the silence of the +mountains. + +Not an hour had passed when he was somewhat surprised to see before him +from an elevated point a big, ball-like cloud of dark smoke rising into +the sky. + +"That's odd," was his immediate decision. + +He stopped his horse and watched the smoke as it ascended and grew +thinner. It was followed by another ball of smoke as he watched, and +after this came still another. + +Then Frank turned in the saddle, looking in various directions. Some +miles behind him three distinct and separate clouds of smoke seemed to +be mounting into the sky from another high elevation. + +"If those are not smoke signals," said Frank, "I'm a chump! In that +case, it's likely I'll have Indians to deal with if I keep on. Perhaps +I'd better turn back." + +For something told him that he was the object of those signals, and this +was an Indian method of communication. He sat still for some time, +watching the smoke fade in the upper air, which it did slowly. At last, +however, it was gone, and the clear atmosphere held no black signal of +danger. + +Frank's curiosity was aroused. He longed to know the meaning of those +signals. Having looked to his weapons, he rode on slowly, keenly on the +alert. + +Coming through a narrow gorge into a valley that looked barren enough, +he suddenly snatched forth a revolver and cried: + +"Halt, there! Stop, or----Why, it's a woman!" + +For he had seen a figure hastily seeking concealment amid some boulders. +At sound of his voice the figure straightened up and turned toward him. + +Then he was more amazed than ever, for he saw a dark-faced Mexican girl, +wearing a short skirt and having about her neck a scarlet handkerchief. +Her head was bare, and her dark hair fell over her shoulders. She +looked like a frightened fawn. + +No wonder he was astonished to behold such a vision in that desolate +part of the mountains. She seemed trembling, yet eager, and she started +to advance toward him. + +"Oh, senor!" she said, in a voice that was full of soft music, "eet mus' +be you are good man! Eet mus' be you are not bad an' weeked. You would +not hurt Gonchita?" + +"Not on your life!" exclaimed Merry, at once putting up his revolver. + +At which she came running and panting up to him, all in a flutter of +excitement. + +"Oh, _Madre de Dios_! I am so much happeeness! I have de great fear when +you I do see. Oh, you weel come to heem? You weel do for heem de +saveeng?" + +The girl was rather pretty, and she was not more than eighteen or +nineteen years of age. She was tanned to a dark brown, but had white +teeth, which were strangely pointed and sharp. + +"Who do you mean?" + +"My fadare. _Ay-de mi_! he ees hurt! De bad men shoot heem. They rob +heem! He find de gold. He breeng me with heem here to de mountain, all +alone. He theenk some time he be vera reech. He have de reech mine. Then +de bad men come. They shoot heem. They take hees gold. He come creep +back to me. What can I to do? _Ay-de mi_!" + +"Your father--some bad men have shot him?" said Merry. + +"_Si, si, senor_!" + +"It must have been Cimarron Bill's gang," thought Merry. + +The girl was greatly excited, but he continued to question her, until he +understood her quite well. + +"Is he far from here?" he asked. + +"No, not de very far. You come to heem? Mebbe you do for heem some good. +Weel you come?" + +She had her brown hands clasped and was looking most beseechingly into +Frank's face. + +"Of course I'll come," he said. "You shall show me the way. My horse +will carry us both." + +He assisted her to mount behind him, and told her to cling about his +waist. + +Frank continued to question Gonchita, who sometimes became almost +unintelligible in her excitement and distress. They passed through the +valley and turned into a rocky gorge. Frank asked if it was much +farther. + +"We be almost to heem now," assured Gonchita. + +Almost as the words left her lips the heads of four or five men appeared +above some boulders just ahead, and as many rifles were leveled straight +at Frank's heart, while a well-known, triumphant voice shouted: + +"I've got you dead to rights, Merriwell! If you tries tricks you gits +soaked good and plenty!" + +At the same moment the girl threw her arms about Frank's body, pinning +his arms to his sides, so that he could make no move to draw a weapon. + +Merry knew on the instant that he had been trapped. He realized that he +had been decoyed into the snare by the Mexican girl. He might have +struggled and broken her hold, but he realized the folly of such an +attempt. + +"Be vera steel, senor!" hissed the voice of Gonchita in his ear. "Eet be +bet-are." + +"You have betrayed me," said Frank reproachfully. "I did not think it of +you. And I was ready to do you a service." + +He said no more to her. + +Out from the rocks stepped Cimarron Bill. + +"So we meet again, my gay young galoot," said the chief of the ruffians. +"An' I reckon you'll not slip me so easy this time. That old Injun o' +yours is food fer buzzards, an' so he won't give ye no assistance +whatever." + +"Old Joe----" muttered Merry, in dismay. + +"Oh, we finished him!" declared Bill. "That's why you ain't seen him fer +some time. Set stiddy, now, an' don't make no ruction. + +"Gonchita, toss down his guns." + +The Mexican girl obeyed, slipping to the ground with a laugh when she +had disarmed Frank. + +The ruffians now came out from the shelter of the rocks and gathered +about the youth, grinning at him in a most provoking manner. He +recognized several of the same fellows who had once before acted as +guard over him. Red Sam was there, and nodded to him. + +"You're a right slick poker-player," said the sandy rascal; "but we +'lowed a girl'd fool ye easy. Goncheeter done it, too." + +Frank nodded. + +"She did," he confessed. "I was taken off my guard. But you want to look +out for Indians." + +"Why for?" + +Merry then told them of the smoke signals, whereupon they grinned at one +another knowingly. + +"That'll be all right," said Bill. "Them signals told us when you was +comin', an' which way." + +"Then you were doing the signaling?" + +"Some o' the boys." + +Frank was then ordered down and searched. He appeared utterly fearless. +He observed that Gonchita was watching him closely, a strange look in +her eyes, her lips slightly parted, showing her milky, pointed teeth. + +When the men were satisfied that no weapon remained in the possession of +their captive, two or three of them drew aside to consult, while the +others guarded Frank. + +Cimarron Bill patted Gonchita's cheek with his hand. + +"Well done, leetle gal!" he said. "You fooled him powerful slick." + +She smiled into Bill's eyes, but in another moment, the chief, having +turned away, she was watching Frank again. + +The result of the consultation led to the placing of Merry on his own +horse, and he was guarded by the armed men who escorted him along the +gorge until they came to a place where two men were watching a number of +waiting horses. + +Then there was mounting and riding away, with Frank in the midst of his +triumphant enemies. Gonchita rode with them, having a wiry little pony +that seemed able to cope with any of the other horses. + +Frank was not a little disgusted because he had been decoyed into the +trap, but he did his best to hide his feelings. + +It was some hours later that they halted to rest until the heat of the +day should pass. A fire was built, and a meal prepared, Gonchita taking +active part in this work. + +Frank sat near and watched all that was passing. He had not been bound, +and his manner was that of one free amid the scoundrels by whom he was +surrounded. It was Gonchita who found an opportunity to whisper in his +ear: + +"Be vera careful! Dey mean to shoot you eef you try de escape." + +He did not start or betray any emotion whatever. It hardly seemed that +he had heard her whispered words. Later, however, he gave her a look +which conveyed to her the assurance that he had not failed to +understand. + +As she worked about the fire she called upon him to replenish it with +more fuel, which he did. He was putting wood on the fire when she again +whispered to him: + +"I weel drop by you a peestol. Tak' eet; you may need eet." + +He made no retort, but watched for her to keep her promise, which she +afterward found opportunity to do. + +Merry was lying carelessly on the ground when the weapon, a tiny +revolver, was dropped at his side. Immediately he rolled over upon his +stomach, in a lazy fashion, hiding the weapon, and shortly after he +succeeded in slipping it into his pocket. + +Frank wondered how this strange girl happened to be with those ruffians. +It seemed a most remarkable and mysterious thing. He also wondered why +she had been led to give him the pistol. Having led him into the trap, +she had suddenly changed so that she now seemed to wish him to escape +without harm. + +The truth was that his coolness and nerve, together with his handsome, +manly appearance, had quite won Gonchita's heart. She was a changeable +creature, and had quickly come to regret leading this handsome youth +into such a snare. + +When the food was prepared all partook heartily. Two of the men, a big +fellow with an evil face, called Brazos Tom, and a thick-shouldered +brute hailed as Mike Redeye, had been drinking freely from a flask. +Brazos Tom was given to chaffing the others in a manner that some of +them did not appreciate, and this inclination grew upon him with the +working of the liquor. Redeye was a sullen, silent fellow, and Frank +regarded him as a very dangerous man. + +Once or twice Cimarron Bill gave Tom a look, and, at last, the big +fellow seemed to quiet down. + +After the meal, while the men were yet resting, Bill had his horse +saddled for some reason, and rode away, having left the men in charge of +Red Sam. + +As soon as the chief was gone, Brazos Tom brought forth his flask, which +was now nearly emptied. + +"Gents," he said, "while we is waitin' we'll finish this an' try a hand +at poker. Wot d'yer say?" + +"Oh, blazes!" growled one. "You an' Mike has purt' near finished that. +Thar ain't enough left fer a drap apiece if we pass it around." + +"Drink up your stuff," said Red Sam. "It's poor firewater, anyhow. I'm +fer the poker. Does you come inter this yere game, young gent, same as +ye did oncet before?" + +This question was addressed to Frank, but Merry already "smelled a +mouse," and so it did not need the warning look from Gonchita and the +slight shake of her head to deter him. + +"Excuse me," he said. "I have no money." + +"Waal, fish some out o' the linin' o' your clothes, same as you did +afore," advised Sam. + +"But I have none in the lining of my clothes." + +"I begs yer pardon, but we knows a heap sight better. Don't try no +monkey business with us, younker! You was good enough ter git inter a +game oncet before an' try ter show us up, so we gives ye another +chanct, an' ye'd better accept it in a hurry." + +"I hardly think I have a friend here who will be willing to lend me +money," smiled Merry. "Unless somebody does so, I cannot play. That +being the case, I reckon I'll keep out of it." + +Sam laid a hand on the butt of his revolver. + +"You can't play none of that with us!" he declared fiercely. "We knows +how you found the money afore, an' you'll find it ag'in. Come, be +lively." + +Frank looked the man over. + +"You could get blood from a turnip easier than money from me," he +declared. + +Then, as Red Sam seemed about to draw his weapon, Gonchita chipped in, +crying: + +"Don't do it, Sam! I have you cover' weez my peestol! I weel shoot!" + +The men were astonished, for Gonchita had drawn a pistol and had it +pointed at the head of Red Sam, while in her dark eyes there was a +deadly gleam. + +"What in blazes is the matter with you?" snarled Red Sam, looking at her +over his shoulder. + +"You hear what Gonchita say," she purred, a flush in her brown cheeks. +"She mena de busineeze." + +Frank could not help admiring her then, for she presented a very pretty +picture. + +Reluctantly Sam thrust back his weapon into his holster. + +"Oh, all right!" he laughed coarsely. "I see you're stuck up a heap on +the feller." + +"You not to shoot heem while I am around." + +"Whoop!" roared Brazos Tom, in apparent delight. "Thar's a gal fer ye! I +shore admires her style!" + +Then, being in a position to do so, he sprang on Gonchita, caught her in +his strong arms so she could not defend herself, and gave her a bearlike +hug and a kiss. + +The next instant something like a hard piece of iron struck Tom behind +the ear and he measured his length on the ground. Frank Merriwell had +reached his feet at a bound, and hit the giant a blow that knocked him +down in a twinkling. + +Through all this Gonchita had held fast to her drawn revolver, and now +she had it ready for use, so that, when those ruffians placed hands on +their weapons, she again warned them. + +At the same time she flung herself between them and Frank, so that he +was partly protected as he stood over Brazos Tom, who lay prone and +dazed. + +"Take hees peestols!" she palpitated. + +And Frank followed this piece of advice, relieving the fallen ruffian of +his revolvers, so that Tom's hand reached vainly for one of the weapons +as he began to recover. + +"Eef you make de fight," said the girl to the ruffians, "we now gif you +eet all you want." + +Never before had they seen her in such a mood, and they were astounded. +But they knew she could shoot, for they had seen her display her +marksmanship. + +"You little fool!" grated Sam. "Are you goin' to help that galoot try to +git erway?" + +"No, I do not dat; but I see he ees not hurt till Beel he come back." + +Then she commanded Frank to throw down the pistol he had taken from Tom, +which Merry did, knowing there was no chance for him to escape then +without a shooting affray, in which he was almost certain to be wounded. + +Immediately on this act of Frank's the ruffians seemed to abandon any +desire to draw and shoot at him. + +But Brazos Tom rose in a great rage, almost frothing at the mouth. + +"Ten thousan' tarantulas!" he howled. "Let me git my paws on him!" + +He made a rush for Frank, who seemed to stand still to meet him, but +stepped aside just as the ruffian tried to fold him in his arms. + +Then the big wretch was somehow caught about the body, lifted into the +air, and sent crashing to the ground, striking on his head and +shoulders. The young athlete from Yale handled Brazos Tom with such ease +that every witness was astounded. + +The big fellow lay where he fell, stunned and finished. + +Gonchita looked at Frank with a light of the most intense admiration in +her dark eyes. + +"How you do eet so easee?" she asked. + +"That's nothing, with a bungler like him to meet," said Merry quietly. + +The ruffians said nothing, but exchanged meaning glances. They had been +foiled for the time being by the girl and by the cleverness of their +captive. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS. + + +Four persons were lost in the mountains. Three of them were young men +who were scarcely more than youths. All were mounted on broncos. + +One was a bright-eyed, apple-cheeked chap, who had an odd manner of +talking, and who emphasized his words with little gestures and flirts of +his hand that were very peculiar. Another was dark and silent, with a +face that was decidedly handsome, although it denoted a person given +more or less to brooding and morbid thoughts. The third youth was long +and lank and talked with a nasal drawl and a manner of speech that +proclaimed him a down-easter. + +These three were respectively Jack Ready, Bart Hodge, and Ephraim +Gallup, all friends and former companions of Frank Merriwell. + +The fourth one of the party was a red-nosed bummer, known as Whisky Jim, +whom they had picked up to guide them from the little railroad-town to +Frank Merriwell's mine. Jim had averred that he knew "every squar' foot +o' Arizony frum the Grand Canon to the Mexican line," and they had +trusted in his promise to lead them, with the smallest possible delay, +to the Queen Mystery Mine. + +Jim would not acknowledge that he was lost. They had provided him with +the bronco he bestrode and promised him good pay when they should come +to the mine. He had collected enough in advance to "outfit" with a +liberal supply of whisky, and had managed to keep beautifully loaded +ever since they rode out to the Southwest. + +Their horses were wearied and reluctant, while they were sun-scorched +and covered with dust. + +"By gum!" groaned Gallup. "I'm purty near pegged! This is too much fer +me. I wish I was to hum on the farm!" + +"Prithee say not so!" cried Ready. "You give unto me that feeling of +sadness known to those who are homesick. Ah, me! to endure thus to have +my beautiful complexion destroyed by this horrid sun! And behold my +lily-white hands! Are they not spectacles to make the gods sigh with +regret! Permit me to squeeze out a few salt teardrops." + +Hodge was saying nothing. + +"'Sall ri', boysh," assured the useless guide thickly. "Jesht you wait +an' shee. Whazzer mazzer with you? I know m' bushiness. Who shays I +dunno m' bushiness?" + +He was able to sit perfectly straight in the saddle, although he was +disgustingly intoxicated. + +"I say you don't know your business, you old fool!" said Hodge, breaking +out at last. "It would serve you right if we were to leave you here in +the mountains. A great guide you are! You'd die if we left you! You'd +never find your way out." + +Jim looked astonished. This was the first time Bart had broken forth +thus plainly. + +"You don't mean it?" he gurgled. + +"You bet your life I meant it! I'm in for leaving you to get back to +town the best way you can." + +"Oh, don't do that!" exclaimed Jim, sobered somewhat by his alarm. +"Someshin' might happen t' you, boysh." + +"Let's leave him," nodded Jack Ready, amused by the consternation of the +old fellow. + +"Derned ef we don't!" cried Gallup. + +Upon which the "guide" became greatly alarmed, begging them for the love +of goodness not to leave him there in the mountains to die alone. + +"But you're a guide," said Hodge. "You would be able to get out all +right." + +"Boysh," said the old toper, "I got a 'fession to make." + +"What is it?" + +"I ain't been in the guidin' bushiness for shome time. I'm a leetle +rusty; jest a bit out o' practish. That's whazzer mazzer." + +"Why didn't you say so in the first place? What made you lie to us?" + +"Boysh, I needed the moneysh. Hones' Injun, I needed the moneysh bad. +Been a long time shince I've had all the whisky I could hold. Great +treat f' me." + +Bart was disgusted, but Jack Ready was inclined to look at the affair in +a humorous light. + +"I'd like to know the meaning of those smoke clouds we saw," said +Hodge. "They looked mighty queer to me." + +They consulted together, finally deciding to halt in a shadowy valley +and wait for the declining of the sun, which would bring cooler air. + +They confessed to one another that they were lost, and all felt that the +situation was serious. It was not at all strange that Hodge was very +angry with the worthless old toper who had led them into this +predicament. + +"We may never get out of these mountains," he said. "Or, if we do, we +may perish in the desert. I tell you, fellows, we're in a bad scrape!" + +"Dear me!" sighed Ready. "And I anticipated great pleasure in surprising +Merry to-day. Alas and alack! such is life. I know this dreadful +sunshine will spoil my complexion!" + +Gallup looked dolefully at the horses, which were feeding on the +buffalo-grass of the valley. + +"We're a pack of darn fools!" he observed. "We'd oughter sent word to +Frankie that we was comin', an' then he'd bin on hand to meet us." + +The "guide" had stretched himself in the shadow of some boulders and +fallen fast asleep. + +"I suppose I'm to blame for this thing, fellows," said Bart grimly. "It +was my scheme to take Merry by surprise." + +"Waal, I ruther guess all the rest of us was reddy enough ter agree to +it," put in Gallup. "We're jest ez much to blame as you be." + +They talked the situation over for a while. Finally Bart rose and +strolled off by himself, Gallup calling after him to look out and not go +so far that he could not find his way back. + +Hodge was gone almost an hour. His friends were growing alarmed, when he +came racing back to them, his face flushed with excitement and his eyes +flashing. + +"Come, fellows!" he cried, his voice thrilling them. "I've got something +to show you! We're wanted mighty bad by a friend of ours who is in +trouble!" + +They were on their feet. + +"Who in thutteration be you talkin' abaout?" asked Gallup. + +"Perchance you mean Frank?" said Ready. + +"You bet your life!" said Bart. "Make sure your rifles are in working +order! Leave the horses right where they're picketed. Leave Jim with +them. He'll look after them, if he awakes." + +For Whisky Jim continued to sleep soundly through all this. + +So they seized their weapons and prepared to follow Bart. + +As they ran, Bart made a brief explanation. He had climbed to a point +from whence he looked down into a grassy valley, and there he discovered +some horses and men. The horses were feeding, and the men were reclining +in the shade, with the exception of one or two. While Bart looked he +recognized one of the men, and also saw a girl. At first he thought he +must be deceived, but soon he was satisfied that the one he recognized +was the comrade he had traveled thousands of miles to join, bringing +with him Ready and Gallup. + +As he watched, he saw the encounter between Merry and Brazos Tom, and +that was enough to satisfy Hodge that his friend was in serious trouble. +Then he hastened back to get Jack and Ephraim. + +When Bart again reached the point where he could look into that valley +he was astonished to discover that another struggle was taking place +down there. + +Frank was engaged in a knife-duel with Red Sam, having been forced into +it. And Red Sam meant to kill him. + +The watching ruffians were gathered around, while Gonchita, a pistol in +her hand, was watching to see that the youth had fair play. + +Without doubt, the sandy ruffian had expected to find Merriwell easy, +and finish him quickly in an engagement of this sort. But Frank +Merriwell had been instructed in knife-play by a clever expert, and he +soon amazed Red Sam and the other ruffians by meeting the fellow's +assault, catching his blade, parrying thrust after thrust, leaping, +dodging, turning, charging, retreating, and making such a wonderful +contest of it that the spectators were electrified. + +It was Frank's knife that drew first blood. He slit the ruffian's sleeve +at the shoulder and cut the man slightly. + +Gonchita's dark eyes gleamed. More than ever she marveled at this +wonderful youth, who seemed more than a match for any single ruffian of +Bill's band. + +"He is a wonder!" she told herself. "Oh, he is grand! They meant to kill +him. If he beats Red Sam they shall not kill him." + +Sam swore when he felt the knife clip his shoulder. + +"I'll have your heart's blood!" he snarled. + +Frank smiled into his face in a manner that enraptured the watching +girl. + +"You are welcome to it--if you can get it! But look out for yourself!" + +Then he began a whirlwindlike assault upon Sam, whom he soon bewildered +by his movements. He played about the man like a leaping panther. Once +Sam struck hard at Frank's breast, and Merry leaped away barely in time, +for the keen knife slit the front of his shirt, exposing the clean white +skin beneath. + +But again and again Frank cut the big ruffian slightly, so that soon Sam +was bleeding from almost a dozen wounds and slowly growing weaker in +spite of his efforts to brace up. + +The knives sometimes flashed together. The men stood and stared into +each other's eyes. Then they leaped and dodged and struck and struck +again. + +Little did Frank dream of the friends who were watching him from above. + +Bart Hodge was thrilled into silence by the spectacle. He knelt, with +his rifle ready for instant use, panting as the battle for life +continued. + +"Great gosh all hemlock!" gurgled Ephraim Gallup, his eyes bulging. +"Did you ever see anything like that in all your natteral born days? +Dern my squash ef I ever did!" + +"It is beautiful!" said Jack Ready. "Frank is doing almost as well as I +could do myself! I'll have to compliment him on his clever work." + +Twice Bart Hodge had the butt of his rifle against his shoulder, but +lowered it without firing. + +"He's gittin' the best of the red-headed feller!" panted Gallup. + +"Of course!" nodded Ready. "Did you look for anything else to happen?" + +"Them men don't like it much of enny." + +"They do not seem greatly pleased." + +"I bet they all go fer him if he does the red-head up." + +"In which case," chirped Jack, "it will be our duty to insert a few lead +pills into them." + +Bart was not talking. He believed Frank in constant danger of a most +deadly sort, and he was watching every move of the ruffians, ready to +balk any attempt at treachery. + +As Sam weakened Frank pressed him harder. The fellow believed Merry +meant to kill him, if possible. + +At length Merriwell caught Sam's blade with his own, gave it a sudden +twist, and the fellow's knife was sent spinning through the air, to fall +to the ground at a distance. + +At that moment one of the ruffians suddenly flung up a hand that held a +revolver, meaning to shoot Frank through the head. + +Before he could fire, however, he pitched forward on his face. + +Down from the heights above came the clear report of the rifle in the +hands of Bartley Hodge. + +Bart had saved the life of his old friend. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +FRANK'S ESCAPE. + + +As the ruffian pitched forward on his face, Gonchita uttered a cry. The +attention of the men was turned toward the point from which the +unexpected shot had come. The Mexican girl caught hold of Merry, thrust +a pistol into his hand, and hissed: + +"Back--back there! Quick! It's your chance! You take eet!" + +Frank did not hesitate. With the pistol in his hand, he went leaping +toward the point of cover indicated. He was behind the rocks before the +desperadoes realized what had taken place. They turned, uttering +exclamations of anger and dismay. + +"Steady, you chaps!" rang out Frank's clear voice. "Keep your distance! +If you don't----" + +But now the three young fellows above began shooting into the valley, +and their whistling bullets sent the ruffians scudding to cover. + +Gonchita disdained to fly. She walked deliberately to the shelter of the +rocks near Frank. + +"I geet horse for you," she said. "You take eet an' ride. Eet ees your +chance. Mebbe them your friend?" + +Frank had caught barely a glimpse of the three fellows, and he was not +at all sure that his eyes had not deceived him. + +"Perhaps they are my friends," he said. "They must be." + +"You ready to go?" + +"Yes." + +She ran out and pulled the picket pin of one of the horses. This animal +she brought up close to the point where Frank crouched. + +"Take heem queek!" she panted. "You haf de chance! Down de vallee. Mebbe +you git 'way." + +Frank hesitated. He knew the danger of such an attempt. He no longer +doubted the friendliness of Gonchita, although the remarkable change in +her was most astonishing. + +But the firing from above continued, and the ruffians were forced to +again take to their heels and seek still safer shelter farther up the +valley. + +That was Merry's opportunity, and he seized it. In a twinkling, while +the rascals were in confusion, he leaped upon the bare back of the +horse, headed the animal down the valley, and was off. + +A yell came down from above; but Frank, bending low, did not answer it. + +Two or three bullets were sent after him. He was untouched, however. + +Gonchita had armed him with two pistols, neither of which he had used. +One he held gripped in his hand as the horse carried him tearing down +the valley, and thus he came full upon Cimarron Bill, who was returning +to his satellites. + +Bill was astounded. He had drawn a pistol, and he fired at the rider +who was stooping low along the neck of the horse. The animal tossed its +head and took the bullet in his brain. + +Even as the horse fell, Frank fired in return. He flung himself from the +animal, striking on his feet. + +Bill's horse reared high in the air, striking with its forward feet. The +rider leaned forward and fired from beneath the creature's neck as it +stood on its hind legs, but the movements of the animal prevented him +from accuracy. + +Merry's second shot struck the hind leg of Bill's horse, and the +creature came down in such a manner that its rider was pitched off, +striking upon his head and shoulders. + +Frank did not fire again, for Bill lay in a heap on the ground. The +horse struggled up, being caught by Merry. Frank looked to the beast's +wound, fearing to find its leg broken. This, however, was not the case, +although the bullet had made a rather ugly little wound. + +In another moment Frank was in Bill's saddle, and away he went on the +back of the chief's horse, leaving the stunned rascal where he had +fallen. + +"An exchange of horses," he half-laughed. "You may have my dead one in +place of your wounded one. If you do not like the bargain, Captain Bill, +blame yourself." + +He was in no great fear of pursuit, but he longed to know just what +friends had come to his rescue at such an opportune moment. How was he +to reach them? + +When he felt that he was safe, he drew up Bill's splendid horse, +dismounted and examined the bleeding wound. It was far less serious than +he had feared, and he proceeded to dress it, tearing his handkerchief +into strips to tie about the creature's leg. + +Having attended to his horse, Merry remounted and sought to find a means +of approaching the spot from which his unknown friends had fired into +the valley at such an opportune moment. + +He was thus employed when he came upon a most disreputable-looking old +bummer, who had in his possession four horses. This man was startled by +the appearance of Merriwell and acted very strangely. + +Frank rode slowly forward, ready for whatever might take place. However, +he was recognized by the man, who uttered a shout of astonishment. + +The man with the horses was Whisky Jim, who had awakened to find his +companions gone. + +He greeted Merriwell with protestations of delight. + +"I knew I wash a guide!" he said. "Who shed I washn't guide? I shed I'd +bring 'em to Frank Merriwell, an' I done it. But whazzer mazzer? Where +zey gone? I dunno." + +Barely had Merry started to question the old toper when Hodge, Ready, +and Gallup appeared, hurrying forward. When they saw Merriwell they gave +a cheer of delight, and, one minute later, they were shaking hands with +him. + +"What does this mean?" asked Frank, when he could recover enough to ask +anything. + +"It means," said Bart, "that we are here to back you up in your fight +against the mining trust. You can depend on us to stand by you. After +getting your letter, in which you wrote all about the hot time you were +having fighting the trust, I hastened to get hold of Ready and Gallup +and light out for this part of our great and glorious country. Here we +are, though we're dead in luck to find you, for this drunken duffer +managed to lose us here in the mountains." + +"And you were the ones who chipped in just at the right time after my +little encounter with Red Sam? Fellows, you have given me the surprise +of my life! It's great to see you again! I ran into those gents, or was +led into a trap by a very singular girl, and it looked as if I was in a +bad box. The girl, however, seemed to change her mind after getting me +into the scrape, and she wanted to get me out. I owe her a lot. But +there is no telling when Cimarron Bill and his gang may come hiking this +way after me, so I propose that we light out for the Queen Mystery, +where we can talk things over at our leisure." + +They were ready enough to follow his lead. + +Jim Tracy sat with his feet elevated upon Frank Merriwell's table, +smoking his pipe and talking to Hop Anson, who was on the opposite side +of the table when the door opened and Frank stepped in, followed by his +friends, with Whisky Jim staggering along in the rear. + +Tracy's boots came down from the table with a thud, and he jumped up, +uttering an exclamation and looking astounded. + +"Well, may I be derned!" he said, staring at Frank. + +Now Merriwell was not at all pleased to find the foreman making free in +his cabin in such a manner. + +"What's the matter, Tracy?" he asked sharply, glancing from Jim's face +to that of Anson, who seemed no less confounded. "You seem disturbed." + +"I allow I didn't expect ye back so soon," mumbled the foreman, who +could not recover his composure at once. + +"But I told you I might be back in a few hours, or I might not return +for many days." + +"I know, but----" + +"But what?" + +"Oh, nothing!" + +"It's plain you were making yourself quite at home here. What were you +doing with Anson?" + +"Jest givin' him a piece o' my mind," answered Tracy promptly. "I reckon +he knows now purty well what I think of him." + +Now to Merry, it had seemed on his appearance that these two men were +engaged in a confidential chat. + +"Well, couldn't you find some other place to talk to him?" Frank asked. + +"I brought him here so the rest of the boys wouldn't hear us," explained +Tracy. "I opined they might take a right strong dislike to him in case +they found out what happened this mornin'." + +"You have not told them?" + +"No." + +"Well, your consideration for Anson seems very strange, considering the +talk you made to-day at an earlier hour." + +"I'm jest follerin' your orders," protested the foreman, not at all +pleased by Merry's manner. + +"Very well. You may retire, Tracy. Boys, make yourselves at home." + +As Tracy and Anson were going out, the eyes of the latter encountered +those of Whisky Jim, who was surveying him closely in a drunken manner. + +"Who are you lookin' at?" muttered Anson. + +"Sheems to me," said Jim thickly, "I'm a-lookin' at a gent what had +shome deeficulty down Tucson way 'bout takin' a hoss what b'longed to +nozzer man." + +"You're a liar, you drunken dog!" grated Anson, as he hastened from the +cabin. + +"Do you know that man?" asked Merry, of Jim. + +"Sh!" hissed the toper, with a cautioning gesture. "I don't want 't +gener'lly know I ever shaw him before. He'sh a hosh-thief. He'd shteal +anything, he would. I never 'nowledge him ash 'quaintance of mine." + +"Do you know the other man, my foreman?" + +"Sheems to look ruzer nacheral," said Jim; "but can't 'zactly plashe +him. All shame, if he keeps comp'ny wish that hosh-thief, you look out +f' him." + +Frank celebrated his safe return to the mine in company with his friends +by preparing a rather elaborate spread, and all gathered about the +table to enjoy it and chat about old times and the present fight Merry +was making against the mining trust. + +"Waal, dinged if this ain't scrumpshus!" cried Ephraim Gallup. "I'm +feelin' a hanged sight better than I was when we was lost out in the +maountains this arternoon." + +"Fellows," said Merry, "you have given me the surprise of my life. I +never dreamed of seeing you at such a time. And Bart's shot saved my +life. I know it! I owe him everything!" + +There was a glow of satisfaction in the dark eyes of Hodge. + +"You owe me nothing," he said earnestly. "Whatever I am I owe it to you. +Do you think I am a fellow to forget? That is why I am here. I felt that +this was the time for me to prove my loyalty. When I explained it to +Ephraim and Jack they were eager to come with me to back you in your +fight. If you need them, you can have any of the old gang. They'll come +to a man." + +"Thus far," said Merry, "I have been able to balk every move of the +enemy. They have employed ruffians who hesitate at nothing. You saw the +fellow with the bandaged hand who was here with my foreman? Well, it was +this very morning, while I was shaving at that glass, that he crept up +to that open door and tried to shoot me in the back. I fired first, and +he has lost a few fingers." + +"Dear me!" said Ready. "I'm so frightened! What if somebody should take +a fancy to shoot me full of holes! It might damage me beyond repair!" + +"Gol ding it!" chuckled Gallup. "You must be havin' enough to keep you +alfired busy around here. But what is that chap a-doin' of stayin' +here?" + +Frank explained fully about Hop Anson, adding that he had partly +believed Anson's statement that it was the foreman for whom he was +looking. + +"But since coming back here unexpectedly," said Merry, "and finding them +together in such a friendly fashion, I am inclined to think differently. +Tracy pretended to have a powerful feeling against Anson. Something +leads me to believe now that Tracy will bear watching." + +They sat up until a late hour talking over old times and other matters +that interested them all. When they slept they took pains to make sure +that the door and windows were secured. + +Whisky Jim slept outside in another building. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +MYSTERIOUS PABLO. + + +The following morning, while Frank and his friends were at breakfast, +there came the sounds of a struggle outside the cabin, followed by a +knock on the door. + +Merry drew a revolver and laid it in his lap. + +"Come in," he called. + +The door was flung open, and Tracy entered, dragging by the collar a +small Mexican lad, who held back and betrayed every evidence of terror. + +"Found him skulking about, Mr. Merriwell," said the foreman. "Don't know +whar he come from. Just brought him yere fer you to deal with." + +The boy seemed badly frightened. + +"Let him go, Tracy," said Frank. + +The boy hesitated when released, seeming on the point of running, but +pausing to look appealingly at Merry. He was not a bad-looking little +chap, although he was rather dirty and unkempt. He had wondrous dark +eyes, big and full of interrogation. + +"Well, my boy, what do you want?" asked Merry, in a kindly way. + +The boy shook his head. + +"I want notheenk de senor can gif," he answered, in a low tone. + +"How came you around here?" + +"I hunt for my seestar." + +"Your sister?" + +"_Si, senor_." + +"Where is she?" + +"That I cannot tell, senor. She be take away by de bad man. He haf fool +her, I t'ink." + +"What bad man do you mean?" + +"Seester call heem Beel." + +"Bill?" + +"Dat ees hees name." + +"Bill what?" + +The boy shook his head once more. + +"I know eet not," he said. "He half manee man like heem who do what he +say. He get my seester to go wif heem." + +"What is your sister's name?" + +"Eet ees Gonchita." + +Frank jumped. + +"Gonchita?" he cried. + +"Dat ees eet," nodded the boy. "Mebbe you do know her?" + +"I think I have seen her," said Merry. "By Jove! So this fellow Bill led +her to run away with him, did he, the scoundrel? And you are searching +for him. What will you do if you find him?" + +"I cannot tell, but I want my seestar to come 'way an' leaf heem. He ees +bad man." + +"That's right. What's your name?" + +"Pablo." + +"Well, Pablo, my boy, I hope you find your sister all right and get her +away from Bill, but you have a big job on your hands. Come here and have +some breakfast. Are you hungry?" + +"Oh, vera hungree, senor!" + +"You shall have all you can eat. It's all right, Tracy. You may go. I'll +take care of the kid." + +"I wish to report, sir," said Tracy, "that Hop Anson is missing." + +"What's that? Anson--he's gone?" + +"Skipped out last night, sir. He was not to be found this morning. I +thought he'd do it, sir." + +"Well, let him go. I don't think he'll do much harm." + +"If you had listened to me, I'd fixed him so he'd never done any further +harm." + +"All right, Tracy--all right. I'll see you later." + +Tracy left the room. + +"Look out for that man, Frank," said Hodge, in an ominous manner. "He is +not to be trusted at all." + +"All right," said Merry. "We'll not discuss him--now." Which remark was +made with a meaning look toward the Mexican lad. + +Pablo was given a place at the table and a steaming cup of coffee placed +before him. Corn bread and bacon, with some canned stuff, made up the +breakfast, and the boy ate almost ravenously of everything given him. +But he kept his hat pulled low over his eyes all the while. + +After breakfast Frank sought to question Pablo further, succeeding in +drawing from the boy that both his father and mother were dead, and +that he had lived in Holbrook with his sister, where she had seen Bill, +who seemed to fascinate her. At least she had run away with the man, +and, arming himself with a knife and pistol, Pablo had followed to +rescue or avenge her. Chance had led him to the valley in which the +Queen Mystery Mine was located. + +It was rather a pathetic little story, and Merry was somewhat stirred by +it. + +"What could you do if you should find Bill?" he asked. + +A grim look came to Pablo's soiled yet attractive face. + +"I haf my peestol," he said. + +"But Bill is a very bad man, and he would have a pistol, too." + +"I do my best. I am not skeert of Beel." + +"Well, as I happen to know something of Bill, I tell you now, Pablo, +that it will be better for you if you never meet him." + +"But my seestar--my seestar! I mus' find her." + +Frank was tempted to tell the boy what he knew about Gonchita, but +decided not to do so, believing it would be to no purpose. + +So Pablo remained in the valley for the time, seeming in no hurry to +continue the search for his sister. He wandered about the mine and the +buildings, peering curiously at everything with his big eyes, listening +to the talk of the men, and seeming to have a great curiosity. + +All this was observed by Bart Hodge, who watched the lad as closely as +possible. That afternoon Bart said to Frank: + +"Merry, that greaser boy acts queer. Have you noticed it?" + +"How do you mean?" + +"Why, he told a story about being in a dreadful hurry to find his +sister, but he hangs around here." + +"I suppose the little chap doesn't know where to look for the girl." + +"But he's such an inquisitive little rascal. He goes slipping around +everywhere, looking at everything, and listening to the talk of the men. +He acts to me like a spy." + +"It's his way. Mexicans have a sneaking way about them, you know." + +"Well, it may be his way, but I wouldn't trust him." + +"I don't propose to trust him," said Frank, with a laugh. "I am not +given to trusting greasers. It is probable that he will go away +to-morrow and we'll never see anything more of him." + +"Perhaps so." + +"I expect to find him gone in the morning," said Merry. + +But in the morning Pablo was found sleeping just outside Frank's door +when Merry opened it. He lay there, his old hat pulled down over his +ears, curled up like a dog; but he started wide-awake and sat up, +staring at Merriwell with his big black eyes. + +"What the dickens you doing here?" asked Frank, annoyed. + +"I tak' de sleep," grinned Pablo faintly. + +"Well, couldn't you find any other place? Have you been there all +night?" + +"Oh, I haf no odar place. Thees good for Pablo." + +"Well, it may be all right for you; but it seems deuced uncomfortable to +me. When are you going to look for Bill and your sister?" + +"_Manana_." + +"To-morrow?" + +"_Si, senor_." + +Frank could not refrain from smiling at this characteristic answer. With +the Spaniards everything is to be done to-morrow, and the lazy Mexican, +having adopted the language of the Spaniard, has also adopted his motto. + +When Frank turned back he found Hodge washing. + +"I told you," said Bart. "The fellow acts to me like a spy. It wouldn't +surprise me to find out that he had been sent here by Bill. This story +about his sister may be faked up." + +"But I know Gonchita is with the ruffians." + +"That's all right. That makes it all the easier to deceive you. That +made the boy's story seem all the more probable. Just you watch him +close and see if he doesn't act the spy." + +"All right," laughed Merry. "But let's have breakfast without worrying +about him." + +It was necessary to drag Ready out. + +"Oh, me! oh, my!" sighed Jack dolefully. "Methinks I have bestridden +something that hath galled me extensively. I am likewise weary and sore +in every limb and joint." + +Gallup had stood the riding much better, but even he was lame. + +After breakfast Frank went out and found Pablo curled in the sunshine +around the corner of the hut. And not more than four feet from the +Mexican lad was a rattlesnake. + +The crack of the pistol in Frank's hand caused Pablo to start up with a +jump. He stared in astonishment at Merry, who stood over him, holding +the smoking pistol. Then he looked and saw the headless snake stretched +on the ground. + +"Oh, _Madre de Dios_!" he cried. "You shoot de snake! Mebbe you save me +from de snake!" + +"Perhaps so," nodded Frank, with a slight smile. "You had better be +careful, for snakes are not all the dangerous things you will find on +the ground." + +Pablo made a spring and caught Frank's hand. + +"To me you are so veree goode!" he said, kissing Merry's hand in a +manner that surprised Frank somewhat. + +Then he saw the pistol with which the snake had been shot. + +"_Carrambo_!" he cried, in astonishment. "Where you geet eet? De +peestol. Eet do belong to my seestar." + +For Merry had shot the snake with the pistol given him by Gonchita. + +"How you haf eet?" asked Pablo, with great eagerness. "Where you geet +eet?" + +Frank was fairly cornered. As a result, he sat down there and told the +Mexican boy of his capture by Cimarron Bill's gang and of Gonchita. + +"Then she be steel alife?" exclaimed Pablo. "Beel haf not keeled her!" + +"He had not then." + +"But she help you to geet away?" + +"Yes." + +"Then mebbe Beel be veree angry weeth her--mebbe he keel her! Eef he do +that----" + +"If he does he ought to be hanged! Pablo, Bill is sure to be hanged or +shot before long, anyhow." + +"But he tell Gonchita he mak' veree much monee. He say big men what can +buy the law pay him much monee." + +"I know what he means, Pablo. A lot of men have banded together to rob +me of my mines, this one here and another in Mexico. They expected to do +so with ease at first, but made a fizzle of it. They thought to take the +mines from me by law; but now they know they cannot do that, and they +have hired Bill and his ruffians to seize it. Those men are the ones who +are paying Bill for his work. He expects they will protect him when it +is done. He is looking for a pardon for all past offenses." + +"But you weel not let him beat you?" + +"Not if I can help it. He has failed thus far. He attacked the mine with +his ruffians and was repulsed." + +"De nex' time he do eet deeferent. He come een when you do not expect. +Mebbe he geet somebody to gef de mine up to them." + +"Nobody here," said Merry, with a laugh. "I can trust my men." + +"You theenk so." + +"Oh, I'm sure of it." + +"One try to shoot you not long 'go." + +"Yes. How did you learn of that?" + +"Pablo have de ear. He hear something." + +"What did you hear?" + +"Dat man be paid to try de shoot." + +"Look here, how do you know?" + +"Oh, I hear some of de men talk. They all say they pritee sure of eet. +How you like my seestar?" + +The boy asked the question with such suddenness that Frank was a bit +startled. + +"I am sorry for her, Pablo. I'm sorry Bill has her in his hands." + +"Oh, Beel he say he marree her; but I know he lie. Mebbe she know eet +now. Beel want her to help heem. You theenk she veree bad girl?" + +This question was put almost pathetically, Pablo again grasping Frank's +hand and gazing wistfully into Merry's eyes. + +"No; I do not think she is very bad." + +"She do noteeng to make you theenk so?" + +"Well, she fooled me somewhat at first by telling me a story about her +wounded father. She had such an innocent way that I swallowed the yarn. +That was how I fell into Bill's hands. I accompanied her to go, as I +supposed, to her wounded father. She decoyed me into a trap." + +"But afterward--afterward?" eagerly asked the boy. + +"She seemed to change in a most remarkable manner, and helped me out of +it. But for her, I fancy I'd surely been disposed of by those ruffians." + +"Then you see she be not so veree bad. When she first see you mebbe she +never seen you before. Mebbe she haf promeesed to Beel that she take you +eento trap. Aftare she see you she be soree, and she want you to geet +away." + +"I think that was about the way things happened, Pablo." + +"I am glad you do not theenk she ees so veree bad girl. What you do eef +I breeng her here?" + +"What would I do?" + +"_Si senor_; how you like eet?" + +Pablo was watching Frank's face closely. + +"Why, I would do my best for her," said Merry. "I should feel it my duty +after what she did for me." + +"You would not be veree angree?" + +"No." + +"Nor veree please'?" + +"Why, for your sake I would be pleased." + +"But you never care for your own sake at all? You never want to see my +seestar again?" + +"I should be glad to see her and thank her." + +"Dat ees all?" + +"And to do her any other favor in my power. I am not ungrateful enough +to forget what she did for me." + +"Dat ees all?" + +"What more do you want?" demanded Merry, in surprise. + +"Notheeng," murmured Pablo regretfully, as he turned and walked away. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +MERRY'S DISCOVERY. + + +The actions of Tracy seemed strangely suspicious to Merry, who undertook +to watch the man, only to find that Pablo seemed to be watching him +still more closely. Thus it happened that Merry followed the foreman up +the valley and saw him meet another man at a point removed beyond view +of the mine. + +The man Tracy met was none other than Hop Anson, readily recognized at a +distance by his bandaged hand. + +"Something doing!" muttered Frank, as he crouched behind the rocks and +watched the two. "Tracy wanted to lynch Anson. Now they meet like this, +apparently by appointment. My foreman is playing some sort of a double +game." + +This point was settled in Frank's mind. He longed to be near enough to +hear what was passing between the two, but could not reach such a +position without exposing himself. + +The men were suspicious that they might be watched. They did not remain +there long. But Frank distinctly saw Anson give Tracy something, which +the latter placed in his pocket. Then the foreman turned back, and Hop +Anson vanished in the opposite direction. + +Frank was tempted to step out and confront the foreman, demanding to +know what it meant, but he chose to remain quiet and seek the truth in +another manner. So he let Tracy pass. + +But when the foreman had disappeared Merry sprang up and went racing +after Hop Anson, hoping to run the rascal down. He came out where he +could see far along a broad gorge, and there, riding into the distance, +mounted on a good horse, was Anson. Frank knew the folly of trying +further pursuit, so he stood still and watched the vanishing figure. + +"I'd like to know just what it was that Hop Anson gave Tracy," he said, +aloud. + +Immediately, within less than twenty feet from him, Pablo, the Mexican +boy, arose into view. + +"I teel you what eet was," he said. "Eet was monee." + +Frank was startled by this sudden appearance of the boy. + +"What are you doing here?" he asked sharply. + +"Oh, I watch de Tracy man," returned the lad craftily. "I see +something." + +"Were you near enough to hear their talk?" + +"Just a leetle beet." + +"Ha! What was it? What did you hear?" + +"De man with hurt hand he geef oder man monee. Oder man take eet. Say +eet not enough. Must have two times more as much before he do something +man with hurt hand want heem to do. Man with hurt hand mad. Eet do no +goode. Oder man say breeng as much more twice over to heem at same +place same time to-morrow." + +It is needless to say that this revelation was intensely interesting to +Merriwell. + +"Why, Hop Anson has no money!" exclaimed Frank. "Where did he get it? It +must have come from Bill. In that case, an attempt is being made to +bribe my foreman. I have a traitor in the mine, and he means to deliver +me into the hands of the enemy." + +"Tracy man he say to man with hurt hand that Pablo, the brother of +Gonchita, ees here." + +"So Tracy told Anson that?" + +"_Si, senor_." + +"Well, I think I need a new foreman--and need him bad! It is about time +for Mr. Tracy to get out!" + +"You wait and watch, you ketch heem." + +It was arranged that Pablo should return in advance to the mine, in +order that they might not be seen coming in together. So the Mexican boy +strolled back with assumed carelessness. + +But it happened that Jim Tracy was watching, and he saw Pablo, whereupon +he hastened to meet the boy. + +"Where have you been?" harshly demanded the foreman. + +Pablo looked surprised. + +"I go to tak' de walk," he said. + +"You little liar!" snarled Tracy. "You have been playing the spy! I know +what you have been doing!" + +"De spyee--how you mean?" + +The Mexican lad seemed very innocent. + +"I've seen you sneaking around. Why are you hanging around here, anyhow? +Why don't you get out?" + +"Dat none of your busineeze," returned the lad saucily. + +"You little runt!" growled Tracy, catching the boy by the shoulder. "Do +you dare talk to me that way?" + +"You beeg rufeen!" cried Pablo. "You hurt! Let of me a-go!" + +Then he kicked the foreman on the shins. Immediately, with a roar of +rage, Tracy struck Pablo with his fist, knocking the boy down. + +Pablo was armed with a pistol, and this weapon he snatched out when he +scrambled to his feet. But Tracy was on hand to clutch him and wrest the +weapon from his grasp. + +"You little devil!" grated the man. "I'll cut your throat on the spot!" + +There was a terrible look in his eyes as he whipped out a knife and +lifted it. + +"Drop that!" + +Crack!--the report of a revolver emphasized the command, and the bullet +struck the knife and tore it from the hand of the aroused ruffian. + +Frank Merriwell had arrived just in time to save Pablo, who was bent +helplessly backward over Tracy's knee, the hand of the wretch being at +his throat. + +Tracy shook his benumbed and quivering hand, releasing the boy and +looking at Frank resentfully. + +"Oh, you're not badly hurt!" said Merry, as he strode up. "My lead +struck the knife blade, not your hand. And I seemed to be barely in +time, too." + +"Oh, I wasn't going to hurt the kid!" declared Tracy harshly. "I was +going to teach him a lesson, that was all. I wanted to frighten him a +little." + +"Well, your behavior looked remarkably bloodthirsty. You seemed on the +point of drawing the knife across his throat. That was enough for me. +You may go, Tracy, but you are to let Pablo alone in the future." + +"If he insults me----" + +"Report to me; I'll make him apologize. Go." + +Tracy seemed to wish to linger to argue over the matter, but the look in +Merriwell's eyes forbade it, and he picked up the knife and slouched +sullenly away. + +"I hope he did not hurt you much," said Frank, lifting Pablo's hat to +see the bruise made by the ruffian's fist. + +With a cry, the boy grasped his hat and pulled it down upon his head. + +But Frank had made a most surprising discovery, and it was enough to +give Merry something to meditate over. + +He decided that the boy must be closely watched, and he longed for the +presence of old Joe Crowfoot, than whom no one was more fitted to such a +task. + +But the outlaws had averred that old Joe was "food for buzzards," and +the protracted absence of the redskin led Merry to fear that he had +looked into the Indian's beady eyes for the last time. + +Frank spoke to no one of his discovery. As far as possible, he kept his +eyes on Pablo, as if he believed the boy meditated treachery of some +sort. + +Frank's friends wandered about the place and investigated the mine, +watching operations. + +The calm of the valley was most deceptive, and both Ready and Gallup +declared they could not conceive any possible danger lurking near. +Hodge, however, professed to feel a warning in the very peacefulness, +which he declared was the calm before a storm. + +Jim Tracy sulked. His treatment by Frank was altogether displeasing to +him, and he felt that he had been humiliated, which caused him to +register a secret vow of vengeance. + +Pablo was generally found lingering about Frank's cabin or somewhere +near Merry. + +"He knows a good thing when he sees it," said Ready sagely, "and he +means to stick to it. He doesn't seem in any great hurry about rushing +to the rescue of his 'seestar.'" + +Frank smiled in a knowing manner, observing: + +"Perhaps he has reasons to know that his sister is in no great peril at +present, and he is satisfied to stay here." + +"He's a gol dern lazy little beggar!" said Gallup. "An' he oughter hev +to wash his face once in a while." + +The evening was cool and agreeable. The sun dropped peacefully behind +the mountains and the shadows gathered deeply in the gorges and canons. +The roar of the stamps sank to silence, and peace lay like a prayer on +the valley. + +Frank and his friends sat about the cabin door and chatted of old times. +Sometimes they sang little snatches of the old songs. + +And as the darkness deepened a slender, boyish figure lay on his stomach +and wiggled cautiously nearer and nearer, taking the utmost pains not to +be seen. + +This eavesdropper was Pablo, and he evinced the greatest interest in all +they were saying; but it was when Frank spoke or sang that he listened +with the utmost attention, keeping perfectly still. Thus it was that the +boy heard Hodge say: + +"Merriwell, I'm half-inclined to believe that dirty little Mexican +rascal is a fakir. I suspect him." + +"Of what?" asked Frank. + +"Of being a spy. He told a slick tale, but I've had time to think it +over, and somehow it seems too thin. Why shouldn't Bill send him here to +play the spy?" + +"My dear Bart," said Merry, with a laugh, "what would be Bill's object? +What could the boy do?" + +"He might get a chance to put a knife in your back, old man." + +"I'll chance it. I do not believe Pablo that bad. I'll trust him." + +"Well, I wouldn't trust any greaser." + +"I hate you, Senor Hodge!" whispered the listening boy, to himself. "I +hate you; but I lofe Frank Merriwell!" + +The miners gathered near their quarters. As far as possible, Frank had +secured miners who were not Mexicans, but there were a few Mexicans +among them. + +Among the men were some who were hard characters when they were +drinking, and Merry had taken particular pains to make rules and +regulations to keep liquor away from them. + +The morning after the encounter between Pablo and Jim, the foreman, +Frank arose and flung open the door of his cabin, but immediately made +the discovery that a sheet of paper was pinned to the door with a knife. + +"Hello!" he exclaimed. "Here's something interesting!" + +Gallup came slouching forward, followed by Ready. + +"What, ho!" cried Jack, as his eyes fell on the knife and the paper. +"Methinks I see something! Hist! That is what the tragic actor said when +he appeared upon the stage. He crept in and looked around, after which +he said, 'Hist!' And he was hissed." + +"By gum!" cried Ephraim. "There's writin' written on it! What does it +say?" + +This is what they read written sprawlingly on the sheet of paper that +was pinned to the door by the knife: + + "FRANK MERRIWELL: You are hearby giv notis that you are to send + away the boy Pablo instanter. He promised to come to his sister, + and he has not come. You are warned not to keep him. BILL." + +Frank looked at the notice and laughed. + +"Well," he said, "that is rather interesting. So Bill wants the boy? Why +doesn't he come and take him?" + +Hodge came and read the notice, a deep frown on his darkly handsome +face. + +"What do you make of it, Merry?" he asked. + +"Give us your opinion." + +"Nerve." + +"Shall we give up the boy?" + +Now Bart had not favored Pablo, but at this juncture he grimly declared: + +"I'm against it." + +"Good!" nodded Merry. "Let Bill come and take him! If the boy's story is +true, it would not be a healthy thing for him to fall into Bill's +hands." + +Just as he spoke these words Jim Tracy came around the corner and +appeared on the scene. He halted, appearing surprised, and stared at the +knife and the notice. + +"Whatever is it?" he asked. + +"Something left there during the night," said Merry. "Read it." + +Tracy looked it over. + +"Well, Bill sure wants the greaser kid," he said, "an' I reckon you'd +best give the youngster up." + +"Why do you reckon that?" + +"Cimarron Bill is a heap dangerous." + +"He may be," said Merry; "but he has failed thus far to get ahead of me. +I don't like his notice, if this came from him. But I thought you took +pains to have the place guarded at night, Tracy?" + +"So I does, sir." + +"Then how did Bill or any of his gang manage to creep up here and pin +this to my door?" + +"That I can't say, sir." + +"I think I'll look after things to-night," said Frank grimly. "If we're +getting careless around here Bill may walk in some night and seize the +mine before we know a thing of what's going to happen." + +He jerked the knife from the door, took the paper and placed it in his +pocket, after which he indicated that he was ready to speak with the +foreman, who had some matter of business to discuss. + +When Tracy departed Frank sat down and meditated, for he had noticed +something peculiar and remarkable. + +There were ink-stains upon the thumb and two of the fingers of Jim +Tracy's right hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +FRANK DETECTS TREACHERY. + + +Needless to say Frank did not send Pablo away. He did not tell the boy +of the warning found on the door. Instead, he called the Mexican lad and +said: + +"Pablo, I want you to watch Tracy closely for me. Will you?" + +"Senor Frank can be sure I weel," said the boy. + +"If possible, I want you to get some of Tracy's handwriting and bring it +to me." + +"Eet I will do, senor." + +"But look out for him. He's dangerous. Don't let him catch you playing +the spy." + +"I tak' de great care 'bout that." + +Before noon the Mexican boy came hurrying to Merry, his big dark eyes +glowing. He caught hold of Frank's hand and gave it an excited pressure. + +"I haf eet!" he said. + +"What is it you have?" + +"Some of hees writeeng. He do eet in de mine offeese when he think no +one watch heem. I see heem through window. He put eet in lettare, stick +eet up, put in pocket, then drop um. I know; I watch; I pick eet up. +Here eet ees!" + +He thrust into Merry's hand a soiled, sealed and undirected envelope. + +"Eet ees inside," said Pablo, all aquiver. + +"Come in here," said Frank, leading the way into the cabin. + +Bart and Jack were watching Ephraim Gallup at a distance from the cabin, +the Yankee youth being engaged in a brave attempt to ride a small, +bucking bronco. + +When they were inside the cabin, Frank closed and fastened the door. +Making a hasty examination of the envelope, he quickly lighted a small +alcohol-lamp beneath a tiny brass tea-kettle, which he partly filled +with water. + +In a very few moments steam was pouring from the nozle of the kettle. +Holding the envelope in this, Merry quickly steamed open the flap, +taking from it a sheet of paper. + +Pablo's eyes seemed to grow larger than ever as he watched. Frank +unfolded the paper and read: + + "I have decided to except terms, and to-night will be the time for + you to come down on the mine. The whisky will be yoused to get the + men drunk, jest as you perposed, and I'll hev them all filled up by + ten o'clock. Wate tell you hear three shots right togather, then + charge and you'll take the mine, havin' only Merywel and his + tenderfeet backers to fight, and them I will hav fastened into + their cabin. J." + +Merry whistled over this, showing no small amount of surprise. + +"Ees de writin' what you expec'?" asked Pablo anxiously. + +"It's somewhat more than I expected," said Frank. "By Jove! there will +be doings here to-night." + +He quickly decided on the course he would pursue. Carefully drying the +flap of the envelope, he placed some fresh mucilage on it, thrust the +message into it, and resealed it carefully. + +"See here, Pablo," he said quickly, "if you can do it, I want you to +take this and drop it just where you found it, so that Tracy will be +pretty sure to recover it. I do not wish him to know that it has been +picked up. Do your best. If you can't do it, come and tell me." + +"I do eet," assured Pablo, as he took the envelope, concealed it beneath +his jacket, and slipped from the cabin. + +Frank had been given something to think about. + +"So Tracy has turned traitor," he meditated. "He has decided to betray +the mine into the hands of Cimarron Bill's gang. It was his writing on +the notice pinned on the door, not Bill's. That notice was a fake, and +it made him angry because it didn't work out as he planned. Bill got at +him through Hop Anson, who must have been in Bill's employ all along. +Well, to-night is the time I give those ruffians their final setback. +Another repulse will discourage them. They would have descended on the +place while I was in their power if they had fancied there was any +chance that I might escape with my life." + +Pretty soon he walked out, with his hands in his pockets, and joined +his friends, laughing heartily over Gallup's trials, and seeming +undisturbed by any worry. + +Later he entered the mine and found that Tracy was not about. Nor could +he discover anything of Pablo. The afternoon was far spent when the +Mexican boy suddenly appeared before Frank. + +"Hello, Pablo!" said Merry. "What's the word?" + +"I followe heem," whispered Pablo excitedly. "I haf drop de letter +where he find eet when he look for eet. Then he find time to go 'way. +I followe. I see heem take letter to place in rocks long distance down +vallee. He hide eet there. Pablo let heem go; stay watch letter. He haf +hoss hid some piece off. He geet to hoss, geet on heem, ride off." + +"That's all?" + +"Dhat ees all." + +"Well, you have done well, Pablo," said Merry. "I'll not forget it." + +Pablo again grasped Frank's hand, which he kissed. + +"You freen' to Pablo," he said. "You goode to heem. He not forget." + +"Tell no one what you have seen and done." + +"You look out for Beel." + +"You may be sure I'll do that, Pablo. When Bill comes here, he'll +receive a warm reception." + +That night after supper, as the miners sat about the long table in the +low, open room, smoking their pipes and cigarettes and enjoying the +grateful coolness of the evening, Jim Tracy, the foreman, came into the +room and cried: + +"Well, boys, you've been working right hard to open up this yere old +mine, an' I appreciates it, if the young man what owns the property +don't. It's a long distance to town, an' ye can't all git off together +to have a leetle blow, so I has brought ye some good whisky, and I +perposes that you all takes a drink on me." + +Saying which, he produced two big quart bottles and held them above his +head, so the lamplight fell upon them. + +Instantly two shots sounded through the place, and the bottles were +smashed in the foreman's hands by a pair of bullets, the glass flying +and the liquor spattering over him. + +In through the doorway at the opposite end of the room stepped Frank +Merriwell, a pistol in each hand. + +"Keep your hands up and empty, Jim Tracy!" he said, in a commanding +tone. "It will be unhealthy for you if you lower them!" + +Behind Frank were Bart, Jack, and Ephraim, with Pablo hovering like a +shadow still farther in the rear. + +Tracy was astounded. + +"What in blazes does this mean!" he snarled, but he kept his hands up, +as Frank had ordered. + +"It means that I am onto your game to drug these boys and betray us all. +Steady! If you try to get a weapon I shall drop you! You know I can +shoot a little. Just tie him up, fellows." + +"With the greatest pleasure," chirped Jack Ready, as he waltzed lightly +forward, accompanied by Hodge and Gallup. + +In spite of the protests of Tracy, they bound him hand and foot, so that +he could barely wiggle. + +The miners had been amazed, but they believed Merry when he told them of +Tracy's plot to betray the mine. + +"He would have drugged you all," said Frank. "Then, when Bill's gang +charged on the mine, it's likely many of you would have been killed. But +what did he care about that. Now we'll fool Cimarron Bill and teach him +a lesson." + +He explained his plan to them, and they readily agreed. So it happened +that, a little later, the miners began to sing and shout and pretend to +be riotously merry. This they kept up until it seemed as if they were +engaged in a fearful carousal. Then the noises began to die out and grow +less. + +It was past ten o'clock when dead silence seemed to rest on the camp. +Frank Merriwell stepped to the door, lifted his hand and fired three +shots into the air. + +Five minutes later the sound of galloping horses coming up the valley +was distinctly heard. + +"Here they come!" breathed Frank. "All ready for them!" + +Right up to the mine-buildings charged the horsemen. They were +dismounting when Frank's challenge rang out sharp and clear: + +"Hold, Cimarron Bill! Stop where you are! Stop, or we fire!" + +The outlaws uttered a yell and charged, firing the first shots. + +Then Merry gave the command, and the armed and waiting miners fired on +the raiders. It was a withering volley, and must have astounded the +ruffians. + +Bill, however, had come this time determined to succeed, and he called +on his men to break down the doors. As they were hammering at the front +doors, Frank led some of the men out by the back way and charged round +the buildings. + +The encounter that took place was brief and sanguine. The miners were +encouraged by Hodge, Ready, and Gallup, who fought with savage fury, and +the raiders began to waver. + +Suddenly a tall figure came rushing into the thick of the fight and +confronted Frank. + +It was Tracy, who had been released from his bonds by a sympathetic +miner. + +"Yah!" he snarled, having heard Merry's voice and recognized him. "So +it's you! I've found you! Take that!" + +He pitched forward a revolver and fired pointblank at Frank. + +At that very instant, with a cry, Pablo, the Mexican boy, leaped in +front of Merry. + +Struck by the bullet intended for Frank, the little fellow tossed up his +arms and fell backward into Merriwell's clasp. At the same instant +somebody shot Jim Tracy through the brain. + +As Merriwell lowered the death-stricken boy, the raiders, completely +baffled, gave over the attack and took to flight, leaving half their +number behind, stretched upon the ground. + +"Are you hurt--badly?" asked Frank, as one of the boy's arms dropped +limply over his neck and seemed to cling there. + +For a moment there was no answer. Then came the faintly whispered words: + +"I--theenk--I--am--keeled--Senor Merriwell." + +"Oh, no, Gonchita!" said Frank earnestly; "not as bad as that! It cannot +be!" + +"You know me," was the surprised whisper. "How you know I am Gonchita?" + +"Oh, I discovered it the other day--I found you had your hair tied up +beneath your hat. Here, men--somebody bring a light! Be lively about +it!" + +"All right, sir," said one of the men. "Have one directly." + +"No use, Senor Merriwell," came weakly from the lips of the disguised +girl. "I shall be dead in a minute. _Ay-de mi_! Poor Gonchita! You +theenk she ees veree bad girl? Beel he say he weel marree her. He get me +to fool you, senor. Then you are so veree brave! Senor Frank, I theenk +you are de han'someest, de braveest man I evere know. I run away from +Beel. I wear de boyee's clothes an' come here. Dat ees all. Now I haf to +die." + +"Perhaps not, Gonchita," said Merry, with infinite pity for the +unfortunate girl. "We'll see what can be done for you." + +She managed to press one of his hands to her lips. + +"So goode--so han'some!" she whispered. "Good-by, senor! Eet ees ovare." + +Then one of the men came out with a lighted lantern; but before the +light fell on the face of the wounded girl Frank knew he was holding a +corpse in his arms. + + * * * * * + +Among the dead was found Hop Anson. Jim Tracy lay where he had fallen +immediately after the shot which ended the life of poor Gonchita. + +Such of the ruffians who were wounded were cared for as well as +possible. The dead were buried there in the valley. + +Cimarron Bill's band was completely broken up. + +On his next visit to town Merry had a marble slab cut for the grave of +the Mexican girl, which was located at a distance from those of the +outlaws. + +On the slab were chiseled these words: "Poor Gonchita!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE WAR-WHOOP OF OLD ELI. + + +The afternoon sun lay scorching hot upon the arid plain. Heat waves +moved in the air like the billows of a phantom sea. To the west were +barren mountain-peaks and the nearer foot-hills; to the east the +unbroken plain lay level to the horizon. + +Behind the body of his dead horse lay a sorely wounded man, with his dog +crouching close at his side. The dog's dry tongue lolled from the +animal's mouth; at times the poor creature whined and sought to lick the +hand of its master; anon he growled fiercely, the hair bristling on his +neck, and started up in a savage manner. + +"Down, Boxer, down!" the man would order, in a voice ever growing +weaker. "You can't help. The red devils will get you with a bullet. +Down, sir!" + +At which the dog would sink back, whine again and draw his filelike +tongue along the hand or cheek of his master. + +"Heavens!" muttered the man. "For a swallow of water. I'd give the last +ounce in the saddle-bags if I could finish one or two more of those +murderous curs before I cash in!" + +His almost nerveless hands grasped the barrel of his rifle, and he +looked away toward the spot where six horsemen had drawn up in a little +cluster just beyond bullet-reach. + +They were Indians, mounted on tough ponies, and some of them armed with +modern weapons. Two or three carried lances, on which the glaring sun +glinted. + +They had hunted him down; they had killed the horse beneath him and +wounded him unto death. The bullet was through his body, and the sands +of life were ebbing fast. He had reached the end of his trail, and the +red fiends out there on the baking plain knew they had only to wait a +while and then ride forward unmolested and strip off his scalp. Yet, +being far from their reservation, the savages were impatient at the +delay. Their hearts were vengeful within them, for in the chase he had +slain two of their number. + +One of them, an impetuous young buck, was for making haste in finishing +the paleface. He motioned toward the declining sun and suggested that +the wounded man might try to crawl away with the coming of darkness. +Besides, they had far to go, and it was a waste of time to wait for the +paleface to die. Likely he was so far gone that he could not shoot to +defend himself, and there would be little trouble in getting near enough +to despatch him. + +The impetuous spirit of this savage prevailed, and soon the redskins +began riding around and around man and horse and dog, spreading out into +a circle with great gaps and slowly closing in, now and then uttering a +challenging yell. As they closed in they flung themselves over upon the +sides of their ponies opposite the wounded man, so that their horses +seemed riderless. Occasionally a shot was fired from beneath the neck of +a racing pony. + +The dying man gathered himself a little and watched them. A puff of +white smoke leaped out before a pony and was quickly left behind to +dissolve and fade in the heated air. A bullet threw up a bit of dust +within three feet of the white man. The dog bristled and growled. +Another bullet clipped a stalk from a cactus plant five feet away. + +"They're within shooting distance," whispered the doomed wretch. "Wonder +if I've got nerve enough to drop a pony." + +He rested his rifle on the body of the dead horse and waited. Out on the +plain the racing ponies began to swim in a haze. He could see them +indistinctly, and he brushed a hand across his eyes. + +"I'm going fast, Boxer," he muttered to the dog. "My sight is failing! +I'm burning inside! And I know you're choking yourself, poor dog! It's a +hard way to pipe out." + +The dog whined sympathetically and pressed closer. A bullet whistled +past the head of the man. He tightened his grip on his rifle, sought to +take aim, and finally fired. + +His bullet went wide of the target he sought, and a yell of derision +floated to his ears through the hot air. + +"No use!" he muttered huskily. "I'm done for! It's the finish! They can +close right in and wipe me out!" + +The savages seemed to know it, and they were drawing nearer. + +Of a sudden out from the depths of a long barranca, a mighty fissure in +the plain, produced in former ages by a convulsion of nature, or marking +the course of a river--out from one end that rose to the surface of the +plain not far from the circling savages, came a horse and rider. As the +rider rose into view he began shooting with a magazine rifle, and his +first bullet caused a redskin to lose his hold and tumble end over end +in the dirt, while the pony galloped on. + +The following Indian stooped and seemed to catch up his wounded comrade +as he swept past. + +The lone horseman rode straight at them in a reckless manner, working +his repeater. + +A pony was wounded, another plunged forward into the dirt. In another +moment the redskins wheeled and were in full flight, astounded and +demoralized by the attack, two of the horses carrying double, while +another left drops of blood upon the ground. + +The daring paleface uttered a strange war-whoop of triumph: "Brekekek +Co-ax, Co-ax, Yale!" + +Never before had those Indians heard such a singular cry from the lips +of a white man. It seemed to fill them with a mad desire to get away, to +flee at top speed. It struck terror into their hearts, as many a time +the same slogan has struck fear to the hearts of those battling against +Old Eli on some athletic field. They urged their ponies forward, and +away they went, scurrying into the distance, with bullets singing around +them. + +The man behind the dead horse lifted himself and strained his bedimmed +eyes, seeing the youthful rider shoot past in pursuit of the savages. +The dog rose, planting his forefeet on the horse's body, and barked +madly. + +When he was satisfied that the Indians were in full retreat, with little +thought of turning or offering resistance, Frank Merriwell, for it was +he who had dashed out of the barranca, drew up and turned about, +galloping back toward the man he had dared so much to save. + +But he had come too late. + +As Merry rode near the dying man had fallen back beside his dead horse. +Over him stood the dog, covered with dust, its eyes glaring redly, its +teeth disclosed, ready to defend the body of its master. As Frank drew +up the dog snarled fiercely. + +Merry saw at a glance that the situation of the dog's master was serious +in the extreme. He dismounted and stepped forward, leaving his horse, +knowing well the animal would stand. As he approached the dog grew +fiercer of aspect, and he saw the creature meant to leap straight at his +throat. + +"Good dog!" he said, stopping. "Fine dog! Come, sir--come! Ah-ha, fine +fellow!" + +But all his attempts to win the confidence of the dog were failures. + +"The man is dying," he muttered. "Perhaps I might save him if I could +get to him now. Must I shoot that dog? I hate to do it, for the creature +seems very intelligent." + +At this moment the man stirred a little and seemed to realize what was +happening. He lifted his head a little and saw the dismounted horseman +and the threatening dog. + +"Down, Boxer; down, sir!" he commanded. "Be quiet!" + +His voice rose scarcely above a whisper, but the dog reluctantly obeyed, +still keeping his eyes on Frank, who now stepped up at once. + +"You're badly wounded, sir," he said. "Let me see if I can do anything +for you." + +"Give me water--for the love of Heaven, water!" was the harshly +whispered imploration. + +In a twinkling Frank sprang to his horse and brought back a canteen that +was well filled. This he held to the lips of the wretched man, while the +crouching dog watched every move with his red eyes. + +That water, warm though it was, brought back a little life to the +sinking man. + +"God bless you!" he murmured gratefully. + +The dog whined. + +"Can't you give Boxer a little?" asked the dog's master. "He's suffering +as much as I am." + +Frank quickly removed from his saddle-bags a deep tin plate, on which +some of the water was poured, and this the dog greedily licked up, +wagging his tail in thankfulness. + +"Poor old Boxer!" sighed the doomed man. + +"Now, sir," said the youth, "let me examine your wound and find out what +I can do for you." + +"No use," was the declaration. "I'm done for. It's through the lung, and +I've bled enough to finish two men. The blood is all out of me." + +But the young man insisted on looking and did what he could to check the +flow of blood. + +The doomed man shook his head a little. + +"No use," he repeated. "I'm going now--I feel it. But you have done all +you could for Old Bens, and you won't lose nothing by it. What's your +name?" + +"Frank Merriwell." + +"Well, Pard Merriwell, you sure went for those red devils right hot. I +allowed at first that you must have four or five friends with ye." + +"I'm alone." + +"And it was great grit for you to charge the red skunks that way. +However did you happen to do it?" + +"I saw what was going on from the high land to the west with the aid of +a powerful glass. I knew they had a white man trapped here. I struck the +barranca and managed to get down into it, so I was able to ride close +without being seen and charge up from this end, where it rises to the +level of the plain. That is all." + +"It was nerve, young man, and plenty of it! My name is Benson Clark. I'm +a miner. Been over in the Mazatzals. Struck it rich, young pard--struck +it rich. There was no one but me and old Boxer, my dog. I took out a +heap of dust, and I opine I located a quartz claim that certainly is +worth a hundred thousand dollars, or I'm away off. Been a miner all my +life. Grub-staked it from the Canadian line to Mexico. Have managed to +live, but this is my first strike. No one staked me this time, so it's +all mine. But see, pard, what black luck and those red devils have done +for me! I'm finished, and I'll never live to enjoy a dollar of my +wealth. Pretty tough, eh?" + +"Pretty tough," admitted Frank Merriwell; "but brace up. Who can +tell----" + +"I can. Bens Clark is at the end of his trail. Young man, I want you to +see me properly planted. You'll find enough in the saddle-bags here and +in the belt around my waist to pay you for your trouble." + +"I want no pay, sir." + +"Well, I reckon you may as well have it, as I have neither kith nor kin +in the wide world, and most of my friends have cashed in ahead of me, so +I'm left all alone--me and Boxer." + +The dying man lifted his hand with a great effort and caressed the dog. +The animal whined and snuggled nearer, fixing his eyes on his master's +face with an expression of devotion and anxiety that was quite touching +to see. + +"Good old Boxer!" sighed the man, with deep feeling. "You'll miss me, +boy, and you're the only one in all the wide world. What will become of +you, Boxer?" + +Again the dog whined a little, touching the bloodless cheek of the man +with its tongue. + +"I'll do what I can for your dog, sir," said Frank Merriwell. + +"What do you mean? Will you take Boxer and care for him?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Do it! You'll never be sorry. You'll find him the most faithful, +devoted, and intelligent of dumb animals. Truly, he knows almost as much +as a man--more than lots of men. It's a shame he can't talk! He knows +what I say to him almost always. I've almost fancied he might be taught +to talk; but that's ridiculous, I know. Take him, Frank Merriwell, treat +him well, and you'll never regret it." + +The dog seemed listening. He looked from one to the other in a peculiar +manner, and then, as if realizing what had passed and that he was soon +to part with his master forever, he uttered a whining howl that was +doleful and pathetic. + +"Poor old Boxer--good boy!" said Benson Clark. "I've got to go, boy." + +The dog crept close, and the dying man weakly folded the animal in his +arms. + +Frank Merriwell turned away. The sunlight was so bright and strong on +the plain that it seemed to cause him to brush a hand over his eyes. He +stood looking far off for some moments, but was given a start by hearing +a weak call from the man. + +"I'm going!" breathed Clark huskily. "Here--in my pocket here you will +find a rude chart that may lead you to my rich mines in the Mazatzals. +Feel in my pocket for the leather case. That's it. Take it--keep it. +It's yours. The mines are yours--if you can find them. Boxer is yours. +Be good to him. Poor old Boxer!" + +He closed his eyes and lay so still that Frank fancied the end had come. +But it was not yet. After a little he slowly opened his eyes and looked +at Merry. Immediately Frank knelt beside him, with uncovered head. + +The dying man then looked at the dog. + +"Boxer," he said faintly, "I'm going off on my long trail, and we'll +never meet up again this side of the happy hunting-grounds. Good-by, old +dog! This is your new master. Stick to him like glue, old boy. Fight for +him--die for him, if you have to. I opine you understand what I mean." + +A strange sound came from the throat of the dog--a sound that was almost +like a human sob. If ever a dog sobbed that one did. Agony and sorrow +was depicted in his attitude and the look in its red eyes. + +The miner took the dog's paw and placed it in Frank Merriwell's hand, +his body lying between them. + +"I make you pards," said Benson Clark. + +Then he whispered to Frank: + +"Can't you pray? I've clean forgot all the prayers I ever knew. But I +feel that I need a prayer said for me now, for I'm going up before the +judgment bar. Pray, partner--pray to the Great Judge that He will be +easy with me." + +So Frank Merriwell prayed, and that prayer fell upon the heart of the +dying man with such soothing balm that all fear and dread left him, and +he passed into the great unknown with a peaceful smile on his +weather-worn face. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A STRANGE FUNERAL. + + +Frank found the saddle-bags and the belt about the dead man's waist +heavy with gold. It took him some time to make preparations for +transporting the precious stuff, and it was no easy task for him to +quiet his horse and induce the animal to stand while he lifted the +corpse and placed it where it could be tied securely on the horse's +back. + +He had no thought of leaving the body of Benson Clark to be devoured by +wolves and vultures. + +The sun was resting close down to the blue tops of the western mountains +when everything was ready to start. + +The dog had watched every move with eyes full of singular intelligence, +but made no move or sound until Merry was ready to go. + +Then Frank turned more water from the canteen, after taking a few +swallows himself, placing it before Boxer in the tin plate. The dog +licked it up. + +"Good Boxer!" said Merry, patting the beast's head. "I'm your master +now, my boy. Your other master is dead. He has told you to stick to me. +Did you understand?" + +The dog made some strange swallowing and mumbling sounds in its throat, +as if trying to talk back in words. + +"By Jove!" said Merry, gazing at the creature with great interest. "You +are a knowing fellow, and you actually try to talk. Your master fancied +you might be taught to talk." + +Again those strange swallowings and mumblings issued from the dog's +throat, and the creature wagged its tail a little. + +"We'll go now," said Frank. "It's a good distance to the mine, and we +have something to do before we can set out in earnest." + +So they started off, Frank leading the horse bearing the ghastly burden, +while the dog walked behind with hanging head, the perfect picture of +sorrow. + +A strange funeral procession it was, making its way toward the setting +sun and the hazy mountains. The dead horse was left behind, while far in +the sky wheeled two black specks, buzzards waiting for the feast. + +The Indians had long vanished from the face of the plain, yet Frank knew +their nature, and he was not at all sure he had seen the last of them. + +The sun vanished behind the mountains and the blue night lay soft and +soothing on the hot plain when the funeral procession came into the +foot-hills. + +It was not Frank's intention to carry the dead man farther than was +needful, and, therefore, he kept his eyes about him for some place to +bestow the body where it might rest safe from prowling beasts. + +This place he found at last, and, with the aid of a flat stone, and with +his bare hands, he scooped a shallow grave. Into this the body was +fitted. Over the man's face Frank spread his own handkerchief. Then he +besprinkled the dry earth lightly over the body at first, afterward +using the flat rock to scrape and shovel more upon it, ending with +covering it heavily with such stones as he could find, knowing well with +what skill the ravening beasts of the desert could use their claw-armed +paws. + +For a time the dog sat and watched everything. When his late master was +placed in the grave he whined and cried softly; but when the body was +covered he lay down beside the grave in silence, and there was in his +posture something so heartbroken that Frank was moved to a great pity. + +"Poor old Boxer!" he murmured. "It is the end to which all living things +must come, each in its own time. But it is the law of nature, and it is +not so bad, after all. Blessed is he who goes to his last deep sleep +without fear, feeling that he has done his best and is willing to trust +everything in the hands of Him who sees and knows all. The fear of death +and what may follow is such as should trouble alone the coward or the +wicked wretch. Boxer, your master seemed to pass without fear, and +something tells me it is not so bad with him. His case is in the hands +of the Great Judge, and we may rest sure that he will be done no wrong." + +Was there ever such a strange funeral oration! A youth with bared head +and solemn face, speaking above a grave, and a silent, grief-stricken +dog as the only mourner and attendant! The still Arizona night all +around, with no sound of humming insect, no stir of foliage, no whisper +of moving breeze, the dome of heaven above, studded with millions of +clear stars! The dog did not move or lift its head, but Frank saw the +starshine glint upon his eyes, which were wide open and fastened upon +the speaker. + +When the work was completed Frank knelt for a moment beside that grave, +praying softly, yet with an earnestness that bespoke his faith that his +words were heard. + +It was over. His horse was at a little distance. He went and brought the +animal up and adjusted the saddle. The dead man's belt, stuffed to +bursting and wondrous heavy, he had fastened about his own waist. + +"Come, Boxer," he said, again stooping to pat the head of the dog. "We +must go. Bid farewell to your master's grave. It's not likely you may +ever again come beside it." + +The dog stirred. He sat up and lifted his muzzle toward the stars. From +his throat came a low note that rose and swelled to the most doleful +sound imaginable. + +With his blood chill in his body, Frank listened while the dog sang a +requiem above that grave. Tears started from Merry's eyes, and never +while life was his could he forget that sound and that sight. Never +chanted words of mass had more of sorrow! No human tongue could speak +greater grief. + +At last the sound died away into silence, and the dog stood on all +fours, with hanging head and tail, his muzzle kissing some of the rough +stones heaped on that grave. How long he might have remained in that +attitude cannot be said; but soon Frank spoke again and called him to +follow. At the word he turned, and his manner denoted he was ready. + +Merry swung into the saddle and started, looking over his shoulder. In +dead silence, the dog followed. + +And so they passed into the still night. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +NEW ARRIVALS IN HOLBROOK. + + +The town of Holbrook had been greatly stirred. It had not yet settled +into its accustomed grooves. The proprietor of the best hotel in town +had received a consignment of fine furniture, carpets, draperies, +wallpaper and pictures, and he had set about renovating and decorating +several of the largest rooms in his house, having for that purpose a +number of workmen imported from some Eastern point. It was said that the +rooms had been rearranged to connect with each other in a suite, and +that when they were completed, and furnished, and decorated they were +dazzlingly magnificent, nothing like them ever before having been seen +in the place. The good citizens of Holbrook wondered and were amazed at +all this; but they did not know that not one dollar had been expended by +the proprietor of the hotel. All this work had been done without expense +of his to accommodate some guests who came in due time and took +possession of those rooms. + +The California Special had dropped four persons in Holbrook, who +regretfully left the comfort of a palace car and looked about them with +some show of dismay on the cluttered streets and crude buildings of the +Southwestern town. Holbrook was even better in general appearance than +many Western towns, but, contrasted with clean, orderly, handsome +Eastern villages, it was offensive to the eyes of the proud lady who was +aided from the steps of the car and descended to the station platform +with the air of a queen. She turned up her aristocratic nose a little on +glancing around. + +This woman was dressed in the height of fashion, although somewhat too +heavily for the country she now found herself in; but there was about +her an air of display that betokened a lack of correct taste, which is +ever pronounced in those who seek to attract attention and produce +astonishment and awe. She had gray hair and a cold, unattractive face. +Still there was about her face something that plainly denoted she had +been in her girlhood very attractive. + +She was followed by a girl who was so pretty and so modest in appearance +that the rough men who beheld her gasped with astonishment. Never in the +history of the town had such a pretty girl placed her foot within its +limits. She had a graceful figure, fine complexion, Cupid-bow mouth, +flushed cheeks, large brown eyes and hair in which there was a hint of +red-gold, in spite of its darkness. + +A colored maid followed them. + +From another car descended a thin, wiry, nervous man, who had a great +blue beak of a nose, and who hastened to join the trio, speaking to +them. + +The hotel proprietor had at the station the finest carriage he could +find, and this whisked them away to the hotel as soon as they had +entered it, leaving the loungers about the station wondering, while the +train went diminishing into the distance, flinging its trail of black +smoke against the blue of the Arizona sky. + +At the hotel the lady and her daughter occupied two of the finest rooms, +the colored maid another, less expensively furnished, and the man with +the blue nose was given the fourth. + +Holbrook wondered what it meant. + +The lady ordered a meal to be served in her rooms. + +The report went forth at once, and again Holbrook stood agog. + +The hotel register was watched. Finally the man with the restless eyes +and blue beak entered the office and wrote nervously in the register. + +Barely was he gone when a dozen persons were packed about the desk, +seeking to look over one another's shoulders to see what had been +written. + +"Whatever is it, Hank?" asked one. "You sure kin read writin'. Whatever +do you make o' it?" + +"'Mrs. D. Roscoe Arlington,' the fust name," said the one called Hank. +"Then comes 'Miss Arlington,' arter which is 'Mr. Eliot Dodge,' an' +lastly I sees 'Hannah Jackson.'" + +"Which last must be the nigger woman," said one of the rough men. + +"I allows so," nodded Hank. "An' it 'pears to me that name o' Arlington +is some familiar. I somehow thinks I has heard it." + +"Why, to be course you has!" said another of the men. "D. Roscoe +Arlington, did you say? Who hasn't heerd that name? He's one o' them big +guns what has so much money he can't count it to save his gizzard. +Ev-rybody has heerd o' D. Roscoe Arlington. If he keeps on gittin' rich +the way he has the past three years or so, old Morgan won't be in the +game. Why, this Arlington may now be the richest man in this country, if +ev'rything were rightly known about him. He owns railroads, an' mines, +an' ships, an' manufacturin' plants, an' nobody knows what all." + +"That sartin explains a whole lot the fixin' up that has been a-doin' +around this ranch," said a little man with a thirsty-looking mouth. +"They was a-preparin' fer the wife o' this mighty rich gent." + +"But say!" exclaimed a young fellow with a wicked face, "ain't she got a +slick-lookin' gal with her, what?" + +Some of them laughed and slapped him on the back. + +"Go on, Pete!" cried one chap. "You're a gay one with greaser gals, but +you won't be able to make a wide trail with that yar young lady, so +don't be lookin' that way." + +"Wonder whatever could 'a' brought such people here," speculated a man +with tobacco juice on his chin. "They must mean to stay a while, else +they'd never had them rooms fixed up the way they are." + +A ruffianly-looking man with a full beard broke into a low laugh. + +"Why, ain't none o' you heard about the fight what's bein' made to git +holt o' a certain mine not so very fur from yere?" he asked. "I mean +the mine owned by a young chap what calls himself Frank Merriwell. You +oughter know somethin' about that." + +"Why, 'pears to me," observed the fellow with tobacco juice on his +chin--"'pears to me I did hear that thar was trouble over a mine +somewhar down in the Mogollons, an' that Cimarron Bill had been sent to +take it." + +"He was sent," said the full-bearded man. + +"Then I 'lows he took it, fer Bill's sure to do any job he tackles." + +"He ain't took it none. Frank Merriwell is still a-holdin' the mine, an' +Bill has had his troubles, leavin' a good part o' his backers stiff +arter the ruction." + +"Say you so? Waal, this Merriwell sure must be a hot fighter. But Bill +will down him in the end, an' you kin bet your last simoleon on that." + +To which the man with the full beard said nothing. + +"All this don't explain any to me jest why this lady an' her party is +hyer," said the one with the thirsty mouth. + +"It ain't noways likely she's lookin' arter Cimarron Bill none," said +another. + +"Whoever is a-takin' my name in vain?" demanded a voice that made them +all start and turn toward the door. + +"It's Cimarron Bill hisself!" gasped one, in a whisper. + +And the entire crowd seemed awe-stricken and afraid. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MRS. ARLINGTON HAS A VISITOR. + + +The black maid stood over the little table at which mother and daughter +sat taking tea. + +"Sugar, Jackson," said the lady wearily. + +The maid lifted the sugar-bowl, but, finding no tongs, was compelled to +use a spoon. + +"Why don't you use the tongs, Jackson?" asked the woman. + +"Dar am no tongs, ma'am," answered the maid. + +"No tongs? no tongs?" exclaimed Mrs. Arlington, in astonished surprise. +"And I directed that everything should be prepared here--that we should +have every convenience of a first-class hotel. Dear me! Why, I've found +nothing right! The hardship of spending some days in such a place will +prostrate me. I know it will!" + +"But why have you come here, mother?" asked June Arlington, in a voice +that denoted culture and a refined nature. "I cannot understand it. You +told me in the first place that you were going to Mexico. Then I heard +you urging father to come here. When he said it was not possible, you +seemed to get angry, and you declared that you would come here yourself. +But why should you come because he could not? That I wonder at." + +"He would not!" exclaimed Mrs. Arlington, sipping her tea. "It was his +duty. Never mind the particulars, June; you may know some time, but not +now." + +"And I did not wish to come here, mother. You knew that." + +"My daughter, I have decided that it is necessary to keep you with me. I +determined on that after your surprising behavior the last time you went +to Fardale. You deceived me, June! I cannot forget that." + +The words were spoken with cold severity. June flushed a little. + +"It was for Chester's good, as I explained to you," she said somewhat +warmly. "He has never thanked me for it, yet it is I who have kept him +in Fardale Academy. Had I not entreated Dick Merriwell to be easy with +him, Chester must have been compelled to leave or be expelled before +this." + +"I cannot believe that, June. But, were it true, it is no excuse for +your action. I want no favors from either of the Merriwells. I will +accept nothing from them! Dick Merriwell is my boy's enemy, and he shall +know what it is to have an Arlington for a foe. I have determined on +that. I repeat that I'll accept nothing from him." + +"Once----" June stopped short. She had been on the verge of telling her +mother that once that lady had accepted something from Dick +Merriwell--her life! For, as Mrs. Arlington slipped on the icy platform +of the railway-station at Fardale and was falling beneath the wheels of +a moving train, Dick had grasped and held her till the cars passed and +she was safe. + +But June had seen her mother turn blue with anger at mention of this +affair, so she checked herself now, not wishing to arouse the lady. + +Tea was finished in silence, mother and daughter being occupied with +their thoughts. + +The maid moved softly about the table. + +They had just finished when there came a tap on the door. + +"See who it is, Jackson," directed Mrs. Arlington. + +The man with the blue beak was at the door. + +"I must speak with Mrs. Arlington," he said, and entered, hat in hand. + +"What is it, Mr. Dodge?" asked the lady, frowning coldly and plainly +annoyed. + +Eliot Dodge paused and looked at June significantly. + +"Oh, is it a private matter?" asked the lady. + +Flushing a bit, June arose at once and withdrew, from the room. + +"William Lamson has arrived in town, and demands to see you," said +Dodge, when June had disappeared, the maid having likewise withdrawn. + +"That man?" said Mrs. Arlington, with a little start and a slight +shiver. "I have brought you to do the business with him. You are a +regular attorney of the C. M. A. of A., and you have my instructions." + +"So I told him." + +"Well?" + +"He refused pointblank to do any business whatever with me." + +"He did." + +"Yes. I talked to him pretty straight until--ahem!--until I could say no +more." + +"You could say no more?" + +"No, madam; it was impossible." + +"Why impossible?" + +"He had drawn and cocked a revolver and pointed it at me. He told me to +shut up and take word from him to you at once or he would shoot me." + +"What a dreadful creature!" + +"He is, indeed, madam; he's a typical ruffian of the worst sort." + +"And, therefore, the very man to accomplish the work," said she, with +growing interest. "But I dislike very much to have dealings with such a +fellow." + +"I thoroughly understand that, madam." + +"You might attend to the matter fully as well." + +"That is true, Mrs. Arlington." + +"You told him so?" + +"I did." + +"And still----" + +"And still he drew a gun on me. He is bound to see you. He says he will, +and I am sure he is a man to make his word good. Really I don't know how +you are going to get out of it." + +"Then I shall not try," said the lady, composing herself. + +"You mean----" + +"I'll see him." + +"Here?" + +"Yes." + +"Now?" + +"Send him up at once. I may as well have it over." + +Eliot Dodge hesitated. + +"I shall be in my room," he said. "If you need me----" + +"I understand. Go bring this man to my door." + +Dodge departed, and Mrs. Arlington waited. When there came a knock on +the door she coldly said: + +"Come in!" + +Cimarron Bill entered the room! + +Mrs. Arlington had not called her servant to let this man in. She +glanced toward the door of the room into which her daughter had retired, +and the look on her face was one of apprehension. Cimarron Bill was a +wicked man, as his every aspect betokened, and this woman could not +think without shame that June should have any knowledge of her dealings +with such a creature. + +So she arose hastily, which was quite unlike her, and crossed the floor +to close the door, a strange thing, considering that she seldom did a +thing that another could do for her. + +When June was thus shut out, the woman recrossed the floor to likewise +close the door of the room into which the colored maid had retired. + +All the while Cimarron Bill, hat in hand, stood watching her closely +with his evil eyes. For him it must have been a most exceedingly +strange thing to come thus into the presence of a woman whose husband +was known far and wide as a money king, a woman whose every wish that +wealth could serve was sure to be granted almost as quickly as +expressed. + +When she had closed the doors she turned about and faced him, surveying +him from head to feet with her cold and penetrating eyes. He looked back +at her with a sort of boldness, for this man was not one to be in the +least downcast in the presence of a human being of whatever degree. + +Mrs. Arlington motioned toward a chair. + +"Will you sit down, sir?" she invited. + +"Thank you, madam," said Bill, casting aside the rough manner of speech +that he sometimes assumed and now using very decent English. "I don't +care if I do." + +Whereupon he placed his hat upon the table and sat upon a chair, with a +certain pantherish undulation of his body, as if his muscles flowed +beneath his skin. + +"Mr. Dodge saw you," said the woman, remaining standing. "I directed him +to inform you that he was my accredited agent and prepared to transact +any business with you. I thought it better for him to attend to this +affair." + +"And I, madam, if you will excuse me, thought it best that we should +come face to face and have our dealings thus. That is why I declined to +do any business whatever with the gent with the blue nose." + +"I did not suppose it would be necessary for me to go so far into this +matter until I was informed of your failure to take possession of the +property that rightfully belongs to the Consolidated Mining Association +of America. I must say, sir, that I am very much displeased over your +failure." + +"And you can be no more so than am I myself," returned Bill, civilly +enough, yet with a sort of boldness that did not please her, as she was +accustomed to much deference and respect. "But you must know it is +difficult, even in this country, to find men who are eager to put on +themselves the brand of outlaws, and I acknowledge that my force was not +sufficient. The young dog is a stiff fighter, and that I had not counted +on, him being a tenderfoot to a certain degree--though," he added, as if +on second thought, "he's not so very tender, after all." + +"You were told to collect an army, if necessary. Mr. Dodge informs me +that you were directed to get together a force sufficient to make +failure out of the question. Yet you were repulsed and beaten off when +you went to seize the mine." + +"Twice," said Bill grimly. "And the second time a full half of my men +were dropped cold or hurt so bad that they were put out of the fight. It +was not just my fault that I failed then, for the treachery of a Mexican +girl betrayed my plans to Merriwell, so he was ready with a trap when I +expected to take him by surprise. That is how it came about, madam. I +had his foreman bribed and should have walked into possession of the +mine with little or no trouble but for the girl I mention. It was a bad +piece of business." + +"Bad!" she exclaimed, nodding a little. "It was very unfortunate!" + +"A word that scarce expresses it, madam. The rest of my men, the curs, +with one or two exceptions, weakened and gave it up as a bad job. And +then, on top of that, I was informed that the syndicate had grown +disinclined to press the matter further in such a manner, fearing to get +itself into serious trouble." + +"That's it!" said the woman sharply. "But I have taken hold of this +matter. The syndicate seems willing to obtain the mine by some other and +slower method. I am not. I cannot brook delay! I have a reason why I +wish the taking of the mine with the smallest possible delay, and it +makes no difference to me how the work is accomplished. That is why I am +here on the scene of action. I shall remain here until I triumph! If you +are able to accomplish the work, well and good. If you are not, then +another man must be found for it." + +Cimarron Bill smiled in a most evil manner. + +"Madam," he said, "I think you will have trouble to find in all this +country another man so well prepared to accomplish the task." + +"Yet you confess that you have failed twice." + +He shrugged his shoulders. + +"For which reason," he averred, "I am all the more dangerous. There is +an old saying that the third time never fails. I am ready for the third +trial." + +"I am glad to hear you speak this way. What will you do?" + +"Gather a stronger force and lay my plans so there can be no failure." + +"It is well." + +"But that will take much money, madam. You have it at your command. It +is almost certain that all of us, to the last man, will bear the brand +of outlaws. We may be hunted. It may be necessary for me to hasten into +Mexico and lose myself there for a time. I must have money in abundance +for myself. As for the men who take part with me, they will all demand +high prices. When it is over and the mine is delivered into the +possession of the syndicate, I shall not trouble about any one save +myself. The men who are with me may look out for themselves." + +This was said in a most cold-blooded manner, speaking plainly the real +character of the wretch. + +"I care nothing about that," said the woman. "Fix that matter as you +choose. How much money will you require?" + +"Let me see," said Bill, as if meditating. "It will take, I am sure, at +least fifty men. They may be got at various prices, some more, some +less; but there will be the bringing of them together and other +expenses. I should say that they must cost at least two hundred dollars +each, which makes a pretty little sum of ten thousand dollars." + +"Then it will cost ten thousand dollars?" said Mrs. Arlington quickly. +"I'll draw the sum from my own private account." + +"Wait a bit, madam," said the chief of desperadoes. "I have reckoned for +the men, but that does not include myself. I have said that I must be +well paid. I value myself quite as much as fifty common men, and that is +another ten thousand, or twenty thousand dollars in all, for which sum I +am ready to undertake the job. I'll add, also, that I guarantee it shall +not fail this time." + +It seemed that such a sum must have staggered the woman. Indeed, her +face went a trifle pale, but her lips were pressed together, and she +coldly said: + +"It is a bargain! You shall have the money, but not until you have +accomplished the work. Understand that, not until the work is done!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +SEEN FROM THE WINDOW. + + +Never before had there been such a bargain between such a man and such a +woman. It was the strangest compact on record. And no wonder Mrs. +Arlington had closed the doors that her daughter and her maid should not +hear! Had June known all she must have turned with loathing and horror +from the woman. + +Had D. Roscoe Arlington known he must have been shocked and heart-torn +beyond measure. Had he known he must have wondered if this woman had +matured from the sweet country girl who once declared with blushes and +hanging head that love in a cottage with him was all the happiness she +asked. Had he known he might have remembered the soft moonlight night in +June when beneath the fragrant lilacs they plighted their troth, and +surely his gold-hardened heart would have melted with anguish over the +frightful change. + +In truth, Mrs. Arlington had become deranged, as it were, on one point. +Her son was her idol. She had petted, and flattered, and spoiled him. +She had sent him off to school at Fardale with the conviction that he +was certain to rise superior to all other boys there. And from him she +had come to learn that he had not risen, but had been imposed upon, +defeated, baffled, and held down by another lad who was the recognized +leader in the school. Into the ears of his astonished and angry mother +Chester Arlington had poured his tale of woe, and it had filled her soul +with intense hatred for this other boy by the name of Merriwell who had +dared think himself better than her Chester. She had gone to Fardale to +set things about as they should be, and had failed. That seemed to fill +her with such bitterness that she was quite robbed of sober judgment and +reason. + +When Mrs. Arlington learned that the mining syndicate had claims to the +mines belonging to Frank and Dick Merriwell, she was aroused. When she +came to understand that the taking of those mines by the syndicate would +leave the Merriwell brothers almost penniless and would be the signal +for Dick Merriwell to leave Fardale, she determined that the thing +should be brought about at any cost of money, or time, or trouble to +herself. + +And it was in pursuit of this determination that the wife of D. Roscoe +Arlington had come to Arizona and placed herself face to face with a +ruffian like Cimarron Bill, with whom she now struck a bargain that was +most astounding. + +Was the woman in her right mind? + +It made little difference to Bill if she were sane or not, as long as he +obtained possession of that money. But when he asked for it in advance +she smiled upon him coldly, almost scornfully. + +"You were paid money by the syndicate, and you pledged them to +accomplish a task at which you failed. This time there will be no money +forthcoming until the work is done." + +In return the man smiled back at her, and he said: + +"That settles it! I'm not a fool. When the work is done I may find +myself on the run for Mexico, with the law reaching for me. In such a +case I'll have no time to collect. Cash in advance is my motto. You'll +bargain with me, or you'll fail, in everything. You cannot get another +man to fill my boots in the whole country. And if you were to throw me +down and give the job over into the hands of another gent, I'd speak one +word to him that would be enough." + +"What do you mean?" she asked, wondering and angry. "What word?" + +"The word 'stop,'" said Bill. "When Cimarron Bill says 'stop,' you can +bet they stop. They know what it means if they don't. If you don't think +so, count the notches on my guns." + +"You mean that you would turn against me?" + +"Not exactly, madam; I mean that I have no idea of letting any other +gent get my job. I do this piece of work--or no one does it. I rather +admire the sand of this Merriwell, though I'd slit his throat, just the +same, for the price. If there was no object in being against him, I'd +surely be for him; and it seems that you ought to know better than to +put Cimarron Bill in the ranks of the enemy." + +"It's a threat!" cried the woman. + +"Not so; it's a business statement, begging your pardon, madam. I don't +propose that any gent shall jump my claim." + +"How can I be sure you'll not play me false? How can I know you'll not +take the money and do nothing?" + +"The syndicate paid me in advance, as you know. I did my best to earn +the money. It was not my fault that I failed. In this case, if you pay +the sum I have named, I swear to you I'll know no rest until I have +succeeded. If I cannot succeed in one way, I will in another." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I'll capture or kill Frank Merriwell himself." + +"If you could do that!" said the woman, with great eagerness. "He is the +great stumbling-block." + +"That's right. With him out of the way, taking the mine would be easy." + +"Is there no way this can be done before you try to seize the mine?" + +"He keeps pretty close to it. If he could be caught by himself. I have +had my hands upon him twice, and he has slipped me both times. Next time +he will not!" + +"Next time----" + +"An accident will happen to him," assured Bill, with deadly meaning. +"That will be the simplest method." + +"You are right!" she said, in a whisper. "If that could happen----" + +"Would you pay the money?" + +"I would. Understand, I make no bargain with you for such a thing, but +that mine must be torn from him somehow. I have with me some money." + +Cimarron Bill understood her well, and he nodded. + +"Madam," he said, "give me a little time and I'll find a way to see to +it." + +At this moment there was a commotion in the street, the sound of +fighting dogs, shouts of men, and the clatter of horses' hoofs. + +Bill rose quickly and strode to the window, looking down into the +street. A handsome Irish setter had been attacked by two mongrel dogs, +and he was giving those dogs the surprise of their lives. He had one by +the neck in a moment, and the mongrel was shaken like a rat. When the +setter let go the mongrel took to his heels, howling with pain and +terror. Then the setter turned on the other dog and a battle that was +fierce enough for a few moments ensued, which ended again in the +complete triumph of the setter. + +Two young men had ridden into town behind the setter, and they had drawn +up to witness the result of the fight. A crowd had quickly gathered, and +the triumphant setter was loudly applauded. + +At sight of one of the two horsemen Cimarron Bill burst forth with an +exclamation of excitement. + +"Look!" he said, pointing from the open window. "See--see that fellow on +the dark horse!" + +Mrs. Arlington was near the window. + +"The one with the small mustache?" she asked. + +"Yes, that's the one." + +"I see him." + +"Well, that's Frank Merriwell!" said Bill. + +Cimarron Bill was right. Frank Merriwell and Bart Hodge had ridden into +Holbrook, and with them had come Boxer, the dog. Boxer had been attacked +by the mongrel curs, and he showed his mettle by quickly putting them to +flight. + +As Bill gazed down from that window the evil light in his eyes deepened. + +"Remember our bargain!" he said in such a terrible voice that the woman +at his side shuddered. + +Then she saw him bring forth a revolver, and, knowing what he meant to +do, she uttered a little scream and ran back into another part of the +room, unwilling to witness the dark deed. + +Quickly kneeling, Bill rested his elbow on the window-ledge and took +aim, meaning to send a bullet through the heart of the rightful owner of +the Queen Mystery Mine. + +The commotion in the street and her mother's cry had brought June +Arlington into that room. June saw the man with the revolver, and her +eyes fell on the horseman below. She recognized Frank Merriwell, for all +that he was bronzed and changed, and had a small mustache. + +With a sudden scream, the girl flung herself on Bill and spoiled his +aim, so that when the revolver spouted smoke the bullet flew wide of the +mark intended. + +Bill uttered a savage snarl, wheeling about. + +"You wretch!" panted the girl, who was now pale as snow. "You +murderer!" + +The man was dazzled by her beauty. Immediately he moved back from the +window, bowing low. + +"Beg your pardon, miss," he said. "He sure is an enemy of mine, and out +here we shoots on sight. But mebbe he is your friend, in which case I +lets up and gives him another show." + +In that moment of excitement he had fallen into the frontier manner of +speaking. + +She looked at him with unspeakable horror in her eyes. + +"What are you doing here?" she panted. "You--you--murderer! Mother--this +man--why is he here?" + +But Mrs. Arlington, usually cold as ice and perfectly self-possessed, +had quite lost her nerve. She sank into a chair, seeming on the verge of +fainting, while she gave Bill a look that, ruffian though he was, he +understood as an appeal to be left alone with June. + +Nor was he loath about getting out of that room. His pistol had been +discharged from the window, and, though the bullet had found no human +target, men might come in haste to ask unpleasant questions. + +"I begs your pardon, madam," he said, hurriedly picking up his hat. "I +thinks I'll call again and finish this yere bit o' business. Just now I +has another matter to attend to." + +Then he hastened out. + +June had flown to her mother. + +"Tell me--tell me, mother, what it means!" she implored. + +"My smelling-salts," faintly breathed the woman. "My heart, June! I--I'm +afraid!" + +Now, June knew well that the one great fear of her mother's life was +sudden death from a heart trouble that came upon her at times, and so +the girl hastened to bring out the bottle of salts and hold it beneath +the pale lady's nose till she was somewhat recovered, though still +resting limp on her chair and breathing heavily. + +"What does it mean, mother?" asked the girl again. "I do not understand +these strange things. I do not understand why such a wicked-looking man +should be here in this room and about to shoot down in cold blood a +young man in the street. He would have shot him from this very window +had not I spoiled his aim." + +Mrs. Arlington turned her eyes toward her daughter's face, but looked +away quickly, still trembling. + +"Did you know him at whom the man was about to shoot?" she weakly asked. + +"Yes, I knew him, or I am much mistaken. It was Frank Merriwell. I saw +him at the hotel in Fardale the day I returned to him those papers. You +recollect, mother?" + +"Yes, I remember it all too well, and it was the giving back to him of +those papers that has made no end of trouble for us all. But for that +foolish act of yours, June, he would not still be holding the mines that +are rightfully the property of the C. M. A. of A." + +"If those mines do not belong to him, how is it that he can hold them?" + +"He has possession, and he holds it with armed men." + +"But the law----" + +"The law is slow, and, without those papers, it is not very sure. It is +your folly, girl," declared the woman reproachfully, "that has made no +end of trouble. It is your folly that brought Frank Merriwell near to +his end a few moments ago, though you it was who saved him then." + +"Mother, you speak in riddles! How can that be? I gave him back what was +his. And have you forgotten that it was his brother, Dick, who kept you +from slipping beneath the car-wheels, where you must have been maimed or +killed?" + +At this Mrs. Arlington sat up, and something like anger took from her +her great pallor. + +"No," said she, "nor have I forgotten that it was Dick Merriwell who +brought upon my son all his trouble at Fardale! Dick Merriwell has been +his blight there! Dick Merriwell is his enemy. He has tried to set +himself over my boy, and no one shall do that!" + +June knew how useless it was to talk of this matter with her mother, who +refused to listen to reason, and so she did not try to press it further; +but she again asked who was the man who had tried to shoot from the +window. + +"He was a miner," said Mrs. Arlington. + +"And what business had he here in this room?" + +"That is nothing to you, girl. Forget that you saw him here." + +"A thing easier said than done, mother. I saw his face and his eyes, and +I know he is a wicked man and one to be greatly feared. Why should you +have dealings with such a wretch?" + +"You ask too many needless questions, June. Look out and tell me if you +still see anything of--of--Frank Merriwell." + +But when June looked from the window Frank Merriwell was not to be seen +on the street, which had again resumed its usual aspect. + +"I must have a spell of quiet to restore my nerves, June," said Mrs. +Arlington, when the girl had told her. "Leave me. Call Jackson. I think +I will lie down." + +So the colored maid was called, and June lingered to make sure there was +nothing she could do for her mother, who coldly bade her go. + +In her own room June found herself filled with tempestuous thoughts and +vain speculations. She was bewildered by it all, and there was much that +she could not understand, for her mother had told her little or nothing +of what had brought them to that Arizona town. She was wise enough to +know full well that the lady had not come there in search of health, and +surely it could not be pleasure she expected in such a place, which left +but one thing to suppose--it was business. But what sort of business +could she have there? and why should she meet and do business with a +murderous wretch like the man who had tried to shoot Frank Merriwell +from the open window? + +Knowing there was little danger of interruption, June found pen, ink, +and paper and sat herself down to write a letter. She thought at first +that she would make it very brief, and she found it exceedingly hard to +begin; but when she had begun it, it ran on and on until she had written +many pages. Sometimes she laughed over it, and sometimes she blushed; +once her chin quivered and tears seemed to fill her splendid eyes. When +it was all finished she read it over, her cheeks glowing, and at the end +she kissed the paper, at which the blush swept down to her very neck, +and in great confusion she folded it all hastily and put it into an +envelope, which she hurriedly sealed. Although she was not aware of it, +she had spent nearly two hours over the letter. On the envelope she +wrote a name and address, and then, finding her hat, she slipped out to +mail it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +A SENSATION IN TOWN. + + +Frank's little "scout," as he called it, on which expedition he had +driven the redskins from the wounded miner, had convinced him that +Cimarron Bill and his gang had withdrawn from the vicinity of the Queen +Mystery Mine. + +So it came about that Merry and Bart Hodge started for Holbrook, +bringing with them the gold Frank had found in the saddle-bags and belt +of the dead miner. + +Boxer would not be left behind. Since the death of his former master the +dog kept close to Frank, for whom he seemed to have formed an affection +quite as deep as that he had entertained for Benson Clark. + +Frank and Bart came, dust covered and wearied, into Holbrook. + +Boxer's engagement with the mongrel curs, who set upon him, was an +incident to enliven their advent in town, and it demonstrated the mettle +of the setter. + +The shot that came from the window of the hotel was somewhat surprising; +but, as the bullet failed to pass anywhere near either Bart or Merry, +they did not fancy it was intended for them. Still Frank dropped a hand +toward the pistol swinging at his hip, thinking the lead might be +intended for Boxer. + +A puff of smoke was dissolving before the open window, but Cimarron +Bill had vanished, nor did he again appear there. Neither Frank nor Bart +had seen him. + +So they were not greatly alarmed, and they laughed over the manner in +which Boxer had put his assailants to flight, merriment which was joined +in by many of the spectators who had gathered to witness the fight. + +"Good boy, Boxer!" said Merry. "You did that up slickly." + +At which the setter turned toward Frank and showed his teeth in a grin, +and something followed that caused several of the bystanders to gasp and +stagger or stand dazed and astounded. + +When Frank and Bart rode on two or three of those men hurried into +Schlitzenheimer's saloon, where one of them banged the bar with his +clenched fist, and shouted: + +"By thunder! that's the first time I ever heard a dog talk! Was I +dreaming?" + +"None whatever, pard!" declared another, mopping sweat from his face. "I +heard it plain enough. For the love of goodness, Fritz, give me a +snifter of tanglefoot! I need something to brace my nerves after that!" + +"Vot id vos you peen sayin'?" asked the fat Dutchman behind the bar. +"Vot vos dot voolishness apoudt der talkings uf a tog?" + +"No foolishness," declared the sweating individual, as whisky and +glasses were placed on the bar. "I'll swear to it. The dog that came in +with those young gents an' whipped two other dogs in short order sartin +made an observation in good, clean United States, or I'm the biggest +liar on two legs." + +"Say, Benchy!" said the Dutchman scornfully, "I pelief you vos readiness +to haf anoder attack py dose delerium triangles, ain'd id! Uf you vill +undertook my advice, you vill off svear alretty soon und safe yourseluf +from der snakes some droubles." + +"This is my first drink to-day," asserted Benchy, as he poured with +shaking hand; "and I'd not take this if I didn't need it a whole lot to +steady my nerves arter hearin' a dog talk." + +"It's on the level, Fritz," assured the man who had banged the bar with +his fist. "I heard it myself. The young fellow with the mustache says to +the dog arter the dog had licked t'other dogs, says he, 'Good boy, +Boxer; you done that up slick.' Then the dog turns about and grins up at +him and winks, and he opens his mouth, and I hope I may be struck dead +where I stand this minute if he didn't answer and say, 'Oh, that was no +trick at all, Frank; those low-bred curs haven't any sand.' I heard it, +Fritz, and I'll swear to it with my last breath!" + +"You vos craziness!" said the Dutchman. "Oh, you vos drying some jokes +on me to play alretty." + +But now several of the others asserted that they also had heard the dog +speak, and that the animal had uttered the very words quoted by the man +called Spikes. + +"Id peen a put-up jobs!" shouted Schlitzenheimer angrily. "Uf vor a +greadt vool you tookit me, you vos not so much uf a jackass as I look +to peen! Id vos nod bossible a tog vor to speech, und I vill bate zwi +t'ousan' tollar it on!" + +"But I heard him!" declared Benchy. + +"I'm another!" averred Spikes. + +"We all heard him!" cried the others at the bar. + +"You got vrom my blace uf pusiness out britty queek!" ordered the +Dutchman, in a great rage. "I vill not had so many plame liars aroundt! +Und dond you back come some more alretty undil you vos readiness apology +to make vor me drying to vool!" + +"Look here, Fritz," said Benchy, leaning on the bar, "I'll bet you ten +dollars coin of the realm that the dog can talk! If I had been alone in +hearing the beast, I might have thought myself fooled; but all these +other gents heard him, and so there is no mistake. Do you take me?" + +"Den tollars haf nod seen you in a month," declared Schlitzenheimer +disdainfully. "Howeffer, uf you prings pack by you dot tog und he vill +speech my saloon in, I vill gif you den tollars my own moneys out uf, +and all der drink you can a whole veek vor. Now, you tookit my advice +und shut upness or make goot britty queek." + +"I'll do it!" cried Benchy, and he hastened forth. + +Frank and Bart had proceeded directly to the bank, where their dust was +weighed and taken on deposit. This done, they left and sought a square +meal in the very hotel where Mrs. Arlington and June were stopping. +Fortunately the presence of his guests, who paid extravagantly well, +had caused the proprietor to have on hand an unusual stock of cooked +food, and he was able to see that the young men from the mines were +provided for in a manner that surprised and pleased them not a little. + +Although he took good care to keep out of sight, Cimarron Bill knew +Frank Merriwell was in the hotel. At the bar of the place Bill found a +rough, bewhiskered fellow, whom he drew aside. + +"Bob," said Bill, in a whisper, "are you ready to tackle a tough +proposition?" + +"For the needful, Bill," was the quiet answer of the man, who, in spite +of his rough appearance, was known by his mild manner of speech as +Gentle Bob. "What is it?" + +"You know the young tenderfoot gent what I have been stacking up +against--the one what I spoke to you about?" + +"I reckon." + +"Well, he is now eatin' in the dinin'-room." + +"Sho!" said Bob, in placid surprise. + +"Fact," assured Bill. "Him an' one of his pards is thar. They came inter +town together a short time ago. Now, I could pick a quarrel with them, +and I allows I could shoot 'em both; but it would be knowed agin' me +that I had been tryin' to jump their claim, which sartin' would rouse +feelin's. In your case, as you were nohow consarned in the raid on the +mine, it would be different, an' I 'lows you might find a way o' doin' +the job easy an' slick. You kin plead self-defense, an' I promise you +there will be plenty o' money to defend ye." + +"It's the money fer the job I'm a-thinkin' of first, Bill," said Bob. + +"A good clean thousan' dollars if you shoots the young gent with the +mustache," whispered Bill. + +"Do you mean it?" asked Bob, looking at him hard. "Where does it come +from?" + +"That I allow is none of your business. You has my word that you gets +it. And I opine the word o' Cimarron Bill is knowed to be good." + +"As his bond," said Gentle Bob, taking out a brace of pistols and +looking them over. "I takes the job, Bill; and there sartin will be a +funeral in these parts to-morrer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +BOXER CREATES A STIR. + + +When Frank and Bart came out of the hotel, with Boxer at their heels, +they found a group of men on the steps engaged in earnest discussion. +Immediately, on sight of the two young men and the dog, the babel of +voices fell to a hush and the men all squared about and stared. But +Merry immediately noticed that it was not at Bart or himself that they +were staring, but at Boxer. The dog seemed to observe this, likewise, +for he stopped short, with one paw uplifted, surveyed the men, and +Frank, who was a clever ventriloquist, made the animal apparently say: + +"Say, Frank, what do you suppose the ginnies are gawking at?" + +"Mother av Moses!" cried an Irishman in the group. "Oi swear be all the +saints the baste did spake!" + +"Yah! yah!" chattered a pig-tailed Chinaman by the name of Sing Lee, who +ran a laundry in town. "Dogee talkee allee samee likee Chinyman." + +"Go on, you rat-eater!" contemptuously exclaimed the dog. "If I couldn't +talk better than you I'd go drown myself!" + +Needless to say this brought the excitement of the crowd to a high +pitch. + +Benchy and Spikes were on hand, and now the former appealed to Frank. + +"Is that your dog?" he asked. + +"Well, I lay claim to him," smiled Merry. + +"He--he--can he talk?" + +"Didn't you hear him?" + +"Yes, but----" + +"Well, what better evidence do you want than your own ears?" + +"That's enough; but Schlitzenheimer called me names and said I was +trying to put up a joke on him because I told him I heard the dog talk." + +"Who's Schlitzenheimer?" + +"He runs the saloon down the street right in front of which your dog +whipped those other dogs what jumped on him. He's a black-headed +Dutchman. Come on down and show him the dog." + +"Come on!" cried others. + +Merry didn't mind the lark, but he now turned to the dog, with a very +serious expression on his face, saying: + +"How about it, Boxer? I believe you told me you hold an antipathy +against Dutchmen. Will you go down to Schlitzenheimer's with me?" + +The dog seemed to hesitate, and then he answered: + +"Oh, I don't care; go ahead. I'm not stuck on Dutchmen, but I'll teach +this one a lesson." + +"All right," said Merry. "Come on." + +Benchy triumphantly led the way, being followed by Frank and Bart and +the dog, with the crowd at the heels of them. The Irishman was +protesting his wonderment, while the Chinaman chattered excitedly. + +Within the hotel a man had been watching and listening. He was a +bewhiskered ruffian, and he strode forth and followed the crowd to the +Dutchman's saloon. Cimarron Bill watched his tool depart, smiling darkly +and muttering to himself: + +"Good-by, Bob! You're going up against a hard proposition in Frank +Merriwell, and it's not likely you'll call to collect that little sum of +money from me. All the same, I hope you get in a shot, for you shoot +straight, and you may make a round sum for my pocket, as I'll compel the +old lady to lay down the cash. I'll be able to scare her into it by +threatening to tell the whole story and bring her into the game as an +accomplice. That will yank her around to her feet in short order, I +opine." + +For all of Bill's reputation as a "killer," he was willing to let this +piece of work over to the attention of another. + +So Gentle Bob followed Merriwell, an evil purpose in his black heart, +nor knew that his employer believed and half-hoped he might be going to +his own end. + +Benchy burst into the saloon, uttering a cry of triumph. + +"Here comes the dog!" he said. "Now I have you, you old duffer! You'll +find out he can talk." + +Schlitzenheimer stared at the door, through which the crowd followed +Frank, and Bart, and the dog. + +"Vos dot der tog?" he said. + +"Do you take me for a monkey, you lobster-faced frankfurter?" saucily +demanded the dog. + +"Hey?" squawked the saloon-keeper, turning purple. "Vot id vos? Dit I +hear correctness?" + +"Be careful, Boxer," said Frank reprovingly. "Don't be so free with your +lip. You may offend the gentleman." + +"Gentleman!" exclaimed the setter, in a tone of profound contempt. "Do +you call that sourkraut-barrel a gentleman? I'm surprised at you, +Frank!" + +At this there was a burst of laughter, and Schlitzenheimer turned as red +as he had been pale a moment before. + +"Vot vor did dot tog vanted to insult me?" he exclaimed indignantly. "I +dit not someding to him do!" + +"Boxer, I'm surprised!" cried Frank. "You will get me into trouble with +your careless language. I insist that you apologize immediately to the +gentleman. I insist, sir!" + +"Oh, very well," said the dog; "if you insist, I'll apologize. I was +joking, anyway." + +"And I add my own apology, Mr. Schlitzenheimer," said Merry. "I hope +this will be sufficient?" + +"Oh, yah, dot peen all righdt," said the Dutchman at once. "But py +dunder! der tickens id does peat to heard a tog dalking!" + +"It's a good one on you, Fritz!" cried Benchy triumphantly. "Remember +your agreement! You're stuck!" + +"Vale, I will stood py dot agreements," said the saloon-keeper, rather +reluctantly, "efen if in pusiness id does preak me up. Und I vill sdant +treat der crowdt vor. Sdep up, eferpody, und your trink name." + +"That's the talk!" cried the dog. "You're not such a bad fellow, +Schlitzy." + +Schlitzenheimer leaned on the bar with both hands and looked over at +Boxer. + +"Vot will you haf yourseluf?" he asked. + +"Excuse me," said the setter; "I'm on the water-wagon. Go ahead, +gentlemen, and don't mind me." + +So they lined up in front of the bar, expressing their amazement over +the accomplishment of the dog and burdening Merriwell with questions, +all of which Frank cheerfully answered or skilfully evaded. + +Boxer had been lifted and placed on one end of the bar, where he +immediately sat, surveying the line of men with his clear, intelligent +eyes. + +"Hello, Mike!" he called to the Irishman. "When did you leave the Old +Dart?" + +"It's goin' on three year now," answered the son of the Old Sod civilly; +"and me name's not Moike--it's Pat." + +The dog seemed to wink shrewdly. + +"It's all the same," he declared; "Mike or Pat makes no difference, as +long as your last name is Murphy." + +"But me last name's not Murphy at all, at all--it's O'Grady, av yez +plaze." + +"Thanks," snickered the dog. "I have it down pat now. It's a way I have +of finding out a man's name when no one takes the trouble to introduce +him. Drink hearty, Pat; the whisky'll add to the beautiful tint of your +nose." + +"Begorra! it's a divvil the crayther is!" muttered Pat, nudging his +nearest neighbor. + +"Ah, there, Chink!" called the setter, seeming to get his eye on the +Chinaman, who was staring open-mouthed. "How's the washee-washee +business?" + +"Oh, velly good, velly good!" answered the Celestial hurriedly, backing +off a little, his face yellowish white. + +"Vele," said Schlitzenheimer, holding up a glass of beer; "here vos goot +health to der smardest tog vot effer vos." + +"Drink hearty," said Boxer; and, with the exception of Frank and Bart, +all swallowed their drinks. Not wishing anything to drink, and still +desiring to join in so that the saloon-keeper might not be offended, +Frank and Bart had taken cigars, which they slipped into their pockets. + +"Dot tog peen der vonder der vorld uf," said Schlitzenheimer, gazing +admiringly at Boxer. "Vot vill you soldt him vor?" + +"There's not enough money in Arizona to buy him from me," answered Frank +at once. + +"You know a good thing when you see it," chuckled the dog. + +"Vos there anything exception talk vot he can do?" asked Fritz. + +"Lots of things," answered Merry. "He can play cards." + +"Beenuckle?" asked the Dutchman. + +"You bet! He's a dabster at pinocle." + +"Easy, Merry!" cautioned the setter, in a whisper. "If you want to skin +the old bologna-sausage out of his shekels, don't puff me up. I can't +beat him at his own game." + +"Vale, I pet den tollars you can't dot do!" cried Schlitzenheimer. "I +nefer vould acknowledgment dot a tog could peat me!" + +Frank sternly turned on Boxer. + +"What do you mean by getting me into such a scrape?" he demanded, +shaking his finger at the setter. "You know I never gamble, and I will +not bet on a game of cards. If you make any more such foolish talk, I'll +not let you play at all." + +The dog hung his head and looked quite ashamed. + +"Beg pardon," he whined softly. "I was joking again!" + +"I'll blay der fun uf him vor," said Schlitzenheimer. "Id vill peen a +creat jokes to said I had a came uf beenuckle blayed mit a tog. Come +on." + +He hurried out from behind the bar. + +"Begorra! Oi'd loike to take a hand in this!" cried Pat O'Grady, as a +square table was drawn out and the cards produced. "It's a shlick game +av peenockle Oi play." + +"But three-handed----" said Frank. + +"Be afther makin' the fourth yesilf." + +"I have to hold the cards for Boxer, he having no hands of his own," +explained Merry. + +Then it was that Gentle Bob stepped forward, saying, in a very quiet +voice and polite manner, that he would be pleased to enter the game. + +Now, with the exception of Frank and Bart, all knew that Bob was a very +bad man to offend, and so they were willing enough that he should play, +and it was soon arranged. + +Frank was keen enough to see in what manner the ruffianly looking fellow +with the quiet voice was regarded, and, as he was not in Holbrook in +search of a quarrel, he raised no dissent. However, he gave Hodge a look +that Bart understood, and the silent youth nodded. From that moment Bart +watched Gentle Bob closely. + +The crowd drew about the table, eager to witness a game of cards in +which a dog took part. + +Merry sat on a short bench, with Boxer at his side. The cards were cut, +and the deal fell to Schlitzenheimer. + +"Be careful, Dutchy," advised Boxer. "We're watching you, and you'd +better not try any slick tricks." + +"Eferything on der lefel shall pe," assured the saloon-keeper, pulling +at his long pipe. + +O'Grady was likewise smoking, and his pipe contrasted ludicrously with +that of Schlitzenheimer. + +When the cards were dealt, it fell the dog's turn to meld first. Frank +spread out the cards and held them in front of Boxer's nose. + +"I will meld one hundred aces," said the dog. "Put 'em down, Frank." + +Merry did so. + +"Sixty queens," called Boxer, and Merry spread them out. + +"Lally ka lolly loka!" chattered Sing Lee, or something like that; +whereupon Boxer seemed to fix the Chinaman with a scornful stare, and +observed: + +"You ought to take something for that. It must be painful." + +"Gleatee Sklot!" gasped the Celestial. "Dogee hab a debbil!" And he +backed away. + +"That's right," said Boxer. "I like you a long distance off, the longer +the distance the better I like you." + +"Pay attention to the game," said Frank. "Are you going to meld anything +else?" + +"Forty trumps, twenty spades, and twenty hearts," said Boxer. + +"Dunder!" muttered Schlitzenheimer, and his hands trembled so that he +dropped some of the cards. + +"Get a basket," snickered the dog; and the crowd laughed loudly at the +saloon-keeper's expense. + +When all the melding was finished they prepared to play. + +"I'll lead the ace of trumps," said Boxer. + +Frank ran the cards over. + +"It's here," he said. "But I didn't see it." + +"What's the matter with your eyes?" snapped the dog. "Didn't I meld one +hundred aces? You ought to learn something about this game!" + +"I seldom play cards," said Merry apologetically. + +"Well, you want to keep your eyes open!" exclaimed Boxer sharply. "These +chaps may try to skin us." + +At this Gentle Bob looked up and said: + +"I do not mind a little faking none whatever, but I sure objects to +being called a skin, either by a dog or his master, so I opine it will +be best for somebody to apologize." + +And, as he made this remark, he suddenly whipped forth a pistol, with +which he covered both Frank and the dog, but held the weapon more in +Merry's direction. + +Cimarron Bill's tool had found the opportunity he sought, and he meant +to make the most of it. + +Merry saw in the fellow's eyes the full extent of his evil purpose. + +"If the apology is not forthcoming instanter," murmured the ruffian, "I +shall puncture the wonderful talking dog with a bullet!" + +Now, it seemed that Bob had Frank at a great disadvantage, but at this +point Bart Hodge shoved the muzzle of a pistol against the fellow's ear +and harshly commanded: + +"Put up that gun--instanter! If you don't I'll blow the whole top of +your head off!" + +But Bart had made a miscalculation, for Gentle Bob had not come alone to +the saloon, having noted well that Frank Merriwell had a friend. He had +picked up a chap of his own sort, and now this fellow had a gun at +Bart's head. + +"You're the one who'll lose the ruff o' his head!" he said. "You put up +your gun!" + +Gentle Bob still sat pistol in hand, but Boxer had taken advantage of an +opportunity to drop down from the bench to the floor. + +Of a sudden there came a wild yell from Bob, who kicked out with his +feet and flung himself backward, his pistol being discharged straight up +at the ceiling. + +Boxer had seized him by the leg beneath the table. + +Instantly there was a fearful uproar in the saloon. The action of the +dog had disconcerted the plans of every one. Hodge ducked and whirled, +catching the ruffian at his back a fearful blow on the solar plexus that +drove him slam against the bar, and he went down and "out." + +Merry went across the table in a leap at Gentle Bob, from whom he tore +the revolver that the fellow was trying to use on Boxer. + +"Let up, boy," said Frank to the dog. "I'll attend to his case." + +Boxer seemed reluctant to let go, but he did so at the second command. + +Merriwell pinned Bob down and deftly disarmed him, removing every +weapon, which he passed over to Schlitzenheimer. + +"Take care of these tools, sir," he said, "until I leave town. It will +save this fellow's life--perhaps." + +"Und dot vill peen a pity!" muttered the saloon-keeper, who had no love +for the ruffian, but held him in great awe. + +Having disarmed Bob, Merry rose and commanded him to get up. The fellow +rose immediately and sprang at Frank, trying to strike him. + +Boxer would have mingled in, but Bart held him in check, saying: + +"Keep out of it. Frank can attend to that case now without any of your +aid." + +Hodge was not mistaken, as Merriwell quickly demonstrated. He avoided +the blows of the ruffian and quickly knocked him down. Bob rose, only to +be struck in the eye and sent to the floor again. Four times this +happened, and then Merry picked the wretch up, carried him bodily to the +door, and kicked him into the street, observing: + +"If you come back here or bother me again, I'll send you to the hospital +for a month!" + +And the dog barked with great satisfaction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +BOXER TO THE RESCUE. + + +The second ruffian was ejected, and Frank and the talking dog were +regarded with unbounded admiration by every one present. + +"I neffer haf seen Shentle Pob done upness pefore," remarked +Schlitzenheimer. "He vos a pad man." + +"You bettee!" put in Sing Lee, who crept forth from behind a barrel, +where he had taken refuge during the encounter. "Him velly bad. Him +shootee, stabbee, killee." + +"An' so he will," nodded Pat O'Grady, seeming quite concerned. "It's me +opinion he wur lookin' fer throuble whin he came here." + +"Well, he found it," smiled Merry. + +"That's what!" said Boxer, wagging his tail and looking up at Frank +knowingly. "But he tasted disagreeable. You don't suppose it will make +me sick, do you?" + +Frank stooped and patted the dog's head. + +"I hope not," he laughed. "You got hold of his leg just in time, old +boy." + +"Oh, I didn't dally when I saw him throw his gun out," said Boxer, +winking rapidly with both eyes. "I allowed he was going to begin +shooting directly." + +"Uf you vould tookit my device," said Schlitzenheimer, "you couldt out +uf dis town get a hurriness indo." + +"Thot's roight," nodded O'Grady. "It's moighty dangerous to remain after +this, Oi know." + +"Pob vill got vor heemseluf another gun, und he vill look vor you on der +sdreet," declared the saloon-keeper. + +"Well, he may find us, eh, Boxer?" smiled Frank. + +"Sure thing," said the dog. "And I reckon you can shoot as quick and as +straight as he can." + +Schlitzenheimer shook his head and averred that Bob was the greatest +pistol-shot known in those parts, which, however, did not seem to alarm +Frank Merriwell in the least. + +Suddenly there came a scream from the street, the voice being that of a +girl, and the sound indicating that she was in great fear and distress. + +Frank sprang to the open door, Boxer barking at his heels, and Hodge was +not slow in following. + +The cry had issued from the lips of June Arlington, who was then on her +way to the post-office to mail the letter she had written, not wishing +her mother to see it. + +June had arrived in the vicinity of the saloon as Gentle Bob was turning +away. She noted that the man's face was cut and bruised and one eye was +swollen. His appearance led her to look at him with something like +sympathy, when, of a sudden, he turned on her, smiling evilly, and +seized her arm. + +"Derned ef you ain't a right peert gal!" said the fellow insolently. +"Gimme a kiss, sweetness." + +Then June screamed and tried to break away, striking at him with her +clenched fist. She was frightened and angry. + +"Stop yer squarmin'!" snarled the fellow, who had thought to kiss her +quickly before she could make much resistance, and then hasten along, it +being his intention to boast of what he had done. + +But June would not stop. She saw a tall, athletic young man come +bounding through an open doorway into the street, followed closely by a +dog and another young man. Her eyes recognized the one in advance, and +she cried out: + +"Mr. Merriwell, help--help, quick!" + +With a growl of rage, Gentle Bob released her and turned. As he did so, +the dog, terrible in his fury, shot past Frank, and made a great spring +through the air straight at Bob's throat. + +Bob threw up his arm, and the teeth of the dog fastened on it. The force +of the creature's leap hurled the ruffian backward. + +The man went down in the dust, and Boxer was at him with all the fury of +a mad animal. He would have torn the wretch to pieces right before their +eyes, but Frank fearlessly grasped the dog and pulled him away, at the +same time crying commandingly to him. + +"Keep him off!" palpitated Bob, now filled with a great terror for the +fierce animal. "Don't let him touch me ag'in! He's near bit me to pieces +now!" + +"You got just what you deserved, and no more, you miserable creature!" +said Frank indignantly. + +Then he turned and asked June what Bob had been doing. + +"Oh, he grasped me, and he tried to kiss me!" + +"Did he!" grated Merry, very white. "Then I should have let Boxer finish +him!" + +"No, no!" gasped June. + +"No, no!" exclaimed Bob. + +"On your knees!" cried Frank, in ringing tones--"on your knees and +apologize to the young lady! If you don't do it, so help me, I'll let +Boxer get at you again!" + +Bob did not hesitate. Ruffian and desperado though he was reputed to be, +he cast himself on his knees before June and humbly begged her pardon, +all the while watching Boxer, who glared back at him and licked his +chops. + +"Get up and go, you pitiful coward!" said Frank. "Keep out of my sight +while I'm in town, and be careful not to try any dirty tricks. If you +hurt me, Boxer will eat you up; if you hurt Boxer, I'll have your life! +Go!" + +The wretch lost not a moment in getting away. + +Frank stooped and picked up the letter June had dropped. He was +restoring it to her when his eye caught the address upon it, and he +stared in astonishment. + + "MR. RICHARD MERRIWELL, + "Fardale." + +That was the name and address he read. Then he looked closely at June +and recognized her. + +"Miss Arlington?" he exclaimed, his hat in his hand; "is it possible?" + +The color was coming back into her cheeks. + +"Mr. Merriwell," she said, "let me thank you for coming so quickly to my +assistance." + +"It was Boxer who got there first. But I'm amazed to see you here--here +in Arizona." + +"I don't doubt it." + +"What brings you to this place?" + +"I came with my mother." + +"Your--your mother?" he said, still further astonished. "And your +father--he is here, also?" + +"No, sir." + +"He is coming?" + +"No, sir, I believe not." + +Merry had thought at once that there might be a very good reason why D. +Roscoe Arlington should come to Holbrook to learn just how well the +hired ruffians of the syndicate had performed their tasks, but the +presence there of Mrs. Arlington and June, without D. Roscoe, rather +bewildered him. + +June looked back toward the hotel windows, thinking it must be that her +mother had heard her cry and would be looking forth; but was relieved +to see nothing of the lady. + +"You were on your way to mail this letter?" said Frank, divining her +destination. + +"Yes." + +"May I accompany you, to make sure you are not molested further?" + +She accepted his escort. Bart had lingered near, and Frank presented +him. + +"An old school and college chum, Miss Arlington," he said, "and one of +my closest friends." + +Bart lifted his hat and bowed, smiling a bit on the pretty girl. In his +way, which was dark and silent, he was almost every bit as handsome as +Frank himself, and it is no cause of wonderment that June could not +wholly repress the flash of admiration that came into her splendid eyes. + +On his part, Bart was quite smitten with her, and he stood watching +Frank walk away at her side, Boxer following, smiling without envy, yet +thinking his friend fortunate to have the company of such a charming +girl for even a brief time in that part of the country. + +Frank found himself somewhat embarrassed, not a little to his surprise, +as he walked down the street with June. The girl was the daughter of the +man who was doing his best to bring upon Merriwell complete ruin--or +seemed to be doing his best to that end, for Frank could not know that +all his trouble at the Queen Mystery had not risen directly from D. +Roscoe Arlington. Much less did he suspect that any great part of it +came without Mr. Arlington's knowledge and through the vengeful malice +of Mrs. Arlington. + +It was not agreeable to speak of this matter with June, and still in his +heart Merry was more than eager to know what had brought the girl to +Holbrook. He had not forgotten that it was the hand of June that had +restored to him the precious papers relating to the mines when those +papers had been stolen from him in Fardale, a service for which he +remained grateful. + +Further than this, Frank had learned that Dick had a deep interest in +June--so deep, indeed, that the boy himself did not quite suspect its +measure. Merry had been able to read his brother, and his good sense +told him beyond question that never would Dick hold his hand from the +person of his most persistent enemy simply because that enemy's sister +thus entreated him, unless there was back of it all a feeling of +affection for the sister that was of no small magnitude. + +That June cared something for Dick, Merry more than half-suspected, and +the sight of the name on the letter she now carried in her hand seemed +very good evidence that this was not false fancy on his part, for did +she not care for the lad far away in Fardale, then why should she write +to him? + +It was June herself who relieved Frank's embarrassment by earnestly +turning to him and beginning speech. + +"Mr. Merriwell," she said, with such a sober face that he was greatly +surprised, "I have wanted to see you since you came into town." + +"Then you knew I had entered town?" + +"I saw you; and I have wanted to speak with you to warn you." + +"To warn me?" said Frank. "Of what?" + +"Of your great danger, for you are in danger here. You have in this town +a man who would kill you." + +"I think we lately parted from such a man," smiled Merry. + +"But he is not the one." + +"Is there another?" + +"Oh, yes! I saw him! Perhaps I saved your life." + +At this Frank gave a great start of surprise and asked her how that +could be, upon which she told him how Cimarron Bill had shot at him from +the window, and how she had spoiled the aim of the would-be murderer. +She held back the fact that the man had fired from one of the windows of +her mother's rooms, and that her mother had shortly before been in +consultation with him. Still Frank was keen enough to see that she was +hiding something, and he had the good discernment to come close to +guessing the truth. + +"Miss Arlington," he said, "it seems that I owe you my life. I heard the +shot, but I could not be sure it was fired at me. If I mistake not, the +man who fired it has a deadly aim, and I could not have escaped but for +your quickness in spoiling his sight. I owe you a great deal more than I +can ever repay." + +June knew something of the truth, and she was aware that her father was +concerned in a movement the accomplishment of which meant ruin to both +Frank and Dick; therefore this acknowledgment by Frank of his +indebtedness to her caused her to flush with shame. + +"It is I who owe you a great deal!" she exclaimed. "See what you have +just done--saved me from a ruffian! But your brother--Dick--he did more. +He saved me once from the fangs of furious dogs, at another time from +being killed in a runaway, and that is not all. It is I who owe you much +more than I can ever repay. My brother"--she choked a little--"my +brother is Dick's enemy, yet, for a promise to me, Dick has been easy +with him and has not forced him in disgrace from Fardale. Oh, Mr. +Merriwell!" she suddenly exclaimed, feeling her utter inability to +express herself, "it seems to me that never before was a girl placed in +such a position as I find myself in! What can I do?" + +"You can do nothing, Miss June," he said gently. "You are not to blame +for anything that may happen, and I shall not forget that. I am very +sorry for you, as I fancy you must be far from comfortable." + +At this her pride returned, and she straightened, thinking she could not +acknowledge to him that her people were in the wrong. + +"You know there is always two sides to any question," she said, "and +there may be as much of right on one side as the other. I presume my +father has every reason to think himself right." + +Now, June knew that it was her mother who hated Dick and Frank with +undying intensity, while her father cared very little about either of +the Merriwells, save that he had been led to wonder immoderately at the +success of Frank in fighting the syndicate; but she wished to avoid the +shame of confessing that her mother had such a vengeful nature and could +enter with vindictiveness into an affair that might well be left to men. + +Frank had no desire to hurt her feelings. He understood her pride and +sensitiveness, and he said: + +"It is very likely you are correct about that. At any rate, we will not +argue it. It is no matter for us to speak of, as what we might say would +not change the situation in the least. Still, if I should become +satisfied that your father had the right in this thing, even though it +stripped me of my last dollar and made me a beggar, I would surrender to +him immediately." + +She did not doubt him then, and she saw that the character of Frank +Merriwell was one to be admired, his one concern being for perfect and +complete justice, even though by justice he might be the sufferer. +Inwardly she was struck with the conviction that her father seldom made +inquiry into the justice of any project he wished to carry through, his +one concern being to accomplish his ends by any method whatever, so long +as it did not involve him in difficulties of a nature too serious. + +"Mr. Merriwell," she said quickly, "you must leave Holbrook just as soon +as you can!" + +"Why?" + +"The man who tried to shoot you is here--the man with the wicked face +and evil eyes." + +"I am not given to running away from one man." + +"It's not that. He is an assassin! See how he tried to kill you without +giving you a show! You don't know what moment he may try it again. If he +were to meet you face to face it would be different. You cannot defend +yourself from attacks in the dark. You have no show." + +"Well, there is some truth in that," smiled Merry. + +"He will attack you that way again. I know it! He will strike at you +from behind." + +"Possibly." + +"You must go! You must leave Holbrook before dark!" + +"I hardly fancy it," muttered Frank, frowning. "I do not like the +notion. It leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth to think of running +away from Cimarron Bill." + +For, although June had not mentioned the ruffian by name, not knowing it +herself, her description of him had satisfied Frank that it could be no +other than the baffled scoundrel who had twice attempted to seize the +Queen Mystery Mine. + +"But you will go?" she urged. + +"I'll think of it." + +They had reached the post-office and were now standing in front of the +building. Bart Hodge was sauntering slowly in their direction on the +opposite side of the street, having kept within easy pistol-shot of +Frank all the while. + +Frank's words did not satisfy June. He saw she was in distress. + +"If you will not go for your own sake," she said, "please do for mine." + +He looked astonished. + +"For your sake?" he said. "Why, I had not an idea in the world that it +could be of so much concern to you. I'm afraid I do not understand why +it should be. Now, if Dick----" + +She stopped him with a gesture, her face flushing very warm. + +"Don't!" she entreated, in a low voice. "At least, you are his own +brother! But it is for my sake more than yours. I cannot explain. Do not +embarrass me! But promise me you will go--for my sake!" + +Having a quick perception, Frank suddenly fancied he caught an inkling +of the truth. In that moment he saw Mrs. Arlington dealing with Cimarron +Bill. It was a conjecture, but it struck him hard as the truth. + +This, then, was the reason why June wished him to flee from Holbrook. +She feared that her mother somehow would become involved in the murder +in case Cimarron Bill should carry into execution his dastardly purpose. + +Of course, it was not possible for him to be sure he had struck upon the +truth. + +"It is hard for me to refuse a girl when she corners me like this," he +smiled. + +"You'll go?" persisted June. + +"If you insist." + +"Oh, thank you--thank you! I shall not breathe easy until I know you are +well out of this dreadful place." + +"And I shall not breathe easy as long as I know you remain here, where +you may become subject to such insults as to-day happened. It is no +place for you at the present time. Holbrook is well enough in its way; +but you are too pretty to walk its streets without an escort. Western +gentlemen are gentlemen in every sense of the word, and no man can hold +the honor of a lady more sacred; but Western ruffians are dangerous, and +it seems there are several of the latter class in this place." + +"I must remain while mother stays here; I must stay with her." + +The letter was dropped in the post-office, and June urged Frank to +depart at once; but he insisted on escorting her back to the hotel. + +Boxer kept close to their heels, seeming to listen to their conversation +at times; but, strange though it may appear, he made no attempt to take +part in it, nor did he speak as much as one word during all the time +that he seemed neglected by his master. + +Frank made a sign to Bart, who crossed the street and joined them. + +"I have decided to leave town right away," said Merry. "Have the horses +saddled and prepared. We'll start as soon as I have escorted Miss +Arlington back to the hotel." + +Hodge looked surprised. + +"The horses are in no condition, Frank," he said. "You know they are in +sore need of a good rest." + +"I know it, Bart; but I have a reason for this. We'll go. Get them +ready, please." + +"All right," said Bart, as he turned away to carry out instructions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +UNTO DEATH! + + +The sun was down in the west and night was gathering over the face of +the world when Frank and Bart rode forth from Holbrook, setting their +faces to the southwest. Boxer trotted behind them. + +They were not molested, although Frank remained in constant expectation +of an attack until they were fairly clear of the place and had it a long +rifle-shot at their backs. + +The blue night grew upon the distant plain, and the stars were coming +forth over their heads as they rode down into the distance, the beating +hoofs of the ponies making rhythm on the baked ground. The first cool +breath of night touched their heated cheeks with grateful kisses. + +"How did you happen to do it, Frank?" asked Bart. + +"I found out a thing or two," Merry answered. "Cimarron Bill is in town, +and he was watching his chance to get another shot at me." + +"Another?" exclaimed Bart; upon which Merry explained how Bill had fired +at him already. + +"It was rather dangerous to stay there, and I couldn't resist when a +pretty girl took enough interest in me to urge me to get away," Frank +laughed. "We had some sport with our talking dog, and now----" + +"You can't mean to ride far?" + +"Remember the hut we passed on the way into town? It's not very far. +We'll stop there to-night." + +"Good!" said Bart; and they rode on. + +Coming to the deserted hut, they stopped there. The horses were cared +for, and Frank and Bart entered the hut with their blankets, where they +prepared to sleep until toward morning, planning to rise before daybreak +and get an early start, so that some distance could be covered ere the +sun rose. + +Both of the young men were weary, and they lost little time in drawing +their blankets about them and rolling on the floor. Boxer curled in a +corner and went to sleep. The door of the hut was left open to admit the +cool night air. + +Frank fell asleep at once, and Bart was not slow in following his +example. + +They were awakened in the middle of the night by a snarl, a cry, a +struggle, and a fall. Both sat up, grasping their weapons. + +The moon was up, and by its light, which streamed in at the wide-open +door, a man and a dog were seen struggling on the floor. The dog was +Boxer, who had leaped at the throat of the man as he came slipping in at +the open door. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hodge. "What's the meaning of this?" + +"One of my friends has arrived," said Frank. "Boxer has him." + +The struggle was fierce and terrible. The dog seemed to have the man by +the throat. Before either Merry or Hodge could interfere the moonlight +glinted on something bright in the hand of the man, who struck and +struck again. + +Not a sound came from the dog. But the bright thing in the man's hand +grew suddenly dark. + +"Heavens!" gasped Frank, leaping forward. "He has a knife!" + +Then a terrible sound came from the throat of the man, and he lifted his +arm no more. The thing in his hand, dark and dripping, fell to the floor +of the hut. + +A moment later the man rolled into the shadow, and then Boxer was seen +dragging himself away, while the man lay still. + +"Boxer! Boxer!" cried Frank, bending over the dog. "Are you hurt, boy? +Merciful goodness! he ripped your whole side open with that knife!" + +Hodge struck a light and bent over the man who lay in the shadow. When +the match burned out in his fingers he dropped it and stepped out to +join Merriwell, who had picked up the dog and carried the creature into +the open air. + +Bart found Merry sitting on the ground, with the dog in his arms. Boxer +had been cut in a terrible manner, and was bleeding in a way that +plainly told his end was near. + +"Oh, the wretch!" choked Merry, in a husky voice. "Oh, the wretch who +did this! He ought to be hanged!" + +"No need of hanging for him," said Hodge. "He'll be beyond that in less +than three minutes." + +"You mean----" + +"He's pretty near dead now. Boxer's teeth found his jugular vein." + +"Who was it, Bart?" + +"The fellow who made the row in Schlitzenheimer's saloon." + +"Gentle Bob?" + +"Yes." + +"One of Cimarron Bill's hired tools, or I am mistaken! He followed us +here and tried to creep in on us with that knife, meaning to finish the +job at which he failed in town. Boxer saved us. Good old Boxer! Poor old +Boxer!" + +The dog whined a little on hearing this name from Frank's lip's, and +feebly wagged his tail. The moonlight showed his eyes turned toward +Merry's face. + +"Is it so bad there's no show for him?" asked Hodge, in genuine +distress. + +"No show!" sobbed Frank. "He's finished, Bart! It's a shame! The most +knowing dog in the whole world! And he has to die like this, killed by a +human being that is more of a beast than he!" + +"It's a shame!" said Bart. + +The dog licked Frank's hand. Merry bowed his head, and tears started +from his eyes. + +"Poor Boxer!" he choked. "Boxer, we have to part here. You're going to +another country, where I must follow in time. It's all up with you. You +may find your first master over there; but he'll never love you more +than I have. Good-by, Boxer!" + +The dog uttered a whine. And so his life ended in Frank's arms, with the +moonlight falling on them and the stillness of the Arizona night all +around. + +Hodge entered the hut, only to come forth, bringing the blankets and +looking very sick. + +"For Heaven's sake, let's get away from here!" he exclaimed. + +"The man in there?" + +"Dead!" said Bart. "The place is gory! I'm faint from it!" + +Boxer's body was wrapped in a blanket, and they mounted and rode away, +Frank carrying the dead dog in his arms to find a burial place where +there could be no chance that his body should be exhumed by any prowling +thing of the desert. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE COMING OF CROWFOOT. + + +Rap! rap! rap! + +"Wait a minute!" called Frank. "No need to knock the door down!" + +He flung the door of his cabin wide open, standing on the threshold. + +It was early dawn in Mystery Valley. Sunrise was beginning to gild the +barren peaks of the Mogollons. The new day had come to its birth in a +splendid glow, and the world smiled refreshed after the cooling sleep of +the departed night. + +Frank was just risen and not yet fully dressed, but about his waist was +his cartridge-belt, and his pistol swung ready in the holster at his +hip. He had no use for the weapon, however. + +Outside the door stood old Joe Crowfoot, his blanket drawn about his +shoulders. Those keen eyes gazed on Merry with an expression of friendly +greeting. + +With a shout of surprise and joy, Frank clasped the old redskin in his +arms in the most affectionate manner. + +"Old Joe Crowfoot, as I live!" he cried, showing unusual excitement and +delight. "Why, you old reprobate, here you come popping back from the +grave after I've been mourning you as dead! What do you mean by it, you +villain?" + +"Ugh!" grunted old Joe, something like a merry twinkle in those beady +eyes. "Strong Heart him think Crowfoot dead, eh?" + +"Hang me if I didn't!" + +"Crowfoot him heap tough; no die easy," declared the Indian. + +"I should say not! Why, you tricky scoundrel, they told me you were done +for." + +"Who tell so?" + +"Some of Cimarron Bill's delectable gang. They averred they had disposed +of you for good and all." + +"Waugh! No let such cheap carrion kill me!" said Joe. "They mebbe think +some they do it. Joe he fool um heap lot." + +"But where have you been?" + +"Oh, all away round," was the answer, with a wide sweep of the arm. "Joe +him scout--him find out how land lay. Do a little biz." + +"Do business? What sort of business?" + +"Catch the sucker some." + +"Catch the sucker? What's that?" + +The redskin flung open his dirty red blanket and tapped a fat belt about +his waist, which gave back a musical clink. + +"Play the game of poke'," he exclaimed. "Make heap plenty mon'." + +"You've been gambling again?" + +"Strong Heart him guess," nodded Joe, with something like a sly smile. + +"You villain! And I'll wager you got away with your ill-gotten spoils." + +"Heap do so," said Joe. "Have some firewater. Find one, two, three, four +crooked paleface follow to kill and rob. Let firewater 'lone till fool +crooked palefaces so um no follow some more. Then go safe place drink +firewater a heap." + +"You've been drunk, too!" cried Merry. + +"Mebbe so," admitted the Indian. "White man firewater heap good while um +last; heap bad when um gone. Make um feel much glad at first, then much +sorry little time after." + +Frank laughed heartily at the queer manner of the old Indian as he said +this. + +"I suppose that's about right," he said. "I've never tried it to find +out." + +"Strong Heart him no try firewater?" exclaimed Joe, in surprise. +"Crowfoot him think all paleface drink the firewater." + +"Well, here is one who doesn't. I've seen too much trouble come from the +stuff." + +"Ugh! Strong Heart him got heap more sense than anybody Joe ever see," +asserted the Indian admiringly. "Once git taste of firewater, always be +heap fool and drink him some. Many times old Joe he say no drink some +more. Head all swell, middle all sick, mouth all dry, taste nasty a lot, +bone ache--then him say no more the firewater. Mebbe he go 'long some +time, but bimeby he take it some more. White man make firewater. Bad! +bad! bad! No firewater made, nobody drink it." + +From inside the cabin a voice called. + +"What, ho! Methinks thou hast found a philosopher, Merry! Bring the sage +in that I may survey him with my heavenly blue eyes." + +"Yes, dew!" drawled another voice. "I want to set my eyes onter him, by +gum!" + +Merry led the old Indian into the cabin. + +"Here he is," Merry laughed. "Crowfoot, these are some of my friends, +whom you met last summer. You remember them. They played ball with me in +the Mad River country." + +"Ugh!" grunted the redskin. "Heap remember!" + +Bart Hodge stepped forward, his hand outstretched to the Indian. + +"I am glad to see you again, Crowfoot," he said. + +"Me same," said Joe, shaking Bart's hand. "You heap good to ketch hard +ball when Strong Heart him make it go fast like a bullet and man with +stick he--whish!--strike at it so, no hit it at all." + +They all laughed at the Indian's manner of describing Bart's skill at +catching. + +"Consarned if it ain't a sight fer sore eyes to see ye, Mr. Crowfoot!" +said Ephraim Gallup, as he froze to the redskin's hand and shook it +warmly. "Yeou was the best mascot a baseball-team ever hed." + +"How! how!" said the old fellow. "Nose Talk him stand way out far, +ketch ball when it come there. How! how!" + +"Nose Talk!" laughed Frank. "Well, that's one on you, Gallup!" + +Jack Ready was smiling blandly. He gave his hand a little flirt in +salute, and stepped forward with an odd movement. + +"Gaze on my classic features, Joseph Crowfoot, Esquire," he invited. +"See if you can recollect what I did in the game." + +"Sure remember," nodded Crowfoot. "Talk-talk a heap, no do much else." + +Then the joke was on Jack, and even Bart Hodge was forced to smile, +while Gallup gave Ready a resounding smack on the shoulder with his open +hand. + +"Bless my punkins!" snickered the Vermonter. "That's a thunderin' good +one on you, Jack!" + +Ready looked sad. + +"Alas!" he sighed. "Is it thus I am to be defamed! And by a +copper-colored aborigine! The thought is gall to my sensitive soul! I +shall peek and pine over it! For days to come no sweet smile shall adorn +my beautiful features!" + +Joe looked puzzled. + +"No say something bad," he declared. "When Red Cheek him talk-talk a +heap lot other man that throw ball he got a lot mixed, no make good +pitch. Red Cheek him help win game a heap." + +Jack's face cleared at once. + +"Crowfoot, you have poured soothing balm on my wounded heart!" he +cried. "I'm glad to know that I do amount to something, for, so help me! +of late I have begun to wonder what I was made for!" + +"Sit down, Joe," invited Frank. "We're going to have breakfast in a +short time, and you are to eat with us." + +"Ugh!" said the Indian, disdaining a chair and sitting on the floor with +his back against the wall. "Joe him do so. Him a heap empty. Mebbe after +him eat him tell Strong Heart something much good to hear." + +When breakfast was over the old Indian lighted his rank pipe and smoked +contentedly, still sitting on the floor, with his back against the wall. + +Through the open door came the sounds of work at the mine. Frank was not +yet running the mine day and night, with shifts of men, but it was his +intention to do so later. Smoke was rising from the high pipe of the +stamp-mill, and soon the stamps began to rumble and roar, awaking the +echoes of the valley. The sound was a pleasant one in Merriwell's ears. + +"This running a mine in Arizona is a snap," said Jack Ready, as he +elevated his feet to the top of the table, in which the breakfast-dishes +and remnants of the meal remained. "The hardest part of it seems to be +washing the dishes. It's Gallup's turn this morning." + +"Not by a thuttering sight!" exclaimed Ephraim. "Yeou can't shoulder +that onter me! You've gotter wash the dishes to-day. I done it +yisterday." + +"Is it possible!" cried Jack. "Why, I thought it was day before +yesterday, or, perchance, the day before that. Alas, how time +flies--tempus fugit!" + +"Now, don't go to springin' any Latin on us!" growled Gallup. "You never +learned enough Latin to hurt ye, an' ye don't want to try to show off." + +"Behold how the green-eyed monster turneth a friend into a critic!" said +Jack. + +"You can attend to the dishes later," said Frank. "Just now I am anxious +to hear the good news Crowfoot said he might have to tell. What is it, +Joe?" + +"Some time little while 'go, few days, you be in Holbrook?" questioned +the Indian, pulling away at his pipe. + +"Yes, I was there--Hodge and myself." + +"Joe him been there since." + +"And you bring good news from that place?" + +"Heap good to Strong Heart. In Holbrook him find white woman who hate +him a lot, eh? White woman she is the squaw of man who make for Strong +Heart big trouble 'bout mine." + +"You mean Mrs. Arlington?" + +"Ugh! Mebbe that her name." + +"That is it. She is in Holbrook, or was a few days ago." + +"She hate Strong Heart a heap." + +"I reckon she does," nodded Frank, wondering how the old redskin found +out so much. + +"She come to get bad men to take mine." + +"Possibly that is right." + +"Joe him know it. She make much business with Cim'run Bill." + +"That I suspected, although I did not find it out for a certainty while +in Holbrook." + +"It so." + +"Go on." + +"She give Bill heap much mon' to buy bad men to take from Strong Heart +the mine." + +"Is that so?" + +"Waugh! Joe him find out. Joe he play sharp; he listen." + +"Crowfoot, you're as good as a detective." + +"No know 'bout that. Find out white squaw she hate Strong Heart, then +try to find out more. Now squaw she heap sorry she come to Holbrook." + +"She is sorry?" + +"Heap so." + +"Why?" + +"She have papoose girl with her--young squaw." + +"Her daughter June." + +"Ugh! Now she no have young squaw." + +"What's that? What do you mean by that. What has become of June?" + +"You tell," said Joe, with a strange gesture. "She gone. Old squaw tear +hair, tear run from her eye, she make a loud weep. Ha! Now you hear good +news, Strong Heart! Now you know your enemy have the great sorrow! That +make your heart much glad!" + +But Frank was on his feet now, his face rather pale and a look of +excitement in his eyes. + +"See here, Crowfoot," he said, "do you mean to tell me that June +Arlington has disappeared and that her mother does not know what has +become of her?" + +Joe nodded. + +"Laugh!" he said. "Laugh, Strong Heart!" + +But Frank did not laugh; instead, to the wonderment of the Indian, he +betrayed both consternation and dismay. + +"Are you sure of this, Joe?" he demanded. "How long had the girl been +missing when you left Holbrook?" + +"The sun had slept once." + +"By which you mean that one night had passed?" + +"Ugh!" + +"Then this is serious, indeed! Something most unfortunate has happened, +or June Arlington would not be missing overnight. Boys, prepare at once +to start for Holbrook! Get ready to mount and ride as fast as horseflesh +can carry us; We'll start at the earliest moment possible!" + +Crowfoot arose, a look of wonderment in his dark eyes. He reached out +and grasped Frank's arm. + +"What would Strong Heart do?" he asked. + +"I'm going to Holbrook hotfoot," was the answer. "I'm going to find out, +if possible, what has happened to June Arlington, and I shall do my best +to return her to her mother, if she has not already returned when I +reach there." + +The redskin's hand dropped from Merriwell's arm and the old fellow +stared at the white man in uncomprehending amazement. + +"Why so?" he asked. "Paleface squaw she hate you, she is your enemy. Now +she have something to think a heap of, and no time to make trouble for +Strong Heart. He should have a great happiness that it is so. Why does +he hurry to the bad white squaw? Is it to laugh at her? Is it to see her +weep and cry?" + +"No, Crowfoot; it is to find out, if possible, what has happened to the +girl, just as I said a moment ago, and to return her to her mother." + +The Indian shook his head. + +"Waugh! No understand!" he declared. "Strong Heart him much strange." + +"Joe, will you go with us? You shall have a good horse. I may need your +aid. Will you go?" + +"Joe him go. No understand; him go, all same." + +"Then hustle, fellows!" cried Frank. "We'll be off soon!" + +He rushed from the cabin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ARRESTED IN HOLBROOK. + + +Another morning was dawning when five weary horses bore five persons +into the town of Holbrook. The animals had been pushed to the utmost, +and the riders showed signs of deep fatigue. The dust of the desert lay +white upon men and beasts. + +At the head of the party rode Frank Merriwell, showing of them all the +least weariness, his lips pressed together with an expression of grim +determination. + +Bart, Jack, and Ephraim were behind, with old Joe bringing up the rear. + +Straight to the hotel they went, where Frank learned immediately that +Mrs. Arlington was still there, and he also found out that she was very +ill, having been completely prostrated by the vanishing of June, who was +still missing. + +When Frank asked to see the woman he was told that the doctor attending +her had said no one was to see her without his permission. + +"Then I must see that doctor in a hurry," Merry declared. "Where can I +find him?" + +He was directed and hastened to the home of the doctor, who proved to be +a red-faced, pompous little fellow. + +"Impossible to see the lady," declared the doctor. "She has heart +trouble, and it might prove fatal. I cannot permit it." + +"See here, doctor," said Frank, "I have ridden a right good distance to +see her, having heard of the disappearance of her daughter June. I have +come to see what I can do about tracing the missing girl and restoring +her to her mother. To start the work right, I should have an interview +with the lady." + +"Hum! hum!" coughed the doctor. "I don't know about it." He shook his +head, but Merriwell caught his eye and continued to talk earnestly until +the man gradually ceased his opposition. + +"I'm afraid it's not just the wisest thing," he said. "But still it is +anxiety over her daughter that has brought her to this pitiful +condition. If you can do anything to relieve that anxiety, it may be +better than medicine. But you must take care not to excite her more than +possible." + +This Frank readily promised, and they set out for the hotel. + +Having ascended to the rooms occupied by Mrs. Arlington and those she +had brought with her, the doctor entered first, being admitted by the +faithful colored maid. In a few moments he came out and said: + +"I forgot to ask your name, but Mrs. Arlington says she will see you. +Come in." + +Frank followed the doctor into the room. + +Mrs. Arlington, partly dressed, was reclining on a couch, propped up +amid cushions. She was very pale and showed signs of great worriment and +grief. + +The moment her eyes rested on Frank, who came forward, hat in hand, she +gave a great cry and started up. The doctor hurried to her side, +cautioning her against becoming excited, but she appeared to heed him +not in the least. + +"You?" she cried, pointing at Frank. "You have dared to come here?" + +Merry bowed. + +"I know of no reason why I should not come here," he said. "I have heard +of your misfortune, and----" + +"Wretch!" the woman panted, glaring at him. "How dare you! I'll have you +arrested at once!" + +Frank was surprised by this reception, but he kept his composure, +although he was struck by a thought that the woman must be mad. + +"Why should you have me arrested?" he asked. "For defending my property? +I scarcely think you will do that, madam!" + +"You--you scoundrel!" panted Mrs. Arlington, pointing at him. "Where is +my daughter? You shall never leave this place until you restore her to +me!" + +This did stagger Merry somewhat. + +"Mrs. Arlington," he said, "I have come to offer my services in +searching for your daughter. If I can be of any assistance----" + +"You--you lured her away!" declared the shaking woman. "You were seen +talking with her on the street. Is this the way you defend your +property? I know your game! You mean to make me promise to drop the +battle against you, on which condition you will restore June to me! I +have been told that you would try that trick! But I am ready for you, +and you shall be arrested immediately. You have walked into the trap!" + +"My dear woman," said Merry quietly, "you never were more mistaken in +all your life. I know absolutely nothing of the whereabouts of your +daughter; but I fancied you might be able to tell me something that +would serve as a clue in the search for her." + +"Don't tell me that! I have sense enough to know you would not offer to +help me find her!" + +Startled by the sound of Mrs. Arlington's excited voice, Eliot Dodge, +her agent, who was in an adjoining room, now entered quickly. When he +saw Merriwell he stopped short. + +Frank had met Dodge once in Denver, at which time the man with the blue +nose had made him an offer in behalf of the mining syndicate for the San +Pablo and Queen Mystery Mines, an offer that Merry had scornfully +declined. Now Frank recognized the crafty fox of a lawyer at once. + +"So you are here, Dodge?" he said. "And I fancy you are behind some of +the doings that have been going on in this region of late." + +Dodge puckered up his mouth and tried to look at the young man with +something like contempt, although the effort was a failure. + +"Yes, I am here," he said, in his raspy voice; "and I fancy it is a +pretty good thing for Mrs. Arlington that I am. I have been able to show +her the inwardness of this last move of yours." + +"Then you are the one who has filled her mind with the idea that I know +something of the whereabouts of Miss Arlington? Well, Dodge, I know you +are not a fool, and, therefore, I must conclude at once that you have +some rascally reason for giving her such an impression. Be careful, sir, +that you do not make a false step! In this part of the country it is +very dangerous. Down here men are sometimes lynched for rascality." + +"Don't you dare threaten me!" fumed Dodge, shaking his fist at Frank. +"There is a warrant out for your arrest, and you'll find that the end of +your career is pretty near." + +Frank smiled derisively. + +"You remind me of a snapping cur, Dodge," he observed; then he turned +from the man, as if not deigning to waste further words on him. "Mrs. +Arlington," he said earnestly, "I assure you on my honor that I have +come to you with the most friendly intentions. I assure you that I have +ridden more than one hundred miles for the purpose of offering my +services in the search for your daughter. You may not believe me, +but it is the simple truth. You have received me in a manner most +disheartening; but I understand that your nervous condition must be +the excuse. + +"I am not your enemy. I do not wish to fight you. I am fighting the +Consolidated Mining Association of America. I would not like to think +that I have a woman among my enemies, who have hired murderers and +ruffians to try to seize my property! Such a thought is most distasteful +to me. I have had the pleasure of meeting your daughter, and I found her +a most charming girl. I was interested in her. When I learned that she +had disappeared I lost not a moment in gathering a few friends and +starting for this place. We have covered the ground as fast as possible, +taking the heat into consideration. If any one has told you that I am +even remotely connected with the disappearance of Miss June that person +has lied to you and deceived you. If you will give me a little aid, I +shall exert myself to the utmost to restore June to your arms. That is +all I have to say." + +She heard him through with impatience. Frank saw before he had finished +that her mind was set and that he had wasted his breath. + +"Like your brother," said the woman passionately, "you are a scoundrel! +Like him, you assume the airs of a gentleman. I know your tricks, and I +am not deceived. You have been told that there is a warrant out for your +arrest. It is true--and here is the officer to serve it!" + +Behind Merry there was a heavy step. He turned and found himself face to +face with a plain, quiet-looking man, who promptly said: + +"Are you Frank Merriwell?" + +"I am." + +"Then let me tell you that I am Ben File, city marshal of Holbrook, and +you are my prisoner! If you try to pull a gun, I'll shoot you in your +tracks!" + +Frank showed his nerve then. He did not even change color, although the +arrest had fallen upon him so suddenly. + +"Your words are plain enough, sir," he said. "There is no reason why I +should provoke you into shooting me, as I have nothing to fear from +arrest." + +"I have been led to understand that you are a very dangerous character," +said File, looking Merry over in some surprise. "You do not seem so at +first glance." + +Frank smiled a bit. + +"I assure you I am not in the least dangerous," he said. "I surrender +without the least resistance." + +Eliot Dodge stood in the background, rubbing his hands together and +grinning. + +"Mr. Dodge," said the city marshal, "will you be good enough to relieve +this young man of his weapons." + +"Eh?" said Dodge nervously. "I--I--yes, sir." + +He came forward and took Frank's revolvers, handling them gingerly, as +if fearing they would explode in his hands. He passed them over to File, +who afterward searched Merry himself. + +In spite of Frank's coolness, he was indignant over the outrage. + +Mrs. Arlington astonished the doctor by seeming stronger and better +than she had been since it was known that June had disappeared. + +"Now I have you!" she said exultantly. "If you do not tell me at once +where my daughter may be found it will go still harder with you." + +Merry gave her a look of pity. + +"Madam," he said, "I fear that you are not in your right senses. Your +action in coming to this part of the country and bringing your daughter +here, where you have had dealings with ruffians, confirms me in this +belief. I cannot believe you would do such things if perfectly sane." + +"You insult me!" she exclaimed, tossing her head. "But you shall pay +dearly for your insults! The law will punish you!" + +"And are you to stand clear of the law--you, who have incited ruffians +to attack me and my property? I am well aware that law and justice may +frequently be two different things; but I fancy it will be to your +discomfort to have the whole truth come out. I know a ruffian called +Cimarron Bill fired at me from the window of this very room. How came he +here unless by your permission? And were you in partnership with a man +of his character in an attempted murder?" + +Frank's fearless words struck home, and the woman turned pale, in spite +of herself. + +"Oh, doctor!" she said, sinking back on the couch. + +The astonished physician, who had remained dumb and staring through the +most of this scene, now cried to Frank: + +"See what you have done! See what you have done!" + +"She brought it on herself," retorted Merry, turning away, his heart +hardened toward the woman. "I have ridden a hundred miles to do +everything in my power to find her daughter and restore her to her +mother, and I am--arrested!" + +There was deep bitterness in his tone and manner. + +"Mr. File," he said, "I am ready to go with you, sir." + +"Hold! Wait!" called Mrs. Arlington from the couch. "Tell me where you +have taken my daughter!" + +Frank gave her a look, shook his head a bit, and again turned away. + +"Oh, tell me!" pleaded the wretched mother. "I can't bear this suspense! +My poor June!" + +Then she sat bolt upright and almost screamed: + +"If you harm a hair of her head, I'll make you regret it until the day +of your death! You'll be conpelled to tell! I'm going to see that you +are sent to prison! I'll make a convict of you!" + +Frank did not retort. As he was walking out with File's hand on his +shoulder, the woman fell on her knees and begged him to restore her +daughter. + +"Too bad!" said Merry, when the door was closed. "I believe she really +thinks I know something about the girl." + +File said nothing until they had descended to the street. On the steps +of the hotel he paused and looked hard at Frank. + +"Young man," he said, "you don't act to me like a desperado. I'm +mightily disappointed in you. From what I heard, I supposed you a +ruffian. To tell you the truth, I'm rather inclined in your favor." + +"Thank you," said Frank, with a bit of bitterness. "Little good that +does me, although I am grateful to know that I have not become +villainous in appearance. I came here to do that woman a favor, knowing +all the while that she hated me, and this is the way I have been +received." + +"Why did you take so much pains to come?" + +"Because I know her daughter, a handsome, refined, noble-hearted girl. +It was not for the woman's sake, but for her daughter's that I put +myself to the trouble that has drawn me into this scrape, Mr. File. Tell +me, what has been done to find and rescue June Arlington?" + +"Everything possible," said the city marshal. "But the girl seems to +have disappeared off the face of the earth. She vanished in the very +heart of this town, too. It's a most mysterious affair. Mr. Merriwell, I +regret that my duty compelled me to place you under arrest and now +compels me to lock you up. I hope circumstances may give you your +freedom very soon." + +Frank was somewhat touched by these simple words. + +"Go ahead," he said. "But you had better get me under lock and key +before my friends find out what has happened. They might raise trouble, +and I don't want to see anybody hurt over this affair." + +So they started down the street, walking side by side, like two friends. +File did not even keep a hand on Merry. + +They had proceeded but a short distance when a man suddenly appeared in +the open doorway of a saloon. Frank saw the pistol in the man's hand, +and he recognized his mortal enemy, Cimarron Bill. + +As Bill appeared in that doorway, Merry knew the fellow's purpose was to +make a second attempt to kill him, and Frank was unarmed and +defenseless, under arrest at the time. + +As Bill's weapon came up Frank made a sidelong spring. He did this at +the very instant, it seemed, that the revolver spoke. The fact was that +he sprang a trifle before the shot was fired. His movement seemed much +like that of a man death-smitten by a bullet, and Cimarron Bill dodged +back at once, believing he had accomplished his dastardly purpose. + +Frank was not touched. + +But the bullet meant for him had found a human target. Ben File swayed +from side to side, his legs buckling beneath him, and fell into +Merriwell's arms. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +BILL HIKES OUT. + + +"Got it!" whispered File huskily. "He nailed me good and plenty that +time!" + +Without a word, fearing Cimarron Bill might discover he had shot the +wrong man and seek to rectify his bad work, Frank lifted File in his +muscular arms and ran into a store with him. + +The city marshal was stretched on a counter. + +"Send for a doctor!" commanded Merry. "And turn out a posse to take +Cimarron Bill. He fired the shot." + +At the mention of Cimarron Bill, however, consternation reigned. The +desperado was all too well known in Holbrook, and scarcely a man in all +the place cared to face him. + +"No use," said File faintly. "Nobody'll dare touch Bill. He'll get out +of town deliberately without being molested." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Merry. "Why, you don't mean to say they will let +that murderous hound escape?" + +"He'll escape now that I'm flat. There's not a man in Holbrook that +dares face him." + +"You're mistaken!" said Merry. "There is one man!" + +"What one?" + +"This one!" + +"You?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you mean to say----" + +"That I dare face that man! Give me my weapons and I'll go out and get +him!" + +Ben File looked at the boyish young man incredulously. + +"You don't know what you're talking about," he said, as they were trying +to stop the bleeding of his wound, which was in his left side. "That man +has a record. He's the deadliest ruffian in Arizona. He would kill you." + +"I don't believe it," said Frank. "I've seen his like before. Give me my +revolvers, and I'll go take him. I'll bring him to you if you live!" + +File fumbled in his huge pockets and brought out Merry's long-barreled +revolvers. + +"Go ahead if you want to," he said. "Somehow I take stock in you, though +I'm afraid it's your funeral you're going to. Anyhow, if I'm booked to +cash in, I don't mind giving you a show to levant. Here comes the +doctor." + +The same red-faced little man came rushing into the store, brought there +by a messenger who had gone in search of him. + +Frank examined his weapons, and then walked out of the store. + +There was considerable excitement on the street, caused by the shooting. +Merry minded no one, yet kept his eyes wide open for every one. As fast +as he could step he proceeded straight to the open door from which +Cimarron Bill had fired the shot. He had a pistol in either hand when he +stepped through that doorway. + +As he had expected, it was a saloon. Three persons were in the room, but +Cimarron Bill was not there. + +"Gentlemen," said Merry, "I'll be obliged if you will tell me where I +can find the white-livered cur who just shot Ben File from this +doorway." + +They stared at him as if doubting their senses. + +"If it's Cimarron Bill you're looking for, young man," one of them +finally said, "take my advice and don't. It's the most onhealthy +occupation you can engage in, and I advise----" + +"Cut out the advice," said Merry sharply; "and tell me where the +cowardly dog has gone." + +"He ambled out o' yere directly arter doin' the shootin', and we last +sees him lopin' down the street that-a-way. But you wants to keep a heap +long distance----" + +Frank waited for no more. He was satisfied that Bill had departed just +as the man said, and he wheeled at once and started down the street. + +Merry knew full well what sort of mission he had undertaken, but he was +not daunted in the least by its magnitude. Cimarron Bill was his deadly +foe, but he now saw his opportunity to bring the ruffian to an +accounting for his crimes, and he did not propose to let the chance +slip. + +So he inquired as he passed down the street and found that Bill had +hurried to the saloon kept by Schlitzenheimer. + +Again Merry had his pistols ready when he entered the saloon. Early +though it was, he found four men there engaged in a game of draw poker, +and one of the four was old Joe Crowfoot. + +Schlitzenheimer gave a shout when he saw Frank. + +"My gootness!" he cried. "How you vos? Vere vos dot dalking tog alretty? +I vouldt like to blay dot tog anodder came beenuckle of." + +Frank was disappointed once more in failing to discover Cimarron Bill. +He asked if the man had been there. + +"He vos," nodded Schlitzenheimer. "Und avay he dit his saddle take." + +"He took his saddle?" + +"Yah." + +"Then his saddle was here?" + +"It he dit keep here, vor id vos very valueless," said the Dutchman. "He +vos avraid stolen id would pe. I know Pill. Ven he come und say, 'Vritz, +you tookit my saddles und keepit it a vile undil vor id I call,' I say, +'Yah, you pet.' I haf nod any anxiety him to make some drouble by." + +"If he came for his saddle it is likely he meant to use it. Was he in a +hurry?" + +"Der piggest hurry I ever knewn him to pe indo. Ven I invortationed him +to a drink take, he said he could not sdop vor id." + +"He's on the run!" exclaimed Frank. "Where does he keep his horse when +in town?" + +"Ad Dorvelt's shust down a liddle vays." + +Frank almost ran from the saloon and hurried down the street to +Dorfelt's stable. + +He was stared at in the same wondering amazement when he asked for +Cimarron Bill. + +"Mebbe you has urgent business with that gent?" said one man. + +"I have," answered Merry. "He shot Ben File about ten minutes ago, and I +am after him." + +"Waal, you'll have to hustle to ketch him, an' I 'lows it's jest as well +fer you. His hoss was saddled jest now, an' I opine he's well out o' +town by this time." + +Frank listened to hear no more. On the run, he set out to find his +friends. + +Singularly enough, not one of them knew anything of his arrest, although +they had heard of the shooting. He found them in short order, and what +he told them in a very few words stirred them from lassitude to the +greatest excitement. + +"Fellows," he said, "I'm going to run Cimarron Bill down if it takes a +year! I've given my word to Ben File that I would bring Bill back. I +mean to make good. Are you with me in this chase?" + +They were with him to a man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +OLD JOE TAKES A DRINK. + + +Away on the horizon, riding to the southeast, was a black speck of a +horseman as Frank, Bart, Jack, and Ephraim galloped out of town on fresh +mounts secured by Merry. + +"There he is!" cried Frank. "We mustn't lose him! We must keep him in +view and run him down before nightfall. Can we do it?" + +"We can try!" said Bart grimly. + +These young fellows seemed made of iron. All their weariness had +vanished, and they sat in their saddles like young Centaurs, with the +exception of Gallup, who could not be graceful at anything. + +"This is what might well be called the strenuous life," observed Jack +Ready. "It's almost too much for my delicate constitution. I fear my +health will be undermined and my lovely complexion will be ruined." + +"He has seen us," declared Frank. "He knows we are after him! It's going +to be a hard chase." + +"How about June Arlington?" asked Bart. + +"When I gave Ben File my word to bring Cimarron Bill back I was under +arrest for kidnaping June Arlington. Had I not made that promise I might +still be under arrest. I must keep my word to File. I hope to do +something for June later." + +So they rode into the scorching desert, seeming to be gaining on the man +ahead for a time. + +The sun poured down mercilessly. Alkali dust rose and filled their +nostrils. Red lizards flashed before them on the ground at rare +intervals. And far ahead the black speck held into the distance. + +"He knows where he's going, fellows," said Frank. "He's not the man to +strike blindly into the desert. He'll come to water and feed before his +horse gives out, and so we must find the same." + +But fate seemed against them. Afar on the desert a haze arose and grew +and became a beautiful lake, its shores lined with waving trees. And in +this mirage the fugitive was swallowed up and lost. When the lake faded +and vanished the black speck could be seen nowhere on the plain. + +"Vanished into a gully of some sort," said Frank. "We must find just +what has become of him." + +So they kept on; but in time they came to feel that the search was +useless. Water they had brought for themselves, together with some +canned food; but the only relief they could give the horses was by +pouring a little water over a sponge and wiping out the dry mouths of +the poor animals. + +They were forced to turn aside and seek some hills, where Frank felt +certain there was a spring. + +Thus it was that nightfall found them at the spring, but Cimarron Bill +was gone, none of them knew where. There was feed for the horses in the +little valley, and they made the best of it. + +Frank was far from pleased. Everything had gone wrong since their +arrival in Holbrook, and the prospect was most discouraging. + +"By gum! it's too bad to hev to give it up," said Ephraim. + +Frank shot him a look. + +"I have no intention of giving it up," he said. "But I confess that I +made one bad mistake." + +"What was that?" + +"I left Crowfoot back there in Schlitzenheimer's saloon playing poker." + +"You think he'll be skinned, do you?" said Bart. + +"Oh, I'm not worrying about that. The old reprobate can take care of +himself. I knew it would be almost impossible to drag him away from that +game, and that was why I did not bother with him. Didn't want to lose +the time. But that redskin can follow a trail that would bother a +bloodhound. If we had taken him at the start, he'd never lost the +scent." + +They lay on the ground and watched the heavens fill with bright stars. +The heat of the day melted into coolness, and all knew it would be cold +before morning. + +Frank had anticipated that they might have to spend the night in this +manner, and blankets had been brought. + +They seemed alone in the wild waste, with no living thing save their +horses within miles and miles. So, with no fear of attack, they wrapped +their blankets about them and slept. + +The wind swept almost icy through the little valley before morning +dawned. As the eastern sky grew pale Frank opened his eyes and sat up. + +A moment later a shout from his lips aroused the others. + +Merry was staring at a familiar figure in a dirty red blanket. In their +very midst old Joe lay stretched, and apparently he had been sleeping as +soundly as any of them. Nor were his slumbers broken by Merry's shout, +which astounded Frank beyond measure, for never before had he known the +old fellow to sleep like that. Always when he had stirred he had found +the beady eyes of the redskin upon him. + +"Behold!" said Jack Ready. "Lo, the noble red man is again within our +midst. But how came it thus?" + +"Waal, may I be honswizzled!" grunted Gallup. + +Frank flung aside his blanket. + +"Something is the matter with him!" he said, in a tone that indicated +anxiety. "If there wasn't, he'd not sleep this way. I wonder what it is. +Is he dead?" + +But when the red blanket was pulled down it was found that Joe lay with +a quart bottle clasped to his heart in a loving embrace. The bottle was +fully two-thirds empty. + +"That explains it!" said Merry, in deep disgust. "The old dog is drunk +as a lord! That's how we happen to have the pleasure of finding him +asleep. I'll give any man fifty dollars who will catch him asleep when +he is perfectly sober." + +"What a picture he doth present!" said Ready. "Look upon it! And yet +there is something in it to bring sadness to the heart. Behold how +tenderly he doth hold the long-necker to his manly buzzum! 'Tis thus +that many a chap hugs a destroyer to his heart." + +"The old sinner!" said Hodge. "I don't see how he got here without +arousing any of us. There's his horse, picketed near the other animals." + +Frank stooped and tried to take the bottle from Joe's clasp, but the +sleeping Indian held it fast. + +"Go heap better five dol's," he muttered in his sleep. + +"He's still playing poker," said Frank. + +He gave Crowfoot a hard shake. + +"Wake up, you copper-colored sot!" he cried. "Wake up and see what +you've got in your hands." + +"Four king," mumbled Joe thickly. "Heap good!" + +At this the boys laughed heartily. + +"That's a pretty good hand!" said Frank. "It takes four aces or a +straight flush to beat it." + +Then he wrenched the bottle away, whereupon the redskin awoke at once. + +"Mine! mine!" he exclaimed, sitting up. + +"It's poison," said Frank, and smashed the bottle. + +With a snarl of fury, the Indian staggered to his feet and made for +Merry, drawing a wicked-looking knife. + +"Look out!" cried Gallup, in consternation. + +Frank leaped to meet old Joe, clutching his wrists and holding him +helpless, while he gazed sternly into the bloodshot eyes of the drunken +old man. + +"What's this, Crowfoot?" he demanded. "Would you strike Strong Heart +with a knife? Would you destroy the brother of Indian Heart? Has the +poison firewater of the white man robbed you of your senses?" + +"Firewater Joe's!" exclaimed the redskin. "No right to spill um! No +right! No right!" + +"I did it for your own good, Crowfoot," said Merry quietly. "You are in +bad shape now. I want you to come out of it. You may be able to help us. +What you need is a good drink of water." + +"Ugh! Water heap good. Joe he take some." + +Immediately Frank released the old man's wrists, and Joe slipped his +knife out of sight with something like a show of shame. + +In another moment Merry had his canteen, filled it at the spring, and +handed it to Crowfoot, who gravely took it and began to drink. The boys +stood around, and their eyes bulged as the old man held the canteen to +his mouth, tipping it more and more skyward, a deep gurgling coming from +his throat. He continued to drink until the canteen was quite emptied, +when he lowered it with perfect gravity, wiped his lips with the back of +his hand, and observed: + +"Joe him a little dry!" + +"Well, I should say so!" smiled Frank. "Your interior must have been as +parched as an alkali desert, Joe." + +"If he takes many drinks like that," said Ready, with a queer twist of +his mug, "there'll be a drought in this country that will make an +ordinary dry spell look like a back number." + +Crowfoot did not smile. Giving back the canteen, he sat down on the +ground, resting his elbows on his knees and taking his head in his +hands. He was the picture of misery and dejection. + +"Injun big fool!" he groaned. "Last night feel much good; to-day feel a +lot bad. Big pain in head." + +"We've all been there many's the time," sang Jack Ready softly. + +Then the eccentric chap sat down on the ground beside the redskin, about +whom he placed an arm. + +"Joseph," he said, "methinks I know how it is! I have felt that way heap +often. Ugh! Sick all over." + +Joe grunted. + +"Nothing worth living for." + +Another grunt. + +"Much rather be dead with the beautiful daisies growing on my grave than +living in such misery." + +Again a grunt. + +"Internal organs all out of gear, stomach on a strike, head bigger than +a barrel. Are those the symptoms, Joseph?" + +"Much so," confessed old Joe. + +"Joseph, you have my sympathy. You've never been to college, but you +have received part of a college education. I have taken my degree in +that branch. I'm a P. M. of J. C.--Past Master of Jag Carriers. But I +have reformed, and now 'lips that touch wine shall never touch mine.' +Joseph, I would reclaim you. I would woo you tenderly from the jag path +that leadeth to destruction. It is broad and inviting at first, but +toward the finish it is rough, and hubbly, and painful to travel. Pause +while there is yet time. My heart yearns to save you from destruction. +Listen to the pearly words of wisdom, that drop from my sweet lips. Shun +the jag juice and stick to the water-wagon. Heed this advice and your +days shall be long ere you pass to the happy hunting-grounds." + +"Heap talk a lot," said Joe; "no say anything. Make Injun lot sicker!" + +Gallup laughed heartily, slapping his knee. + +"That's right, by gum!" he cried. "The wind blows ev'ry time Jack opens +his maouth." + +"You are jealous," said Ready. "You are jealous of my wisdom and +eloquence. Get thee behind me, Nose Talk! Your face is painful to look +upon." + +"Don't you go to makin' that kind of gab!" snapped Gallup. "If yeou do, +dinged if I don't jolt ye one in the slats!" + +"Such language! Slats! I'm shocked! Never have you heard words of slang +ripple from my tuneful vocal chords. I disdain such frivolity! Slang +gives me a pain! Go lay down!" + +"Lay!" snorted Ephraim. "I'm no hen!" + +"Let's have breakfast," said Hodge. "We may as well get on the move +before it grows too hot." + +It did not take long to prepare breakfast, but old Joe seemed to grow +ill at the sight of food. All he wanted was water, and he threatened to +drink the weak little spring dry. After a time, he seemed more inclined +to talk. + +"No ketch Cim'r'n Bill?" he said. + +"So you found out we were after him?" said Frank. + +"Ugh!" nodded the Indian. "Joe no big fool only when firewater is to +get. He play poke', all time him keep ear open. Mebbe him learn a whole +lot." + +"It's quite likely. If you had been with us yesterday, we might have +stuck to Bill's trail. Now it is lost, and he may get away." + +"Crowfoot he know how find Bill." + +"What's that? You know how to find him?" + +"Ugh!" + +"Well, that is interesting, for I am bound to find him. I gave Ben File +my word to bring Bill back, and I'm going to keep that promise. If you +can help----" + +"You bet!" grunted Joe. + +"How did you find out so much?" + +"Joe him take drink in saloon. Keep much careful not git full. Make um +believe so. Go sleep. Hear men talk in whisper. Waugh! Find out a heap." + +"Well, you're a clever old rascal!" cried Merry; "and I'm in love with +you!" + +"Joe him play game pritty slick," said the Indian. "Same time him get +one, two, three drink. That bad. Make um want heap more. Make um take +firewater when um git out town." + +"So you really got drunk because you were trying to do me a good turn?" +said Merry. "Joe, I appreciate it! But what did you hear?" + +"Bill him go to Sunk Hole." + +"Sunk Hole?" cried Frank. "That place?" + +"Where's that?" asked Hodge, who was deeply interested. + +"Down in the White Mountain region, near the head of Coyote Creek." + +"Why did you exclaim, 'That place?'" + +"Because it is a camp made up of the worst characters to be found in the +Southwest. It is a place without law and order of any sort. Murderers, +gamblers, and knaves in general flee there when in danger. They are +banded together to defy the law. Travelers who happen into that wretched +place seldom come forth. At times the ruffians quarrel among themselves +and shoot and kill with impunity. The people of the Territory have more +than once asked that the place be invaded by troops and wiped off the +map. It is a standing disgrace." + +"An' Cimarron Bill has gone there?" asked Ephraim Gallup, his eyes +bulging. + +"So Joe says." + +"Waal, I ruther guess yeou'll take a couple of thinks afore ye foller +him any furder." + +"I shall follow him into Sunk Hole if I live!" declared Merry grimly; +"and I mean to bring him out of the place, dead or alive. I do not ask +the rest of you to risk your lives with me. You are at liberty to turn +back. Joe----" + +"Him stick by Strong Heart!" declared the old Indian quickly. "You bet!" + +"Thank you, Joe!" said Frank. "I shall need you to show me the road to +the place, for I have heard Sunk Hole is not easy to find." + +"I hope," said Bart Hodge quietly, "that you do not fancy for a moment +that I'm not going with you? I don't think you would insult me, Frank, +by entertaining such a thought. I shall be with you through thick and +thin." + +"Dear me!" said Ready. "How brave you are! Please stand in the glow of +the limelight where we can admire your heroic pose! La! la! You are a +sweet creature, and one to make the matinee girls rave with adoration." + +"Don't get so funny!" growled Hodge, who always took Ready's chaffing +with poor grace. + +"Softly! softly!" smiled Jack, with a flirt of his hand. "Let not your +angry passions rise. You can't play the bold and fearless hero any +better than can your humble servant. I'm in this, and you want to watch +me and note what a bold front I put on. I'll wager a lead nickle you +will begin to think me utterly fearless, and all the while, beyond a +doubt, I'll be shaking in my boots. Oh, I can make an excellent bluff +when I have to." + +"Bluff heap good sometime," said Crowfoot. "Mebbe bluff take pot." + +"But it's a mighty poor thing if the other fellow suspects and calls," +said Jack. + +"Waal," drawled Gallup, "darn my punkins! I s'pose I'm in fer it, but I +kinder wisht I was to hum on the farm." + +Frank knew the Vermonter well enough not to fancy by those words that +Ephraim was badly frightened. It was Gallup's way of expressing himself, +and, even though he might be afraid in advance, the tall, lank fellow +always showed up well "in a pinch." + +"Then it's settled," said Merry. "We all go." + +"Joe him not talk all he find out," put in the Indian. + +"Is there more? Well, give it to us quick. There are many miles of +alkali between here and Sunk Hole." + +"Joe him hear men whisper 'bout gal." + +"Eh? About a girl?" + +"Ugh!" + +"Then it must be about June Arlington? What did they say?" + +"Mebbe Bill him know where she is." + +"What?" cried Merry, clutching the redskin by the arm. "Is that +possible?" + +"Reckon um heap so." + +"Then there is a double reason why I should get my hands on Cimarron +Bill!" + +"Mebbe Joe he no hear right; no could ketch all men whisper. He think +gal she be took to Sunk Hole." + +Frank reeled, his face going white. + +"Merciful Heaven!" he gasped. "June Arlington, innocent little June! in +that dreadful place? Come, fellows, we must go! June Arlington there? +The thought is horrifying! If that is true, Cimarron Bill may go free +until I can do my best to get June out of that sink of wickedness! Come, +fellows--come!" + +"We are ready!" they cried, in response. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +FRANK IN SUNK HOLE. + + +The Great Dipper indicated by its position that the hour was not far +from midnight. Crowfoot halted and pointed downward, where, in the gloom +of a round valley, a few lights twinkled. + +"Sunk Hole!" he said. + +"At last!" breathed Frank. + +The others stood in silence, looking down at those lights. Suddenly they +started, for to their ears came the sound of music, dimly heard because +of the distance. + +"Perchance my ears deceive me," said Ready; "but I fancy I hear the +soothing strains of a fiddle." + +"Sure as fate!" exclaimed Bart Hodge. + +"Listen!" cautioned Merry. + +There were other sounds, a sing-song cry at intervals, and then hoarse +laughter and several wild whoops. + +"By gum!" exclaimed Gallup. "Saounds jest like one of them air country +dances they uster hev over to Billing's Corners, Varmount. The boys +called them 'hog wrastles.'" + +"See," said Merry, "there is one place that seems more brightly lighted +than the others. It's right in the center of the other lights. Fellows, +I believe there is a dance going on down there!" + +"Just what I'm beginning to think," said Bart. + +"My! my! How nice!" exclaimed Jack. "Let's go right down and get into +it! Balance your partners all! All hands around! Let her sizzle!" + +"That would be a splendid place for you to get into a dance!" said Frank +sarcastically. + +"But a dance there!" exclaimed Hodge. + +"It does seem mighty strange," agreed Frank. "Still something of the +kind is going on. Hear 'em yell!" + +And now they could faintly hear the sound of feet keeping time to the +music. + +"We've struck this place in a most excellent time to get into it," said +Merry. "I suppose one of us ought to go back and watch the horses." + +The horses had been left in a little pocket some distance behind and +they had climbed on foot to the point where they could look down into +the round valley. + +"No need watch um now," said Joe. "Um hosses all picket fast. We go down +there, better go quick." + +"Correct," agreed Frank. "Just show us how to get down." + +"Follow," said the redskin. "Take heap care." + +The path over which he led them, if path it may be called, was +precarious enough. At times they felt that they were on the edge of some +precipice, with a great fall lying beneath. But the aged redskin went +forward with surprising swiftness, causing them all to strain every +nerve to keep up with him, and in time he brought them down into the +valley. + +"Take lot care," cautioned Crowfoot. "Have guns reddy. No can tell. May +have to use um 'fore git out." + +"It's quite likely," said Merry grimly. + +So they all made sure that their pistols could be drawn quickly and +readily, and then they crept toward the dark huts, from the windows of +which lights gleamed. + +The sounds of fiddling and dancing grew plainer and plainer. Now and +then a shout would awake the echoes. + +"Where do they find their 'ladies' for a dance?" asked Hodge +wonderingly. + +"Oh, there are a few women in this hole," answered Merry. "Perhaps +others have come in." + +They reached the first hut and paused where they could peer along the +street, if such it could be called, for the huts had been built here and +there, so that the road between them zig-zagged like a drunken man. + +In the very center of the place was the building, somewhat larger than +its neighbors, from which came the sounds of revelry. Doors and windows +were wide open. The music having stopped, there might be heard a hum of +voices, and then the wild, reckless laugh of a woman floated out upon +the night air. + +Frank shuddered a little as he heard the sound, which, to his ears, was +more pitiful and appalling than any cry of distress that could fall from +female lips. + +"Poor creature!" he thought. "To what depths has she fallen!" + +They went forward again, slipping around a corner, and Merry stumbled +and fell over the body of a man that was lying prone on the ground. + +"Hold on!" he whispered. "Let's see what we have here. It's a man, but I +wonder if he is living or dead." + +He knelt and felt for the man's heart. + +"Living all right," he declared; "but dead in one sense--dead drunk! +Whew! what a vile smell of liquor!" + +"Let him lie," said Hodge. + +"I have a fancy to take a peep at him," said Frank. "Hold still. I want +a match. I have one." + +Bringing out a match, he struck it and shaded it with his hands, +throwing the light on the prostrate man. + +The light of the match showed them that the fellow was an unusually +large Mexican, dressed after the custom of his people in somewhat soiled +finery. + +"Dead to the world!" sighed Jack Ready softly. + +The match died out in Frank's fingers, but Merry did not rise. + +"What are you doing?" asked Jack. "Are you accumulating his valuables?" + +"Hardly," said Merry. "I'm thinking." + +"Can such a thing make you think! What is passing in your massive +brain?" + +"I have an idea." + +"That's more than Ready ever hed," muttered Gallup. + +"Fellows," said Frank, "this man's clothes ought to be a fairly good fit +for me." + +"Well, what of it?" + +"I'm going to wear them. Get hold here, and we'll carry him aside where +there'll be little chance that any one will stumble upon us. Let's move +lively." + +They did as directed, although wondering why Frank should wish to +exchange clothes with the drunken Mexican. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE DANCE IN SUNK HOLE. + + +A low-ceiled room with a bar at the end near the door. The odor of +smoke, liquor, and perspiration. The place lighted with oil-lamps having +dirty chimneys. The lights of the lamps dancing and flaring to the stamp +of many heavy-shod feet. A maze of human beings whirling, shifting, +prancing, and cutting figures on the floor. Rough-looking men, bearded +and armed; disheveled women, their faces glowing with excitement and +from the effects of drink. At the far end of the room an old man, +mounted on a square box and seated on a chair, sawing away for dear life +at his fiddle, while he called the figures in a sing-song tone. + +And this was the way the fiddler called: + + "First couple balance and swing, + Promenade the inside ring, + Promenade the outside ring, + Balance and swing and cast off six, + Ladies to the right and gents to the left. + Swing the one you swung before, + Down the center and cast off four, + Swing the one that comes to you, + Down the center and cast off two." + +The men were such as most women would avoid. With few exceptions, they +had wicked faces. They had been drinking, and at intervals some elated +and enthusiastic fellow would utter a blood-curdling yell. + +But the figures they cut were laughable at times. They "spanked 'er +down" furiously. They seized their partners and swung them until often +they were lifted off their feet. But those were not the sort of women to +mind. + +Three or four of the citizens of Sunk Hole were married. Two had +daughters old enough to be present at the dance. Other "ladies" had come +in from the surrounding country, brought there by their partners. + +There were a number of Mexicans in the crowd, and three or four Mexican +women. + +Into this smoky room came yet another Mexican, a young man, dressed in +soiled finery, his wide-brimmed high-peaked hat shading his face. He had +a little mustache that was pointed on the ends, and he walked with a +swagger. Immediately on entering he made for the bar and called for a +drink. + +Had any one been watching him closely that person must have noticed that +he did not drink the stuff put out to him, but slyly and deftly tossed +the contents of the glass into a corner under the bar. + +This newcomer was Frank Merriwell, who had disguised himself as well as +possible and boldly walked into this den of ruffians. + +Having pretended to drink, Frank stood back in a retired spot and looked +the dancers over. + +In a moment his eyes fell on Cimarron Bill, who had a Mexican girl for +a partner and was enjoying himself in his own peculiar way. + +Frank knew it would not be safe to come face to face with Bill, although +he saw at once that the desperado had been drinking heavily and could +barely "navigate" through the mazes of the dance. + + "Gents chasse and put on style, + Resash and a little more style-- + Little more style, gents, little more style," + +sang the fiddler; and the dancers strictly obeyed the admonition by +putting on all the style of which they were capable. + +Under different circumstances Merry would have been amused by the +spectacle; and even now, for all of his peril, he was greatly +interested. + +Cimarron Bill was not habitually a hard drinker, but on this occasion he +had surprised everybody present by the amount of whisky he had imbibed. +He seemed determined to get intoxicated, and it was plain that he was +making a success of it. + +Frank did not wish to dance if he could avoid it, knowing he might be +brought face to face with Bill in the course of some of the figures. + +All around the sides of the room men were leaning and looking on, some +of them laughing and calling to various dancers. + +"Go it, Seven Spot!" + +"Spank it down, Dandy!" + +"Steady, Pie Face! Your left hoof belongs to the church!" + +"See Honeydew! He's a holy terror!" + +"Watch Lanky Jim cut a pigeon wing!" + +"Say, Big Kate can dance some! You bet your boots!" + +"Hi! hi! There goes Sweet William, plumb off his pins!" + +Now the fiddler was calling: + + "First lady out to the right; + Swing the man that stole the sheep, + Now the one that packed it home, + Now the one that eat the meat, + Now the one that gnawed the bones." + +Frank found an opportunity to slip along the wall toward the back of the +room. No one seemed to pay any attention to him until he accidentally +stepped on a big fellow's foot. Instantly he was given a shove, and the +man growled: + +"What in thunder ails ye, you yaller-skinned greaser? Keep off my corns, +ur I'll make hash o' you with my toad-sticker!" + +"Pardon, senor, pardon!" entreated Merry, in a soft voice, with an +accent that seemed perfectly natural. "I deed not mean to do eet, +senor." + +"Ef I'd 'lowed ye did I'd sure slashed ye without no talk whatever!" was +the retort. + +Having no desire to get into trouble, Merry took great pains to avoid +stepping on another foot, and he finally reached the point he sought. In +the corner at the far end of the room there was not so much light. A +bench ran along there, and Frank found a seat on it, where he could +lean against the thin board partition, and he did not mind if some of +the men stood up before him so that he was partly screened. + +Merry knew full well that he had done a most reckless thing in entering +that place, where all around him were ruffians and murderers; but there +was something about the adventure that he relished, and the danger gave +it a spice that was far from disagreeable. + +He thanked his lucky stars that this dance had given him the opportunity +to get in there without attracting any more attention. + + "Meet your partner and all chaw hay, + You know where and I don't care, + Seat your partner in the old armchair." + +That particular dance ended with this call from the fiddler; but there +were no armchairs in which the ladies could be seated, and Merry crowded +up into the corner in order to be as inconspicuous as possible and to +escape being disturbed. + +There was a general rush for the bar, the fiddler getting down from his +box and hastening across the floor, wiping his mouth with the back of +his hand. Some of the women accompanied their partners to the bar and +drank with them. + +Such depravity was not pleasant to witness, and Merry felt pity for the +fallen creatures. Sentiment, however, he sought to put aside, thinking +only of the dangerous mission that had brought him into that nest of +gambolling tigers. + +Two men sat down near Merry. They had been dancing, and observed, with +some lurid embellishments, that it was hot. Then one of them said +something that interested Frank. + +"Bill's goin' it a whole lot stiff to-night." + +"That's whatever. Never saw him punish the razzle juice this way afore." + +"You know why, mebbe." + +"Waal, I opine he's some irked up over his mistake in Holbrook. First +time he ever shot the wrong gent. He warn't gunnin' fer File. It was +another galoot he was after." + +"I jedge that's the matter with him. Bandy tried to joke him some about +it, an' Bandy came mighty near gettin' his." + +"Bandy's a dern fool! He should 'a' knowed better than to shoot off his +mouth at Bill." + +"I say so. But Bill he's a-playin' a right steep game in that thar gal +business." + +"Bill kin play his keerds. You let him alone." + +"No danger o' me chippin' in. They say the gal's folks are a heap rich." + +"I opine so, else Bill he'd never taken so much trouble over her." + +"Oh, I dunno; she's the purtiest leetle thing I ever set my blinkers on. +I 'lowed mebbe Bill was lookin' some fer a wife." + +"Wife--northin'! He's lookin' fer the dust. Why, he sent word as how +he'd skin the galoot what dared hurt her or even say somethin' impolite +afore her." + +"Let me tell you somethin'." + +"Fire erway." + +"Han'some Charley has seen that gal, an' I 'low he's taken a likin' to +her a whole lot. Bill better look sharp, ur Charley will sure get away +with her." + +"I ain't the one to give Charley no advice, but if I were, I'd whisper +fer him to think twice afore tryin' it." + +"Charley's some clever. Look, thar he is a-drinkin' with Bill now. Say, +pard, I've got an idee that Charley's doin' his best to load Bill +to-night. If that's so, he's got somethin' up his sleeve, an' we want to +look right sharp fer a breeze afore this dance is over. I'm goin' to +stand ready to duck instanter when the shootin' begins." + +Frank could peer past a man in front of him without moving and see the +person referred to as Handsome Charley, who was drinking with Cimarron +Bill at the bar. This man was larger than Bill and heavier. He had a +flushed, reckless face that wore a smile nearly all the time. He had a +dark mustache and imperial, and there was about him the atmosphere of a +dashing desperado. + +Charley at this time seemed very friendly with Cimarron Bill, and it was +plain that he was urging Bill to drink again. + +"All right," thought Frank; "I'll watch you both." + +At this moment a man appeared in the open door and looked timidly into +the room. + +At sight of this man Frank gave a start in spite of his wonderful +nerve, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he kept himself +from crying forth a name. + +Eliot Dodge, the crafty lawyer with the blue nose, stood there in the +door. No wonder Merry was astounded to see that man appear in such a +place and at such a time. + +Dodge was rather pale, but an expression of relief flashed over his face +when his eyes fell on Cimarron Bill. Then he stepped into the room. + +Bill seemed no less astonished, but he advanced to meet Dodge, holding +out his hand, which the lawyer accepted. + +"However is this, Mr. Dodge?" inquired Bill. "I sure am a whole lot +surprised to meet up with you here--that is, I'm surprised to have it +occur so soon. Will you wash the dust out of your throat?" + +"Don't care if I do," said Dodge, and they crowded nearer to the bar. + +"Bill, I thinks mebbe you might present yer friend," chipped in Handsome +Charley. + +"Waal, Charley," said Bill, "this yere is Mr.----" + +"Lewis," interposed Dodge quickly. + +"Mr. Lewis," said Bill queerly. "Mr. Lewis, permit me to make you +acquainted with Charley Sears, generally called Handsome Charley. Will +you take a little pisen with us, Charley?" + +Handsome Charley gave Dodge his hand, which the lawyer shook gingerly, +his coolness causing the fellow to frown. + +They all drank, and Bill lurched, catching at the edge of the bar. + +"'Scuse me," he said, with unusual politeness. "Always makes me dizzy to +dance. There is a right good lot of whirlin' around in it, you know." + +Charley smiled. + +"You had a fine partner that last dance, Bill; but you ought to bring +out that handsome gal an' take a spin with her, man. I 'low it ain't +right to keep her under kiver when every gent yere is yearnin' to set +eyes on her." + +"They'll have to keep right on yearnin'," averred Bill, frowning. + +"You're gettin' a whole lot selfish," declared Charley. "Are you afeared +some other gent will git her away from ye if you brings her out?" + +"None at all, Charley. But she ain't for this gang to hustle around any, +and that's level." + +At this the other seemed to take offense. + +"I opine, Bill," he said, "that you don't set yourself up as a heap +better than the rest of this gang?" + +The cruel face of Cimarron Bill took on an expression that was a +warning. + +"Charley," he said, in a low, smooth voice, with one hand on the bar to +steady himself, "I am willing to confess that you disturbs me some. I +has my reasons for not bringin' the gal out, an' you'll sure excuse me +if I don't recite them none at present. Some other time I may explain." + +But Charley persisted. + +"Some other time it will be too late," he said. "I'm certain looking to +dance one set with the little beauty myself, Bill." + +"Sorry to disappoint you," returned Bill; "but the young lady doesn't +dance none, if you want to know one good reason." + +"Well, at least, you can bring her forth and permit us to gaze upon her +a while," suggested Charley. + +"Not to-night," was the firm retort. + +"Then it certain will seem a heap like you thought her too good for us, +and the boys won't like that a great deal if I tell 'em so." + +Bill leaned on the bar, his back against it and his elbows resting so +that his hands were close to his hips. In that manner he stood perfectly +steady, and he was in a position to draw his pistols quickly. + +"Charley," he said, his voice like the purring of a cat, all the +thickness seeming gone from his tongue, while his wicked eyes narrowed +to two thin slits, "I don't think you'll go for to say anything whatever +to the boys on this point. You are my friend, I opine. Am I sure right +on that?" + +At this juncture Handsome Charley realized all at once that Bill was not +yet drunk enough not to be deadly. Charley's eyes noted in a flash how +the man had steadied himself and was ready for anything, and Charley +decided that the time was not yet ripe for bringing on a quarrel. + +"Of course I'm your friend, Bill!" he said, with pretended heartiness, +"and whatever you says goes with me. I was just speakin' because I has +heard some of the boys growlin' over this business. That's all." + +Bill smiled, but his smile was anything but pleasant. + +"If any o' the boys growl around in your hearin' some more," he said, +"refer 'em to me, please. I reckons I can certain stop their growlin' in +a hurry." + +"All right, all right!" nodded Charley. + +"And you, pard," Bill went on--"you, I judge, will say to them that I +know my business a-plenty, and that you backs me up. Eh?" + +"Sure, sure, Bill." + +"I thought you would," nodded the desperado with the deadly eyes. "I +opined I could depend on you." + +"You bet! Have another drink, you and Mr. Lewis?" + +"Excuse us, please," urged Bill. "I hates most mortally to decline; but +I has some business to transact with Mr. Lewis, an' I says business +first an' pleasure arterwards. Arter we has settled the business I'll +stand up here to this yere bar an' drink with you as long as the pisen +lasts. Is that all satisfactory like?" + +This question was put in a manner that indicated beyond question that it +would be best for Charley to acknowledge that it was satisfactory, and +the acknowledgment was made. + +"Thanks," bowed Bill. "You're a sure enough gent, Charley, an' I'll +shoot the galoot what says to the contrary! An' now I reckons you'll +excuse us a while. Come, Mr. Lewis, thar's a small back room, an' we'll +jest step in thar." + +Through this Dodge had stood there pale to the lips, with the exception +of his blue nose, for he realized that these men were on the verge of a +disagreement, and he understood that a disagreement between them meant +shooting in short order. Bill, however, had won out by a display of calm +assurance and nerve, which was remarkable, considering his condition. + +The ruffian slipped an arm through that of Dodge, and they crossed the +floor and passed through a narrow door just as the fiddler resumed his +seat and called for the men to select partners and form for the next +dance. + +Frank had watched every move, realizing full well that there was a +possibility of a "gun play" between those two desperadoes. He was unable +to hear what passed between them, but still he fancied he knew the bulk +of it, and, in spite of himself, in spite of the character of the man, +he could not help admitting Cimarron Bill's masterfulness. Frank +comprehended that Charley had thought at first of forcing a quarrel, but +had been cowed by Bill's manner. + +The agitation of Eliot Dodge was also quite apparent. Merry had already +marked Dodge down as a coward. + +When the two men passed into the back room Frank longed to follow them. +He sat there, wondering what course to pursue. + +That June Arlington was somewhere in Sunk Hole he now felt certain. The +talk of the two men who had been seated near him was assurance enough on +that point. + +But where was she? How was he to find and rescue her? This task he now +understood as the most important one before him and the one to which he +was to give his attention at once, regardless of the capture of Bill, +which could be accomplished later. + +As he sat there, thinking the affair over and seeking to decide on some +course to pursue, he was surprised and pleased to distinctly hear Bill +speaking in the room beyond the board partition. These boards were thin +and badly matched, so that there were large cracks at intervals. One of +these cracks happened to be just behind Frank's head. By shifting his +position slightly, he brought his ear close to the crack. + +The fiddler was tuning up, and the rough men and women were laughing as +they formed on the floor for the next dance. + +Frank was able to concentrate his mind on anything he chose, at the same +time becoming quite oblivious to everything else; and now he shut out +the sounds of the room in which he sat and listened with all his ability +to hear what passed beyond the partition. + +"Sure, partner," Bill's voice was saying, "it surprises me a whole lot +to see you come pokin' in here. However did you git here?" + +"Terry came with me all the way. You said he would bring word to you +from me, but I could not wait. I wanted to have a talk with you face to +face, without trusting to any middle man. I felt that I must do it, and +that's what brought me here for one thing." + +"Waal, here you are, and now open up. I'm ready to listen to anything +whatever you has to say." + +"In the first place," Frank distinctly heard Dodge say, "Ben File is +dead." + +"Say you so?" exclaimed Bill, and his voice indicated regret. "I allow +I'm a-plenty sorry." + +"It was bad work." + +"That's right. Don't know how I happened to do anything like that. Never +did afore. I saw Merriwell make a jump, and I thought from the way he +done it the bullet sure had gone clean through him." + +"And you never touched him!" + +"Don't rub it in harder than you kin help, Mr. Dodge!" + +"Hush! Don't speak that name here! It must not get out that I'm in this +game! It would ruin me!" + +"That's all right, pard; no danger. Hear the racket out yonder in that +room. Nobody would ever think o' tryin' to hear what we're sayin'." + +"Still it will be better to keep on calling me Lewis. It's a dangerous +game we've tackled, and I want to get it through in a hurry now. That's +why I'm here." + +"Waal, whatever do you say is the next move?" + +"Merriwell got out of Holbrook right after you." + +"I knows it. The gent sure chases me a distance, but he gits lost, +together with his pards, some time afore night." + +"Well, now is the time to make the demand on Mrs. Arlington for the +ransom money. It must be rushed along. She's in a state of mind so that +she'll be sure to give up easy now. I've waited for this, and I find she +will pay well to have June returned to her unharmed." + +"That's a heap soothin' and agreeable news. I has waited fer you to say +when it was best to make the demand on the old lady." + +"And I've waited until I felt sure she was so distressed and agitated +that she would yield. She did not wish her husband to know of her +presence here, and so she sent no word to him at first. Now she has +wired him the whole facts, and we can reckon that he'll be coming this +way as fast as steam can carry him. It's best to get the whole deal +through, if possible, before he shows up." + +"I'm for it." + +"You must write a demand on the woman for the boodle. She has diamonds +and jewels with her on which she can raise ten thousand dollars. Make +her raise it at once. Don't let her delay. Frighten her into it." + +"I opines I can do that. I'll give her a scorcher. I'll tell her the gal +is all safe an' onharmed, but she has to plunk down instanter or I'll +send her one o' Miss June's fingers to hurry her up a leetle." + +"That will go. I think that ought to start her." + +"If you says so, I'll make it stiffer. What if I adds that one o' the +gal's prittey hands will foller? or an ear--mebbe that's better?" + +"As you choose. Say that the money is to be placed in my hands to be +delivered to your agent, who will meet me on the open plain ten miles +from Holbrook in whatever direction you choose. Then I can ride out with +it and come back, and you can bring the girl into town under cover of +night." + +"I reckon that ought to work, partner. This yere game is your plannin', +an' I falls inter it because I reckons it was easier than gittin' ahead +o' Merriwell an' seizin' the mine. Had I shot up Merriwell, instead o' +File, I'd 'a' called on the lady hard fer the price, which, together +with the money I'll get out o' this strike, would have made me easy for +a right good while." + +"I'm against your idea of trying to saddle the kidnaping onto +Merriwell." + +"Why?" + +"I don't think it will go. Merriwell might return to Holbrook. If the +demand for money had his name attached, his arrest would seem to put him +where it would be necessary for him to produce the girl. Mrs. Arlington +was for forcing him to do so when File took him. Anything like that +would cause delay, and delay is something we do not want." + +"Mr.--ah--Mr. Lewis, you sure reasons correct. We'll jest hitch a +made-up name to the demand for money, which will be a whole lot better." + +"I think so. And now let's write this demand, so that I may turn about +and get out of this hole immediately. You must furnish me with a fresh +horse. I'm supposed now to be searching for Merriwell, several men in +town having set out upon the same task, for Mrs. Arlington offered a +reward for his recapture. I will be able to make a very satisfactory +explanation of my absence from Holbrook." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +DEAD OR LIVING. + + +Frank's feelings on listening to this talk, the greater part of which he +was able to hear very well, may be imagined far more easily than +described. At last he was in full possession of the facts relating to +the abduction of June Arlington, and a greater piece of villainy had +never come to his knowledge. From the first he had regarded Eliot Dodge +as a scoundrel of the worst type; but he had not gaged the man as one +who would enter into such a desperate scheme as this. + +Merry had also learned that Ben File was dead, and, therefore, he was +released from his promise to bring back Cimarron Bill. + +Immediately his one thought turned to June and to the devising of some +method of discovering her whereabouts and going to her rescue. Later he +could think of other things; but not until this great object had been +accomplished. + +The voices of the men ran on in the little room, though words grew +fewer, and Merry knew the demand for the ransom money was being written. + +For a moment he thought of the satisfaction it would give him to expose +the rascally lawyer and bring him to the end of his tether. Then he saw +Handsome Charley speaking quietly in the ear of a man, afterward +passing on to another and yet another. There was something in Charley's +manner that seemed very significant. + +"There's trouble brewing for Bill," Frank decided. "It's coming as sure +as fate." + +He felt for his own weapons, making sure they were where he could draw +them and use them without delay; but Frank did not propose to become +involved in the affair unless circumstances made it impossible to keep +out. + +Again he listened at the crack in the partition, hoping that some word +passed between Dodge and Bill would tell him where June was hidden. In +this Merry was disappointed. True, Dodge asked about the girl and Bill +assured him that she was perfectly safe and unharmed, but that was all. + +The dance was over and another was in progress when Bill and Eliot Dodge +came from that back room. Handsome Charley and his satellites were +watching these two men. But they were permitted to pass to the door, +where Bill shook hands with Dodge, who hurried forth into the night. + +"How is that, Bill?" demanded Charley, hastily approaching. "I opine you +agreed that you an' your friend would sure drink with me arter your +business was over. I notices that he has hiked." + +Bill turned. + +"Count me in, Charley," he said easily. "Mr.--ah--Lewis, he didn't hev +time. My neck is again a whole lot dry, and I'll be pleased to irrigate +with you." + +So they stood up to the bar, and Frank saw a number of men drawing near +from different directions, all coming forward quietly. + +Charley openly expressed his disapproval of the conduct of Eliot Dodge. + +"He certain was most onmannerly, Bill," he declared. + +"Forget it," advised Bill curtly. + +And this was not at all agreeable to the other. + +"Mebbe I can't do that none," said Charley; "but I'll tell ye, Bill, +what will help a whole lot." + +"Go ahead," said Bill. + +"You has right up-stairs in this same ranch a young lady what is +handsome enough to make any gent fergit a wrong, an' her I most mightily +wants to bring down yere." + +Frank heard the words distinctly, and they gave him a start. Handsome +Charley was speaking of June Arlington; there could be no doubt of that. +He said June was "up-stairs in that same ranch." At last Frank had +received the clue he was seeking. + +More than Merry saw trouble was brewing between Charley and Bill, and +now the attention of almost every person in the room was directed toward +them. + +Bill's face grew grim, and again his eyes narrowed and glittered. + +"See yere," he said harshly, "I allows we has settled the p'int in +regard to her, an' so you lets it drop, Charley." + +Frank knew that pistols would be out in a few seconds more. He did not +wait for the men to draw and begin to shoot. + +There was no flight of stairs in the room where the dance was taking +place, and, therefore, he immediately decided that the stairs might be +found in the back room, where the interview between Bill and Eliot Dodge +had taken place. The door leading into that room was closed, but Frank +slipped quickly to it, and it readily opened before his hand. + +He found himself in a bare room, having but little furniture, a table, a +bed, some chairs, and, as Frank had believed likely, a steep flight of +stairs ran railless up one side of the room, disappearing at a dark +landing above. + +In a twinkling Merry was bounding lightly up those stairs, the sounds of +loud and angry voices coming from the dance-room, where the music and +dancing had now stopped. + +Frank knew that whatever he did must be done in a hurry, for, allowing +that in the trouble in the dance-room, Handsome Charley should come +forth triumphant it was likely that June would be sought by some of +those ruffians. + +The thought of this spurred Merry on. He pictured to himself the terror +of the poor girl seized by those men and dragged into the presence of +the mob below. + +"They shall not touch her!" he muttered. "If I can reach her, they shall +not touch her!" + +Then he found himself, in the gloom of the landing, against a heavy +door. He sought to open it, but it was locked. + +From below came the sound of a shot. Then there were shouts and other +shots. + +"The devils have broken loose!" exclaimed Merry, and he wondered how it +fared with Bill. + +In vain he felt for the fastenings of the door. His heart smote him with +the fear that it would withstand any attack he might direct upon it. + +Then he found a match and struck it. The light showed him something that +made his heart leap with satisfaction. + +Across the face of the door, lying in iron slots, was an iron bar that +held it fast. + +The match was dropped in a twinkling, and Frank's fingers lifted the bar +from the slots and its socket. Then he easily opened the door. + +At that instant it seemed as if pandemonium broke loose below. There was +a perfect fusillade of shots, hoarse shouts from men and wild shrieks +from women. There was likewise a terrible crash, as if some part of the +building had been ripped down. + +"June!" called Frank. "June! June!" + +The room in which he found himself was dark and silent. + +"June! June! I am a friend! Answer me!" + +Still silence. + +Again he brought forth and struck a match. It flared up in his fingers, +and he lifted it above his head, looking all around. + +Stretched on the floor in a huddled heap in one corner was the body of a +girl. The glance he had obtained convinced him that it was June beyond +question. + +Frank sprang forward, again speaking her name and assuring her that he +was a friend. + +In the darkness he found her with his hands. She did not move when he +touched her, and his fingers ran to her face. It was cold as marble to +the touch, and a great horror filled his soul. + +"Merciful God!" he groaned, starting back a little. "They have killed +her. The devils!" + +The shock was so great that he remained quite still on his knees for a +few moments. + +He was aroused by the sound of heavy feet upon the stairs. + +Frank sprang up and dashed across the room to the door. + +The door leading into the dance-room had been left wide open below. He +saw that a number of men had entered the back room, and already two or +three were on the stairs. Handsome Charley was at their head. + +Frank was trapped! + +At once he realized that Cimarron Bill was, beyond a doubt, lying in a +pool of his own blood in the dance-room. At last the most desperate and +dangerous man-killer of the Southwest had met his master. + +Merry had little time, however, to think of anything like this. His own +life was in the utmost peril. He drew his revolver, and, with the utmost +coolness, put a bullet through Handsome Charley's right shoulder. + +With a cry, the man fell back into the arms of the one directly behind +him, and that fellow was upset, so that all were swept in a great crash +to the foot of the stairs. + +"Perhaps that will hold you for a while!" muttered Frank, as he picked +up the iron bar and promptly closed the door at the head of the stairs. + +He had seized the bar because he thought it might be a good weapon of +defense in case his revolvers should be emptied and he remained in +condition to fight. Now he thought of something else, and decided that +the bar might do for a prop at the door. + +"There ought to be some other way out of this room," he muttered. "Isn't +there even a window?" + +Again he struck a match, looking around with the aid of its light. + +At the end of the long room in which he found himself he fancied he must +find a window. Toward this end of the room he hurried, and another match +disclosed to him a window that was hidden by heavy planking. Plainly the +planks had been spiked over the window after it was decided to hold June +a prisoner in that room. + +Down dropped the match, and instantly Frank attacked the planks with the +iron bar. + +Fortune must have favored him, for had it been light he could not have +been more successful. Every stroke was effective, and he began ripping +off the planks. + +There was wild excitement below, and Merry prayed for a little time. His +heart was filled with a hope that Handsome Charley's fate would be a +warning to others, so they would not be eager to rush up the stairs to +the door. + +In just about one minute he had torn the planks from the window. + +Once more he heard men ascending the stairs. Instantly he dashed across +the floor, finding the door in the darkness. + +"Halt!" he cried savagely, from behind the closed door. "Halt, or I +fire!" + +Then he sought to prop the door with the iron bar, pressing it down in +such a position that it might hold for some moments against an ordinary +attack upon it. + +"I'll shoot the first man who tries to open this door!" he shouted. + +But he did not remain there to await an effort to open the door. Instead +he quickly found the girl in the corner, lifted her limp body, and +sought the window once more. + +Reaching the window, Frank promptly kicked out sash and glass with two +movements of his foot. + +Bang! bang! bang!--sounded heavy blows on the door behind him, but the +iron bar was holding well. + +Merry swung his leg over the window-ledge. Desperate as he was, he meant +to venture a leap from the window to the ground with the girl in his +arms. + +But just then, pausing to look down, he was amazed and delighted to see +below him his four friends, who were on the point of entering the +building, led by Bart Hodge. Instantly Frank hailed them. + +"Catch her!" he cried, swinging the girl out over the window-ledge, so +that they could see her below. + +Immediately Bart and Ephraim extended their arms and stood ready. + +"Let her come!" shouted Hodge. + +Frank dropped the girl, and the two young men clutched at her as she +fell directly into their arms. + +At that moment the door behind Merry flew open with a slam and the +ruffians came bursting into the room. + +One of them held a lighted lamp. + +The fellow in advance saw Frank in the window and flung up his hand. +There was a loud report and a burst of smoke. When the smoke cleared the +window was empty, Frank having disappeared. + +"Nailed him!" shouted the ruffian who had fired. "Nailed him for sure!" + +He rushed forward to the window and looked down, expecting to discover +the body of his victim stretched on the ground. But in this he was +disappointed, for neither Frank nor his friends were beneath the +window. Into the darkness of the crooked street some dusky figures were +vanishing. + +Frank had leaped from the window, being untouched by the bullet that +fanned his cheek in passing. He struck on his feet, but plunged forward +on his hands and knees. In a moment he was jerked erect by some one who +observed: + +"Methinks your parachute must be out of order. You descended with +exceeding great violence. What think you if we make haste to depart?" + +"Jack!" exclaimed Frank. + +"The same," was the assurance, as Ready clutched his arm and started him +on the run. "Dear me! I know this strenuous life will yet bring me to my +death!" + +Ahead of them Frank saw some figures moving hastily away. + +"The girl----" + +"They've got her," assured Jack. "Old Joe is with them. We'll talk it +over later." + +So they ran, well knowing the whole of Sunk Hole would be looking for +them within thirty minutes. It did not take them long to come up with +Bart, Ephraim, and old Joe. + +Behind them there sounded shouts and commands, and it was well the whole +of Sunk Hole had been at the dance, else the place must have been +aroused so that they would have run into some of its inhabitants. Here +and there amid the buildings they dodged until they arrived at the edge +of the collection and struck out for the side of the valley, Crowfoot +leading. + +It was necessary to trust everything to the old Indian. Without him they +could not have known with any certainty that they were taking the proper +course to enable them to get out of the valley. + +The girl was passed from one to another as they ran. They did not waste +their breath in words. + +The old Indian ran with an ease that was astonishing, considering his +years. + +Looking back, they could see torches moving swiftly here and there +through the town, telling that the search for them was being carried on. + +Soon they came to a steep gully that led upward, and the ascent was very +difficult, even at first. It grew more and more difficult as they +ascended, and it became necessary for them to work slowly in the +darkness, the girl being passed upward from time to time, as one after +another took turns at creeping ahead. + +Joe did not seem to have much trouble, but he did not bother with the +girl. Finally he said: + +"Here come bad palefaces! Make some big hurry!" + +It was true that a party of men were running toward the gully. Their +torches danced and flared, showing them with some distinctness. + +To the right and left in other parts of the valley were clusters of +torches. + +"Heap try to stop us," exclaimed Crowfoot. "One way to go up there, +'nother way down there, this be 'nother way. They know all. That how um +come here so fast." + +By the time the men with the torches reached the foot of the gully Frank +and his comrades were so far above that they were not betrayed by the +torchlight. But one of the ruffians bade the others listen, and at that +very moment Ephraim Gallup dislodged a stone that went clattering and +rattling downward with a great racket. + +Instantly a wild yell broke from the lips of the ruffians below. + +"Here they are!" they shouted. "They're up here!" + +Then one of them began to blaze away with his pistols, and the bullets +whistled and zipped unpleasantly close to the party above. + +Bart Hodge stooped and found some rocks as large as ducks' eggs in the +hollow of the gully. He knew it would expose their position if he should +answer the fire with his revolvers, and so he simply hurled those rocks +with all the accuracy and skill that had made him noted on the baseball +diamond as a wonderful thrower to second base. + +The first rock struck a fellow on the wrist and broke it. The third hit +another man on the shoulder, and not many of the six Bart threw failed +to take effect. + +Astonishing though it seemed, this method of retorting to the shooting +proved most effective, and the ruffians scattered to get out of the way, +swearing horribly. + +The fugitives continued till the top of the gully was reached and they +struck something like a natural path that soon took them where they +could no longer see the valley nor hear their enemies. + +Knowing they would be followed still farther, they halted not for a +moment until their horses were reached. Then they paused only to make +ready and swing into the saddle. + +Even as June was passed up to Frank she sighed and seemed to come a +little to herself. And as they rode into the dusk of the night she +recovered consciousness, the cool breeze fanning her face. She wondered +and shuddered until she heard the voice of Frank Merriwell reassuring +her, and then she was certain that it was all a dream. In her prison +room she had listened with shaking soul to the sounds from below, she +had crept to the barred door and heard Cimarron Bill and Eliot Dodge +talking below, and the horror of knowing the rascally lawyer was in the +plot that had brought about her abduction and detention in that den had +been a fearful shock to her. When the quarreling and the shooting began, +she was filled with mortal dread. She heard some one on the stairs and +fumbling at her door, and then, kneeling in a corner of the room, all +the world slipped away from her, and she remembered nothing more until +she awoke in the arms of her brave rescuer, Frank Merriwell. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE RETURN TO HOLBROOK. + + +Haggard from worriment and need of sleep, her face seeming drawn and +old, her eyes feeling like coals in her throbbing head, Mrs. Arlington +welcomed Eliot Dodge, who came into the room, looking dejected yet +seeming to appear hopeful. + +"June! June, my child?" cried the tortured mother. "Have you no news of +her?" + +"Nothing but--this," said Dodge, pulling out an unsealed letter. + +Then he briefly told of being held up by three ruffians, who had given +him the letter. + +Mrs. Arlington read it, and fell half-fainting on the couch, while Dodge +bent over her with protestations of sympathy. + +"My poor girl!" gasped the miserable woman. "And she is in the power of +such monsters! The ransom money must be paid! She must be saved at +once!" + +"Is there no way to avoid paying the money?" said Dodge. "Is it not +possible she may be saved in some other manner?" + +"I think it is," said a clear voice, as the door was thrust open and +Frank Merriwell, covered from head to heel with the dust of the desert, +escorted the rescued girl into the room. "Mrs. Arlington, I have +brought you your daughter." + +With a scream of joy, Mrs. Arlington leaped up and June ran into her +arms. + +Eliot Dodge seemed to turn green. He stood and stared at the girl in a +sort of blank stupor, failing to observe that just behind Frank +Merriwell, who still wore the clothes taken from the intoxicated +Mexican, there was the officer newly appointed to fill the place left +vacant by the death of Ben File. + +"June! June! June!" cried Mrs. Arlington, her face flushed with +gladness. "Is it you, my poor girl! I can scarcely believe it! How does +it happen? Tell me how you come to be here!" + +"I am here, mother, because I was rescued from those horrible ruffians +by that brave gentleman whom you have so greatly wronged, Frank +Merriwell. He risked his life for me. I will tell you all, but +first--first I must tell you that you have trusted a snake. I mean that +monster there!" + +She pointed her finger at Dodge, who started and looked startled, but +pretended the utmost amazement. + +"He is the villain who planned it all!" declared June. "I know, for I +heard them talk it over. But he shall not escape!" + +"I hardly think so," said Frank. "Officer, he is a desperate man. Be +careful of him." + +"This is an outrage!" declared Dodge, as the new city marshal grasped +him. "I'll not permit it! I----" + +Frank clutched him on the other side, and, a moment later, the officer +had ironed his prisoner. + +Mrs. Arlington would have interfered, but Merry declared he had sworn +out the warrant for Dodge's arrest, and she saw it was useless. + +"Madam," said Frank, "I will leave you alone with your daughter. When +she has told you all, you will be ready, I am confident, to prosecute +Eliot Dodge. I shall then withdraw my charge and permit you to have him +arrested. In the meantime I bid you good day. I shall be in this hotel +for the next day or so." + +He bowed gracefully to both Mrs. Arlington and June and left the room. + + * * * * * + +When there was plenty of time, Frank and his friends talked it over. He +told them of his experience in the dance-room, and they told him how +they had lingered near, ready to rush to his rescue. When they heard the +sounds of the quarrel between Cimarron Bill and Handsome Charley they +hurried to the door, but there they halted, for they looked in and saw +nothing of Frank. Thus it was that they beheld the shooting of Bill as +he tried to draw on Charley. He was shot down from behind by Charley's +tools, and they fired several bullets into his body as he lay weltering +on the floor. + +Frank shook his head as he heard this account of Bill's end. + +"He was a bad man, a very bad man," he said; "but somehow I'm sorry +that he met his end that way. They had to shoot him from the rear. Not +one of them dared pull on him face to face." + +Frank received a brief letter from Mrs. Arlington, thanking him for what +he had done for her daughter. Not one word did she say of her own +malevolence toward him, not one word of the manner in which she had +wronged him. And the doctor, who brought the letter, told Merry that she +was in such a precarious condition that she could not write more, nor +could she be seen by any one but June. + +Frank smiled grimly, disdainfully, over the letter, then deliberately +tore it into shreds. + +But he had proved his manhood, and June Arlington, for all of her +mother, found time to see him a few moments before he left town. After +that brief time with June he rode light-heartedly away, his friends +galloping at his side and listening to the cowboy song that came from +his lips. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Because of extensive use of dialect, all apparent errors within dialogue +have been assumed intentional and retained. + +Page 5, "Merriell's" changed to "Merriwell's" (Frank Merriwell's Rough +Deal) + +Page 24, changed erroneous period to comma ("I have no desire or +intention of irking you up, sir," he said.) + +Page 27, "referrring" changed to "referring" (Certain papers referring +to the Queen Mystery and San Pablo Mines, which I own.) + +Page 93, added missing opening quote ("I think I'll finish you!") + +Page 213, "Cimaroon" changed to "Cimarron" (Cimarron Bill watched his +tool depart, smiling darkly and muttering to himself) + +Page 216, removed extraneous quote after "hurriedly" ("Oh, velly good, +velly good!" answered the Celestial hurriedly, backing off a little, his +face yellowish white.) + +Page 217, "cant" changed to "can't" ("I can't beat him at his own +game.") + +Page 300, changed single quote to double quote at end of sentence ("In +the first place," Frank distinctly heard Dodge say, "Ben File is dead.") + +Page 318, "Merriwel" changed to "Merriwell" (He stood and stared at the +girl in a sort of blank stupor, failing to observe that just behind +Frank Merriwell, who still wore the clothes taken from the intoxicated +Mexican, there was the officer newly appointed to fill the place left +vacant by the death of Ben File.) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S BACKERS*** + + +******* This file should be named 39433.txt or 39433.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/4/3/39433 + + + +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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